Fan Casting

Sgt. Rain wakes in a small hut. Ellie sits nearby, having nursed him back to life. Rain tells her he won’t work for the Dark Agency anymore; with Ren dead, his mind is finally his own. Ellie says she refuses to follow Jack or Shepard—they’re too much like Marc. Rain warns they must choose a side before the war swallows them both. Ellie agrees and contacts Strider, arranging a meeting. Ellie asks Rain his real name. He tells her: James Rain. After falling in with the wrong people, his girlfriend was killed and he was taken by Mercenary, reshaped into a weapon. Ellie admits she spent years leading resistance groups, always running, and joining Ren gave her stability. They reach Strider, who wants Ellie back but refuses Rain. Ellie says it’s both or none. Strider agrees. At camp, Marc calls a meeting with Phillip Hart, Marc’s friend from Ceaser’s trials. The six agree to attack a nearby outpost, but Norman warns it’s guarded by someone even Shepard fears. Norman, Strider, and Phillip move out. The guard is gone, they slip inside and find the base blueprints—until the trap springs. The guard arrives: Agent Gunn, rebuilt with cybernetics after a shot to the skull. Ren ensured his survival. A brutal fight erupts. They escape with the blueprints but are surrounded outside. Norman shoves the plans to Strider and tackles Gunn, drawing the army to him. Strider and Phillip get away. Marc, furious, searches the outpost, but Norman is gone, they need to end this, now.