Adam ended up spending the night in his new companion's apartment, having spooked her enough that he had been asked to pull security for the night. He had no qualms with the job, as it gave him the excuse to stay out of the miserable place that he was being quartered in while undercover. Though he did make the mental note to go retrieve the weapons he had left inside, the place lacked secure storage and it would be terrible for any semi-determined burglar to make off with any kind of firearm.

Nevertheless it didn't take any effort to secure the place. The shades were already drawn when they arrived, only sensible given how early in the morning it was. Really the only thing that he could do to make the place more secure was barricade the door, which was rather inconvenient for day to day living. Instead he just opted to sleep on the couch from which the front door was visible. The locks at least ensured anyone attempting to get inside would make a lot of noise.

He awoke to the smell of bacon shortly before noon. Lying still and looking at the ceiling for a moment before getting up. Marching into the kitchen to find Ythess hovering over the stove, the hiss of frying bacon and eggs filling the air.

"Sorry that you had to sleep on the couch." She said in greeting.

"I've slept in worse places."

"Of course you have."

Adam looked at the sizzling food. "Is that for me?"

"Half of it is."

He nodded. "Thank you."

"Got to pay you back somehow, wasting your time with me."

Adam felt a surge of annoyance at that statement, or joke, he wasn't sure which one it was. Any time spent guarding one's life wasn't wasted in the slightest, with a few exceptions. Though those exceptions were usually people he would probably end killing anyhow. Always some ambitious powermonger looking to ruin lives just so they could be on top.

"I don't mind staying." He assured.

"In which case I'll have to get you your own bed, or share mine."

"Your couch isn't that bad of a spot."

Ythess visibly deflated. "Perhaps, but it doesn't feel right if you're my bodyguard for the foreseeable future."

"I could take you into protective custody if you want. Though I'm not entirely sure what the nature of the threat to you is."

"Pretty clear given that you were told to take care of me."

"True." Adam assented.

She slumped over some more. "What should I do?"

"Whatever you're comfortable with, try not to let paranoia consume you though, I've had my fair share of that kind of thinking."

Ythess took a breath and scooped up half the food. Arms quaking as she placed it on a plate and offeredit to Adam.

"Eat up." She ordered.

Adam needed no further prompting. Moving out of the small cooking area to sit at Ythess's equally small dining table. Watching her slither up to join him when a call came in on his infolink. His HUD helpfully identifying the caller as Whisper.

"Jensen here." He answered, eyeing Ythess as she looked at him curiously. Adam mouthed that he was on a call. Only to be met with a look of further confusion.

"Adam," Whisper began, his tone suggesting that something big was happening or had happened. "We've learned where the Progeny is headquartered, sending in the squad to take them down. Be ready for big day on your end. Send information as to what Shrike's folks are up to if you can.'

"Will do."

"How's the infiltration."

"No new progress, just dealing with the recruitment paperwork."

"Well let's hope this op forces them to waive it just so they can get fresh bodies out there."

"Hopefully." Adam said. "Is that everything?"

"All you need for the moment. I'll send you the address to Progeny's HQ just in case we need you in the area."

"Got it, goodbye."

"Goodbye Detective."

The link went dead and he was alone with Ythess again. "Sorry my boss just called in, big things happening today."

"I suppose I should put on the news?" She said sarcastically.

Adam's infolink alerted him to another incoming call, this one from Necromancer. Adam dreaded to think what the man had to say. Probably was going to involve Chimera's operation today. Was a trap set? Would he be the one expected to spring it? Shrike would be disappointed in that case.

"What is it?" Adam asked as he accepted the call.

"Half of the police force is moving out, something big is happening today. I want your chrome plated ass over here right now." Necromancer said, in deadly serious tone that worried Adam, though he didn't show it.

"As soon as you tell me where here is."

"Warehouse six on the waterfront. Be quick about it."

The call ended there, and Adam hurriedly scarfed down the food prepared before addressing Ythess. Who watched him consume his meal in what looked to be a mix of horror and astonishment.

"I've got to go." He said, standing and marching to the door. "Probably best to stay inside today and keep your eye on the news."

She called out after him, asking what was going on. Adam wasn't entirely sure himself, and didn't have time to explain nonetheless. So he shouted "firefight!" as he shut the door to her apartment, and began to run.

It didn't take long to reach the warehouse at his speed, having sprinted the entire trip. Adam ignored the pedestrians who mostly all stared at him as he narrowly avoided bowling them over. He arrived at Warehouse 6 just in time to see an unmarked van pulling out of the garage, worrying.

Adam approached the door, conspicuously guarded by a burly man who didn't appear armed. Though the body armor certainly suggested that there was something in there. Perhaps Shrike's headquarters? Almost incredible it could be missed by the police if they were comfortable showing themselves like this.\

"I was told to report in." Adam stated.

"Inside, now." The guard barked.

Shrike really was dumb, just letting him waltz on inside despite this essentially being his first day on the job in a city trying to expunge their group. Or perhaps he was just too good at selling himself as being a hardened criminal. This wasn't the first time he had gone undercover.

Nevertheless Adam obeyed and was greeted by the sight of organized chaos so common in military operations. Soldiers, or mercenaries in this case, hastily stowing equipment in a vehicle then hopping on as it rolled out the base off to whatever battle was about to be fought.

He was directed into an adjoining room by one of the many masked mercenaries. Adam was surprised no one asked questions about his appearance. Perhaps Necromancer had described him adequately enough that everyone already knew what he looked like. Wasn't exactly hard to say that someone with sunglasses grafted onto their face was showing up. So Adam just moved along with whatever directions were given to him.

Of course the room he had been sent too was the armory. No time to waste before throwing another body into the firing line. Each locker contained the requisite gear that all their troops wore. Mask, jacket, body armor. Adam put it on and grabbed a shotgun from one of the weapon racks, wishing that he could warn Whisper. An impossible task when surrounded by so many ears.

"What's the plan?" Adam asked as he was assigned to one of the squads forming up outside of the van.

The squad leader, easily identifiable with his riot shield and helmet looked at him. "Shoot all the cops you see, survive, get paid."

This statement was met with cheering as they loaded up into the van. Adam didn't like it but was all too familiar with the difficulties of forming a plan when you're responding to an emergency. Shame that this emergency involved rescuing one of the gangs ruining the city.

Adam nodded in affirment as the van's doors slammed shut when they all settled onto the benches inside. "Looking forward to that. Sorry that I'm late to the party, but where are we heading?"

"Cops surrounded the Progeny's HQ. We're making sure that they pay in blood for that." One of the faceless troopers said.

Chimera was attacking the psionics then. Good on them, Adam felt they were the most dangerous of the bunch. No one, save for the dead Elders of ADVENT, was aware of the true potential of psionic power. Probably a good thing the Progeny never did much more than petty crime for the post part.

"Best to keep our employers alive." Adam agreed.

"Can't wait to move HQ after this, I'm sick of that warehouse." Another said.

Adam made a note of that, Shrike wasn't as dumb as he thought if they packed up and moved house after every major engagement. They could certainly use more screening procedures for their recruits however.

The squad leader spoke up again, "Chimera's APC has been spotted heading towards the site, they're priority targets, let's bag some heads."