All Boss Fights are made in Taiwan
The life of a single person isn't more important than the lives of dozens. Besides, considering that Thorton already did her, why make such a stupid decision? Thus, Thorton heads towards the bombs at the east wing, forsaking Madison.
: Thorton, there is something provoking interference with the PDA in this room,
: there's some proximity mines near your location
As stealth just doesn't work anyway, better to do it in the safest possible manner, and prepare for the next wave of goons.
Once the room is cleared, Thorton hacks a computer to check more interesting e-mails.
So, as already guessed, it was planned to be a false-flag terrorist strike. Then, European Union of Faggotry would be pressed to push new laws that increase the demand for the types of products Halbech sells, ???, PROFIT!!!
Turrets. They are treated with explosives and thus, Thorton Shepard proceeds to the next area.
He finally finds the location of the bombs. The place is filled with Deus Vult goons and there is no time to try being stealthy. Which is the best way to clear a room quickly? For Thorton, it was a no-brainer.
Seriously, "Plan B: Kill it with fire" is the name of one of the "achievements" in this game, and after this, it happened. Lets just say that there were few missions from now on where no incendiary bombs weren't used.
With every enemy killed with fire... Oh shit, there goes the last EMP. Last chance, if it is a miss, it'll explode.
That was close. The tragedy was prevented. Mission accomplished, and hopefully now Mike can just get the hell out of there, right?
WRONG!
: Do as he says.
: Ironic, when you think about it. I know you had feelings for her.
At least the game pointed quite well how bad of a judge of character Marburg is. Because for Thorton Shepard, there would be no difference between Madison and a blow-up doll except the doll would be less interesting to do.
: Killing her makes no sense.
: It will. When you look back on this, it will. I'm impressed, you stayed focused, carried out your mission, disarmed the bombs... and left her for last. I didn't think you had it in you.
: I couldn't let you set off the bomb. Whatever you have planned, I couldn't let you hurt anyone else.
: Did you think you had time to save her? No, no, no... I was quite clear with you about that. You knew Thorton.
: You didn't have to kill her. There wasn't any point. She was a hostage. You coulda used her for leverage...
: No. When assets are no longer needed, I remove them.
: Like your government did to you.
: Did you really think this exhibit was worth protecting? I'm curious, why did you choose the bomb?
: It wasn't about the bomb or the people, I had a mission. I had to carry it out.
: Of course.
: Are you done? Because you're gonna answer for what you did to Madison.
: Oh, the choices an agent in your line of work has to make everyday, the choice of saving the innocent you know against dozens, hundreds, even thousands of possible innocents... I wonder what Miss Saint James would say about that. Are you ready to die?
: Not until I kill you.
Time for
POPAMOLE BOSS FIGHT #2
It is frustrating, and was obviously made to force the player to use the sticky cover system, but there is one way to beat Marburg quickly and assuredly, as you'll see.
His head isn't completely behind cover and Thorton managed to pin him down. No need to explain how it went then. Lets just say it was dull.
Yes, this is the key to defeating Marburg in this boss fight.
Another cutscene that completely ignores the position of Marburg, of Thorton and the weapon Thorton was using before it.
:
You are disposable and obsolete.
: Surrender now, and I can negotiate a deal, Marburg.
: Oh, I don't think so, Thorton. Immunity, protection, those things don't interest me. Even if the authorities knew I existed, which they don't.
: Don't add to the bodycount, Marburg, there's no point to any of this.
: I think you'll see Miss Saint James before I do, Thorton.
: Keep talking, it lets me know where to shoot. It doesn't have to end like this, the authorities are on their way.
: You've won, the bombs are defused, there's nothing left for you to do here.
: Except stop you.
: From what? I've failed. The authorities get here, they'll arrest us both. I'll be out in an hour. You will die in
: Then why are you negotiating?
: Because you're listening. You're a professional, Thorton, you see the big picture, fight another day and all those words that mean 'retreat'.
: You can go run if you want to, just make sure you give me a clear shot at your back as you're running.
Oh shit, forced miss in cutscene is forced.
And thus, the mission is over. Madison dies but dozens of lives are saved and a disaster that could be used for corporate interests is averted.
Before the safehaven, yet another cutscene with G-man Leland.
: said you had feeling for this woman.
: I couldn't let the bombing happen.
: I hope you don't blame me for her death. Marburg wanted you to save her, not out of any emotional tie, mind you. For him, it was business. A shame. But you can't save everyone Michael, can you? If I had been in your shoes... well, I don't know what I would have done.
: Stopping you took precedence. It was my fault she was there, but I couldn't let you go through with your bombing.
: Indeed. After Saudi Arabia I always thought your mission came first. That's what made you so useful.
: It was useless, stopping that bombing, it wouldn't have benefitted you.
: Really? That's because you have a very, narrow view of events.
: Lectures on perspective from a blind man, that's a first. You planning to teach about ethics next?
: I can't expect you to keep up with every news report, I have an entire division devoted to it, plus my ace in the hole. The bombing was intended to reorganize terrorist legislation in the European Union.
: How does that benefit you?
: The reorganization was to benefit Halbech. Surveillance, airport screening tech, weapons... Mr. Marburg little crusade in Rome was to remind Europe what fear is.
: So you killed Madison for profit.
: No, Mike, you did. You brought her into this mess. You had her take you to Marburg, despite the risks, and then, you failed to protect her. Blame me all you want, but step back and think about it. You must have thought about it. Then it was all over, you were the big hero, saved all of Rome. When things were quiet, no one shooting at you, no bombs... what did you think about then?
:
Stop meddling into our businesses.
And with these threats, Operation EXTREME Vult is finally over. The bombing was averted, but in the end, G-man and Marburg still found Madison's death sufficient to trigger the chain of events that would fulfill Halbech interests in Europe.
Between Russia and Taiwan, the choice was obvious. And impeding threat of assassination that could provoke a third world war was more urgent than anything else. The nightmare of the Popamole Minigames Hotel was coming.
Verdict of this update: This level manages to show everything that is wrong with Alpha Protocol at once. From the impossibility of stealth due to poor level designs, to the cheap choices, to the annoying and exploitable boss fights and finally, the forced action cutscenes that block you from, for example, trying to take a proper shot on Marburg because the game railroads the fact Thorton will always miss him regardless of skill level or choice.