I suppose I'll give the room a quick once over to grab anything we missed and improve the barricade with anything not bolted down. I start by moving the chair with the crowbar to the desk and checking the draws. Just a newspaper in the top one but I found a box that looked like the weapon mods from the game in the second draw so good stuff already.

Nothing in the kitchenette part of the room that you wouldn't expect or that I want, I guess it was the break room for the staff. I put the fire extinguisher from the kitchen near the desk, who knows maybe I can toss at anyone that comes and then shot it. OK maybe not shot it but I could totally throw it at someone.

Time to check the terminal and see how the gang is doing. They're almost up to the stairs already, faster then I thought they would be. Lucky I didn't miss it. OK start the 15 count, 15, 14, … 4, 3, 2, let's start with the lobby, turret on. Front square, lots of guys out here and the little robot, turret on, camera off and here is another good surprise, robot switch targeting to NSF. I can hear the turrets winding up better move quick. Top level, may as well turn the camera off, last screen and it's me again.

Hidden Trial Reward – The best offence is their defence – You have gained control of the NSF's security system and turned it against them. Challenger receives 1500 points and C Rank Reward.

Hidden Trial Reward – What's yours is mine – You have stolen control of the NSF's 100101 small security bot and turned it to your cause. Challenger receives 1500 points and DD Rank Reward.

Sweet, more stuff that I think is good. Well I guess that's it and with that, I'm about to go back to the lobby and front square screens to monitor what is going on when I see another option on my screen I missed before. Under the door option, there is a “Safe” OPEN/CLOSE option. That wasn't there in the game, let's check it out, OPEN.

To the right of me, the bricks pivot open revealing a medium size hidden safe. Maybe this is where they put Gunther's stuff after they captured him. Gotta put peoples stuff somewhere safe when you lock them up … in the statue of liberty … where they have a huge fish tank holding cell … with a super strong door. I never questioned that when it was a game but now seeing it in “real life” it doesn't make any god damn sense, what the hell?

No, add it to the don't think about list and go see what the treasure safe has. Jackpot, bottom shelf has a pistol, an assault rifle and two mags for each. The rifle goes straight over the shoulder using its strap and the two mags in the left pants pocket that I cleared by giving Gunther the pistol mags. Good things really do happen to good people. I don't need a second pistol but if there is nothing useful on the top shelf then why not take those mags too. I stand up straight so I can look down the top shelf and there's only one thing there. Looks like a glowing blue soda can and I got no idea what it is. Can't hurt to look so I grab it.

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Trial Bonus Item Found

Nanotech Augmentation canister (Nanotech Infolink)

Challenger can have Nanotech Infolink installed at The Waystation if you have it in your possession for 500 points or at a Matsu-Gravas GV-4 Nightingale Medical bot if you have compatible physiology for free.

Change is good, my own nano-aug, without further thought this goes right in the jacket pocket. Just as I put the nano-aug away I hear the turret start to spin up. I take it back, change is bad, change is bad, go back to the way things were but leave the nano-aug.

I rush to the corner of the hallway and peek around the corner as the turret starts unleashing on the hallway. I just catch the foot of the person jumping back around the corner, shouting something as the turret unleashes on the first NSF I hit with the crowbar. Looks like someone tried to wake him as he was in a sitting position until the turret hit him.

Turret don't fail me now. I toss the fire extinguisher down the hallway and hear voices cry out as I take aim with my pistol using the desk and wall as support. Next guy to come round gets exploding fire extinguisher. I hear a beep beep and a LAM comes down the hallway and hits the desk. I dive to the corner of the room before it goes off shattering desk everywhere.

I can't hear anything but ringing anymore as I crawl back to the hallway to look down. I make it in time to see an arm flick another LAM down the hallway floor, fool me once. I can't get back crawling on the floor so instead, I fall to the ground and swing my arm like a pinball flipper to slap it backwards.

I immediately try to rear back and put my arms up for some cover. It helps since the shrapnel only grazes my eyebrow and bouncing off my helmet instead of embedding in my chest. Upside I think the fire extinguisher got blown up cause even my deaf self heard something explode, that and the white shit everywhere.

I need some cover in case they got more LAMs. I roll out of the front of the hallway and look back. I can only see the left half of the room as the forehead bleeds into my right eye, busted chair, crowbar, terminal, open door … the holding cell! I pick my self up, quick as I can and trip over straight away. Damn ears, my balance is fucked, so I crawl instead and use the wall at the terminal to help me up and regain my balance. I hope the NSF are at least as banged up as I am so they are slow to act.

I got to log out so they can't turn the system against me but I also need to get through the door before it closes. I think it is doable, I just need to get my balance hit both buttons and run. Fingers crossed, I pause for a moment and look at the door. I plan me every step to it and see it in my head before looking at the terminal. OK stand up and check balance … passable. I set the door to locked so they can't open it and then put my hands in the right place to close and logout.

I take a breath to steady myself and hit close and logout. I see the terminal and the door start closing and I move. I stagger and get my left shoulder in the door but before I can cheer something hits me in the kidney and then the shoulder. I fall forward into the room and hit the floor, feeling nothing.

Before I can think pain hits me like two bursts of fireworks going off in my body, first in my shoulder and then around my kidney. What the hell happened? I just scream like I never have before and despite the burning, I feel cool liquid running down my side.

I can't move, I'm lying on the ground in so much pain and my body just won't move. I lay my head on the ground, I can't hold it up anymore and I can see the blood pooling on the ground. Things start getting cool and I have to shut my other eye as my forehead bleeds into it too now. I can't think, there is some noise trying to get my attention but I'm too tired and ignore it.

I take a breath and feel like I'm falling. I still feel like crap but not bleeding out dying crap. Most of the pain is gone, I open my eyes and jerk up like I'm trying to do the worm while being electrocuted. I'm in a large well lit room with a massive fat black obelisk in the centre.

My bullet wounds and forehead gash are healed somewhat but the whole acid in the veins thing decides to stay. Things are getting crazy again. Another scene change while waking up. This is starting to become a habit.