Original subtitles

[low-pitched rumbling]

[rumbling increases]

[static]

[electronical growling]

[female collective 1] Counselor Brightmore.

Greetings, Collective.

[male collective 7] Status, Dr. Corliss.

-Doctor. -[clears throat]

Design is stable.

We're able to contain quantum data

through di-entangling it into superposition.

Functional, but the prototype still has issues.

If we want to succeed at each setting,

we're going to need major changes.

[female collective 1] Dr. Corliss,

we have a time commitment

regarding field applications.

[male collective 6] The Dreamcatcher must be ready.

There's just no way to compress and translate this level of data

without quantum computational capabilities and warping gravitational mass.

[male collective 2] Why is this an issue?

Collective, we need something with highly powerful energy isotope

to accomplish what you ask.

Something that goes well beyond the requirements

of highly functioning AI.

[male collective 8] We know of a way.

Brightmore, please apprise her once we adjourn.

My pleasure, Collective.

[male collective 6] Dr. Corliss, finish the project

within the time frame we agreed to,

or consequences will apply.

-I just need-- -[male collective 6] You will be given

the resources you require.

[female collective 4] Can you abide by the original agreement?

Yes, Collective.

[male collective 8] Meeting adjourned.

-[low-pitched whirring] -[buzzes]

[suspenseful music]

[whistles softly]

Consequences, doctor.

Feel free to take in the view.

-[thunder crackling] -[siren blares in the distance]

[automated voice on PA] Citizens of Silencia.

-[helicopter blades whirring] -Special curfew is in effect

-due to... [continues indistinctly] -[rain splattering]

ETA?

Five minutes.

[engine revving]

[automated voice on PA] Citizens of Silencia.

Special curfew is in effect...

[continues indistinctly]

...no fireweapon discharges past 10:00 p.m.

-Soliciting is strictly prohibited. -[engine revving]

[music continues]

[door creaks]

[door closes]

[guard 1] It's late.

Yeah, my computer crashed at home.

I've got some schematics that I need to finish.

Check in at the front desk.

-[guard 2] ID, handprint. -Yeah. [sighs softly]

-[beeping and whirring] -[guard 2] Where you headed?

Lower 15th, R&D.

[guard 2] It's a classified wing.

-Yeah, I'm cleared. -[radio buzzes]

B-Team. Have a Ross Vilmore headed your way.

-Yeah, I know. -[radio buzzes]

What's the, uh...

Section 34.

Thirty-four. Standby,

just double-checking your clearance.

Do you mind if I snag some of that coffee?

Sure.

[music continues]

[beeping]

Uh, you got any creamer?

Do I look like a barista?

[rain spattering]

[keyboard clacking]

[beeping and whirring]

I know that, uh, Bob, he keeps some

in his special drawer in the bottom.

Okay, ICE is in. We're ghosted.

Visual, sensor, thermal, sound.

Good.

[Ross] Hero! There we go.

-[radio buzzes] -[guard 2] Copy that.

Okay, you're cleared. Lift four.

Yes. Thank you for the coffee.

-[engine whirring] -[clacks]

[doors rattling]

[music continues]

-[static crackling] -[whirring and beeping]

[guard 3] Clear.

[fan rumbling slowly]

[zipper opens]

We're in the outer passageway.

Copy.

[soft beep]

Three levels down. South side.

[zipper closes]

[high-pitched whirring]

[music increases]

[soft beeping]

[beeping increases]

Triad 35B by BT Security Concepts.

It is pricey.

-[loud beep] -C4?

Mm-mm. Knockout gas.

-[beep] -[grunts] Probably more on each floor.

Finders keepers.

-[beeps] -[automated voice] Access granted.

-[beeps] -[door opens]

-[whirrs] -[keyboard clacking]

[beeping and whirring]

[keyboard clacking]

[music continues]

[beeps]

-[whirring] -[door opens]

-Okay, we're clear. ETA? -[crackling]

Three minutes, about to head into the vents above your sector.

-[thud] -Sweet cut.

[sighs softly]

[beeping and whirring]

[guard] Hey! [grunts]

-[grunting and groaning] -[thudding]

-[electricity crackling] -[shouts]

[breathes loudly]

-Amateur, huh? -The most important thing is...

He's alive.

You got it.

[light tense music]

[Ross] I'm at the target. ETA?

[Crilenger] Copy that. ETA, one minute.

[creaking]

[footsteps approaching]

Handprint and access card.

[Ross] Mm-hmm.

[beeping and whirring]

Your turn.

How'd you get that?

-[beeping and whirring] -These scanners are easy to hack.

Mm-hmm. Did you make it?

Shut up.

-[zipper closes] -Key card, Z.

-[beeping and whirring] -[door opens]

[whooshing]

[music increases]

Oh, you didn't say anything about two.

Well, one's a display model. Needed to delete all the files,

then upload a virus and steal everything. That was the deal.

That was not our deal.

Look, like I said, steal everything.

And who cares? We got the sphere.

Right? Come on!

Did you wipe the security cameras,

the card swipes, and the security logs?

Yeah, but we only have five minutes before the system reboots.

Oh, fuck!

What?

I left the flash drive in the office.

Well, go fucking get it, then. Let's go. Fast!

[Ross softly] Dang it.

[door locks]

-[siren blaring] -[beeping]

[whirring]

[door closes]

[automated voice] Intruder alert.

Lockdown in progress.

That fucking Judas!

-[whirring] -...authorized.

-Z, cover! -[blaring continues]

[gunshots]

[glass shattering]

[whirring and creaking]

[ominous music]

[doors rattling]

[breathing heavily]

-[beeps] -[thud]

[hissing]

[guard shouts] Ambush!

-[beeping and whirring] -[thudding]

[Z exhales]

-[gunshots] -[crackling]

[music increases]

-[rain spattering] -[automated voice on PA] Economic disparity

has led a surge in violent crime

-and property theft. -[siren blaring in the distance]

Aurora LTD... [continues indistinctly]

-[clanking] -[Ross grunts]

Fuck.

-[indistinct shouting on TV] -[cell phone buzzing and ringing]

-[beep] -[gunshots on video game]

[Malik] Good news only.

-[rain spattering] -Yeah, I did what you said.

-So you have it? -Yeah, I got the chip.

What about the mercs? Crilenger and Z.

Well, they're trapped inside.

So you didn't fuck it up.

-What about the money? -Good things come

to he who does not piss me off.

[beeps]

Are you fucking serious, you asshole?

[thunder rumbling in the distance]

[automated voice on PA speaks indistinctly]

[reporter] A major break-in at Peredor Corporation's

research and development facility last night

has led to a frenzy in the trade lines.

Stockbrokers desperately sell off Peredor's shares

-based on rumors of stolen trade secrets. -[indistinct chatter]

Many had purchased futures on a promising new breakthrough

Peredor hoped to deliver to the market

by the fourth quarter of next year.

Police authorities on the scene were denied access to the building,

and Peredor has yet to press any charges.

According to their public relations bureau,

the investigation is being conducted in-house

by a private security team.

You know how much money I'm about to lose?

[Megan] It's a good time to buy right now. It is going cheap.

You're right. I mean, I bought a ton of Peredor before this dog shit.

Okay, do you want a Xanax?

I already had two this morning.

[Megan] Crunching numbers, Ethan?

[indistinct chatter continues]

Earth to Ethan.

Barrington Tran Security Concepts

made quite a lot of money off of that contract

for those new AI drones.

-I mean, I bought a ton of that, didn't you? -Yep.

Sad how many kids have to be killed by those things, though, huh?

[clicks tongue] Trade 'em as you see 'em, pal.

-What is this? -[paper rustling]

That is confidential, good sir.

Christ. Seriously?

-[Harrison] Yo-- -Market didn't close.

-[Harrison] Just about-- -Get back on the floor and make

-some fucking money! -Right away.

[Harrison] Got it.

[Megan softly] Go.

[Kerry] You get all P&L reports

for every portfolio up to quarter four?

[clicks tongue] Yes, I did.

-Good shit. -Kerry, I am surprised.

Is that a compliment?

Fuck no.

FYI, board meeting. High noon.

Oh, and Wellman wants to see you after.

[phone ringing in the distance]

It's always nice to see you, Kerry.

[Kerry] Nice drawing, asshole.

I think he likes me.

Aside from all the boo-hooing about the situation on Peredor,

they run a tight ship. They'll bounce back.

Put that fucking phone down!

We have healthy projections in many sectors.

But let's make this very clear.

This is where we place our focus over the next quarter.

[clears throat] This is from Wellman.

Yeah, Harrison. Straight from God Himself. Can I finish now?

Sorry.

Anyway, Peredor Corporation,

Sakura Biotech, and Tranceworld Media.

Don't trade against them. And do not, I repeat,

do not short their shit. Okay?

No credit default swaps, no naked shorts, nothing.

But what if we get some huge... [chuckles] buyer?

Straight from fucking God!

What about C & Earth?

Fuck 'em.

[suspenseful music]

It's kinda strange Kerry's asking us to compartmentalize investments.

It's strategic.

-Yeah. [softly] Strategic. -[phone ringing]

Well, I'll see you around, Megan.

All right.

Welcome, Ethan. Would you like my assistant to get you an espresso,

bottled water, cream soda?

[Ethan] No, thank you.

We read your reports. Did you find any irregularities?

Not that I know of.

Do you like working here, Ethan?

There's a lot of people in the world who don't have jobs.

Guess I'm not in a position to complain.

Is there something wrong with my work?

No! On the contrary, you're great at dissecting the numbers.

But... we've been running the show here for a long time,

and it's more than just numbers.

Uh, we set the stage

for how value is perceived in the world.

You could say that the...

[chuckles softly]

...the economy is a marionette doll

and we own the strings.

Of course.

-What do you want from me? -Well, we're a little concerned about exposure.

Like?

Market manipulation.

Right. As a matter of fact, if anything like that

were going on here at Mutual One and word got out,

that would be a serious problem.

Oh, yes. Of course.

These are the new figures for next quarter.

Read them over. Highlight anything unusual.

Make sure the projections add up.

I can do that.

-When do you need them by? -Friday.

We'd also like to keep this matter private.

Just between us, okay?

-Yes, sir. -Good. If you have any questions,

Kerry will address them for you.

I will ask Kerry all of my questions.

You can go now.

[light suspenseful music]

[door closes]

Can't stand that fucking guy.

[woman on advertisement] Cold. Beer so cold...

[indistinct chatter on advertisements]

[engine whirring]

[beeping]

[shouting indistinctly]

[electronic music playing]

...like this one. I have the perfect client for these.

[indistinct chatter]

Oh, look at this beast!

Rail pistol.

Gorgeous.

Take off a lot of heads with that one.

Crilenger!

Relax, boys.

Aren't you worse for the wear?

Still dashing, though.

Something off the menu?

The tiramisu? To die for.

Tiramisu is overrated.

Still using shock tips.

Never kills anybody.

Guy's a closet pacifist.

[laughter]

So, how'd it go?

How do you think?

The insider breached the agreement.

Why is this... my problem?

You're the fixer.

It's your responsibility to vet these things.

C... I adore you.

But I warned you from the get-go, the risks.

That's why I offered the insurance, but you said...

[mockingly] "No, no, no!"

[laughs]

You take 15%. That's insurance enough.

-[Taa in normal voice] We done here? -[music continues playing]

Really not into crying over spilled lattes,

but I do know a good therapist.

[laughter]

-[thud] -[groans]

-[grunts] -[groans]

-[bone crunches] -[screams]

-[gunshot] -[clinking]

[panting]

I can hack your fucking data in a heartbeat.

I know a lot of folks that would love to have access

to those bank accounts and your colorful home videos.

Take it easy, for Christ's sake.

Had no idea the corporate rat was gonna be a problem.

Who ordered the fix?

If I break my confidentiality,

you know what'll happen to my reputation.

Your reputation is dropping fast.

Fine. Can we just let go, please?

Let's figure this out, like adults.

[music continues playing]

If you were anybody else,

I'd personally remove your nuts with a vegetable peeler.

Christ, you never lose your cool.

This is different, they breached the agreement.

Have Ren take a look at that hand.

[Crilenger] Give me a name, Taa.

You know I can't do that.

But I can give you a lead

and a way to make more money on this

without upsetting the order of things.

I'm listening.

The item the insider bagged. Worth 50 times more

than whatever your cut was gonna be.

-What is it? -Some kind of bizarre quantum processor.

Opens the door to power. Everlasting life. Whatever.

You'd think they were talking about the holy fucking grail.

Apparently, a scientist wants it. Pretty bad.

-Who's the scientist? -[Taa] A peculiar name.

Dresden Corliss.

I'll give you a location and contact info on the buyer, but that's it.

I just want 5% paid in the usual.

-Sure. -Good.

Small warning, though, sweetheart.

People who call this in...

[sing-songy] ...not ones to fuck with.

[music continues playing]

[in normal voice] Hey.

I have a lot of overhead runnin' this joint.

Who's gonna cover the medical bill?

Don't you have insurance?

[indistinct chatter]

[light inspirational music]

[Dresden] What is consciousness?

Is it primarily an electrical and biochemical function

of the neuronal wiring of the brain

sending funny little signals to the body?

"Eat. Move your arm. Duck!

There's a Frisbee coming towards your head!" [chuckles softly]

Adaptation.

Survival.

A genetic composition telling us to do this,

and then we choose within those environmental and biological precepts.

That's a facet of it.

But what is... this thing we call consciousness?

In ancient Sanskrit, this is called manas... or the mind.

The philosophy breaks it into two primary ideas.

Kama-manas, or desire,

such as survival, instinct,

food, sex, ego,

satisfying the state of neuroplasticity

that the brain has adapted to.

Then, there's Buddhi-manas.

-[music continues] -Reason, logic...

...cognitive processing,

empathic perspectives,

compassion!

Perhaps telepathy.

Our findings have revealed,

on a quantum level,

that consciousness, or the enlightened mind,

is as much a byproduct of the brain

as it is an individual interdimensional construct

of quantum energy,

evolving and veering into and out of organic material.

What if we could prove that consciousness...

...or the soul, if you wanna call it that...

...decouples on a quantum level

and reasserts itself

in different form beyond the body?

Perhaps a new form...

-...like reincarnation. -[music continues]

We have figured out how to make the monocle

extract memories, dreams, energy from the brain.

But what if it could go further?

As they say,

energy is neither created nor destroyed,

it simply transfers.

And aren't we all just energy

interacting and dancing together

from one dimension to another?

From one cosmological ecosystem to another?

[chuckles softly]

Possibly.

Maybe.

[light melancholic music]

-[soft sloshing] -[pop]

[soft pouring]

[exhales deeply]

[loudly gulps, exhales]

[beeps]

[inaudible chatter]

[music continues]

[sniffles]

-[automated voice] Caller ID, Counselor Brightmore. -[beeping]

[Brightmore] Doctor, how's the retrofit coming?

[sighing] Uh, we're, uh, we're working on it.

The blueprint design you gave us

is really challenging to work with,

um, but it's...

Exactly what you were hoping for.

It's remarkable.

The engineering, I-- I've never seen anything like it.

When will we be able to see the actual component?

There was a minor delay, but you are getting the item.

A courier will drop it off soon enough.

-They stressed the timeline. -The Collective's aware.

Use the account we gave you to pay for it.

You okay? You look spent.

[scoffs] I'm fine, really.

-I saw the news about Peredor. -We had nothing to do with that.

-[suspenseful music] -I'm not an idiot.

Nobody said you were.

Even if that's the case, and I'm not saying it is...

...couldn't that backfire on us?

Try not to worry about it.

-Closing out. -[beeps]

-[sighs] -[alarm blaring]

-[automated voice] Attention... [continues indistinctly] -[thunder rumbling]

[rain spattering]

[keyboard clacking]

What the hell?

[soft scratching]

[automated voice speaking indistinctly in the distance]

[softly] "I found something.

It's high exposure. [sniffs] We must discuss."

[chiming]

[chiming]

[exhales deeply]

-[sniffs] -[whooshing]

[light ominous music]

[inaudible chatter]

[music increases]

-[camera shutter clicks] -[gunshot echoes]

[whooshing]

[gasps and mumbles]

[grunts softly]

[thunder rumbling]

[rain spattering]

[light suspenseful music]

[sirens blaring in the distance]

[policeman on megaphone] This is Silencia Police Department.

Put your weapons down, get on the ground, now!

[automated voice on PA] Citizens of Silencia.

Special curfew is in effect due to police quarantine zone.

No firearm discharges past 10:00 p.m.

Soliciting is strictly prohibited,

excluding all class 48--

-[Ross] Don't turn on the lights. -[thuds, glass shattering]

Jesus fucking Christ, man!

-Oh, my God. -Ross, what the fuck are you doing in my apartment?

You scared the fucking shit out of me, man!

Well, you left the door open.

You heard of knocking?

You ever heard of locking, brother?

-[clattering] -Shit.

[rain spattering]

-Leave it, man! -Sorry.

I'm in a lot of trouble here, man, and I really need your help.

Where've you been?

It's been a fucking year, man.

I don't get a call.

"Hey, Ethan, how you been?"

Yeah, well, I-- it's--

it's been hard since Mom died, yeah?

I got lost in work.

You disappeared on me, man.

Can you please just shut the fuck up?

Just shut up and just hear me out, just for a sec, bro?

[sniffs, exhales]

Do you know Peredor?

Yes, I know Peredor. I watch the news.

So, uh, I'm Assistant Director of Concepts

for Classified Projects. I work with, uh, DARPA, DOD.

And then, it was about nine months ago,

they brought in some really weird fucking shit, man.

What kind of stuff?

[suspenseful music]

It's not from this world, Ethan.

What, like a meteorite?

[chuckling] No, not a f-- not a meteorite.

It's from some craft that they recovered.

See, what the DOD do is they... lift out parts from them

and they farm them out to little companies like me to reverse engineer the shit.

They don't tell us much about it, just that we're not meant to speak about it.

You know, "Figure out how it works,

make it applicable, just somehow," right?

That was you that robbed Peredor.

Yeah. And I wasn't alone either.

Some guy named Malik just calls me out of the blue.

Covert ops pro.

He works the dark market.

So, he got in touch with this fixer, right?

And then, they rigged the whole thing.

[ominous sting]

See, the plan was, was to steal our prototype

-because it is so powerful... -[inaudible chatter]

...that we actually nicknamed it "The Sun."

-[inaudible] -It processes quantum energy,

and I'm not just talking information,

I'm talking time and space.

The applications for this thing, they are unreal.

Like, I'm talking fucking biblical, mate.

See, the plan was to steal the thing

and then frame the mercs for the robbery.

Since when were you a goddamn thief?

-It's worth fucking millions, man! -Oh, that makes it good.

And besides, who gives a shit? How do you think Peredor got so big, man?

-They've been stealing secrets for fucking years! -That is not the point, Ross.

Don't you fucking judge me, bro!

Don't you judge me. You sit at that fucking job

pissing and moaning about how much you hate corporations,

and instead you doodle in some shitty little fucking sketchbook, yeah?

You got a gift, brother, and you're wasting it.

You're gonna end up like your fucking father

-with a bullet in your fucking-- -[shouts] Hey!

[softly] Do not.

You do not.

[sighs]

I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry.

[sirens blaring in the distance]

Yeah?

I'm just... I'm fucking on edge right now, man.

[automated voice on PA] Citizens of Silencia.

Special curfew is in effect due to police quarantine zone.

-[tense sting] -No firearm discharges past 10:00 p.m.

Soliciting is strictly prohibited

excluding all class 48A

-permit holders. -So, what do you want with me?

So, I need to meet Malik for the exchange.

So, if you can just drive me there, be a look out.

-Come on, man! -You owe me, man.

My family, we took you in when you had nothing, bro.

That's not fair.

I just, I never ask anything of you, man.

[light melancholic music]

Please?

-All right. -[chuckling] Yeah.

I will help you with your little, uh...

...spy shit.

Thank you.

I'll give you a cut if you want.

Oh, I don't care about the money.

Just always looking out, bro. Always looking out.

[music increases]

Yeah.

Uh, there's, uh, there's beers in the fridge,

if you want another one.

We can go jet over to your contact

after I have my meeting tomorrow.

Sounds good?

-Yeah. -Get some sleep.

[Ross] Oy, Ethan.

I know you think I'm a dick for doing this, but...

...you know.

You know I love you, yeah?

Like, really.

Yes.

Me too.

Good night.

[sirens blaring in the distance]

[paper rustling]

[ominous music]

[thudding]

[Kerry groans] Fuck me!

-Fuck! -[automated voice] Nice shot!

-[laughing] -Oh.

Oh, that had to hurt.

[Kerry groans]

Ethan! Hey!

Come on in, man!

[breathing loudly]

Ethan. Welcome!

[exhales loudly] Kerry, could you get him a... cream soda, would you?

And get me a, you know, an F-25.

-Thank you, Kerry. -[Wellman exhales] Well...

Well, it's too bad you're not, uh, suited up.

-We could use some fresh blood in here. -[clattering]

Oh, no, I'm, I'm not good at, at this.

Ah. By the way, this is Barrington Tran.

Chairman of B&T Security Concepts.

We do this once a week.

-It's a pleasure to meet you. -[Barrington] Mm.

Um...

...this is private stuff, so--

Ah, he won't spill our secrets.

-[soda can opens] -[exhales deeply]

All right.

Uh, well, after a lot of digging...

...the profit margins aren't adding up legitimately.

Legitimately?

-How do I say this? Uh-- -[Wellman] Fraud.

Well, yeah.

Unfortunately.

-[light intriguing music] -A shell company we own

is artificially lowering stock value

with put options for Peredor Corporation,

Sakura Biotech, and Tranceworld Media.

They plan on buying everything up for cheap next Monday.

Which means Mutual One will take majority holdings

over all of those companies under one umbrella.

[sighs] That is a problem.

Yes, and I'm just trying to protect you.

[Wellman] Oh, no, marvelous work. Did you, uh,

-send a full report to Kerry? -I did, yes.

Good. You know what?

I'm having a get-together at the château this weekend.

Come on by.

I appreciate that, but I have a lot of--

[Wellman] Ah, don't make me beg!

-Okay. -Good.

Get in touch with my, uh, assistant.

-Get the deets. -Um, I was also wondering

if I might, uh... head home early today.

-I have some personal issues I need to deal with. -[Wellman] Ah.

The man who... saved our asses from the scammers?

You take two days off.

-[chuckles] -Thank you.

[Wellman breathes deeply]

[sighs]

How difficult is this gonna be to cover up?

Not hard.

Aren't you concerned about shaking the boat too much?

What boat are we talking about?

C & Earth.

I'm tired... of those fucking ghosts stories

about the Collective.

Heard they had something to do with the heist.

Peredor come up with any suspects in the break-in?

Not yet. C & Earth's name did come up, though.

Check it out.

C & Earth can't sneak into our territory

without consequences.

What about Ethan?

Oh, he's taken care of. Relax.

Gentlemen... [sighs] come Monday...

[laughs] we're gonna have majority share of Peredor,

Sakura Biotech,

and Tranceworld International.

And it's giving me a goddamn boner!

-[thudding] -[shouts]

-[automated voice] New high score. -[laughter]

-[clatters] -Fuck me!

-[groaning continues] -[system voice] This is an ice attack.

[laughter continues]

[birds chirping]

[suspenseful music]

[keyboard clacking]

[chiming]

Heard you have a clusterfuck on your hands.

Nothing that can't be un-fucked.

Still no sphere.

You know how the Collective feels

-about these kinds of things. -Have I ever not delivered?

Remember, we have other business on the agenda.

So fix it.

This is a warning, Malik.

[beeping]

You got a jam on the skies, right?

-[beeping] -Copy that.

No satellite coverage.

We're in the shadows.

Good.

[engine rumbling]

-[Ross] Just drop me off here. -[birds chirping]

[seat belt clicks]

-[softly] Okay. -[groans]

[grunts]

Uh, use these.

[Ethan] I can't see shit.

The, uh, focus is on the top, right here.

-Ah. -Yeah, yeah, yeah.

-It's gonna be fine. Two Musketeers. -This seems like a bad idea.

-Let's go. -See you in a sec.

[sighs]

[birds chirping]

[seat belt clicks]

[grunts softly]

So...

...I believe in a block universe.

Like... [stutters softly] there's a reason for everything.

Electric particles... dancing in some parabola.

Stardust collecting in an avalanche

manifesting this godforsaken rock.

Cause...

...and effect.

Which leads me to a question.

About actions, Ross.

What ar-- what are you talking about?

Crilenger and Z managed to fly the coop.

No, that's impossible.

Crilenger's kinda special.

Not a good loose end to have.

Do you wanna keep pontificating about karma,

-or should we... -Let's fucking see it.

-Money first. -Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

I mean, I have to justify the expense.

The deal was to frame the mercs and deliver the item.

Why pay for both when I only get one?

Because I did everything that you asked!

-Half, Ross. -That is bullshit!

[Malik] No!

It's math.

Give him the goddamn box, Ross.

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

[sniffs] No.

I'm sorry.

I'm just fucking sorry I hired a sales prick

to do an ops job.

Let's fucking see it.

Money.

Agent Claymore. The case, please.

[clicks]

Wh-- uh-uh!

[inhales sharply] No touching.

[clicking]

-[Malik sniffs] -[keyboard clacking]

[ominous music]

Looks good.

[inhales loudly] All right.

Can I go?

Absolutely.

[music increases]

[chuckles]

[gunshot]

[gasps]

[soft splashing]

-[weakly] Mom. -[gun cocks]

[gunshot]

[gasps loudly and groans]

-[shakily] No. -Boss, we've got a problem.

It's a, uh, display model.

-[Malik] What? -A good one. Fooled the program. I went to double-check...

-[shouts] He's fucking dead! -...and, uh--

You said straight up that the scan would work!

-I know. But the program... [continues indistinctly] -[Malik] Uh, shut the fuck up!

[breathes shakily]

[shouting]

[gunshot]

[softly] Don't let that happen again.

[softly] Yes, sir. I'm sorry.

[engine starts]

-[engine revving] -[tires screeching]

[gunshots]

[whispers] Shit. [loudly] You get the make?

A4.

Find out who owns it.

-Clean up the mess. -[Morris] Will do.

[melancholic music]

[birds squawking]

[sniffles softly]

[automated voice on PA] Silencia Police Department parking...

[Ethan] And then, they, uh...

-[siren blaring in the distance] -[horns honking]

[shakily] then they shot him.

What'd you say the name of the assailant was?

-The what? -You mentioned your friend was meeting someone.

His name was Malik.

[detective] Wait here a minute. I'm gonna make a few calls.

-Fill out that form. I'll be right back. -[softly] All right.

[door opens]

[door closes]

[soft scratching]

[paper rustles]

-[clatters] -[suspenseful music]

[door opens]

[door closes]

You okay?

Yeah, um...

...do you have another pen?

This one's out of ink.

Sure.

Thank you.

So... I checked with dispatch,

several other patrols.

No reports of the type of activity you're describing.

Okay, but I'm, I'm telling you what happened.

[softly] Off the record.

That name you mentioned? Malik.

Not a nice guy.

If you could give me just a little insight,

I could alleviate a lot of your problems.

Wha-- what do you mean, "insight"?

Did your friend have some kind of device?

Special kinda processor, maybe?

No, not, not, not that I know of.

You're sure about that?

Yes.

[music continues]

All right. File those reports then.

[siren blaring]

[automated voice on PA] Silencia Police Department parking...

-Hey, pal. -...is reserved for SPD employees only.

-[speaks indistinctly] -Any violation of SPD parking

-will be met with deadly force. -Get in.

-[grunting] -No exceptions.

Thank you for choosing Silencia Police Department

for your safety and security.

[engine revving]

Hey, don't fucking touch me, asshole!

-[thud] -[Ethan groans]

Breathe slow.

Nice and slow.

It'll come back.

[breathes deeply and loudly]

-[thud] -[Ethan groans] Fuck!

Yeah. Those ones really suck.

What do you want? [panting]

[Malik] Just wanna know where it is.

-What? -[grunting]

-[groans] -[Malik] Tell us where your little buddy

-stashed his shit. -I don't know! [panting]

He just wanted me to drive him to your goddamn meeting, okay?

[exhales deeply]

[softly and shakily] Please.

-[grunts] -[thud]

[Ethan crying]

-[sobs] -[music continues]

You killed my best friend.

Your f--

That guy was a fucking rat.

What difference does it make? Hmm?

Even if I tell you... [shakily breathes]

...you'll just kill me anyway.

Yeah. No. You're right, but...

...but, you see...

...I'll kill ya...

...after we put you in the pit.

We'll get the intel out of you first...

...and then you'll beg for a quick death.

Go fuck yourself.

Saucy little motherfucker.

[engines rumbling]

[music continues]

[birds chirping]

-[engine rumbling loudly] -[tires screeching]

The motherfucking monk.

[tires screeching]

Don't move.

[dramatic music]

[gunshots]

Move.

-[crackling] -[thudding]

[thudding]

[Malik] Get him!

[shouting] Is that Zen enough for ya?

Couldn't hack it in the agency,

and ya can't hack it out here!

Just never had the stomach for it, did ya?

-[gunshots continue] -[gun clicks]

[music continues]

[gunshots]

[grunts]

[panting]

-[grunts] -[guns clatter]

[shouts]

-[gunshot] -[gasps]

-[groaning] -[thudding]

[gunshots]

-[gunshot] -[screams]

-[grunting] -[groaning]

-[thudding] -[yelling]

[grunts]

-[gun cocks] -[exhales]

[grunting and groaning continue]

-[gunshot] -[yells]

[high-pitched ringing]

[grunting]

-[Malik] Oh, yeah. -[grunting]

-[gun cocks] -[shouts] Hey!

[gunshot]

[shouts] Z, no!

[gun cocks]

Stop!

-[gunshot] -Goddamn it, Z!

-[breathes shakily] -What the fuck did I say?

[panting] I ran out of shock tips.

Who cares? The guy is a piece of... [screams] shit!

[panting]

-[Z exhales softly] -You're missing the point.

[siren blaring in the distance]

He almost killed you.

Do you wanna be like him?

-[gun rattles] -[softly] No.

Sorry.

Don't be.

Thank you for saving my life.

Are you okay?

Yeah, I'll make it. What happened to Mason?

He took off.

Oh, he's a sitting duck.

He's probably heading to the last place he should be going.

-[sighs] -[Crilenger groans]

-[grunts, sighs] -[rattling]

[siren blaring in the distance]

-[suspenseful music] -[whirring]

-All right, Doc. -[beeps]

Javelin, you sent a team out to his apartment, right?

-Yep. Searching it now. -[soft rattling]

Oh, found him.

He's about three clicks away on G Street,

-heading... north. -[keyboard clacking]

[sighs] Where does he work?

Mutual One Investments.

Jack Wellman.

Familiar?

Hoity-toity prick.

Took out his rivals for him a few years back

during that shit show in The Centrals.

[grunts]

So, if we don't get the kid at his pad...

...go to Mutual One.

[gulps and sighs]

[somber music]

-[explosions] -[helicopter blades whirring]

[fire crackling in the distance]

No witnesses.

[Crilenger] I won't.

Do it, or you put us all at risk.

I'm done.

[helicopter blades whirring]

-[gunshot] -[grunts]

[exhales loudly]

[gun rattles]

-[siren blaring in the distance] -[Z] When's the last time you even saw Malik?

Ten years, maybe?

You wanna talk about it?

No, not really.

You know...

...part of the reason I wanted to work with you was because...

...you listened...

...when nobody else would.

I understand that, I just don't feel like going there right now.

Door's always open.

-Thank you. -Mm.

[inhales deeply]

-[grunts] -I still say this is a bad idea.

-We should just cut our losses. -It's not his fault.

-Yeah, but that friend of his fucked us over. -[car door closes]

-[Crilenger] Hey, hold up. -[horn honks in the distance]

I wouldn't go up there if I were you.

-Why? -Well, for starters,

you're gonna get spotted the moment you walk

past that camera right there, and upstairs,

you've got at least two or three of Malik's goons

who've already trashed the place

just waiting to put you in a pit.

-Great. -[engines rumbling]

What do you want from me?

Just five minutes of your time.

Yeah?

What, in your car?

You're gonna offer me some candy too? [chuckles softly]

No one's forcing you here.

Five minutes?

Yeah.

Then I can go after?

If that's what you choose.

[Z grunts]

[sighs]

[Crilenger] In the back.

[rattling]

-[Crilenger sighs loudly] -[car door closes]

Your phone? [sniffs]

-[grunts softly] -[horns honking in the distance]

-Hey, hey! I didn't agree to that. -You might as well tattoo,

"X marks the spot" on your forehead.

And no electronic purchases for a while either, okay?

This is Z.

Hi.

I'm guessing you two were in on that heist thing?

-And it would've gone fine if your friend-- -Zephyr.

Look, I don't know what I'm doing.

-Okay? -You know what we're looking for, right?

What assurances do I get?

We do the deal together.

We protect you.

We just want what we're owed.

You can have 5% off the top.

I don't care about the money.

With all the shit you've been dragged into,

you'd be doing yourself a disservice

if you didn't take some kind of restitution.

[soft rustling]

[horns honking in the distance]

The Ruzeta Grid?

I'm sorry. What is the Ruzeta Grid?

It's a very long drive.

-There's one rule. -What's that?

No killing.

[sarcastically] Bummer.

Haven't done that in years.

Wake up, coffee, then have my usual.

Eggs, bacon, and murder.

[beeping and whirring]

-[suspenseful music] -Fuck, I lost him!

He must have trashed his cell.

Lil' fuckin' prick.

[siren blaring in the distance]

[cell phone ringing]

Talk to me, Shades.

-Nothing here, chief. -[soft rustling]

[gentle music]

Ugh. You know I hate going to these things, Asha.

Don't worry. You look beautiful.

[chuckles] So do you.

Oh, God, I feel gross.

-Oh, no! You look gorgeous. -[sighs]

Ugh.

[exhales deeply]

You have that look.

What look?

You're spinning.

[chuckles softly] I'm not spinning.

Regardless how much theory means, proof,

-what's out there, where we all go-- -It's important.

[Asha] So are you.

Just don't let it own you.

[Dresden whispers] Okay.

[sighs]

-[indistinct chatter] -[glasses clinking]

[light tense music]

[clinks]

[Brightmore] Lady of the hour.

-[laughs] -Of the century.

Oh.

You know, I'm not so sure about this.

About what?

I've heard some things about the Collective.

They play in the dark market.

[gentle piano music playing]

You got your funding, right?

-[chuckling] Yeah. -[Brightmore] Smile.

It's not every day that somebody figures out

how to capture consciousness on a flash drive,

let alone have the resources to do whatever they want.

I know C & Earth wants its Dreamcatcher.

This concept,

stealing human energy from consciousness?

[softly] Yeah.

[Dresden] It's savage!

The mere thought of an afterlife goes well beyond any dominion

C & Earth wants control over.

The monocle was designed to show that we're--

we're not just raw flesh and random thoughts

reacting by neurons and survival.

I don't give a shit, doctor.

Whatever makes the money roll.

Money? Oh.

[clicks tongue] What happens to it when you're dead?

It is that thought form that is literally fucking the planet right now.

-Honey, it's okay. -No, Asha.

[scoffs] I got this.

You guys... you just take and take and take

until guess what?

-What? -[Dresden] There's nothing left.

Look around. All of this... gone.

And for what? Some irrational addiction to power?

[Brightmore chuckles] You've signed the contract, Dresden.

We didn't force you.

Have a drink. You look like you need it.

[scoffs] Asshole.

Brightmore, we're not naive.

Just stay within the terms that you agreed to.

Okay?

[footsteps receding]

[chuckles]

[ominous music]

[engine rumbling]

I made a mistake.

It's okay.

We'll deal with it.

Just focus on your goals. Your discovery is important.

It'll change things.

I sold out.

You needed resources.

[sighing] Right.

I love it out here.

Maybe tomorrow we can do the walk to Crystal Creek Falls.

-Have a picnic? -It's really hard for me to take time off work right now.

I know.

But we just really haven't had a lot of time together lately.

-Wow. -Yeah.

You know, I'll call the lab.

Or maybe I can take a half-day off.

I love you.

I love you too.

[music continues]

-[crashing] -[glass shattering]

-[somber music] -[hissing]

[Dresden breathing heavily]

[yells] No! Asha!

[yelling and crying] Oh, God, no!

Asha! Asha!

Asha!

[sobbing]

[sniffles]

[whirring and beeping]

[footsteps approaching]

[researcher] Doctor?

Yeah?

The monocle took to the new update...

...thanks to the schematics C & Earth sent us.

We used a different algorithm

to rebuild the communication threads for the retrofit.

There's no risk of overload?

No. We made sure there was enough ventilation,

so whatever excess power the sphere produces

gets diverted away from the primary lens diopter.

-[light tense music] -[exhales softly] Call Brightmore.

Tell him we're ready.

[Dresden panting, coughs, retches]

[toilet flushes]

-[low-pitched rumbling] -[ominous sting]

-[clicking] -[glass shattering]

-[woman echoes] Dresden. -[gasps]

[breathing heavily]

[rattling]

-[light melancholic music] -[whirring and beeping]

[whispers] We'll talk soon, my love.

-[ominous music] -Can I help you?

Excuse me, sir, you're not allowed to-- [grunts]

[man] Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

[door opens]

Jack!

Malik?

-[door closes] -What? I mean, no cream soda?

Who the fuck do you think you are?

-[clacks] -[Wellman] Goddamn it, Malik.

-[thud] -[groans]

[breathing sharply]

[groaning] Oh, God!

This isn't your territory.

No shit.

Hey, nice new golf trophies!

Congratulations!

You know this cunt cheats, right?

Yeah.

Places a backup ball in his sleeve.

I mean, for a game that's all about controlling your balls,

you just can't do it straight, can you, Jack?

What do you want?

I'm looking for someone.

-Who? -[Malik] Ethan Mason.

-Our employee? Leave him alone. -[music continues]

Mm, sorry, can't do that.

Uh, well, he's too valuable to the group

-to just-- -Jack, Jack, Jack, Jack.

I do not have time for this shit.

All right.

We just need him for... [sighs] 48 hours. Hmm?

I'll even write you a check...

...for 50K.

And we'll even hand him over to you...

...personally.

Alive.

Of course.

[paper rustles]

Better not bounce.

-How's your dick? -[Kerry] Fuck you.

[door opens]

I'll see you later, motherfucker.

-[door closes] -That son of a bitch.

You find out who the fuck he's working for.

-Okay? -[thud]

[inaudible chatter]

[whooshing]

[ominous sting]

[gunshot]

[whooshing]

-[gunshot echoes] -[gasps and grunts]

-[inaudible chatter on PC] -[Ethan sighs]

-[Z] Is that from-- -From Corliss's lecture.

[Ethan grunts]

Yeah, some concepts she designed about particle transference.

Uh, how much further?

About 50 clicks.

[somber, suspenseful music]

[grunts]

You know, I was wondering...

...you guys don't kill anybody? I mean, you are mercs, right?

Crilenger's got a different...

...philosophy to all that.

Why do you work for Wellman?

Good with... numbers and patterns, I guess.

It's just a job.

Just a job.

[clicks tongue] Okay.

I found some fraud in the company.

How surprising.

[Ethan] And they know about it.

I told them.

That was dumb.

They're the ones that asked me to look.

And you're getting worked, office boy.

You know, I don't even like offices.

It's funny, though, my dad didn't seem to mind.

The guy was obsessed with money.

Keeping up with the Joneses. [laughs]

-Always stressed. -[music continues]

Took it out on us all the time too.

Then he did some deal.

Lost a bunch of money for a mutual fund company,

and the SEC threatened jail time.

He get convicted?

[Ethan] No.

He killed himself.

[exhales shakily] That's brutal.

Yeah. My mom got real depressed after that.

OD'd on some benzos shortly after.

I was about 12... or something at the time.

Both parents.

[Ethan] Yeah.

[whispers] Fuck.

[Ethan] But it got me thinking.

Why was he so miserable?

'Cause it wasn't just his choices.

Have you heard of the term "structural violence"?

No.

Negative externalities of society.

Right? It could be workplace stress

or, um, it could be... poverty or pollution.

It affects everything.

In reality, our decisions are defined by what is available

or by what we perceive as available.

Even though my father was the one to pull the trigger...

...if the incentives were different in any way,

his decision might've changed

-and he might still be here today. -[music continues]

It's actually why I got into architectural engineering.

Better living through design.

[Ethan] Exactly!

Free energy.

Smart production.

Stress-free aesthetics.

We could live in a world of zero marginal cost

if we just changed how we designed our way of building things.

It's better than fucking up the planet.

You hear that, Z? We have another idealist.

[Z] Mm-hmm.

No, it's just logical.

Yeah.

As if the corps will ever let that happen.

Change is coming.

Did you slip something into Crilenger's coffee?

[chuckles]

It's stupid, yeah.

"If you do not change direction,

you end up where you're heading.

If I let go of what I am,

I might become what I might be."

Lao Tzu.

I know why you're working for Wellman.

Yeah? Why?

Fear.

[music continues]

I'm sorry about Ross.

He was a good guy.

His family took me in after...

-He was just a little bit-- -Greedy.

Yeah, that's kinda par for the course.

Yeah.

[clears throat] So... [clears throat] your turn.

My turn?

What, why the no-kill policy?

Yeah.

-Maybe another time. -[Ethan] Oh!

Well, that's not fair.

So, are we on an op?

No, we're not on an op.

We're cleaning up a mess.

-Well, that's a shame. -[upbeat suspenseful music]

Kinda felt like we were a team there for a second.

You know, I think I'm gonna put on some talk radio.

I think that's a fucking good idea.

-[keyboard clacking] -[Morris] Okay, uh,

I managed to track Ross's location

from the time you called him

and searched the vicinity.

-[keyboard clacking] -[chiming]

Looks like the dog wants to bury a bone.

This is about the time we lost him,

but, I mean, there's nothing.

Zoom in on the taxi ID number next to the plate.

[chiming]

It's, uh, 7:34 a.m.

So, what are you gonna do?

I'm gonna hack into their system and find the routing assignment.

Attaboy.

-[whirring and beeping] -[Morris] Oh, shit.

It's the RZ, there's no satellite images out there.

Go back to Mason's apartment.

[music continues]

[chimes]

Crilenger's car. Next one.

[chimes]

Fuck, it's ghosted.

Doesn't matter.

We know where they're going.

[sniffs] Offering 100K.

Two males, one female, one salvage. A hard case.

Approximately 30 minutes away from your sector,

driving a black armored coupé. Sending coordinates now.

-[snaps finger] -[suspenseful music]

[wind blowing]

[engine rumbling]

[whirring]

I can't see shit.

I'm working on it, Z.

-[thudding and rumbling] -Jesus!

Is it always like this out here?

It's just debris.

-[whirring and beeping] -All right.

Z, three clicks, nine o'clock.

I fucking hate this place.

-[ominous music] -[male collective 8] Malik's becoming a liability.

Termination and/or incarceration

of the associates was not authorized.

It was something he demanded as part of the deal.

[female collective 3] These actions have elevated

unnecessary exposure. Mutual One and Peredor

have already implicated our involvement.

[male collective 8] The operation would've been more expedient

if he wasn't playing games

with the crew he assembled through the fixer.

They are close to the recovery of the sphere?

-They are. -[female collective 1] Malik must be focused

on the final phase.

Please remove him from the current assignment.

We trust the freelancers will complete the transaction.

My pleasure, Collective.

What about Mutual One's employee, Ethan Mason?

[male collective 8] We have a unique opportunity

with Mr. Mason.

Are you suggesting a test subject?

[female collective 5] Indeed.

I'll look into it.

[engine rumbling]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[beeping]

[wind blowing]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[Z] Fuck, it's cold!

[car doors close]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

What the hell happened here, anyway?

-Pop version or the truth? -[high-pitched ringing]

-[distorted whooshing] -Truth?

Some quantum engineers were brought in years ago

by DARPA to try to create a multidimensional shift in the region.

-[somber, ominous music] -The idea was to do

some kind of interdimensional surveillance

-using the fusion power. -[high-pitched ringing]

-[distorted whooshing] -But a rift happened.

Instead of being able to spy in other dimensions,

-it affected the subatomic structure of the area... -[distorted whooshing]

...affecting the ecosystem.

Physics is different, law is different.

The fragment that got through affected the physics.

Climate, weather affected mostly,

but also communication.

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

They abandoned the project...

...and put a cover story on it.

-Wouldn't that affect the rest of the world? -[distorted whooshing]

You'd think so.

They managed to keep it isolated for now, but who knows?

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

A lot of strange shit happens here.

-I'm guessing this used to be a mining town? -[distorted whooshing]

Yeah.

-Sacred burial ground before that. -[high-pitched ringing]

-[distorted whooshing] -Before the dipshits of DARPA fucked that up.

The locals like to call it "Frankenland."

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[music continues]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[wind blowing]

[distorted whooshing]

[buzzing]

-[loud bang] -You guys okay?

-[softly] Yeah. -[distorted whooshing]

[distorted whooshing]

[whirring and buzzing]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[dropping]

[distorted whooshing]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

-[soft sloshing] -[soft buzzing]

[distorted whooshing]

-[Crilenger] You guys okay? -[Z softly] Yeah.

-[panting and grunting] -[zips]

[Ethan] I can't see anything.

[Crilenger grunting] Hang on. [sniffs]

-[soft clattering] -[sighs]

[exhales loudly] Okay.

[softly] All right.

Twenty-five meters, twelve o'clock.

[exhales, sniffs]

[Crilenger breathing loudly]

[buzzing and whirring]

[suspenseful music]

Strange stuff.

It's here.

I'll dig.

[thud]

[engines rumbling]

[ominous music]

[engines revving]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[distorted whooshing]

[gun cocks]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[Ethan grunts]

[blows, grunts]

[suspenseful music]

Key.

Please?

-[clicking] -[whirring]

-[clack] -[clicking]

-C! [grunts] -[shouts] What?

-[gunshots] -[gasps]

[panting]

-[grunting] -[Ethan] Z!

[Z] Fuck!

[cell phone ringing]

-[beeps] -Kind of in the middle.

[Brightmore] Call it off.

-What the fuck? -Start prepping the next phase.

But we're this close to pulling it off!

Collective's orders.

[clattering]

[groaning] It hurts!

Ethan, there's first aid in the bag.

There's an injection. You can use it in the wound

to seal it up and disinfect it.

-Here, take this. -[gun rattles]

-Remember what I told you. -[Z breathes loudly]

[dramatic music]

-[Ethan whispers] Let me take this off. -[groaning]

[panting]

-[Z grunts] -You ready?

Not really.

-[shouts] Fuck! -[softly] Yeah.

-[distorted whooshing] -[gunshots]

[music increases]

-[thudding] -[distorted whooshing]

[high-pitched ringing]

[distorted whooshing]

[distorted whooshing]

[engine starts]

[distorted whooshing]

[engine rumbling]

-How you feeling? -[breathes heavily] Better.

-[softly] Thanks. -No, thank you.

If it weren't for you, we'd be toast by now.

Keep your eyes peeled and hand on the trigger.

Yes, ma'am.

[engines rumbling]

[dramatic music]

[distorted whooshing]

[engines revving]

-[high-pitched ringing] -[distorted whooshing]

[soft sloshing]

[engine rumbling]

[music continues]

-[gunshot] -[thudding]

At least the money is still good.

Not everything's about the money, Brokowski.

Abort the mission.

[on radio] I repeat, abort...

...the mission.

[clicks tongue] Oh, God.

I miss the tropics.

[breathing heavily]

[sighs]

What took you so long?

[pants]

[tense music]

Kerry, relax. Have a cream soda.

No, thanks. FYI,

Malik's contracted with C & Earth.

See? I told you.

Relax, Tran. Jesus Christ, what else?

They stole Peredor's tech.

The whole thing was a bit of a fuck-up.

C & Earth hired Malik. Malik got some insider and hired a fixer

to assemble a couple of mercs.

They're delivering it to someone at Aurora Limited.

It's one of C & Earth's subsidiaries.

Who are the mercs?

Crilenger and Zephyr Gates.

The monk. [chuckles softly]

Let me guess, Malik was gonna frame him for the job.

Something like that.

Crilenger's a unique brand.

Wasn't he agency?

Oh, yeah, counterintelligence.

He was the brightest star they ever had.

[chuckles] Sorry the son of a bitch quit.

What's the plan?

Recover the tech.

What about Malik?

Zero his ass.

[woman on advertisement] The Grinder,

this hard and hot fiery thick one...

-[continues indistinctly] -[engine rumbling]

[Z] I used to do meth in a place like this.

By the way...

...you never did tell me why the no-killing policy.

Yeah, C, why don't you tell him?

[woman on advertisement continues indistinctly]

[Crilenger] Used to be agency.

Last time, our team went to,

to a village on a search-and-destroy.

Killed a lot of kids and families in the process.

Territory seized.

There was a woman... who survived.

[somber music]

We were told...

...no witnesses. Our task was to clean...

...the area.

I wanted to help her.

And then, someone from our crew shot her right there.

It was Malik.

Oh, shit.

I quit after that.

[inhales deeply] I made the decision

never to... kill... anybody again.

Most mercs are like Malik.

I figured, someone in this business, so long as it exists...

...can do it without all the insanity.

See?

That wasn't so hard.

[sighing] Yeah.

-[grunts] -So, how did you two start working together?

I was a... grunt in The Centrals.

And after discharge...

...got all fucked up on drugs and shit.

Ended up homeless.

Crilenger helped clean me up.

Oh, fuck!

[Crilenger] What?

I forgot I have a thing

I need to go to tomorrow night.

[exhales] What thing?

[helicopter blades whirring in the distance]

Thing at my boss's house.

Oh, that's a fucking great idea.

Oh, yeah, thank you! That's nice!

I don't wanna walk into work on Monday morning

and have my boss go, "Hey, Ethan,

you don't have a job anymore."

[gunshots on video game]

["Serenade No. 13 in G Major, K. 525" by Mozart playing]

[crickets chirping]

[Kerry whispers] What the fuck?

[footsteps on rooftop]

-[music increases] -[gunshots]

[blade rings]

[music continues]

[blade rings]

[blade rings]

-[ominous sting] -[sword ringing echoes]

[suspenseful music]

[engine rumbling]

[indistinct chatter]

[glasses clinking]

-Thank you. -[glass clinks]

Do you know where I can find Mr. Wellman?

That goddamn Collective.

Uh, C & Earth's in over their heads.

Tran and Kerry sent out a team

to take care of Malik at Rubicon.

If you didn't do this for Peredor,

this close to a hostile takeover--

Pac-Man defense. Speaking of which, what happened?

We're sending every boot we have to that lab at Aurora.

We'll recover what was stolen,

then we're gonna burn it to the fucking ground.

Ethan! I'm glad you could make it.

Join us!

Folks, this is Ethan Mason,

our financial analyst.

Saving us a whole lot of trouble.

I was just doing my job.

Ethan, Kay Chancellor,

Chairman of the Board for Peredor Corporation.

Hitomi Brazcel, CEO of Sakura International.

You've got Senator Brigman, and Tran, of course, you already know.

I hear you're very talented, Mr. Mason.

It's definitely a pleasure to make your acquaintance.

It's a pleasure to meet you as well.

Just like his father, Jack.

Modest.

You knew my father?

Briefly. Y-- you know what?

I have an incredible single malt.

Are you a Scotch man?

Why not?

Stellar 50.

Isn't that expensive?

-[soft popping] -Very.

[soft pouring]

Thank you.

What about you?

I already... got mine.

To success.

[clinks]

[indistinct chatter in the distance]

[coughing]

[chuckles] Good.

-And strong. -Mm.

But it's very smooth, yeah.

You said that you, you worked with my father?

Well, he worked with an affiliate of ours many years ago, I...

...I hope I didn't offend.

Not at all.

A tragedy.

I really don't think it was his fault.

-[beeps] -Welcome back to everyone's favorite Z dating show.

Listen, uh, I believe with your beauty, your talent,

mixed with my superior genetics,

we will create the ultimate apex progeny.

What would you do if a mage was attacking her?

-[beeps] -Rumor has it Mutual One made a major play

and will begin purchasing majority shares in Peredor,

Sakura Biotech, and Tranceworld Media on Tuesday,

making their portfolio the largest in the world.

-Back to you, Kevin. -[beeps]

[ominous music]

I thought you guys were trying to--

Mm, not exactly.

-You designed it. -Not me.

-But that's ill-- -Illegal? I know.

[softly] I know.

I don't feel great.

It's been so long since I thought about Alan.

-[glass clatters] -Boy, was he naive,

but... highly instrumental.

What?

Oh, your dad.

Amazing how the press bought that fake suicide of his.

Man, we made a lot of money off that one.

[clattering and thudding]

[waves crashing]

[engine rumbling]

[grunting]

-[beeping] -[softly] Get him.

[woman sighs]

[engine starts]

[music continues]

[both panting]

[gun cocks]

-[gunshots] -[both groan]

[thudding]

-[beeping] -[Z grunts, softly] Hey.

He's ten sheets to a fucking hurricane.

[Crilenger] Hurry, we have to get him back in the car.

-[ominous music] -[snorting]

Don't leave me, Master.

[moans softly]

[music increases]

[spits] Jesus Christ!

[Malik] Yeah, what a fuck job that guy, huh?

[loud crunching]

Whatever C & Earth's paying you, I'll double it right now.

How did you not see this coming, anyway?

[Wellman] We did.

Do you think Peredor is gonna sit back

and let C & Earth steal its tech?

It's war, Malik.

Yeah, well, it's a war you guys can't win.

C & Earth's taken over.

W-- who the fuck do you think you are, coming into my place?

Your place?

What, you think you earned all of this?

That's funny.

[chuckles] Look, I-- I've got...

...an account nobody knows about.

I'll give it to you.

You know, Jack...

...guys like you, you get away with everything.

Whereas guys like us pretty much clean up your shit

while you sit back on your private jet.

Yeah, and what makes you any different?

-[Malik] The difference? -Uh-huh.

[music increases]

I have no illusions about what I am.

But you?

You pretend to be something that you're not.

See, I think it's cosmic destiny

that C & Earth hired us for this gig.

I lost a lot of comrades all those years back

during that clusterfuck in The Centrals

you and your friends sent us on. You guys...

...you guys made out like bandits.

We lost legs, lives.

Some even lost their minds.

So, check it out. I had this idea

to give real weight and significance

to any time some prick wants to start a conflict in the world

for their own self-interest.

It's a policy, if you will.

That you guys...

...are the first in line.

Because, I mean, if it's so fucking important to you,

you should be leading the charge.

Fully armed.

Taking the risk.

Am I right?

[music continues]

[grunts]

[mimicking Wellman] "Yes, Malik.

You are right."

[in normal voice] Look... [sighs]

[clicks tongue] I'm gonna give you a chance...

...to kill me.

[snaps finger]

-[gun rattles] -[Wellman shakily] Please,

don't do this.

Don't be a whiny little bitch. Have some self-respect.

Come on, cock it.

-[rattling] -Here you go, go on.

-[exhales shakily] -Calm down, it's okay.

Pull that back.

[exhales sharply]

-[Wellman grunts] -[Malik] There you go!

Now, you are locked and loaded.

Ready to rock and roll.

[breathing heavily]

Well, come on, man.

What are you waiting for?

This is your golden opportunity.

-[exhales shakily] -[gun clicks]

Bummer.

Could've guessed it, right?

-[gun cocks] -[shouting] The fucking game

was rigged all along!

[music continues]

[softly] Have a nice death, Jack.

[Wellman] Fuck you.

[Malik] Flush this piece of shit.

[grunting]

[music increases]

[panting and grunting]

[engine starts]

[hissing]

[engine rumbling]

-[engine rumbling] -[Ethan groans]

[groans loudly]

You okay back there?

Yeah.

Brutal headache.

What happened?

[Z] Your boss slipped you a roofie.

Almost had you cliff diving.

Probably trying to tie up any loose ends

from whatever scheme you dug up.

That piece of shit!

Well, thank you for saving me.

-Again. -[Z] No worries.

It's what you do for your team.

We're a team?

-Relax. -Oh, shh.

Yeah.

Cool.

[dramatic music]

Shit, we have company.

[tires screeching]

[gun cocking]

[whirring]

-They have a cutter. -They got a what?

[whirring]

-[tires screeching] -[whooshing]

[muffled gunshots]

-[cutter whirring] -[whooshing]

-[tires screeching] -[loud explosion]

[fire whooshing]

-[tires screeching] -[engine rumbling]

[Ethan groans and pants]

[suspenseful music]

[shouting] Let's go, people!

Move. Move.

Move.

[Dresden] I just don't understand all this security.

[Brightmore] There's people out there who wanna steal it.

-This is crazy. -Collective's orders.

-[beeping and whirring] -Well, what am I supposed to do?

Just fit the device and test it.

On who, exactly?

Let me worry about that.

-[sighs] -[beeps]

-They're here. -[Brightmore] Good. Just whatever you do,

wait till the deal is done.

-Copy. -One more thing,

our test subject.

Ethan Mason. Yeah, I know.

I'll get your little guinea pig for ya.

[engine rumbling]

[beeping]

I wanna punch that cunt straight in the asshole.

[music continues]

[engine rumbling]

It'll be extraordinary to see

the doctor's invention in action.

The only action we're interested in is credits, lady.

And could you leave that, please?

[rattling]

[clatters]

[bleeping and whirring]

Dr. Corliss?

Yes?

[mysterious music]

I was expecting only one courier.

It's a little more complicated than that.

You can say that again.

My friend was murdered 'cause of this thing.

[scoffs] What are you talking about?

[Ethan] It was stolen from Peredor.

So you're thieves?

-I'm not. -Only the good stuff.

[scoffs] The fucking asshole lied to me.

-[gun cocks] -All right, motherfuckers,

-in position! -[all] Yes, sir!

[shouts] 50K bonus for every shitbag Peredor bony!

-[all] Yeah! -[cheering]

[light dramatic music]

[guns cocking]

You act so surprised.

It's easy to look the other way

when you got this kind of funding.

My thoughts exactly.

That's rich, coming from a merc.

What about our scratch?

Well, could I at least see if it works first?

Sure.

Ethan.

[clicking]

[light suspenseful music]

What do you even know about that sphere, anyway?

Only that they sent us the schematics a couple of weeks ago.

They said it was coming from a private vendor.

A private vendor?

[laughs] Christ.

What are you hoping to achieve with this thing?

There are three settings.

The first implants and extracts memories from the brain.

The other is something that C & Earth wanted.

It basically siphons off human energy and consciousness

and then stores it to be used for consumption.

For consumption?

Are you fucking kidding me?

It wasn't my idea.

It was part of the deal with C & Earth.

I would never have gotten this level of funding...

...if I hadn't played ball with the Collective.

What do they wanna do with it?

Well, C & Earth wants to figure out a way to achieve immortality.

Not like copying a personality engram

and then putting it on a hard drive.

Real immortality.

[thudding]

[ominous music]

[gunshots]

[gasps]

[softly] Beautiful.

Javelin, Morris, with me.

[gunshots continue]

Now, you said there were three settings on this.

-Well, hopefully... -[music continues]

...it opens a dimensional portal in the mind

to what we call "the afterlife."

It'll prove the existence of a soul.

You tested this?

Not with this upgrade.

We couldn't get the second and third settings

to function properly.

We needed something more powerful.

So C & Earth just basically wants to kill people

and take their energy and make it their own.

Well, that's not how they said it would work.

And they told us... that they would be using it

on death row inmates and the terminally ill.

-Oh, wow. -[chuckles]

You actually believe that?

Look, I have a, a wife who died.

And this is my only chance

to maybe...

[voice breaking] talk to her again.

Or just know that she's okay.

[scoffs] You just don't get it!

I mean, the mere...

...implication of an afterlife is game-changing!

I get it.

I understand.

And I don't disagree.

[music continues]

But at what cost, doctor?

We can't let her have it.

-We're under contract, Z. -No, there's no fucking way.

This thing could seriously be an issue for all of us.

I agree.

Please don't do this.

We have to, Z.

[scoffs softly]

Now, look, there are other ways to achieve things, Dresden.

I think you should seriously reconsider your business with C & Earth.

You understand the stakes here.

I have worked so hard on this.

And I'm not about to just throw it all away

when we barely know anything about it yet.

[exhales deeply]

The ethics can be dealt with later.

I did my research for good,

regardless of what C & Earth intended.

So be it.

[beeping]

[scoffs softly]

[music continues]

[soft buzzing]

[machine whirring]

[electricity crackling]

[clicking]

[gunshots]

[clanking]

[whirring]

-[sharp explosion] -[hissing]

-[loud explosion] -[screams]

[glass shattering]

The scratch.

[beeping and whirring]

Okay. Okay.

I need the wiring details.

[softly] Yeah.

[soft tapping]

Done.

[music continues]

-[alarm blaring] -[automated voice] Perimeter breached.

-What is that? -Code five.

Peredor. Uh, uh, pleasure doing business with you, doctor.

Ethan, Zephyr, it is time for us to go.

Perimeter breached. Code five.

I really hope it was worth it.

I didn't know.

Perimeter breached. Code five.

[gunshots]

[man on radio] Boss, we have hostiles in the perimeter.

Lure them down to our point of fire.

[alarm blaring continues]

-Clear. -[automated voice] You are now at Laboratory 22,

sector three.

[automated voice] Perimeter breached. Code five.

[music continues]

[gunshots]

[Crilenger] Ethan! Go!

-[guns cocking] -[gunshots]

-Go, go, go, go, go. go! -[gun cocks]

[gunshots]

Morris, with me.

[grunts]

-[gasps and groans] -[thuds]

-[softly] Up. -[groans]

-[thudding] -Back the fuck up.

-Put it down. -In the chair, kid.

-[alarm blaring continues] -[music continues]

Morris, you know what you gotta do?

-[Morris] Oh, yeah. -Okay, so do it.

I'm gonna go take care of that lanky prick.

Have fun.

[gunshots]

[grunts]

[yelling]

-[beeping] -[buzzes]

[mysterious music]

-[beeping] -[machine whirring]

-[loud heart beating] -[energy crackling]

[whooshing and whirring]

[ethereal, mysterious music]

[grunting echoes]

[whirring increases]

[yelling echoes]

[buzzing and whirring]

[electricity crackling]

-[whooshing] -[clacks echoing]

[buzzing]

[Asha and Ethan echoing] Dresden...

[melancholic music]

...it's me.

[Ethan] We never did get to go on that hike.

[echoing softly] Asha.

I miss you.

[crying] I miss you so much.

It's okay.

You need to live for the present now.

[sobs] But I think about you every day.

[sniffles]

[Ethan and Asha echoing] I know.

[Ethan] We'll meet again.

[Ethan and Asha echoing] It's inevitable.

Where are you?

[Asha echoing] In a peaceful place.

Where all thought, all form originates.

[soft whooshing]

I won't be here much longer.

Another journey awaits.

I've already concluded my contract with the previous one.

-[echoing] Contract? -[music continues]

You will understand in time, Dresden.

Listen to me.

What you've done here, this technology...

...it's not meant to be used like this.

The beings who designed the power of the sphere

are much older than your species.

Much wiser.

Your world is not ready.

In time, people will learn to use wisdom

with this discovery.

But the people who want to use it now are very dangerous.

They are attempting to use it as a means to prolong their lifespan,

for which it is not designed.

They do not understand the consequences of using this device.

What consequences?

They will ruin lives with it.

They will imprison minds with it.

[music continues]

What am I supposed to do?

You must destroy it.

I will.

I love you.

[exhales sharply]

I will always love you.

[whispers] I love you too.

-I have to go now. -[crying] No, please!

[sobs] Please stay!

Goodbye, my dearest.

-[wind blowing] -[soft beeping]

-[electricity crackling] -[low-pitched whirring]

[light suspenseful music]

[loudly] Hey, hey. You okay?

[shouting] What the f-- fuck?

-[alarm blaring continues] -[gunshots]

-[gun cocks] -[gunshot]

[groans]

-[high-pitched whirring] -[clacking]

[low-pitched rumbling]

[whirring and rumbling]

What-- [gasps]

-[bone crunches] -[flesh squelching]

[ominous music]

-[thudding] -[squelching]

[thudding]

[gunshots]

[Crilenger] Z.

-Go! [panting] -[gunshots]

-[thudding] -[buzzing]

[electricity crackling]

-[buzzes] -[panting]

[shattering]

[hissing]

-[gunshots] -[groaning]

-[Crilenger panting] All right. -[Z groans]

-[Crilenger] You're gonna be okay? -[groaning] Yes! Go.

[dramatic music]

[panting]

-[gunshots] -[yells]

[shouts] Come on! Stick your head out for me, monk!

[heavily breathes, shouts] They're here! Come on!

-[beeping] -[automated voice] Access unrecognized.

Hurry!

[growling]

[gunshots]

[clattering]

[chuckling] Oh!

There you go!

[panting]

[clattering]

[breathes deeply]

-[grunting] -[thuds]

-[grunting] -[groaning]

-[music continues] -[grunts]

You have a choice, Malik.

-[grunts] -[groans]

-[grunts] -[thud]

-[thudding] -[groans]

-[grunts] -[choking]

[grunting]

[grunts]

-[coughs and breathes heavily] -[panting]

Enough!

[exhales loudly]

-[grunts] -[groans]

-[clicks] -[grunts]

I'm gonna enjoy watching you die, monk.

[exhales deeply]

-[grunts] -[scrapes]

-[grunting and groaning] -[thudding]

-[yells] -[grunts]

-[thudding] -[groaning]

[grunts, shouts] Come on, do it!

Fucking do it!

Just fucking do it. Finish me.

Fucking finish me!

[light melancholic music]

Your hatred is your prison, Malik.

Yeah. And you're a righteous pain in the ass.

-[exhales deeply] -[knife clicks and clatters]

You're a slave to the corporation.

You're just gonna end up a fucking tool

they'll use and throw away.

We did not sign up for this.

I'll see you around.

[footsteps receding]

[rattling]

-[exhales sharply] -[knife clatters]

[footsteps receding]

-My car's over there. -[crickets chirping]

[suspenseful music]

-[whooshing] -[gasps loudly]

-[grunts] -[thudding]

[growling]

-[grunts] -[thudding]

-[growling] -[screams]

-[thudding] -[dramatic music]

[grunts]

-[yells] -[thuds]

-[grunting] -[yells]

[gunshots]

-Come on. Go, go, go. -[whimpers]

-[growling] -[engine rumbling]

[Z shouts] Get in the car!

[panting]

-[gunshots] -[growling]

[Crilenger] Let's go!

[tires screeching]

[engine rumbling]

[helicopter blades whirring]

-[loud explosion] -[crashing]

[mysterious music]

[reporter] Mutual One Investments and Barrington Tran Security

are under investigation for extortion, fraud, and murder.

Charges include rigging the market to gain controlling interest

in Sakura Biotech, Peredor, and Tranceworld Media.

Jack Wellman, CEO of Mutual One, has been reported dead

-of an apparent suicide... -[indistinct muttering]

...rumored to be in connection with the crimes.

And earlier today, Sakura Biotech,

Peredor, Tranceworld Media,

and Mutual One Investments

were bought up by C & Earth Corporation

in a hostile takeover bid early this morning,

making C & Earth the largest conglomerate in the world.

-[ominous music] -[Brightmore] Managed to save the components from the monocle.

We'll be able to replicate the prototype.

Peredor's board and Mutual One made their concession.

[male collective 8] The Dreamcatcher experiment yielded positive results.

Even our interpreters fared well killing their opponents.

Yes. The mercs were no match for their strength nor their abilities.

[female collective 3] It's important we continue to keep an eye on Ethan Mason.

Tracked and monitored.

You're sure you don't wanna remove the mercs and Dresden Corliss?

[male collective 7] We do not wanna provoke any conflict

during this transition.

Very well. By the way,

we selected test subjects at Area 93.

The next phase is already underway.

Two towns. Sulen Community and Bigsby.

[male collective 8] Excellent. Please keep us informed

of any new developments.

My pleasure, Collective.

-[low-pitched whirring] -[buzzes]

-[light suspenseful music] -[waves crashing]

-[whooshing, whirring, and buzzing] -[crackling]

Found this in the car.

Great designs.

Definitely do the engineer thing.

I quit my job.

[sirens blaring in the distance]

How's Dresden?

She'll be all right.

We... managed to work a deal to keep her safe.

That's good.

So, what are you all about to do next?

Off to steal more shit?

No.

Z and I agree we're done with that.

But there's probably someone out there who needs our help...

...given the circumstances recently.

I'm glad to hear it.

[music continues]

What do you see out there?

I see a lot of things.

[static]

[rock music]

♪ Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick Stuck in their brains again ♪

♪ Like a twisted nail, outdone ♪

♪ We're crawling around alone ♪

♪ Found a cosmic rail, oh, no ♪

♪ They're pushing Their trains again ♪

♪ Born into their mind She says ♪

♪ She's strolling around alone ♪

♪ Hero, walking around ♪

♪ Hero, let's go! ♪

♪ Hero, moping around ♪

♪ Zero, straight down ♪

♪ "Oh, no," they go ♪

♪ They know zero ♪

♪ "Oh, no," they go ♪

♪ Too much information ♪

♪ Yeah, overload ♪

♪ Hearts alone ♪

♪ Too much information ♪

♪ Yeah, hearts explode ♪

♪ Broken bones ♪

[indistinct muttering echoes]

♪ Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick Trapped in their head again ♪

♪ Like a crooked lens Look, see ♪

♪ They're forging those bets The same ♪

♪ Like a tortured wretch Oh, no ♪

♪ They see those crowds around ♪

♪ Shouting all the gore ♪

♪ Here comes ♪

♪ That fated fame event ♪

♪ Hero, walking around ♪

♪ Hero, let's go! ♪

♪ Hero, moping around ♪

♪ Zero, straight down ♪

♪ "Oh, no," they go ♪

♪ They know zero ♪

♪ "Oh, no," they go ♪

♪ Too much information ♪

♪ Yeah, overload... ♪

[music fades]

-[static] -[crackling]

[distorted chatter]

[static and chatter increase]