As you journey towards the border in Road 96, you’ll encounter a variety of NPCs seeking assistance or evading confrontation. This segment of the game allows your decisions to greatly impact the narrative, as your choices can sway opinions about political candidates and ultimately lead to different endings. In the chapter titled Short Circuit, you will aid Alex in disarming a bomb he constructed.
The unique, procedurally generated design of Road 96 means you could encounter this chapter early in your playthrough or much later on. Regardless of when it appears, you’ll find yourself at a malfunctioning gas station with Alex inside, requiring your help to progress further in the story. In this guide, we’ll cover essential information about the Short Circuit chapter, including how to locate all collectibles and, notably, the car keys hidden in a safe.
How to Solve Short Circuit in Road 96
Upon entering the broken gas station in the Short Circuit chapter, take a moment to survey your surroundings. Alex is preoccupied inside, attempting to handle his bomb, which gives you the opportunity to deface any Tyrak and/or Florres posters you come across before interacting with him. When you’re set to make contact, you have two choices: call out to him from the front or sneak in through a rear entrance, catching him off guard and prompting a humorous exchange about ninja tactics.
Your character will soon realize that Alex is engaged in bomb-making. Based on prior choices, specifically whether you convinced him against creating this bomb for Robert in an earlier chapter with John, his task may involve disarming it or completing its construction. Irrespective of the scenario, Alex will request your assistance as his ‘duck’ in figuring out how to either deactivate or activate the device securely.
Once you agree to help, a critical moment arises when your character suggests checking the electricity. Alex will then direct you towards a nail gun that you can use to track the power cables. Your task here is straightforward: shoot the ceiling panels to trace where the wiring leads. Once you determine that the cable extends outside, you can relay this information back to Alex.
Your next step is to find an old shed located just outside the gas station. Exit through the entrance you initially entered, and you will see the cable running towards the shed. Inform Alex about your findings, and he will ask you to access the shed by breaking its lock with the nail gun. Inside, you’ll find a generator, but you won’t be able to activate it until you locate the missing key.
The key isn’t too far away; it’s tucked inside an electrified panel within the shed. Attempting to grab it directly will result in a shock, leading Alex to humorously tease you before handing you a magnet to extract the key safely. To retrieve it without harm, gently maneuver the key through the panel, avoiding contact with any electrified parts. There are rubber components in the area that will assist in helping you navigate through the minor maze safely.
After successfully retrieving the key, you can power up the generator, restoring electricity to the entire gas station. However, this also attracts some new NPCs who are supporters of Tyrak. Alex, disliking their presence, proposes a playful diversion. He hands you a button that activates a shock mechanism when they touch their car. Timing is crucial; make sure to press the button at the right moment to give them a shocking surprise.
Regrettably, Alex’s laughter may draw their attention after you shock both, forcing you to hide and flee. This escape sequence is scripted, requiring no additional effort from you. Once the scene settles, you’ll regain control and learn that Alex has left the area. You can then decide on your next mode of transportation, whether that be stealing a car, hitchhiking, catching a bus or taxi, or walking along the road—a decision entirely yours.
Where to Find the Car Keys in Short Circuit
While the Short Circuit chapter has limited collectibles, there are still opportunities to find keys to an abandoned vehicle that will aid your journey toward the border. To locate these keys, you must uncover a hidden safe.
It’s essential to have the nail gun that Alex provides before proceeding, as there’s a specific timing for this action within the chapter.
You won’t be able to access the keys prior to or after this segment, as the safe is concealed behind a Tyrak poster within the gas station. You can only remove this poster by shooting it with the nail gun. The safe is placed behind the counter, and once you shoot down the poster, you will have access to the safe at any time. If you possess hacking skills, opening the safe is simple; otherwise, you’ll need to find the combination.
The code is also within reach using the nail gun since the box has dropped from the ceiling. If you’re delayed, the code to the safe is 1218. After emptying the safe, take a moment to scout the area further and vandalize any remaining posters. With the keys in hand, you can now choose how to continue your adventure in Road 96.
Leave a Reply