Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn

~B
Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn (North America)/ Chase The Express ( Japan)
Guide to 'Scenario A'

Introduction: I first played 'Chase the Express' when it was released.
However, I only got a 'Scenario B' ending. I tried to play 'Covert Ops'
when it was released in English in the hope of getting the best ending.
However, there were too many ambiguities and I hope to clarify this for the
sake of other gamers who also want to get the best ending and know about
the game's secrets. This is not a walkthrough, but a guide to all you
gamers who want to know how to get the 'Scenario A' ending in order to play
'Scenario S'. Several websites, written walkthroughs and even game
magazines have tried to give a guide, but all have not been very clear. So
here it is.

Copyright: This walkthrough is my original work. Please obtain my
permission if you want to post it. Do not use it for profit purposes. It is
meant to be free.

Q: Why bother to replay it? That is, what's so good about 'Scenario S'?
A: First, you can get to play as Christina and gets to rescue Jack who has
been gassed. Second, you get to go out of the train at least for a while
(please take me at face value as I have not played 'Scenario S' yet).

Things you need to do in order to get 'Scenario A':
Note 1: You do NOT need to pick up all 'notes' or 'memos' to get 'Scenario A'.
Note 2: You can 'continue' if you get killed. You will not be penalized and
get a lousy ending.
Note 3: You can save as many times as you want (but please do not overdo
it, e.g. save more than 100 times).
Note 4: You do not need to carry 'Secret Information Disc' and 'Cigarette
Case' with you at any time to get 'Scenario A'. You just need to check and
memorize (do not worry, I got it down here) what the case says.

1) Play at either 'Normal' or 'Expert' level.
2) Save Billy the first time by giving him the correct blood transfusion
(B, Rh+, C, D).
3) Save Billy the second time by giving him the 'Bullet Proof Vest'.
(where? Car 6, 1st Floor, in one of the lockers along the wall). Hence, he
will not die when he gets shot by Boris.
4) Pick up the 'Ambassador's Note' (where? Secret Room in VIP room, Car 10,
2nd Floor) before handing over the 'IC Chip' to Mason.
5) Give Mason 'Disc A', NOT 'Secret Information Disc'.
6) Give Billy the 'Laser Disc B' at the beginning of the countdown.
7) Defuse the bombs in Car 2 in under 8 minutes.
8) If all these have been done correctly, you will be allowed to (and must)
detach Car 1 from the rest of the train just at the end of the game (where?
The lever is on the left side of the controls which has the 'Emergency
Manual 2' note. There is a locked door at the left side. Hence, the lever
is in between these two. If everything has been done correctly, there will
be a green light on the lever instead of a red light.

Final Boss guide for 'Scenario A'
The final boss is Mason, who has returned in his getaway helicopter to come
after you as he has realised that you had given him the fake disc (Disc A).
Before you face him, you need to defuse the bomb at the head of the train
(blue star, black moon, red square). The bomb can be defused in any order,
as long as the picture matches the wire colour. Make sure you have combined
the 'Grenade Launcher' to the 'Assault Rifle'. Bring all your 'Grenade
rounds' with you. (By the way, infinity ammo gameshark cheat codes do not
work for 'Grenade rounds'). So I hope you have been stocking them up. I
only had picked up two (each 'Grenade round' you pick up has 5 rounds),
hence, I had a total of ten. I have tried the 'Machine Gun' and 'Assault
Rifle', but I am just not good enough to defeat Mason. So, 'Grenade round'
is the way (unless you are very good) to defeat Mason's helicopter. You
only need to make 4 hits to win the game (I was playing this at 'Expert
Level', hence, I do not know for easier levels). Ok, the helicopter either
hovers at the left or right side of the train. You should stay on the left
side as there is more space. The right side of closer to the walls of the
tunnels. Stand somewhere next to the headlight (The left headlight that is
facing you) or you can run further up and get closer to the helicopter if
you want to, both are fine. Now, just stay there instead of running left
and right to chase after the helicopter. It will come over to your side.
This needs a lot of patience and the next part requires some luck. You must
wait for Jack to 'lock on' on the helicopter when it comes out. Shoot the
'Grenade round', one at a time, for 4 times. Simply go to 'Item screen' to
reload by combining the rounds with the launcher. Once the helicopter gets
hit, it will fall back. Wait for it to come up in front and shoot it again.
Try adjusting Jack slightly so that you can get to 'lock on' quickly. You
will be bound to miss a few rounds as the helicopter does not stay still.
Just make sure that you hit it at least 4 times. If all these are done
quickly (at least do not take a long time), the helicopter will go to the
front of the train and explode. If not, the train will go to the front and
shoot missiles at you and it will be 'game over', so you will know whether
you are doing a good job or not. If and when you run out of rounds and the
helicopter is not defeated yet, do not give up, try the 'Assault rifle'.
Who knows, you might just be a few hits away to defeating him. The 'Assault
rifle' is better than the 'Machine gun' because of it's long range enabled
by the combined 'scope' (where? Car 3. 2nd floor).

Ending for Scenario A
The helicopter will explode and the carriage that Jack is on will emerge
from the tunnel. Christina transmits a message to Jack, saying that she
wants to get to know him better. Message scroll, saying that Jack and
Christina will be heading the investigations for this hijack. FMV of the
Ambassador hugging Jane his daughter and seeing his wife. Jack shows
Christina the 'Secret Information Disc' and she hugs him. The reflection of
the ambassador and his family waving on the Disc. Credits roll. At the end,
you will be shown your train's route and be prompted to save the game once
more to play 'Scenario S'.

Parting Note:
I do not intend to write any thing about 'Scenario S' for the foreseeable
future. There are some problems with my Playstation and I could not even
make a save after completing 'Scenario A'. So, please do not send me any
questions regarding 'Scenario S'. I have had enough of the game for a
while. IGN has a brief guide to 'Scenario S', check it out, it is good,
however, you need to register first and I always have problem logging in!
Finally, you can send questions to me at 'bengster@pacific.net.sg'. Please
check out 'Covert Ops' Message Board at GameFaq first before asking me
questions which have already been answered there by people who are more
expert than I am.

Credits:
- Myself, for persevering with the game even though it got jammed many,
many times. You won't believe my luck (I choose not to elaborate for it was
really agonizing). Even my memory card gave up on me at the end.
- Game Faq, one of the best game websites. But hey? Why am I not on the
'Contributors Recognition's List? What are the criteria, if there are any?
Can I get a response from you?
- Videogames Strategies, one of the best game websites too.
- You, for reading this.
- Franky Tse, for writing 'Chase the Express' walkthrough. I was stuck
until I saw his walkthrough. BUT, you did not say to give which Disc to
Mason...
- Johnny Fever, hey, I think you are doing a great job here answering
people at the message board. I am sure there are many others, but I cannot
remember your names.

Discredits:
- No offence here, but you really gave the wrong information. A certain 'T
and T' magazine which said to give the 'Secret Information Disc' instead of
'Disc A'. This is really a serious mistake. I followed it and could not
detach Car 1. Ok, granted it was a typo error or some other slips, but many
people (myself included) buy your magazine and this will cause you to lose
some credibility. Treat it as constructive criticism, ok?

Other Walkthroughs that I have written
1) Juggernaut (PS)
2) D2 (DC)
3) Aconcagua (PS). Incomplete, sorry to all those who are still waiting for
my update. I just couldn't stand the vagueness by people in describing the
conditions for 'Scenario A'. I needed to address this.
4) Covert Ops: Nuclear Dawn (Guide to Scenario A) (PS). I still prefer to
call it 'Chase the Express', doesn't it sound better?