Hitman: Resurgence

2020

Arthur Edwards hastily entered the room, ignoring the security guards trying to pat him down.

_They killed Janus. – His face showed a mixture of anger and grief. – And they said he was part of the plot against Providence. My... mentor. How can they... dare... to lie to us? How can they expect me to lead the Partners to believe in this outrage, this disrespect towards who Janus believed? This went too far, Janet. They need to be put down.

Janet stood up from the desk.

_Calm down. We need to look at this logically. If Grey went after Janus, they know about his connection to Providence. About what the Constant is. About you.

_It wasn't the terrorists. – Edwards closed his eyes. – It was ICA.

Janet furrowed her eyebrows and looked down, pensive.

_47 and Grey... They must be connected somehow. – She looked back at him. – But this isn't important right now. What matters is for you to accept the situation. There isn't much we can do without getting unreasonably exposed.

_Accept the situation? Accept Providence to be destroyed?

_It's what we agreed upon. – She paused, looking down. – I don't know if you understand this, Edwards, but you are only valuable to me alive. At this point, it's a matter of when Providence is destroyed. You can't do anything to stop them now. What you can do is deflect the bullet.

"They only want the Partners. There was nothing in that Milton-Fitzpatrick vault that connected Providence to us, so for them you are merely an intermediate. They are not interested in the position you occupy, but on the information you hold. And Janus' death-"

_Janus' death changes nothing. I can still deal with them. I can still stop this from escalating. – He was fuming. – I only ask your permission for 47 and ICA to be delt with. It seems clear to me that Grey finds his only strength on them. If 47 is removed from the equation, Grey will become powerless against us. Janet, I must advise you to protect Providence as well. It's still of our interest to-

_Enough, Edwards. I'm tired of this.

Janet furrowed her eyebrows.

_Who do you think will be next on the line of fire? Shifting the focus onto the Partners became more urgent after Janus' passing. – She paused. – Schedule a meeting with the Partners and proceed with the protocol. When they are dead, their possessions will automatically be wired to us. Then, and only then, you will take care of 47.

_What is the point after he's already done the damage?

_After Providence is destroyed, he has no more use to us. He will have fulfilled his purpose, if what you say about ICA's involvement is true. – She sighed. – You must not see him as an asset, Edwards. He cannot be controlled. Since his creation, all he led to was trouble.

Edwards snorted and looked down. After a few seconds thinking, he continued.

_What am I supposed to tell the Partners? Alexa will be specially difficult to convince, as she knew Janus as much as I did.

_Keep them unconcerned. For all they have to know, ICA was correct and there was an internal threat in Providence, effectively neutralized. – She turned her back to him. – Do what we do best. Lie.

_You know what they'll ask. – Edwards said. – You can't expect me to submit myself... to that.

_If they ask, you will do it, Edwards. Janus would. – She paused. – I didn't want to have to ask you this, but do I have your loyalty?

He breathed heavily. His eyes were sparkling with anger, but he managed to stay composed.

_You do.