"Mister Emmerich... you've been up for three consecutive days, and you haven't left your office," a woman's voice purred from behind what looked like a very haggard, and very exhausted young man. Glasses were falling off the bridge of his nose, and his messy, windswept brown hair seemed far more... messy. Hal would look up, dark bags under his eyes, and he'd smile weakly.

"It's not like I have a choice. The Boss has me working double shifts. Dave isn't going to be happy about this in the least," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes with a heavy sigh soon after he pulled himself from the screen. "I'm going to make myself another cup of coffee, do you want some?" He asked, looking over to the girl before he'd thumb out some coins for the machine. However, manicured hand would fall over his, and the woman would stare at him.

"As your colleague, and your supervisor... please... I'm telling you to go home and rest..." She stated. "Whatever they have you doing here is not worth your health and your sanity." Hal would stare at her for a good long moment, before he'd purse his lips, making a face that obviously disagreed with what Erin had to say. He'd roll his shoulder, trying to pull the crick out of it for a moment, before he'd nod.

"Fine. Let me please just finish what I'm working on. For some strange reason he has me organizing files... Encom. The wondrous company that still uses manual file placement." He'd laugh, though it certainly sounded sarcastic. Erin would laugh as well, before she'd nod.

"Finish up, I want you out of here by the end of the hour." She stated, before carrying herself away on overused stilleto heels and a stern demeanor. He guessed it was just an act. She never talked as much as she tried to put off.

Finally sitting back down at his desk, he began that tedious task once more, dropping one folder after another in its prospective databases, before an alert sound and a refusal to let him permit stopped him in his tracks.

"What the hell?" He'd look at the file once more, encrypted, and obviously more than... protected, by the look of it. He'd frown, before clicking on the file again. Same reaction.

The back of his mind began to stir, and as he peered over the cubicles to see if there was anyone available... or watching, he quickly sat back down and pushed himself into the desk. Those brown eyes were more than flashing now, and his hands quickly began to type... faster... faster.

Until a telltale 'permitted' ding sounded, and the file was unlocked. He'd click into it, curiosity getting the best of him, and as his eyes scanned the contents, he was growing more and more... confused.

"Laser control systems and blueprints? What the hell are they doing with a laser?" He'd frown once more, before he'd click on one of the files.

"Hal, I thought I told you to leave?" He jumped, and looked back at Erin with one hell of a nasty expression, before he dipped his head down and sighed.

"Christ... scare someone silly why don't you... I'm leaving, I'm leaving, this is the last file, it's just being complicated. I'll figure it out, and be done in five..." He'd smile, and Erin would shake her head and sigh. "Emmerich, I'm surprised you aren't the CEO of the company. You spend more time than him here..."

"Doesn't everyone?" He asked, and as she turned her head, he quickly produced a flash drive, and plugged it in on one of the more hidden ports on his desktop. He'd continue to watch to see if Erin would walk back his way, before he'd narrow his eyes and turn his face back to the computer screen. As he began to download, the crackling voice in his ear began to speak up.

"I swear to fucking god, Hal, you better have a damned good reason why it's taking you so long. You haven't come home for three days, and I've been having to put up with Sunny's eggs for the last two!" Hal would wince, and rub his ear for a moment, before he'd grumble.

"Things have been tight here Snake. The CEO just disappeared. There's something about a laser here, control systems... I'm downloading the files so I can better study them. I didn't think Encom made weapons..." He heard the exasperated sigh come from the other end, and he smirked. "And before you ask, no, it's not the schematics for a giant robot, and no, you won't be needing to put on your damn muscle suit." When the files would complete, he'd disconnect, log off, and stand up, quickly throwing the drive in his pocket, beginning his stride to the door.

"Now I'm coming home..."

"Hal, if you get fired from your job because you just STOLE what most likely are very secretive files from their databases, I'm going to laugh." He'd smirk, before narrowing his eyes.

"I know you will... but wouldn't you feel more safe to see if this is a weapon or not?" Silence from the other end forced him to chuckle, and as he fumbled for his bus card, he'd lean against the light post and sigh. It was cold out, and it definitely made him wish that he had his own car. And being with Encom for four years... surely told many about how... outstanding the pay was. Looking back to the building off in the distance, he'd smirk and shake his head. It wasn't as if he didn't like the work. It was his dream to work for such a skilled company...

He was hoping it would have paid better. He'd look up as the doors to a bus nearly smacked him in the face, and he'd quickly grab the rail, pulling himself up and handing them the card. Swiping it and having it returned, he found himself a seat in the back, and nestled himself against the wall, laying his head down.

Within moments, he was asleep...