# Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction

Conviction is the fifth game in the Splinter Cell series of books and games. This game follows former NSA Agent Sam Fisher, previously a 'Splinter Cell' in the anti-terrorist group Third Echelon, now in hiding and investigating rumors that the death of his daughter, Sarah, might not have been an accident. During his search for the truth, however, he becomes involved in a massive conspiracy involving stolen EMP technology that aims to bring the federal government to its knees.

## Dialogue
### Merchants' Street Market

    Victor Coste: The thing you have to understand is this: The Sam Fisher you knew is dead. America killed him, asked him to make one sacrifice too many, cross one line too far. A drunk driver killed him, some anonymous asshole who ran down his daughter and vanished. She was the one thing in his life that humanized him. And his agency killed him. It set him up, turned him loose, and told him to pull the trigger on his best friend in a dirty New York City basement. Irving Lambert died by Sam's hand that day, and so did Sam. So he left. Left Third Echelon, left the life he knew. Left America and Mom and apple pie, left it all behind. He hopped off the grid and went walkabout, looking for a reason to go on living. Eventually, he found it. He caught a whisper in the wind that maybe his daughter's death hadn't been an accident. He heard a name. And he found somewhere to go looking, a city called Valletta. It's in Malta.
    Waiter: Excuse me, Sir?
    Sam Fisher: Yes?
    Waiter: Phone call for you. Please, accept these. Compliments of your caller.
    [Sam takes the phone and earpiece]
    Anna "Grim" Grimsdottir: [over the earpiece] Sam?
    Sam: Who is this? How did you find me?
    Grim: Give me a little credit, Sam. And don't tell me you don't recognize my voice, even after all this time.
    Sam: Grim? What do you want?
    Grim: To save your life. We can go from there. A team of armed men just entered the marketplace, looking for you. They're closing in on your position. Unless you do exactly what I say, this will be a very short conversation.
    Sam: I'm not doing a damn thing until you tell me how you found me.
    Grim: We're Third Echelon. We've got an eye on everyone. Look up. You'll see it.
    Sam: [spotting the drone] I see it.
    Grim: Then I can take it back up to safe altitude, and you can get moving.
    Sam: You still haven't told me how you found me.
    Grim: Move! You've got multiple hostiles inbound on your position, and from where you're at, you're a sitting duck. Now, get to that group of stalls in the market. There's lots of cover for you there.
    Sam: Just like the old days, huh, Grim?
    Grim: Just like the old days, Sam. Are you carrying?
    Sam: Yeah, but I'd rather not risk a firefight when there are civilians around.
    Grim: That's very noble of you, but right now, what matters to me is getting you out of there in one piece. So get to that group of booths right now, or I can't help you, Sam.
    Sarah Fisher: Daddy? Daddy? Daddy?!
    Sam: [entering Sarah's room] Hey there, kiddo. What's wrong?
    Sarah: I don't like the dark. It's scary. Turn on the light for me? Please?
    Sam: [turning on the lights] Aww, come on, sweetie. There's nothing to be afraid of in the dark. Sometimes darkness is a good thing. Like... when you want to go to sleep.
    Sarah: I can go to sleep with the light on.
    Sam: [turning off the lights] When it's light, you can't see into a place that's dark. But when it's dark, you can see what's around you much better.
    Sarah: Really?
    Sam: Really. So if there's monsters or bad people around, you can see them. And if you're in the dark, they can't see you.
    Sarah: I can't see you either. Can you please turn the light back on?
    Sam: O-Kayyyy... then how about this? There's one really cool thing I didn't show you yet...
    Sarah: There is? Show me!
    Sam: OK. Here it is. When you're in the dark and your eyes get used to it, you can see all sorts of things around you really well. And then you can do stuff with them.
    Sarah: Like what?
    Sam: Take a look at your mobile. You can see it really well, right? If there were monsters standing underneath it, because I can see it, maybe I could make it fall on them and they'd go away.
    Sarah: And it would fall on their heads and they wouldn't be bad anymore?
    Sam: That's my girl.
    [sound of glass shattering]
    Sarah: Daddy? What was that?
    Sam: Shhhhh! Daddy needs you to stay in bed now. OK? He's going to shut the door and he'll be back real soon. All right?
    Sarah: OK, Daddy. I love you!
    Sam: Shhhh. Stay in bed.
    Burglar 1: What do you got, man? You got anything good?
    Burglar 2: This place is shit.
    Burglar 1: You picked it, asshole. You said we'd get a couple of thou, easy.
    Burglar 2: I heard there was medals and shit we could fence in here. And the lady that lives here is hot. Maybe we can wait for her to come home.
    Burglar 1: Take it out in trade?
    Burglar 2: Now you're talkin'.
    Burglar 3: Shit!
    [Sam melees and shoots the approaching burglar, then marks and executes the other two. Sarah's bedroom door opens.]
    Sarah: Dad? What did you do to them, Dad?
    Sam: Sarah, baby, don't look...
    Sarah: What are you doing, Daddy? What are you doing?
    Grim: I've got an ID on the leader, Sam. His name is Dmitri Gramkos, a local street-level boss. He hires himself and his gang out on a regular basis.
    Sam: Who's he working for now?
    Grim: Why don't you ask him?
    Sam: I think I will...
    Dmitri Gramkos: [shooting through a bathroom door] Stay back, you hear me!
    Sam: [bashing the door open, sending Gramkos into the wall] Looking for me, asshole?
    [Gramkos tries to shoot Sam, but Sam disarms him and begins his interrogation]
    Sam: No more playing around. Who sent you?
    Gramkos: Fuck you!
    [after beating Gramkos]
    Gramkos: OK, enough... You want to know who sent me? It's Kobin. Andriy Kobin... *big cough*... Runs drugs... guns... Anything people want, he gets it for them...
    Sam: Not good enough. Why does Kobin want me dead?
    Gramkos: If I talk, he'll kill me! He's crazy!
    [after beating Gramkos some more]
    Gramkos: He drove the car that hit your daughter... Used to brag about it, you know... Huh... Heard you were coming, so he hired me... to kill you... before you killed him.
    Sam: You should refund his money. Where do I find him?
    Gramkos: You don't understand! ...Ooof. He'll kill me! ...Hunnnhh...
    [after beating Gramkos some more]
    Gramkos: In the city... the old museum on King George Street... It's his place now... Guards out front and on the sides... Don't tell him I told you...
    Sam: Oh, I'm not going to tell him a damn thing. [crushed Gramkos's windpipe]

### Kobin's Mansion

    Victor: ...Don't tell him I told you, but I knew all along that's where Sam would be going. Anything dirty in Malta ran through that mansion. Kobin's whole operation was based there, and he'd turned the place into a fortress. Which, to be fair, it pretty much was to start with, and that was before he filled the place with jumpy guys toting automatic weapons. But Sam knew Kobin was in there, and that he might know something about what happened to his daughter. So Sam was going in, no matter what.
    Andriy Kobin: [over the intercom] Hey! Fisher! Shit. Is this thing on? It is? Good. I don't know how you got this far, Fisher, but you're not getting any further. You're looking for me? Well, you found me, and that's as far as it goes. You're not gonna lay a goddamned finger on me, you hear me? And you know why not? It's 'cause you're gonna be DEAD! You hear me? DEAD, motherfucker! So if you wanna run, I'll give you a head-start. You keep coming, I'll be waiting! And I'll take care of you the same way I take care of everyone else who fucks with me! And one more thing! Your daughter? Your precious little daughter? She was a fucking whore!
    Henchman 1: So what's the plan, boss?
    Kobin: What's the plan? What's the plan? I'll tell you what the plan is. That son of a bitch is gonna come through that door and we're gonna blast him when he does!
    Henchman 2: Boss, what if he comes through the window?
    Kobin: Then you shoot him! What kind of fucking stupid question is that?! You get this straight: Nobody is going anywhere until Fisher is dead! Until he shows up, all you gotta do is shut up and get ready to shoot. Are we clear?
    Henchman 2: Yeah, boss.
    Kobin: I SAID SHUT UP!
    Henchman 1: Easy there, boss.
    Kobin: Don't tell me to take it easy! I'm ready! Are you idiots ready? I'm ready. I'm ready right now!
    Sam: [after disarming Kobin] Andriy Kobin. Were you saying something about my daughter?
    Kobin: Oh God, no, I was just messing with you, man! I didn't mean it! I swear I didn't mean it!
    Sam: Then make it up to me. Tell me why you killed her.
    Kobin: I can't tell you! All you can do is kill me!
    [after beating Kobin]
    Kobin: It was just a job! They just gave me a picture and told me to provide a body! That's all it was, a dump job!
    Sam: "They" isn't good enough. Who were you working for?
    Kobin: I can't tell you! I'm still working for them! They'll gut me if I tell you.
    [After beating Kobin some more, Sam lets him go as he hears a helicopter approach. He then resumes the interrogation.]
    Sam: They're not the ones you should be worried about right now.
    Kobin: You don't get it, Fisher! They're bigger than you! They're bigger than me!
    [Sam punches Kobin and puts a gun to his head]
    Kobin: Don't you see? They told me you were coming!
    [multiple Splinter Cells bust through the roof and surround Sam]
    Splinter Cell 1: Drop it, Fisher! Drop it now!
    Splinter Cell 2: Move away from the hostage and you will not be hurt!
    Splinter Cell 3: Don't move!
    Splinter Cell 4: Give me an excuse, Fisher. Just one goddamn excuse.
    Grim: Sam... You need to go with them.
    Sam: The hell I do...
    Grim: Please. You have to trust me on this one.
    Kobin: If you're talking to the ice queen, Fisher, I'd advise you to listen. She knows all sorts of things you'd be interested in...
    [Sam releases Kobin and drops his gun]
    Kobin: What took you so fucking long?
    Splinter Cell 1: Don't move!
    Splinter Cell 2: Hands in the air, no sudden movements.
    Splinter Cell 3: That's it, Fisher. Nice and easy.
    Splinter Cell 1: Command, this is GhostHawk One. We have secured Panther and are ready to return to base.
    Sam: All right, Grim. You get this one. But if it's a setup... [after getting shot with a tranquilizer] Son of a bitch... huuu...
    Kobin: Serves you right, cocksucker. [kicks Sam and knocks him out]

### Price Airfield

    Oscar: I'll be happy when we drop off Sleeping Beauty here.
    Col. Prentiss: So will Reed. I saw his people out by his chopper, ready to go. He's probably impatient.
    Oscar: Look, Colonel Prentiss, I got us here as fast as I could--
    Col. Prentiss: Yes you did, Oscar. Tom Reed's just not a patient man.
    Oscar: Uh, Colonel, I don't mean to be pushy on this one, but I do need to talk to you about my pay.
    Col. Prentiss: I was told Kobin was handling that.
    Oscar: Well, yes sir, but since there were these changes, you see -- extra passengers, with extra gear, and a longer flight plan.
    Col. Prentiss: Tell you what, Oscar -- take it up with Col. Reed. He'll take care of you.
    Victor: It was clear someone wanted to talk to Sam. That's why they went to all the trouble of setting him up at Kobin's; that's why they tranked him and flew him back home. They needed him docile when they offloaded him at their private airstrip up in the Blue Ridge. Because if they hadn't, he would have taken that place apart with his bare hands.
    Grim: He's awake.
    [Tom Reed examines the captured Sam]
    Oscar: Fuel isn't free, man.
    [Reed shoots and kills Oscar]
    Tom Reed: Colonel Prentiss, Major Robertson, we don't have time to chat. Our timetable says your men need to move.
    Col. Prentiss: Everything's operational, Director Reed. We started deployment at nine hundred hours this morning.
    Reed: Good. Keep things going on your end. I'm heading back to Third Echelon to prep things there.
    Maj. Robertson: Oh, our people will be just fine.
    Reed: I never had any doubts. Now gentlemen, if you'll excuse us, I need a minute with Ms. Grimsdottir here. There's a loose end that needs tying off.
    Col. Prentiss: Of course. Major?
    [Prentiss and Robertson leave the area]
    Reed: Right. Fisher's all yours, Anna. You packaged him for us in Malta, you get to unwrap him here. Find out what he knows about the EMPs, how he knows it, and why he's been hunting our friend Mr. Kobin.
    Grim: It might take a while, Tom. He's been trained to resist interrogation.
    Reed: I'm authorizing you to use whatever persuaders you need, chemical or otherwise. Get the answers, and dispose of him. Just don't be as messy this time.
    Grim: I'll keep that in mind. Anything else?
    Reed: Just get to it. And call me when you have something. I'll be at HQ.
    Grim: [after killing the soldier guarding Sam] Listen to me. I'm working for President Caldwell as a mole inside Third Echelon. Reed's the new director, and he's working hand-in-hand with our hosts here, a PMC called Black Arrow. They're running a pipeline for stolen Russian EMP tech through Malta, and Reed's stonewalling any kind of investigation into it. [removes Sam's bonds]
    Sam: Reed's stonewalling the President?
    Grim: He's got serious political coverage from somewhere, and the President isn't getting anywhere through channels. We know they're in the final stages of prep for something very ugly, but what we don't know is what it is, or where it's going down.
    Sam: Really? Then again, you seem more interested in field work these days.
    Grim: Stop it. I need you to do this. The second I make a move, my cover is blown. But you're on the outside now. You are free to act.
    Sam: I don't do this sort of thing anymore.
    Grim: Tell that to the men you killed in Malta. Now, if you don't make it look like you escaped and attacked me, I'm dead. So make it look good, Sam. Hit me. Do what you have to do.
    Sam: Grim, let me remind you, I'm out of the game.
    Grim: You're not out. All it took was one hint about her. Only one hint about Sarah and you dove right back in!
    Sam: What do you know about her?
    [Sam punches the locker next to Grim, and Grim slaps Sam back]
    Grim: I know she's alive. How's that for starters?
    Sam: You're lying. She's dead! Lambert told me she was dead, and I take his word over yours.
    Grim: She's alive, Sam, and I know where she is. I've known all along.
    Sam: You're lying. Why should I believe you?
    Grim: Because my people have her... If you help me... You get to see her again. If you don't... It's out of my hands.
    Sam: [grabbing Grim by her hair] Do not lie to me about this, or I'll kill you. Do you understand me?! I. Will. Kill you!
    Grim: Sam, I've been lying to you about this for years. [gets smacked by Sam, falling to the floor] OK, I-- [gets smacked by Sam again] OK. That'll do. Good work.
    Sam: Shut up.
    Grim: Here. My car's just outside their security gate. It's a red T-208. I disabled the GPS locator chip, so Third Echelon's birds can't find it. And take this snake cam; it's linked with this phone. The signal's encrypted.
    Sam: In case you get lonely?
    Grim: So I can set up a call with Sarah, to prove to you that she's alive and unharmed. Now, we need to get you out of here without them coming after you. C4 should help with that. There's some right outside. Get it and call me back.
    Sam: I don't get the gun?
    Grim: [hands Sam her silenced pistol] Just point it at the right people.
    Sam: Oh, I will.
    Sam: [after obtaining C4] Grim, I've got the package.
    Grim: Good. Now, here's the plan. They may not be able to track my car by GPS, but they've got a chopper on-site that means they don't need to.
    Sam: They'll just blow me off the road.
    Grim: We're far enough out into the sticks that no one will notice. You need to disable that chopper, or you're not going anywhere.
    Sam: Roger that. Though, it'd be better to hold off on the detonation.
    Sam: [after setting C4 on the helicopter] Grim, I've taken care of the chopper. Now I need to take down the field's electrical grid.
    Grim: Good call. Black Arrow jury-rigged the hell out of the original system when they converted the airfield from civilian use.
    Sam: So it's vulnerable. The power relays are probably the weakest point. Where do I find them?
    Grim: One of the barracks had one put in, exposed inside the building.
    Sam: Then that's my best bet.
    Grim: [after Sam disables the airfield's electrical grid] Nice job. Now, my car is parked just outside the gate, off the main lot. But as things stand, you won't get far.
    Sam: What haven't you told me?
    Grim: There's a satellite dish on-site with an uplink to a private spy bird. Use some C4 to take it out.
    Sam: I thought your car was clean.
    Grim: It is, but if they get a visual lock on you from the sat, it won't matter.
    Sam: Why don't you go see if there's anything else you forgot to mention?
    Sam: [after placing explosives on the satellite] Grim, the dish is taken care of.
    Grim: Then let's get you out of here. My car is outside the gate. All the pursuit vehicles are inside. This isn't an accident. Fry their security system and they're not going anywhere.
    Sam: Well done. Good thing I didn't hit you harder.
    Grim: Sam, bad news. Sarah's fine, but I have to push back the call I promised you.
    Sam: Stop playing games. And don't call me again unless you've got my daughter on the line.

### Diwaniya, Iraq

    Victor: [after Sam activates the C4 in the airfield and starts Grim's car] Paladin Nine Security, Victor Coste speaking.
    Sam: Vic, it's Sam. I'm in town and could use a little help.
    Victor: Ahh... If you're asking for help, we'd better do this face-to-face. And what the hell's going on back there?
    Sam: I thought you'd recognize the sound. Remind you of anything?
    Victor: Yeah. Iraq.
    Victor: Yo, Sam. How's your little girl?
    Sam: She's doing fine. I got a picture from her in the mail. I think her mom helped her draw it.
    Victor: Nice. My kids don't draw me pictures or write or anything.
    SEAL 1: They don't write 'cause you can't read, man.
    [the group laughs]
    Victor: Laugh it up. But when I get out of here--
    Sam: You're going to kindergarten?
    SEAL 2: You know, I hear that they've got entrance exams in kindergarten now, Sam... I dunno if Vic's gonna make it in.
    [The group laughs, but SEAL 2 steps on an IED, blowing himself up and knocking Victor out. Enemy forces ambush the group.]
    Sam: Down! Everybody down!
    SEAL 1: Look out! Don't move!
    [an Iraqi militant executes the SEAL, while his comrades capture Sam]
    Victor: Sam trusted me, because of what we'd been through together in the Gulf. That's why he called me after Third Echelon did their little number on him. He needed someone to watch his back. I was the only one who could.
    Sam: [being rescued by Victor] Thanks, Vic.
    Victor: Yeah, well, don't thank me 'til we're out of here.
    Sam: When's backup coming?
    Victor: Good question. Wofford Base, this is Husky. I've got two for a ride outta here!
    Wofford Base: Husky, this is Wofford Base. You are one lucky son of a bitch. We'll have a bird in the air as soon as we can pinpoint your location.
    Victor: Roger that, Wofford. We are at...
    [the Iraqis launch a rocket at the classroom, blowing a hole in the wall and knocking Sam and Victor to the ground]
    Victor: We gotta move!
    Victor: [as the Iraqis send in reinforcements] Shit. Sorry, Sam...
    [U.S. planes arrive and launch rockets at the invading forces, destroying the area around the classroom]
    Basilisk: Husky, this is Basilisk. You still down there?
    Victor: Roger that, Basilisk.
    Basilisk: Why don't you boys sit your asses down and we'll come get you?
    Victor: We're not going anywhere. You hear that, Sam? We're getting out of here!
    Sam: Thanks for coming back for me, Vic...
    Victor: [as a Black Hawk arrives for extraction] You don't leave a brother behind, Sam. You don't leave family.

### Washington Monument

    Victor: That op started a change in Sam, one that would take years to really show itself. Years of figuring out what that change meant. But Sam's deal with Grim meant he needed intel on EMPs and Black Arrow right now. Sam never asked for the little things, which meant this... was big. The other question was where to meet. We picked the National Mall. Public space, lots of crowds for cover, open approaches -- it made life tricky for the spotters. I could dodge 'em, and Sam... he could find them. And he did.
    Victor: Hey, Sam. I'm being tailed here. Black Arrow wants to crash our party.
    Sam: It's not a secret that we know each other, Vic. They're watching you hoping to come to me.
    Victor: I think I'm insulted. You'd better take 'em out, quietly, so we can talk before they get backup.
    Sam: What else is new?
    Victor: I'm serious, Sam. If they spot you, or the crowd does, the meet is off. Too much heat. Now get to it.
    Sam: [after ambushing a tail] Why are you following me?
    Tail 1: I wasn't! I wasn't following you, I swear!
    [after beating the tail]
    Sam: Talk to me about Victor Coste.
    Tail 1: He's just this guy, I swear! I don't know anything else!
    [Sam crushed the tail's windpipe]
    Sam: [after ambushing a tail] Looking for me?
    Tail 2: Oh, crap. You're Fisher! Don't hurt me! I don't know anything!
    [after beating the tail]
    Sam: Tell me about your plans for me and Vic Coste.
    Tail 2: Ah, fuck... Fisher... I was supposed to call it in when we saw you. Backup's waiting... ready to take you in.
    Sam: Time for a change of plans, then.
    [Sam crushed the tail's windpipe]
    Sam: [after ambushing a tail] Got a minute to talk?
    Tail 3: Oh, shit, you're Fisher, aren't you? Oh, shit...
    [after beating the tail]
    Sam: Why are you following Victor Coste?
    Tail 3: Coste was just bait, a known associate. We were waiting for you... told to call it in when we saw you...
    [Sam crushed the tail's windpipe]
    Sam: Vic, I've taken care of your admirers.
    Victor: Then we've got a window before their handlers figure out they're done and send friends. If we're gonna do the face-to-face thing, we gotta do it now. You know the area around the monument?
    Sam: Yeah.
    Victor: There's a standalone booth right in front. Meet me there, I'll let you in.
    Victor: There you are. Here, put this on. [hands Sam a backpack] We don't have a lot of time. Those spotters had to have backup. So we'll go over the basics here, cover the rest by phone.
    Sam: Sounds good.
    Victor: Look in the bag. You'll find your favorite pistol.
    Sam: I didn't get you anything.
    Victor: Shut up, Sam. There's no time. You'll also find something I borrowed from a buddy over at DARPA. It's a portable EMP generator, low intensity and short range. The bag's shielded, so you can stash your gear in there, but, uh... hit the trigger, and you'll fry everything around you that uses juice.
    Sam: Nice. What else do you have for me?
    Victor: Uh, there's a file in the bag, but here's the short version: There's an R&D house called White Box, a DoD contractor that does work on EMP technology.
    Sam: So?
    Victor: So, six months ago, they suddenly contracted out all their security to those assholes over at Black Arrow. That's a break in pattern for them -- they don't do corporate security. And based on what you told me about them...
    Sam: ...There might be a connection.
    Victor: Bingo! It's slim, but you've gone Fifth Freedom based on less. All right, time for you to go. You ping me when you reach safe distance, and we'll talk more about White Box before you go in.
    Sam: Will do. Stay safe, Vic.
    Victor: That's a good one, coming from you. Now move.

### White Box Laboratories

    Victor: When Sam came to me for help, I wasn't going to say no. He'd always been more the lone wolf type, and he needed a little reminder on the value of sticking your neck out. After the fun and games at the Monument, Sam headed to White Box. The goons who'd bought the place had already gotten what they wanted out of it, and were moving it offsite. But he didn't care what they were taking out. He wanted to get in -- not that a double-walled EMP containment structure has a lot of back doors. He just needed one.
    Sam: So Vic, how do I get in this box?
    Victor: Look for an industrial air exchanger on the side of the building. Breach it, then go for their security monitoring setup downstairs. Your next objective should be easy to pick out once you've accessed the camera feeds.
    Sam: Famous last words.
    Scientist 1: On the bright side, coffee has gotten better.
    Scientist 2: Let's see. Armed guards posted throughout the building versus an espresso machine. What wins?
    Scientist 1: Oh, grow up. We got bought out, and the new owners brought in their private security. It happens all the time, particularly with projects at this security clearance.
    Scientist 2: I just don't trust this Galliard guy. I mean, yeah, we got bought out and he didn't lay anybody off, but... it still bothers me.
    Scientist 1: You just don't like the fact that his guy Robertson's holding all the data.
    Scientist 2: Exactly! We can't cross-reference, we can't collaborate. What's he doing with it?
    Scientist 1: Probably nothing. Hmm. Maybe you'd better switch to decaf.
    Scientist 2: Ha ha, very funny.
    Scientist 1: It's going to be fine.
    Scientist 2: I know, I know. I still don't like it.
    Scientist 1: You don't have to. Well, a few more minutes, and it's back to work.
    Scientist 2: Whenever you're ready.
    Scientist 3: I'm telling you, we're not getting the amplification effect that we're looking for.
    Scientist 4: What about the readings on run 19-94? Robertson seemed keen on those.
    Scientist 3: Robertson isn't qualified to interpret the data, even if he is collecting all of it. I'm thinking those were statistical noise.
    Scientist 4: I think you're being too quick to dismiss the results.
    Scientist 3: I think I've been working here eighteen-hour days for the last month and a half, and I'm not going to wishcast results because I want to wrap up and go home.
    Scientist 4: Whatever. You're leaving half our results on the table.
    Scientist 3: We're meeting our deadline. Deal with it.
    Maj. Robertson: Come on, people. You said you'd be done two hours ago.
    Scientist 5: What, we're not working fast enough for you? You think you can tell me how to do my job? I'm going to tell Lucius Galliard that you are interfering in our work! What do you think about that?
    Maj. Robertson: You hear that?
    Col. Prentiss: I did. But what he doesn't realize... [he and Robertson shoot the scientist dead] ...is that we work for Galliard, too.
    Scientist 6: You can't... You just...
    Maj. Robertson: I just did. Now you've got a choice: get back to work, or you're next.
    Col. Prentiss: Not this one. I need her at the Bravo site. You can have the other as long as he's useful. Finish and start final phase.
    Maj. Robertson: And the rest of the building?
    Col. Prentiss: Roll it all back.
    Denise Martinez: What?! You can't! This is unacceptable!
    Maj. Robertson: You, keep Poindexter here working. I've got a cleanup to supervise.
    Scientist 6: Don't kill me!
    Sam: Answer my questions, and we'll see. What are you working on that requires this kind of lockdown?
    Scientist 6: Electromagnetic pulse countermeasure stuff for DARPA, mostly. Or we were. Since Robertson got here, it's been all project-driven.
    Sam: Robertson. What's his deal?
    Scientist 6: You mean besides letting Black Arrow take over the lab? He collects all the experimental data and wipes it off the rest of the systems. It's bad for workflow, and only he can see the big picture of what we're working on.
    Sam: Hmm. What about Lucius Galliard? Where does he fit in?
    Scientist 6: Heh. He's my boss. The owner of the company. And the guy who hired Black Arrow and Robertson to do security.
    Sam: I'm thinking it might be a good idea to relieve Robertson of that data. Can you get me in?
    Scientist 6: I can get you into the elevator.
    Sam: Good. Do it, then get out.
    Scientist 6: [after opening the elevator] I think I'd rather stay. Some of my friends... they might need my help... Maybe I can...
    Sam: Good luck.
    Grim: Sam, I know you're inside White Box. I can help. Just let me know when you reach Robertson's system.
    Sam: So you heard everything, what a surprise... But now you're supposed to have good news about Sarah.
    Grim: She's on the line, that's why I called. Make it quick!
    Sarah: Dad?
    Sam: Sarah? Is it you? Are you OK?
    Sarah: They told me you were dead, Dad. They told me that you'd been killed.
    Sam: They told me the same thing about you, I... I...
    Grim: Sorry Sam, time's up.
    Sam: Grim...
    Grim: Later. You've got work to do.
    Sam: Sam here. I'm looking at Robertson's system.
    Grim: Perfect. Can you get me a back door?
    Sam: Just like old times. You've got root access and a socket address.
    Grim: Thanks. I'm setting up a capture so I can download everything he's got.
    Sam: All of the EMP data is on there.
    Grim: A couple of analysts I trust are looking forward to seeing it. OK, Sam. The link is active and the pipe is full.
    Sam: So I'm done here?
    Grim: Not quite. I need you to babysit this from your end. If the connection goes, I can't re-establish it from here.
    Sam: So, nobody else gets their hands on this box.
    Grim: From what I'm seeing, that system could be used to shut down the site's connectivity. I'd be locked out, and we'd be out of luck.
    Sam: Then I'd better get ready. Company's coming.
    Sam: [after defending Robertson's computer] All clear on this end.
    Grim: I can't say the same. Someone's locked a trace onto my download. I can't cut it, and if they find me, my cover's blown and so is Sarah's.
    Sam: Where's it coming from?
    Grim: Looks like inside White Box... first floor. Blueprints show a large space, probably a test lab.
    Sam: Right, I went through it. They store their test EMP there.
    Grim: You might have to use it. Do whatever it takes, but cut that trace.
    Sam: Vic, I'm inside White Box and I need a hand.
    Victor: This should be good.
    Sam: It is. I may need to set off an EMP inside the site in order to kill a trace. How tight is this place's exterior shielding?
    Victor: Tighter than a drill sergeant's asshole. Everything electronic inside would be fried. Outside? Not a peep. So, knock yourself out.
    Sam: Heh. Thanks, Vic.
    Sam: I think I'm done here, Grim. Maybe I'll go look for this Galliard everyone's talking about.
    Grim: Lucius Galliard?
    Sam: You know him?
    Grim: Not directly, but... let me get back to you on this. Don't go after him until I do. In the meantime, we'll have an analyst working on Robertson's data.

### Lincoln Memorial

    Victor: How did Sam get on-site at the Lincoln Memorial? Easy. Secret Service, acting on orders from the President, got him there. Why'd they do that? Well, that's a little trickier. You see, the name "Lucius Galliard" got Grim's attention. She knew he was a businessman Reed was working with, but Reed kept things compartmentalized, and that was one of the aspects of his operation Grim had no access to. It pissed her off. What Grim did know was that Reed was meeting Galliard at the Memorial in the morning, right after some bullshit photo-op speech the VP was giving. Galliard's people were handling event logistics, which was why he'd be there. Grim took it to the President, who didn't like the coincidence. She wanted to know what they were talking about, and that meant getting Sam on-site for audio surveillance -- and more, if necessary.
    Sam: I'm inside. What now?
    Grim: The President's on the line, Sam. We need to eavesdrop on the conversation Reed's about to have with Galliard.
    Sam: So bug the Memorial.
    President Patricia Caldwell: We thought of that, Mr. Fisher. Galliard's people scrubbed the site in preparation for my Vice President's charming little speech, and there was no time to get new equipment in place.
    Sam: Then what's Plan B?
    Grim: You are. This morning's camera equipment is still in place. Get to the control booth, hack the camera controls to record the conversation, and uplink the feed to us.
    Sam: Just like that. All right, I'm on it.
    Sam: All right, Grim. I'm in the camera booth. Now what?
    Grim: You need to sync the feed from the console to me so that I can see what we're getting. It should be easy to hack.
    Sam: Hang on. [hacks the camera feed]
    Grim: That's it. Now I need you to get comfortable with those camera controls. We're dealing with directional mikes here -- high-end, but they're integrated with the camera focus. Get Reed and Galliard in the shot, and we'll get the audio. Miss them, and we get nothing.
    Sam: And here they come... now.
    Reed: Lucius. I'm glad you could make it. We've got some last-minute logistic issues to discuss.
    Lucius Galliard: We're twenty-four hours out, and you want to talk paper clip requisitions? Here? Now?
    Reed: The site's clean, and I knew you'd be here, since your company did the setup on the Samson speech.
    Galliard: One of my companies, yes. I have several, which includes Black Arrow, which I assume is what you want to talk about.
    Reed: We can talk about Black Arrow's shortcomings later. I want to talk about what I need to make this go off smoothly.
    Galliard: Oh, do you now?
    Reed: ...I was impressed that he said that. What did you think of Samson's speech?
    Galliard: It was a nice piece of grandstanding. He should give his writers a raise.
    Reed: He swears he writes all his speeches himself.
    Galliard: I'm sure that plays well with the folks back home. I don't like the chances.
    Reed: You don't like Samson.
    Galliard: I don't trust Samson. But, if we had a better tool, I'd be using it. Which is, incidentally, something you should keep in mind.
    Reed: My, my, are you actually threatening me? I thought we were both more civilized than that... ...This is what your people want.
    Galliard: The people I represent want you to deal with Fisher. Stop wasting time, stop wasting their money.
    Reed: If Megiddo's getting cold feet...
    Galliard: Let me make this clear, Reed: Megiddo planned this operation. Megiddo paid for this operation. And Megiddo would be very upset if anyone were allowed to interfere with it.
    Reed: He's not going to interfere, because my men will deal with him, since Black Arrow wasn't able to.
    Galliard: I'll worry about Black Arrow. You stick to the plan. Like I was saying, it's interesting that you chose this place to meet, of all places.
    Reed: And why would you say that?
    Galliard: The eyes of history are upon us. And we will be making history, make no mistake about that.
    Reed: I'd rather keep our part in things out of the history books, thank you.
    Galliard: Really? I thought you enjoyed the spotlight more than that.
    Reed: I'll do the song-and-dance when I have to, but the man onstage is the one with the least cover.
    Galliard: And cover's important, especially at a time like this.
    Reed: ...Which would explain why you're still here.
    Galliard: Executive oversight. I hate leaving things to chance -- or third parties.
    Reed: You're supposed to be in Paris. All hell's about to break loose. My men will be very busy, so I cannot guarantee your safety.
    Galliard: I'm not asking you to.
    Reed: Are you sure? This is to protect you, and the operation.
    Galliard: Some things require... a personal touch. Now, if that's everything, we're done here. I'll see you when it's over.
    Reed: Goodbye, Lucius.
    Grim: Let's go after Reed.
    Sam: No, the smart play is to talk to Galliard. We can find Reed later.
    President Caldwell: I concur. I want to know more about "Megiddo", and Lucius Galliard is the only source we have.
    Grim: OK, go. I'll freeze Galliard in place.
    [a few seconds later]
    Galliard: Galliard.
    Grim: Mr. Galliard? My name is Anna Grimsdottir. I'm calling on behalf of Tom Reed at Third Echelon.
    Galliard: I know who you are. I just finished talking with your boss. What does Reed want now?
    Grim: Director Reed felt that the resolution that you two came to probably wasn't satisfactory for all sides, and was wondering if you'd be open to further discussion on the matter.
    Galliard: Oh, how very thoughtful of him. The answer is still no.
    Grim: He'd like to know if there's anything else that could be put on the table to get you to reconsider.
    Galliard: Ah. A bribe.
    Grim: Mr. Galliard, I think you're misunderstanding the purpose of my call.
    Galliard: No, I don't think I am. Let me explain something, Miss Grimsdottir: all I want from Tom Reed is for him to do his damn job. Why don't you tell him that for me?
    Grim: If you'll hold for one second, I'll put Director Reed on the line and you can tell him yourself, sir.
    Galliard: You know what? You do that.
    [a few seconds later]
    Grim: I think I hear him now, Mr. Galliard.
    Galliard: It's about damn time.
    Sam: [after ambushing Galliard] You really shouldn't talk to Grim like that.
    Galliard: Guards! Where the hell are my guards?!
    Sam: It's just you and me, Lucius. Let's talk. What's your connection with Reed?
    Galliard: If you asked nicely, I'd tell you.
    [after beating Galliard]
    Galliard: He's just hired help. God, you're thick. This is bigger than Reed, bigger than Third Echelon. They're just convenient.
    Sam: Then why does Reed want you out of town?
    Galliard: Urgh... Your enhanced interrogation techniques need work.
    [after beating Galliard some more]
    Galliard: He wants to run this show when the EMPs are triggered. There's three of them, scattered around the city... In a few hours, they go off, and he gets to play commando. There are people he wants to impress...
    Sam: The EMPs. Where do I find them?
    Galliard: Say please...
    [after beating Galliard some more]
    Galliard: I don't know. That's part of the plan, you see... You can't stop it, Fisher... It's too big. It's too late. The people I work for... this is just part of what they've got going on...
    Sam: Megiddo. Who are they?
    Galliard: Try harder, Fisher...
    [after beating Galliard some more]
    Sam: Megiddo. Who are they?
    Galliard: They're the ones who run this town, and Moscow, and Beijing, and any other place that matters. They're the ones who are going to get me out of this in one piece. And once Reed is finished at the White-- [gets shot by a gunman] It's all... Reed... now...
    Sam: Dammit...
    Gunman: Officer in trouble!
    Grim: Sam? What's happening?
    Sam: Galliard's dead. The shooter's running.
    President Caldwell: We need him alive. He may be our only link between Third Echelon and Megiddo.
    Grim: [after Sam chases the gunman to his car, which explodes] Sam! Are you all right?
    Sam: In theory...
    Grim: Put it into practice. There are multiple Third Echelon squads converging on your position right now.
    Sam: What about the cops?
    Grim: Third Echelon called them off when they rolled up the shooter.
    Sam: Then the gloves are off. I need a ride out of here.
    Grim: The Secret Service agent who brought you in is on his way to extract you, but until he gets there, you're on your own.

### Third Echelon HQ

    Victor: It shows you how much Sam changed that he would even think about going after Third Echelon. He'd been a company man, loyal to the bone. But now, here he was, ready to rip the guts out of the beast. The building's weakness was in the power supply; the main feed and primary backup ran through the basement parking garage. With a little C4 in the right places, Sam could cut the power to the building long enough to slip inside Third Echelon. That was good enough for Sam. He was going in -- and he wanted them to know he was coming.
    Grim: Sam, are you in the garage?
    Sam: I smell like a spare tire.
    Grim: It was the best way. Now I need you to use the C4 you packed to take out the building's primary and secondary transformers. Do it simultaneously when you reach the front desk, and you'll have a short window before the emergency power puts security back online.
    Sam: They're both on the parking level, right?
    Grim: Right, but in two separate rooms. And don't be seen, or they're going to seal the security doors and you're done. And don't give those surveillance cameras a show.
    Grim: Get a move on, Sam. My contact on the inside just sent me a text: Security's looking for him. He's a techie named Charlie Fryman, and before you ask, yes, I trust him.
    Sam: Well, that's good enough for me. Where is he?
    Grim: Near the server room. Get to him before Security does, or he won't be able to help you.
    Victor: For Sam, the one thing Third Echelon had always been about was the truth. Even after everything that happened, he'd held onto that. But now, he was coming back as the hunter. As the enemy. As the one thing he'd never thought he'd be. And the truth? It was waiting for him.
    Receptionist: [on the phone] I'm sorry, we're closing the office early for some routine maintenance. Please try again tomorrow. Thank you! [hangs up] I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid the office is closed for the evening.
    Sam: I'm here to see Tom Reed.
    Receptionist: Mr. Reed is currently unavailable, but if you'd like to make an appointment, Mister...
    Sam: Fisher. I used to work here. [blows up the generators, causing a security breach as the receptionist hides under the desk]
    Charlie Fryman: Psst! Psssst! Are you Fisher? Over here!
    Sam: Are you Fryman?
    Charlie: Yeah. Yeah. You're Fisher, right? Anna told me that you were coming. I was a big fan of yours back when you worked here. I was a big fan!
    Sam: I'm touched. What do you have for me?
    Charlie: I've got those! Ultra-high-frequency sonar goggles, better than the stuff the new Splinter Cells are getting. Try them on!
    [Sam puts on the googles and activates them]
    Charlie: Voilà! With these babies, you can see in the dark, you can see through walls, you name it!
    Sam: It's not bad.
    Charlie: Plus, I tweaked 'em so that you can see the security system laser grid. Trip the beam, and a turret targets the break. Nasty stuff. I, uh, programmed the algorithm. Sorry! Oh, just one thing: the top-of-the-line guys are packing similar gear. So if you can see them, they might be able to see you.
    Sam: Thanks. Now, you'd better get moving.
    Charlie: I'll be fine. I'll just tell the security guards that I was reading in the can. They'll walk me right back to my office. You, on the other hand... Good luck!
    Sam: Kobin...
    Kobin: Look, Reed, this was part of the deal: protection! Well, protect me! ...I'm telling you, he's here! You need to do something about it! ...Raise the security level! Do something, or he's gonna kill me! No... no... that's not enough... No... not good enough! What are you, nuts? ...That's crazy... You're too busy... What?! ...Uh-huh... Uh-huh... I am not just going to sit tight with my dick in my hand... Uh-huh... Uh-huh...
    Sam: Nice to see you again.
    Kobin: [puts the phone down] Look... Fisher... I can explain! Don't panic. Whatever you do, don't panic. He's gonna kill me... Don't hurt me, don't hurt me!
    [after beating Kobin]
    Sam: Nobody's coming to save you this time, Andriy. Now tell me: What the hell is Reed up to?
    Kobin: Reed's working with Megiddo... He's using Third Echelon to get EMPs into the country and sited in DC... I helped set it up... it's what I do...
    [Sam kicks Kobin through a glass railing onto a conference table below. He continues his interrogation.]
    Sam: Why? What does Reed get out of this?
    Kobin: The President... They're gonna take out the President after the EMPs go off... paralyze the city and use it as cover for the hit... tonight...
    Sam: Why go after the President?
    Kobin: I can't tell you!
    [after beating Kobin some more]
    Kobin: She won't play ball... but the VP is already in Megiddo's pocket... Reed gets a medal... and a big fat promotion after it all goes down...
    Sam: That son of a bitch. Last question. This is the important one. What do you know about my daughter?
    Kobin: If I tell you, you're gonna kill me!
    [after beating Kobin some more]
    Kobin: I don't know anything about her. Fisher... Like I said, they gave me a picture, told me to provide a body that matched... I did a lot of jobs like that for Third Echelon... anything they needed... Ask your friend Grimsdottir. I worked with her a bunch of times... She knows more about this than I do!
    Sam: Shut up!
    [Sam lets Kobin go, ending the interrogation]
    Sam: Still alive? Good. I think.
    Sam: Grim, I just had an interesting discussion with your friend Kobin. Reed's in bed with Megiddo. They're going after the President, and playing kingmaker with the VP. The EMPs are for cover.
    Grim: Of course. Aid won't be able to get there in the aftermath, and they'll have a convenient "terrorist attack" as cover for everything.
    Sam: Kobin had a few other things to say. I'm headed to your office, Grim. What am I going to find there?
    Grim: Something long overdue. Patch me through on telepresence when you get there. We'll talk then.
    Sam: So tell me about Sarah, Grim. Tell me why you lied to me.
    Grim: It was Lambert's call, Sam. He thought he was protecting you. He had a recording system set up in his office. Everything that went on in there, he saved. Before New York, he gave me the access codes. The files can only be triggered on-site, and only by me. This is what he had to say about Sarah.
    Irving Lambert's Recording: Sarah Fisher? I'd received reliable intelligence of a credible threat against her, one coming from a mole inside Third Echelon. The threat against Sarah would be used in an attempt to leverage Sam. Sam would then be compromised, and I couldn't allow that. So I made the hard choice. I faked Sarah's death, taking her off the playing board. Without her, Sam would be free to act as he needed to. He'd suffer, but she'd be safe. The rest was details. Preparing a new identity for Sarah. Securing her -- excellent work there, Anna -- and keeping her hidden. Then used that despicable creature Kobin to provide a body that could stand in for the girl. And then I lied to my best friend, told him his daughter was dead. Took advantage of his grief and used it for Third Echelon's purposes. And the saddest part of this? I never uncovered the mole. The danger -- to her, and to Sam -- is still out there. Which means this has to stay hidden. You and I know. That's all. Perhaps some day...
    [Sam, filled with rage, takes his frustrations out on everything in reach, including a chair and some computers]
    Grim: Sam. Sam! Sam, listen to me! Sam!
    Sam: WHAT?!
    Grim: You have to listen to me. What's done is done. But right now, I need you. I need the Sam Fisher I worked with.
    Sam: Haven't you heard? He's DEAD! Just ask my daughter.
    Grim: Sam, please. My analysts have worked through the rest of the data that you got from White Box. We know what they're doing. And we can't stop it.
    Sam: Then what do you need me for?
    Grim: They've got three directional EMP generators in place. When they go off, the pulses will blanket the entire metro area. Optimal coverage pattern predictions place one of those three at the old city reservoir site. You need to go there and disable it.
    Sam: Why should I?
    Grim: Because that's the one that will hit Sarah's apartment. And if you stop it, you can save her from what's coming after.
    Sam: And the other two?
    Grim: There's only time to go after one. So go. Save your daughter. I was never holding her -- that was just a bluff, to get you in the game. And for whatever it's worth, I'm sorry.
    Sam: What about you?
    Grim: I'm going to the White House with Tom Reed, and I'm going to try to save the President. Maybe I'll see you there.

### Michigan Ave. Reservoir

    Victor: So now, Sam knew everything. Knew that the best friend he'd murdered had betrayed him for the best reason in the world. Knew that the thing he'd helped Lambert build needed to be utterly destroyed. He was his own man now, and all his ties to his old life were gone -- except for Grim. She called me to call in a favor. It was too late to go for the other EMPs, but she did want me to go get Sarah. Sam deserved that much, at least. Meanwhile, she'd be at the White House, doing whatever the hell she thought she could do there. So, I said yes. No way I was going to leave Sarah down there for when the shit hit the fan. And I wasn't going to abandon her father. Not even when he just waded in and started beating answers out of people. Then again, that was pure Sam -- pure Sam when he got mad.
    Sam: [after disarming a Black Arrow officer] Tell me what I need to know, and I might not snap your neck.
    Black Arrow Officer: Fuck you! I'm not afraid of you, Fisher!
    Sam: Wrong answer.
    [after beating the officer]
    Sam: That's a weaponized EMP over there. How do I shut it down?
    Black Arrow Officer: Don't know, and even if I did, I wouldn't tell you, asshole!
    Sam: Funny. Now tell me what I need to know.
    [after beating the officer some more]
    Black Arrow Officer: I don't know anything else! I swear!
    Sam: Stop wasting my time.
    [after beating the officer some more]
    Sam: If you don't know, who does?
    Black Arrow Officer: Auuugh! Scientist... brought over by Prentiss... inside the warehouse... Gonna be disposed of after the EMP goes off. She knows...
    Sam: You don't say.
    Denise: No... please don't...
    Col. Prentiss: How goddamned stupid are you? Did you really think I wouldn't notice you sabotaging those systems?
    Denise: Please... I wasn't doing anything!
    Col. Prentiss: [whips Denise with his gun] You weren't doing your job, and your job is the only reason you're still alive.
    Denise: I'm sorry... I didn't mean to...
    Col. Prentiss: [aims the gun at Denise's head] I'm sorry, too. Because you're out of chances.
    Denise: Please don't kill me! Please, don't kill me!
    Col. Prentiss: One more mistake. One. More. Reason. And you're dead! [points Denise to the computer]
    Denise: [after Sam kills her captors] I don't know who you are or what you're doing here, but thank you. They were going to...
    Sam: Save it. There's a weaponized EMP slung up a hundred yards from here. It's going to be activated tonight. Tell me how to stop it.
    Denise: You can't. There's two generators on-site. When they're activated, they'll juice the EMP, and then it'll discharge.
    Sam: What's the catch?
    Denise: If you take out one generator, the other one automatically flashes. Each of them alone is enough to trigger the pulse.
    Sam: So I need to hit both at the same time.
    Denise: Yes, or else it goes off. Are you with a friend? Otherwise, there's no way.
    Sam: There's always a way. Now, you'd better go. Things are going to get ugly around here.
    Denise: It's going to get ugly everywhere.
    Victor: Right about then, things started getting complicated. For some reason, Sarah was suspicious. But I'd managed to talk her into climbing into the chopper -- and had gone airborne to rendezvous with Sam. But there were too many moving parts for things to go smoothly, and Sam didn't know what he was really up against. Tagging the generators that fed the EMP so I could take them out from the air? That was the least of it.
    Sam: Vic, I've got bad news.
    Victor: And water remains wet. Whaddaya got?
    Sam: There are two generators powering the EMP. I need to take both out simultaneously, and I'm all out of C4.
    Victor: Mark their GPS coordinates for me. I'll see what I can do when I get there.
    Sam: Roger that.
    Col. Prentiss: [in a helicopter] Fisher! My employers have put too much time and too much money in on this for you to fuck it up now. Sorry, soldier, but it's over! [launches a missile at Sam]
    Victor: Sam! I know you're busy, but listen up. Grim had me pick up Sarah to get her out of danger. She's onboard, and we're inbound.
    Sarah: Dad? What's going on? Mr. Coste explained some of it, but I don't understand...
    Sam: Just sit tight, sweetheart. It's going to be all right.
    [another missile destroys a nearby tower]
    Victor: ETA is a couple of minutes, Sam, but I need the second generator coordinates if I'm gonna help you. I can patch you into Prentiss' commo. Now, avoid getting your ass shot before I get there.
    Sam: [after tagging the second generator] Vic! You got it?
    Victor: Loud and clear. Hey, Sam. How's that for timing? [launches a missile at Prentiss' helicopter]
    Col. Prentiss: Bank! Bank! Get us out of here!
    Pilot: Weapons are hot! He's firing!
    [the missile strikes the helicopter, destroying it]
    Victor: No kidding. Find yourself some cover. This is gonna get messy.
    [Victor launches missiles at the generators simultaneously, destroying them and disabling the EMP. He lands the chopper.]
    Sarah: Dad?
    Sam: Sarah. Sarah! [hugs Sarah] Sarah...
    Sarah: I thought you were dead. They told me you were dead!
    Victor: Sam, I'm sorry, but if I hear that Black Arrow radio chatter right, we are out of time! I'll let you sit next to her, but we gotta go! Now!

### Downtown District

    Victor: Everybody strapped in? Next stop, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
    Sam: Is Grim there?
    Victor: Last contact I had with her, she told me where to find Sarah. Then she said she was going in to stop Reed. Haven't heard from her since.
    Sarah: We are going to help her, right, Dad? She looked out for me when you were... gone. She could have just dumped me with a new name and walked away, and she didn't. And we are not going to walk away from her. Not now.
    Victor: No worries, kid. We're on our way. It's just gonna take a while -- gotta make sure our flight path is in the EMP-clear zone until the pulse hits.
    [the EMPs activate, causing explosions and plunging Washington, D.C. into darkness]
    Sarah: Oh, my God...
    Victor: Jesus. And those things are supposed to be clean...
    Sarah: All those people down there who don't know what happened...
    Sam: Reed, what the hell did you just do...
    [a missile is launched towards the helicopter]
    Victor: Missile! Inbound!
    Sam: Sarah! Hang on!
    Sarah: Dad!
    [the missile hits the helicopter, causing it to crash]
    Victor: I didn't think they'd have air defenses set up around the White House. I was wrong.
    Sarah: Vic? You OK?
    Victor: Yeah, Sarah, I'm fine...
    Sarah: Dad? Dad, you've got to get up! C'mon, you've got to get up, Dad!
    Sam: Hu... Sarah...? Sarah?
    Sarah: You're OK, thank God. You had me worried there for a minute.
    Sam: Huuu... I'm fine. We're lucky Vic got us down in one piece.
    Sarah: Here!
    Sam: Hang on a minute. [throws away his backpack] So much for that. Not much use for it now, anyway.
    Sarah: I think you'll need that more than we will. [throws Sam some body armor]
    Sam: Where'd you get the vest?
    Sarah: It was in the chopper. The crash wrecked everything else.
    Sam: [puts on the armor] RPGs are thorough that way.
    Sarah: I got that impression.
    Victor: Sam? What the hell are you still doing here? Get your bony ass over to the White House.
    Sam: I'm not leaving my daughter here, Vic. Sarah, can you work your way around?
    Sarah: Dad, it's all right...
    Victor: She'll be fine, Sam. We're six blocks from my office. My people are coming to meet us. Grim needs your help now.
    Sam: Grim can wait. I'm not taking any chances with Sarah.
    Sarah: Dad, he's right. Go do what you have to do. Trust me -- we'll be fine. I'll see you again soon. I promise.
    Victor: It was a bad day to work at the White House. Black Arrow's outer perimeter was there to prevent accidental witnesses. Then there was the inner cordon around the White House, to make sure nobody bothered Reed while he did his dirty work. After all, the Army was eventually going to get its ass in gear and start airlifting people into the city. Then there was going to be some explaining to do. Reed's solution was brilliant. If the cavalry showed up after he'd taken out the President, then Black Arrow was there to help secure the White House and our new President. If not, Black Arrow would be the scapegoat, and their resistance would buy enough time for him to finish the job.
    Grim: Sam! Where are you?
    Sam: Coming through the front door.
    Grim: Negative. Reed locked it down. I'll have the garden door opened for you instead.
    Sam: Got it. On my way.

### The White House

    Victor: What was going on inside the White House made the stuff in the streets look like a party. Reed's people were in there, not Black Arrow, and they were clearing it room by room. Reed had disabled most of the security from Third Echelon; the EMP had taken care of the rest. All the President had left was Secret Service, and they weren't enough. Sam was in, trying to make his way through the White House while the people he'd trained tried to kill him. As for Grim, well, she had the hard part.
    Grim: Sam. We have an opportunity here. Reed stashed Vice President Samson in the ballroom with personal bodyguards. He's waiting to be introduced as the next President.
    Sam: That's on my route to the West Wing.
    Grim: Pay him a visit, then meet me in the Press Room. We'll figure out how to tackle Reed there.
    Vice President Calvin Samson: Dammit, what the hell was Reed thinking? What the hell happens to his precious plan if I catch a stray bullet?
    Bodyguard 1: Mister Vice President, I can assure you that everything is under control. You're perfectly safe here.
    Vice President Samson: Don't piss in my mouth and call it lemonade. Reed is making this up as he goes along, isn't he?
    Bodyguard 2: Sir, Director Reed just called. He's almost secured the President. Everything's going according to schedule.
    Vice President Samson: Oh, really? And where is "kill Sam Fisher" on the schedule?! I didn't hear that grinning prick Reed talk about doing that.
    Bodyguard 3: Sir, you really do need to stay calm.
    Vice President Samson: You're not hearing me, son. Calm is the last thing you're going to see from me right now. I joined this little party of yours in order to do what's right for my country, not to take a bullet in the ass waiting for Reed to get his shit together in the Oval Office!
    Bodyguard 3: I understand your concern, sir, but there is really no reason to get upset.
    Vice President Samson: That's what Custer said. Now shut up unless you have any actual information you can give to me. Otherwise, don't waste my time with this Pollyanna glad-handing bullshit!
    Vice President Samson: I've scraped pig shit off my shoes that was smarter than you, Fisher!
    Sam: [subduing the Vice President] You didn't run. Smart.
    Vice President Samson: You don't get it, do you? You can't touch me. I've got protection. I'm Teflon. So whatever you think you're going to do to me, Mr. Has-Been, Mr. Rogue Agent, Mr. Washed-Up Spy, we can forget about it right now, because I'm bulletproof! Goddamned bulletproof, you hear?!
    Sam: Oh, really?
    [Sam shoots Samson in the kneecaps]
    Vice President Samson: Aggghh...! Aggghhh...! You shot me...!
    Sam: You know, you need to work on that whole "bulletproof" thing.
    Vice President Samson: Ohhh...! Aggghhhh...! You son of a bitch...! Nnnnhhhhh...! Aggghhh...! God, it hurts...! Nnnnhhhh...!
    Victor: By the time Grim got a hold of Sam, Reed's men were kicking in the Oval Office door. She was there, and she could see that the President's protective detail was going down. The plan was for Sam to meet with Grim in the Press Room, where they'd figure out what the hell to do next. Of course, Grim already had a plan, one she hadn't bothered to tell Sam about. But that shouldn't have surprised him. Some things, and some people, just don't change.
    Grim: We're out of time, Sam. Where are you?
    Sam: I'm close.
    Grim: Get closer! Reed's knocking on the door to the Oval Office right now.
    Grim: For whatever it's worth, Sam, I'm so sorry. For everything.
    Sam: I thought we were in a hurry.
    Grim: Right. We need to get you close to Reed, and we need to do it in a way that doesn't make him double-tap the President immediately.
    Sam: Got any ideas?
    Grim: One. But it's going to hurt.
    Sam: Just do what you have to do.
    Grim: I always do, Sam. I always do.
    [Grim shoots Sam in the shoulder]
    Grim: [on the phone] Tom, I've got Fisher. I'm bringing him in. Don't do anything drastic until I get there. [hangs up] Sorry, Sam. You're going to the Oval Office. [removes Sam's goggles and weapons] You've got to dress properly for the occasion. Hands! [binds Sam] You're comfortable?
    Sam: Nnnh! Fuck!
    Grim: Get up! You've got an appointment with the President. [leads Sam at gunpoint]
    Sam: All those years, you were lying to me.
    Grim: It was for the greater good, Sam. And I would do it again in a heartbeat, for the same reasons.
    Sam: I guess I never did know you.
    Grim: No. You didn't. And you still don't.
    Reed: I was wondering when you were going to get here. Nice work, Anna. I see you got some payback in for the stunt he pulled at the airfield.
    Grim: Well, he put up a little bit of a fight.
    Reed: Of course he did. And now he's here, the famous Sam Fisher, just in time to be useful. So how does it feel, Sam, knowing you're going to go down in history as the man who assassinated President Caldwell?
    Sam: Fuck you, Reed.
    Reed: Of course, we'll be just a little too late to rescue her, and you'll be shot multiple times trying to escape. It's classic, but it's clean.
    President Caldwell: You don't honestly believe that this is going to work? The surveillance camera's footage is going to show...
    Reed: Your cameras? We own them. Your security measures? We made sure the pulse fried them. We're Third Echelon, Madame President. We own every bit of information that goes through this town, and if I want to, I can make it look like you were assassinated by two circus clowns and a golden retriever. So shut up, and you might live a few seconds longer.
    Sam: Heh... That's not Third Echelon.
    Reed: It's not Lambert's Third Echelon. Last time I checked, he was dead. And guess what? Third Echelon nearly died with him.
    Grim: Tom...
    Reed: You see, the President decided the agency wasn't justifying its funding anymore. She was going to shut us down, leave America vulnerable to the sort of attacks that you spent so many years stopping, Sam.
    President Caldwell: That's not what...
    Reed: You had plenty of chances to talk, Ma'am. Megiddo was willing to play ball and you weren't. So this is on you. And yes, it is really that simple. Caldwell's policies didn’t match Megiddo's -- Caldwell's got to go.
    Sam: So you set off your EMPs, murder a city, and assassinate the President instead.
    Reed: Well, yes. It's a hard decision, but the right one. A wake-up call to the country, proof that it can happen at any time, to anyone. A reminder that we need to be vigilant at every moment, that we need Third Echelon to keep us safe.
    President Caldwell: Treason.
    Reed: History will judge me, Madame President. And if it makes you feel better, I actually voted for you.
    President Caldwell: If you think for one minute that I am going to beg for my life--
    Reed: Madame President, I don't care what you do, apart from taking a bullet to the back of the head. How you go out is your own business. Megiddo isn't going to give me a bonus for catching your last moments on video. To them, you're just an inconvenient policy decision. You're not even a person. But first things first. I'm going to deal with Fisher. Unlike you, he's actually dangerous. What a shame, Sam, to waste a man of your talents. Then again, I can find a self-righteous homicidal maniac any time I need one. Remember, Sam. This is for a good cause. What, no famous last words? Or do you need Anna to tell you what you should say?
    Grim: [after killing the Splinter Cells and subduing Reed with Sam] Madame President, are you all right?
    President Caldwell: Yes, I'm fine. Thank you.
    Reed: Ahhh…! Son of a…! Agghhh…! Unnnhhh…!
    President Caldwell: That was a close call.
    Sam: You've got maybe two minutes before the Army takes back the White House. Make them useful. How did Megiddo get to you?
    Reed: You don't want to know about Megiddo. You want to know about your daughter.
    [after smacking Reed in the face or shooting Reed in the shoulder]
    Sam: You don't get to talk about my daughter.
    Reed: You still don't get it, do you? Sarah didn't matter. Threatening her was just a way to get to you. And leveraging you was a way to get to Third Echelon, and Third Echelon? That was a way to get what they wanted out of the White House.
    Sam: You're the mole. You're the one Lambert was worried about.
    Reed: Very good, Sam. You finally see...
    [after smacking Reed in the face again or shooting Reed in the other shoulder]
    Sam: You son of a bitch! You cost me three years of my life, three years when I thought my daughter was dead!
    Soldier: Move, move!
    Capt. Simpson: Drop your weapon! On the floor, now!
    President Caldwell: Captain. Thank you for rescuing me. Now, I don't see anyone else here but us. And I’m sure you don't, either.
    Capt. Simpson: No, Ma'am. Let's get you out of here.
    President Caldwell: Thank you.
    Capt. Simpson: [over the radio] Oval Office is secure! We have the President! POTUS is safe and secure!
    [if Sam spares Reed]
    Reed: *laughter* Are you going to testify at my trial? I could use a good character witness.
    Grim: You already had your trial. [shoots Reed in the head, killing him]
    Sam: You didn't have to do that.
    Grim: I disagree.
    Sam: There was a time where you wouldn't have said that.
    Grim: Things change, Sam.
    Sam: Yeah. Things change. Remember what you told me, Anna? When this was over, everybody walks. I'm walking.
    Grim: You can't. There's too much left to do.
    Sam: Ask Lambert. I've done too much already.
    Grim: Sam, please! I don't know who else I can trust.
    Sam: Trust? Funny you should say that. Goodbye, Grim.
    Victor: I've talked to Sam once since he left. He told me that he and Sarah were going to take some time to catch up. He talked about learning who was really important to you, and why you always had to come back for them. He talked about family. And you know what the last thing he said to me was, just before he hung up? "Vic," he said, "Thanks for everything. I love you like a brother." Brother. That's family, right?
    [alarms and gunshots ring out]
    Victor: Yeah. I thought so.

## See also

* Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, the first Splinter Cell game
* Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Pandora Tomorrow, the second Splinter Cell game
* Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory, the third Splinter Cell game
* Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Double Agent, the fourth Splinter Cell game