Original subtitles

(wind blows)

(plane engine revs)

To the director of Project Freelancer

from the oversight subcommittee Chairman.

Dear Director, I want to thank you in advance

for your openness in response

to our subcommittee's request for more information.

We were disappointed that your recovery force reported

a total loss at outpost 17-D.

We had hoped that would be at least one soldier left

that could shed some light on the situation.

I know that your agency has enjoyed a higher degree

of freedom with very little scrutiny in the past few years.

It is not our intention to disrupt such

a progressive military program

but instead to find a way we can work together

in a manner that befits all our responsibilities.

I am certain that you will agree

and we look forward to making this review process

as painless as we possibly can.

Thank you, gentlemen.

Would you please excuse us.

You are private Walter Henderson, correct?

Yes, sir.

You can dispense with the formalities, Walter.

Please feel comfortable to speak as candidly as you wish.

Can you tell us what happened at your outpost, Walter?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir.

I had been there about six months.

Everything was pretty much like normal

and one day this ship crashed.

I see.

Is this the ship to which you are referring?

Yeah.

Yeah, that's it.

Please tell me what was on the ship, Walter.

I don't know.

The Blues got there first.

They fought us off while they cleared it out.

Took the stuff back to base.

By the time we got ahold of it,

it just seemed like a regular old transport.

Our engineers said some of the wiring had been messed with,

but he didn't seem, you know,

worried about it or nothin' like that.

I see.

Thank you for that.

But whatever was on the ship,

must've been what started the whole thing.

Please, Walter, define thing.

The Infection.

The Blues just stopped fighting us.

Some of them set up camp outside their base

and trapped the rest of their team inside.

Blew up their comm tower for some reason,

their own comm tower.

Then they blew up ours.

That's why we couldn't radio for help.

We couldn't figure out why they would do that.

After that, nothing.

No word from them at all.

The CO send a squad over

all the Blues were dead.

They'd killed each other.

Why do you think they did that?

I don't know.

They had torn the radios out of their helmets

and dismantled their computers.

The CO said they were trying to build something,

but I saw the stuff no way.

They were trying to break it.

And there was another body in there too.

Not a Blue, somebody else.

Actually she looked like him.

Don't worry about him for now, Walter.

Please continue.

We brought all the equipment back to base

and brought it online.

And that's when the infection started for us.

The soldiers became sick?

No, they just they were different.

Off.

We would catch guys getting into areas

they shouldn't get into

but the weird thing was

a guy would go crazy, act up,

and then we would throw him in a cell,

and he would be fine.

Then another guy would go nuts, disobey orders,

like trying to bring the comm tower back online

even though we were told to leave it be.

Maybe they knew it was coming.

They knew what was coming?

At first, we thought it was help.

It ransacked Blue bay, searched all the bodies.

Then it came after us.

It seemed focused on the guys that weren't affected.

Eventually it just started killing everything.

Could you describe it for us, Walter?

Not really.

It moved fast!

When we first saw it and after Blue base,

it was different.

In what way, different?

It looked like it wasn't there.

I don't know how to explain it.

That's all right.

I know this has been difficult for you, Walter.

We're going to do everything we can to help you.

Please follow these men to your new quarters.

You'll be with us as long as absolutely necessary.

You have my word.

Agent Washington, what do you make of all this?

I think it sounds like exactly what I encountered,

except it's stronger now

and becoming more so all the time.

Does that concern you?

It doesn't make me excited.

You've been through a lot

with this program, Agent Washington.

The Epsilon AI we assigned you-

Has already been discussed to death.

I'm over it.

Now your physical problems because

of your last encounter.

I'm better now.

Mentally and physically.

Our profile of you disagrees with your assessment.

Look the last mission I ran against this thing,

I got shot in the back by my own partner.

Agent South.

We feel some responsibility for that.

Yeah, you should.

If I hadn't had your tailing unit, I'd be dead now.

So while this isn't ideal, and I don't feel like

sticking my neck out for you guys,

if it puts me on a path that leads to her,

you can trust me at least that far.

So you would say that you have overwhelming feelings

of anger and a need for revenge?

More than you know.

Excellent.

Now that our agency is under investigation,

the director feels that it's important

for us to be as open as possible with each other.

If our suspicions are correct,

the Meta has made another edition.

He'll make an AI.

It was Omega and Tex, right?

Yes, it was.

The Meta doesn't leave much behind.

It's gonna be hard to track.

We think the best place for you to start

would be the Omega's last known location.

The soldiers there have

the most experience with our program.

I see.

So I should contact these experts.

We do not like the term experts.

Because no one really knows what our program is doing?

Let's just say the term expert is a little too

complimentary in this particular case.

Do you still have your old suit of armor?

Of course.

Wait, why?

Oh great.

A response from

the Director of Project Freelancer.

Dear Chairman, while I am obligated

to assist your investigation,

I ask that you not waste my time with irrelevant questions.

My agency is normally unconcerned

with such minute directives as troop reassignment,

except of course, in the most critical of matters.

(energetic music)

Hello?

Hello?

Anybody here?

Recovery One, calling Command.

Come in Command.

Go ahead Recovery One, we have you.

I'm an outpost 1A.

It looks deserted.

Roger that.

See if you can find any evidence

that would suggest where they all might-

Hey!

A-hole!

What's with all the noise?

People are trying to sleep here!

Um, scratch that, Command.

It appears I've found someone.

Recovery One out.

Uh, man.

Hi, I'm Agent Washington.

This is Blue Base, correct?

It was.

Was?

Everybody's gone, transferred.

Something about this base being obsolete now.

Right.

Where did they go?

I don't know all different places!

Nobody told me anything.

Well I'm trying to locate some people

who have experience with the Freelancer program.

Freelancer?

Is that the band we had here last night?

You had a party here?

Yeah, I throw a rave every night.

I charge five bucks a head.

Last night, I made 10 bucks.

Woo-woo, nice.

You use the base for raves?

That doesn't seem like a proper use for official resources.

What are you like a cop or something?

No.

Because if you are and I ask you,

then you have to tell me.

That's totally a law or something.

I'm not the police, and that's not a real law.

Well if you're not a cop, then how do you know

it's not a real law?

Busted.

You caught me.

Hey is there anybody else, smart

here that I can talk to?

Yeah, right, like I'm gonna tell you.

I don't rat people out, cop.

Okay I'm going to leave now.

Good luck with your empty base and your raging insanity.

Yeah?

Whatever.

Good luck with being a cop, cop!

Come in, Command.

Hello, Washington, we have you.

How was the investigation at Blue Base?

Enlightening.

Going to try the Red Base now.

I'm hoping things there will be a little more

normal.

Halt, in the name of the Red.

(coughs) I mean, Red army.

This base is operating at full capacity,

and if you come in here,

you're going to get into a big slapfight.

(sighs) I'm going to have to call you back.

Don't come any further, oh la-la.

This is your last warning, stay out!

I love math!

Your only hope for survival

is to kiss my Commander's ass.

And here's another warning!

I know the other warning was supposed to be the last,

but I never listen to orders

'cause I'm too lazy and stupid, and ugly.

Did I mention ugly?

This is going to be a waste of time, I can tell already.

(groans) Freeze, intruder!

Stop your intrudin' right there.

Who made these things?

I did!

Wait, you're real?

Of course I am!

You fell for a classic misdirection.

I still got it. (chuckles)

(Lopez speaks Spanish)

We're fine, Lopez.

Just caught myself a dirty Blue.

How many does that make this week?

Uno.

Yahtzee, we're on a hot streak.

I'm not actually a Blue.

I'm from Command.

Command?

No kiddin'.

I was hoping you can tell me

about the soldiers transferred out of this outpost.

You mean Grif and Simmons?

Those traitors.

I told them not to go.

The battle here isn't even over yet.

It looks over to me.

Not while there's a single Blue left in this canyon,

which there is, a single Blue.

Victory, or death.

I see.

That's why I refused my relocation orders.

Obviously Command wasn't thinking clearly.

So you're AWOL then.

I-

A what?

Don't tell him anything until you talk to lawyer!

You have rights!

I'm not a cop!

Hey, beat it you little tramp!

You see why I can't go?

Why not just attack her and win then?

It would take about 10 seconds.

You're old and I hate you!

That's the problem, I can't attack a girl.

So we're locked in an epic stalemate.

You're kidding me?

Plus she's cookin' something up

and I gotta be ready!

I hear her runnin' training ops every night.

I see them out there with their glow sticks,

and their tribal drum beats,

Boom chica boom chica boom chica.

Well this has been really informative,

but I need to find someone

who has experience with artificial intelligence.

Oh, right.

You want Caboose then.

He got infected for a little while, I think.

Great, Caboose.

Do you know where he is?

Of course, he intercepted the Blue's orders.

I got it right here.

Lopez!

Si.

Get this guy the Blue team's relocation orders.

Si.

Lopez probably converted it into Spanish.

So it might be a little hard to understand.

Yeah.

They wouldn't be the first thing today.

Shut up, cop!

Dear Director,

due to your busy schedule

we have begun interviewing members of your staff.

I'm certain you will let us know if this bothers you.

Our de-briefings keep coming back

to a single subject at outpost 17-B.

Can you explain to us what this matter is

and what your plans are to deal with it?

Oh no.

Hell no.

Excuse me, sir.

But no goddamn way.

You must be Lieutenant Miller.

I got Reds coming out of my ass here, boss.

You show up and take away one of my men for a-

What did you say this was for?

Secret mission, sir.

Oh, you gotta be-

A what?

I think you have bigger issues

than troop assignments, soldier.

How about getting some of these vehicles

back in working order?

What the hell do you think I'm talkin' about?

This is your fault!

You sent us the new guy.

He said he was good with vehicles.

All he does is talk to 'em.

Talk to 'em!

What the hell is that all about?

And now look at the damn things.

I don't have time to discuss your problems.

I have orders and those orders say

that I need private Caboose, and I need him now.

He has information that is vital to this-

Wait a second, Caboose?

You're taking Caboose?

And I don't have to pay you or anything like that?

Is that a problem?

Problem? (laughs)

Hell, no.

It must be Christmas morning and no one told me!

You stay right there and I'll get him for you.

Private Johannes, Johannes!

Johannes, where the hell are you?

Sir, for the millionth time,

my name is pronounced Jones.

Jones.

Shut up, Johannes.

Seriously lots of people have the name, it's very common!

How am I the first guy you've met called Jones?

Johannes, I need you to go down to the brig,

untie Caboose, and get him up here.

Me?

Alone?

Double time, Johannes.

It's pronounced...

Never mind, Christ.

You keep him in the brig?

We keep him tied up in the brig.

I'm not taking any more chances.

(man screaming)

Oh why?

Be careful.

You'll understand soon enough.

You wanted to see me, Principal Miller?

Where's the guy I said to get you?

Oh, him, yeah.

He let me out and then somehow

shot himself in the back, somehow.

But we don't think it was anyone's fault.

Everybody agrees it was an accident.

Jesus!

Would someone go check on him?

Caboose?

This here is special agent Washington from Blue Command.

He has something fantastic he needs to talk to you about.

Command?

Oh no, they never have good news.

Did somebody die?

Was it my mom?

Is she dead?

Or my dad?

Did my dad die again?

Oh no.

What is this?

I don't.

(chuckles) You see?

He's yours now.

No take backs.

Is it my brother?

Was my brother killed?

That's it, isn't it?

My brother's dead.

What?

No, nothing like that.

Oh good, because I don't even have a brother.

How sad would it be to not have a brother,

and to lose a brother all in the same day?

No one died.

Johannes is dead, sir.

Okay, no one besides him.

Once again, nobody's fault.

I think the new guy did it.

Private Caboose, you were stationed

at Blood Gulch, correct?

Yeah.

That was fun.

And our records indicate that you were infected

by an aggressive artificial intelligence program

at one point, the Omega AI.

Is that correct as well?

Yeah, that wasn't as much fun.

Okay.

Well I need you to come with me.

I'm investigating a critical issue

and you seem to be the only person with

the knowledge and experience necessary to help me.

And I just realized how ridiculous that sounded

once I said it out loud.

Nonetheless, I need you to come with me.

Could I have a word with him first, sir?

Sure, I guess.

Now Caboose, I know we didn't always get along.

I got tied up.

Right but all these mistakes.

I know it's not your fault.

You seem like a good kid.

You're just a little confused.

Yeah, he is.

But I want to give you a piece of advice.

This guy looks like a tough customer,

and you're bound to get into some situations

that maybe you're not prepared for.

Right.

Like a rodeo.

Now if that happens,

if you find yourself in danger,

or in a situation where you think somethin' bad

is going to happen to you,

I want you to remember just one thing.

Never, ever, come back here.

Okay.

No, I need to know that you understand.

I need to hear you say it.

Don't ever go backwards.

Okay I guess that's as close as we're gonna get.

He's all yours.

Great, let's get going.

Okay.

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Are we there yet?

Just try to stay quiet.

Boys, this is a great day!

Things are finally changin' for us.

I can feel it.

Should we bury Johannes now, sir?

Fellas, let's just enjoy this moment a little longer.

He's not going anywhere.

I'm hungry.

I'm thirsty.

I have to go to the bathroom again.

Dear Chairman,

rest assured we have this situation under control.

While the Meta is proving to be an elusive enemy,

our recovery agent is already closing in on it.

I expect this incident will reach a conclusion soon,

and I will be able to return to my research,

hopefully, without further interruption.

And you're sure

this is where we can find this guy?

I think so.

We all found out our new orders at the same time,

he tried to hide his me so I would not know where he was.

Really?

I can't imagine why.

I said it was like a game of hide and seek,

and he said that that was right.

He was going to hide from me,

and the only way he could win

is if he dies without ever seeing me again.

And he knows about Freelancer as well?

Oh yeah, he knows the most.

He knows all about your AI game.

He dated Tex.

Agent Texas?

How could a person-

(gunshot booms)

Look Sniper, get down!

Huh?

Okay.

That was your one warning shot.

The next one's going right between your eyes!

Private Caboose, get down!

Wait a minute.

All right, I warned ya.

Sayonara, biotch!

(gun blasts)

Oh, c'mon!

What the fuck?

Caboose!

I know that voice!

George, George, it's me, your all-time best friend.

Caboose?

Caboose, is that you?

Yes, George it's me!

(gun blasts)

I missed you so much!

It's been so long!

Did you miss me?

Fuck!

I missed him.

I know you did!

Go away.

This is your friend?

Yeah.

And he's shooting at you.

Well at me and stuff around me.

Yeah, this is kind of like our thing, you know,

he acts like he doesn't like me

but he really does.

Oh, he might bring up something about me killing him,

but that's not really true.

It's a joke.

You could play a along if you want.

Wait, that doesn't make any sense.

You did what?

You killed him?

Scram!

Seriously.

Get the fuck outta here.

Hey George, this is Agent Washington.

He needs to speak with you.

Agent what?

You brought a Freelancer here?

What's wrong with you!?

Open this gate.

Uh no can do, bud.

See this is a secure facility.

Nobody in, nobody out.

Sorry.

I guess you'll have to come back, never.

Oh no.

Then I guess we'll have to just walk through

the huge hole in your secure wall.

Fine.

I'll open the fuckin' gate.

Okay well, sorry the place is so messy.

I would've cleaned up if I'd known you guys were coming,

but hey, no one called ahead.

How long have you been here?

How long?

What day is today?

Today is Tuesday.

I've been here 14 months.

What?

Over a year, by yourself, alone?

Yeah, it's been great.

I mean, it's been great.

Really great.

(radio static)

This is Command calling Recovery One,

come in Recovery One.

You are really an odd group of people.

Hold on.

This is Agent Washington.

I found some Blue team members

that have extensive experience with Omega.

Did he just say Omega?

Yeah, and some other words, too.

Excellent, Agent Washington.

Please stand by for orders.

Now that you have reassembled the Blues,

you should head to outpost 17-B.

See what Blues are taking out of their base

and what they know.

Roger that.

They want you to stop the Meta at all costs.

This is a level-one directive.

Good luck, Wash.

Recovery Command, out.

Recovery One, out.

Come on.

Let's move out.

Move out?

Agent, at what point in this conversation

did you think that we were buddies or something?

I'm not goin' with you?

Yes, you are not in our buddy club.

Shut up, Caboose.

And what did I tell you about that armor?

When we had to pick new suits?

You told me to upgrade.

That's not an upgrade!

This is Marc 6 armor.

That's Marc 5.

This is an upgrade.

In a top 10 list,

five is better than six.

We're not a top-10 list!

How do you ever get anything done

if all you ever do is argue with each other?

We don't!

That's part of our charm.

Quit fuckin' it up!

Look I know you guys are all wrapped up

in your little Red versus Blue battles.

Blue versus Red battles.

No one says Red versus Blue.

It sounds stupid when you say it backwards.

But this is important.

Actual military operations,

not your fake simulation stuff.

Something is hunting our top agents,

and I need all the help I can get to stop it.

Stop it?

If it's killing Freelancers,

I want to start a fan club for it.

Build it a website.

And now that the ship from your canyon is crashed,

we think it's more powerful than ever.

It gains new abilities every time it kills-

Wait, wait, whoa.

You found Tex's ship?

We believe so.

Where?

Come with me and I'll show you.

Okay, I'm in.

Yes!

This will be the greatest road trip ever.

If you say anything positive,

I will fuckin' kill all three of us right now.

Okay.

I will be very depressed about

how awesome this will be!

This is Command calling Recovery One.

Come in Recovery One.

Excellent, Agent Washington

(tape fast forward squeaks)

This is Command calling Recovery One, Recovery One.

This is based on what they know.

This is Command calling Red base.

Please stand by for orders.

Red base, excellent Agent Washington.

They want you to stop the Meta.

They want you to stop Agent Washington, at all costs.

The Blues and what they know.

Good luck.

Base.

This is Command calling Red base.

Come in, Red base.

This is Blood Gulch outpost number one.

Please stand by for orders, Red base.

Go ahead, Red Command.

Agent Washington has reassembled the Blues.

I knew it.

I knew he was a Blue!

Gather your team.

We want you to stop Agent Washington at all costs.

This is a Level-One directive.

Good luck, Red base.

Hey one sec, any word on that soldier plastometer?

No.

Good luck Red base.

What about the robot guns?

No.

Good luck Red base, Command out.

Well, you don't have to get so test-

We still believe this course of action is dangerous.

If we are following Agent Washington,

logic would dictate that others could be as well.

Dear Director,

we can all understand that a shift from autonomy

to oversight can be a difficult adjustment for anyone

but especially someone of your standing.

In that spirit, we have attempted to accommodate

your brief explanations to our serious inquiries.

Nonetheless, I feel compelled to inform you

that even our trust has its limits.

Sorry sir, those are my orders.

No one can approach the crash site.

You can't come in.

Sorry.

I need to see that ship.

Check my clearance if you need to.

I know sir, but it won't matter.

They said I can't let anybody in.

Anybody.

I have orders from Command, Private.

So do I.

These came from the Director himself.

Look sir, I'd like to help you, I really would.

But this investigation thing,

apparently they've started talking to people

within the Recovery force.

Now everything's getting locked down.

You get Command to call me

and tell me different,

I can let you in.

Until then, there's nothing I can do.

You can use Red base if you want to make some calls.

That facility has already been swept.

Fine.

I understand.

(sighs) We have a problem.

I hope it isn't a math problem.

They've got the crash site locked down.

Oh great.

We couldn't have found that out on the radio?

We had to walk here?

They said we could use this base if we want.

Wow.

The empty concrete base.

Is it our birthday?

I want cake.

Can we find somewhere nicer to hang out?

Hey maybe there's like a cool nightclub nearby,

that you can't get us into either.

That would be awesome.

You two just stay here.

I'll go draw off the guards.

When I give you the signal, use that grav lift.

The what?

How do we use it?

Just step into it.

It'll do the rest.

Meet me at the ship.

Okay, what's the signal?

Goddammit, I hate when they do that.

When they do what?

Hey where's Agent Washington?

What do you think he'll do for a distraction?

Who knows?

Probably like, you know, make a noise or throw a rock.

That's what I would do.

(explosive detonation)

(siren wailing)

Or he could do that.

I think he's better at distractions than you are.

Yeah.

Okay, come on out.

But come quietly.

Okay let's go.

Yes, I don't want to.

You see, I am scared of things

that I don't know what it is.

Oh don't be a baby.

How bad to it be (screams)?

(man grunts and groans)

Ow!

That was fucking bullshit!

Did you just say something?

What?

I said quietly.

What part of quietly is so hard to understand?

What part?!

How about the part where I got thrown 80 feet

in the fuckin' air

by the goddamn throwing thing?

They didn't see us.

Okay stay out of sight.

Do you recognize this ship?

Yeah, this looks like it.

Sheila?

Sheila, are you okay?

Um what is he doing?

Oh yeah, we transferred our tanks training program

into the ship so that it can help us repair it.

Did you inform Command that you moved

the program to the ship?

Yeah, we're not really big on paperwork.

That's actually a good thing, in this case.

If they don't know it's there,

they may not have tried to activate it.

Ah-ha!

Here we go.

Hello (voice modulates)

and thank you for activating the-

Wait, where am I?

Sheila?

Program instruction.

Run a full diagnostic

and load the logs from your last flight.

Affirmative.

Exception.

(voice modulates) The system has taken damage.

I am-

I am functioning at minimum capacity.

Program instruction,

overriding exception data-

Do not talk to her like that.

She is not a program.

Whoa, what?

Calm down.

Hey I'm just gonna stand behind Caboose

for a couple of minutes,

you know, for safety reasons.

Okay.

I only want to replay the logs from the crash.

So can you please get it,

I mean her to do that?

Sheila, would you go ahead and do

that thing that he just said to me?

Beginning playback.

(warning alert blares)

Warning, warning system failure.

Rear stabilizer offline.

(glass shattering)

Navigation offline and my system clock

does not match interior records.

Did Gamma get loose?

Negative but I do not know

how much longer I can contain...

Computer,

what about there in the canyon?

Can we land?

Analyzing data.

Just tell me!

Can you get us there?

I am unable to calculate.

Sheila, give me a manual control now!

Acknowledged, manual control activated.

Warning decompression, rear doors open.

Where are they going?

Close the hatch.

Rear doors opening.

Wait!

Acknowledged.

Warning. What happened?

Altitude critical.

Brace for impact.

Hold on everyone.

Brace for impact.

Hold on!

Everybody just hold on.

(message beeping)

Okay so after that the ship crashed here

and from what a survivor told us,

the Blues got here first and offloaded

the bodies and equipment.

Then they started to get infected.

Infected?

What were they doing with the bodies?

Gross, shut up!

No, really, what were they doing with the bodies?

They said their men started acting erratically,

and for some reason they destroyed all their radios,

and their own comm tower.

Oh, okay, okay.

That was definitely Omega.

You had a similar experience?

Yeah, similar?

Exactly the same.

It all adds up, then.

Omega was the one who inherited that trait.

During training they discovered

that he could move from suit to suit.

For some reason he preferred Agent Texas.

They tried to reassign him,

but he always made his way back to her, somehow.

So where's your AI?

I don't have one anymore.

It's a long story but it's why I was chosen for this job.

Okay.

Okay.

I knew I'd heard your name before.

You're that guy that went nuts, right?

I didn't do anything.

My AI lost control of itself.

Right.

It just happened to do it while it was inside your head.

Right.

We have a lot in common, Agent Washington.

No, we don't.

And don't ever say that again.

Where's Tex's body?

According to the prisoner, it should be in Blue Base.

Take me to it.

I want to see it.

What?

I don't think so.

(radio beeps)

Recovery Command, calling Recovery One, Level 0.

I have you Command, Level 0, go ahead.

We have a beacon Wash, pulling the data now.

Stand by for ID and coordinates.

I received it here, too.

Standing by.

What was that?

That was my recovery beacon.

It means an AI somewhere is in jeopardy

and I have to find it before

something else does.

Coordinates locked, transmitting now.

Receiving coordinates for recovery target.

Do we have an ID?

Affirmative, it is from the AI Delta.

Agent South.

Roger that, Agent South Dakota.

Vital reports look bad.

Yeah, she's in trouble Wash.

Yes.

Yes she is.

Dear Chairman,

the Meta is nothing more than

an entity seeking to increase its power

in these confusing days after the war.

From my perspective, that seems to be

a very common occurrence at the moment.

Delta, report.

Your suits energy reserves are nearly depleted,

your shield-

How much longer?

The Meta will breach

our barrier within 60 seconds.

I suggest that you prepare your grenades

while I divert power from your armor's nonessential systems.

No.

You have a better plan?

Keep the shield up as long as you can.

When it starts to falter,

transfer yourself to the storage unit.

I think would be more useful in my current state.

I'll dump my shield generator at the same time,

there's no way that thing can resist the both of you.

You are abandoning me?

It's my best chance to get out of this.

Protocol violations aside,

this seems to be a very short-term solution.

The Meta will only grow more powerful by these-

Program override, acknowledge last directive.

Acknowledged.

Preparing storage unit.

Get ready.

Shield failure in five, four.

Get ready to eject.

Three.

Transfer to storage.

Two. On my mark.

One. Now!

(explosive charge detonates)

There they are!

Three targets incoming.

Don't let it get near her!

Don't let her get away!

Her?

Isn't she a Freelancer like you?

Yes!

Just don't let her leave.

Okay, Caboose.

Hello.

Okay, see that Purple one?

She's on our team, you should help her.

Okay!

(gunfire blasts)

Ugh!

Son of a-

Uh, she got in the way

when I was trying to help her.

Okay, we're good.

It's gone invisible.

Keep an eye on your motion trackers,

and watch your perimeters.

Look for a shimmer.

It can turn invisible?

What is the thing?

It takes the equipment of other Freelancers.

It must have picked up cloaking from Tex.

Wait a second.

Any equipment?

Yes, why?

Shit, Wyoming.

Cover me!

What?

Wyoming?

Caboose, cover him.

Grab those grenades.

No, don't let Caboose help me!

There it is!

Hey I need a little help out here.

On it.

Caboose, toss that grenade.

That was the worst throw ever

of all time.

Not my fault, someone put a wall in my way.

(bomb explodes)

What?

Where did he go?

What happened?

You don't remember?

I threw a grenade, it landed between us.

But don't worry!

I saved you.

He's using Wyoming's stupid time thing from the ship.

What's wrong with you?

Why didn't you tell us he could use equipment?

Why didn't you tell me

that Wyoming was on the ship?

And why didn't someone

give me something to yell about?

(woman groaning)

Delta are you here?

Affirmative, I am undamaged.

However, Agent South is seriously wounded.

May I suggest moving me to a new host?

Roger that.

I don't trust her anyway.

One of you two take him.

Um, I don't think that I can.

I'll do it.

I like meeting new people.

Delta, what happened?

I agree with the simulation trooper,

the Meta has most likely acquired

both the temporal distortion unit,

and an AI capable of running it.

In this case, Gamma.

Well why didn't it kill us then?

I'm sorry but I do not have enough data

to formulate an answer.

I think we should simply be happy it is gone.

That makes sense to me.

I also agree with the glowing person.

Everyone else sees a glowing person, right?

It's possible the Meta has been injured

in some way and is retreating to repair itself.

So if we can find it before it does,

we may actually stand a chance of beating it.

Either way I don't think we should be hanging around here.

Then let's get moving.

I can't walk on my own.

Well I guess you better start crawling.

If you think I'm leaving you here to escape,

you've got another think coming.

Agent Washington, if I may.

Before you arrived, South attempted to turn me over

to the Meta to save herself.

Really.

Much like she wounded you

to escape in our previous encounter with it.

And as I have learned in our travels,

her brother, North, suffered a similar fate.

What a team player.

It is highly probable that she will turn

on us again, soon.

And in her current physical state,

she will only hamper our progress.

What are you suggesting?

That we do not allow her to hamper our progress.

Okay.

Oh come on, Wash.

What are you going to do, sho-

(gun blasts)

Yes.

Good suggestion.

You're welcome.

Dude?

You guys are some cold motherfuckers.

I just want everyone to know

that I have no problems walking.

And I take full responsibility for the grenade incident.

Dear Director,

your program was granted the use

of a single artificial intelligence unit

for implantation experiments.

Yet the department records clearly show

multiple agents in the field with implants

during the same timeframes.

Surely this must be a logging error,

and we anticipate a corrected document soon.

Okay I have a great idea.

Let's all put down our guns

and not shoot anyone else that we're trying to help.

Relax.

Exactly!

Let's all relax.

Agent South had already shot me in the back once before,

and she tried to give up Delta to the enemy.

I wasn't going to wait around

to see if she decided to do it again.

Right.

Okay sure.

Stop talking to me like that.

We're not talking to you like anything.

No one is talking to you like this.

You don't need to treat me like that.

I'm not crazy, okay?

I'm totally, completely, sane.

Now if you'll excuse me,

I need to go blow up this dead body.

Hey, hey, green guy.

I'm blue.

Delta.

Oh, him.

Hello, how may I be of assistance?

Hey yeah, what's the deal with this guy?

Destruction of unused armor or equipment

is standard recovery procedure.

Yeah, no, I mean is he like a whack job or what?

Are you aware of his experience with Epsilon?

Epsilon?

Oh you mean his AI?

Correct.

Epsilon was in unstable intelligence unit

that had to be deleted.

Its integration with Washington's mind

concerned our superiors.

What do you think?

I believe that agent Washington's sanity

is well within acceptable deviations, for now.

Wow.

What a ringing endorsement.

(bomb explodes)

I'm filled with confidence.

Okay, all done.

Delta, I called Command.

They wanted me to pass along condolences on South's passing.

Thank you.

I will be sure to archive that sentiment.

What did you tell them?

I told them Caboose did it.

Apparently, they already have a shortcut on their keyboard

for reporting his team kills.

Control-F-U.

I would have told them you shot her,

but I wanted it to be believable.

Hey my aim is fine.

And yet, the Meta managed

to dodge your rocket somehow.

No, no, not dodge.

It was there one second and it was gone the next.

That's how I knew it was using Wyoming's power.

And he was on the ship with Tex?

His head was.

His head?

His helmet.

Not everybody is as twisted as you are, Wash.

Tex took it for some reason.

Maybe that's why the ship took a year to crash.

So if the Meta has Wyoming's powers,

it's even more powerful than we thought.

And as scary as someone thought it was to begin with.

Back to square one.

Scary square.

Oh great.

It looks like it took one of our cycles.

So what do we do?

What are you asking us?

I thought you were like the big,

know-it-all, super agent guy.

I would go home.

Yeah dude, retire.

You got any savings, like a 401k or something?

Delta, can you shed any light on this?

Not without further data.

Why you want these AI things, anyway?

I understand the equipment part.

At least that lets you do cool stuff.

But these AI things are just kind of annoying,

and just constantly yapping and causing trouble.

I'm going to ignore that.

AI help us in battle, depending on their functions.

We couldn't run half our equipment without them.

And if you get your hands on a smart AI,

you can be damn near unstoppable.

Well like smart like Delta here?

Not exactly.

He's just the logical one of the family.

Smart means something entirely different for AIs

than it does for people.

Now let's not go throwing around words

like smart for no reason.

Wash is correct.

We are more analogous to what you would call a fragment.

Actually I don't care

so I wouldn't call you guys anything.

And I would never talk about someone's (faintly speaking),

especially not in public.

There is one smart AI in the Freelancer program.

Delta.

The Alpha's fully formed-

Delta!

That's enough.

What's Alpha?

The Alpha AI.

It's nothing.

It's a myth, a fairytale.

It is hardly a myth.

Agent Washington, you must have memory of the-

Delta!

Command offline.

Complying.

Oh sounds like somebody has a secret.

I just get tired of hearing

these things talk about their Alpha,

and you will too.

They get obsessed with the idea of it.

It seems like it's all they care about sometimes.

But what is it?

If it's something really scary,

you don't have to tell us.

The whole purpose of the program

was to study soldiers with experimental AI.

But rumor has it they could only ever get one.

So they had to copy it.

The original was Alpha, then Beta, and so on.

They copied them?

Yeah, I like that.

I guess if one is annoying,

then 20 of them are gonna be awesome.

The copies became obsessed with

this idea of the Alpha, the original.

In debriefings they would always steer conversations

towards the topic of the Alpha.

Where it was, if they could see it.

Some even took drastic steps.

Like shooting their partner in the head drastic, or?

I told you, she shot me in the back first.

And we believe you,

even though we don't think shooting a friend in the back,

occasionally, is that big of a deal.

Some Freelancers tried to get to Alpha on their own.

They broke into the secret storage facility

where it was kept.

They almost got to it.

After that, they shut down the-

(radio beeps)

My recovery beacon!

Oh great!

We thought the Meta was hurt,

but apparently he's just busy killing more of your buddies.

Pipe down!

Recovery One, come in, Level 0, come in?

Go ahead, Command.

Wash, we have a beacon.

I'm getting it too.

Do you have coordinates and an ID?

(garbled) Are you sure about this?

Command, you're breaking up on me.

Please repeat how, what can-

Hold on!

I'm not talking to you, Wash.

And you're sure?

Okay.

It's Agent Maine, Wash.

What?!?

Please confirm last transmission, Agent Washington.

Maine?

How can that be?

Please confirm, Recovery One!

Yeah, it's him.

It's the Meta.

What?

Command, give me those coordinates, now.

The Meta is a Freelancer?

Command, Command, come in.

Delta, what's happening.

Our transmission is being jammed.

Tell me you got the coordinates before we lost it?

A Freelancer!

I am sorry.

I did not. You have got

to be kidding me!

I did receive Biocom data

with the identification though.

It appears as though the Meta

is experiencing massive power fluctuations.

Power?

Maybe all that AI and equipment

can't run on one suit of armor.

That is an excellent analysis.

The Meta is most likely dangerously low in power,

and will attempt to augment its energy in some way.

Then we need to get to it fast.

But where?

We might know where it's going.

I just want to know

why we have wall duty for the third day straight,

and Tufts pulls motor pool every time.

Not every time.

Every time!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, today.

Today is Wednesday, Delario.

Exactly, and where's Tubs?

Motor pool.

Look at him down there.

What's he doing?

Nothing.

So what, what are we doing?

We're on guard duty.

And he's on guard duty, too!

Yeah, but he gets to sit still while doing it.

We have to walk.

You complain too much.

I don't complain too much, Burke.

You don't complain enough!

I have to complain more just to keep up the average.

You know what I mean?

Burke, Burke?

Hey, Burke,

where'd you get that helmet?

(muffled groan)

Dear Chairman.

I understand your concern that increased activity

would bring increased risk.

However, our fail safes are simple, but foolproof.

A dead or dying agent's beacon

automatically notifies our recovery team,

and we will be on the scene immediately

to secure all the military's property.

Look, there's our cycle.

The Meta must be here.

Yeah, because no one else in the military

would have a standard issue motorcycle, just like that.

Also the piles of dead bodies might have been a clue.

Just keep your heads down and your eyes open.

I'm going to advance along that wall.

You two take Delta and move up on the other side.

Okay.

Don't use the radio unless it's absolutely necessary.

Okay.

And don't make a move until I do.

Okay!

And no screw ups this time.

Okay!

Are we going to sit here on the beach all day?

Or, are we gonna go get this thing?

We only have one chance at this

before it gets back to full power.

I can't take any chances

that you guys are going to botch this.

Agent Washington, perhaps it would be best

if I assisted you in battle rather than helping Caboose.

No.

Statistically speaking, a Freelancer

would be much better trained to use my-

I said no.

Now get going.

Psst, hey Delta.

Yes, how can I be off assistance?

Can I ask you a couple of questions

about this Freelancer program?

Certainly.

I'll answer what I am capable of answering.

This Alpha thing,

why doesn't Washington want you

to tell us about it?

I believe Agent Washington

is uncomfortable discussing our program in any fashion.

He was one of the many failures

during the implantation process.

One of the failures?

How many were there?

Several.

The Director felt time was limited

and escalated the pace of the experiments.

I would classify Agent South as another such failure.

But she didn't even get an AI.

Correct.

Agent South Dakota and her brother North,

were merely another kind of experiment.

What would happen if one Agent received an AI unit

and the other did not.

I guess we found out how well that worked.

Precisely.

I still can't believe she killed her own brother.

She put him in a position to be killed.

South rarely worked in a direct fashion.

What a bitch.

Other experiments like the Dakotas

were common towards the end.

For instance, Agent Carolina was implanted

with two AI's at one time.

Two of them?

That would drive me nuts.

Indeed.

She only functioned for a short time,

and not very well while she did.

Having three minds at one time proved far too taxing.

Well, yeah, but if Agent Maine

has more than one AI,

wouldn't he be having problems too

like that Carolina chick?

Undoubtedly.

Agent Maine's power symptoms are only a small indication

of what must be happening inside his helmet.

Oh great.

Powerful and crazy.

What a winning combo.

Warning!

Enemy target detected.

I think, yep, there it is.

Yes, thank you for stating the obvious.

Look, there's Wash.

I hope it gives us some kind of-

Now!

(bomb explodes)

Signal.

Move up.

Don't just stand there after it!

I recommend that Caboose and I flank to the right

and attempt to surprise-

Just do it!

There!

Use your rifle.

My rifle?

Shoot it!

Dammit!

(bullet ricocheting)

I got him!

Yes!

Did you see that?

What a shot!

I'm awesome!

It only counts if you call it!

Oh bullshit Dude.

Look, there.

Come on, quietly.

Yeah, okay.

(soft accordion music playing)

Hey, do you hear something?

No.

Wait.

Yeah.

What is that, music?

What?

(roaring engines)

(men shout)

It's Red army, and nothing is gonna stop us now!

(jeep crashing noises)

Oh, fuck!

Dammit Grif, you broke the radio!

Good!

Who are they?

They're the Reds from Arcandia.

Look Wash, I don't know how they found us

or why they're here,

but we don't have anything to worry about.

Seriously not a thing.

These guys are idiots.

They can't do anything right.

We might want to take cover.

Yeah, suck it Blues!

Suck it!

Wait a minute, where's Caboose?

Where's Delta?

Delta.

We missed you, Delta.

Dear Director,

I feel you're avoiding the question.

If this target was already in possession of an AI unit,

how was he able to secure

an additional unit for Agent South?

Would not that verify, as we indicated earlier,

that your program now runs experiments

with more than one artificial intelligence?

If so, where did these additional AI come from?

And more importantly, how did your agency procure them?

This is Command calling Red Base,

come in Red Base.

This is Blood Gulch outpost number one.

Agent Washington has reassembled the Blues.

I knew it!

I knew he was a Blue!

Gather your team,

we want you to stop Agent Washington at all costs.

This is a Level-One directive.

Good luck, Red Base.

Hey one sec.

Any word on that soldier psometer?

No.

Good luck, Red Base.

What about the robot nuts?

No.

Good luck, Red Base.

Command out.

Well you don't have to get so testy.

Hello?

Can you hear me?

This thing gets terrible reception,

I only have one bar.

Hello?

Can you hear me now?

Can you hear me?

Stupid 4G network.

Lopez!

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

That was Red Command.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

Were you listening to my call?

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

They said those dirty Blues are up to no good!

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

I agree, we have to stop 'em!

No matter what the cost.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

You're right!

I shouldn't be here flapping my gums.

I need to shake a tail feather!

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

I've got to reassemble the team.

And I know I can't get Donut,

so that leaves just Simmons and Grif.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

Ah good point!

Maybe I'll get lucky and Grif was killed.

On the glorious men are like battle, of course

but doing something menial and humiliating.

Maybe he drowned in a toilet while cleaning it.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

I know, I know.

I'm hopin' for too much.

Lopez, pack my gear.

I gotta get going.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

Good old Lopez.

Dependable is always.

Now Lopez...

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

I know we've had a lot of good times together.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

You've always relied on my guidance and protection.

But you're gonna be on your own now.

Bueno.

I've prepared you for the world as best I could.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

So take care of yourself.

And always remember, I'll be thinking of you.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

Nope.

No words, Lopez.

I'll see you again, in a better place.

Adios amigo, adios.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

I'll miss you too, Lopez!

Every single day.

(cries) I promised myself I wouldn't cry.

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

Me too, Lopez!

Me too!

(Lopez speaking Spanish)

(chuckles) Now to find Grif and Simmons.

I can only imagine what amazing adventures

they must be having right now.

Any last words?

Yeah, you guys suck.

Ready, aim

Killed by our own men.

Couldn't see this coming.

Hello?

Anybody here?

Anybody alive?

No, good.

Blue sucks! (chuckles)

I don't think Simmons and Grif

would have switched to Blue team.

But if they did, it might explain why they all died.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

What?

Hey don't we get a last request?

You know?

Anything like that?

What do you want?

How about for starters you suck my-

Shouldn't you at least read us our charges?

You know what you did.

You were in charge of our ammunition,

and you lost it all.

Don't you think it's ironic that you're about

to shoot us because we don't have enough ammo?

Also lost and sold to the other team?

Two totally different things.

Oh you're just delaying.

Yes, that's true.

But it's also true that you have

to read us a list of charges.

It's in the Red army handbook,

section on firing squads, subsection 2.9c.

Page 94, third paragraph.

You are going to die a nerd.

So sad.

You want to die in the next two seconds,

or you want to die a nerd with me five minutes from now?

Well?

I'm thinking.

Fine yeah, what he said.

Section whatever, whatever.

I think you're bluffing.

I never read that.

Did you read the Red army handbook?

(stutters) No.

That's because nobody has, except for him.

He's memorized it.

In three languages.

(men clamoring quietly)

Is that a real rule?

I have no clue,

but they'll either read the book,

or read the charges.

Either way, we're alive for a few more minutes.

Yeah, we decided that sounds like too much trouble.

So we're just going to shoot you

and say the Blues did it.

Oh wait.

I didn't think about the fuck it, we're lazy option.

I thought of it, I just didn't want to explain it.

Fuck it.

Ready weapons.

Grif, this looks like it's it.

Listen there's something I always wanted to tell you.

I have something I want to say to you too, buddy.

You first.

Ready!

It was me that stole your identity

and ran up all those credit card charges

at the pawn shops and peep shows.

Sorry.

Aim!

Woof!

I feel so much better now that I got

that off my chest.

So what do you want to say to me?

(Sighs) I seem to have forgotten.

Hey asshole, can we hurry this up?

Fire!

(truck wheels squeal)

Simmons, Grif, there you are!

Are we dead?

Well if we are, then hell looks just like the army.

Big surprise there.

I've been looking everywhere for you.

Sarge?

Yeah, what?

What in the hell are you two doing?

We're being executed by our own men, sir.

Cut it out.

I need you guys to come with me.

Command has a secret mission for us.

Who the hell is this guy?

Oh what is this, insubordination?

C'mon you two, let's get a move on!

Where's your Commanding officer?

He's right there.

Where, behind Grif?

Sergeant Grif is our CO, sir.

Your Sergeant has the same name as Grif?

That's a disturbing coincidence.

No, no, listen to me.

Grif is our Commander.

He was promoted to Sergeant

when you refused to relocate with us.

But who's in charge?

Sergeant Grif!

Okay see, I can hear you're saying words,

but it's like they don't match up in

a way that makes sense.

Did you have a stroke?

Grif is a Sergeant.

He's the same rank as you now.

That's who I'm talking about.

Where is he?

He's right there.

So he's invisible.

Dude, I don't think he's physically capable

of understanding what you're telling him.

Does this mean we get a new Sergeant now?

Awesome because this one sucks.

(grunts) Never talk that way about a superior.

Did Sarge just call me superior?

I heard it, Simmons is a witness.

I don't even want to get involved.

What's going on at this outpost?

Insubordination, invisible Sergeants,

and Simmons has had a stroke!

Totally counts.

You two just get in the jeep.

We're getting outta here.

I'll explain it on the way.

Shotgun.

I outrank you, get in the back.

Fuck.

Son, tell your sergeant I'm taking these two with me.

They can call Command for verification.

But you're taking our sergeant.

What?

I can't hear you.

Engine's too loud.

What the hell just happened?

Hey guys, the Blues are all dead.

(groans) I'm gonna go lie down.

Dear Chairman,

our records in this matter are impeccable,

and I will refer you to them.

It is true that we were granted

the use of only one AI program,

yet with special permission to conduct our experiments

that is all we were allowed to do.

And that is all we have done.

Of course, I am sure that you will agree,

that the core mission of any scientific endeavor

is to find creative solutions to unexpected problems.

(bullets ricocheting)

Where did these guys come from?

I have no clue.

You think they're working with the Meta?

Working with them.

These guys don't do much working of any kind so, no.

Look there's Caboose.

Is he dead?

Hold on, let me pull up the Biocom

and check his pulse rate.

You can monitor our vitals?

I can check on the whole squad during combat,

keeps me up to date.

It doesn't work on you, for some reason.

Yeah?

I'm sure there's a perfectly logical explanation for that.

We need to get to him.

My HUD says he's alive but hurt.

(gun shot blasts)

How 'bout now?

Stop that!

And you missed him.

Fuck the sun was in my eyes.

Simmons, keep firin'.

Don't let up.

Yes, sir.

And get the grenades out there.

Yes, sir.

Hurry up.

Stop confusing everybody.

I'm callin' the shots.

We're the same rank now.

I can do whatever I want.

You're not qualified to lead in battle.

Qualified?

How hard can it be?

Simmons, you're doing a terrible job

and you should try to win harder.

I mean, try harder to win.

That's awful.

I learned that by watching you.

Excuse me, sir.

What? What?

(sighs) Nevermind.

(alarm blares)

(gun blasts)

We have to end this.

Caboose is hurt.

He could be losing blood.

Let him be.

A little brain damage might actually good for him.

But what about Delta?

The medic could have grabbed him

and where he could be trying to-

What was that?

What was that?

Oh no.

The Meta.

He must be powering up.

We can't waste any more time with his nonsense.

Red team.

Attention Red team.

Cease fire.

Hey how did you do that megaphone thing with your voice?

It's a voice amplifier.

It's standard issue.

All our suits have one.

We do?

What do ya want?

Yeah, what do you want?

Shut up, Grif.

That's shut up Grif, sir.

We are not your enemy.

My name is agent Washington.

I am part of a special task force.

Holy shit.

It does work.

This is bad ass.

Stop that.

(grimaces) Don't use that thing right next to me.

You're killing my ears you douche.

Oh no, we're not fallin' for that again.

I am a special agent from Command.

And this is the voice of God.

Give up your evil ways.

Join the Blue team.

(Caboose grimaces in pain)

Hey, come on seriously.

You're gonna break it.

Hell yeah.

Well if you're Command,

then you'd know our secure code word wouldn't you?

What?

Oh right.

Hold on one sec.

The code word is...

Code word.

Sir, what did I tell you about that?

All right, men.

Stand down.

Stand down?

We out number them three to two.

That's like a three with a two that's 32% advantage.

If you carry the one.

I don't want to know how you came up with that,

but you're actually right.

What do you care though?

I thought you loved giving up in the middle of battle.

It doesn't mean I want to die there.

Gentlemen, they know the code word.

There's nothin' we can do.

Everybody knows our code words.

All right let's try negotiating.

Grif, I want ya to get out there

and see what they want.

But first leave your weapons and armor here

so they don't feel threatened.

Check that.

Take your weapon and give it to them.

No, Sarge, you may not think that I'm a good leader,

but something about those Blues just doesn't feel right.

And I have an uncanny sixth sense.

So if you won't help me,

I'll just have to get the local Reds too.

This guy looks legit.

Maybe he can help.

Grif, get back here.

You don't know anything about those soldiers.

They're Blue could be Red

or Red could be Blue

or they could be in opposite, man.

Shut up old man

and watch how a real leader works.

Hey there, soldier.

What's your name?

(something grunts)

Sounds like somebody has a cold.

Anyway listen I need your help with some things.

Wow.

That's a cool trick.

How did you do it?

Man, he got pretty quiet out there.

You don't think they're really working with

the Meta do ya?

Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh god, oh God, oh!

No.

Dear Director,

do your creative solutions include the circumvention

of the safety protocols that every member

of the military must follow?

If they do not,

then I fail to see how an enemy has managed to secure

not one but several of your experimental AI's.

The protocol is not a guideline, dear Director.

It is doctrine and no one is above its rule.

Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God!

Oh my God.

That guy got fucked up.

What the hell is that?

Oh he lived?

That's bullshit.

Grif, if I told you once

I told you a thousand times.

You gotta pay attention in battle.

You can't let yourself get distracted by-

Oh crap, behind you.

(upbeat music)

(boxes crash)

Well I guess you're definitely not workin' together.

Now that he's powered up.

He's just killing everything.

We're next.

Move it or lose it.

Yeah, come on.

Scoot, scoot.

Hey get outta here Red.

This is our cover.

What is that thing?

You guys remember Tex?

Yeah, the girl who kicked our asses all the time.

Yeah, well this thing's like eight of her.

It must be in full power now.

Church you and the Reds keep it busy.

I'm going to help Caboose.

Did he say keep it busy?

Yeah.

How the hell do we do that?

It looks like Grif is doin' a pretty good job already.

Okay I get it.

Stop throwing things at me you fuckin' jackass.

Keep up the good work Grif.

Ow!

Okay that could've taken out an eye.

Caboose, are you okay?

Caboose.

Damn it.

Delta or you hear?

Delta?

Church, I have Caboose.

He's hurt but I'm going to keep him alive

with a healing unit.

How are you doing with the Meta?

We're dying.

Oh great.

Hey come on.

We still got payments left on that thing.

You better not scratch the paint job.

Hi remember me?

(gun blasts)

He's gone.

Damn it.

You idiots we almost had it.

Almost had it?

We never even heard it.

He means before you got here.

We had it crippled and you guys showed up

and fucked everything up.

Oh yeah.

You guys looked like you had everything under control

before we got here.

Hey up yours, Red.

I don't see you doing anything heroic.

It threw our car at us.

I'm fine by the way,

just in case anyone's wondering.

Well the three of you are staying with us now.

I can't possibly hope to fight the Meta in this state

with just Church

and Caboose. Caboose.

Wash, what's the verdict?

I don't know.

He seems okay.

I think he was knocked out.

I just can't get him to come out of it.

(Caboose mumbling)

What's he mumbling?

I can't make it out,

but I don't really understand half

the stuff he says normally.

This makes no sense.

All his vitals check out.

Why can't I revive him?

Hey do you guys know a medic around here by any chance?

No. No.

Well maybe removing Delta did something to him like

a coma or something.

Yeah, but there's no way to know that for sure.

Unless you have a way to see inside his head.

Prep him for evac.

I'll put in a call to Command

and get an extract going.

This is Recovery One calling Command, come in Command.

Hey Blue.

Why don't you do that thing?

You know the thing you do.

The ghost thing.

Yeah, this guy doesn't know about that.

So I don't really want to let him know and freak 'em out.

Why don't you go keep him occupied?

I'll see what I can do.

Hey, Agent Washington.

I think it turns out we do know a medic after all

but he's really far away.

Maybe if we run around this corner right here.

(groans) I hate coming here.

Hello?

Agent Washington?

Yes, I am Agent Washington.

How are you doing Caboose's best friend?

Oh right.

Hi, Agent Washington.

What is this place?

This is Caboose's mind.

So everybody here is pretty much

as Caboose sees the world.

That means everyone's gonna be either really happy

or make no sense whatsoever.

I see.

That's valuable information.

I will take that information

and I will keep it in a special folder marked secret.

Everyone knows that is the best security there is.

I see.

Don't tell anyone I told you that.

Actually you act a lot

like you do on the outside.

I would like to think that's because I present myself

in a very clear and consistent manner.

Now if you will excuse me,

I need to scare some people who are just trying to help me

and then go fight monsters and robots from the future.

Freelancer power activate.

Yeah.

Okay good luck with that.

Hello, Church.

Delta?

Yes.

This is my new friend Delta.

I believe he has information for you.

Awesome.

Unfortunately I have been taken by the Meta.

This is merely a memory I'd left in Caboose's mind

to help you along your way.

Well then how are you talking to me?

I am not.

I merely use logic to determine

what questions you would ask and in what order

then I left the appropriate responses.

Oh really?

Yes, really?

I let this memory in case you found it.

Please tell Agent Washington that memory is the key.

Memory is the key.

Memory is the key?

What does that mean?

Wash will know.

Okay seriously.

Does it have to be a riddle?

Can't you just tell me what you want me to do?

How hard would that be?

I bet this is your fault somehow.

I just work here.

Well if you're in the Meta,

then why don't you just help us from the inside?

Church, I have to be objective.

The next time you see me

I do not want you to help me.

Delta, Delta wait.

Memory is the key.

What about the Meta?

What about-

Dude?

Yeah, it turns out I'm not so good at distracting.

Wash, don't panic.

I can explain.

Yeah.

See when Simmons was boring you

with random conversation about nerd stuff,

he was really just trying to distract you from what

the Blue guy here was doing.

It means explaining the fact that he was a ghost.

Oh right.

Yeah, he could explain that part too.

Idiot.

Dear Chairman, I too hold

the protocol in the highest regard.

The doctrine kept us all safe durin' the great war.

If you insinuating, sir,

that we violated it in any way

or that we were derelict in our duty to the military,

well then I suggest you be direct

and tell me exactly how we did so.

What is going on?

Wash.

Stay calm.

We can explain.

I don't want explanations.

I want the truth.

Now.

When are you going to tell me about this?

Okay.

Maybe I should start from the beginning.

You see Caboose here killed me by accident once.

Well actually more than once.

It's not my fault.

Tucker did it.

Shut up.

He killed you as in dead.

And then we reached an agreement.

I built Blue over here a new body.

Agreement?

More like we kicked your ass.

And you didn't have much of a choice

in what you wanted to do.

What now?

What are you an idiot?

They totally gave up. Random bullshit.

It's all over, focus.

How do you build him a body?

With the robot kit, of course.

I'd already used ours to build our helper, Lopez.

And a mighty fine job you did too, sir.

Yeah, it's always great to have a helper

no one can understand.

Blue team hadn't used theirs for some reason.

They even had an extra.

We used that for you buddy though.

What's her name?

And that didn't strike anyone as odd

that you would have a kit to build

a robot that looks like a soldier?

That's just standard issue equipment, right?

What?

No.

Have you ever run into anyone else who had one?

We don't really get out that often.

Okay smart guy.

If they're so rare,

then why did Command send those upgraded ones

we were told to ship on the rat's nest.

You guys went to rat's nest too.

I used some of the spare parts

to spruce up Lopez.

Spare parts?

Did you fix his voice thing?

No, I didn't even think about that

until just this second.

It's kinda obvious in hindsight.

Probably best not to mention it to him if you see him.

You wouldn't understand anyway.

Your team sucks.

At least our robot ain't the leader of our team, Blue bot.

Hey that's not nice.

He means us right?

Yes.

And shut up.

Stop it.

I can't stand this.

No more bickering.

You have to be the most immature soldiers I've ever met.

Your face is immature.

Shut up from now on everyone

just keep quiet and don't talk unless I ask you a question.

That's an order.

I need to figure this out.

Hold on.

You can't order us around.

Yes I can.

What's your rank?

My rank?

You still don't get it do you?

You think you're real soldiers.

You're not, you guys are nothing.

Whatever your face is nothing.

We use your outpost as testing grounds, practice.

You never noticed that you didn't have anything to do unless

a Freelancer showed up or you made a call to Command?

You're making it up.

Am I?

Think about it.

Name one thing that ever happened to you

that wasn't directly proceeded by Command calling you

or sending someone to your base.

One thing, anything?

Nope.

I thought so.

You three go assess the vehicles.

See if you can find some trail

of the Meta while you're at.

Finally a take-charge leader.

I like it.

Shut up. Shut up.

Church, get back in your armor.

You're just going to draw attention to yourself like that.

Fine.

But first-

No, no first.

Get in your armor.

I really think I should tell you what it is.

I have a message from Delta.

Delta?

Why didn't you tell me?

Oh come on.

Seriously?

How did you get in contact with him?

He left a message for me in Caboose's head.

Actually for me to give to you.

I guess he figured out I would get in there and find it.

How would he know that?

Did he know what you are?

Well I didn't tell him,

but he seemed pretty smart.

Maybe he just put two and two together.

Four!

That wasn't a test.

Yes, it was.

I won.

What was the message?

He said memory is the key.

Memory is the key.

Did he say anything else?

Nothing important.

Memory is the key?

What does that mean?

He said Wash would know.

Memory is the key?

Yeah, I know.

That didn't make any sense to me either.

It just sounded like some kind

of stupid riddle or something.

Gather your gear.

We're leaving now.

I think he's angry because of what you said to him.

(chuckles) Yeah.

If I knew it was gonna make him leave,

I would've said it sooner.

What's the status of the vehicles?

Report.

You could have asked nicely.

You're right.

I could, report.

They're all busted.

We can probably fix one by takin' parts

from all the others.

That's one of my specialties.

It's gonna take a while though.

How long?

A couple of days.

No time.

We need to start moving ASAP

and we need six seats.

You're going to have to give me two Jeeps in a few hours.

No can do.

It's not gonna happen.

Then we'll have to get them somewhere else.

And I know exactly where we can find them.

Why?

Where are we going?

Delta was right.

Memory is the key.

But what does that mean?

It means that only one thing remembers everything about

these AI and where they come from.

It will know how to stop them.

We need to unlock the Alpha.

The Alpha?

And that means we're going home.

We're going to Command.

(dramatic music)

Dear Director,

our laws are not designed

to outline every possible infraction

that may take place.

However the spirit of the law is clear.

Blatant disregard for the safety

and wellbeing of our citizens

in any form will always be a punishable offense

regardless of how well or by whom

that offense has been just.

(jeep clanking)

Here they come!

Simmons, what are ya waitin' for?

Shoot him!

I can't.

The stupid gun is jammed.

Step on it, Grif.

Yeah, no shit.

Who's idea was it to steal

a Jeep from these guys anyway?

I knew this plan wouldn't work.

We all knew this plan wouldn't work.

None of our plans ever work.

That's why we carry guns.

We can get a car.

No problem.

We're better with vehicles then the Blues.

Let us handle this.

Why did I even listen to them?

I told you not to.

Yeah, well I already stopped listening

to you three bases ago.

Well that's not very-

And I never started listening to you.

(boxes clank)

Force him into that wall.

On it!

Where did they go?

Did you lose 'em?

It looks like it.

What in the Sam Hill?

I don't believe it.

Well Sarge, I guess you owe me an apology.

Turns out I'm not such a bad driver after all.

Ah come on.

What the fuck?

Oh man.

That Jeep has a really big gun.

Don't get any ideas.

(groans) Well I guess I better get down there

and save them.

I'm really starting to hate this part of the job.

Well at least you're getting a lot of practice at it.

Don't patronize me.

You know if we let one or two of them die,

we could probably all squeeze into one car.

Just sayin' just think about it.

And if enough of us die,

we can fit on a motorcycle.

All right, good.

He's gone.

Caboose, you say here.

I'll be right back.

You're leaving.

Yeah.

For some reason he doesn't want me to see Tex's body.

I'm gonna go try to find her.

Don't leave me here with her body.

It stares at me and I don't like it.

You'll be fine.

Stop it.

Got it. Great.

You unjammed the gun?

How about you shoot him?

Grif, just get us outta there.

Hold on I want to try something.

I think I can make this jump.

Are you insane?

Yeah, fuck this.

Breaks.

(man groans)

We're really high.

(Jeep crashes)

Yeah, got him.

You idiot.

We needed that Jeep.

Yeah, and we needed not to die.

What's your point?

There's still six of us.

Where are we gonna get another vehicle?

(drone revs)

Hey, dude.

In the future, don't ask for shit.

It looks like the hornet's gonna get 'em.

Yeah.

They blew up our Jeep though.

That kind of sucks.

And they killed two of her friends, right?

Oh yeah, that too.

Still (grunts).

You okay?

Me?

Yeah, you.

What was that noise?

I didn't hear any noise.

Sounded like-

I sneezed.

You sneezed?

Yeah.

So anyway, I'm gonna go in the base now.

I'm gonna go do some patrolling in there.

You know how it goes?

Standard op stuff.

Okay see ya.

What are you talking about?

The CO said to stay out here.

Make sure no one gets in the base.

Oh it's okay.

I spoke to the Sergeant.

He gave me special orders.

Okay.

Yeah.

Wait you mean the captain?

Yeah, right.

That guy, whatever.

Dammit.

Caboose, what is Church doing?

Doing?

Why nothing, Agent Washington.

He's just standing next to me watching you get killed

by the giant spaceship.

Oh really?

Can you put him on then?

Oh I don't think so.

We're playing a game called who can hold still the longest?

It's a fun game.

I'm going to have to call you back.

Dear Chairman,

sir, while I appreciate your concern,

allow me to correct you in one area.

I value all our subject's wellbeing

but I revere above all else

our ability to continue as a species,

our ability to survive, and no committee,

no bureaucrat will ever convince me otherwise.

Hey I have a question.

Why did we agree to come along to this thing

if we're just gonna be the decoy all the time.

Looks like you have it under control.

I'll be right back.

Tex, Tex are you here?

Tex come on.

Tex.

Allison.

(gun clicks)

All right freeze.

What?

They told us to be on the lookout for someone acting odd

and you're acting odd.

So hands on.

Hey buddy.

Come on.

You don't need to be like all-

Knocked out.

Thanks Wash.

Church, is that you in there?

Yeah.

One sec.

There.

What happened?

I feel kinda-

What do you think you're doing in here?

I had to see Tex's body.

She's like me, Wash.

I know all about her Church.

Come on.

You're not going to find anything in here.

But where is she?

She should be here right?

I mean, shouldn't she?

We've all lost people, Church.

What's important is that you remember her

and what's even more important is

that you don't slow me down while I'm in

the middle of a mission.

What now?

What is going on out here?

What does it look like?

They're running from the stupid plane.

Well we need to leave.

We have a Warthog at Blue base.

We'll take that and you follow me.

What about the ship?

Well take it down.

It's not that simple.

If it's so easy, why don't you do it.

Fine.

(machine gun whirring)

Can we help them?

We could.

Or we could take bets on how long he's gonna live.

I get 10 bucks says it's less than a minute.

I'll take that action.

(air vehicle warning alarm beeping)

Okay.

Now can we go?

All right.

I need suggestions.

The Freelancer Command facility

has an underground complex

of secure bunkers and fortified chambers.

Let's put our heads together and see if we can figure out

a way to get in there.

I have an idea.

And let's not do it is not an acceptable plan.

Oh well you probably should have said

that before you asked for suggestions.

Next idea.

Why don't we call Command and ask them what

the proper procedure is for invading their headquarters?

Next.

How about we build a makeshift nuclear device

and blow the entire place to Kingdom-

No, we have to get in there.

Why?

Because we need to unlock the Alpha.

The what?

It's the main AI from Project Freelancer.

You know all the AI's

that we've been dealing with over the years?

It's where they were all copied from originally.

You can't copy an AI.

The main one?

Those things cause all of our problems.

Why would we go looking for the main boss one?

That's a good question.

Agent Washington, do you want to answer that?

You will understand everything soon enough.

We're not going.

What?

You have to go.

Not really.

We can't infiltrate headquarters with just three people.

You're coming.

That's an order.

Order?

You're not our Commanding officer.

We didn't even know what rank you are.

I'm a Freelancer.

Not a rank dude.

The other Freelancers never gave orders.

They just offered to trade favors.

Okay.

Then let's bargain.

What do you want?

(men clamoring)

Robots and lasers.

Lasers and robots.

Milkshake.

All right.

We talked about it and we figured out what we want.

All right.

Let's have it.

We want you to demote Grif.

Done.

What?

Another wasted opportunity.

Congratulations.

You are now Private Grif again.

Ya got anything lower?

Private junior Grif.

I was thinkin' something with

an insulting adjective or maybe a demeaning adverb.

How about minor Junior Private Grif Negative First-class?

(chuckles) I like the way you think.

You realize you just doomed us to certain death

just so you can insult me, right?

Hey if we do get killed

at least we'll go out on a high note.

Well everybody but you.

That's to be expected.

You haven't had a high note in five years.

A God damn streak.

We still need to figure out how we're getting in there.

Mr. Washington, I have an idea.

I really shouldn't even bother asking should I?

I don't know.

Caboose an idea?

I think he's bluffing.

No, it's a really good idea.

We drive there.

Yeah, he was bluffing.

We're going to Freelancer city, right?

The place where Freelancer's from

and this is a Freelancer car.

If they think that we are Freelancers

because we are in their car,

they will just let us right it.

But you don't look like Freelancers or recovery agents.

They can't see inside of a tank.

(mellow music)

There's no way this plan is gonna work.

Just stay quiet,

follow my lead.

Grif, get up.

You weight a ton.

Stop pushing out.

Hey guys, it's hard enough to fit in here.

All right whose hand was that?

I can't breathe.

Alright.

Your story checks out.

It looks like there was a new incident

at outpost 17-B.

Glad you fellas made it out okay.

Yeah, thanks.

Yeah, it was crazy.

We lost a lot of good men,

especially Joe Joe Johnson.

He was a great guy.

I remember he had a girl back home named Fritzy.

Stop embellishing.

They already believe us.

He also had a dog named Mr. Jobs.

Anyway, he's dead now.

It's sad.

You're clear now.

Drive onto building three.

Understood, thanks soldier.

I can't believe that worked.

Yeah, it seemed like it was too easy.

Wash, you're gonna learn when you work with us.

there's no such thing as too easy.

Just be paranoid.

Yeah, you're probably right.

Dear Director,

please do not attempt to recast this investigation

as some type of personal vendetta.

Our questions to this point

have being fairly standard.

Your reactions have not.

As such, we have secured all your records and logs

by the authority granted by the UNSC.

Now we shall see exactly what it is

that you have to hide.

All right, we got in,

but that's only part of our mission.

So no celebrating yet.

Ah shit.

And I was going to be in charge of confetti.

We still need to reach the AI storage facility.

Security is tight since the Freelancers tried

to break in here.

You mean when they tried to steal the Alpha before?

Exactly.

The Freelancers tried to break into

their own Command facility?

That's dumb.

That's what we're doing right now you jackass.

So just because we do something doesn't make it smart.

(sighs) Tell me about it.

I have the necessary clearance to get close

to the storage hall.

The plan is I'll take Church as a prisoner.

If I take more than one of you,

it won't be believable.

Agent Washington.

I want you to take me instead.

What are you talkin' about?

I will be your prisoner.

Let Church go.

He doesn't have anything to do with this.

Caboose, I'm not actually going to be a prisoner.

I'm just going to pose as one so we can get past-

Have a good life, Church.

Don't worry.

I won't tell them anything.

They won't get any information out of me

no matter how nicely they ask.

Just shut up.

Sacrificing himself for his CO.

What a good soldier.

Why can't your two be more like him?

What?

Brain dead?

I would sacrifice Grif for you, sir.

I know you would, Simmons.

But it's just not the same thing.

No, but seriously I would.

Just give me the word.

I'll do it right fuckin' now.

Let's go, bring it.

Why are you taking Church?

What about the rest of us?

We're sneaking past seven levels of armed checkpoints.

Are you volunteering?

It was hypothetical question.

The rest of you hold up

and wait for us to finish

and don't touch anything.

How will we know when you're done?

When you see every guard in the base running

in one direction, that means we're probably in trouble.

All the guards.

What?

Wait, why are we taking Church again?

Just keep the guards off of us and we'll radio

when we're in position.

This will be our extraction point.

Keep them off you?

Yeah.

Distract them you shit.

How?

Well this is the center

that came up with all the ridiculous scenarios

that you guys have suffered through over the years.

So have fun.

Break some shit.

Hold on.

Don't come any closer.

I need you to stay right there, sir.

Understood.

I need access to the next level.

The counselor wants to interrogate another survivor

from outpost 17-B.

What?

I thought all the Blues at Valhalla were dead.

Where'd this one come from?

I don't have to explain anything to you, soldier.

Stand down.

Sorry, sir.

I didn't mean anything by-

That's fine.

I'll let it go.

As you were.

Something doesn't seem right to me.

I'm going to have to call this in.

Absolutely.

Call it in.

Let me just- Now!

(guns blast)

(soldier grunts)

Hey can I get a little help?

I'm out of bullets.

Thanks.

This patrol is 17 seconds late.

Who's runnin' this place?

How inefficient.

Sloppy.

I'm bored out of my gourd.

So what?

Bored is good.

Bored means we're not dying.

Boredom I can deal with.

I have years of practice.

Yes, we've talked.

I won.

I won the who can beat the quietest game again.

Yeah, good job.

That's 10 in a row for you, Caboose.

Hey, you know what?

We should play again.

That's 11 out of 21.

Yes.

You are all going down.

We should try holding our breath next.

Well, that's it.

I can't stand to sit around.

I'm going mad with anticipation.

We've only been here 12 minutes.

Are you sure?

My mission clock says three days.

(sighs) That's because you wouldn't synchronize

at the start of the mission.

Remember?

I said we should synchronize

and you said, "Why would we synchronize?"

It's like we're in the future.

Seeing what the enemy does before they do it.

Why wouldn't we give up the advantage?

Come on, Simmons.

Who could possibly remember an annoying conversation

we had three whole days ago?

12 minutes ago.

Grif, what's your clock say?

Actually mine's a countdown

to the next episode of Battlestar Galactica.

Priorities, dude.

I just won again.

Damn you guys are really bad at this game.

It's like you're not even playing at all.

Here this is it.

Whoa, what is this place?

It's the storage facility for all the AI's,

the rejects, the bad variants.

Everything is here.

Everything.

Dear Lord.

What are all of these lights on the wall?

It's holographic storage.

And one of these things is Alpha?

You work on closing that door.

I'll find what we're looking for.

And when I do, every soldier on base

is sure to come running.

So be ready.

Church, I got it.

Get over here.

Here this is it.

There.

Oh great you found it already.

(bomb explodes)

(man groans)

What's wrong?

Nothing.

I just had like a weird flash.

Are you all right?

Yeah.

I think it's this thing.

It's like sending out images.

Is this the Alpha?

No.

This is not the Alpha.

No?

What is it?

This is Epsilon.

This is my AI.

Dear Chairman,

I imagine this investigation of our program

is providing you with the kind of attention

that politicians crave so much.

How very predictable.

What has surprised me most about mankind during

the great war is not our ability to adapt

to the new arenas of conflict,

but instead our willingness in victory

to so quickly return to the old.

You mean to tell me, we've come all this way for this.

Your fuckin' crazy AI Epsilon?

Yes.

I thought it was gone.

But Delta told you memory was the key.

At first I thought he meant to remember our first encounter.

And when I met Delta the first time,

what I told him was

you were encrypted until you could be recovered.

Recovery carries risks.

Destruction ensures that an AI-

You cost a lot of money okay?

It's cheaper to recover you than it is to leave.

When they removed Epsilon from me, he was unraveling.

Casting off all these thoughts.

I was sure they deleted him.

But it's cheaper to store it than

it is to delete it, right?

Right.

But why are we looking for this thing?

What's the point?

The message specifically said that memory is the key.

Delta was telling me that Epsilon was still alive.

And Epsilon is the key?

In a way.

At the end of the war

things didn't look good for humans.

And there were dozens of projects

all trying to come up with a magic bullet to win.

Right.

Project Freelancer was one of them.

They had to research with aggressive AI

but they could only get the one

and they needed more to conduct their experiments.

So they got desperate.

Right.

They tried to copy it but they couldn't.

So they-

All AI are based on a human mind.

And the director had a theory.

He thought if we can't copy it,

we'll just have to do the next best thing.

They split it?

Just like a human mind when it's broken.

It fragments, it fractures itself to protect itself.

They tortured it?

Like reverse engineering a multiple personality disorder.

They presented Alpha with scenario after scenario

of stress and danger.

When it started to fragment,

they harvested those fragments.

The Freelancer AI's.

These hoarded little fragments of purified,

compartmentalized emotion.

None of them were a full personality.

Some were good.

Like Delta?

Delta was Alpha's logic.

It needed to protect itself from analyzing

what was happening to it.

So it segregated that part of its mind.

The part that would be able to understand the horror

of what they were doing to it.

And when the anger came and threatened to take over,

it split that off too.

That was Omega its rage.

Gamma was its deceit.

Sigma was its creativity and Epsilon.

Epsilon was its memories.

And memory is the key.

(groans) Okay.

Now I'm bored.

Simmons promise to do me a favor.

If the madness sets in, just shoot me.

Do everyone a favor and shoot him now.

Is that an order?

Oh save your bullets for something worthwhile.

Hey Simmons, get over here.

Hustle up!

What's up, sir?

You're good with computers, right?

Well I'd like to think so.

I mean there's really all different kinds of skill sets.

Like you have your binary computation,

you have bus transport.

Yes or no?

Yes.

Okay here's what I'm thinkin'.

If this is Command and these computer

have some of those interests installed on 'em.

There's just one internet, sir.

And I don't think it's located inside this building.

They probably have all the information

about everything, right?

Like in a spread base

or one of them ROM things.

Data sheet?

I'm sorry.

What's that something I was supposed to understand?

Was that even English?

Come on, man.

You know?

Like all the mainframes on the Reds and the Blues.

Series of tubes and whatnot.

Okay.

You're using a lot of terms that don't really make sense.

I think you're asking me if these computers store all

the data on Red and Blue armies.

Control-Alt Bingo.

Probably.

Could you get into it?

Yeah, if I had some time.

What are you thinking, sir?

Simmons, I want you to erase the Blues.

What do you mean?

Like the blues from Arcanion?

No, Simmons.

All of 'em gone, erased.

As in wiped off the map.

Ka-bluey.

Terminate process.

Sir?

You just blew my mind.

As they continue to torture it,

Alpha couldn't keep its sanity

and its memories at the same time.

So it had to purge them.

That fragment became Epsilon.

And I was just unlucky enough to have it assigned to me.

So you knew?

You knew from the beginning what was going on?

Mostly.

They never told anyone what they did here.

I got flashes when they put Epsilon in my head.

Memories of what the director did to it.

So you would say that you

have overwhelming feelings of anger

and a need for revenge?

More than you know.

Just like you were getting now.

That's why Epsilon went insane.

It was meant to.

It was all the horrible experiences that Alpha

needed to shed to survive.

And that's why it had to be removed from me.

Did they know that you had the memories?

I never said a word,

but they had their suspicions.

Do you still have yours?

No, Wash.

I never had one.

I was in the implant group and behind you remember?

And after what happened to you, nobody got it.

I would never let them put another AI in my head.

I was afraid I wouldn't be able to hide

what I knew from another program,

which ironically is what led them

to think I could be trusted.

What do we do with it?

We take it.

And we get in the hands of someone who can use

all this of information

then they can bring down the person responsible

for what was done to Alpha

and to me and to my friends.

They can take down the director.

Well what about the Meta?

How do we stop him?

Isn't that the point?

I thought only the Alpha could do that.

Are we going to find it or not?

No.

No?

After the first attack on Command, they moved it.

They knew the AI would just convince their Freelancers

to come looking for it again.

So they put it in a place where

they didn't think anyone could find it.

But where?

Shouldn't we be there instead of here?

Church, I need you to listen to me.

Delta was the logic.

He was able to figure out things before anyone else.

It's why he left a message for you in a way

that he knew only you could find.

And in a way to let me see you getting it.

What are you saying?

I'm saying, I know what you are.

Even if you don't.

Why you can seemingly live without a body.

What?

It's why they stuck you

in some useless backwater canyon where no one ever goes

then why they transferred every person in your outpost

to a different base than you.

I've been here 14 months.

What?

Over a year by yourself?

It's why you always agreed with everything Delta said.

I think we should simply be happy it is gone.

That makes sense to me.

Why you didn't feel anything

when Omega got inside your head.

It feels pretty much the same.

That's why you can jump from person to person

the way it can.

It all adds up then.

Omega was the one who inherited that trait.

Church, there's no such thing as ghosts.

You're one of them.

You're an AI.

You are the Alpha.

(dramatic music)

Dear Director,

(mid-tempo music)

it is now clear that your agency

and its primary program Project Freelancer

have abused the trust and freedoms

that the oversight subcommittee has provided you.

Your abuse of the Alpha AI will now become

the subject of a criminal investigation.

I'm sorry Director, but you have seen

the end of my patience.

(keyboard clicking)

What are you findin' out, Simmons?

It looks like all the Blue records are here.

I just don't have the access to delete them.

I'm trying to work around that right now.

Oh try hacking the main frame.

This isn't a mainframe system.

How about cracking it?

Would cracking it work?

Grif, shut up.

Stop making suggestions when you have no idea

what you're talking about.

Well if you want help-

I don't want help.

Maybe you should explain what's going on

and I can make an educated suggestion.

Educated (chuckles)?

Okay fine.

This computer is a dedicated interface with

a highly developed security protocol.

The information we are accessing is stored on

a separate database with its own dedicated hardware.

That system has its own distinct layer of security.

From what I can tell,

the two systems verify their identities

by treating randomly generated 2056 bit encryption keys.

I'm trying to scope one of those keys right now.

So, Grif.

I'm all ears.

Any suggestions?

Oh yeah.

I've seen that before.

You should try uploading a virus to the mainframe.

Jesus.

I find viruses that feature a laughing skull tend

to work the best.

Shut the fuck up and let me work.

You're a fuckin' idiot.

That's not the reaction I expected.

You think I'm a computer program.

Why is that hard to believe?

How about cause I'm a person

that I have been my whole life.

That I have memories from when I'm a kid.

And I don't remember being a calculator, dude.

AI are programs based on an actual human mind.

You're bound to have some residual memories.

They're just not yours.

Oh, you're so full of shit.

And after what you've been through,

it's not hard to imagine you wouldn't-

Oh give me a break, dude.

Okay fine.

I guess you being a spirit makes more sense.

Fuck yeah, it does.

It's way less geeky, asshole.

A spirit?

Yeah, that's right.

A ghost.

Boom motherfucker.

Simmons, how's your progress?

Good I'm almost in.

This blinking light is really distracting me though.

What is it?

Hey guys, I told Caboose to watch out the windows

in the next room.

That should give us some relief.

Good.

Simmons, if that light bothers you so much,

just turn it off.

Hey I got a great idea.

How about if someone else does something for once?

I'm workin' here.

(sighs) I'll do it.

(computer beeps)

Hello?

Come in Command.

Do you read Command?

Why isn't anyone answering?

What should I say?

Who the fuck cares?

Just get rid of him.

Hello this is Command.

Go ahead.

Finally.

Hey this is a distress call.

We need help down here ASAP.

May day and all that shit.

Oh yeah.

Sorry, dude.

There's no one here to take a call right now.

What?!

Can I take a message?

Dude, that's bullshit.

You guys suck.

Is that the message?

No, it's not the message asshole.

Tell them we found what we're looking for

and it's under the sand.

Send help now.

What the hell is he talkin' about?

Who the fuck knows?

Under sand.

Okay I got it.

As soon as they get back,

I'll be sure to grab them

and slip it to 'em.

Yeah, slip it to 'em.

Bow-wow.

What'd you say?

Oh shit.

I gotta go.

Was that who I think it was?

Did something here just say something?

Look you can resist this all you want,

but that doesn't change the fact

that I need your help to beat the Meta.

Why me?

Who else, Church?

Why not Tex?

She's a ghost like me use her.

But she's not you.

Even if I could find her, even if she's still alive,

I don't think I could trust her.

Tex is confusing.

The Director and counselor always worked

so closely with her.

She was like their favorite.

You sound jealous.

What's the matter?

Daddy didn't love you enough?

We were a competitive group.

We had to be.

But she always had special treatment from our superiors.

There has to be a reason for that.

She is-

She's-

I don't know what she is.

(chuckles) What?

You don't know something?

I thought you knew everything.

No, Church.

I don't know everything.

You're not going to get all the answers you want.

But what I do know is that the Meta

in this program are an enormous danger to everyone

but we just need to do what's expected of us.

Do you think you can?

(alarm blares)

Oh great.

What is that?

We've been found out.

Quick grab Epsilon.

I'll lead us out.

Keep your head down.

Okay.

But does this fuckin' thing sends out any more images,

I'm gonna throw in the nearest trashcan.

Can anyone else hear that?

Yes, we all hear it Caboose.

Simmons, did you do that?

I don't think so.

I hope not.

Red guys.

White guys are coming and they look mad.

(bomb explodes)

Really mad.

Grif, close our shutters.

On it.

Here I got it.

This is every bit of information about

the Blues and their soldiers.

Can you erase it?

I can but Sarge, maybe we should think about

this for a moment.

What happens if we delete the Blues?

It means they never existed.

But did you ever stop to think

what does it mean to be Red

if there is no Blue?

If they never existed,

what's the purpose of even having a Red army

if there's no one for us to fight?

Do you understand what I mean?

It's like flip sides of the same-

(computer hums)

Coin.

What it means is what it's always meant.

We rule, they suck.

Don't over analyze it, pussy.

Oh my God.

Where's Caboose?

What?

Where did he go?

(gasps) You don't think that deleting him

from the computer somehow altered the fabric of reality

and removed him from-

Hey guys.

I was just trying to find a bathroom.

Church always had me go before a big battle.

He hates when I asked to go in the middle of one.

Oh.

Did you wanna finish your talk, Simmons?

No, that's okay.

I'm cool.

Come on, dude.

Tell us more about the reality-bending computer.

I'm hanging on your every word.

I don't want to talk about.

How do we turn this damn alarm off?

Maybe it's one of those clap things.

(man claps)

There we go.

Dear Chairman,

I don't give a damn about your committee

and its opinions on my work.

Have you forgotten, sir,

we were at war?

A fight with an alien race for

the very survival of our species.

I feel I must remind you that it is an undeniable

and may I say a fundamental quality of man

that when faced with extinction

every alternative is preferable.

Get that door.

(door clicks shut)

What's the status up here?

Fucked up, about to die.

Simmons is a nerd.

The usual.

It looks like we've got at least half

a dozen squads out there.

They know our position and we're outgunned.

So what's the plan?

Well we were gonna retreat down

the hall until you just

brought more guards up that way.

So now the plan is pretty much to go down swinging.

You first.

Hey Simmons, can you get back on the computer

and change my affiliation

from Red to Freelancer?

Trader?

Hey you gotta go with the winner.

Can you change my job title

to something more important like astronaut.

Oh I know.

Space Marine.

What are you idiots doing?

This computer has all of Command's records.

It does?

Records on everybody?

Yeah, you know theoretically.

Nothin' to see here.

Oh great.

Now we'll show you that you're wrong.

What an excellent idea.

Wrong about what?

Wash has been trying to convince me

that I'm an AI.

Why would he do that?

Because he's transparent.

He can take over other people.

You know, that kind of stuff.

That's because he's a ghost, dude.

Thank you.

That's what I said.

If he's a ghost,

why aren't any of the other soldiers turning into ghosts?

Why don't we just settle this?

Simmons, look me up to the database.

Yeah, I'd like to help

but we may have just kind of, you know,

deleted all that stuff for the Blues.

All of what stuff for the Blues?

Everything's stuff.

Didn't I tell you not to touch anything?

Yes, but you also told us to break stuff.

This seemed like an excellent compromise.

All right great.

That's fantastic.

Now I can't prove him wrong

and I don't get a paycheck.

Fuckin' great.

Thanks guys.

And your side never existed,

which means Red wins.

Suck it you non-existent losers.

Nobody gives a fuck about that.

Sour grapes.

No way.

He's not a computer.

How can we be sure?

Maybe we should ask him something only

a computer would know.

Like what?

What's nine times eight?

72.

Oh my God.

It's spreading.

How about this?

Show me some porn.

What? What?

What?

That's what all my computers do.

Oh, oh steal some music for me.

Or talk about politics and bore the shit out of me.

Do you have any pictures of cats in serious situations?

Because of the trauma he's been through,

he's not going to be able to access most of his functions.

He may not even realize his full potential.

Not living up to his potential.

That means Grif's a computer too.

It doesn't matter.

We don't need him to believe

until the next time we encounter the Meta.

(ceiling thumps)

What the hell was that?

Come on.

Do you even need to ask?

Primary target has arrived.

Engage, engage!

(guns blasting)

Meta, how did he get inside the compound?

What do you mean how?

It's been like 10 minutes.

Not that hard.

Perfect.

Perfect?

He's been following us since I found Caboose.

I knew he couldn't resist getting his hands

on all the stored Command AI, especially Epsilon.

You knew about this?

Knew about it?

I planned on it.

You still have Epsilon?

Yeah, of course.

Good let's get it to safety.

Then we can finish this once and for all.

You know, I'm starting not to trust you.

What do you mean startin' to?

(gentle music)

What is this?

The motor pool?

Yes, it looks like everyone

is outside fighting the Meta.

Still be careful.

Red you grab a vehicle.

Caboose somehow I hate to ask this, but can you drive?

Yes, but not an automatic only stick.

Why can't you drive?

We're in a rush.

Come back to it later.

Right.

Caboose, grab that car.

Church, put Epsilon in Caboose's Jeep.

You guys are gonna make a break for it.

Take Epsilon and turn him over to the authorities.

They'll know what to do with him.

You're not coming?

No, Church and I are staying.

Project Freelancer had one last resort fail safe.

A high powered EMP that can wipe out all

the AI in this facility.

Now that the Meta is here,

we have a chance to take them all out at once

and put this entire project out of commission.

What's an EMP.

It's an electromagnetic pulse.

It wipes out all circuitry in computers it touches.

It will destroy the AI.

Oh you mean an EMP?

Yeah.

I was just about to say

sounds like he's talkin' about an EMP.

EMP?

That's not how you say it.

That's how most people say it.

Yep.

No, they don't.

I say it that way.

It's the initials for electro magnetic pulse.

That's EMP, right?

Which spells EMP.

We don't have time for this.

You're wrong.

Why don't we take a vote?

A vote?

No, no vote.

You're just wrong.

There's no vote.

It's EMP.

Not very democratic.

Being wrong isn't a democracy.

Church and I will work our way down

to the director's lab while

the rest of you escape.

What if the Meta follows us?

No chance.

There's no way he can pass up all the AI in here.

Put Epsilon in the car and let's get moving.

I'm leaving.

I'm going with them.

What?

I don't give a shit about any of this.

I hate you.

I hate the Freelancers.

I hate everything about you guys.

This isn't my fight.

It's yours.

It's your fight more than anyone else's.

I don't care what you say.

No, it isn't.

Church, you'll never get another shot

at fixing all of this.

I know you don't believe what I've told you,

but you need to ask yourself what if I'm right?

If I am or if you had any doubt,

not finding out will haunt you for the rest of your life.

Not just finding out about you,

but finding out about everyone close to you as well.

It's your choice.

What's it going to be?

To the Director of Project Freelancer.

I'd like to inform you that by

the authority of this subcommittee,

officers have been dispatched

to place you under arrest

and we expect your full cooperation.

Congratulations are in order, I suppose.

When they write the new morality protocols

for dealing with AI,

I'm certain they will name entire sections

of the doctrine after you.

It seems that you will earn your place

in history after all, dear Director.

All right, stick to the plan.

Just run.

Get Epsilon out of here.

Turn it over to the authorities

the first chance you get.

Sarge, shouldn't we help him?

He won't stand a chance against that thing.

We have our orders, Simmons.

We have to think about the mission.

Finally an order I want to follow.

Run away and live.

If Agent Wash wants to face him alone,

that's his business.

Yeah, but he doesn't want to face him alone.

It's just that some people won't help him.

That's not our business either.

Just drive.

When the EMP goes off.

You mean the EMP?

Stop it.

You will destroy Epsilon if you're not far enough away.

You got it, Mr. Washington.

Take care of yourself, guys.

I know that's one thing you're good at.

(alarm blares)

It's gonna be on you as soon as you clear the gate.

Be ready to move.

Protect the Blue's vehicle at any cost.

Protect the Blues.

Right, yeah.

We'll get right on that shit.

That's it.

Lead the men as far away from the base as possible.

I just hope there's enough time.

She's falling for it.

You got it, Grif.

Hold on, everyone.

(creature growls)

Warning.

Security breach detected.

Agent Washington.

Good to see you again.

Oh hello.

Are you somewhere nearby counselor?

Somewhere I can say hello in person?

Sorry Agent Washington,

but we were more than prepared for this eventuality.

I'm afraid we will not be able

to see each other in person today.

Well then you'll excuse me if I don't stop to chat.

I'm on a timetable.

There's someone else here

who would like to speak with you.

Well hello, Agent Washington.

The Director himself.

I should be honored.

I should be.

Yes, I realize it has been awhile

since we've spoke, David.

May I call you David?

No, you cannot.

You gave me my new name.

The least you could do is use it.

I am certain you have a lot of questions Wash.

Just one.

How do I turn off this speaker?

Warning security breach detected.

(gun blasts)

Well the prodigal son returns.

Agent Maine you've caused quite a few problems with us.

You will not be leaving this time.

I think I've said that myself

about 20 times in the last few weeks.

Good luck holding him.

You would be surprised what we are capable of.

Even from this distance.

I suggest you work with us if you expect to survive this.

I'm sorry.

Did something about my actions indicate I expect to survive?

It's still about half a click to go.

Step on it.

Clearance verified.

The fail safe is now online.

Awaiting.

How did you get those codes?

You might be surprised what I know, Director.

Warning this is the last resort measure.

Activating fail safe will destroy

all electronic equipment in this facility

including this terminal.

Please confirm.

It was Epsilon.

He inherited the memories, didn't he?

I've known about what you did since

the moment you implanted it in me.

Well then I am very sorry, Agent Washington

but Project Freelancer no longer has need of your services.

Program, disable interior shield.

What?

Agent Maine, please kill Agent Washington.

No (grunts).

(gun blasts)

Alert.

(computer beeps)

Incoming recovery beacon.

Level 0.

Immediate response necessary.

Agent Washington, I feel this

is one recovery beacon you won't be responding to.

Kill him, Agent Maine.

The Alpha is not here.

It has been moved far away.

Attend to the matter at hand.

Agent Maine, what the director is trying to say

is we can discuss the Alpha later.

What's important is that you prove

that you can be trusted again.

We need to trust you before letting you meet the Alpha.

Wouldn't you agree?

You know, Meta?

Why wait?

Why don't you meet him right now?

Hi there.

Caboose, watch out for that rock.

Oh no, Church.

What the hell are you doing?

Why are you stopping?

His body fell out.

So what?

He's going to need it.

It's just an empty shell.

Now get going.

Caboose, move it or we're leavin' you.

You know, I can see why you

didn't want anyone else in your head.

You had some pretty heavy stuff going on in there.

I think you need to talk to a professional.

That's too bad.

I just lost my job

and we had great mental health coverage.

How much time do you need?

Whatever you can get me.

When the EMP goes off.

When it goes off, I'll be fine.

It only affect computers, remember?

And I am a motherfuckin' ghost.

What's goin' on?

Agent Washington, please.

There is time.

If you would just secure Agent Maine

we can discuss this situation

in a more civilized manner.

No, we can't.

(computer beeps)

Thank you.

Fail safe initiated.

Activating EMP.

EMP?

You have got to be fuckin' kidding me.

Here comes the bomb, don't stop.

Ah shit.

Go, go, go!

Get Epsilon outta here.

Don't worry about us.

Okay I'm scared.

Watch where you're going.

No!

(man screams)

(truck crashes)

Dear Chairman,

I am disappointed by your decision to press charges

but I am not surprised.

My only hope is that the courts will see

the matters differently than you have.

You see I never had the chance

to serve in battle

nor did fate provide me the opportunity

to sacrifice myself for humanity

as it did for so many others in the great war.

Someone extremely dear to me was lost very early in my life.

My mind has always plagued me with the question.

If the choice had been placed in my hands,

could I have saved her?

The memory of her has haunted me my entire life.

And more so in these last few years

than I could ever have imagined.

But given the events of these past few weeks,

I feel confident that had I been given the chance

I would of made those sacrifices myself.

Had I only had the chance.

Men, I just got word from our new Command.

They said that thanks to our brave efforts

in bringing Project Freelancer to justice,

we can have full use of these war bases

to continue our training exercises

until such time as they need them

for more official purposes.

Whatever the hell that means.

Wow that's great news, sir.

We even got a shiny new Jeep

courtesy of the UNSC.

Yeah, but Sarge, what the hell is a shotgun by the way?

Shotgun look.

What the hell's a UNSC?

I don't know.

I never heard of it.

It sounds made up.

I know that you disagreed with my methods

and that others will as well.

This is beyond my control.

However I cannot imagine that any court would

be able to convict me

no matter how low their opinion of my actions might be.

You must understand one basic fact for all of this

to make sense, my dear Chairman.

These AI.

They all come from somewhere.

They all are based on a person.

Our Alpha was no exception.

And while the law has many penalties

for the atrocities we inflict on others,

there are no punishments for the terrors

that we inflict on ourselves.

So you send your men.

They won't find themselves a fight.

They will only find an old man,

an old man tired but satisfied he did his duty.

An old man weary from a mind more filled with memory

than it is with hope.

Okay time to see if this works.

Sincerely yours,

the former Director of Project Freelancer,

Dr. Leonard Church.

(upbeat music)