Questionable Ethics - two plot oddities

but I had no idea that I had to Laser through the wall… And ended up running back down to the security guard downstairs… Could not figure out what to do… Went back upstairs and the machine had gone transparent to fire the laser and stopped functioning…

So I think either make it a bit more obvious and fun like you say and lock the area off so you cannot load back and break the switch for it to function.

There is a hint on the wall…

Founded in 2004, Leakfree.org became one of the first online communities dedicated to Valve’s Source engine development. It is more famously known for the formation of Black Mesa: Source under the 'Leakfree Modification Team' handle in September 2004.