Core Access

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“The equation is nearing its conclusion, Sigma. The answers… lie in the Core! The Thinker is waiting for you, Sigma! And so am I…”

― Reed Wahl

Core Access is the last section of Operations in Rapture. Located past Ventilation Control, it leads directly to the computer heart of The Thinker. In this part of Minerva’s Den, multiple areas are devoted to maintaining the critical operation of the complex computer system.

History

In its prime, Core Access was a highly secure area meant to protect the Thinker's intricate network of systems. Scientists and engineers changed into sterile clothing in the Clean Room to protect the delicate machinery from even the smallest of foreign contaminants. Afterwards, they'd gain access to take calculations, perform maintenance on The Thinker's inner workings, and monitor critical utilities like the heating and cooling as well as water pressure of the area. After Reed Wahl takes over the facility, he grew increasingly paranoid as a result of his ADAM abuse. Evidence of his madness is seen in the many messages he's scrawled around the facility for the long-gone Charles Milton Porter. This area, like all of Rapture, has seen better days and has started to decay with chipping paint and crumbling masonry from neglect and water pressure.

Minerva's Den

Main article: Minerva's Den

When Subject Sigma enters, Reed Wahl makes an extreme effort to thwart his journey. Wahl throws the cooling system into overdrive and freezes the entrance shut. Sigma must then journey to Climate Control to thaw the area to reach The Thinker's mainframe. After successfully defrosting the entrance, he is able to gain access to the Thinker's Core and pursue Wahl.

Core Access

Subject Sigma can see the open door to the core, but as soon as he leaves the bulkhead he just passed through, the door shuts. Following Reed Wahl's orders, a Splicer can be seen vandalizing the Core Access Door Controls and breaking it in the control booth. The Splicer and its companion attack Sigma. After the assailants are killed, Charles Milton Porter will radio, warning him about the Fiery Brute Splicer approaching. He then informs Sigma about an alternate entrance to the Mainframe: the Maintenance Access Shafts.

The Core access served as a security checkpoint for The Thinker's Core. The door to The Thinker would be unlocked from the control booth, but only for authorized personnel. The area outside the control booth would have led directly to the core, or to the Maintenance area, depending on the purpose of the visit. Several waste trolleys containing broken electric equipment are placed outside the control booth, as well as a Circus of Values. A Security Camera, a Gene Bank and a Health Station are set by the bulkhead. The Security Station contains the door controls, an El Ammo Bandito, a Vita-Chamber, and a Bot Shutdown Panel.

Maintenance

Subject Sigma descends into Maintenance and enters a long hallway. Just before entering the employees only area, a jar of Fresh Water containing a Sea Slug can be found on a console. A dead Lancer and a worktable containing some resources are also set up in the hallway. Further on, Sigma can see Wahl through a window, entering the doors to the Cable Room and breaking the door control on his way in. Thanks to the several crates stacked in his way, Sigma is unable to make it to Wahl before the doors lock. The door control can be activated with a jolt of electricity. A Gene Bank and an EVE Dispenser are conveniently located in the area. Sigma unlocks the door and enters the hallway to the Cable Room.

Access Shafts

Subject Sigma never reaches the Cable Room as the entrance is blocked and the floor has collapsed. A dead cat named Turing can be spotted on the other side of the hole in the floor. Sigma's mission has not come to a halt, as he can enter the collapsed floor leading to a partly flooded ventilation shaft and follow after Wahl.

Going straight ahead, the Gene Tonic Fountain of Youth can be found stuck in the wall by the source of the flood. Turning left, Sigma will be attacked by two Mini-Turrets, deployed by Wahl. Taking another left turn leads to stairs going to a small maintenance area with consoles and a blocked door. Another Mini-Turret is tossed by Wahl. Sigma can spot the engineer past a broken railing to another shaft, fleeing towards the core. Sigma follows into the shaft, where the pipe safety grating is coming down. Sigma enters another maintenance room and thanks to the water damage and broken platform he can continue, after dealing with a Turret controlled by Wahl. Relay-based computers line the walls of the following hallway and as soon as Sigma enters, an explosion can be heard. Wahl has blocked off the exit, forcing Sigma to use the Air Vent in order to reach The Thinker's Core.

Gallery

The entrance to Core Access.

Behind the Scenes

• The phonograph in the Cora Access security station plays "It's Bad for Me" by Rosemary Clooney and Benny Goodman.