Safety is always the number one concern of any agent in the field. Or off the field, but you can be hurt a whole lot more ways outside of your computer room. If you manage to injure yourself while operating a keyboard, Darwin has a few words for you. But I digress. We already have a story or two of close calls from agents (me) doing something stupid in the field. So here are a few common sense tips to help avoid any problems.

- Don't be glued to your phone: IRC moves quickly, and it can be hard to keep up during the quick nature of a live event, but this is no excuse to be unaware of your surroundings. If you're diving, bicycling, or just walking, be aware. A good solution is to team up with another agent who can monitor things from the safety of the passenger seat of the car while you drive.

- Let people know where you're going: Most agents want to be a bit secretive when it comes to their work. But the authorities will have a much easier time getting to you if they know where to look. Never leave for an unfamiliar area without telling someone you know.

- When operating at night, be visible: Common sense, don't wear black and stand in the middle of an unlit street.

- Pack Water: I know it sounds silly, but if, for any reason, you're out for a fair bit of time. Or walking a lot on a hot day, dehydration can become a serious problem.

- DO NOT CARRY ARMLOADS OF WEAPONS: I cannot stress this enough, just because you've got the title "agent" does not mean you have a permit to be a walking armoury. Look up your local laws and follow them. If the police stop you for any reason, they shouldn't find anything you shouldn't have.

- Do not antagonize law enforcement: Crossing over with the first point, but you don't need to break any laws to complete a mission. Find other ways. If you're unsure, ask dispatch. They won't steer you wrong.

So, if you're like me, you've probably asked dispatch where Q is, expecting him to have all your gear laid out like that tryhard spy 007. And dispatch has probably told you to stuff it and get your own gear. So, here we are.

I present to you the DOs and DONTs of field gear.


DO BRING
- Car Compatible Phone Charger: You never want to be cut off from Dispatch and the other agents.
- Power Inverter: I love these things. Want to charge your phone, tablet, and laptop in your car at the same time? Power inverter can make that happen.
- External Battery/Power pack: Ever hear the saying "The only time you have too much fuel if when you're on fire"? You get the idea
- Snacks: Always snacks. You think I won't blow a two month long op to get mint Aero chocolate bar? You're wrong.

DONT BRING

There are very few totally wrong things to throw in your car. If something will get you arrested or is useless, don't bring it. Use common sense.


You don't have your fancy horseless carriage to lug gear around for you now boy, time to get smart about what you take with you.

DO BRING
- Your Phone: Being aware of the mission generally helps completing the mission
- External battery: More power? More power!
- Water: Refer to safety guide, use common sense to decide if you need it.
- Camera: Sometimes we need photo evidence of something. Sometimes we just want to see what you field agents are up to. Either way, bring a camera!
- Flashlight: If you bring one, you won't need it. If you don't bring one, it will be vital. Better the former.
- Proper clothing: Dress for the weather, don't get sick. Don't die of heatstroke and leave the team hanging just because you think your leather jacket looks cool in a July heatwave.
- Friends: Get those poor sods to carry some of your gear.

DONT BRING
- Trenchcoats: Just trust me on this one
- Weapons: You shouldn't need me to tell you this. Local laws take priority
- Lockpicks: See above
- Fedoras: Refer to Trenchcoats

So, you've lucked out and pulled green clearance, huh? Welcome to the party.

Extended missions have a longer timeframe then most, often in the space of a full day or slightly more. In the event of being the centre of an extended mission, there is one very important thing to remember; Dispatch has your back.


While steam won't let me upload this image do to size, here's a picture of the safehouse provided for the first Green level mission http://i.imgur.com/9EiHFlq.jpg

It's important to know, accommodations in any extended mission will be sufficient for said mission. Expect it to be centralized, and easily accessable. The safehouse pictured above was within 10 km of all but one objective, (and the one it was outside, was on a nearby island. The ferry to said island was easily accessable. Though, there was a long lineup. That's beside the point.

Common courtesy rules are in effect. Clean up after yourself, don't trash the room. Respect your neighbours. Be a good citizen.


In the case of an extended mission, you'll get some shiny gifts from dispatch to help you along in your mission. Here's a list of the most recent mission's gear to give you an idea.

- Burner cell phone
- $200 cash, in 20 dollar bills
- Short range radio
- BW dog tags
- Instructions

The money was extremely useful in taxi-ing to various objectives. The Radio was to keep in contact with the NPC agent Fleming. The dogtags were for the agent to keep.


Can't stress this enough. At all times during the last mission, at least two people were following the agent around. Agent Fleming and a cameraman keeping twitter updated. Along with regular radio check ins, and phone calls if they lost visual contact. An agent on assignment is never alone.


Just because you're not in any real danger, doesn't mean you won't be thrown in the back of a morpho car and dragged off if you make the wrong move. Poise is very important. Green level missions can get intense, but take a deep breath, and lie your way through it. You've got the rest of the division behind your back, you'll be fine.


You've got the entire division behind your back. Use them. Get an IRC client on your phone and keep in contact as much as possible. We all want to follow your progress, and 50 agent's heads are better then one.


All in all, an extended mission is a hell of an experience. Not to be taken on by the faint of heart, but it's one you'll never forget.

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