Graybox (Introduction Mission)

Template:Infobox mission Graybox (Introduction Mission) is one of the missions in the hub.

Summary

Michael Thorton has awoken to find himself in a medical bay in a secret government facility. He soon escapes with the help of a newly encountered analyst and begins his journey to unravel the mystery of the situation. Fight your way through the Graybox to uncover where you are and why you were picked for this particular assignment.

Mission Progression - Objectives & Walkthroughs

Break Out

After obtaining the PDA left waiting on the nearby table, Michael Thorton will have his first conversation with anyone upon joining Alpha Protocol. This is also the first opportunity to obtain one of the three dialogue stance perks, assigned to the choice of stance used more than one in total. After the first choice of dialogue in conversation, there will be three (four, if playing on the Veteran Agent History) choices to choose from as plans for course of action. Each choice will result in different requests made of Michael's newly proclaimed ally.

Ambush (Aggressive) - Mina will trigger the alarm and break the door open, causing the guard (two guards if playing on the Veteran Agent History) to enter and allow the player a chance to attack.
Distraction (Professional) - Mina will cause a shut down the security panel outside, unlocking the door and calling the guard(s)'s attention to the apparent technical malfunction.
Improvise (Suave) - Michael will tell Mina to stand-by, prompting the player to find a way to break the glass. The player can then walk over to the fire extinguisher (very) close infront of them by the door. Interacting with it will prompt Michael to grab the extinguisher and throw it through the window, triggering the alarm.

Once the guards have been defeated the alarm will be triggered, either having been triggered already in the process or upon entering the next room.

Result: +180 Experience

Disable Alarms

Opening the door to the next room marked by a yellow mission marker, another security panel waits by the exit straight ahead. A man will call over the intercom to taunt Thorton, prompting Michael to bypass the panel to access and disable the alarm systems.

Result: +180 Experience

Arm Yourself

Two guards occupying the next room must be neutralized or evaded. The first patrols the first half of the room. A specialized tranquilizer pistol found on a table opposite to the computer at the end of the walkway must be picked up. 12 tranquilizer rounds can also be picked up from the desk adjacent to the computer. Both are indicated by pickup markers.

Result: +175 Experience

The second half of the room along the opposite walkway is patrolled by the second guard. Past this area, behind the next door is another guard (neutralize/evade) along with 12 tranquilizer rounds for pickup. Down the stairs ahead in this room is a security camera monitoring the next door, which Mina will warn. She explains that coming into the camera's line of sight or destroying it will trigger another alert and sound the alarms.

Past the next door behind the sweeping camera is a room patrolled by two guards with two sub-rooms - one on each side. The left sub-room contains another 12 tranquilizer rounds as well as a first aid box. Once these two guards are neutralized/evaded, the next room will lead to locked door.

Pick lock

Upon entry, a man appears on the monitor above to further taunt Thorton. Once his announcement ends, the player can then pick the lock on the door and proceed into the next room.

Result:

+25 Experience for picking the lock
+150 Experience for completing the quest

Evade Guards

There is another 12 tranquilizer rounds on the shelves before entering the next area.Once the next set of doors are open, Michael automatically takes down a guard and Mina warns him about a truck entering the area and that there are more guards at the exit. There is 12 tranquilizer rounds next to the unconscious guard. Down the stairs are three guards. The closest will walk to the ladder leading to the upper catwalks before walking back. Defeat or evade the three guards, then traverse either the catwalk up the ladder to the front of the area's start or the stairs to the area's left up to the next door. There is another guard in the next room with the computer.

Result: +250 Experience

If the player is caught, no experience is gained for this objective as it fails. Two more guards will enter the area, and there will be an extra guard in the next room.

Hack Computer

The next room contains an intel pickup of $2500 in a black briefcase in a nearby locker marked with a pickup marker. This locker is monitored by a security camera as well as another guard who passes by on his way to the nearby security panel. The guard can be neutralized/evaded. The intel can be picked up for expansion of Alpha Protocol's dossier. The computer marked by an objective marker in this room must be hacked.

Result:

+25 Experience for hacking a computer
+220 Experience for completing the quest

Once the computer is hacked, the same man will make another announcement over the intercom once again. Mina will warn the player not to move. The player can enter the room to the left of this one, opening another door inside into an interrogation room.

Result: +1300 Experience

The screen wall inside turns into a video conference with Yancy Westridge, who's dossier is immediately expanded. The conversation proceeds as follows, with the following changes to reputation with Yancy Westridge:

Yancy Westridge – First dialogue choice

Defiant (Aggressive) - None
Dismissive (Suave)- None
Loyal (Professional) - None
Recruit (Special) - None (available only with Recruit Agent History)
Veteran (Special) - None (available only with Veteran Agent History)

Yancy Westridge – Second dialogue choice

Impatient - (+1) reputation with Yancy Westridge
Sarcastic - (-1) reputation with Yancy Westridge
Ready - None
Recruit - None (available only if a difficulty is Recruit)
Veteran - None (available only if a difficulty is Veteran)

Yancy Westridge – Third dialogue choice

Mission - None
Sarcastic - None
Ready - None

This conversation is the first opportunity to gain/lose reputation with any character. It is also the first opportunity to gain the perk Testing the Waters (for using three different dialogue stances in one conversation). There are a total of 10 chances to select Veteran and the same number of chances to select Recruit is presented inside Graybox (moreso than any other location). If seeking the perks Green (Recruit dialogue option used x3 total), Rookie Move (Recruit dialogue option used x10 total), or Veteran Attitude (Veteran dialogue option used x10 total), it is advisable to use the class (Agent History)-corresponding special dialogue as often as presented during this mission.

After the conversation with Westridge, the mission continues. The player levels up, gaining another 10 AP Points to allocate as desired.

Change Appearance

The locker seen upon entry will be marked with an objective marker. The player can then change the appearance of Michael Thorton for the first time. The player's apparel will also change from the starting hospital scrubs to a suit of armor corresponding to Agent History (or the Casual Attire for the Recruit Agent History). NOTE: This objective can be ignored, and remains available until the final objective is completed. It is advisable to wait until after completing Alan Parker's Bonus Challenge to change into armor if stealth is a concern if playing as Soldier or Veteran. The starting Interceptor Body Armor for these classes makes stealth nearly impossible, as it generates too much noise.

Result: +25 XP

Report to Training Sector

Proceed to the training area for advanced training. Complete the Technical Gadgets, Weapons and Espionage Ops orientations and return to Westridge for your interrogation.

Before you enter the training sector, you come across a guard standing at the door to your left. Walking towards him will cause him to respond to you saying either, "You don't have clearance to come in here." or "Area's off limits, use your PDA if you turned around." When you enter the training sector, Westridge will suggest you change into your gear over the radio.

Result: +50 XP

Perk: News Conscious (can be gained by listening to the entire TV broadcast in the locker room), and it's a very long broadcast. It repeats about 3 times, and only after that you get the perk.

Orientation Tests

Each orientation test presents the chance to gain/lose reputation with different people. This starts the option of pursuing the perks Antisocial (gaining negative reputation with three different people) or Social Butterfly (gaining positive reputation with three different people).

Gadget Orientation

The room to the left of the corridor is the Technical Gadget orientation. Once the player enters, Michael will meet Alpha Protocol tech specialist Sean Darcy. Darcy's dossier is automatically expanded upon meeting him. The following conversation results in the following reputation changes with Sean Darcy based on the following choices:

If Mina's bonus objective was completed

Sean Darcy - First dialogue choice

Threaten (Aggressive) - None
Suave - None
Professional - None
Veteran (Special) - (-1) Reputation with Sean Darcy

If Mina's bonus objective has not been completed

Sean Darcy – First dialogue choice

Threaten (Aggressive) – (-1) Reputation with Sean Darcy
Suave – (+1) Reputation with Sean Darcy
Professional – None
Recruit (Special) – (+1) Reputation with Sean Darcy
Veteran (Special) – (-1) Reputation with Sean Darcy

Sean Darcy – Second dialogue choice

Impatient (Aggressive) – None
Casual (Suave) – None
Professional – None

The perk Perfect Pitch (Ricochet 50 gadgets/grenades off of walls using the preview arc) can easily be gained during the first area training before the challenge starts, as they are free and unlimited during the test and using them in that area won't affect your score. After the test has been completed, dialogue choices result in the following:

If a score higher then 100 points is obtained

Sean Darcy – First dialogue choice

No – Ends test
Yes – Leads to offer and second dialogue choice

Sean Darcy – Second dialogue choice

Refuse – Challenge is declined.
Agree – Perk Acquired: Betting Man

If challenge is refused

Sean Darcy – First dialogue choice

Bored – Nothing
Sarcastic – Nothing
Professional – Nothing

Sean Darcy's Bonus Challenge

Disable Technical Ops Alarms

Disable all three alarms as they are triggered while surviving the waves of guards using gadgets and other means to neutralize them as they enter. No matter how often the player is injured, it is impossible to fail the challenge, as the health bar cannot go below 1 during this challenge.

Result:

$20,000 Cash
+150 XP

Weapons Orientation with Mina Tang

The middle room in the corridor is the Weapons Orientation. Once the player enters, Michael will meet Mina Tang in person for the first time. The following conversation results in the corresponding reputation changes:

Mina Tang - First dialogue choice

Tina? (Aggressive) - (-1) reputation with Mina
Maria? (Suave) - (-1) reputation with Mina
Mina? (Professional) - (+1) reputation with Mina (available only with Recruit Agent History)
Mina Tang (Special) - None (available only with Veteran Agent History)

Mina Tang - Second dialogue choice

Challenging (Aggressive) - (-1) reputation with Mina
Suggestive (Suave) - (-1) reputation with Mina
Professional - Nothing
Recruit (Special) - (+1) reputation with Mina (available only with Recruit Agent History)
Veteran (Special) - (+1) reputation with Mina (available only with Veteran Agent History)

Once the test is completed, Michael returns to the room with Mina. The following conversation will take place with the following results corresponding by choice:

Mina Tang - First Dialogue choice

Contempt (Aggressive) - Nothing
Sarcastic (Suave ) - Nothing
Professional - Nothing
Recruit (Special) - Nothing (available only with Recruit Agent History)
Veteran (Special) - (+1) reputation with Mina (available only with Veteran Agent History)

Mina Tang - Second dialogue choice

Darcy's Score? (Aggressive) - Nothing
Affections? (Suave) - (+1) reputation with Mina
My Score (Professional) - Nothing
Recruit (Special) - Nothing (available only with Recruit Agent History)
Veteran (Special) - (+1) reputation with Mina (available only with Veteran Agent History)

The only way to reach a high score is to get plenty of critical hits. If a score higher than 100 points is reached on the test, the player will be offered Mina's Bonus Challenge. If the challenge is agreed to, the perk Cage Match is acquired.

Mina Tang's Bonus Challenge

The pistol is reequipped, loaded with tranquilizer ammunition. A ladder descends directly infront of Michael for him to climb. Sean Darcy, who had just been insulting Thorton and Mina sparking the bonus challenge, will be conducting target practice below the catwalk. Shoot Darcy.

A number of opportunities are available during this challenge:

At the end of the catwalk, there is an infinitely respawning supply of tranquilizer rounds for the pistol. This supply take several seconds to respawn after each pickup, allowing the player to obtain as many rounds as desired (countable on-screen as available ammo for the pistol). This is very advisable, as tranquilizer rounds are the most expensive and rare ammunition in the entire game.
There is a chance to use an exploit to gain the perks Pistol Proficiency (50 critical hits with a pistol) and Pistol Mastery (100 critical hits with a pistol). Darcy's unconscious body can be targeted and hit with critical shots again and again even after he is rendered unconscious with no ill effect.

Result:

Cage Match Perk - 5% Weaponry Discount from Saudi vendor
+150 XP
Basic silencer for pistols
Mina Tang's dossier expanded
(+1) reputation with Mina Tang

Espionage Orientation with Alan Parker

The room to the right of the corridor is the Espionage Orientation. Once the player enters, Michael will meet Alpha Protocol expert analyst Alan Parker. Parker's dossier is expanded once he is met. The following conversation consists of these responses in reputation change:

Alan Parker - First dialogue choice

Aggressive - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Suave - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Professional - None
Recruit (Special) - None (available only with Recruit Agent History)
Veteran (Special) - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker (available only with Veteran Agent History)

Alan Parker - Second dialogue choice

Angry (Aggressive) - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker
Nonchalant (Suave) - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Professional - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker
Recruit (Special) - None (available only with Recruit Agent History)
Veteran (Special) - None (available only with Veteran Agent History)

Alan Parker - Third dialogue choice

Irritated - Nothing
No Problem - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Professional - Nothing

Once the test is finished, if a score greater than 100 is reached, there is the option to complete Parker's Bonus Challenge. The test can be repeated until the desired score is reached if the gained score is less than 100. Refusing the challenge ends the test. Accepting the challenge allows the player to reenter the previous areas of the Graybox to grab previously unavailable intel.

Alan Parker's Bonus Challenge

Retrieve Data

The same tranquilizer rounds are located in the same places as when previously here if the player hadn't picked them up. The room with left and right sub-rooms both hold intel pickups. One is an expansion on Yancy Westridge's dossier while the other expands Omar Nasri's dossier. Once back inside the medical bay, another intel pickup can be acquired expanding the dossier on Alpha Protocol. Guards may be neutralized or evaded, but detection by a guard (even if neutralized before any alerts) will result in (-1) reputation with Alan Parker.

Result: +50 XP

Return Data

Exit the medical bay and go all the way back. Be careful, as a new guard will appear at the hall. Take care/ sneak past the guard, and head back to Alan Parker. The following conversation takes place with the following results:

Result:

Perk: Custodial Work
+75 XP
Reputation: Alan Parker +1 (if undetected)
Reputation: Alan Parker -1 (if detected)

Alan Parker - First dialogue choice

Grateful - Nothing
Irritated - Nothing
Suspicions - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker

Alan Parker - Second dialogue choice

Joking - picking it 10 times gives a perk
Aggressive - Nothing
Cautious - Nothing

Alan Parker - Third dialogue choice

Joking - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Attitude - Nothing
Job - Nothing

Alan Parker - Fourth dialogue choice

Joking - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Doubtful - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Professional - Nothing

Alan Parker - Fifth dialogue choice

Suave - Nothing
Aggressive - Nothing
Professional - Nothing

Alan Parker - Sixth dialogue choice

Casual - Nothing
Challenging - Nothing
Professional - Nothing
Leave - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker (ends conversation)

Alan Parker - Seventh dialogue choice

Apologetic - Nothing
Argumentative - (-1) reputation with Alan Parker
Acknowledge - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker
Leave - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker (ends conversation)

Alan Parker - Eighth dialogue choice

Teasing - Nothing
Doubtful - Nothing
Details - Nothing
Leave - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker (ends conversation)

Alan Parker - Ninth dialogue choice

The People? - Nothing
The Reason? - Nothing
The Program? - (+1) reputation with Alan Parker

Result: Alan Parker's dossier expanded

Return to interrogation room

The next and final objective of this mission is to return to the interrogation room after entering the training sector. This is the room where the first conversation with Yancy Westridge occurred. It is marked with an objective marker for the player to find. When reentering the interrogation room, Michael will have another conversation with Yancy Westridge in person. Here, it is possible to change one's reputation with Westridge in a way that will result in the perks Antisocial or Social Butterfly (depending on reputations with those met in orientation). The following dialogue choices have the corresponding changes in reputation with Yancy Westridge.

Result:

+250 XP
Perk The Basics

Yancy Westridge - First dialogue choice

Casual - (+1) reputation with Yancy Westridge
Critical - (+1) reputation with Yancy Westridge
Respectful - (+1) reputation with Yancy Westridge

(-1) reputation with Yancy Westridge if every orientation was skipped

(+1) reputation with Yancy Westridge if a score of 100 or more was reached in Weapons Orientation with Mina Tang

Confident - (-1) reputation with Yancy Westridge (only appears if weapons training was completed)
Dismissive - Nothing (only appears if weapons training was completed)
Modest - (+1) reputation with Mina Tang (only appears if weapons training was completed)