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Jack didn't know how many more secrets he could take from the world of Rapture. He held his breath at the sight of bodies in the 'Candidate Conversion' laborotory. The poor men, all 'volunteered' for the Big Daddy program, and left to drown in a cocktail of ADAM and plasmids.

Leaning against one of the walls, shaking his head in disbelief, Jack barely had a chance to shout when the wall fell away from behind him.

He landed in a cold puddle, the water sending a chill down his back. Standing up, he raised his head, and swore quietly. Four tubes lined the far wall, three empty. One was still filled with a clear blue, similar to the Vita-Chambers. Crossing the room, Jack spotted an audio diary. Hitting the button, he waited for it to play.

"Yi Suchong, Subjects: Atlas and Jack, Client: Fontaine Futuristics." A deep sigh escaped the recorder. "Fontaine demands results. I give results. Jack is completely functional and ready. Atlas..."

Jack winced as a lot of static and shouting overrode Suchong. "There you are. You son of a bitch. You told me he was ready weeks ago, I come down here and he's still a fucking balloon!?"

"What you want me to do!? You make me do this one without Das Wunderkind, I do not have her methods! Atlas is ready when he is ready!"

"Fine," Frank Fontaine's voice cut through the air, menacing and cruel. "Let me make this nice and clear for you. Get Jackie boy ready. Get Atlas ready. And don't fuck up, or you'll find yourself without your fingers."

The tape cut off, leaving Jack in total silence. He stepped towards one of the abandoned tubes, his fingers trailing through the layers of dirt. His name had been etched into the plaque at the base of the tube.
Looking up at the person floating in blue liquid, Jack raised his hand to the bronzed plate at the bottom, his fingers shaking. He rubbed at the dust, swallowing as he read the name on the plaque.

"Atlas..."

"So, you found my other little project." Jack began to turn, stopped only by something cold and metallic pressing against the back of his head. "Don't, Jackie boy. Your brains are better in your head." Jack's fingers loosened on the shotgun he held, and he felt it wrench from his grasp. "Good to know you still listen to some instructions."

"Wh-what is this?" Jack licked his lips nervously. "A splicer...?"

"Of sorts...At first, he was just another splicer." Frank tossed Jack's shotgun to the other side of the room. "I worked the best plasmids into the pair of you. You, the muscle to overthrow Andrew, Atlas, the hard working hero to rally the people. My two favourite boys." Frank sighed, his fingers brushing under Jack's chin. "See? You can think of him as...a long lost brother."

"Then why isn't he out here with me?" Jack snarled.

Frank laughed, his lips pressing to the back of his neck. "What's wrong? Lonely? That desperate for someone's touch, someone to run their fingers over every inch of your skin, Jackie?" He wrapped one arm tightly around Jack's upper body, holding his arms together. "We can still run Rapture together. Me, you and Atlas." Frank breathed, his mouth close to Jack's ear. "Come on kid. You're coming with me, one way or another. Or do I gotta wake Atlas to persuade you first?"

Staring at the form in the electric blue, Jack shook his head. He had no way of telling how powerful Atlas would be, and he certainly couldn't hold them both off. Shaking his head, he sank to his knees, watching as Frank strode across to the panel that monitered Atlas' vital signs, and began working away, his head snapping up to observe the body in the tube.

"Jack. Stand here, and tell me if he wakes up. I can't remember the fucking sequence..." Frank's hands hesitated. "Would you kindly move your fucking arse!?"

Jack rose hesitantly, his eyes on the figure as it lurched in the tube, eyes opening and staring in panic at him. "Frank..."

"Don't bother me unless he's awake..." Frank snapped, his eyes on the console. "This...fucking Suchong, why couldn't he leave a diary with the instructions for me!?"

"Frank! Drain it! Get him out!" Jack yelled. Atlas was spasming in the tube, arms reaching out. Frank looked up, and began swearing.

"Fuck! Fuck, Atlas!" His hands were moving frantically, fingers hitting as many of the buttons as he could. "Fuck!"

Jack bolted across the room, scooping up his shotgun. "Frank, move!" He yelled, and aimed at the bottom of the tank.

As Frank ducked, Jack fired.

Liquid cascaded down over the panel Frank had been working on, and Atlas gasped for breath as he slumped to the bottom of the chamber, his eyes wide and staring. Frank's eyes narrowed, and he glared at Jack, who tossed the shotgun down, racing to push his hand through the small hole. Atlas' fingers scrabbled for his, his fingers tightening over Jack's.

"It's okay. We'll get you out, Atlas. I promise." Jack whispered, placing his other hand on the unbroken glass.

"Move your hand, Jack. I've got it now." Frank straightened up, his eyes narrowing as the glass slid up, freeing Atlas, who fell to the floor breathlessly. Jack knelt down, arms embracing Atlas as he shivered, blinking a few times.

Frank smirked. "Well, if it aint my little Atlas. This here's Jackie, he's gonna be helping me take care of you. Right, Jack?"

Hugging Atlas closer, Jack glared silently at Frank. He'd let himself be cornered, and now he had no way out. He couldn't just leave Atlas alone with Frank, he'd take unfair advantage of him!

Fingers dug into the sweater, and frightened blue eyes stared at him. "J-Jack?"

Oh God. That beautiful Irish voice, whispering his name softly...Jack nodded, and rubbed at one of Atlas' arms gently, the soaked shirt doing nothing against the cold chill. "Yeah, that's me, Atlas. I'll take care of you, I promise."

Frank chuckled darkly. "How sweet, but we've gotta get you out of those wet clothes and into something dry." As he stalked away, Atlas began to follow, grimacing at his wet clothes, pausing in the doorway.

"Are you coming?" He asked softly. Jack nodded, and slowly followed them, his eyes narrowing as he strode past Atlas to join Frank.

"You played dirty, Fontaine."

"Yeah, yeah. Go cry somewhere else, kid, Atlas will get nothing but the best." Frank turned, pushing Jack's chin up with his index finger. "And even with your little rebellious streak, you're still the best Rapture has to offer."

Jack stepped backwards, his cheeks flushed. "Fuck you, Frank."

"All in good time." Frank stepped towards him, grabbing a fistful of sweater. "Mmm...I can't wait to have you both naked and writhing underneath me, what a treat." He pulled Jack forwards, their mouths an inch apart. "And don't lie to me, I know you want Atlas as much as I do."

Spared from answering by Atlas catching up to them, Frank let go of Jack, and grinned, throwing an arm around Atlas, who blinked up at the buildings.

"Where are we?"

"Atlas, my boy, welcome, to Rapture."