The first event of note that occurs in UNATCO HQ is that as I’m running down the entrance hallway, there’s a loading screen which freezes the action. When the game resumes, I’m facing a wall and no longer sure of my heading. I can’t reorient myself by looking around, because inconveniently-placed corners prevent me from seeing anything other than blank walls.
This almost perfectly replicates the experience of being lost in a large UN complex. Unfortunately, my suspension of disbelief collapses once it becomes apparent that even though this is my first day on the job, I already have a login and password for my UNATCO work computer. Yeah, like I’m going to buy that.
Not that I need a login or password. Between my nanotech enhancements and my awesome computer skills, I can hack computers completely unnoticed, even if someone else is already using it. I can do that same with ATM machines, too, an ability which I take advantage of mercilessly. I’m a pretty shitty officer of the law, really.
Several important characters are hanging around at UNATCO HQ dealing with the current terrorism crisis. Jaime Reyes is a short, chubby Hispanic dude whose computer password is “amigo”. Classy. He’s also the resident doctor, and considering that people are shooting each other just outside HQ, he’s having a pretty shitty day. His lab contains a couple of medbots which can heal me and install the augmentation canister I picked up earlier. I go for the Microfibrial Muscle, which should help me wield heavy weapons (like the GEP gun) more effectively, and allow me to move heavy objects around.
Alex Jacobs is your typical nerdy hacker and mission control guy. Hacking his email account reveals that he keeps a list of everyone else’s login names and passwords. Awesome.
Sam Carter is a former general who was a hero during the previosu war against the NSF, but after his family were killed by the terrorists, he retired from active duty and now acts as UNATCO’s quartermaster. This means he gives me weapons and ammo, making him the most useful UNATCO dude thus far.
Joseph Manderley is the head of UNATCO. He gives me orders and money, so I have conflicted feelings about him. The NSF is running amok in New York City, and have stolen a freighter full of Ambrosia, which is needed to prevent various high mucky-mucks from contracting the Gray Death. The first step is to partner up with Agent Navarre to clear out the NSF occupying Battery Park, and the second step is to track down the missing Ambrosia.
Anna Navarre is your typical reformed Eastern European hardcase. She thinks Paul’s a wussbag for his reliance on non-lethal force, and that JC is a wussbag both because he’s Paul’s brother, and because she doesn’t think much of his fashion sense. The choice quote in this regard is something along the lines of ”Skill and experience are more important than fashionable sunglasses and baggy coats that make us look bigger than we really are.”
Anna and Gunther do have an amusing conversation in the employee lounge. Gunther thinks the maintenance staff is conspiring against him, because when he tried to get an orange soda from the vending machine, it gave him lemon-lime. Seriously.
Comedic value aside, Anna and Gunther are clearly bloodthirsty assclowns, possibly because they’re mechanically augmented, and thus look pretty creepy; this might be why they’re playing up the “psychotic killers” angle. Not that it gives me any sympathy for them.
After looting HQ as thoroughly as possible, and reading all my co-workers’ email without their permission, I head back to the docks and get in the boat to go to the next mission.