9

"I can't know for sure," Qui says slowly, obviously thinking it out as he goes. "But he has a long history in Ottawa, and I have my suspicions about why he's back." He pauses. "But those suspicions need to stay with me for now. Making accusations without proof is a good way to meet final death. Let's head back."

When you return and report to Bouchard and the others, the old Nosferatu's face splits in a cadaverous grin as striking as Qui's resulting scowl. Whispered words and careful planning ensue, and after several minutes of deliberation, everyone is on the same page. You'll have to sneak through the back of the factory and take down Ward by stealth rather than an all-out assault.

Time To Move In

Bouchard creeps forward, disappearing from view as he scouts ahead, two of the most agile mercenaries ghosting by at his side with their rifles held at the ready to defend their master. You lead the hunt through crags of concrete and half-demolished walls toward the back of the factory, your keen eyes spotting several bits of loose scree and pieces of crumbling mortar before they have a chance to trip you up. The crashing sound of water from the nearby river is almost deafening on the east side of the decaying building. You note the high water level. It's almost too much for the dam to handle. It's no wonder the city had the bridge closed off for so long. But this works to your advantage.

Without warning, Bouchard materializes and pulls you low to the ground to whisper in your ear. The Nosferatu's open mouth smells like rancid meat. "There are no guards posted back here on the ground, but there are windows," he points upward to indicate five gaping holes in the building's wall, only one of which still desperately clings to a few jagged shards of glass. "The factory is only one floor, but a catwalk rings the place. I saw one of them take a look down here before moving on to the front."

"So how can we get in without being spotted?" you ask.

"There's a rusted set of double doors right in the center over there," Bouchard says, gesturing at the rear wall. "I gave it a tug. It shifted, but we shouldn't open it while there are patrols above—might make too much noise. There's some good news though—part of the wall is crumbled enough for proper handholds. We could send someone up there to take out the watcher while the rest of us work on the door."