[EN] Hack RUN ZERO: Walkthrough

Overview

English walkthrough – though for any non-English speaker, you can find your happiness in the guide 🙂

WARNING! VERY IMPORTANT

Resetting the game will reset your achievements on Steam. While many of you will not be bothered by that, however, some of you will be put in a uncomfortable situation between sites like astats.nl that kept the date of the first unlock and the date shown on Steam – which is my case. And if you do a second playthrough, the time between two unlocks will be short, that could lead some people to conclude that you cheated/used something (though the time isn’t the same, which is a known specificity for unlocking softwares, unless the game is known to unlock achievements at the exit of the game like The Collider).

Be aware of that!

And no, this is not a bug, it is normal, confirmed by a developer (for Hack RUN but it’s valid for Hack Run Zero) – [link]

What’s e? Or m? Or….

What’s e? Or m? Or….
I’m using nearly all the shortcuts proposed by the game instead of typing everything:

e = exit
t = read the contents of a file
m = access to mail
w = launch the web browser on your computer

Settling you in the IT help guy and meet Alice

First, type help. It will give you a list of commands you can use. Do it each time you’re hacking into a new workstation, you may never know…

help
alt
chat
help
logs // logs 86 seems different from the others
86
e

Normally, if you type any command or enter, you’ll have or a mail or a new message or anything else. Sometimes, if you’re already in the mail system, you can type ls to refresh the list. Accept the mission and follow the instructions.

y
m
ls
details // follow the instructions
e
get axis
axis

Now, you need to connect to AXIS. As you don’t have any password, just put “forgot” as username as indicated. Your username is your name, Alex.

username: forgot
username: alex
m
ls
forgot // the password is tempy
axis
username: alex
password: tempy
help
m
ls
mission // follow the instructions
help
down mission
e
monitor

You’ll receive a mail indicating that you can begin your mission starting by a member that doesn’t remember her password.

m
start
e

Now, it’s time to read the ticked that arrived.

helpdesk
ls
helpme // Alice needs her password…. but she didn’t give her username
ls // to refresh the tickets list
hiagain // now, we know her username, which we could have guessed by the way
pwd
alice
e

Alice will thank you and say that she will change her password… which is false. So, now, you can start snooping around.

m
thanks
e
jump alice
password: password
m
ls
typos // We learn about Mark, the web command and the company’s site.
e
w bookmarks // click on the link redirecting toward the site, click on about us and learn what Mark loves the most: pairakeet
e

From Mark to Alice’s vengeance on Eric

Now, we can hack into Mark’s workstation.

jump mark
password: pairakeet
m
ls
alex // We learn about Wally and Eric.
e (x2)

You’ll receive many mails from Wally to Eric (and to understand that the guy is mocking you).

m
ls
power
ls
hi
ls
eric
ls
hey // there is an hidden command class.
e

We’ll try the hidden command and learn more about Eric. We know now how to hack his workstation.
class

enter
m
chess // as he loves chess and crushing his opponent, the password is “check” – check this what Wikipedia says: “When a king is under immediate attack by one or two of the opponent’s pieces, it is said to be in check.”
jump eric
password: check
class // not working at all
e

Several emails arrive in the same time

m
ls
butthead // Alice doesn’t like Eric. Good to know
ls
drinks // Bob and Eve invite you to drink with them
nothanks // someone else answered using your name
ls
loser // Bob is a drinker – his password should be a beverage.
e

We’re hacking Bob now and maybe we’ll get some info on Eve.

jump bob
password: beer
m
ls
show // Eve loves muscle cars
stupid // Bob seems to think that Eve is losing her time and that her car should be in a pasture
e (x2)

If you’re not familiar with muscle cars, you can still check Wikipedia. You’ll find a series of marks and if you did pay attention to the “pasture” comment, you may guess that it must be related to the Ford Mustang (the logo is a horse).

jump eve
password: mustang
m
ls
fslm // Eve is a member of findsomeonelikeme.com – her login is eve2020
enter
e (x2)

Alice is contacting you, ready to make sure that Eric will be a memory.

m
trap // Eric is also on findsomeonelikeme.com
e

Well, we’re going to launch that website and learn anything we can.

jump eve
w findsomeonelikeme.com // go on the login page (login: eve2020 password: mustang) – you’ll learn that there is an hidden command called fslm
e

While we could launch that command on Eve’s workstation, it would be better to do it on Eric’s. After all, it’s him the target for Alice’s trap.

jump eric
password: check
fslm
help
look eve2020
help
xxx
y

Well, now, we have to wait that Eve reports Eric for inappropriate behavior or for harrassing.

m
ls
conduct // We learn that Elise is working in HR but the most important is that Eric’s fired.
e (x2)
m
raise // And as there is a vacancy for Eric’s position, you’re going to fill it in.
e

From learning Axis’s whereabouts to Wally’s position

Now, we can use the class command.

class
help
ls
t secret
e

Well, you need to learn more for your employer but Alice wants your help.

m
secret
ls
rent // Alice wants an apartment – {LINK REMOVED}rentershelper.com – accepting dogs – Town Square – nothing slummy but not too high in pricing
jump alice
password: password
w {LINK REMOVED}rentershelper.com // Find properties – Enter Town Square and any value as the results will be the same. The id 3558 seems to be good.
e

We’re going to send Alice a little email about our findings.

m
send alice
title: rent
message: 3558
y

Refresh the list so that we get her reply.

ls
perfect // her little dog is happy and she has free wifi.
e

Well, we should try to connect to her home. Maybe there are new information.

jump alice
password: password
help
home
username: alice
password: fluffy // still waiting on how to obtain that password as nothing is describing her dog like that – I knew it was revolving around her dog but she never said the name.
m
ls
moved // The CEO secretary lives there and she’s a shoe shopper. She’s called the She-Devil.
wifi // wifi command – yay!
e

Scan the wifi of the building to find who is the secretary.

wifi
help
scan // hedy home
e (x2)

Hack into Hedy’s home

home
username: hedy
password: prada // with the she-devil comment, reference to The Devil Wears Prada?
m
ls
agenda
reply // apparently, Hedy can’t access her workstation
e (x3)

Apparently, a new mail is awaiting for you.

m
zorn
e

Now, we wait for Hedy to get a new password.

helpdesk
ls
account
pwd
hedy // temppass
e

Time to see what Hedy may be hiding.

jump hedy
password: temppass
m
ls
code // auth code for secret files is reset!
ls
sorry // code Zorn: ac99
e (x2)

Well, time to read the topsecret file that was locked.

m
auth
e
class
t topsecret
ac99
t topsecret
e

Your employer wants you to get Wally’s position.

m
wally // Wally is often using toucantelecom.com – login: wallyman
e
w toucantelecom.com // wallyman as username – click on here – respond on who is hot : hedy as she was described as “hottie” by Alice – click on proceed to your account – listen to the audio vm2
vm2 // There is a lot of pies there.

We can hack into Wally’s workstation.

jump wally
password: pie
ls
e
m
hurry
jump wally
password: pie
help file
lsa
cd docs
lsa
t diary // Wally wants to quit but has no courage to tell to Elise “I quit”.

We’re going to help Wally.

m
send elise
title i quit
message i quit
y

Now, we wait for the results.

ls
quit
e
m
again // Guess who will be Wally’s replacement?
ls
bye
e
helpdesk
deac wally
e

From Zorn’s plan to ZCT

Well, now, time to see the last secret file.

m
rise
e
class
ls
t zornplan
enter
e

New mails arriving, time to check them!

m
ls
nerds
critical // He loves astronomy and wishes that there were still 9 planets – so Pluto as password?
e

Well, Zorn, time to see your workstation!

jump zorn
password: pluto
help
trans
y
help
word // Quite weird that message
e (x2)

We’re going to do what your employer wants you to do.

m
lost
e
helpdesk
help
core
shutdown
Head of IT password: tempy
CEO password: pluto
CEO auth code: ac99
y

A new email is waiting for you

m
update
e
axis
username: alex
password: tempy
helpdesk
ls
hell // audio ticket by Toni
pwd
toni
e

Toni is now our new target.

jump toni
password: pwd
m
ls
out
e (x2)

Toni is scared in her mine. We have to help her!

m
scared // She was dreaming of gold when she was younger.
e
jump toni
password: pwd
help
mine
username: toni
password: gold
help
env // A mail to Ivan was sent
e (x2)

Ivan is asking you to stay away. Are you?

m
env
e
jump toni
password: pwd
mine
username: toni
password: gold
env
e (x2)

Ivan is now pissed off. But he gave you an hint for his password for the mine command.

m
off // Ivan is admiring Zorn
e
jump toni
password: pwd
mine
username: ivan
password: zorn
help
med
help search
search status
search records
search morgue
search notes
e (x3)

Toni gives you a link to a site and ask you to put zombie food as keyword.

m
eaten // zombieconspiracytheories.com – zombie food as keyword
e
w zombieconspiracytheories.com // zombie food in the search box // you’ll learn about get ztc command for the feed
e

From ZCT to Aldo’s attack

Let’s check the ZCT feed.

get zct
zct
help
feed
e

Time to check any new email!

axis
username: alex
password: tempy
m
afraid // hedy
ls
zombies // well… zorn tilt for zct
e
w zombieconspiracytheories.com // zorn tilt in the search box – a hidden command (maim) command in the mine system

We’re going to check through Toni’s account that new command.

jump toni
password: pwd
mine
username: toni
password: gold
maim
alex
help
syst
off (x3)
y // so that you get a poem
prime // actually the command poem and prime are in the hint given for that level and the AI keeps saying prime.
zorn // CEO
1915 // check the axis electricity website for this and remove 100 years
3 // anything can go – the AI will change the number.
n (x2) // for no
poem // well the other thing the AI does
4 // lucky number given before by the AI but he changed it.
y // change the prime order of the AI
e (x2)

After doing that, your three female friends are sending you emails.

m
ls
alice
hedy
toni // zct feed
e (x2)

Check the feed.

zct
feed
e
axis
username: alex
password: tempy
m
attack // You learn about Rex, a fan of classical music, apparently, he loves someone from 300 years ago
e

Let’s hack Rex’s workstation.

jump rex
password: bach // a classical composer
help
comm
help
view
edit
put 0 everywhere if you want and close
apl
e (x2)

Aldo, your employer, seems to be in a bad situation.

m
faith // Zorn is revealing that his brother is your employer, Aldo.
ls
losing // Aldo is losing! You can’t let Zorn win!
down losing
e

We’re going to redirect the zombies to Aldo’s control.

zero
ntw // the network address is 773.23.001
e
jump rex
password: bach
comm
edit // put 773.23.001 at address and close
apl
e (x2)

Aldo is revealing his true face…

m
sleep // Your life is in danger!
e (x2)

Check the ZCT feed for information about zombies coming to your home.

zct
feed
e

Reconnect to your axis account. The bip you’ll hear is how close the zombies are from your home.

axis
username: alex
password: tempy
Let the zombies attack your house until you receive an email from Aldo

From Aldo’s attack to the end

You’re not dead. You survived… and there is a simple reason for that.

m
end // Aldo’s followers kidnapped you instead of your cousin, who was your “loved” one. Anyway, you’re now in real danger. The words see and watching are in upper capital. Maybe a hint?
e

Let’s hack Aldo’s account, before succombing to the sickness

zero
jump aldo
password: eye
m
ls
water
effects // okay – well it’s a scientist so you have to find the element between B and N. It’s the carbon
e (x2)

Let’s see what this Cara can reveal.

jump cara
password: carbon
help
ls
t cure // so it’s a.l.e.x that you need to use as letters.
cure
axle
e (x2)

Aldo and Zorn have set their differences apart and work now against you by threatening your female friends’s lives.

m
girls
e

Maybe Cara can help us more.

zero
jump cara
password: carbon
m
ls
sorry // Ivan and Cara have history
e (x2)

Well, there is still Ivan’s workstation…

jump ivan
password: cara
help
zcd
e (x2)

Alice is stuck in a closet within the AXIS HQ in fire. As we can control the zombies, use them to save her.

m
closet // alice
e
jump ivan
cara
zcd
help
ctl
ctl move axis
ctl get alice
e (x2)
m
safe // Alice is safe but reveals that Hedy is going home.
e

Time to disable the ambush on Hedy as she’s heading towards home.

jump ivan
password: cara
zcd
ctl look
ctl atk soldiers
e (x2)
m
home // Hedy is safe.
e

Now, we have still to save Toni in her mine.

jump ivan
password: cara
zcd
ctl move sector 13
ctl look
ctl get hyper-thermonuclear device
e (x2)
m
hero // Zorn is taunting you.
e

Let’s just give Zorn some taste of defeat.

jump zorn
password: pluto
help
nap
y
e (x2)

Your cousin is finally contacting you.

m
hey // interesting to know that everyone want
e
axis
username: alex
password: tempy
jump zorn
password: pluto
nap
y
peace // it’s the thing that everyone want
e

Well, it’s the final line!

m
ls
die
ls
vm // Toni has an idea and you just need to send her the cure.
send toni
subject title: hi
message: axle
y
ls
great // id k!55my@55 – maim
e

Toni gave you the final key for bringing an end to the epidemy. Time to check our favorite AI interested in poetry.

jump toni
password: pwd
mine
username: toni
password: gold
k!55my@55
e (x3)

Let’s check the new feed on ZCT.

zct
feed
e

Alice found a new job… at RUN.

m
run
thanks // Marie of ZCT…. with zombie hack as search
time
w zombiesconspiracytheories.com // zombie hack in search box

So you have understood. Hack RUN ZERO is in reality a prequel to Hack RUN. If you played this one, you already know what will happen….

The secret level

A developer indicated that you need to spell hackrun backwards. From there, here’s the solution:

nurkcah
n
play // It’s a tic-tac-toe game
u
cathy
david
elise
hank
rome
sex
vrgb
wanda
xander

Usernames and passwords

A.X.I.S employees

name

username

password

Alex

alex

tempy

Alice

alice

password

Mark

pairakeet

Eric

check

Bob

beer

Eve

mustang

Hedy

hedy

temppass

Wally

wally

pie

Zorn

pluto

Toni

toni

pwd

Rex

bach

Ivan

cara

findsomeonelikeme.com

name

username

password

Eve

eve2020

mustang

Zorn’s code

code

ac99

Home accounts

name

username

password

Alice

alice

fluffy

Hedy

hedy

prada

toucantelecom.com

name

username

Wally

wallyman

Mine accounts

name

username

password

Toni

toni

gold

Ivan

ivan

zorn

Z.E.R.O.

name

username

password

Aldo

aldo

eye

Cara

cara

carbon

Copyright

CC-BY-NC
Vinciane Amorini
September-October 2015

Hack Run ZERO Guide

Overview

WARNING! VERY IMPORTANT

What’s e? Or m? Or….

Settling you in the IT help guy and meet Alice

From Mark to Alice’s vengeance on Eric

From learning Axis’s whereabouts to Wally’s position

From Zorn’s plan to ZCT

From ZCT to Aldo’s attack

From Aldo’s attack to the end

The secret level

Usernames and passwords

Copyright