Cutscene[]
The scene opens with a journal, a telephone, a stack of chips, a coffee mug, and a stack of folders on the desk.
Marshall: We went through everything inside that box from the casino's Archive Room. Sev and Felix were right.
The scene shifts to a stack of bills being sifted in a money counter.
Marshall: The Luttazzis were moving Pantheon cash through the casino-with a healthy cut in return.
A couple of computer monitors are shown displaying data.
Marshall: We got the breakthrough we needed. Records of wire transfers to a lab in southern Iraq. Directed to Matvey Gusev.
The words "SOUTHERN IRAQ" and "GUSEV" are laid out on the screens.
Marshall: We'll notify Adler so he can take a look on the ground.
The camera pans down to a clock that reads 10:31 and ticking. The clock cover bursts open to reveal a red biohazard symbol.
Marshall: Time is short, but if we can get our hands on the Pantheon's bioweapon expert... We just might break this whole thing open.
The screen cuts to black.
Gameplay[]
The Rook: Contact
William "Case" Calderon
Burgas Province, Bulgaria
February 11, 1991 - 21:36 EET
Case stands with a troubled Felix outside the safe house listening to Woods regaling his stories to Marshall and Sev.
Woods: And I say, "Look, you know you're in D.C., not fuckin' Alaska, all right?"
Marshall and Sev laugh. Case hands Felix a bottle of beer as Russell Adler's voice rings out over the radio.
Adler: Rook, this is Bishop. Pick up.
Marshall: Quiet, quiet.
Felix: When in Rome, I suppose.
Felix takes the bottle and drinks from it.
Adler: Rook, pick up. We have a problem.
Marshall: Case, Felix.
Felix gestures to Case.
Felix: After you.
Case and Felix join Woods, Marshall, and Sev at a burning fuel drum. Marshall holds up a walkie-talkie in his hand.
Marshall: We'll get back to that. It's Adler. Say again.
Adler: Marshall. He's gone.
Marshall: Elaborate.
Adler: The lab's empty. And Gusev fled.
Woods: So we're fucked.
Woods tosses his beer bottle in the fire.
Adler: Not yet. One scientist was still inside with a canister of the Cradle. Like the one we picked up at the palace.
Sev: And?
Adler: We had a stimulating conversation.
Marshall: How stimulating?
Adler: It's a frame-up. Pantheon's activities will point right to Saddam Hussein. Gusev's heading to the Kuwaiti airport as we speak.
Marshall: Well, that airport's in a warzone. Even if we head your way soon, can we reach it?
Adler: I have a CENTCOM connection in the area. He might be willing to help us.
Marshall: Might, huh. Well, if we leave within the hour, we'll make it by morning. Out.
Marshall switches off the walkie-talkie.
Marshall: Case, let's get ready. We'll get some shuteye on the way.
Woods and Marshall walk back into the safe house. If Case stays outside, he can listen to a conversation between Sev and Felix.
Sev: You were impressive today. Finally, the legendary Felix Neumann in action.
Felix: [chuckles] Yes.
Sev: What's on your mind?
Felix: I need to make a confession.
Sev: [laughs] I'm the furthest thing from a priest, Felix, but speak your peace.
Felix: I am deeply ashamed of my actions in the casino.
Sev: You take this "non-violence" thing seriously.
Felix: Quite. But then, I saw Luttazzi thugs beating a defenseless man. Mercilessly. A senseless act of power.
Sev: No one is innocent in that city.
Felix: Afterwards, when I encountered the guard outside the vault, I lost control. In my eyes, he transformed into the avatar of everything I now reject. So, I punished him.
Sev: Good. It was probably less than what he deserved.
Felix: If I lose myself to this endeavor, I am no better than the very enemy we seek to stop, ja?
Sev: Save your pity for the victims. You did what was needed to be done.
Felix: No. My reaction was catharsis. An indulgence.
Sev: Harrow and the Pantheon won't be stopped with kind words and gentle attitudes.
Sev starts to walk away.
Felix: There is always a choice, Sevati.
Sev: Not always.
At this point, the player is free to do anything else before the next mission.
Case can overhear a conversation between Marshall and Woods.
Marshall: You hear back from Livingstone?
Felix: No. But, Felix sent him everything we know about Harrow and the Pantheon. Harrow might still have his ear. Or she doesn't, but he still doesn't trust us. Who fuckin' knows.
Marshall: He's gotta be rattled either way.
Woods wheels away, leaving Marshall alone.
Marshall: Hey. I'll start packing up soon.
Marshall: My gut says he isn't. But I wouldn't bet the farm on it. Jane sure didn't try to protect him. Seemed fine keeping us on his trail.
Marshall: That bioweapon is strange. You were exposed, but obviously it wasn't as powerful as what they have now. My guess is that they're planning a spectacle of some kind. Something that'll scare the hell out of people.
The player can chose this if they want to end the conversation early or have gone through all dialogue choices.
Marshall: It's gonna be interesting, that's for sure.
Woods: Hey. What's going on?
Woods: It's strange, man. Even if we clear our names, get out alive... Don't think I can go back to the same life. This thing we got here, this group- It's good in its own fucked up way.
Woods: Maybe. I'm willing to give it a try anyway. He'll need somebody.
Woods: Heh-heh. Now I'm really gonna do it. Just to prove you fuckin' wrong, Case.
The player can chose this if they want to end the conversation early or have gone through all dialogue choices.
Woods: Yeah, man. Enjoy Kuwait.
If Case interacts with Felix:
Felix: Perhaps, a reevaluation of my priorities is in order.; This team deserves my best efforts.At this point, the player is free to do anything else before the next mission.
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