This is the basic object of the game. Your mission is to collect files, which give you information towards the location of a secret. If you stop in at your base after collecting files, you will get paid for the files you have collected (see {SECTION 3 - Your Base} ). Once you've obtained all the information files for a secret, a location is slowly locked in for pickup of the secret. To get credit for the secret, you must go pick it up and return it to the proper terminal in your base.

  To collect files, you'll need to hack into data terminals around the level. On your mini-map, you'll see white crosses. These represent the data terminals that can be hacked at the present moment. Small crosses are small data terminals, while large crosses are big data terminals (which yield 2 - 4 times the data, depending on your skill level; so they're very valuable). If you see a cross flashing, that means that a large data terminal at that location is getting ready to become hack-able.

  To hack a system, simply walk in front of it and hit the [SPACE BAR]. Your agent will begin hacking the system. As soon as you begin hacking, a timer ticks down above the terminal - indicating how much time you have left before the terminal becomes inactive. This timer continues to tick down EVEN if you stop hacking! Interruptions during a hack attempt mean less files or information is collected.

Hacking a Big Terminal.	Hacking a Small Terminal.

  NOTE: Even if you get fired upon during a hack, you may keep hacking. As long as your agent is glowing orange, you're still collecting information and files.

  There are two times when hacking does NOT count towards a secret:

1.   If you haven't deployed your initial base door at the start of a game, you won't get "credit" for the hacks you perform.

2.   You don't get credit towards another secret, if you hack while a secret location is being determined already. You still rack up "files" in your HUD, however; and in your base you will be paid for the files you collect during this time.

  There is one more way to collect files and secrets: off of the dead bodies of your enemies! If another agent has hacked a terminal but has not gone back to their base yet, you can kill them and pick up some of their files! These files don't count towards finding your secret, but you will get paid for them back at your base.

  After an enemy agent has raided a data terminal for a SECRET, you can kill them and take their secret back to your base. It will count towards one of the three secrets you need to complete your mission.

  Files from dead bodies look like black cylinders with electricity surging around them; and secrets look like white spheres.

  NOTE: You can also pickup inventory items and ammo from fallen enemies.