The Briefing is the first chapter of Act 1 in House of Ashes and the second overall.
The player controls Eric (Theatrical Cut) and Rachel (Curator's Cut) as the former arrives at Camp Slayer to brief a new mission.
Camp Slayer, Iraq, 2003[]
A view of Camp Slayer is seen from outside as several transports and helicopters are seen around it.
The helicopter lands on the roof of the palace as Eric gets out of it. He is greeted by First Lieutenant Jason, who says to Eric that he has arrived early. Eric can then ask if the briefing is ready or apologizes for arriving early. Eric then hands Jason the paper and a woman comes up to them, saying that there's a "new king in the castle" before putting down a briefcase. Jason asks who is she, whom Eric can scold her or introduce her, whom Clarice will be compliant or tries to correct his introduction, placing the word "doctor" in front of her name.
- If Eric's relationship with Jason is low, Jason will ask if Eric has always been a "dick", before Clarice saying that it's still "level two" and that Jason should wait until it turns up to "eleven".
Passing through the palace, Jason explains that they have just established a base, which explains the noise and disorder, and lists who they have. On the way to the briefing room, the trio meets Merwin doing bench presses, who tries to antagonize Clarice. Jason claims that Merwin has a lack of social skills, whom Eric replies that "every units has its resident jackass". Along the way, they meet Nick, whom Jason comments that he hasn't been himself lately.
Near the briefing room, they meet Joey sitting behind a desk. Joey asks if Eric is "the one and only satellite guy" whom Eric can be indignant or polite about it. Jason asks Joey to give the colonel full site access, much to the latter's anger. He then greets Eric. Jason says that the "Queen Bitch" will flip her shit if she finds out about it, whom Eric can be reluctant about his relationship or scold Jason. If the former is chosen, Jason will be confused, whom Clarice clarifies that the "Queen Bitch" is Eric's wife alias Rachel. As they move on, Clarice compliments Jason. Jason will apologize to Eric as they reach the briefing room. Eric becomes playful by saying that Rachel has gone up in the world, whom Jason claims that they think it's a term of endearment. Afterwards, Eric places his case on a desk and opens it, which is a laptop.
In parallel, when Eric arrives, Rachel and Nick kiss in her office, but they are interrupted by a call. Nick asks Rachel when she will tell Eric about them, to which she can answer that she wants to find the right time or they should stop. Nick leaves, forgetting the lighter that Rachel picks up. Before going to the briefing room, she can search her office and find:
- Wedding photo with her and Eric.
- A remote to watch TV with President Bush's speech.
- View her Deployment Letter.
- A wedding ring that she can wear or put back in her desk after reminiscing about the car accident.
- In the Theatrical Cut, if Rachel tells Nick they should put their relationship on ice or says nothing, Rachel will wear her wedding ring.
- In the Theatrical Cut, if Rachel assures Nick that she will tell Eric about their relationship later, Rachel will not wear her wedding ring.
Whoever reaches the briefing room first can have some time to explore around. They will then find a news of a solar eclipse on one of the computers, before another character comes in. Rachel can then be annoyed how Eric took over her team or tell Eric that his work has finally paid off. Then Eric can reply to her by either being arrogant or apologizing her, claiming that CENTCOM has given them orders and now he's commanding officer.
Jason then gives a proof about it to Rachel before Clarice asks her for network access. Rachel can be contemptuous or polite, whom Eric will introduce Clarice to her or Rachel will patch Clarice through before the latter introduces herself. Eric then asks Clarice to prepare the presentation before Rachel asks if he's found something.
Briefing Room, 1500 HRS[]
The Americans can be seen gathering together in a briefing. A screen taken from a sky view of the compound with digital patterns can be seen. Merwin asks what is this before Eric introduces this as a satellite system he personally pioneered known as Caelus. Merwin claims that he is impressed before asking Eric to "pioneer away". Eric asks if Merwin is always like this in his briefings, before Jason complies that the boys are just eager to catch a break.
Eric then briefs before claiming that the compound may hide Saddam's chemical weapons as the party celebrates. Eric claims that CENTCOM has allowed them to raid the facility and tells out the plan. Eric claims that Rachel is important in the mission despite the change of leadership, before asking the party if there's any questions. Merwin claims that he's ready while Jason says that the place is a tribal territory and asks for air support. Merwin claims that too many "birds" can bring the enemies down on them, before he and Joey switch "mum" jokes. Jason asks Merwin to stop before asking Eric for his call, whom he can be compliant about the air support or be confident about "going small".
- In Curator's Cut, Eric will choose to go small if Rachel told Nick that she'll tell Eric about the affair, and if she did not wear her wedding ring. Otherwise, Eric will accept air support.
Rachel can then be skeptical or supportive. Eric then dismisses the party before asking Clarice to set up the equipment. Joey then tells Merwin about him having a bad feeling, before Rachel claims that's what he get for spending too much time with Eric.
Clarice leaves to download the data, leaving Eric and Rachel alone. Rachel can tell Eric that the team is not ready or tell him that they need to talk. Either way, Eric can be excited about their talk or tell Rachel that he misses her. Rachel can then tell Eric that they will talk at the right time or claim that their relationship is over. Eric will hold Rachel hands, whom he can find out whether Rachel wears the ring or not. Merwin is seen putting a case down before Eric scolds him for being careless. He then takes out a UV wand from the case before putting back as Merwin wants to try using it. Eric then asks Clarice how long they need before she reports that the data will be loaded within 5 minutes. This allows both Eric and Rachel to explore around while also find or talk to:
- Bandit Briefing.
- War Newspaper.
- A map of Iraq.
- Results Letter.
- Objectives Letter.
- White phosphorous, with Jason and Nick nearby. Eric can prohibit or allow the WP while Rachel can talk about Eric to Jason and Nick.
- Merwin, as he scornfully examines the climbing gear.
- Joey, as he holds a card depicting Saddam Hussein.
When the data download is complete, the group leaves for the helicopters. As that happens, Jason asks Nick if he wants to ask something. Nick asks Jason he thinks of Eric.
- If Jason and Eric have a positive or neutral relationship, Jason will say that Eric is a nice guy, but being nice doesn't cut around the soldiers. Nick then says that Eric has something else on his mind.
- If Jason and Eric have a negative relationship, Jason will say Eric is tough but he likes that. Nick then says that Eric has a "corncob up his ass". Jason comments how they need someone tough to handle the team.
Collectibles[]
Secrets[]
- Bandit Briefing - On a table in the briefing room.
Trivia[]
- In singleplayer and Movie Night, Rachel's and Nick's conversation will always be played in Theatrical Cut, cutting back to Eric after Nick leaves.
- The eclipse map foreshadows a key event in the game's finale.
[]
| Prologue | |
|---|---|
| Act 1 | |
| Act 2 | After the Fall • Slayer • The Truce • Bloodbath • The Signal • The Assault • The Horror • Enemy of My Enemy • The Well |
| Act 3 | |
| Epilogue | |