"--would have started shooting anyway," Neil retorts, cutting through the bullshit. He sways against the fist grasping the front of his clothes before settling in a more tolerable stance, his hand unobtrusively reaching out to press against Alex's back.

His voice lowers, revealing a hard edge despite his condition. "I'm still listed as a Project Purity member," he says. "That means my friend and I can be here whenever I fucking feel like it. That means he can shoot you liberally for risking the project. Capice?"