By the Book

During a tense encounter, Trevor and Michael carry out a dangerous job for the FIB, showcasing their skills and their complicated history.

“By the Book” is a pivotal mission in Grand Theft Auto V that highlights the collaboration between Trevor Philips and Michael De Santa as they work for the FIB. The mission emphasizes the moral dilemmas and intense action that come with criminal life, while also delving into the complicated relationship between the two Protagonists.

The mission “By the Book” revolves around a tense and meticulously planned operation involving the FIB, showcasing the darker side of Law Enforcement. As Trevor and specially trained agents execute an interrogation in a remote location, players experience the interplay between brutality and strategy, navigating through complex choices that affect the mission’s outcome.

Objectives

• Introduce the man to be interrogated within the FIB’s secure facility.
• Follow the FIB’s instructions during the interrogation.
• Make critical choices that affect the interrogation process and its consequences.
• Complete the mission without raising suspicion and ensure the target’s compliance.

Setting

Objective 1: Meet the Crew

• Introduction: The mission begins with Trevor meeting his associate, a mysterious character tasked with obtaining information from a hostage. The setting is tense, and players will feel the atmosphere of danger.
• Establishing the Context: Players should pay attention to the dialogue that reveals the mission’s stakes and sets up the tension between Characters, particularly Trevor’s volatile nature.

Objective 2: Interrogation Setup

• Choose Your Tools: Players will need to select the appropriate interrogation tools. Options include a gun, a wrench, or other intimidating implements that can affect the next steps.
• Dialogue Choices: Engage in dialogue that helps to establish fear in the hostage. Players can choose how aggressive or intimidating Trevor’s approach will be.

Objective 3: Interrogate the Target

• Breaking the Hostage: Players must use their chosen tools to extract information from the hostage. The interrogation will require players to navigate through options that impact the psychological state of the hostage.
• Actions Matter: Be mindful of Trevor’s actions, as they can either lead to a quick confession or result in the hostage clamming up.
• Time Management: Players have a limited time to extract the desired information before the situation escalates.
• Plan Execution: Depending on how players approach the interrogation, they will either obtain crucial information to proceed with the mission or face complications.

Objective 4: Follow-Up Actions

• Decision Making: Players must decide what to do with the hostage after extraction. Choices include releasing them or taking further actions that reflect on Trevor’s character.
• Escape Plan: Be prepared to handle reactions from bystanders or Law Enforcement if the situation escalates, necessitating a swift getaway.

Mission Conclusion

• Wrap Up: After the interrogation, the mission concludes with a cutscene highlighting the aftermath of the player’s decisions and Trevor’s chaotic tendencies.
• Rewards: Successfully completing the mission grants players progress in the storyline, along with a deeper understanding of Trevor’s character dynamics and ongoing narrative threads.

• The mission features a unique interrogation scene that showcases the game’s emphasis on player choice and consequences.
• The character Steve Haines plays a significant role during this mission, highlighting the tension between the Protagonists and corrupt Law Enforcement.
• Different approaches to completing the mission can lead to varying dialogue and interactions, adding replayability to the game.
• The name “By the Book” refers to the procedural methods employed during the interrogation, contrasting with the Characters’ more violent tendencies.
• This mission is one of the few instances in the game where players can see Trevor’s more methodical side, differing from his usual chaotic behavior.
• The setting for the mission, a warehouse, is commonly used for similar criminal activities throughout Los Santos, reflecting the game’s immersive world.
• Completing the mission successfully is crucial for unlocking further character interactions and story elements related to the heist planning.
• Fans of the series have noted that this mission feels reminiscent of earlier GTA titles, incorporating themes of crime and morality.