Beholder: Conductor
Beholder: Conductor

Walkthrough - Mid Game

Walkthrough the mid game of Beholder: Conductor. Master resource management and surveillance as the Ministry's grip tightens through critical objectives and mo.

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Walkthrough - Mid Game

Welcome, Conductor, to the perilous middle act of your journey. The initial honeymoon period is over, and the Ministry's grip tightens. Resource management, strategic surveillance, and careful navigation of moral dilemmas are paramount. This section will guide you through the critical objectives and challenges you'll face as you delve deeper into the building's secrets and the lives of its inhabitants.

Phase 1: The "Loyalty Check" Initiative

The Ministry has introduced the "Loyalty Check" initiative, requiring you to monitor tenants for specific ideological deviations. This isn't just about reporting; it's about understanding the nuances of dissent and maintaining your standing with the authorities.

  • Objective: Identify and Report "Subversive" Tendencies.
    • Target: The Artist, Mr. Petrov, in Apartment 2B. He's known for his abstract paintings and unconventional views.
    • Surveillance Strategy: To gather irrefutable evidence, you'll need to employ advanced techniques:
      • Install a Hidden Camera (Type A) in his living room. This is accessible via the ventilation shaft located in the hallway directly outside his apartment door.
      • Place a Microphone (Standard Issue) near his studio easel. This will allow you to record conversations and artistic musings.
      • Recommended Time: Mr. Petrov is most active in his studio between 18:00 and 22:00.
    • Evidence Gathering:
      • Look for paintings depicting "unapproved" imagery (e.g., bright, non-uniform colors, figures without clear Ministry-approved uniforms). Specifically, search for the painting titled "Crimson Dawn," which is known to be particularly provocative.
      • Listen for conversations with visitors about "freedom of expression," "individual thought," or any criticism of Ministry-mandated art styles. Pay close attention to his discussions with the visiting poet, Elara Vance.
      • Key Evidence Items: "Abstract Art Piece - Unapproved Palette" (found on his easel), "Conversation - Dissenting Views on Art" (recorded via microphone), and "Poem - Ode to Forbidden Colors" (found on his desk).
    • Report Submission: Once you have at least two pieces of incriminating evidence (e.g., "Abstract Art Piece - Unapproved Palette" and "Conversation - Dissenting Views on Art"), submit your report to the Ministry via the Central Communications Terminal in your office. Be prepared for a follow-up directive, which often involves further surveillance or a visit from Ministry officials.
  • Resource Management Tip: The Ministry will provide a small stipend of 150 Credits for successful "Loyalty Check" reports. Use this to purchase additional surveillance equipment from the Black Market Dealer or to bribe the occasional nosy neighbor like Mrs. Gable in Apartment 2A, who often has useful gossip.

Phase 2: The "Missing Parts" Dilemma

A critical component for the Ministry's new propaganda broadcast system, the "Neural Modulator Chip," has gone missing, and you're tasked with recovering it. This quest introduces a moral choice with significant repercussions for your standing and the lives of the tenants.

  • Objective: Locate the "Neural Modulator Chip."
    • Initial Lead: Intercept a coded message from the Janitor, Boris Volkov, in the building's basement. His usual route includes a stop at the Boiler Room (Basement Level, Sector B) every morning between 07:00 and 08:00. You can install a Miniature Bug near the boiler to intercept his communications.
    • Deciphering the Message: The intercepted message is encrypted. You'll need the Ministry-Issued Cipher Key (Version 3.1). This crucial item can be found in the Security Office (Apartment 1A). Accessing this office requires you to first complete the "Broken Lock" side quest for the Security Officer, Officer Kirov. (See "Side Quests: Broken Lock" for detailed instructions on repairing the lock.) Once you have the key, use your office terminal to decrypt the message.
    • The Suspect: The decoded message explicitly points to Ms. Anya Petrova (no relation to the Artist, Mr. Petrov), a reclusive tenant in Apartment 3C, as having acquired the chip. The message indicates she believes it to be a "relic of the old world."
    • Retrieval Options: Your approach here will significantly impact the outcome.
      1. Direct Confrontation (High Risk, High Ministry Approval):
        • Knock on Ms. Petrova's door. She is paranoid and will likely refuse to cooperate, potentially becoming aggressive.
        • This may lead to a struggle, potentially damaging the chip or alerting other tenants.
        • Requires a Persuasion Skill Check (Medium). Failure results in a physical altercation, potentially injuring Ms. Petrova and incurring a Ministry penalty for "unnecessary force." Success means she reluctantly hands over the chip.
        • Consequence: High Ministry approval, but potential negative reputation with other tenants if they witness the confrontation.
      2. Covert Operation (Medium Risk, Medium Ministry Approval):
        • Wait for Ms. Petrova to leave her apartment. She typically goes to the Community Garden (Ground Floor, Rear Courtyard) on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 14:00 and 16:00.
        • Pick the lock on her door (requires a Lockpick Set, purchasable from the Black Market Dealer, "The Shadow," for 100 Credits). A Master Lockpick Set (250 Credits) significantly increases your success rate.
        • Once inside, locate the chip hidden in a False-Bottomed Drawer within her bedroom dresser. Be quick; she may return early.
        • Consequence: Moderate Ministry approval. No direct confrontation, but a small chance of being caught by other tenants or Ms. Petrova if you are too slow.
      3. Bribery/Manipulation (Low Risk, Low Ministry Approval, High Cost):
        • Offer Ms. Petrova a significant sum of money (500 Credits) or a rare item (e.g., a Pre-War Luxury Cigarette Case, found in the abandoned Storage Unit 4 in the basement, accessible with a Storage Unit Key found in Officer Kirov's desk).
        • This avoids confrontation but significantly depletes your resources.
        • Consequence: Low Ministry approval (they prefer direct action), but maintains a neutral or even positive relationship with Ms. Petrova and other tenants. You may receive a minor reprimand for "inefficiency" from the Ministry.
  • Consequence Management: Your choice here will impact your standing with the Ministry (direct confrontation or covert retrieval yields higher approval, bribery yields lower) and potentially your relationship with other tenants (bribery might be seen as weakness, but avoids direct conflict and maintains neighborly peace). The chip must be returned to the Ministry via the Central Communications Terminal to complete the objective.

Phase 3: Expanding Your Network

As your influence grows, so does the need for reliable informants and access to illicit goods. This phase focuses on building your underground network to better manage the building and its inhabitants.

  • Objective: Recruit a "Street Informant."
    • Initial Contact: Seek out "Whisper" Wallace, a seemingly innocuous street vendor operating near the Public Square (accessible via the main building exit). He sells "Ministry-approved" newspapers but has a network of ears and eyes throughout the district. He is usually present between 10:00 and 17:00.
    • Gaining Trust: Whisper Wallace is wary of authority figures. You'll need to complete a small favor for him to earn his trust:
      • Retrieve a Stolen Ration Book (Serial #734-B). This item is hidden behind the washing machine on the left side of the Laundry Room (Basement Level, Sector A).
      • Return it to him discreetly at the Public Square. Do not attempt to question him about it; simply hand it over.
    • Informant Benefits: Once recruited, Whisper Wallace will periodically provide you with rumors, tenant gossip, and potential leads on illegal activities for a small fee (50 Credits per tip). This is invaluable for proactive surveillance and uncovering hidden objectives. His tips often include details about tenants' habits, hidden stashes, or upcoming events.
  • Objective: Access the Black Market.
    • The Dealer: As mentioned in Phase 2, "The Shadow" is your primary contact for black market goods. He appears in the alley behind the building (accessible via the rear basement exit) between 22:00 and 02:00 on odd-numbered nights (e.g., 1st, 3rd, 5th, etc., of the month).
    • Available Goods: The Shadow's inventory is crucial for advanced surveillance and problem-solving. His stock rotates, but common items include:
      • Advanced Surveillance Gear:
        • Miniature Bug (Enhanced Range): 200 Credits. Allows for wider area surveillance.
        • Thermal Goggles (Limited Use): 350 Credits. Useful for detecting hidden compartments or individuals in low light.
        • Voice Mimicry Device: 500 Credits. Can be used to impersonate other tenants or officials for specific objectives.
      • Contraband:
        • Foreign Cigarettes: 75 Credits per pack. Can be used for bribes or as evidence of illegal trade.
        • Pre-War Literature: 120 Credits per book. Potential evidence of subversive thought or personal reading for morale.
        • Illicit Alcohol: 100 Credits per bottle. Can be used to loosen tongues or as a personal morale boost.
      • Specialized Tools:
        • Master Lockpick Set: 250 Credits. Significantly improves lockpicking success rate and speed.
        • Silenced Pistol (Illegal): 700 Credits. For extreme measures only. Using this weapon carries severe Ministry penalties if discovered and can lead to a "Game Over" if not handled with extreme caution and discretion.
        • Universal Keycard Duplicator: 400 Credits. Allows you to copy keycards found throughout the building, granting access to restricted areas.
    • Payment: All transactions are in untraceable Credits. Be mindful of your budget, as these items are expensive but often crucial for completing objectives and uncovering deeper secrets. Always ensure you have enough credits for essential purchases.

Side Quest Spotlight: The Broken Lock (Prerequisite for Security Office Access)

To access the Security Office (Apartment 1A) and retrieve the Ministry-Issued Cipher Key (Version 3.1) for the "Missing Parts" Dilemma, you must first assist Officer Kirov with his broken office door lock.

  • Objective: Repair Officer Kirov's Office Lock.
    • Initiation: Speak to Officer Kirov, who can usually be found patrolling the first floor or in his apartment (1A) during off-duty hours. He will complain about his faulty office lock and ask for assistance.
    • Required Item: You need a Lock Repair Kit.
      • Option 1 (Purchase): The easiest way to acquire this is from the Black Market Dealer, "The Shadow," for 80 Credits.
      • Option 2 (Salvage): A damaged Lock Repair Kit can sometimes be found in the Maintenance Closet (Basement Level, Sector C), but it will require a Repair Skill Check (Medium) at your workbench to make it usable.
    • Repair Process: Once you have the Lock Repair Kit, approach the door to the Security Office (Apartment 1A). An interaction prompt will appear. Select "Repair Lock." The repair takes approximately 30 game minutes.
    • Reward: Upon successful repair, Officer Kirov will grant you temporary access to his office, allowing you to retrieve the Ministry-Issued Cipher Key (Version 3.1) from his desk. He will also give you a small reward of 50 Credits and a minor boost to your Ministry approval.
    • Missable Warning: If you take too long to repair the lock, Officer Kirov may eventually repair it himself, or a Ministry repair team might be dispatched, potentially locking you out of the opportunity to gain his trust and access the key directly. Prioritize this quest early in Phase 2.