The voicemail the next morning was clear: "Get to the office. Now." Hunger and exhaustion tugged at Mike, but he knew the drill. Late arrivals meant dealing with his boss's wrath. The city's chaos felt heavier as he navigated through the neon-lit streets, avoiding police patrols and stray netrunners.
During his shift Mike gets a call from vasily summoning him to a scrapyard. The location is off limits due to the bombing of yesterday Vasily assures Michael that 'everything has checked clear, come over and we can discuss the plan, Mike this might be the ONE you know, So please, for god's sake, have some faith in me. Just come here. Got everything set up for this gig. So What you say?". Michael sighs, and tells, "We talked about this, but I know you're gonna do it without me. I'm coming. But just for sightseeing this 'ONE' and the 'PLAN'.
As he arrives/enters the car, "So glad of you to come." Vasily is delighted that Mike showed up. Michael continues, "Yeah. So, what do we know about the place?" Then Vasily states, "I peeked around the place. Couldn't find many entry points while the guards are patrolling. Here, use this." He motioned Mike over, handing him a pair of sleek black sunglasses.
"What's this?" Mike asked.
Vasily grinned. "Try them on. Someone wants to say hello."
Mike slid the shades on, and a familiar voice chimed through the built-in comms. "Hey, Mike. Long time no see."
"Rick?" Mike's brows shot up. "What are you doing in this?"
Rick's laugh was sardonic. "You think your buddy Vasily has the brains to pull this off solo? We've got a job, Mike. Big one."
Mike sighed, rubbing his temples. "I'm listening."
Rick's holographic interface popped up, outlining a plan to infiltrate a heavily guarded research facility. The facility's security systems, Rick explained, were near impenetrable without coordination. It wasn't just a heist—it was a gamble with lives at stake.
"You in?" Vasily asked, watching Mike closely.
Mike hesitated but eventually nodded. "If we're doing this, we do it right."
The sight of Rick, their eccentric tech contact, didn't inspire confidence. "Here's the plan," Vasily said, tossing Mike augmented glasses. The target: a high-security research facility beneath a luxury suite. The mission? A heist for something Rich
Michael wanted to know more about the facility. Rick explains, "That's a highly secure system with soldiers of the National Guard protecting along with Military-grade turrets and IR cameras watching the facility 24/7."
Vasily doubts, "So, you are saying it's not possible?"
Rick says, "Yeah, unless you act like 3rd grade chums. Mike, use your glasses to find the nearest power station. Your shades can triangulate it. So, you don't need to stress on it.
Michael using the shades must follow the lines (underground) leading them to the main grid. While on their way, the Mike having doubts says, "Yes, it's the National Guard; this might be more difficult than we know."
"But it's worth the risk, Mike." "You know, Rick always has a plan---", assures Vasily.
Rick continues, "Well, unless you think it's a rally road, don't bounce all around and drive safely."
Mike interrupts, "Yeah. But this is the national guard. Even if we get in, getting out's the real deal."
Vasily says, "yeah. That's why we're bringing him. You know."
Mike asks, "Tosh?" and he sighs. "I thought he's on retirement. You sure he's in?"
"Rick got him covered, there is a place we can meet after we find this grid."
Michael needs to find the wire lines which will lead him into the grid.
After finding the grid Michael calls Rick for info about the grid.
"We found it. Less guarded, but it's huge. Might take out half of this side.", Mike concludes.
Rick: "Good. Vas, why don't you go around and sweep around the place if you can?"
Vasily: "Copy."
Vasily scouts the grid, while Mike surveilles the nearby alleys.
Mike "Rick, tell me why Tosh's taking part in this." "Yeah. He asked You know .regarding the deal. Everyone needs money in this goddamn mess of a city." Rick explains,
Mike : (sighing) " Yeah. I know; the surroundings are mostly barren, as expected."
Rick: "Once Vas comes back, we'll rendezvous at my location."