The Assignment

"The Assignment" is the very first level of the award-winning game The Operative: No One Lives Forever. Consisting of three scenes (the first of which consists of a non-playable prologue), the level introduces the player to the game's protagonist Cate Archer, an aspiring field operative and secret agent in the employ of the international security agency UNITY. Archer's nemesis Dmitrij Volkov who appears in all three games of the franchise, also makes his first in-game appearance. Scene 3 is the game's first tutorial level and prepares the player for the first mission of the game.

Briefing
''A crisis has arisen. UNITY's undercover operatives are being killed off by an unknown assailant. It seems likely that there's a traitor within the agency.''

Report to the war room for a full briefing on the situation and a tactical overview on your upcoming mission.

Do not be late.

Following the briefing, stop by the training facility to hone your skills.

Scene 1

 * 9:30 pm. September 11, 1967.
 * Ten miles from Irkutsk, Siberia, U.S.S.R.

An undercover agent stands outside an isolated outpost right in front of a halted truck. As he lights a cigarette, he is shot in the back by a sinister figure with an eye-patch. The assassin then leaves a red lily on the body of his victim before walking away.


 * NOLF1 FlashlightUse.pngTwo days later...
 * French Embassy, Santiago, Chile

In the cover of night, another secret agent sneaks into the ambassador's office and opens the safe hidden behind a painting. Unbeknownst to him, the assassin approaches him from behind and strangles him. A red lily is left next to his dead body.


 * The following evening...
 * South Harbor, Helsinki, Finland

Several gun shots are fired and a third agent hastily runs out of the docks. He quickly jumps into his car and speeds off, revealing yet another red lily which had been placed beneath the vehicle. As it passes through the gate, the car explodes and overturns. The assassin stands silently on the road and gazes at the wreckage. [Opening credits and title track]

Scene 2

 * Meanwhile...
 * Residence of Cate Archer

While in the shower, Archer receives a phone call from her good friend and mentor Bruno Lawrie. He has just returned from a mission in France, and invites Archer out to dinner at Maximillian's. During dinner, Archer reveals that she is dissatisfied with her current job at UNITY, which primarily involves wiretapping and the occasional eavesdropping on conversations. Lawrie reminds her that the committee is 'old fashioned' and that Archer is the first female operative UNITY has ever employed. He encourages her to cope with the current situation, lest she go back to being a thief. Archer retorts that all she wants is a chance to prove herself. They are interrupted by a beeping pager that summons them both to headquarters. As he has business of his own to tend to first, Lawrie will join her later.

Arriving at HQ, Ms. Kavanaugh informs Archer that she's expected in the briefing room by executive directors, Mr. Jones and Mr. Smith. While Mr Jones is optimistic and willing to give Archer a chance, Mr Smith (nicknamed "Smithy") is quite cynical and not at all impressed with UNITY's first female operative. Before the briefing, Lawrie and Mr. Smith trade verbal jabs regarding Lawrie's current status and Smithy's "voluntarily" resignation from field duty in favor of an administrative position. He express his opinion that the aging Lawrie should do the same, but is briskly refuted. Following this, Archer and Lawrie are informed that no less than seven operatives have been killed within the past ten days leading the agency to believe that there is a traitor within their ranks. The red lily, or 'Regal Finale' to be more precise, helps to identify the assassin as Dmitrij Volkov, a former NKVD and SMERSH agent who is currently believed to be working for an organization calling itself "H.A.R.M." as its Director of Executive Action.

Archer and Lawrie receive instructions to take the next flight to Morocco for a very important assignment. Mr. Smith reveals his reluctance to send Archer on this mission, and is only doing so because they have no other available agents at this time.

Before they leave, Mr. Jones asks Archer what H.A.R.M. stands for. She informs him that she hasn't quite figured that out yet.

Scene 3
In the game's first tutorial level, Archer enters the training facilities, endearingly referred to as the "Toy Shop" or "Santa's Workshop" where she is greeted by Santa, the head of UNITY's research and development division and gadget maker. He instructs her in basic and advanced field tactics, tests her skills in the shooting range and introduces her to some of his latest inventions. On her way out, some colleagues wish Archer a pleasant journey and tell her to "come back in one piece".

Memorable quotes
Lawrie "It's never fun paying one's dues, but we all have to endure a bit of frustration and tedium now and then. It builds character." Archer "I think I've paid my bloody dues." Lawrie "Is that what you think? God knows I loathe sermons, but I'll tell you right now that you'll never stop paying your dues. Not ever. I'm sorry you're not happy, but you might as well get use to it. Nobody owes you a damn thing." (as Archer tries to enter Observation Room 1 outside the briefing room, the AI security system, voiced by Barbara Dirickson refuses her entry) "Access prohibited. You do not have clearance for the area." (she tries again) "Access prohibited. This area is off limits." (and again) "Access prohibited. This area is restricted." (again) "Access prohibited. Might I suggest that if you are not content with your security clearance, you take up the matter with your supervisor. In the meantime, please refrain from attempting to enter restricted areas. Thank you." (once more) "Access is still prohibited. Access is still prohibited." (and finally) "I'm not letting you in here."

Trivia

 * Scene 1 consists entirely of a cutscene and is the only scene in the game not to feature any gameplay.
 * At the very beginning of Scene 1, Volkov shoots a UNITY agent with a Braun 9mm Parabellum, which he holds in his right hand. However, the gun disappears when he takes the regal finale off his blazer.
 * The car driven by the third UNITY agent in Finland is a 1963 or 1964 Chevrolet Nova SS.
 * Dmitrij Volkov assumes the role of primary antagonist and villain immediately upon his first appearance, which is a status he maintains throughout the franchise. While there are many other antagonists, these are not introduced (or exposed) until much later in the game.
 * The beginning of Scene 2 marks the only occasion where we get a glimpse of Archer's private residence, the location of which remains unknown but can be assumed to be somewhere in London near UNITY headquarters.
 * While Archer is "introduced" to various weapons and gadgets in Scene 3, some of these (and others) can be seen lying around in her bathroom at the beginning of Scene 2. Admittedly, it is possible that the accessories on the counter are just ordinary fashion products she has been using until then, and UNITY's gadget lab later based their devices on their appearance and practical use.
 * UNITY's receptionist and Mr. Jones' secretary Ms. Kavanaugh (also voiced by Kit Harris) makes her first and only personal appearance in the entire game. In other levels and missions she is only heard over the intercom or through the telephone.
 * On the way to the briefing room, the player passes by an office in which a female employee can be caught sleeping on the job. Hitting the window will promptly wake her up.
 * In her detailed profile of Volkov, Archer mentions that he "resurfaced again after the war, this time in the employee of SMERSH". Even though it was officially dissolved in 1946, only one year after the war, the term SMERSH is probably used in this instance to refer to any and all state security agencies of the Soviet Union, the latest and most enduring of which was the KGB. It could also be a reference to the fictional organization used by Ian Fleming in his James Bond novels.
 * While many levels take place in the briefing room in preparation of the upcoming missions, this is the only level in which it is possible for the player to actually walk around in and explore it.
 * The CT-180 Utility Launcher is mentioned for the first time by two UNITY employees who are discussing its field rating. The CT-180 is mentioned in intelligence items throughout the game. In the sequel, this device becomes part of Archer's standard gadget and weapons arsenal.
 * Scene 3 is the longest training level of the game. Future training levels are significantly shorter and only introduce new gadgets in the Advanced Field Tactics facilities. Unlike the other Training levels which are mandatory, completing the tutorials in Scene 3 is completely optional and Archer is free to head directly to the exit.
 * During the briefing, there are two interactive dialogue trees when being berated by Mr. Smith. Choosing the more polite option will award an invisible option, one for each tree.

References from the opening credits
Andrew Heffernan • Barbara Dirickson • David Stalker • Fox Interactive • Guy Whitmore • Jamil Mullen • Jenna Hawkins • Jeff Steitzer • John Patrick Lowrie • Jock Blaney • Ken Boynton • Kit Harris • LithScope • Mark Dias • Mike Madeoy • Monolith Productions • Nigel Neale • Rich Ragsdale • Roger Curtis • Scott Burns