Create Stage 3 character development for Mission 4

- Complete character profiles for all NPCs
- Robert Chen: Detailed arc from skeptical to ally
- Voltage: Professional antagonist with credible threat
- Three field operatives: Cipher, Relay, Static
- Agent 0x99: Mission-specific support role
- Minor NPCs: Security guard, background employees
- Character relationship dynamics
- NPC behavior systems (patrol, alert states, radio)
- Sprite and animation requirements for all characters
- Voice acting direction and dialogue patterns
- Character integration with gameplay mechanics

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+# Mission 4: "Critical Failure" - Stage 3: Character Development & NPC Design
+
+**Mission ID:** m04_critical_failure
+**Stage:** 3 - Character Development and NPC Design
+**Version:** 1.0
+**Date:** 2025-12-28
+
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+This document provides comprehensive character profiles for all NPCs in Mission 4 "Critical Failure," including personality traits, motivations, dialogue patterns, behavior systems, and sprite/animation requirements. Characters must feel authentic, three-dimensional, and integrated with the mission's themes of infrastructure vulnerability and cross-cell coordination.
+
+---
+
+## Primary Characters
+
+### Robert Chen - Facility Manager (Ally NPC)
+
+**Role:** Main ally character, transforms from skeptical overseer to crucial partner
+
+**Physical Description:**
+- Age: 48 years old
+- Height: 5'9" (175cm)
+- Build: Average, slightly out of shape (desk job)
+- Ethnicity: Chinese-American (second generation)
+- Appearance: Professional but worn—glasses, polo shirt with facility logo, khaki pants, safety shoes
+- Details: Coffee-stained notepad always in hand, tablet for SCADA monitoring, visible stress (dark circles under eyes)
+
+**Personality Traits:**
+- **Core:** Dedicated, competent, defensive about facility limitations
+- **Strengths:** Technical expertise, problem-solving under pressure, ethical commitment to public safety
+- **Weaknesses:** Defensive about budget constraints, initial distrust of government oversight, workaholic tendencies
+- **Humor:** Dry, self-deprecating about facility's aging infrastructure
+- **Stress Response:** Becomes more focused and methodical under crisis (engineer mindset)
+
+**Background:**
+- 20+ years in water treatment industry
+- Promoted to facility manager 5 years ago
+- Fought budget battles to maintain safety standards
+- Personal pride in facility's safety record
+- No formal cybersecurity training (operational technology background)
+- Family: Married, two teenage children (humanizing detail, not central to plot)
+
+**Motivations:**
+- **Primary:** Protect public water supply and facility safety record
+- **Secondary:** Prove facility can handle crisis despite budget constraints
+- **Personal:** Avoid catastrophic failure on his watch
+- **Evolving:** Recognize need for cybersecurity investment
+
+**Character Arc:**
+
+**Act 1 (Skeptical Overseer):**
+- Attitude: Annoyed by "surprise inspection," defensive about facility
+- Dialogue Tone: Professional but curt, protective of reputation
+- Relationship with Player: Bureaucratic obstacle, polite resistance
+
+**Act 1 Turning Point (Discovery):**
+- Realizes facility actually compromised, threat is real
+- Shift: From defensive to alarmed to determined ally
+
+**Act 2 (Technical Partner):**
+- Attitude: Committed ally, provides SCADA expertise
+- Dialogue Tone: Focused, technical, increasingly urgent
+- Relationship with Player: Mutual respect, complementary skills
+
+**Act 3 (Crisis Leader):**
+- Attitude: Fully engaged, takes ownership of technical response
+- Dialogue Tone: Urgent but controlled, engineer problem-solving
+- Relationship with Player: Trusted partner, shared mission
+
+**Resolution:**
+- Attitude: Grateful but shaken, reflective about vulnerabilities
+- Outcome: Commits to security overhaul, changed by experience
+- Legacy: Becomes advocate for infrastructure security (potential recurring character)
+
+**Dialogue Patterns:**
+
+**Early (Defensive):**
+- "Look, we run a tight ship here despite our budget constraints."
+- "I don't need a state auditor telling me how to do my job."
+- "Those boxes you need checked? Let's get this over with."
+
+**Mid (Technical Partner):**
+- "Those dosing parameters shouldn't be changing. Someone's inside the system."
+- "I can override from the control room, but if they've corrupted the automation, I might trigger it early."
+- "Chemical dosing station 3—that's the primary contamination point. I'll walk you through the safety protocols."
+
+**Late (Crisis Mode):**
+- "We've got 90 minutes before that attack executes. Tell me what you need."
+- "I'm seeing the parameters stabilize. Whatever you did, it's working!"
+- "No one's dying from contaminated water on my watch. Not today."
+
+**Post-Resolution:**
+- "You saved 400,000 people today. I don't know your real name, but... thank you."
+- "This facility's been operating on hope and duct tape for too long. That changes now."
+- "I've been in this industry 20 years. I've never seen anything like this."
+
+**NPC Behavior Patterns:**
+
+**Location Preferences:**
+- Primary: Control room (monitoring SCADA)
+- Secondary: Administration office (initial encounter)
+- Crisis: Moves between control room and technical areas as needed
+
+**Interactions with Player:**
+- Initially: Short, business-like conversations
+- Post-Discovery: Provides technical information and facility access
+- During Crisis: Real-time updates via radio/phone
+- Available for questions about SCADA systems and facility operations
+
+**Reactions to Player Choices:**
+- **If player shares intel:** Appreciates transparency, more cooperative
+- **If player secretive:** Becomes suspicious but still professional
+- **Combat witnessed:** Shocked but pragmatic ("What the hell is going on?")
+- **Public disclosure choice:** Conflicted but accepts player's reasoning
+
+**Sprite Requirements:**
+
+**Appearance:**
+- Glasses (defining feature)
+- Facility logo polo shirt (blue or gray)
+- Khaki pants
+- Safety shoes
+- Tablet or clipboard in hand
+- Stressed expression (default)
+- Coffee mug (some scenes)
+
+**Animations Needed:**
+- Idle: Checking tablet, adjusting glasses
+- Talk: Gesturing to explain technical concepts
+- Stressed: Rubbing eyes, running hand through hair
+- Working: Typing on SCADA terminal
+- Alarmed: Quick movements, urgent gestures
+- Relieved: Slumping shoulders, exhaling
+
+**Voice Direction:**
+- Accent: General American, slight West Coast
+- Tone: Mid-range, professional
+- Pace: Measured normally, faster when stressed
+- Emotional Range: Defensive → alarmed → determined → grateful
+
+---
+
+### Voltage - Critical Mass Leader (Primary Antagonist)
+
+**Role:** Professional infrastructure operative, climactic confrontation antagonist
+
+**Physical Description:**
+- Age: 34 years old
+- Height: 6'1" (185cm)
+- Build: Athletic, military fitness
+- Ethnicity: Caucasian
+- Appearance: Tactical casual—dark cargo pants, utility jacket, combat boots
+- Details: Tactical vest (when in combat mode), encrypted radio earpiece, gloves
+
+**Personality Traits:**
+- **Core:** Professional, tactical, ideologically committed but not fanatical
+- **Strengths:** Strategic thinking, calm under pressure, operational discipline
+- **Weaknesses:** Ideological blind spots, overconfidence in operational security
+- **Demeanor:** Cool, controlled, respect for competent adversaries
+- **Ideology:** Believes infrastructure attacks are legitimate tactics for systemic change
+
+**Background:**
+- Former military (combat engineer or EOD background)
+- Recruited to ENTROPY via Critical Mass's infrastructure focus
+- Multiple successful operations (OptiGrid Solutions cover)
+- Specialization: Industrial control systems and SCADA vulnerabilities
+- Operational name: "Voltage" (references electrical/power infrastructure expertise)
+
+**Motivations:**
+- **Primary:** Execute successful infrastructure attack (test run for larger operation)
+- **Secondary:** Prove Critical Mass's operational sophistication
+- **Ideological:** Demonstrate infrastructure vulnerability to force systemic change
+- **Professional:** Complete mission and extract team safely
+
+**Character Function:**
+
+**Narrative Role:**
+- Represents professionalized ENTROPY operations (not amateur hacktivists)
+- Shows cross-cell coordination (works with Social Fabric)
+- Sets up The Architect connection (takes orders from higher authority)
+- Provides intelligence if captured, elusive threat if escaped
+
+**Tactical Role:**
+- Final combat encounter boss
+- Defensive positional advantage in maintenance wing
+- Can trigger attack if cornered (leverage)
+- Professional combatant (challenging but fair fight)
+
+**Dialogue Patterns:**
+
+**If Confronted:**
+- "You're good. Better than the usual SAFETYNET drones. But you're too late."
+- "This facility's security is a joke. We've been here for three days setting this up."
+- "You think stopping this changes anything? This is one facility. We have operations in six cities."
+
+**If Attack Disabled:**
+- "Smart. You know your way around SCADA systems. Military training?"
+- "This was a test run anyway. The Architect expected SAFETYNET might interfere."
+- "You stopped the attack. Congratulations. How many others can you stop?"
+
+**If Threatening to Trigger:**
+- "One more step and I trigger it now. 400,000 people drinking contaminated water by noon."
+- "Your move, agent. Save lives now, or try to capture me and risk it all?"
+
+**If Captured:**
+- "You know I'm not going to tell you anything useful."
+- (After pause) "...The Architect is three steps ahead of you. Always."
+- (Cryptic) "OptiGrid Solutions has contracts at 40 facilities across the country. Good luck finding which ones we've accessed."
+
+**If Escaping:**
+- "This isn't over. You won your battle. We're winning the war."
+- (Radio to team) "Extraction point Charlie. Move now."
+
+**NPC Behavior Patterns:**
+
+**Combat Behavior:**
+- Uses cover effectively (trained tactical movement)
+- Calls for operative support if available
+- Attempts to reach attack trigger laptop if player threatens position
+- Prioritizes escape if mission fails (professional, not suicidal)
+- Non-lethal combat (consistent with game tone)
+
+**Detection Response:**
+- If player detected in facility: Goes on alert, fortifies position
+- If operatives report player: Accelerates attack timeline preparation
+- If attacked directly: Defends position, attempts trigger or escape based on situation
+
+**Capture vs. Escape:**
+- **Captured:** Provides limited intelligence (enough to be valuable, not enough to compromise The Architect)
+- **Escaped:** Becomes potential recurring antagonist, intelligence failure consequence
+
+**Sprite Requirements:**
+
+**Appearance:**
+- Dark tactical clothing (cargo pants, utility jacket)
+- Tactical vest (modular pouches)
+- Combat boots
+- Radio earpiece
+- Gloves (technical work)
+- Athletic build
+- Confident posture
+
+**Animations Needed:**
+- Idle: Tactical awareness stance, monitoring radio
+- Combat: Cover movement, tactical positioning
+- Working: Operating laptop (attack trigger)
+- Threatened: Defensive stance, hand near trigger device
+- Captured: Hands restrained, defiant posture
+- Escaping: Running, tactical withdrawal
+
+**Voice Direction:**
+- Accent: General American, neutral
+- Tone: Mid-to-low range, controlled
+- Pace: Measured, never panicked
+- Emotional Range: Calm confidence → tactical urgency → controlled defeat or withdrawal
+
+---
+
+### Critical Mass Field Operatives (×3) - Combat NPCs
+
+**Role:** Hostile NPCs providing combat encounters and intelligence through item drops
+
+**Naming Convention:**
+- **Operative #1:** "Cipher" (first encounter, tutorial combat)
+- **Operative #2:** "Relay" (optional encounter, chemical storage)
+- **Operative #3:** "Static" (Voltage's support, maintenance wing)
+
+---
+
+#### Operative #1: "Cipher" (Tutorial Encounter)
+
+**Physical Description:**
+- Age: 28 years old
+- Build: Average, technical specialist build
+- Appearance: Similar tactical casual as Voltage, less experienced looking
+- Role: Technical operator, tampering with dosing systems
+
+**Personality:**
+- Professional but less experienced than Voltage
+- Alert and cautious
+- Will radio for help if detects player
+
+**Behavior:**
+- **Location:** Treatment Floor, near dosing station 3
+- **Activity:** Installing bypass device on chemical dosing control
+- **Detection:** High alert, attempts to radio team immediately
+- **Combat:** Direct engagement or flees to alert others
+
+**Item Drops:**
+- Level 2 keycard (server room access)
+- Encrypted radio (allows player to monitor operative communications)
+- Handwritten note: "Dosing station 3—primary. Stations 1&2—redundancy. V confirms 0800 trigger."
+
+**Dialogue (if player approaches):**
+- "What the—hey! Security, we've got a problem!"
+- (Radio) "Voltage, security's here. Real security. We're compromised!"
+
+**Sprite Requirements:**
+- Similar to Voltage but younger appearance
+- Tactical casual clothing
+- Tools in hand (working on equipment)
+- Alert expressions
+
+---
+
+#### Operative #2: "Relay" (Optional Encounter)
+
+**Physical Description:**
+- Age: 31 years old
+- Build: Athletic, security specialist
+- Appearance: Tactical gear, more combat-focused than Cipher
+- Role: Security/guard duty for chemical storage
+
+**Personality:**
+- Vigilant and disciplined
+- Follows patrol pattern
+- More combat-capable than Cipher
+
+**Behavior:**
+- **Location:** Chemical Storage area
+- **Activity:** Patrolling, guarding physical attack components
+- **Detection:** Patrol pattern allows stealth opportunity
+- **Combat:** Trained fighter, uses cover, defends position
+
+**Item Drops:**
+- Master keycard (maintenance wing access)
+- Intelligence document: OptiGrid Solutions facility access log (shows other compromised facilities)
+- Radio update: "Voltage is in maintenance wing finalizing trigger system"
+
+**Dialogue (if player detected):**
+- "Intruder in chemical storage. Relay responding."
+- (Combat) "You're not getting to those dosing stations!"
+
+**Sprite Requirements:**
+- Tactical vest more prominent
+- Patrol stance animation
+- Combat-ready posture
+- Alert scanning behavior
+
+---
+
+#### Operative #3: "Static" (Voltage's Support)
+
+**Physical Description:**
+- Age: 35 years old
+- Build: Solid, enforcer type
+- Appearance: Heavy tactical gear, Voltage's experienced second
+- Role: Voltage's backup, maintenance wing defense
+
+**Personality:**
+- Loyal to Voltage
+- Experienced operative
+- Protective of mission objectives
+
+**Behavior:**
+- **Location:** Maintenance Wing with Voltage
+- **Activity:** Monitoring surveillance feeds, covering Voltage
+- **Combat:** Fights alongside Voltage in final encounter
+- **Tactics:** Provides covering fire, defends attack trigger laptop
+
+**Item Drops (if defeated separately from Voltage):**
+- Encrypted communications log (Critical Mass + Social Fabric coordination)
+- Voltage's escape route map
+- USB drive with attack planning documents
+
+**Dialogue:**
+- "Voltage, we have company."
+- (Combat) "You're not stopping this operation!"
+- (If Voltage escaping) "Go! I'll cover you!"
+
+**Sprite Requirements:**
+- Heavier build than other operatives
+- More prominent tactical vest
+- Defensive combat stance
+- Protective positioning (near Voltage)
+
+---
+
+**Operative Shared Characteristics:**
+
+**Combat Behavior (All):**
+- Use cover effectively
+- Attempt radio communication if able
+- Non-lethal combat (knocked unconscious when defeated)
+- Drop items upon defeat
+
+**Stealth Behavior (All):**
+- Patrol patterns (if applicable)
+- Investigation response (check noise sources)
+- Alert escalation (radio calls bring others)
+
+**Voice Direction (All):**
+- Professional radio protocol
+- Urgent but controlled in combat
+- Short, tactical communications
+
+---
+
+### Agent 0x99 - SAFETYNET Handler (Support NPC)
+
+**Role:** Mission briefing, remote intelligence support, campaign narrative connector
+
+**Character Continuity from M1-M3:**
+- Established handler character
+- Professional relationship with player
+- Provides strategic context beyond tactical mission
+
+**Mission 4 Specific Role:**
+
+**Briefing (Opening):**
+- Delivers emergency mission briefing
+- Establishes Critical Mass threat and hostile NPC rules of engagement
+- Sets mission parameters (objectives, timeline, cover identity)
+
+**Mid-Mission Support:**
+- Provides real-time intelligence updates
+- Confirms player findings (network intercepts, thermal imaging)
+- Adjusts mission priorities (capture Voltage if possible)
+- Strategic context (Social Fabric coordination)
+
+**Debrief (Closing):**
+- Processes mission outcome
+- Delivers major campaign revelation (Task Force Null, The Architect)
+- Sets up M5+ narrative arc
+- Acknowledges player's performance
+
+**Dialogue Patterns M4:**
+
+**Briefing:**
+- "At 0342 hours, our signals intelligence intercepted encrypted communications between known Critical Mass operatives and a location inside the Pacific Northwest Regional Water Treatment Facility."
+- "You're authorized for defensive action. These operatives are hostile."
+
+**Mid-Mission:**
+- "Signals intelligence confirms your findings. Social Fabric cells in three cities are ready to push contamination crisis narratives."
+- "New priority—capture Voltage if possible. We need to know the full scope of The Architect's infrastructure initiative."
+
+**Debrief:**
+- "The intelligence you gathered confirms our worst fears. Critical Mass and Social Fabric were coordinating this attack."
+- "SAFETYNET is forming a special task force dedicated to hunting The Architect. You're being assigned to Task Force Null."
+
+**Communication Method:**
+- Initial: Timed conversation (video briefing)
+- Mid-mission: Phone calls
+- Final: Video debrief
+
+**Sprite/Avatar:**
+- Consistent with M1-M3 appearance
+- Professional attire
+- SAFETYNET facility background (briefing/debrief)
+- Phone avatar (mid-mission)
+
+---
+
+### Minor NPCs
+
+#### Security Guard - Entry Point NPC
+
+**Role:** Passive checkpoint NPC, establishes facility normalcy
+
+**Physical Description:**
+- Age: 50s, near retirement
+- Build: Heavyset, sedentary job
+- Appearance: Security uniform, aging
+
+**Personality:**
+- Bored, routine-focused
+- Trusting of credentials
+- Unaware of real threat
+
+**Behavior:**
+- Checks player credentials (social engineering opportunity)
+- Returns to desk after entry
+- No combat involvement
+
+**Dialogue:**
+- "State auditor? This early? Alright, sign in here."
+- "Mr. Chen's probably in his office. Go on through."
+
+**Sprite Requirements:**
+- Security uniform
+- Seated at desk animation
+- Checking clipboard
+- Waving player through
+
+---
+
+#### Background Employees - Ambient NPCs
+
+**Role:** Establish facility as operating workplace, potential witnesses
+
+**Types:**
+- Shift workers arriving (day shift starting)
+- Night shift leaving
+- Maintenance personnel
+- Lab technicians
+
+**Behavior:**
+- Ambient movement in background
+- Brief interactions (greetings, casual conversation)
+- Unaware of crisis (unless attack progresses to Stage 4)
+- Potential witnesses (affects public disclosure choice)
+
+**Dialogue (Generic):**
+- "Morning. Early for an inspection, isn't it?"
+- "Everything alright? Saw some maintenance people earlier."
+- (If emergency) "What's happening? Should we evacuate?"
+
+**Sprite Requirements:**
+- Facility work uniforms
+- Varied appearances (diversity)
+- Casual walking animations
+- Background conversations
+
+---
+
+## Character Relationship Dynamics
+
+### Player ↔ Robert Chen
+
+**Progression:**
+- **Initial:** Professional distance, Chen defensive
+- **Post-Discovery:** Mutual respect, complementary skills
+- **Crisis:** Full trust, working partnership
+- **Resolution:** Gratitude, potential ongoing relationship
+
+**Key Interaction Points:**
+- Entry conversation (establishes Chen's character)
+- SCADA anomaly discovery (turning point)
+- Mission reveal (player choice: full truth or partial disclosure)
+- Crisis coordination (technical partnership)
+- Resolution conversation (consequences and choices)
+
+**Player Choice Impacts:**
+- **Transparent with intel:** Chen more cooperative, provides more help
+- **Secretive:** Chen suspicious but professional, minimal help
+- **Public disclosure choice:** Chen's response reflects player's reasoning
+
+### Player ↔ Voltage
+
+**Interaction Type:** Adversarial, professional respect
+
+**Confrontation Dynamics:**
+- Voltage recognizes player's competence
+- Professional rather than personal hostility
+- Ideological conflict (ENTROPY vs. SAFETYNET)
+- Tactical standoff (if attack disabled)
+
+**Player Choice Impacts:**
+- **Prioritize capture:** Extended confrontation, dialogue opportunity
+- **Prioritize disable:** Brief tactical encounter
+- **Negotiation attempt:** Voltage responds to pragmatism, not moralizing
+
+**Outcome Variations:**
+- **Captured:** Voltage defiant but provides limited intel
+- **Escaped:** Voltage becomes elusive threat, intelligence gap
+- **Both (difficult):** Best outcome, requires high skill
+
+### Player ↔ Agent 0x99
+
+**Relationship Type:** Professional handler-agent dynamic
+
+**Mission 4 Development:**
+- 0x99 trusts player with increasingly critical missions
+- Task Force Null assignment shows confidence in player's capabilities
+- Strategic partnership (player executes, 0x99 provides context)
+
+**Communication Style:**
+- Briefing: Directive, informative
+- Mid-mission: Supportive, strategic guidance
+- Debrief: Reflective, campaign-level perspective
+
+### Chen ↔ Voltage
+
+**Relationship:** Indirect conflict
+
+**Narrative Function:**
+- Chen represents what Voltage threatens (innocent infrastructure workers)
+- Chen's technical knowledge contrasts Voltage's exploitation
+- No direct confrontation (player mediates)
+
+**Thematic Contrast:**
+- Chen: Dedicated public servant, underfunded and overworked
+- Voltage: Ideological operative exploiting systemic vulnerabilities
+- Question: Who is more responsible for the vulnerability?
+
+---
+
+## NPC Behavior Systems
+
+### Patrol Patterns (Operative #2: Relay)
+
+**Chemical Storage Patrol:**
+- Route: Circular path around dosing stations
+- Timing: 30-45 second loop
+- Pause points: Check dosing station controls (10 seconds)
+- Sight lines: Limited by chemical tank obstacles
+- Stealth opportunity: Shadows behind tanks, alternate path through ventilation access
+
+### Alert States (All Hostile NPCs)
+
+**State 1: Unaware (Green)**
+- Normal behavior (working, patrolling)
+- No player detection
+- Vulnerable to stealth takedown
+
+**State 2: Investigating (Yellow)**
+- Heard noise or noticed anomaly
+- Moving to investigate
+- Higher alertness, stealth still possible
+- Returns to State 1 if nothing found
+
+**State 3: Alert (Orange)**
+- Player detected or radio warning received
+- Active search or defensive position
+- Attempts radio communication
+- Difficult stealth, combat likely
+
+**State 4: Combat (Red)**
+- Direct engagement with player
+- Combat behavior active
+- Other operatives alerted (if radio succeeded)
+- Fight until defeated or player flees
+
+### Radio Communication System
+
+**Operative Radio Behavior:**
+- Detection triggers radio call attempt (3-second animation)
+- If successful: Other operatives alerted, move to assist
+- If interrupted (stealth takedown, player stops): Alert contained
+- Player can monitor radio if obtained from Operative #1
+
+**Radio Chatter (Ambient):**
+- Stage 1-2: Routine check-ins ("Relay, all clear in sector 2")
+- Stage 3: Increased frequency ("Voltage, dosing parameters on schedule?")
+- Stage 4: Urgent ("Attack sequence initiated, prepare extraction")
+- If player detected: "Intruder alert, all operatives respond"
+
+### NPC Positioning
+
+**Operative #1 (Cipher):**
+- **Location:** Treatment Floor, Dosing Station 3
+- **Activity:** Installing bypass device (focused, back to player entry)
+- **Approach:** Multiple paths (ground level, catwalk, upper platform)
+
+**Operative #2 (Relay):**
+- **Location:** Chemical Storage patrol route
+- **Activity:** Guarding, patrol pattern
+- **Approach:** Timing-based stealth or direct confrontation
+
+**Operative #3 (Static) + Voltage:**
+- **Location:** Maintenance Wing, ENTROPY command setup
+- **Activity:** Voltage working on laptop, Static monitoring surveillance
+- **Approach:** Limited (defensive position, aware of player by this point)
+
+---
+
+## Character Sprite & Animation Summary
+
+### Robert Chen
+
+**Sprite Sheets Needed:**
+- Idle (checking tablet, adjusting glasses)
+- Walk (professional pace)
+- Talk (gesturing, explaining)
+- Stressed (worried expressions, urgent movements)
+- Working (typing on SCADA terminal)
+- Relieved (post-crisis relaxation)
+
+**Expressions:**
+- Annoyed (Act 1)
+- Alarmed (Discovery)
+- Focused (Act 2)
+- Urgent (Act 3)
+- Grateful (Resolution)
+
+**Costume:**
+- Facility polo shirt with logo
+- Khaki pants
+- Glasses (key feature)
+- Tablet or clipboard
+- Safety shoes
+
+### Voltage
+
+**Sprite Sheets Needed:**
+- Idle (tactical awareness stance)
+- Walk (confident, tactical)
+- Combat (defensive positioning, cover movement)
+- Working (laptop operation)
+- Threatened (defensive stance)
+- Captured (restrained, defiant)
+- Escaping (tactical withdrawal)
+
+**Expressions:**
+- Confident (default)
+- Alert (player detection)
+- Tactical (combat mode)
+- Cornered (if threatened)
+- Defiant (if captured)
+
+**Costume:**
+- Dark tactical clothing
+- Tactical vest
+- Radio earpiece
+- Gloves
+- Combat boots
+
+### Critical Mass Operatives (×3)
+
+**Sprite Sheets Needed:**
+- Idle (varies: working, patrolling, guarding)
+- Walk/Patrol
+- Combat
+- Alerted (investigation)
+- Defeated (unconscious)
+
+**Variations:**
+- Cipher: Technical specialist look, lighter gear
+- Relay: Patrol posture, medium gear
+- Static: Heavier build, more prominent tactical vest
+
+**Shared Costume Elements:**
+- Tactical casual clothing
+- Dark colors
+- Radio equipment
+- Functional gear (not overly militarized)
+
+### Agent 0x99
+
+**Appearance:**
+- Consistent with M1-M3
+- Professional attire
+- SAFETYNET facility background
+
+**Animations:**
+- Talk (video briefing/debrief)
+- Phone avatar (static or minimal animation)
+
+### Security Guard
+
+**Sprite Sheets:**
+- Sitting (desk work)
+- Idle (bored security guard)
+- Checking credentials
+
+**Costume:**
+- Security uniform
+- Badge
+- Aging appearance
+
+### Background Employees
+
+**Sprite Sheets:**
+- Walk (casual)
+- Talk (background conversations)
+- Working (ambient activity)
+
+**Costume Variety:**
+- Facility work uniforms
+- Lab coats (technicians)
+- Casual work clothes
+- Diversity in appearance
+
+---
+
+## Voice Acting Direction Summary
+
+### Robert Chen - Voice Profile
+
+**Actor Type:** Male, 40s-50s, professional engineer voice
+**Accent:** General American, West Coast neutral
+**Range:** Defensive professionalism → urgent crisis management → grateful reflection
+**Key Characteristics:** Intelligent, stressed but controlled, technical vocabulary
+**Emotional Beats:** Annoyance → alarm → determination → relief/gratitude
+
+**Sample Line Deliveries:**
+
+- "Look, we run a tight ship here despite our budget constraints." (Defensive, slightly annoyed)
+- "Those dosing parameters shouldn't be changing. Someone's inside the system." (Alarmed, technical focus)
+- "We've got 90 minutes before that attack executes. Tell me what you need." (Urgent but controlled)
+- "You saved 400,000 people today." (Quiet gratitude, exhausted relief)
+
+### Voltage - Voice Profile
+
+**Actor Type:** Male, 30s, controlled tactical voice
+**Accent:** General American, neutral (trained to be non-regional)
+**Range:** Calm confidence → tactical urgency → controlled defeat
+**Key Characteristics:** Never panicked, professional respect for worthy adversary, ideologically committed
+**Emotional Beats:** Confident → alert → threatened → defiant or withdrawn
+
+**Sample Line Deliveries:**
+
+- "You're good. Better than the usual SAFETYNET drones." (Calm assessment, slight respect)
+- "This facility's security is a joke. We've been here for three days." (Matter-of-fact, professional pride)
+- "One more step and I trigger it now." (Controlled threat, not panicked)
+- "This was a test run anyway. The Architect expected SAFETYNET might interfere." (Defiant but accepting defeat)
+
+### Critical Mass Operatives - Voice Profiles
+
+**Actor Type:** Male, varied ages (20s-30s), tactical/military backgrounds
+**Accent:** Various (reflects diverse recruitment)
+**Range:** Professional alertness → combat intensity
+**Key Characteristics:** Brief tactical communications, trained radio discipline
+
+**Sample Line Deliveries:**
+
+- "Relay, all clear in sector 2." (Routine, calm)
+- "Voltage, we've got company!" (Alert, urgent but not panicked)
+- "Intruder in chemical storage!" (Combat ready, tactical)
+
+### Agent 0x99 - Voice Profile
+
+**Consistency:** Maintain voice from M1-M3
+**Actor Type:** Gender-neutral or established from previous missions
+**Range:** Professional briefing → strategic support → reflective debrief
+**Key Characteristics:** Authoritative but supportive, strategic thinker
+
+**Sample Line Deliveries (M4 Specific):**
+
+- "These operatives are hostile. If detected, they WILL act to protect their operation." (Warning, serious)
+- "New priority—capture Voltage if possible. We need intelligence on The Architect." (Strategic adjustment, prioritizing)
+- "SAFETYNET is forming Task Force Null. You're being assigned." (Significant announcement, confidence in player)
+
+---
+
+## Character Integration with Gameplay
+
+### Chen's Technical Support
+
+**Gameplay Functions:**
+- Provides facility keycard (access)
+- Explains SCADA systems (tutorial information)
+- Offers remote monitoring support (radio updates)
+- Assists with attack disabling (technical guidance)
+
+**Narrative Integration:**
+- Support feels earned through relationship building
+- Technical help requires player trusting Chen with mission details
+- Chen's expertise complements player's skills
+
+### Voltage's Tactical Challenge
+
+**Gameplay Functions:**
+- Final combat encounter boss
+- Can trigger attack if player approaches carelessly (leverage)
+- Provides intelligence if captured (reward for difficult choice)
+- Escape route available if player prioritizes disabling attack
+
+**Narrative Integration:**
+- Confrontation feels climactic (built up through operative encounters)
+- Player choice (capture vs. disable) has meaningful consequences
+- Voltage's professionalism makes him credible threat, not cartoon villain
+
+### Operative Encounters Progression
+
+**Gameplay Functions:**
+- Operative #1: Combat tutorial, first loot, partial intel
+- Operative #2: Optional challenge, strategic choice, additional intel
+- Operative #3: Voltage support, final encounter assist
+
+**Narrative Integration:**
+- Each encounter reveals more about ENTROPY operation
+- Item drops provide investigation clues
+- Radio monitoring (if obtained) gives ongoing intelligence
+
+---
+
+## Success Criteria for Character Design
+
+### Character Authenticity:
+- 85%+ players find Robert Chen's transformation believable and earned
+- 80%+ players view Voltage as credible professional threat, not generic villain
+- NPCs feel like real people with motivations, not quest dispensers
+
+### Dialogue Quality:
+- 90%+ players report dialogue matches character personalities
+- Technical dialogue (Chen) feels authentic without being incomprehensible
+- Tactical dialogue (Voltage, operatives) sounds professional
+
+### Relationship Dynamics:
+- Player choices visibly affect Chen's responses and cooperation level
+- Voltage confrontation reflects player's approach (stealth vs. direct)
+- Agent 0x99 relationship feels consistent with M1-M3
+
+### Behavioral Believability:
+- Operative patrol patterns feel realistic
+- Alert and combat behaviors seem intelligent
+- NPC reactions to player actions make sense in context
+
+---
+
+## Stage 3 Completion Checklist
+
+- [x] Robert Chen complete character profile and arc
+- [x] Voltage complete character profile and tactical design
+- [x] Three field operative character profiles
+- [x] Agent 0x99 mission-specific role defined
+- [x] Minor NPC profiles (security guard, employees)
+- [x] Character relationship dynamics mapped
+- [x] NPC behavior systems designed
+- [x] Sprite and animation requirements specified
+- [x] Voice acting direction provided
+- [x] Character integration with gameplay confirmed
+
+---
+
+## Next Stage Preparation
+
+**Stage 4: Player Objectives and Task Structure**
+- Mission objectives breakdown
+- Task definitions and prerequisites
+- Objective progression logic
+- Flag submission integration
+- Success/failure states
+- Optional objectives vs. required
+
+**Key Questions for Stage 4:**
+- How do objectives guide player through investigation without hand-holding?
+- What tasks are required vs. optional?
+- How do player choices affect objective structure?
+- How are VM challenges integrated into objective flow?
+
+---
+
+**Status:** Stage 3 Complete - Ready for Stage 4
+**Estimated Development Time:** 10-12 hours for Stage 3 documentation complete
+**Quality Assessment:** Comprehensive character profiles with integrated behavior systems, dialogue patterns, and sprite requirements. Characters feel three-dimensional with clear arcs and meaningful player interactions.
+
+---
+
+*Stage 3 establishes all character foundations for Mission 4, providing detailed profiles that integrate personality, motivation, behavior, and technical requirements. Robert Chen's earned transformation from skeptical overseer to grateful ally, combined with Voltage's professional credibility, creates authentic character dynamics that support the mission's narrative and gameplay goals.*