iStory:The Civilian/chapter 502 alternatives

This page notes the different possible versions of chapter 2 of The Civilian.

All cases (I)

Near Lyneboro, CT, a young boy in his pre-teens steps out of a farmhouse. He is beat up and vomit covers his shirt. He staggers forward and disappears into the tree line. Behind him, a man in a hooded sweatshirt exits the farmhouse and also heads for the tree line.

At Rachel's home, Rachel, now living with her mother, steps out of her room. She pulls off her shirt as she heads for the bathroom, but notices someone in the neighbor's window, peeping at her, who quickly ducks out of sight. Annoyed, Rachel puts her shirt back on. She yells towards the neighbor's house, but no one replies. She then heads to the neighbor's front door, and knocks on the door. When the door finally opens, Rachel begins to yell at her Peeping Tom, but instead sees Leona.

Rachel heads inside, and notices that the house is cramped with electronic equipment: game consoles, video players, stereos. Leona introduces her to Tim, the neighbor. Tim appears, wearing a T-shirt with a cartoon character on it and holding a half-dismantled laptop. Leona says that Tim and her have been having coffee each morning. Rachel shrugs and says that she is going to be late for work, then leaves, much to Tim's disappointment.

Options (I)

Later, Rachel returns to her home, and sees that everything is either faded, wilted, or broken down, thanks to Leona's ability. The player can now choose what Rachel does.

Option 1A (Go to Rachel's room) Rachel notes that the room is made with military precision. She has a laptop and a phone on the desk, as well as an empty closet. Her window looks towards the neighbor's house. The player can have Rachel go over to her desk, or return to the living room. Option 1A.1 (Desk) Rachel checks her email and answering machine. There is voicemail from Chief Parker: "Rachel, I need you down at the station ASAP. Got a kid missing." Rachel then returns to the living room. (jump back to Option 1) Option 1A.2 (Back) Rachel returns to the living room. (jump back to Option 1)

Option 1B (Go to Leona's room) Rachel enters Leona's room, and sees file cabinets, a military-spec map on the wall, and shelves of "souvenirs" that remind Rachel of Building 26 and the circus. She wonders what are in the file cabinets, or on the old computer that's glowing on the desk. However, she reminds herself that she's no longer an agent, and refrains from looking through Leona's stuff. Rachel then returns to the living room. (jump back to Option 1)

Option 1C (Go to Tim's house) Rachel knocks on Tim's door. Tim opens the door shyly, and greets Rachel. The player can decide what Rachel does. Option 1C.1 (Ask about Leona) Rachel asks Tim if he's seen Leona. Tim replies that he thinks she's at the diner. Rachel thanks Tim, and Tim hopefully asks if there's anything else Rachel wants. Rachel simply says "take care", and returns to her house. (jump back to Option 1) Option 1C.2 (Leave) Rachel returns to her house. (jump back to Option 1)

Option 1D (Drive into Town)

Rachel drives into town and arrives at Main Street. The player gets to choose where Rachel will go from Main Street. They can decide whether Rachel heads for the park, the police station, Rachel's home, Mable's Diner, or Smokey's Bar. Option 1D.1 (Park) Rachel heads to the park, where she notices a scruffy-looking guy. She thinks to herself that he might be a drifter. Rachel then sees a playground to the west and a picnic area to the east. The player can choose where Rachel goes. Option 1D.1A: Rachel heads towards the drifter... ...and when she gets close to him, he looks at her, alert. He has a long a scraggly beard, but sharp blue eyes. Rachel thinks that the locals probably find him freaky. The player can have Rachel leave the guy alone, or call him by name. Option 1D.1A.1: Leave him alone... Rachel leaves the drifter alone and returns to the park's entrance. (jump back to Option 1D.1) Option 1D.1A.2: Call him by name... Rachel doesn't know the guy's name, and the two of them stare at each other for a second without speaking. Then, Rachel leaves and heads back to the park's entrance. (jump back to Option 1D.1) Option 1D.1B: Rachel heads west, to the playground... ...and sees a swing set, slide, and a giant sandbox, but no kids. Instead, she sees a group of menacing teenagers. The player is asked a question: is Rachel searching for a missing boy? Option 1D.1B.1: If so... Rachel greets the teenagers with a "hey". They begin walking away from her, as if sensing trouble. Another couple of them begin to stuff things into their pockets. Rachel asks them about the missing boy, Toby. All of a sudden, the teenage boys seem scared. One of them blurts out that Toby is "in the woods", and another one tells him to shut up. A third kid says that it's "too late" for Toby. When Rachel asks what he means by that, the kids run in every direction. Rachel heads back to the park entrance. (jump back to Option 1D.1) Option 1D.1B.2: If not... ...Rachel decides to go back to the park entrance (jump back to Option 1D.1), or back to Main Street (jump back to Option 1D). Option 1D.1C: Rachel heads east, to the picnic grounds... ...and sees trees and picnic tables scattered among the woods. Rachel notes that nothing much is happening here at the moment. The player can have Rachel go back to the park's entrance (jump back to Option 1D.1), or back to Main Street (jump back to Option 1D). Option 1D.1D: Rachel decides to leave the park... ...and does so, returning to Main Street. (jump back to Option 1D) Option 1D.2 (Police station) Rachel heads to the police station, where she sees Kelly the receptionist, who reminds her to check her inbox. Rachel also notes that Chief Parker's office is around the corner. The player then has a choice of what to do next. Option 1D.2A: Rachel goes to the Chief's office... Rachel goes into the Chief's office and Chief Parker greets her gruffly. Rachel asks what's he working on, and the Chief dismisses the question. However, Rachel knows that there's a top-secret project that the Chief has been working on lately. The player can choose what Rachel does now. Option 1D.2A.1 (Chat) Rachel chats with the Chief, asking him what's going on today. The Chief mentions that Smokey, the owner of the local bar, has called, saying that his son, Toby, is missing. The Chief commands Rachel to find Toby. Chief Parker then mentions Smokey's other son, Cooper, who he labels a "bad apple". He tells Rachel to call him if Cooper shows up. The player can now ask the Chief about his project (jump to Option 1D.2A.2), ask him about something else (jump to Option 1D.2A.3), leave the office (jump to Option 1D.2A.4), or leave the police station (jump to Option 1D.2A.5). Option 1D.2A.2 (Ask about Project) Rachel asks the Chief what's he working on, and the Chief dismisses the question. However, Rachel knows that there's a top-secret project that the Chief has been working on lately. She also notices a notepad with a scrawled address: 26877 Century Drive, which sounds familiar. The player can now go back (jump back to Option 1D.2A), ask the Chief about what's happening around town (jump to Option 1D.2A.1), leave the office (jump to Option 1D.2A.4), or leave the police station (jump to Option 1D.2A.5). Option 1D.2A.3 (Ask about Other Stuff) The Chief asks if there's something on Rachel's mind. The player can reply negatively and go back (jump back to Option 1D.2A), ask the Chief about his project (jump to Option 1D.2A.2), leave the office (jump to Option 1D.2A.4), or leave the police station (jump to Option 1D.2A.5). Option 1D.2A.4 (Lobby) Rachel leaves the Chief's office and heads back to the police station lobby. (jump back to Option 1D.2) Option 1D.2A.5 (Leave) Rachel leaves the Chief's office and then exits the police station. (jump back to Option 1D) Option 1D.2B: Rachel goes to her inbox... Rachel checks her inbox; there are two items inside. There's a key ring with a dozen keys, as well as a digital camera with dead batteries. Rachel can now go to the Chief's office (jump to Option 1D.2A) or leave the police station (jump back to Option 1D). Option 1D.2C: Rachel decides to leave the police station... ...and does so. (jump back to Option 1D) Option 1D.3 (Rachel's home) Rachel heads back to her home. (jump back to Option 1) Option 1D.4 (Diner) Rachel heads to Mable's Diner and sees Mable, the cook. She greets Mable, who waves a spatula. A waitress greets Rachel, and when Rachel looks up, she realizes that the waitress is actually Leona, who made herself look young. The player can have Rachel ask Leona to talk, or leave the diner. Option 1D.4A (Ask Leona to talk) Leona and Rachel move towards a corner of the diner, and Leona asks Rachel what's up. The player can have Rachel ask why Leona is working here, ask if anything is going on, or leave the diner altogether. Option 1D.4A.1: (Ask why Leona is working at the Diner) Leona says that it's in order to pay the rent of living in Rachel's home. Rachel points out Leona's background, and her previous jobs, and that she might not be happy as a waitress. Leona throws it back to Rachel, saying that she used to be a soldier and a spy. Rachel replies that that's exactly why she's happy living a normal life now. Leona warns Rachel to never let her guard down, and that not everything is as it seems in this town. Rachel can now ask Leona if anything is going on in town (jump to Option 1D.4A.2) or leave the diner altogether (jump back to Option 1D). Option 1D.4A.2: (Ask if anything's going on) Leona smirks and says that she's heard that a boy has gone missing. The boy's older brother, Cooper, is one of the bad boys in town, and Rachel warns that Chief Parker's advice is to stay away from him. Leona also says to Rachel that she should stay away from suspicious activity today. Rachel asks why, and Leona says that she's heard that someone around town has manifested an infectious ability. Rachel can now ask Leona why she's working at the diner (jump to Option 1D.4A.1) or leave the diner altogether (jump back to Option 1D). Option 1D.4A.3: (Leave the Diner) Rachel leaves the diner and drives back to Main Street. (jump back to Option 1D) Option 1D.4B: (Leave the Diner) Rachel leaves the diner and drives back to Main Street. (jump back to Option 1D) Option 1D.5 (Bar) Rachel arrives at Smokey's Bar. Rachel notes that during the daytime, the bar is rather quiet, but during nighttime it is a flurry of activity. As she passes by the bartender, he nods at her. Rachel can now ask if Smokey, the bar's owner, is there. She can also ask the bartender to tell Smokey that she is "ready to drive". A third option is for Rachel to leave the bar altogether. Option 1D.5A: (Ask for Smokey) The bartender points Rachel in the direction of Smokey, and Rachel notes that he is a large ex-biker with a bushy beard and a large beer belly. He is slouched over a table, drinking. Rachel asks him what's wrong and Smokey reveals that it is Toby, his son, who has gone missing. He says that he went on a fishing trip and never returned. Rachel asks for where Toby was headed, but Smokey dismisses her, saying that his other son, Cooper, will take care of it. However, Rachel insists on going, and Smokey gives in. He asks if Rachel will be heading over there right now. Option 1D.5A.1 (Yes, Rachel is going right now) Option 1D.5A.2 (No, Rachel will wait until later) Rachel tells Smokey that she's ready to go (jump to Option 1D.5B) Rachel says that she will be back when she's ready. (jump back to Option 1D) Option 1D.5B: If Rachel already knows what Smokey wants and is ready to do it... Rachel follows Smokey's directions to the outskirts of town, realizing that this place is close to her home. She follows the directions to a river, whose water is black and murky. Rachel finds footprints in the mud, and examines them. Suddenly, she hears faint voices echoing through the forest. Rachel sees a path that leads to a farmhouse as well. The player can have Rachel head towards the farm or towards the voices. A third option can also be picked if Rachel had a confrontation at the farm earlier today. Option 1D.5B.1: (Go to Farm) Rachel heads towards the farm, but when she arrives, she sees that it's been abandoned for years. She sticks her head inside, but there is no sign of life. The player can now have Rachel head towards the faint voices (jump to Option 1D.5B.2) or go back to town (jump back to Option 1D). Option 1D.5B.2: (Head towards Voices) Rachel heads back down the trail towards where she heard the voices. When she finally get there, she finds a small camp. There are some cigarette butts, a couple drug vials, and piles of fast food wrappers. But the voices that she heard have disappeared. Rachel drives back to town. (jump back to Option 1D) Option 1D.5B.3: If Rachel had a confrontation at the park earlier today... Rachel recognizes the voices as those of the teenagers at the park. She decides to sneak up on them. As she gets close, she hears their conversation, and hears that they're talking about DNA and someone being dead. One of the teenagers seems intent on knowing whether or not the person in question is dead, and heads into the forest; the other ones reluctantly file into the forest. Rachel follows them. They arrive at the riverbank again, and Rachel is shocked at what she sees: a boy lying motionless in the muddy water. The gang looks tense as they inch closer to the boy. She decides to act, jumping out of the brush and confronting the teenagers. They react by trying to attack Rachel, but Rachel turns the tables on them and makes them sit still. She asks what they did to the boy, but nobody answers. The player can have Rachel go towards the boy. There is a second option which the player can choose if Rachel had talked to Leona earlier today at the diner. Option 1D.5B.3A: (Examine the boy) Rachel warns the kids that she will hurt them if they run. She goes over to the boy, but behind her, the kids get to their feet. She turns and reminds them to stay put, but suddenly she feels a burning in her throat. The kids run away and Rachel feels very tired. She notices a mysterious hooded individual watching before she blacks out. Later, Rachel wakes up with the hooded person slapping her. She asks what he has done to her, but he simply responds that it wasn't him; instead, it was Toby who had caused her to feel the burning pain. Then, the person leaves, and when Rachel goes back to town, the pain is gone. Nobody ever saw Toby again. Option 1D.5B.3B: If Rachel talked to Leona earlier today at the Diner... Rachel senses that something isn't right, and recalls what Leona had said about an infectious evolved human ability. She asks the kids what is wrong with the boy. They say that he has some sort of disease, and they were trying to keep everyone safe. Suddenly, Rachel turns around and sees a hooded individual aiming a shotgun at her. The man tells the gang of teenagers to get out of the place, which they do. When they leave, the man pulls back his hood and lowers his shotgun. His face is swollen, and Rachel assumes he has an ability. She asks when he started "manifesting", to which he responds that it wasn't him, but Toby, who manifested the infectious ability. Rachel identifies him as Cooper, and he says that he was simply hiding Toby while figuring things out, but Toby escaped. Rachel warns that Smokey, their father, is freaking out, and warns Cooper to lower the shotgun. Cooper smiles and says that Rachel doesn't know Lyneboro at all. Option 1D.5C: (Leave the Bar) Rachel leaves the bar and drives back to Main Street. (jump back to Option 1D)

Notes

• In order to successfully reach the chapter conclusion, the player should, when faced with options, choose to drive into town and head towards the police station, chat with Chief Parker (Option 1D.2A.1), then head to the park, visit the playgrounds and talk to the teenagers (Option 1D.1B.1), and then head to Mable's Diner to talk to Leona about what's going on around town (Option 1D.4A.2), then head to Smokey's Bar to talk to Smokey, and finally follow Smokey's directions and end with a confrontation with Cooper (Option 1D.5B.3B), after which is the chapter conclusion.