The Protagonist (System Shock 2)

Lore & Background

The hacker is caught while attempting to access files concerning Citadel Station, a space station owned by the TriOptimum Corporation. After being brought before executive Edward Diego, the hacker agrees to hack SHODAN, the station's artificial intelligence, in exchange for a military-grade neural implant. Following the surgery, the hacker is placed in a coma. Upon awakening, the hacker finds that SHODAN has taken over the station, reprogrammed robots for hostility, and killed or mutated the crew. The hacker is contacted by Rebecca Lansing, a TriOptimum counter-terrorism consultant, who guides the hacker to stop SHODAN's plans to destroy Earth. The hacker ultimately destroys SHODAN in cyberspace and is offered a job at TriOptimum, but declines.

Reader's Guide

The hacker is guided by Rebecca Lansing, a TriOptimum counter-terrorism consultant, who provides information and advice via communication. The hacker advances the plot by acquiring log discs and e-mails; there are no non-player characters with which to converse.

Did You Know?

• The hacker's name is never given in the game.
• The hacker can enter Cyberspace via specific computer terminals to fight SHODAN's security programs.
• The hacker uses a freely movable mouse cursor to aim weapons and interact with objects.