Part 3

Dead Zone & Desolate Mesa: You'll start off seeing some bug creatures dragging off Blink. Your first objective is to find a [Security Code Module] in the {Desolate Mesa}. Right near where you start, you'll encounter some fires. Remember GAME TIP #10: Use mutant powers to extinguish fires. Iceman is your go-to for this. A bit further on, you'll find a bridge point. GAME TIP #11 mentions using mutant powers to build bridges, and yep, Iceman can do that too! You can build a bridge here to get to some bugs. If you don't have Iceman or someone similar, there's another path down a little later. Before you head down that path, extinguish the fire near the bridge point and break the crates for some Techbits and Potions. Follow the path upwards, dealing with bugs as they come. Near the lower area, you'll see some burning wreckage with a Tech Station. These give permanent stat bonuses, so use it wisely – this one gives +2 Strike. After that, head down the path next to the wreckage for a cutscene. You'll have to fight a special bug to save Blink. Talk to her, and she'll open a portal to the next island, also unlocking the Blink Portal selection on your pause screen (it has a 5-minute cooldown). Keep an eye on your Automap; you'll see an exit icon but no obvious way out. As you walk, the ground will break, leading you to Cerci Cavern. For now, let's stick to the Dead Zone. At the very end of this section, you'll find a flashing red thing – this is a Homing Beacon (A1HB1), which you need for Iron Man. There are four needed per Act, and you'll find six in Act 1 total. Now, head back towards the Cerci Caverns entrance.

Cerci Caverns: Once you enter {Cerci Caverns}, follow the path. A small cutscene will play about the bugs. Head towards the red 'X' on your map. In a large cavern, you'll find GAME TIP #13: Sometimes, you must HULK SMASH! walls to continue. You can also find a Flight Recorder here for some Black Box lore. Grab the Security Codes at the red 'X'. The path will be blocked, so use Hulk Smash on the wall next to the Game Tip to proceed. Follow the path, and you'll find a Danger Room Disc (DRC102) for Setting 102-Throwing. Keep going until you reach a wide-open cavern with a fork. The side fork has GAME TIP #14: To fly, press Triangle twice. Once flying, press Triangle to go up and Square to go down. You can fly to the platform or use the blue 'X' to create a bridge. Pick up the Beacon (A1HB2) on the platform. Head back and take the other fork. In another large open area, you'll find another Flight Recorder. Outside this area, you'll encounter some altered bugs and the entrance to Barren Cliffs. Remember, the objective here is to find a [Security Code Module] in {Cerci Caverns}.

Barren Cliffs: From the Cerci Caverns exit, head out and go around some wreckage, making a U-shape. You'll fight more bugs and some soldiers. Look closely near the edge for a little red spinning thing in a bush – this is a Data Disc (A1DD1). Collecting four of these lets you carry more Health or Energy Packs. Head back to the curve of the U and continue. Cross the bridge made of wreckage and boulders. You'll meet Grizzly and his robot buddies; take them out, then follow Grizzly. Just past him is more wreckage. Turn there and follow the path. You'll find a blue 'X' spot to make a bridge, then another blue 'X' bridge further along. At the top of this second bridge is a Weapon Cache (A1WC01) with various goodies. Head back to the wreckage past Grizzly and look for the red 'X' on your map. Head there to find the Security Code Module. This is the second module you need. You'll also need to find the optional [Radar Array] in {Desolate Mesa}.