This level’s pretty straight-forward. Just find the switch, smash the wires and run like hell to the bow of the ship where Durandal will transport you to safety, all while under heavy fire and in hard vacuum. No big deal. Actually, it isn’t much of a big deal. The turrets that fire guided energy bolts at you are easy to outrun. Durandal supplies plenty of oxygen and shield power-ups at the bow, if you need them. There is one non-secret pattern buffer available. Yes, there are lots of invisible S’pht compilers and troopers to get in the way, and you do need to find your way around the complex terrain of the surface of the ship, but eventually you’ll figure it out. But there’s more. Much, much more. As outlined in the Rubicon Secrets Guide, there are some nice secrets here, including the entrance to the secret level Hell Pfhor You. If you can survive Hell, you can walk away with an unbelievable stockpile of weapons if you play on TC, which has no weapons limits. Even if you aren’t a particularly good player, you can still pick up a nice pile of weapons, even if all you can do is point your AR at your feet and fire bullets and grenades. That’s all it takes to get to the exit terminal on Hell, and it’s well worth the detour. No need to follow Durandal’s instructions. No need to find the switch. No need to smash the wires. All you have to do is follow the clue given in the level’s name – A Long Walk OFF a Short Pier. Just a warning – if you somehow miss the pier, you will be killed.
There are some other things on this level that may be of interest. It is possible, for example, to force your way back inside the ship. Nothing much to be found, as most doors are locked, but it’s a cool trick and there’s even a secret pattern buffer you can use. There is also a hidden cache of weapons being guarded by a major PCM. You can view an open hanger with a Juggernaut inside, but I wouldn’t recommend taking him on, particularly since you lack any vacuum-capable weapons that you can use to propel yourself up, out of the hangar. Finally, there is a terminal with the following message that you probably won’t take the time to read:
Regarding feasibility of human resistance (?invasion), council notifies all posted units of security-level upgrade to universal alert status. Council continues to reaffirm previous position detailed in stamp: unfeasible. Justification for modification (?alteration) of said policy will be disclosed to all units of clearance Hf'rah and above in forthcoming documents under stamp: morale.
So a human invasion is still seen as unlikely. The Pfhor are such pfhools. If you do follow Durandal’s instructions, you will be taken to Rozinante VII and then Not *this* Again. If you find that short pier, you’ll discover a secret terminal with a message from the Black Joker:
Pregnant women, epileptics, smurfs, small children, people that dislike blood, divorce lawyers, and lepers need not apply. That escape key awaits you, mortal. Still here? Time to die, sucker.
Let’s go try our hand at Hell Pfhor You.
