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Did Harper Want Farid to Shoot Him? A Deep Dive into Black Ops 2’s Moral Crossroads

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The question of whether Harper wanted Farid to shoot him in Call of Duty: Black Ops II is central to understanding the game’s complex narrative and its exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and sacrifice. The short answer is a resounding yes. Harper, facing imminent capture and likely torture at the hands of Menendez, actively demands that Farid kill him rather than allow that fate. However, the circumstances surrounding this demand and the player’s choice create a morally gray area, leaving players to grapple with the implications of their actions.

The Achilles’ Veil Dilemma

The scene unfolds during the “Achilles’ Veil” mission. Menendez orders Farid, a CIA operative embedded within Cordis Die, to prove his loyalty by killing Harper. This is not a standard “execute your hostage” scenario; Harper is fully aware of Farid’s true allegiance and that his death is a necessary evil. As Menendez’s men surround them, Harper shouts at Farid, imploring him to shoot and even calling him “Egghead” in an attempt to provoke him into action.

This isn’t a cry for mercy, it’s a desperate attempt to deny Menendez a significant victory. By being killed by Farid, rather than captured, Harper can control his fate and prevent sensitive information from being extracted. Harper’s motivation stems from a place of tactical selflessness and a desire to protect the larger operation from compromise. He understands the precariousness of his position and is willing to sacrifice himself to maintain the integrity of the mission.

The Player’s Choice: A Moral Test

The beauty of this moment lies in the player’s agency. You, as Section, are presented with a difficult choice: follow Harper’s desperate request and let Farid execute him, or try to shoot Menendez instead. This is not simply a matter of following orders or picking the right gunfight; it’s about confronting the ethical dilemmas of warfare.

Shooting Farid: This option leads to the grim reality that Farid is forced to kill Harper – which is also what Harper demanded.
Shooting Menendez: If you attempt to shoot Menendez instead, he dodges the bullet and eliminates Farid himself using an Executioner revolver. Harper is spared, but this is not the outcome that he desired or expected.

The player’s choice has far-reaching consequences that ripple throughout the rest of the game, shaping the narrative and highlighting how crucial each decision is.

The Domino Effect of Harper’s Fate

Harper’s fate in “Achilles’ Veil” impacts the story in several ways:

The USS Obama: If Harper is killed, Farid will not be present on the USS Obama when Menendez attacks it. This leads to the death of Chloe, as either Salazar or DeFalco (depending on previous player choices) will inevitably kill her during the bridge assault. Harper’s death creates a domino effect, making his survival pivotal to Chloe’s safety.
Capture and Execution: Later in the game, at the Citadel, Menendez will capture Harper, and demand you execute him. If you refuse, Farid’s cover will be blown.
Loyalty and Sacrifice: Whether Harper lives or dies, the scene is a stark examination of the lengths to which characters are willing to go for their cause. Harper’s call for death is a testament to his commitment, and the player’s decision reflects their own approach to duty and morality.

Consequences of Different Paths

The decision to kill or save Harper significantly influences not just the characters but the trajectory of the game and the possible ending you receive. If Harper lives at this point, he is eventually captured anyway and is then used as a ploy for a difficult moral decision: kill him or reveal Farid’s true identity.

The “Best” Ending: Capturing Menendez

The ultimate goal for the “best” ending in Black Ops 2 is to capture Menendez in the “Judgement Day” mission. This ending requires specific choices leading up to the final confrontation. Killing Harper in Achilles’ Veil, while seemingly heartless at the moment, can be argued as part of the necessary sacrifices for the greater good, leading you closer to the “best” ending. This reinforces the point that the game isn’t simply about right and wrong, but about calculating the lesser of two evils.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the decision to kill or save Harper and its impact on Black Ops 2:

What happens if you don’t shoot Harper in Achilles’ Veil? If you don’t shoot Harper, Farid will die, and while Harper is initially spared, his later capture has devastating consequences for other characters, particularly Chloe.
Do you have to kill Harper for the good ending? Yes, sadly, killing Harper in “Achilles’ Veil” is essential to securing the best possible ending where you capture Menendez alive.
What happens if you shoot Menendez instead of Harper? If you shoot at Menendez during this crucial moment, he will dodge your shot and kill Farid, sparing Harper in the process. This changes the story’s path, but not necessarily for the better.
What happens if Farid dies? If Farid dies, Salazar kills him. Despite Farid’s death, Section still confronts Menendez in Haiti. If Chloe lives to the end, Farid’s death is not in vain as she saves the USS Obama.
Why does Harper call Farid “Egghead”? Harper uses this taunt to provoke Farid, attempting to make him commit to the act of killing him.
What is the canon ending of Black Ops 2? The canon ending sees Section execute Menendez, which leads to a global insurrection and sets the stage for Black Ops III. This ending is not considered the “best” ending, though it is canonical.
How do you avoid Harper getting burned? In the mission “Fallen Angel,” you must stay to the right when driving away from the fire to prevent Harper from getting his face burnt.
What happens to Salazar if you kill Harper? If Harper is killed in Achilles’ Veil, Salazar is taken into custody and never seen again, assuming all strike force missions are completed, which causes him to survive in custody.
Can you capture DeFalco in Black Ops 2? Yes, if you get to the hangar exit in time, you can catch and shoot DeFalco.
How do you get the worst ending in Black Ops 2? The worst ending is achieved by making specific negative choices throughout the game, such as letting Harper get his face burnt, and making sure Defalco lives until the USS Obama mission.
Can you save Karma in Black Ops 2? If both Farid and Defalco are alive on the USS Obama, Defalco will knock Karma out. However, If you save Karma in “Second Chance,” she will survive the ship confrontation, as Defalco knocks her unconscious.
Can you resist killing Kravchenko? Yes, during the “Old Wounds” mission, you must resist killing Kravchenko so you can hear what he has to say and get an achievement.
Can you save Mason in Black Ops 2? Yes, you can save Alex Mason by shooting him in the leg at the end of “Suffer With Me,” rather than the head.
What happens if you kill Kravchenko? If you kill Kravchenko you can rewind the story back to that point but you will have to replay all upcoming missions again.
What was Raul Menendez’s goal? Menendez’s goal is to destroy America as revenge for his sister’s death and what he saw as America’s injustices.

In conclusion, Harper’s request for Farid to shoot him is a pivotal moment in Black Ops 2 that underscores the brutal choices faced by soldiers and spies. It’s not just about who lives and who dies, but about the complex web of consequences that ripple from each action. Whether players choose to honor Harper’s wishes or take a different path, the scene serves as a harsh lesson in sacrifice and the moral ambiguities of war. The game forces players to ask themselves – what are you willing to sacrifice for the greater good? And are you truly prepared to live with the consequences of your choice?