#sarif

Helping hand

“Your email said you needed help breaking into a business? Give me the details and well start on a plan.” Willow nodded and pulled out a folder full of notes, it was time to get to work. 

AU: Victorian era. David is the owner of the factory, Adam is the head of security, and Francis is the chief production engineer.

Sarif: Get to work!.

She sat in her cockpit waiting for the person on the other end of the infolink to pick up. It rings four times before it stops. “Hey Malik! Ready to get the show on the road?” “I'll be down there in five David, see you then.” The infolink clicked off and Malik adjusted into her seat as she readied the VTOL for flight. She quickly glanced at three small photos on her control board. The first was a young woman in her 20’s with a blond bob and a warm smile. Malik smiled back as she remembered her days with Evelyn Carmichael. The next one beside it was a picture of a well groomed Adam Jensen about to go make a speech. He tried his best not to fumble while speaking. The last one was a blurry photo of Frank that she managed to sneak while Adam distracted him. They were so close to a perfect photo. “We’re coming for ya lazy boy,” she booped it and adjusted her headset. She landed her VTOL and opened the side door so David could climb in. He hopped on with two Vintage Champagnes under his arm wrapped in a light cloth. “I brought some spirits for when the occasion arises,” David paused to sneeze, ”I hope they're to your tastes.” “Gesundheit and you better not drink those in the VTOL, you know how I like to keep it clean.” Malik warned him. “So where is this place he’s staying in? All you’ve told me is that it's abandoned and rundown.” David inquired. “It's an old decrepit school that was torn down not too long ago. And from the looks of it the roof will cave in. I'll have to land nearby…” Malik lands in some nearby open space right next to the rotting building. She walks around until she finds tons of wires  and the soft glow of light coming from what was supposedly the band room. She walks in to see Pritchard snoozing on his old leather couch in need of a shave and a week's worth of sleep just by looking at the bags under his eyes. Malik creeps up and gently shoves him just enough to make him freak out and sit up spastically. “Malik, what the hell are you doing here? How did you even find me?” “With magic Frank, now hurry up and get up! Let's get you out of this dump, it's New Year!” “I wasn't planning on going anywhere today if you hadn't noticed,” Malik offers her hands to help Frank stand up as he popped his back and accepted the gesture. “And that's why we’re here, now come on!” She started to drag him away and he stumbled a few times trying to get his shoes adjusted. “Wait, we’re? Who else?” Malik gave no answer and just dragged him on. On their way out, Frank swatted at the light panel to turn off everything and lock the door. “Don't you think the lasers are a bit too much?” Malik questioned glancing back briefly at the mentioned lasers then at the scruffy man. “Well that depends, would you like it if a bunch of looters with shotguns waltzed in and demanded everything you own? I think not. Where are you taking me Malik?” He asked quite rudely. “You always ask so many questions Mr. Paranoid, but to answer your question, I'm taking you to my VTOL.” “Oh how specific.” Emphasizing on the last word. “Just shut up and trust me.” Malik hadn't meant it to sound mean, but he can be a bit stubborn sometimes. “Your chariot awaits,” joked Faridah as she gestured toward her VTOL. The side door of the B-EE slid opened to reveal a dashing CEO crossing his legs and waving at Frank. “Happy New Years, son!” David cheerfully said as he patted the cushioned seat beside him. “Well doesn't this feel familiar. Coming out of a dingy hell hole to be seated next to a CEO who's crazy enough to offer me a job.” He ducked inside and plopped down wincing a bit from the lack of cushion. Cheap seats. “What do you want me to do today?” Frank said in an almost practiced tone. “I'm hurt Frank, but that's not why I'm here.” “Oh goodie, so what was the reason?” “To get you out of that dump and celebrate New Year's with us!” He handed Frank a wine glass he had hidden then reached under the seat for the Champagne de Prestige and right as he was about to open it Malik came on the coms. “You better not be opening that sticky liquor inside of a moving  aircraft and especially not inside of my VTOL.” She signed off with an angry click, but not before another announcement, “ETA is five minutes. I'm sure you can wait that long.” “Well you heard her Frank. We’re just going to have to wait to celebrate.” David huffed as he put the bottle back. The VTOL landed on a helipad with a bump. The heavy doors sliding open as a gust freezing wind came gliding by. “Let's hurry inside. An old man like me shouldn't be out in the cold like this.” David chuckled. Frank hugged his jacket closer scrunching up as he followed David to a door that led inside to an apartment complex. Malik followed just behind as they descended two flights of stairs arriving at a dark wood door. David mumbled under his breath while typing in the code, “Oh,...4...5..1.” Beep beep beep. He pushed the door open and guided his guests inside. “Welcome Frank to your new home! Sally, play some music for us.” An A.I. voice came on softly, “Certainly.” A calm and slow jazz played quietly as David pulled out the twin vintage wines and scrounged around for glasses. “My /what/?” Frank stood there dumbfounded as David handed a glass to him and Malik. “A real place to live in, son.” He struggled to open the bottle. “Because,” Malik butted in, “ living in an old torn apart school with the roof nearly falling on your head is not good for our favourite handsome hacker.” She changed her tone at the end as if speaking to a cute baby. Malik quickly pinched his cheek and Frank just as quickly moved his head away. Trouble is brewing as David is still trying to open the bottle. “Frank, don't play this game with me. Just let me pinch your cheek!” Moving even quicker than before, she managed to graze him as he took a few steps back. “Malik please, you should know that's never going to w-” There was a loud pop and a shout of approval that came from David. “I got the slick thing to open! Now we can toast.” He poured each of them a fizzling glass as they clanked together. “To the New Years!” “To- how am I going to pay rent?” The question Frank meant to ask earlier but got distracted by Malik. “The first three months have been cleared for you, so you either have to find better freelance jobs or you could work for TF-29 that is deployed here in Detroit.” David suggested as he handed Frank some official looking papers. “These should help with nailing you that job.” Frank set them under a brighter light in the living room to get a better look at them. “I... don't know what to say…,” He spoke quietly, “Tch, how cliché” Malik noticed that Frank was choking up and on the verge of tears. “Welcome home you nerd,” she slugged an arm around Pritchard, “And to a new beginning!” Malik cheered as they all raised their glasses and drank. “David, this is sparkling grape juice.” Malik teased. “I forgot my glasses when I went to the store! All of the labels were blurry.” Suddenly Frank started bawling and sat himself on the bare couch. “Aw Frank! You spilt some of your sparkling grape juice!” Malik ushered over to him and gave him a huge bear hug and wiped some of his tears away. He rubbed his face with his off-white sweater and in between sobs he whispered, “Thank you guys... so much.” “Anything to help an old colleague and friend, Frank. Now let's finish off this kid's liquor before it goes all flat.” “I'm going out to get some real New Year's drinks guys. I'll be back in a few and Frank,” he briefly looks up at Malik, “don't get your sweater soaked.” She winked goodbye as she set off to the nearest store that sold wine. “Now here's some real spirits! Thank you Malik!” David said as he walked out to the patio where Frank sat looking at the fireworks that have gone off early. When the digital clock twitched to twelve they all cheered and filled their wine glasses as an army of fireworks went off. "Happy New Year's," Frank paused to hiccup, "I love you both so much." "I'm cutting you off. We don't need a sobbing AND drunk Pritchard." Malik takes his glass away and sets it far, far, away. "Aww." He hangs his head and fakes some sniffles, "I drank the last of the wine anyways." He turns his head to the noise across the street of some other people cheering and lighting off whizzers and poppers. Malik moves her arms over Frank and David's shoulders and hugs them close. David is half asleep and Frank is genuinely smiling. "You definitely need smile more often. Such a cutie" Frank ends up falling asleep in his new real bed with real matresses and pillows and for once gets a good night rest of sleep. Malik drops David off back at his flat and heads home herself to celebrate in her own time.