Missing

by sbdrag

Francis Pritchard goes missing, and as Adam Jensen sets out to find him, it brings up a lot more of the tech's past than he anticipated. An attack by a gang is only the beginning in this exploration of the life of Francis Wendell Pritchard; where he's been and where he's going; and quite possibly, how Adam Jensen fits into it all.

4. Day Four

Adam Jensen's Office

08:14:31

I took a steadying breath through my nose. The man lounging on my couch took a drag on his cigarette.

"There's no smoking in the building," I said. The man looked at me, then put the cigarette out. On the armrest.

"Adam, have you found-" Sarif chose that exact moment to stroll into my office. He looked between me and my… guest. He pointed. "Who's this?"

"Damien Hauzer, of Dynacore," I said, glaring from behind my shades. "He has a score to settle with Tonio, and figured the fastest way to find him would be to invite himself into my office."

"Work smarter, not harder," Damien said. He looked at my boss. The man had eyes that never showed any emotion. It was relatively disconcerting. "Mr. Sarif."

"... right, listen, Adam," Sarif said, turning back to me. "Have you made any progress? Learned anything new?"

"No," I said. "It seems Tonio is laying low."

"It won't last," Hauzer said. The man had moved to possibly the most inappropriate activity he could do in the office of the Security Chief of a corporation with his CEO standing in the room. He was cleaning his gun. "Tonio likes to make sure everyone knows he's the top dog. He'll show up."

"With aplomb," Sullivan said, stepping around Sarif and reaching over my desk to grab the remote and turn on the news. Eliza Cassan was in front of the scene of a large, abandoned Versalife warehouse.

"... coverage of a new gang in Detroit that seems to have sprung up overnight, calling themselves both Abandoned, and 'The Family'."

Sullivan leaned back against my desk, watching. Sarif cupped his chin, and Hauzer kept on cleaning his gun, one eye on the newscast. I stood to get a better view. Tonio appeared on screen, cameras focusing on him. I should thank Eliza Cassan. The man held up his hands, as if for quiet, then spoke.

"I am Tonio, First Brother of the Family! Brothers and sisters! I have come to give you the greatest gift! I have come to give you a place to belong!"

Sure enough, he was getting a crowd. Some of it were some unhappy D-Row Ballers, but most were just people. Tonio walked among them, but he seemed to stand above them, like he was larger than he was.

"How many of you are tired of waking up and wondering if you'll be able to eat today? How many of you are hungry for brothers and sisters to protect you, instead of thieves and vagrants and junkies that will leave you for dead in the street if you've two credits to rub together? How many of you are those vagrants and vagabonds, wishing for a better way to survive?"

He was really starting to draw a crowd, now. Just what I needed, someone charismatic. I glanced at the others. Sullivan was just watching, same as when she came in. But, though her arms were crossed, I could see the hand still clutching the remote. The knuckles were beginning to whiten. I turned my attention to Sarif. His gaze was intent, calculating. He still had a hand cupping his chin, and one of his fingers curled and uncurled in thought. Hauzer had stopped cleaning his gun. For the first time, emotion had entered his eyes. And it was rage. I kept watching.

"We are the Family! Some call us Abandoned, and they're right! We have been abandoned. We have been written off as worthless by our parents, our bosses, our friends… even ourselves. We've been made cast-offs. Orphans. Exiles. Yes, we have been exiled by a society that believes it doesn't need us. But I am here to tell you… brothers… sisters… we are not worthless! We are not cast-offs! We will not be written off! You! You matter. You are important, brother. And you, sister. And you, and you, and all of you here!"

Tonio walked back up the stairs of the building. He held out his hands, as if embracing the crowd, smiling magnanimously. I shook my head, then paused. Behind him on the stairs stood Serene Bucali, Ellie Durmut, a much more heavily augmented Dick Carmicheal… and Pritchard. The man's hair was out if it's usual ponytail, and he was dressed in black, but it was definitely him. He looked uncomfortable, but made a point of looking at the camera none the less. Good job, Francis.

"Join us! Join your brothers and sisters in the Family! If you lack purpose, we will provide it! If you lack safety, we will provide it! If you lack food, water, shelter; we will provide it! If you lack love…"

Here, Tonio glanced at Pritchard. The tech looked away. A little more than a 'thing'... It was hard to tell if anyone else had noticed the exchange.

"We will provide it!"

Tonio finished to cheers, and began talking with people individually. Dick said something to Pritchard, and led him inside. The cameras went overhead, and Eliza Cassan began speaking again. Sullivan muted the broadcast.

"I told you," Hauzer said, returning to cleaning his gun.

"The man's clearly an egomaniac," Sarif said. Sullivan glanced at me, and I believe shared in the irony. Takes one to know one…

"I saw Pritchard in the background," I said. Sullivan and Sarif looked at me.

"Where?" Sullivan asked. I walked around my desk, but didn't get far. My office really wasn't meant to hold four people.

"He had his hair down, and was dressed differently," I said. "He was standing with the other leaders of Tonio's crew."

"I'll have to take your word for it," Sarif said. Then he looked at Sullivan and frowned. "Shauna, you look like hell."

"I try," the woman said, pushing her hair behind her ear. She wasn't wearing any makeup now, but the bags under her eyes had certainly gotten more pronounced.

"Have you been getting any sleep?" I asked, feeling a bit tired about the conversation myself. The woman heaved a sigh.

"I've tried," she said, then turned and handed me the remote. "I'm gonna go set up, ping me when you're ready."

When she'd left, Sarif looked at me.

"I hired her after the attack," he said, then debated before continuing. "Her fiance was one of the scientist that… didn't make it. It was Frank that recommended her."

I didn't reply. Sarif nodded to me, then looked at Hauzer, considered saying something, and left instead. When he was gone, Hauzer put away his gun, and stood.

"Have fun," he said.

"Where are you going?" I asked. Hauzer looked at me over his shoulder.

"To kill my brother," he said, and walked on. I watched him a few moments.

"Sullivan," I said.

"Here and ready," the woman replied.

"How long have you been listening?" I asked. She hesitated a moment too long. "Sorry about your fiance."

"So am I," she replied. I had no answer to that. So I headed out into the city instead.

Abandoned Headquarters

10:15:43

It wasn't too hard to sneak into the building. There were so many people around that no one noticed me slip around the back, finding a vent into the building. I looked at the map, but it was hard to guess where anything would be as far as the gang was concerned. So I snuck around guards and through vents. Eventually, I made my way upstairs. It seemed Tonio liked to be on top literally as well as figuratively. There was a vent that led around the main room on the top floor, and I used a grate to look inside.

There were supply boxes, ammo, guns and even augs laying out. The main members of Tonio's crew seemed to have their own little areas. But Tonio himself was in the center.

"But Tonio," Ellie said, sitting on a box in the man's area. "Ellie hates how all these dirty people show up after you talk."

"Ellie, we need them," Tonio replied, patience clearly growing thin. While not in front of a crowd, his latin accent was more pronounced. "You can't fight a war without soldiers, babe."

"Don't babe Ellie!" the woman said. She pouted like a petulant child. "Ellie knows you don't want her."

"And who would I want?" Tonio asked. He was trying to work on some kind of device.

"Ellie, maybe you should-" Carmichael cut in, trying to stop her.

"Frankie," Ellie said. "Ever since Hilde-"

Tonio backhanded the woman, knocking her off the box and to the floor.

"Don't be bringing up Frankie and Hilde!" the man said. Ellie glared up at him, and the man's shoulders relaxed. "Listen, Ellie, I'm sorry, I'm just under a lot of pressure with the job and-"

"And Frankie's lack of interest in continuing your former relationship?" this came from Serene. She sat on a box behind Carmichael, filing her nails. Tonio glared. The woman's voice gave nothing away, and she returned Tonio's look coolly. "I mean, the only reason you let him slip away before was because he and Hilde looked so alike, right?"

"Watch it, Serene," Tonio said. The woman scoffed.

"Or what? You'll hit me?" she asked. "I just don't understand why you've fixated on him."

"It's none of your business," Tonio replied. Ellie had picked herself up, a gash was across her face from the punch.

"I… I'm sure Frankie'll come around," Dick said. He was twitchy, and Serene passed him a needle. "And then it'll be like the old days."

"Ellie doesn't want the old days," the woman said, patching herself up. She was clearly used to doing so. "Ellie wants Tonio."

"Tough luck," Serene said. "He didn't even pick you when Hilde-"

"We aren't talking about Hilde!" Tonio growled. Serene watched him a moment, then shrugged and returned to her nails.

"In any case," she said. "There's no reason to get so upset. Dick's right. Frankie will cave. The way he always does."

"Ellie hopes he kills Raven first," the blonde said.

"If she doesn't stop hovering over him, he will," Serene said.

"She's expendable anyways," Tonio said, returning to his device.

"So much for everyone belonging…" Sullivan muttered. I didn't say anything, but continued down the vent. There was a grate to another room, and I heard a familiar voice drifting through.

"... wouldn't work!" Pritchard snapped.

"Well why not?" a woman demanded.

"Because some of us install an IPS with a signature for buffer overflows," the chief of cyber security said. "We call ourselves employed."

I crept up to the grate and looked in. Pritchard was at a computer, and a woman stood hunched over him. Her black hair screened her face, though it made little difference with the hoodie as well.

"Fuck you," the woman said. "Do a Christmas Tree scan. Maybe we'll get an OS."

"Why don't you do that," Pritchard said. "And then you can explain to Tonio why SWAT is crashing through windows and breaking down doors."

"Then what the fuck do you suggest?" the woman asked.

"I suggest you leave me alone to work, damn script kiddie…" Pritchard replied. For some reason, this seemed to insult the woman.

"Script kiddie?" she demanded. "I'm leet!"

"The fact that you said that seriously just proves that you're a script kiddie," Pritchard replied. They were facing the vent, and I could see the expression on the tech's face. It was one I wasn't altogether unfamiliar with. "Can you even do anything without a GUI?"

"Shut up," Raven, I assumed, said. "I could if I wanted to."

"I'm sure," Pritchard said.

A door opened, and the woman turned toward it.

"How's it going?" Tonio asked, walking in the room. Pritchard made a point of ignoring him.

"He hasn't done anything," Raven said. Tonio ignored her, placing his hands on Pritchard's shoulders. The tech looked like he was trying very hard to stay still.

"Frankie," he said, looking at the screen with pretended nonchalance. "How's it going?"

"You don't hack a corporate system in a night," Pritchard said. "And you certainly don't do it with constant distractions."

Tonio's grip visibly tightened, then he took the hint. He left, but not before telling Raven to keep an eye on the tech. I continued through the vent. I'd seen another vent in the room, one I could use to get in. With both hackers distracted by their argument, it was child's play to sneak up behind Raven and knock her out.

Pritchard turned in surprise, but said nothing as choked out the woman. I let her drop, and Pritchard stood. He opened his mouth, but I put a finger to my lips, indicating the door. The Chief of Cyber Security nodded. I pointed to the vent, and he made a face, but nodded. I went first, and Pritchard crawled in behind me.

"... luck, Don Juan?" Serene asked in the main room. Something crashed.

"Shut up," Tonio said.

"Ellie thinks Frankie won't come around," the woman said. "Ellie thinks-"

"Ellie's an airheaded bitch that needs to shut her whore mouth," Tonio replied. I wasn't sure how Pritchard would react to the conversation, and so hurried by. It took a little longer with a second person, but eventually, we did manage to slip out of the warehouse before Pritchard's absence was noticed.

"Jensen," the tech said, when we were outside the building.

"What?" I asked. The tech seemed unsure what to say. It was strange, to see him at a loss for words. Or with his hair down, wearing a muscle tank that showed off his tattoo and- "Are those leather pants?"

"It seems Tonio is extremely nostalgic," Pritchard replied, eyeing the offending garment. "I had a… phase, as a teenager. I suppose I should just be happy he didn't hand me nail polish and eyeliner."

"I don't think there's enough makeup in Detroit to make your face look better," I replied. Force of habit, really. Pritchard rolled his eyes.

"At least I've never gone into a woman's restroom," the man replied, crossing his arms.

"Enough with the love fest," Sullivan said. "I'm seeing movement. I think they might have caught on."

"We need to move," I said. Pritchard nodded, indicating I should lead the way. We went through back alleys and side streets. I realized at one point that I could see my breath. Winter was coming on. I glanced at Pritchard. He had his arms crossed, but didn't complain. I decided to make a detour, for more than one reason.

"Sullivan," I said over the Infolink. "I'm going to stop at my apartment. I'll call you in a bit."

"... exactly what kind of relationship do you and Frank have?" the woman asked suspiciously.

"The kind where I can offer a man warmer clothes and reasonable pants," I replied. Sullivan scoffed, but cut the connection in any case. I don't think Pritchard was really aware of where we were going until we reached the lobby of the Chiron Building.

"Jensen, are we going to your apartment?" Pritchard asked.

"They know where you live," I said. "And I figured you'd want to change before heading into work."

"... thanks," Pritchard said. He was being oddly quiet. But I was used to silence.

Adam Jensen's Apartment

12:06:14

Pritchard looked around, walking into the living area. "Hm. Still haven't unpacked, Jensen?"

"I've been busy," I said. The tech nodded. Then the man sunk into the couch, seeming utterly exhausted. Being a good host, I went to the kitchen and retrieved whiskey and two glasses. I went and sat on the other side of the couch, putting the glasses on the table and pouring. "You seem like you could use a drink."

"Though I hate to agree with you, yes, I could," Pritchard said, forcing himself to sit up enough to grab one of the glasses. I watched him as he took a cautious sip, then downed the rest. I held the bottle as an offer for another, and the tech held out his glass. He leaned back, only sipping this one. I set the bottle down, and picked up my own drink. After a moment, I leaned back a bit and started on my own drink. I looked at Pritchard.

"Are you ok?" I asked.

"Worried about me, Jensen?" Pritchard replied, but with no bite. "I'm not injured, if that's what you mean. But I don't think you're supposed to be 'ok' after being kidnapped for a week."

"Want to talk about it?" I asked.

"I'm sure you already know more about me than I ever wanted you to, so no," Pritchard said. "And, let's face it, Jensen, neither of us is really good at this… feelings thing."

I considered what he said a minute, then set my drink back down. I retracted my sunglasses, and looked Pritchard in the eye. I seemed to catch the man off guard, at the least.

"When we were investigating everything else," I started. "I found out I was adopted. My real parents worked for White Helix. I was part of a group of children they were performing genetic research on. That's why I don't need Neuropozyne. All the other children died in the trials. When my parents found out that I was going to be used to inoculate the next batch of children, they had Michelle Walthers sneak me out before setting the lab on fire. She gave me to the Jensens. And I'm pretty sure you already know what happened with Megan."

Pritchard seemed at a loss for words again. Finally, he frowned.

"Why tell me this?" he asked. I reached for a pack of cigarettes on the table, and brought one out to smoke. I took a drag as a way to buy some time to reply.

"Because you're one of the few people I trust," I said finally.

Pritchard was quiet for a while after that. We sat in silence, until the man finally spoke up.

"What did you want to know?"

"What you'll tell me," I said. "I know most of what happened, but I don't know why."

"Well… it's best to start at the beginning, isn't it?" Pritchard said, mostly to himself. "I was born in New Hampshire when my parents were on vacation. They lived in Texas, though my mother was French. Hence the name."

"When I was seven, they died in a car crash. I survived it. I ended up in the foster care system, since my mother's family didn't come to claim me, and my father had no other family to speak of. I'm sure it isn't a large stretch of the imagination if I were to say I wasn't a sweet kid. My mouth got me into a lot of fights, and I lost more than I won. My father had been a computer engineer, my mother a freelance programmer. They joked that they worked so well together because they were 'hardware and software'. Honestly, I'm lucky that cheese isn't genetic. Computers were more of something I just did than an actual interest. As I got older, I started to realize how I could use it to my advantage.

Tonio wasn't the first bully I marketed my skills to, but he was the worst. I didn't realize it at the time, because, well, you've seen how he can be. He got people wrapped around his finger with a smile. If it weren't for his anger management issues, he would have been adopted without a problem. As it were, I was fourteen when I met Tonio, and he was sixteen.

I'll admit, in the beginning, he charmed me. He'd already recruited Dick and Ellie. Unlike the other bullies, he praised my skills, complimented my work. I wanted to please him. We all did. He kept us safe, made us feel like we belonged. God knows we all missed that. For a while, it was ok. Tonio's anger was aimed at other people. He was a brilliant actor. He even…"

I didn't push. The silence stretched. Pritchard downed the rest of his glass, and then stared at it. He was remembering something, and smiled bitterly.

"God, I was so stupid. I bet he even drugged the drink. Not that he needed to, when I practically idolized him. My first time drinking, and he… I can't even say how many ways he took advantage of me at the time. I'm still not sure why he fixated on me. Maybe it was because I kept putting up a front, an act. And sometimes I pushed, just to see what I could get away with. The others didn't do that. They didn't dare. I think it was just the challenge. Or maybe that he knew it was all an act. He gets off on control. The fact that he could still manipulate me, someone smart and paranoid, probably just kicked it into high gear. God…"

Silently, I took Pritchard's glass, and poured him another. He shook his head, but accepted, knocking it back. He leaned back.

"You're the last person I thought I'd have this conversation with," he said.

"Must be my magnetic personality," I said. Pritchard laughed. It was more of a scoff, but it was better than nothing, I suppose.

"You're an idiot, Jensen," he said.

"You don't need to be a rocket scientist to kick in doors and shoot people," I said. Pritchard scoffs again.

"Oh God, I said that, didn't I?" he asked. It was clear the alcohol was kicking in. A little late, I wondered if Pritchard drank much. "Sorry. I guess I'm still trying to be… invaluable."

"It's fine," I said. For a while, we said nothing. Pritchard nursed his empty glass, and I almost thought he'd fallen asleep when he spoke again.

"Anyway, I'm sure you can guess what happened next. Tonio used us to commit crimes, and couldn't keep up his act forever. To be honest, it wasn't until after I was adopted by that prick that I realized I'd only been being used. Despite Tonio's temper, despite the way he could turn ugly at the turn of a hat… social services wanted us separated, and Pritchard wanted a hacker. I'm sure he made a generous contribution to own me. And then I worked for him, up until his untimely death. Then… well, I went freelance. Had my own little crew. We got caught, Sarif approached me and made me an offer to work for Sarif Industries. That's it."

"That's a hell of a life, Francis," I said. Pritchard shook his head.

"Yes, well," he said. "I'm trying to move past it."

"... what about your sister?" I asked. I wondered if I pushed too far after everything else, but Pritchard just looked tired. He leaned forward, putting his glass on the table, then leaning on his knees.

"Matts… I left her behind," I said. "I left her with… with Tonio."

"Pritchard-" I started, but he waved a hand.

"'You were only a child'? 'You didn't know any better'? Spare me the platitudes, Jensen," he said. "I was young, but some part of me knew what Tonio was. And I fed my sister to the wolf."

"But you tried to find her," I said. Pritchard turned his head, just enough to look me in the eye. Uncertainly, gauging his reaction, I placed a hand on the tech's shoulder. He didn't flinch away. "You're not a bad person, Francis."

"Fucking hell," Pritchard said, burying his head in his hands. He laughed, the sad, bitter laugh of the drunk and cynical. "Fucking hell, Jensen… it's all fucked up."

"Yeah, it is," I said. I tried to remember if I'd ever heard the man swear before. "But we're going to fix it."

"We?" Pritchard asked, looking up at me a little blearily.

"You had my back, with Michelle Walthers, in Singapore, and Panchaea," I said. "I didn't ask for it. But I appreciate it more than you could know. So now it's my turn. I've got your back, Pritchard."

The tech blinked at me a few moments. The he scoffed, then he actually burst out laughing. I sat back watching with an arched brow.

"It's so ridiculous," he finally gasped out. "Did you practice that little speech in a mirror? 'I… I appreciate it more than you could know'? I mean, seriously, Jensen. A fourth grader could come up with something better than that."

"You know, I was trying to be serious…" I said.

"Were you really?" Pritchard asked. "I couldn't tell with how corny you were being."

"Francis, you're an ass," I said. The man managed to compose himself, but just barely as he leaned back.

"It takes one to know one, Adam," he said. He at least seemed to be in a better mood than his earlier depression. "You know, when I first met you, I thought you were him."

"Who?" I asked.

"Tonio," Pritchard replied. "I mean, I usually assume everyone has ulterior motives, but you… I assumed you were a bully."

"Is that the real reason you disliked me so much?" I asked. Pritchard nodded.

"That, and I thought you only got the job because you were sleeping with Megan," he replied. I shot him a look, and he shrugged. "Like I said, I assumed."

"And now?" I asked. Pritchard was quiet a moment.

"Now, I know better," he said. "Granted, it took me some time, but… I realized you weren't… as much of a bully as I thought you were."

"Thanks, Francis," I said. "And you're not half as much of a dick as people think you are."

"Let me guess, I'm worse?" he asked. I smiled a little, and Pritchard returned the expression.

"Much worse," I agreed. For a few minutes, we stayed that way. Then Pritchard cleared his throat and looked away. I looked back to my glass, a little whiskey still in the bottom. With my health mods, it didn't matter much, but I downed it anyway.

"Listen, Jensen…"

I shifted, looking at Pritchard.

"Thank you, for…" he struggled. "Rescuing me. And… listening."

I considered what to say to that.

"Well, it was that, or keep getting tech support from Sullivan."

"You poor soul," Pritchard replied, then gestured at the whiskey bottle. "You should have another drink, just for that."

"... it was nice, what you did for her," I said, though listening to his advice. He shrugged.

"Her fiance and I got on well enough. We had a drink after his funeral, and I found out she knew about as much computing as he did, and figured it would help her with Neuropozyne payments," he said.

"She's augmented?" I asked. Pritchard nodded.

"She shows them off when she's out of the office. Was in the military, before it was privatized, and an IED took her legs," he said. "She's gotten a few cerebral augments since taking the job at Sarif Industries. To help with network security."

"I wouldn't have guessed," I said.

"I'm surprised you haven't seen her before, given you live in the same building," Pritchard said.

"We do?" I asked. Pritchard shook his head.

"Jensen, your attention to detail is deplorable," he said. "With all the late nights you've pulled, I'm actually surprised you haven't met Sullivan prior to this. Or is it only me you grace with your brooding on a daily basis?"

"I don't brood," I said. Pritchard arched a brow.

"Only when you have something else to do," he replied. "Like chase conspiracies around the globe or break into a gang's headquarters."

"I don't brood," I said stubbornly. Pritchard rolled his eyes. There was a knock at the door. Actually, it was more like a pounding. Flipping on my shades, I got up, walking over to it. I looked through the wall, but the person had no weapons. In fact, it looked like…

"Malik?" I asked, opening the door. The woman rushed past me.

"No time for pleasantries," she said. "Good to see you're alright, Frank. Nice look."

"Thanks," Pritchard said, crossing his arms as Malik grabbed the remote and turned on the television.

"... have not confirmed how they made it in, but Abandoned has managed to take over Sarif Industries."

I shut the door and walked over, watching the screen as Eliza Cassan reported the news. It was an overview of Sarif Industries, barricades against the police set up outside the doors.

"Their leader has not yet made any demands, and it seems there's an ongoing firefight between SI security and the gang members, employee safety being the main concern."

"Sullivan," I tried with my Infolink, speaking aloud for the benefit of the others in the room. "Sullivan. Sullivan, answer, damn it."

"Do you watch the news, like, ever?" the reply finally came. There was gunfire in the background. "Because this isn't really a good time, security guy."

"Tell me what's going on," I said, turning from the television screen. Pritchard had stood up, and look until he spotted my computer. Malik just looked at me anxiously.

"They seem to be heading up to Sarif," Sullivan said. "I shut down the elevators remotely, and just managed to get maintenance to cut power to them for good measure. Wouldn't want just anyone to hack their way in and turn them on."

"Not really what I'm looking for, Sullivan," I said, trying to think.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah, you try talking and shooting at the same time," the woman replied.

"Sullivan," I said, trying to get her to focus.

"Ok, so employees are pretty much scrambling to 'safe zones' Haas is making, and security is guarding them. They've made it up to level 12, and we could use some help," she said.

"How'd they get in?"

"Apparently someone thought we needed a sewer entrance," Sullivan replied. "Guy came in the front office, pulled out a gas grenade. While security ran to that, bunch of other guys snuck in through the basement and surprised them from behind, while another group got in through the helipad entrance."

"Hence why Malik is at my apartment," I said.

"Yeah, I'd assume so," Sullivan replied. "Oh, goddammit!"

"What happened?" I asked.

"Ran out of ammo," Sullivan replied. "Haas managed to lock down the armory, but these guys brought their own arsenal."

"Hang tight. I'm on my way," I said.

"That wouldn't be impressive if I hadn't worked with you before," Sullivan replied, then cut the connection.

"I can provide you tech support from here, Jensen," Pritchard said.

"Let me know when you're ready to go," Malik said.

"Sorry, Fly Girl," I said. "Looks like this is going to be an underground entrance."

"Well, then call when I can help," the pilot replied. I nodded. Then I looked over at Pritchard. He was busy setting things up on my computer, probably just opening programs he was used to. I walked up to him. "Are you sure you're up to this?"

"Are you worried I'm inebriated or traumatized?" the man asked. "Because the answer to both is no, and Radford found out as much about me as you did, if you were wondering."

"... Sarif did a background check on me, too," I said. Pritchard scoffed.

"You thought he hadn't?" he asked. He turned to look at me. "Sarif hired me after I was arrested, Jensen. I would be sorely disappointed if he hadn't done a background check on me. Now get going, there are people in danger."

"Good to have you back, Francis," I said, and glimpsed the man roll his eyes as I left him. Malik had settled on my couch, watching the news, and I left the apartment in their hands. Hopefully that wouldn't come back to bite me in the ass.

Hopefully.

Sarif Industries

13:44:09

"Remind me to have this entrance blocked when this is over," I said to Pritchard as I knocked out the last guard.

"I'm not your secretary, Jensen," the man replied. "You'll just have to pretend you have enough brain cells to rub together to remember yourself."

I was antagonizing. I wasn't sure why I was antagonizing, but I knew I was. Maybe I had just gotten to used to Sullivan's constant need to comment on everything. Or maybe I missed Pritchard more than I thought I had. Probably the former, though.

"H-hey."

I stopped, about to climb up the ladder and into SI. I turned slowly. Dick Carmichael, now more machine than even me, stood leveling a rocket launcher at me. He was tweaked, and the burned half of his face twitched.

"N-not… nnot so fast, Jjjensen," he said, having trouble speaking. It would be hard to tell if it was the injury or simply a result of habitual drug use that caused Dick's new speech impediment.

"Is your burn bothering you?" I asked. Dick chuckled, a high, stringy, ugly sound.

"Thhhhat w-was your f-fault," he said. "Y-you caused tthhhis."

"I didn't fire a grenade launcher next to you," I said.

"Jensen," Pritchard said. "I'm only going to say this once. Do not mention Serene."

"Y-y-you were thhe one ssshe w-was aiming ffor," Dick said. He flicked the gun to the side. "Sstep aw-way from th-there."

"How long have you been on the Leash, Dick?" I asked, slowly stepping to the side. I had an EMP grenade, I just needed to reach it…

"Hhhhhands up, a-asshole," Carmicheal said, rocket launcher swivelling slightly. I cursed to myself as I slowly brought up my hands. "Aaand th-that's none of y-your bbbuisness."

"Why not?" I asked. "Just trying to make conversation."

My CASIE popped up, the Omega bar flaring briefly.

"Wwwwhy would y-you d-do that?" Dick asked.

"You've gotta be an important guy," I said. "Tonio doesn't seem like he keeps just anyone around."

"III'mm nnnot s-special," Dick said. Beta there.

"Look at you," I said. "Do you think they'd put that much effort into keeping just anyone alive?"

"Nnno," Dick said. "B-But thhat's j-just because I'mm part of the oooriginal c-crew."

"Sure you're not selling yourself short?" I asked. I was moving my hands down as slowly as I could manage. "Your men have a lot of respect for you. I heard them talking about it."

"Y-yeah?" Dick asked, rocket launcher lowering further. "Wwwhat did th-they ssay?"

"That you were Tonio's top guy for recruiting," I said. That's it, nice and easy…

"Nnn-n-no," Dick said.

"It's true," I said. "So, I was just… curious, how you managed to get so popular with that drug addiction."

"Wwwasn't alwways a d-dober," Dick said. "I uuused to b-be somebody."

"You aren't now?" I asked.

"Y-you don't g-get it, do yyou?" Dick asked. He raised the rocket launcher. "S-seren may haave put th-the needle in, b-b-but it wwas Tonio that mmade the call."

"Then why stay with him?" I asked, slowly raising my hands again. Dick scoffed.

"Yyou seem to th-think th-there's a ch-choice," he said. He shook his head. "You d-don't get out of Abandoned. Tonio makes s-sure of it."

"You tried?" I asked. Dick laughed. Hysterically, desperately.

"III'm nnot an i-idiot," he said. "T-Tonio d-d-didn't fix mmme bec-cause he l-likes me. He jjjust d-doesn't wwwant ch-change. Th-that's why I-I'm a d-dober. B-because I t-tried to l-leave, y-yeah. Ss-so he hhad Serene st-stick a n-needle in mme. I sw-sw-swore wwwhen mm-my m-mother d-died I wwould n-never d-do drugs. T-Tonio ss-said he wwould p-protect mme. Sso mmuch f-for p-p-promises."

There was sudden ratata of gunfire, and I rolled out of the way as Dick let loose a rocket. It hit the ladder, and I hit the wall hard. I coughed, pushing away to see what was going on.

Damien Hauzer, thoughtfully swirling a cigarette in his mouth, stood with his machine gun on his hip. He looked at a slow moving Dick, then to me.

"What were you going to do? Talk him to death?" he asked.

"D-Damien," Dick said. It seemed some of his rotors had been disconnected, impairing his movement. A helmet slid over his head. The Dynacore aug took as long drag from his cigarette, then blew the smoke out his nose.

"I'll take this one, but remember," he said. "Tonio's mine."

"Sure," I said, and moved over to where the ladder had stood before I could get caught in a crossfire; I jumped, barely grabbing the bottom rung. There are certain advantages to being Frankenstein.

"Was that Damien Hauzer?" Pritchard asked over the infolink.

"Yeah, you know him?" I asked. "Or why he's gunning for Tonio?"

"He was a local kid in the area," Pritchard said. "He and Tonio crossed the border together. Damien got adopted, and Tonio later got Damien's adopted brother killed in some kind of messed up retribution."

"Yeah, that'd do it," I said. "He came after Tonio in Texas, and followed me when it wasn't there."

"I always did kind of wonder what happened to him," Pritchard said.

"At least he's one of the people from your past not trying to kill me," I said. Pritchard snorted.

"You're a big boy, Jensen," he said. "I'm sure you can take care of yourself."

"Wish I could say the same of you, Francis," I said. I reached the top of the ladder, and peered over the edge. Two guards, facing the door. Quietly, I pulled myself up. "Then maybe we wouldn't be in this mess."

"And miss out on all the fun?" Pritchard asked dryly as I knocked out the two guards. "You'll have to work your way up to the lobby first. It looks like most of Abandoned's forces are there, holding off the Detroit PD."

"Got it," I said, and started making my way through the floor. This had to be the basement Sullivan had talked about; there were rows of computers and a server room through a glass door. Some guards had workers and a security team member pinned down in there. I dispatched the guards as quickly as I could, touched based with Philips, and left her to guard the civilians. It seemed we'd managed to take minimum casualties so far, though there were a few fatalities. I worked my way up through the floors, taking out Abandoned members where I could, avoiding others. When I reached ground level, I looked through the wall. There was guard standing in the hallway, but facing away from the door.

Quietly as I could, I eased the door open, then slowly closed. Then I crept up behind the guard and choked her out. I dragged her back into the staircase, then crept back outside. I went down the hallway, then pressed against the wall while I peeked around the corner. Ellie Durmut sat on Cindy's desk, polishing her nails.

"Ellie knows you're there," she sing-songed. She looked in my direction, smiling. "Ellie thinks you should come out and play."

"I don't think so," I said. I looked at the floor above. I didn't see any gang members, but that didn't mean they weren't there.

"But Ellie's lonely," the woman whined. She twisted, leaning down to show off her low cut shirt.

"Sorry, I don't think you're my type," I said. Ellie pouted.

"Why not?" she asked, twisting her hips to match her torso, one leg on the floor, the other on the desk. Her augments had heeled feet. "Is Ellie not pretty enough?"

"What would make you say that?" I asked. From this distance, without facing the woman head on, my CASIE was useless. I'd have to do this the old fashioned way.

"Well, what else could it be?" she asked, slowly laying on the desk and turning onto her back. I had to admit, she knew what she was doing. But they way she talked like a toddler was extremely disconcerting, not to mention irritating.

"I just don't think we have anything in common," I replied evenly. Ellie giggled, playing with her hair.

"Why does it matter what Ellie likes?" she asked. "She could make you feel so happy!"

"I don't go for one night stands," I said. Ellie sat up, but twisted to keep her chest in view.

"You're no fun!" she declared. "Ellie thinks she'll have Gigi kill you now. Gigi!"

A large, heavily augmented man ambled into my view, and I pulled back behind the wall as he fired a machine gun at me. I cursed to myself, considering what to do. When the gunfire died, I activated my invisibility and moved behind the nearest pillar. Gigi ambled forward, and, as he checked around the corner for me, I ran up behind him and took him out. Ellie screamed, and then she was running at me.

I took her first blow, a kick to the head, sending me stumbling into the center of the room. Ellie cartwheeled forward and kicked my chin, but I grabbed her foot. The woman pushed off the ground, twisted and kicked me in the side of the head. I grunted, then rolled forward to avoid being kicked again. I backed up a few steps, watching the woman warily.

"Jenson, I think you should know, Ellie knows kickboxing," Pritchard chimed in.

"I hadn't noticed," I said. Ellie went on the offensive again, and it was the most I could do to block her. I saw an opening at one point, and took it to punch the woman in the face. She backflipped, landing warily. We eyed each other, and I wondered if I'd have time to reach for my gun as I eased out my blades.

"LOOK OUT BELOW!"

I looked up just in time to see someone jump from several stories above. Someone with an Icarus landing system. I barely moved out of the way as they landed nearly in front of me. A woman straightened, leveling twin pistols at a surprised Ellie. The Abandoned woman just managed to dive behind a pillar as she was barraged. The shooter emptied their clips, dropped one pistol, reloaded the other and grabbed another pistol from her belt before firing again.

"What are you waiting for, an invitation?" Sullivan demanded, and I moved. I ran around Cindy's desk and up to the next floor. I glanced back, watching as Sullivan retreated behind a pillar while firing. I wondered how much ammo she had. Then I focused on getting to the stairs.

I ducked behind the wall as Abandoned guards fired at me. They'd blockaded the stairs. I brought up a map of SI. Besides the stairs and the elevators, there didn't seem to be another way up.

"The air vent on the helipad entrance," Pritchard said. He sounded a little out of breath.

"Are you running?" I asked, making my way towards the helipad.

"No, don't be absurd," Pritchard said. I decided to leave it be, coming around the corner slowly to a barricade made by my security team.

"Jensen!" Daniels said, then turned. "Haas! It's Jensen!"

"Haas?" I asked, moving into the cafeteria to see the man with a makeshift bandage around his shoulder.

"Adam," he said with relief. "Boy, am I glad you're here."

"What happened?" I asked, leaning down in front of him. He was sitting against the wall. Haas lifted his hand, then winced.

"This? This ain't nothing," he said. "Just kind of happened. I'll be up in a minute."

"Don't be an idiot, Haas," I said. "Stay here and don't get hurt worse. You're more valuable alive."

"Ha, ha," the man laughed weakly. I wonder if they'd had any pain killers handy. "Now you sound like Shauna."

"Is that why she's out there?" I asked, looking over my shoulder.

"Yeah," Haas said. "I said I wouldn't leave anyone behind, so she said she'd get 'em all."

"Good," I said. I gently patted Haas's good shoulder. "Keep everyone calm. I'm heading up."

"H-hey, Adam?" the man asked as I rose. I looked down at him. "How'd she look?"

"Sullivan?" I asked. He nodded. "She looked fine. Why?"

"Just wanted to make sure… I made the right call, this time," he said. I paused, then nodded. I left Haas, and went through the cafeteria to get to the helipad.

"Anyone out there?" I asked Nelson, one of the security team. He shook his head.

"Not that we've seen since they got inside, but someone could have hung back," he said. I nodded, then cautiously made my way out to the helipad. I had a pistol, and kept it ready as I walked outside, scanning for any enemies. It seemed quiet, which wasn't usually a good thing. I made my way to the air vent at a measured pace.

"Adam Jensen."

I turned around, and my gun found Serene Bucali. The woman was leaning against a wall, looking into a compact while putting on bright red lipstick.

"You are a very hard man to kill," she said, not looking up.

"I get that a lot," I said, looking for anyone else in the area.

"I'll bet," Serene said, snapping the compact closed and putting it and the lipstick in a purse. She looked up at me, crossing her arms. "So. What's in this for you, Mr. Jensen?"

"Excuse me?" I asked, CASIE implant flaring to life. Serene pushed off the wall. She moved with the grace of a large cat; a hunter. But she didn't move any closer, so I waited to see if I needed to shoot.

"Tonio's in it for the power, Dick's in because of the drugs, Ellie's in because of her lack of self worth… or is that Frankie? I get them confused," she said, smiling. She was a gorgeous woman. Like a doll. Even her white skirt and blazer were immaculate, and it was hard to tell how long she'd been out here. "So… what are you in this for?"

"I don't know if you noticed, but you broke into my building," I said, shifting my stance to follow Serene as she walked to the edge of the building. My CASIE mod was coming up with nil. Serene was just too damn calm. Something's wrong.

"But you were interfering before that," the woman said. She stood at the edge of the building, looking over. I moved to see her face. It was expressionless. "You saved Frankie, didn't you? So, are you a hero, Mr. Jensen? Do you get off on the warm fuzzies you get from saving someone? From doing the right thing? Bringing justice to the world?"

"... I'm not a hero," I said. Serene chuckled. She turned to face me. The wind whipped her hair to the side.

"Then what are you, Mr. Jensen?" she asked. "Not a hero… perhaps… a monster?"

I didn't say anything. Serene cupped her chin.

"Sarif's little monster," she said. "Built to hunt and kill his enemies. Is that it? Do you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, Mr. Jensen? Of watching your quarry squirm right before you deliver the final blow? Or is it the killing that speaks to you? Doesn't the color red just sing?"

The look in the woman's eyes was utterly unreadable. Her heart rate was steady, her breathing even. I couldn't read her at all. She took a step up, on the very edge of the building, and spread her hands.

"Is there any greater sound than a litany of screams? Any greater power than to know you hold a man's life in your hands? Is that what draws you in, Mr. Jensen? The power over life and death; the power of the gods. Do you consider yourself a god, Mr. Jensen? An almighty being, destined to rule over lesser men? That's the power Sarif has given you; to be more than you are. To be inhuman. Isn't it better that way?"

Serene looked over the side of the building again.

"Look at it all, Mr. Jensen. What do those poor, mortal beings know? They call you a monster, don't they? They're afraid of what you can do. Of the power you have. But they're wrong. Augmentations are the next step of human evolution, Mr. Jensen. It's our ascension into godhood."

"Don't let her get in your head, Jensen."

I snapped my gun back up. Pritchard's voice whipped my mind back into focus.

"Serene is a high functioning sociopath and a pyromaniac," Pritchard went on. "She'll do whatever it takes to manipulate you before she kills you."

"Talking to someone, Mr. Jensen?" Serene asked, looking at me over her shoulder. She smiled. "Tell Frankie I said hello."

"Oh, she's also pretty much android by this point, so you might want your stun gun," Pritchard said.

"Thanks for the update," I said, dropping the pistol to reach for the stun gun. That's when Serene moved.

I hit the wall with a grunt. It was hard to tell how the woman had hit me, but however she did it, it had hurt. I looked up. Serene was strolling up to me, like a model on the cat walk.

"Tsk, tsk, just imagine what we could be, Mr. Jensen," she said. "I don't understand why men like you and Tonio let yourselves rely on men like Frankie. In this era, why not simply improve yourself to the point that you no longer need them?"

I tried to get to my stun gun, but as I held it up, Serene kicked it away. She then trapped my hands by kicking at my neck.

"We've never been so close to the powers of gods and demons, so why do you refuse to take them?" she asked. "It makes you all so… boring."

"Sorry to disappoint," I said, and pushed her foot back. Serene jumped back, and I dove for my stun gun. I leveled it at the woman before she had time to recover, slowly standing myself.

"You know, I once talked a man into killing himself," the woman said.

"Listening to you, I can sympathize," I said. Serene smiled, then her face fell and she looked to the side. I could hear it, too; the thrum of engines.

The VTOL came into view, lights hitting Serene and wind whipping around the helipad. Faridah spoke over the speakers.

"Jensen, go, I'll cover you," she said, and pointed the VTOL's newly installed weapons system at Serene. The woman watched as I took off for the vent, smiling in amusement.

"I hope you don't mind if I break her," she said, just as I got into the vent. I forced myself to continue on as I heard Faridah open fire. The air vent went up a couple of floors, and from there I could manage to continue up on my own. It seemed they were guarding the stairs on the floors where the most employees were, but didn't have the manpower to keep watch on every floor. It was effective, but still didn't answer the biggest question; what, exactly, was Tonio after?

They kept Neuropozyne and the formula for it in the lower labs, but the fact that the group had taken the time to go after Sarif didn't add up. It could be a distraction; but, if that were the case, Tonio was making a very dangerous gamble. And you didn't get to running your own organized crime ring by taking those kinds of risks. So, why go after Sarif? A hostage, maybe? But hostages didn't seem to be Tonio's style. And, after taking over the building, it made little sense to take Sarif himself hostage. It would be better to take someone important to him hostage, like one of his scientists. I was drawing a blank, and shook my head. It doesn't matter. All I had to do was stop him.

Besides, if he's anything like the rest of them, I can probably just get him talking and let him roll with it.

The man did seem to like to talk. I paused. Sarif's office was one floor away. I peered around a corner. No guards. But there was, to my surprise, Sarif, Athene and a few members of the security team tied up together near the center of the room. I looked through the walls; no one. I cautiously approached, checking around them for anything that would trigger a trap. Finding nothing, I walked up and untied Sarif first.

"Adam, that bastard took over my office!" David said. I rolled my eyes involuntarily. Trust the Boss to have his priorities in order.

"He's taken over the whole building," I said, untying Athene, then one of the security team members. They went to work freeing the remaining three team members. "The security team prioritized employee safety, and the DPD is waiting outside."

"Oh, I feel better already," Boss said, rolling his eyes. Then he grabbed my arm. "Listen, Adam, you have got to get in there and stop him, before it's too late!"

"Too late?" I asked. Sarif opened his mouth, then closed it, backing off. He was hiding something. "Boss…"

"It was that intern I hired," Athene said, and both Sarif and I turned to her. "I received an email from her parents begging Sarif Industries to help keep her out of trouble. I thought it would be a good way for SI to give back to the community but… but when that hoodlum broke in, Cherie took me hostage, and forced the security team to tie us all up in here. I'm so sorry, David; I should have known better."

"It's fine, Athene," Boss said, putting a hand on the woman's shoulder. "It's not like she was supposed to have access to anything sensitive. It's my fault she found out about the new Neuropozyne formula."

"What new Neuropozyne formula?" I asked. Sarif sighed, augmented fingers twitching.

"We were trying to make Neuropozyne less addictive and more efficient, to raise some better PR for the company," he said. "Unfortunately, most lab trials have only produced more addictive batches, though some have had… other side effects. I have different labs working on different aspects of it, so I'm the only one with access to all of the lab data. If someone like Tonio were to get his hands on it, with his hold on the drug market…"

"I get the idea," I said. At least now going after Sarif makes more sense. "Is he still in your office?"

"As far as I know," Sarif said. "Adam, you can't let him get those files."

"Understood," I said, standing. I turned to the security team members. "The main security force is guarding employees in the cafeteria. There are Abandoned members guarding the stairs on that floor, but not many of the floors above. Try to get in contact with Haas to coordinate your next move. In any case, you might not want to stay here. I'm not sure how much attention I'm going to draw by going up against Tonio, but it's sure to bring at least some heat this way."

"Roger that," Jerrins said. Despite the circumstances, he has a wan smile on his face. But then, Jerrins always smiled. I looked at the other three. They nodded in turn, serious expressions on their faces. I nodded once, then headed towards the stairs to Sarif's office. I crept up them quietly, then looked through the wall. Two men on the door, a third in the room with Tonio and, I assumed, Cherie the intern. Using my invisibility, I walked up to the two at the door and took them out. I dragged them away, back into the stairwell. Not a moment later, the third came to investigate, as he pulled out a communication device, I hit him with my stun gun. He fell, and this time I just left him. I sidled against the wall, getting to the door to Sarif's office. I listened as Tonio and Cherie talked.

"Aren't you done with that yet?" Tonio demanded.

"I'm working as fast as I can," Cherie replied. "It's just… a little more complicated than I expected."

"What do you mean, more complicated?" Tonio asked. "And where the hell did Conner go?"

"For a man that acts like a petulant five year old, Sarif has his computer security airtight," Cherie replied. "Honestly, it's hard enough getting the files on the USB. With an 256-bit AES encryption on the actual files, though, we need his password or we're up the creek without a paddle."

Nice going, Francis, I thought. Although the files were Sarif's, I had no illusions to who had probably… convinced the man to encrypt the files themselves.

"Then just use an AUD on them," Tonio replied. Cherie scoffed.

"That's for breaking into a system," she said. "Encryption is an entirely different ballpark."

"Whatever, just get the files so we can get out of here," Tonio said. "I'll have Fr-Raven take a look at it when we get out of here."

"Alright, alright…" Cherie said. Tonio was walking closer, according to my sensors. I needed to move fast, stopping Cherie from getting the files and neutralizing Tonio. I internally ground my teeth, but I knew to only way to hopefully achieve both.

"Conner-!" Tonios called out, just as I tossed an EMP grenade into the room. "Shit!"

The device went off, and I surged into the room, only to curse and dive to the side. Apparently, Tonio had gotten an augment to guard against electricity. Wonderful.

I activated my cloak, and moved to the other side of the room. Tonio growled as he searched for me. I looked to Sarif's desk. Cherie looked like she'd had a stroke. I winced. Neural augments, she probably had. Then I returned my attention to Tonio. I'd managed to get behind some cover, and took advantage of letting my cloak down.

"So, you must be this Jesen guy I been hearin' about," Tonio said. He was walking around the center of the room slowly. "Is it true you took out Nova, hombre?"

I stayed quiet. Tonio chuckled.

"Not making it easy for me, eh? I like it; I like it, Jensen!" Tonio declared, firing at the ceiling. The move caught me off guard, but he'd have to do better than that to draw my attention. I peered around my cover. Tonio seemed calm, collected. He was surveying the room. He held a shotgun. That'll be a bitch if he gets close. When he turned, I saw he was also carrying a revolver and a couple of frag grenades. This was definitely going to be fun.

"You're pretty good, man," Tonio said. "And no hard feelings about Nova; she was kind of a bitch anyways."

"Tonio likes to talk, Jensen," Pritchard said suddenly over the infolink. "Chatting might buy you more time."

"Thanks for the heads up," I said to him, then spoke out loud. "I wasn't the one that took out Nova. That was Hauzer."

"Hauzer? Oh ho ho, Damien's still gunning for me? Boy better learn, before he gets hurt!" Tonio said, and I dove and cloaked as he fired at my cover. Tonio frowned.

"I did, however, get Frank out of your hideout," I said, conversationally.

"You just had to bring me into this, didn't you?" Pritchard asked, but quietly. That's odd.

"That was you?" Tonio demanded. Then he immediately calmed down. "I mean, it's no biggie. We'll just meet up after I blow this joint."

"Pretty sure he doesn't want anything to do with you," I said. If I could get Tonio to lose his cool, I could make an opening to attack. Good thing I have so much practice antagonizing.

"You're loco, buddy," Tonio said, looking around the room to try and pinpoint my voice. "Me 'n Frankie, we go way back."

"Sounds like you don't know him very well," I said. Tonio ground his teeth.

"You think you know him better, cabron?" he asked. "I made him what he is! He owes me! Without me, he and his sister woulda been dead in some gutter, or worse!"

"You don't know that for sure," I said. "They could have been better off without you."

"Like hell they would have!" Tonio said. He was searching the room more urgently. "Frankie doesn't know when to shut up and Hilde always defended him! Anyone but me woulda killed him and whored her out."

"So why didn't you?" I asked, diving as Tonio fired at my cover again. Tonio laughed.

"Oh, is that it?" he asked. "You jealous, hombre? Want to know why Frankie picked me?"

"I just don't know why anyone would pick Francis," I said. There was no quip from Pritchard, which seemed out of place. Tonio laughed.

"What, you don't see it?" he asked. "He's special. He's got a gift. Have you ever watched him hacking? It's like… watching a dancer. The passion, the focus; I never saw anyone have that. Never saw anyone so… defiant. He spat in the face of the men he should have licked the boots of. You don't let someone like that go, my friend."

"Especially when they can get you into highly secured buildings, right?" I asked. I had to dive again.

"Shut the fuck up," Tonio said. Looks like I finally got him angry… "It wasn't like that!"

"Really?" I asked. "It seems like you were using him to me."

"I wasn't-" Tonio started. "Look, maybe it started out that way, but that's not how it ended, ok? What the fuck do you know, anyways? I bet-"

"Tonio."

Oh.

Tonio turned, and I looked around my cover, hoping to God or whoever else was listening I did not just recognize that voice as-

"Frankie?" Tonio asked, looking about as floored as I was. The breathlessness, the whispering, the cut out… goddammit, Francis, what the hell do you think you're doing?

"Yeah… I, um, I came back," Pritchard said. I started to walk out, but Francis held up a hand to stop me. Tonio glanced at me, but seemed more focused on Pritchard. The tech walked forward.

"You came back?" Tonio asked. "But… I thought you wanted out…"

Pritchard sighed, stopping so close to Tonio they were nearly touching.

"When you're in Tonio's crew," he said, weakly attempting to smile. "You do what Tonio wants."

"Why'd you leave?" Tonio asked. He was, understandably, suspicious. I was still trying to figure out what the hell Pritchard was even thinking.

"I didn't know what it was like without you," Pritchard said. "I… I forgot what it was like, to be with you. But… I can't fight it anymore. I've made my decision, Tonio. That's why I'm here."

"Frankie…" Tonio said. Then he pulled the tech into a one armed hug. Pritchard returned it, and Tonio made a surprised noise.

"Guess I'm out," Pritchard said, slowly walking backwards with an empty syringe in his hand.

"You… did you… you leashed me?" Tonio demanded. Pritchard held out his hand.

"Give me the detonator, Tonio," he said, a slight tremor in his voice. Detonator?

"Frankie… how…" Tonio said, his hand moving in jerky motions as he tried to resist. "How could you…?"

"The detonator," Pritchard said, more insistently. I walked up slowly, unsure of how to handle the situation. Tonio pulled out a small electronic device, and put it in Pritchard's hand as he fell to his knees. Frank pulled back.

"Now, where is Matts?" he asked. Tonio laughed.

"Oh, Frankie," he said. "You should have asked that first."

That was about as much warning as I needed to get myself and Pritchard out of the room. And not a moment too soon, as Tonio somehow managed to blow himself up. The blast threw me to the ground, Pritchard a few feet ahead of me. Ears ringing before the Sentinel Health kicked in, I coughed as I tried to get up. Couple of cracked ribs, but nothing I couldn't handle. Unfortunately, Pritchard wasn't wearing body armor. I got to my feet and stumbled over to him, crouching next to him.

"Pritchard.. Pritchard, you ok?" I asked, wary of touching the man if he were seriously injured. He groaned.

"What?" he said, opening his eyes, but not moving. I ground my teeth. He would be lucky if tinnitus was the worst of his injuries.

"What the hell were you thinking?" I asked. Pritchard winced, but at the moment, I couldn't bring myself to care. The tech tried to rise, but I pushed him down with a hand on his shoulder. He seemed surprised by it, but didn't comment.

"He rigged the building to explode," the man said. "I needed to stop him from triggering it."

"You should have just told me," I said. "I would have handled it!"

"How?" Pritchard asked. "Exactly how would you have gotten the detonator off of Tonio?"

"I would have thought of something!" I said.

"Like hell you would have!" Pritchard said, attempting to rise again. He didn't get far. "Would you let me up?"

"Not until you get cleared by medical," I said. "You could have broken bones. You probably do have broken bones."

"Concerned for my safety, now?" the tech demanded, but stopped trying to rise. "Should I be worried Tonio was right?"

"Dammit Francis!" I said, slamming a fist into the floor. That finally seemed to get his full attention. "I'm not losing any more people! You're not a soldier! You should have stayed out of it!"

"Jen… Adam," Pritchard said, and I realized I had retracted my shades. "I… I'm sorry. But… this was personal. I had to do it myself. Do you understand?"

Just like that, I felt the tension drain out of me. Because I did understand. I sighed, scratching the back of my neck.

"Just… don't do it again," I said. Frank chuckled.

"I think I can manage that," he said, grimacing as he moved one of his arms.

"How were things downstairs?" I asked.

"Well, Dick's dead," Pritchard started. "Ellie's dead. Shauna went to help Faridah with Serene. And I think the police finally made it inside."

"Good," I said. There was a rumble from below, like an earthquake, or an explosion. I almost jumped up to check it out, then stopped myself.

"Oh, go on," Pritchard said. I looked at him. "I promise to be good and lay prone on the floor while you play the hero, as always."

"Little resentment there, Francis?" I asked, moving to the window. The helipad was covered in debris and smoke. It was hard to gather any more information than that. Let Malik be ok. Please let Malik be ok.

"Hey, security guy…?"

"Sullivan," I said, turning back towards Pritchard. I felt more relieved than I should at this point, but if Sullivan was alive, that meant Malik could be, too.

"How much do VTOLs cost?" Sullivan asked. And then there was that question.

"Where's Malik?" I asked.

"She's fine. A little worse for wear, but she'll be… fine," Sullivan said quickly. "Buuuut we kind of had to use the VTOL as a bomb so…"

"You know what, we'll talk about this later," I said, sitting on the floor next to Pritchard.

"Well, in that case, it was definitely blown up by the crazy android," Sullivan said. I sighed, cutting the connection.

"How are they?" Pritchard asked.

"They're ok," I said. The tech nodded, looking at the ceiling.

"So, how long do you think it will take the EMTs to arrive?" he asked.

"Couple hours, probably," I said. "Depending on how long it takes to clear the building."

"Mm," Pritchard said. There were a few minutes of relative quiet.

"So… why did Tonio blow himself up?" I asked. Pritchard sighed.

"Well, rather than simply build a filtration system that would keep drugs from hitting his system due to a mistaken belief that if he filtered out Leash he'd have to filter out Neuropozyne," he said, "He instead decided the next best option would be to rig himself to explode in the event that Leash hit his system."

"And you knew that when you injected him?" I asked. Pritchard shrugged, and then winced. "You should try not to move."

"So you've said," the man retorted. "And yet you're moving about."

"I have a Sentinel Health Augment," I said. "And I'm wearing body armor. I took less damage to begin with, and it's almost healed now."

"Damn," Pritchard said. "J-Jensen? I think I might really be hurt here."

"Why? What's going on?" I asked, looking over the tech. He seemed pale, and I took his pulse. It was weak.

"I feel… dizzy," Pritchard said. "And my… chest hurts. Thought… it would pass…"

"Are you bleeding anywhere?" I asked. Pritchard looked at me in confusion.

"What? Bleed… I… no?" he said. His breath was getting shallower. I cursed.

"You're going into shock," I said. "You might be bleeding internally."

I got up, looking around before grabbing a chair and dragging it over. I used it to prop up Pritchard's feet. The man hissed in a breath. Then I moved back to look him over more closely. Given the delay, it had to be blood loss causing him to go into shock. But was it internal or external? I couldn't see any external injuries severe enough to cause shock. Internal then. Damn.

"Sullivan?" I said, tracing the link she'd used to contact me.

"Is something wrong?" the woman asked.

"We need EMTs up here. Pritchard's bleeding internally," I said.

"Got it," the woman said, cutting the link. I returned my attention to Francis. The man's lips were turning blue, and he seemed about ready to pass out.

"Hey, stay with me, Pritchard," I said. His eyes flicked to me.

"I'm the one… that can't move… remember?" he asked. I sighed. But that was a good sign. It meant he wasn't too far gone for thinking.

"I remember," I said, sitting down on the floor. "Just try not to fall asleep. The paramedics are on their way."

"Not sure… have much choice," Pritchard replied.

"Just try," I said. For once, I wish I had kept my coat on for a mission. Pritchard's temperature would be dropping, and the wind coming in from the blown out windows combined with his light clothing wouldn't help. "Talk to me."

"About… what?" he asked.

"Anything," I said. "Tell me about your sister."

"Matts?" Pritchard said. "Too… too kind for… her own… good. She used to… to keep… strays. Cats… dogs and… anything. Had a… bird, once."

"What did she name the bird?" I asked.

"Yvonne," Pritchard said. "Mother's… name. Yvonne… Poulin."

"How did your parents meet?" I asked. Where were the paramedics? I knew it was unreasonable to expect them so soon, but still…

"I never… knew," Pritchard said. "Never… asked."

"Tell me more about Mathilde," I said. Pritchard shook his head very slightly.

"Can't… can't remem… ber," he said. He was slipping. He'd closed his eyes.

"Pritchard? Francis," I said. I cursed when he didn't respond. Then jumped as a helicopter hovered over the roof. Men rappelled down, wearing EMT jackets. I backed off as they rushed forward. They shouted at each other over the sound of the chopper, then got Pritchard into a gurney. One walked over to me, but I made sure he knew I was fine. He nodded curtly, and he and the other paramedics got back into the helicopter, taking Pritchard with them. I watched after them as they flew off, then contacted Sullivan.

"How exactly did you manage to get a helicopter to the roof?" I asked.

"I didn't," the woman said. "Haas did. I think the officer he chewed out might have pissed his pants. It was awesome."

"Thank Haas for me, then," I said, and cut the connection. That done, I made my own way down through the building, before something else happened.