Let's Play: Deus Ex

[Revising Ocelot]

I'd always looked forward to working at UNATCO - the United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition. I was in private school in Switzerland when the Statue of Liberty was bombed - not destroyed, but decapitated.
Years later I came back to America and enrolled in the UNATCO Academy on the mainland, like the schoolmasters had already intended... not that I even minded. I was following my older brother's footsteps - we'd both been augmented with nanomachines, improving ourselves in every respect. Mental faculties, stamina, strength... I don't remember exactly why they were implemented for me and my brother specifically, but I don't care too much. Only my eyes bothered me... I've been covering them with shades for a long time, and nobody knows the difference. Not even myself, as there's no visual difference.

Tomorrow was supposed to be my first day on the job - I finally graduated last week after completing the training course. I was moving to New York - the main headquarters of UNATCO in the US was based on Liberty Island, rising from the ashes of the headless Statue... no tourists ever came after the bombing. An office was being prepared for me there, and Paul had already arranged for me to stay at his apartment in Hell's Kitchen whilst he was operating in Hong Kong. I don't know why he lives there of all places, but he claims it's certainly safe enough... given his UNATCO experience I don't doubt him. I was especially looking forward to finding out why when I arrived at New York at sunset today. But I had to check in at UNATCO first.







As soon as I get off the speedboat, I hear a gunshot in the distance. Do UNATCO use some of the island as targetting ranges? At night? No... something's wrong.



NSF raid? Paul's already here? And I haven't even seen this "Alex Jacobson" before - he's using the Infolink. Only Jaime Reyes has contacted me through that before, back at the Academy during the routine checkups and the training course.

Looks like I'm on my first assignment a day early...

And sure enough, Paul's already running over to me. I hadn't seen him for 3 months now.



"Welcome to the Coalition, JC... I might as well start using your codename. Think I'd miss my brother's first day?"

Avoiding the question already. Guess it wasn't for a good reason. He notices my expression.

"The NSF -- they hit one of our shipments. A few of them got away, but we trapped the rest in the Statue."
"What are we waiting for? Looks like a textbook assault."
"The NSF took one of our agents hostage. The bots are holding the perimeter, but my orders are to hold back and send you in alone. I think someone high up wants to see how you handle the situation."

Probably the only reason why the troops haven't come out in force and mown them done already. Trial by fire for the rookie...

"All I've got with me is a pistol and an electric prod. I don't mind a test, but
UNATCO better issue some hardware."
"Remember that we're police. Stick with the prod. It will stun your opponents or knock them unconscious. A nonlethal takedown is always the most silent way to eliminate resistance. Just in case, though, Manderley wants you to pick an additional weapon: a sniper rifle, a GEP gun, or a minicrossbow."

The UNATCO chief certainly was expecting me tonight. I'd used a rifle on the training course, but... I've never actually killed anyone in the line of duty before. If I have to, I'd stick to my pistol... I'm much more experienced with it. Seems like I'm expected to sneak in and do something anyway... hopefully this'll excuse me from shooting anyone yet.

"I'm guessing the crossbow comes with tranquiliser darts. They can instantly give someone an early night if you hit them in the neck or head."
"Good thinking. Quick and silent, and safer to use than the prod from a distance if your aim's good. You liked to use one back at the Academy, I hear."
"Yeah. What's the first move?"
"I'm going to give you a map of the island. If you can get to the north dock, a UNATCO informant will give you a key to the Statue doors. He responds to the code-phrase 'iron and copper.' You could avoid a lot of fighting, though, if you found a back way into the Statue. Your primary objective is the makeshift command center the terrorists installed at the top of the Statue, but don't forget about Agent Hermann. We think he's being held on the ground floor. Once you're there, interrogate the leader. We don't yet know why the terrorists would risk an open assault. As for me, I'm watching the coast at Battery Park. There's some activity there, probably NSF, but there's a more pressing issue at hand for now."
"Let's catch up later at HQ then."
"Good luck out there."


There's some soda and a beer on the dock near the boat. Last thing I need is to get thirsty halfway up the Statue, but Paul and I rarely need to eat or drink. Something to do with the nanites producing energy, but it doesn't stop us from enjoying a good meal. I should stay off the beer though, that'd be... more than foolish.


"Heh, even the Dentons need a drink. You're authorised to take whatever you want from crates or whatever on the island, we've been meaning to do a cleanup anyway."


Sounds like a good deal to me.


Pair of binoculars in one crate. I steal a quick glance at the statue as I can't see past the island walls from here. Nobody ever took credit for the statue bombing, but a lot of UNATCO folks thought Silhouette did it. I doubt it personally - they've never used explosives before now.
"Oh, and there's a multitool under the dock. 100 credits says you can't grab it!"


Multitools are useful anyway for bypassing electronic devices. I'd gotten quite skilled with using them back at the Academy and had hoarded an admirable pile of them - the inner kleptomaniac should have let myself bring a few along. Guess I'll make do with getting soaking wet for one.


Alex Jacobson crops up again. I guess he's the comms and hardware guy stuck in HQ. There's a police baton by the crate, which I pick up... should save me some prod batteries if I copy the training correctly.


A corpse... guess the NSF are around here. I extend the baton and hide behind the boxes in the shadows.


There's one... he stops his patrol for a second to look down the east road. His loss.


Sneak behind your opponent while crouched, stand and swiftly hit the side of the head...


He keels over to the side. Out like a charm.


I drag him over back to the dock, no need to announce my presence yet. I don't even break a sweat in doing so.Collins is all too happy to keep an eye on him.


UNATCO HQ is nearby. Wouldn't hurt to have a quick look.







It's... not as big as I imagined. I guess it's entirely underground. The tech sergeant out front looks disgruntled.
"Afraid base is under lockdown 'til the danger's gone, Agent Denton."
"Right. How you guys holding up?"
"UNATCO command made us pull back, I guess for Gunther's sake. What's the deal? We're ready to go in."

May as well humour him, the guy actually looks bored even with the island under siege. They must not like holding back.
"I can't speak for command, but I'm gonna clean the place out."
"I hear ya. Manderley's right: you nano-augs are born and bred killers. Get some down for me, I'm stuck here and not even these guys will dare approach the main UNATCO building. You'd better load up, though. There are some crates of ammo stashed in the antenna shaft behind the helipad. Might also want to check out the comm hut next to it. The code's 0451 for the hut and the key for the shaft is behind it."
"Thanks."


Key behind the hut? Sounds like a house in the suburbs...


There's a terminal in the hut. Let me guess... the password's under the table... eh.


I was renowned for my ICE Breaker hacking back at the Academy. Learned it myself. It certainly wasn't part of the training program, but once my superiors found out, just like a classmate said, they actually encouraged it. 'Good initiative from an Agent', it was recorded. They didn't mention it at my graduation, of course.


This is too easy. I leave the camera controls well alone for now... just wanted a look.


Ah... somehow I feel let down.










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First update done at last! Now I would like some tasty, delicious feedback, please.