iStory:The Agent/chapter 407 alternatives

This page notes the different possible versions of chapter 7 of The Agent.

All cases (I)

REBEL and Danko have both mysteriously gone off the grid. Building 26 agents find Jason Pierce's body in a dumpster behind his apartment and note that he had been shot to death. Within hours, they make their way to Rachel's door. Rachel lies and tells them that they made it back to the city okay, and that she last saw him when she dropped him off.

Rachel recalls then to herself what actually happened. Anna stayed silent in the car while Rachel took Jason out of the trunk by herself. Rachel had felt sick at the time, having shot her friend, Jason, to cover up her secret when he was just doing what he thought was best for Rachel.

After the agents leave, Rachel sits by herself in the dark and falls asleep. She has a repeated nightmare of being in the Pinehearst lab, killing David with scissors again, but this time David wasn't a monster. Rachel was chasing him and he begged her to stop, and sometimes David had Jason's face.

One morning, Rachel reads the daily intel briefing, which contains tips about possible fugitive activity around the world, and she finds her fight with Jason page two. She reads that a dozen diners at the restaurant have reported blacking out during their dinner, and one woman was still in a coma. Rachel thinks to herself that the woman would be Jason's sister, and recalls that Anna told her that the coma wasn't permanent. She also recalls having the impression that permanent was possible, but that Anna would rather die than do that to someone.

Continuing to read the briefing, Rachel notes to herself that witnesses mentioned a man and woman arguing beforehand, and that their descriptions of Jason and herself were very accurate. However, no one had said anything to her about it because the report claimed the incident occurred in Oregon. Rachel guesses that Rebel is likely responsible for that, and for the first time begins thinking she might get away with what she is doing. Her thoughts then become suicidal, but she is interrupted by orders to report immediately to an address in New York City.

Rachel proceeds to a dark alley near the designated address, and sees the SWAT team while her eyes are still adjusting. They approach Rachel, a wall of black armor and weaponry, and she becomes motionless out of fear. Within seconds, the first of the agents reaches her, and places his glove on her shoulder. He recognizes Rachel, and he tells her he just heard about Jason and is sorry. Another agent tells Rachel that it was a bad break. The first adds that Rachel looks rough, and the second says that they will get those responsible. Rachel then thanks them and hears the site commander call for her.

After proceeding over to the commander, he asks her if she has heard from Danko. She replies as to whether he was looking for her, and the commander informs her that Danko has been off the grid. He adds that Rachel is Danko's buddy or something, and asks if he said anything to her about this operation. Rachel responds that Danko didn't say anything to her about it, and asks if there is a problem. The commander denies any problem exists and instructs Rachel to go in with B Squad. Rachel can tell he is hiding something, but doesn't say anything. Then, the commander tells Rachel he is sorry to hear about Pierce, calling Jason by his last name, and comments that he was a real patriot.

Rachel is surprised so many people know her name and care about her, and ducks down the next alley to hide her becoming nauseous. She then looks up and sees the abandoned office building they are targeting. Rachel notes to herself that the roof had once been a plant nursery, and that intercepted communications between the fugitives indicate that there could be a dozen of them hiding up there and that one of them is "losing control" in some manner. Continuing to analyze the situation, she thinks that anything could happen when they head inside and notices that everyone seems tense except for the commander. Rachel notices a smug expression on the commander's face, and thinks something is wrong.

Anna interrupts Rachel's thoughts and says hello to her. Rachel then pulls Anna to the ground, telling her there are agents everywhere. Anna replies that she knows, and jokes that there are a couple agents behind her, sleeping or something. She notices Rachel doesn't laugh and gets a good look at her face. Then, Anna comments that Rachel isn't okay and asks if she is punishing herself. When Rachel responds that she isn't yet, but has some ideas; Anna takes Rachel's arm and asks her to walk with her.

Anna explains her story to Rachel, her Russian accent coming out strong. In her recollection, she tells how she lived in the woods in Siberia, and that her family was very poor with a home whose floors were dirt. It was very cold in the winder, and very hot in the summer, but they didn't mind. When she was almost a teenager, Anna began having headaches. She began hearing and smelling strange things. Then, one night her mother and father had a fight and Anna got frightened. She heard a weird sound in her head and everything stopped. The next day, her family had become like animals, making noises and eating with their hands. They didn't know each other and couldn't talk, so Anna fed and bathed them but they didn't get better. When the food ran out, she killed the chickens and looked for berries in the woods. Finally, a man came from her father's work and the government took them away. Anna never saw them again, and was sent to a terrible orphanage. It was there that the Pinehearst Company found Anna before bringing her to America.

Rachel tells Anna that what she did was an accident and that Anna shouldn't blame herself. Anna says that she agrees, and that it had no purpose or meaning. She continues that Rachel thinks she is evil because she killed her own friend, but that she did it because she saved Howie's life and so she could save many more lives in the future. Rachel responds that she did it only because she was upset and scared, and Anna says that she should be. Anna states that Howie needed Rachel to be upset and scared, and the people in the target building need her to be that way as well. Anna and Rachel arrive at the target building, and Rachel sees that it is empty and dark.

Options (I)

The player is then given options for what Rachel will do.

Option 1A: Rachel says they should go find them...

...and Anna tells Rachel to take them up, reaching out a hand and calling her "Scotty". Rachel grabs her hand and tells Anna the line is "Beam us up, Scotty". Anna then apologies, claiming not to be very familiar with Star Wars. Rachel notes that's the wrong name, then focuses on one of the windows high in the building and teleports them inside. Rachel and Anna materialize in a dim, decaying empty hallway, and Anna begins stumbling about. Anna comments that teleporting feels like warm static, and Rachel draws her gun. Rachel senses a draft that smells like wet dirt and motions for Anna to follow. As they proceed, Anna notes that her own power sounds like a bad horror movie and asks Rachel to admit she has an amazing ability. However, Rachel responds that she doesn't like calling her ability a power, and that she sees it more like a curse she would give anything to be cut out of her. Anna then grabs Rachel's arm and asks her to move them into the next room to prove to the fugitives that she is one of them, and because she can. Anna continues that Rachel's ability is who she is, that her old life without it wasn't hers, and that the real Rachel can "teleport through walls to save scared, lonely people". Rachel prepares to say something in reply, but instead relents and teleports them inside. Once inside, Rachel realizes that neither Building 26 or REBEL knew the truth of what was going on inside. She notes to herself that the area had been converted to a kind of jungle. The fugitives appear to have been living in the place for a while, growing food, sleeping in side rooms, carrying water. Rachel spots a lot of people there, and a gathering of about twenty quickly assembles around her and Anna. She also notes to herself that many of the people there look like street people, but only one of them appears to have an ability. A twenty-something girl motions towards one of the men, saying he is their leader. Rachel and Anna then stare at a patch of trees in buckets and makeshift planters that are patched tightly around him. Rachel notes that the man doesn't appear to be moving much; and, although she can only make him out as little slices of brown among the trees, he appears to be glowing. In between what sounds to Rachel like a smoker's wheezing, the man tells them his name is Abe. Rachel notes to herself that Abe also looks to be blind, with cataracts that have turned his eyes opaque. She guesses that if the army outside knew this was what they were facing, they would have already stormed the place and captured everyone. Next, Abe reaches out a hand toward Anna and Rachel, and the girl in her twenties tells Abe not do something. Before Anna and Rachel can react, everything becomes black. An moment later, the light comes back and Abe glows a shade brighter. Rachel notices the glow is coming directly from his skin, and Abe turns to face Rachel. Abe tells Rachel that she is very pretty, then waves his at Anna and tells her she is too blonde. Anna informs Abe that REBEL sent them, and he replies that they have been waiting a long time but they never came. Abe then points to a wall, where a crude symbol has been scratched that looks like a hammer surrounded by four stars. Rachel comments that Abe is sick, and he responds that he can see for a moment when he takes the light. Abe adds that doing so poisons him and it is getting worse. Rachel then notes to Anna that if Abe is radioactive, everyone there could be in trouble. However, Anna appears to disregard that thought for the time being, and she tells everyone that the government is outside. After the crowd around them gives a big gasp, Abe asks Rachel what they should do now. The player then gets to choose what Rachel decides for them to do. Option 1A.1: Rachel tells them they need to leave... ...and after a minute of stuffing their possessions into boxed and bags, the group gathers again in the middle of the false jungle. A skinny kid tells the group that no one is guarding the back exit, and Rachel replies that the agents would not just leave it open. When the kid then insists that it is open, Rachel checks it out and finds something a minute later. She then returns to the group and tells them that the agents will attack from the north, and that it will be really loud and flashy but they will not charge in. Anna then asks how she can be sure of that, and Rachel explains that the fire escape has been rigged to blow. Rachel continues that she expects that the agents plan to flush them out that way, and then blow everyone off the side of the building. She adds that she should have known the agents wouldn't plan a straight-up fight with so many unknowns, and the group asks Rachel what they should do. The player again gets to choose what Rachel decides for the group to do. Option 1A.1A: Rachel says she needs to leave with Abe... ...and several of the group shout in agreement that she should do so. Anna replies that the government will arrest the rest of the people, and Rachel responds that they might not as they don't have powers. Anna replies that the government will claim that they aided and abetted a terrorist, and that it could be bad for them. Rachel then says that this is the best way, explaining that she can't get so many people out in time, that they can't fight without a lot of casualties, and that she doesn't have time to defuse the explosives. Option 1A.1B: Rachel says they need to fight... Option 1A.1C: Rachel says they should still use the fire escape... ...and Abe laughs. Everyone else just stares at Rachel, except for Anna who comments that Rachel is going after whoever has the detonator. Rachel then tells the group that in three minutes, they need to proceed down the fire escape no matter what is going on outside. One person asks what happens if Rachel doesn't stop the bomb. She replies that the bomb going off would be bad, but that since getting away will be the hardest part they need to go even if she hasn't given them the all clear. Anna responds that it isn't really okay with her. Option 1A.2: Rachel tells them they need to fight... Option 1A.3: Rachel tells Abe he needs to leave with her... ...and several of the group shout in agreement that she should do so. Anna replies that the government will arrest the rest of the people, and Rachel responds that they might not as they don't have powers. Anna replies that the government will claim that they aided and abetted a terrorist, and that it could be bad for them. Rachel then says that this is the best way, explaining that she can't get so many people out in time, that they can't fight without a lot of casualties, and that she doesn't have time to defuse the explosives.

Option 1B: Rachel tells Anna to get the fugitives out while she buys them some time...

...and Anna tells Rachel to be careful. Rachel replies that Anna should be too, then watches her vanish into the shadows. When Anna is gone, Rachel repeats saying for Anna to be careful, then returns to next alley where the operation briefing is beginning. The commander explains that teams A, B, and C will approach from the north, northwest, and northeast, respectively. He continues that team A will use "maximum close-quarters force", including grenades and door breaches; and that teams B and C will provide cover-fire and guard the sides of the building. The commander concludes by adding that they hope the fugitives will surrender due their overwhelming force. Then, Rachel considers the plan and realizes something is wrong as no one has been ordered to guard the south. She examines a map on the table, and notes to herself that there is a fire escape and alley on that side that exits onto the next street. Rachel figures that the fugitives will be sure to head in that direction when the gunfire begins out front. The player then gets to choose what Rachel does next. Option 1B.1: Rachel asks the commander about the south side of the building... ...and he says that is a good question. He then explains that they inspected the fire escape from a distance and determined it isn't usable, so there is no escape in that direction unless they decide to jump. The commander then laughs, and Rachel realizes he is lying but isn't sure what about. She wonders to herself whether he is trying to let the fugitives escape. The player again gets to choose Rachel's next action. Option 1B.1A: Rachel slips away to the south side of the building... ...when her team prepares the approach for their objective. She finds the fire escape dirty, but usable. However, Rachel also finds enough camouflaged explosives to take out the whole side of the building. She realizes this sounds a lot like one of Danko's plans; and reasons that since the risk of agent casualties is too great inside the building, Danko came up with this as a means to end the fighting before it starts. Rachel also guesses that a press release about "terrorists blowing themselves up during a government raid" is already waiting in an agent's outbox. The player then gets to decide what Rachel does next. Option 1B.1A.1: Rachel decides to let Anna know... ...and teleports inside. She reappears in the middle of a large group of people, who fall backwards in shock. Rachel looks around the room, noting to herself the jungle of plants and gardens that have been crammed into this revived nursery. She also notes that the dense jungle could mean the room is huge, and notices that light enters the room through some glass overhead. Rachel then spots Anna, and they share hellos. Anna tells everyone it is okay, and a man comments that Rachel is "her". Rachel sees that the man appears to be in his seventies, sick, and blind due to cataracts. Anna then introduces the man as Abe, and explains that he has a gift. Abe then waves his hand and everything becomes pitch black, like in a cave. After a second, the light comes back and Abe comments that "men prefer darkness, rather than light". He notes to Rachel that is a Bible verse, and then comments that she is a very attractive young lady. Rachel notes to herself that for a moment there, it appeared as if he could actually see her. Anna adds that Abe's ability is killing him, and might be killing everyone else as well. She thinks it is making him radioactive. Rachel then examines the crowd around them and they appear to her like street people, vagrants, and runaways. She guesses there are at least twenty, if not more, unified behind Abe. Rachel asks if Abe is the only one of their group with an ability. When Anna confirms he is the only one, Rachel comments that the other agents would already have stormed the place if they knew that. Abe replies that then they would be blinded and that they could fight in the dark. Anna then notes that using his ability for so long might kill him, and Rachel notes that the agents don't want to fight them. Rachel explains the agents are going to attack from the north, that it is going to be loud and flashy, but that they will not enter. She then answers Anna that she knows this because of the bomb on the fire escape. Rachel notes that they plan to flush everyone out that way and then set it off, and adds that she should have realizes they would do something like this since there are so many unknowns for them. One of the group then asks Rachel what they should do, and the player gets to decide how Rachel responds. Option 1B.1A.1A: Rachel says she needs to leave with Abe... ...and several of the group shout in agreement that she should do so. Anna replies that the government will arrest the rest of the people, and Rachel responds that they might not as they don't have powers. Anna replies that the government will claim that they aided and abetted a terrorist, and that it could be bad for them. Rachel then says that this is the best way, explaining that she can't get so many people out in time, that they can't fight without a lot of casualties, and that she doesn't have time to defuse the explosives. Option 1B.1A.1B: Rachel says they need to fight... Option 1B.1A.1C: Rachel says they should still use the fire escape... ...and Abe laughs. Everyone else just stares at Rachel, except for Anna who comments that Rachel is going after whoever has the detonator. Rachel then tells the group that in three minutes, they need to proceed down the fire escape no matter what is going on outside. One person asks what happens if Rachel doesn't stop the bomb. She replies that the bomb going off would be bad, but that since getting away will be the hardest part they need to go even if she hasn't given them the all clear. Anna responds that it isn't really okay with her. Option 1B.1A.2: Rachel decides to delay the attack till everyone can escape... Option 1B.1A.3: Rachel decides to locate the detonator... Option 1B.1B: Rachel stays put and watches the commander... ...as the teams begin taking positions for the approach. The commander then turns around and sees her watching him. He then tells Rachel that he likes that she has an "edge"; explaining that most people go through their day performing routines half-asleep, but some of them are never asleep and have an edge. Rachel realizes the commander is gloating that he is about to explain how his plan will pay off for them. The commander then holds up a box Rachel thinks is a bomb detonator. He tells her confidentially that he plans for the agents to flush them onto the fire escape and then he will kill them with a bomb. Rachel asks if they are just going to kill the fugitives without any warning, and he confirms it. The commander adds that others might not understand, but he thinks she does and that is why Danko likes her. He continues that he thinks she gets what is at stake, and is able to prioritize saving valuable lives and letting go those who can't be saved. The player again gets to choose what Rachel does next. Option 1B.1B.1: Rachel tries to delay the attack until Anna gets them out... Option 1B.1B.2: Rachel tries to get the detonator... Option 1B.1C: Rachel tries to find a way to delay the attack... Option 1B.2: Rachel slips away and checks out the south side of the building... ...when her team prepares the approach for their objective. She finds the fire escape dirty, but usable. However, Rachel also finds enough camouflaged explosives to take out the whole side of the building. She realizes this sounds a lot like one of Danko's plans; and reasons that since the risk of agent casualties is too great inside the building, Danko came up with this as a means to end the fighting before it starts. Rachel also guesses that a press release about "terrorists blowing themselves up during a government raid" is already waiting in an agent's outbox. The player then gets to decide what Rachel does next. Option 1B.2A: Rachel decides to let Anna know... ...and teleports inside. She reappears in the middle of a large group of people, who fall backwards in shock. Rachel looks around the room, noting to herself the jungle of plants and gardens that have been crammed into this revived nursery. She also notes that the dense jungle could mean the room is huge, and notices that light enters the room through some glass overhead. Rachel then spots Anna, and they share hellos. Anna tells everyone it is okay, and a man comments that Rachel is "her". Rachel sees that the man appears to be in his seventies, sick, and blind due to cataracts. Anna then introduces the man as Abe, and explains that he has a gift. Abe then waves his hand and everything becomes pitch black, like in a cave. After a second, the light comes back and Abe comments that "men prefer darkness, rather than light". He notes to Rachel that is a Bible verse, and then comments that she is a very attractive young lady. Rachel notes to herself that for a moment there, it appeared as if he could actually see her. Anna adds that Abe's ability is killing him, and might be killing everyone else as well. She thinks it is making him radioactive. Rachel then examines the crowd around them and they appear to her like street people, vagrants, and runaways. She guesses there are at least twenty, if not more, unified behind Abe. Rachel asks if Abe is the only one of their group with an ability. When Anna confirms he is the only one, Rachel comments that the other agents would already have stormed the place if they knew that. Abe replies that then they would be blinded and that they could fight in the dark. Anna then notes that using his ability for so long might kill him, and Rachel notes that the agents don't want to fight them. Rachel explains the agents are going to attack from the north, that it is going to be loud and flashy, but that they will not enter. She then answers Anna that she knows this because of the bomb on the fire escape. Rachel notes that they plan to flush everyone out that way and then set it off, and adds that she should have realizes they would do something like this since there are so many unknowns for them. One of the group then asks Rachel what they should do, and the player gets to decide how Rachel responds. Option 1B.2A.1: Rachel says she needs to leave with Abe... ...and several of the group shout in agreement that she should do so. Anna replies that the government will arrest the rest of the people, and Rachel responds that they might not as they don't have powers. Anna replies that the government will claim that they aided and abetted a terrorist, and that it could be bad for them. Rachel then says that this is the best way, explaining that she can't get so many people out in time, that they can't fight without a lot of casualties, and that she doesn't have time to defuse the explosives. Option 1B.2A.2: Rachel says they need to fight... Option 1B.2A.3: Rachel says they should still use the fire escape... ...and Abe laughs. Everyone else just stares at Rachel, except for Anna who comments that Rachel is going after whoever has the detonator. Rachel then tells the group that in three minutes, they need to proceed down the fire escape no matter what is going on outside. One person asks what happens if Rachel doesn't stop the bomb. She replies that the bomb going off would be bad, but that since getting away will be the hardest part they need to go even if she hasn't given them the all clear. Anna responds that it isn't really okay with her. Option 1B.2B: Rachel decides to delay the attack till everyone can escape... Option 1B.2C: Rachel decides to locate the detonator... Option 1B.3: Rachel stays put and watches the commander... ...as the teams begin taking positions for the approach. The commander then turns around and sees her watching him. He then tells Rachel that he likes that she has an "edge"; explaining that most people go through their day performing routines half-asleep, but some of them are never asleep and have an edge. Rachel realizes the commander is gloating that he is about to explain how his plan will pay off for them. The commander then holds up a box Rachel thinks is a bomb detonator. He tells her confidentially that he plans for the agents to flush them onto the fire escape and then he will kill them with a bomb. Rachel asks if they are just going to kill the fugitives without any warning, and he confirms it. The commander adds that others might not understand, but he thinks she does and that is why Danko likes her. He continues that he thinks she gets what is at stake, and is able to prioritize saving valuable lives and letting go those who can't be saved. The player again gets to choose what Rachel does next. Option 1B.3A: Rachel tries to delay the attack until Anna gets them out... Option 1B.3B: Rachel tries to get the detonator...

All cases (II)

What would Rachel do? What do you think the official conclusion of this week's iStory will be? Could Rachel face off against fellow agents so soon after Jason's death? Is Abe's safety worth the risk to his friends? Would Rachel, Anna, and Abe be enough to hold off Building 26? Make your prediction below. (Official conclusion will be posted next week.) Later this week: REBEL finally breaks his silence. But who is listening? What do you think Rachel will do? Rachel and Anna will escape with Abe... Rachel, Anna, and Abe will lead a battle against the agents... Rachel will go after the agent with the detonator... Rachel will delay the attack...

Notes

• Several of the options presented in the first part of this chapter lead directly to the page with a poll on what the player thinks is going to happen next.
• Options 1A.1C, 1B.1A.1C, and 1B.2A.3 all comply with what happens in chapter 8, where Rachel tells Anna they need to still use the fire escape and confirms she is going for the detonator before doing so. However, Option 1A.1C is optimal because it allows Anna to experience Rachel's ability and talk to Rachel into being more willing to use it to help people. It also allows Rachel to observe for herself that Abe glows brighter after using his ability.
• The final page of this chapter again has the same flash image of Rachel's desk as the prior chapter.

Trivia

• The poll related to the ending of part 1 of this chapter originally had options related to final chapter of The Private. The poll was updated with options for the current chapter on Thursday, March 26, 2009, and the deadline for the poll extended to Tuesday, March 31, 2009. However, on Tuesday, March 31, 2009, the poll was left in place (though it still showed March 31, 2009, as the deadline).