Smash the State (steps 1-3) Deus Ex: HR Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Introduction
You will get the chance to approach this mission during Finding Isaias Sandoval. After finishing your business at the Convention Center you should be stopped by the main hero's friend, Nicholas, who will ask for a favour. The quest isn't very long, though you will have to look out for numerous traps inside the apartment of the man planning a terrorist attack.
LIST OF QUEST OBJECTIVES:
1. PRIMARY - Search the subway tunnel - You will receive this objective only if you choose the standard dialogue options during the initial conversation and won't use pheromones. You don't need to do anything special apart from reaching the destination. It's worth adding that you can skip this step and head to the sewers at once, though you'd lose a chance to earn some EXP.
2. PRIMARY - Search the back alley - Just like with the subway, you just need to reach the destination. It's worth adding that you can skip this step and head to the sewers at once, though you'd lose a chance to earn some EXP.
3. PRIMARY - Search the sewers - Look out for the mines and turrets found throughout the sewers, don't hurry and search the area thoroughly.
4. PRIMARY - Neutralize Jacob White - It's much better to catch Jacob alive, as it's connected with an additional prize. In order to make things easier, it would be good to switch off all the turrets in the area.
5. SECONDARY - Disarm Jacob's bomb - Unfortunately disarming the bomb requires solving a hacking mini-game.
6. PRIMARY - Return to Officer Nicholas - If you have only knocked White over, you can count for an additional prize from Nicholas.
(1) Talking with Nicholas
Map legend: 1 - Nicholas rendezvous point.
You will meet Nicholas - Jensen's old friend from SWAT - after getting out of the Convention Center #1, he should stop you as you attempt to leave the location #2. The man will ask the hero to track down a bandit named Jacob White, who has obtained some explosive materials and in planning on using them.
Before making the final decision, it's worth to ask Nicholas a few questions regarding the bomb, Jacob White and the reasons why his threats aren't taken serious by anyone from the police. I'd also suggest thoroughly asking him about the mission details and the reward for catching. You can either agree or refuse to help Nicholas (screen above).
If you agree to help him, you will be able to continue the conversation. Whether you decide to reprimand or encourage him #1 doesn't really matter, as in both cases he will give you three possible locations where you should search for White and the bomb. Alternatively you could use the Social Enhancer augmentation to activate pheromones (Z). Afterwards you would have to choose the omega personality option #2. In effect, you would limit the list to only two locations (the subway tunnel will disappear). Regardless of the chosen dialogue version, in the end it would be good to ask Nicholas about some final details, thanks to which you will learn that lately White came into possession of some advanced augmentation.
(2) Examining the subway tunnel
Notice! You will sent to the tunnel only if during the conversation with Nicholas you choose the standard dialogue options. Using pheromones removes this place from the list of locations to examine. If you don't want to waste time on exploring this location, you can skip to Step 4 (Examining the sewers).
Head east. It would be best to enter the tunnel from the south, where the barricades have been placed #1. Follow the only possible corridor. The objective of this mission is just reaching the marked spot #2.
Reward: 100 EXP.
(3) Examining the back alley
Notice! If you don't want to waste time on exploring this location, you can skip to Step 4 (Examining the sewers).
The street pointed by Nicholas can be found at the back of the police station. You might remember this place from your previous visits in Detroit, as visiting it was necessary for completing some of the side quests. The path leading there are still the same. If you have the EMP Shielding augmentation, it'd worth to choose the tunnel with discharges, north of the mission objective #1. If on the other hand you have the Jump Enhancement augmentation, you can approach the fence located nearby the police station #2, though you would still need to place something beneath your legs.
If you don't have any of the listed augmentations, you will unfortunately have to use the nearby sewer entrance. It can be found west of the police station #1. The walkthrough of that part can be found in Step 4 (Examining the sewers), though you would have to avoid getting near White's hideout, as it would cancel the objective. Upon reaching the alley, the main hero won't find anything or anyone #2.
Reward: 100 EXP.