Hopefully fixed for the next release. It may now be possible to earn the Plasma Torch key item from the Hazard Suit Trooper if the item has not already been obtained. The "forced" (first) fight should now be flee-disabled.
The only issue may be if repeatable encounters of the Hazard Suit Trooper are locked behind needing the key item in the first place, but otherwise, this should enable player who haven't already gotten the item from the first encounter to be able to get it.