8.2.2 Combat Training Arena

  After you complete the Disc Combat training, and step through the Data Stream, you will get your first taste of real combat. Thorne's Z-Lots are invading Encom's computers, spreading their virus corruption.






Upon first entering this part of the level, you will receive five build points. (You can actually skip the disc combat training beforehand if you like, and you'll still get the points.)

Also, two Z-Lots will attack you. They should be easy to de-rezz. (Be careful not to hit Byte.) Don't forget to grab their core dumps. If they hit you, at this point it doesn't cause much headache, because you have no subroutines installed. You can defrag the corrupted blocks they cause, whenever there is a free moment.

1.1.0




After going through the door and defeating the Z-Lots, turn right to see Byte waiting by a force field. When you approach, Byte will drop the force field for you.




Once past the force field, another Z-Lot will attack you.




After defeating the Z-Lot, turn right and step on to the platform beside Byte.




When the platform stops, head left.




If you need health, use the patch routine ahead of you. Grab the two e-mails on the left, as well. Be careful when getting the second e-mail, there is a gap between the blocks. You might want to quick save your game (F5 key) before jumping.




If you turn around, after using the patch routine, sometimes you'll find a build note here. Each note adds two build points to your version.

1/3  1.1.2




Go back the way you came, and head toward Byte now. He will automatically drop the force field for you.




Talk to the program found here. He will tell you that his friend ROMie is missing. Looks like it's up to you, to find him. (A build note will appear here, sometimes.)

After listening to him, head down the corridor, and turn left.




You will find an area fully demonstrating the effects of the corruption. Move forward, then turn right.




Here you will find Byte. Try jumping over the ledge that has been created, where the arrow shows. Byte tells you that you will need a Y-Amp subroutine, in order to get past the ledge. He will move past you, back the way you came.




Before following Byte, turn left. There is an energy patch routine nearby. Use it to restore yourself to full charge.




Turn around, and you will sometimes find a build note hiding here.




Once you've reached Byte, talk to him. He will lower the force field, and tell you where to get the subroutine.




When you've gone through the opening, you will reach a spot where you can go in three directions. Go left, at first.




When you reach the end of the corridor, turn right. You will usually see the second build note behind the force field.

Turn around, and head back. This time, take the right passage and go through the door.




After going through the door, turn left. You will see an archive bin. Head for it. (Sometimes the build note you saw behind the force field, will appear here instead, and you won't need to cross the blocks.)




Download the e-mail and permission found here. Then cross the blocks, to get to the build note you saw a moment ago. Quick save your game before crossing.




After you get the build note, come back across the blocks and head out the door again.

2/3  1.1.4




Now head down the ramp you saw earlier. Turn right, and follow the passage through another door.




There's ROMie, on the other side. He's trapped by debris blocking his path across the bridge, and the control panel on the other side is damaged. Use the control panel on this side, to turn off the energy bridge.




The bridge will deactivate, and the debris will fall down a chasm. Then the bridge will reappear. Cross it. ROMie will thank you, and leave.




Ignore the archive bin for the moment. Instead, move forward past the barrier, and then turn right.




Jump up the two blocks, shown by the arrows. Also take note of the patch routines here, you'll be coming back to them later.




Turn left. You'll see an archive bin. Head toward it, after jumping up one more time. Download the e-mail.

You should already have the permission, so don't bother downloading it.




Drop back down the blocks, and turn to face the patch routines. Move forward, and then turn right.




Notice that there's a gap between the barrier and the side wall. Walk to the barrier, and once there look right.




Hidden in an alcove that's recessed in the rear of the barrier, you will usually find the final build note for this level. (Sometimes this build note can be found where the arrow indicates, in the corner.)

3/3  1.1.6




Move forward and turn right. Head back to the archive bin, now.




Download the Mesh Blaster, followed by the Y-Amp subroutine. Once you've downloaded the Y-Amp, two things will happen.

First you will gain five build points, and Byte will start talking to you. Second, at least two Z-Lots will attack.

1.2.1




If you're lucky, the Z-Lots may not spot you right away, and end up wandering on top of the ledge across from you. Then you can pick them off with your disc, without their being in your face.

After you've disposed of them, return to the patch routines and restore your energy and health. Then head back across the bridge. Go back to the corrupted area with the ledge.




When you get there, two more Z-Lots will be waiting for you. Take them out, quickly.

You probably don't want to bother downloading any subroutine they drop, because it will be infected. Plus, you'll be getting the same subroutine in a moment, anyway. (It's up to you, if you want to wait for the subroutine to disinfect instead, by using the disinfect procedural. But you'll likely be recharging, after downloading in just a moment, as you'll see.)




Return to the ledge, and face it. Byte is waiting for you. ROMie is also standing there, hiding from the Z-Lots. Approach him, and he will thank you for saving him.




Now go to Jet's System Memory screen, by hitting F1. Highlight the Alpha Y-Amp subroutine, then right-click. The subroutine will install into a set of three memory slots.




Back away from the ledge, then run and jump to where the arrow indicates. It may take more than one try to get over the edge. Try varying the approach angle slightly, each time.




When you make it, head toward the archive bin. You will receive two build points for making it up the ledge and reuniting with Byte.

Once at the bin, download the e-mail and Profiler subroutine. Install the Profiler in Jet's memory. Then you may want to turn around, and head for the energy patch nearby, to replenish yourself.

1.2.3




Move past the bin, and you will find the exit to the level. Walk on to the lift. You will receive ten build points for completing the level.

1.3.3




Final build version for this level: 1.3.3