Acid Tongue

Sam plays a message from Guillemette that you overheard thanks to one of Maryam's bugs. They know you were near the cell tower and they've set up cordons and are spreading photos to their allies in the area. They're sure you won't take a specific crossing, which means that's exactly what you're going to do! Janine and the others are laying false trails to throw Red Scorpion off and Veronica should be able to guide you through the half-submerged ruins of Al-Kursi. You'll be travelling with Ernie because Red Scorpion want him back. Be quick – you're being hunted!

The ruined city in the acid lake is quite beautiful. You meet a man who offers to guide you across in exchange for the anti-tank rifle you're carrying. Veronica thinks it's a good idea and will mean you're more likely to be safe during the crossing. The man calls himself V, and even offers to go first.

Some zombies seem to have spotted you. V says that they look strange because the acid stripped their skin then the heat dried out the remaining flesh. Veronica warns you that V is leading you on a safe route, but obviously has things he wishes to hide. V tells you that Al-Kursi used to be the capital of the region, with plenty of ancient buildings. Red Scorpion destroyed it in a single night, killing many of his friends. There are only five people he hates more than Red Scorpion. He suspects that you're Ernie's bodyguard and says that he used to be a mercenary once, with a group called Death's Hand. While Sam processes that, you need to run away from more zombies.

Veronica believes that V stands for Visage. The head of Red Scorpion decided that Death's Hand must have allowed you to impersonate the group, and had them hunted down and killed in revenge. V probably doesn't know you were the impersonators and you want to keep it that way. He takes you across a bridge that is beginning to crack after being eaten away by the acid. The zombies climbing it aren't helping. You'll need to run!

Ernie is feeling weak from the fumes and Visage orders you to remove your bandana for him to cover his face. He knows who you are and the tattoo you got to impersonate one of Death's Hand will confirm that. Visage blames you for his team being killed, but Ernie says that Red Scorpion were planning to kill Death's Hand after the job anyway. Visage takes off and starts throwing grenades at the building you're on. Veronica has the plans of the building and guides you to a gantry. It's full of zombies, but better than being dropped into the acid. Get moving!

You're almost at the edge of the city, and there's a safe path ahead, but Ernie is still suffering the effects of the fumes. You use the anti-tank rifle to take out part of the path and drop the zombies into the acid, cutting off Visage. The fumes and the sight of you using a gun have made Ernie realise something though: you're the one who killed Van Ark!