The story of Hitman 3 focuses on the relationship between Agent 47 and his longtime handler Diana Burnwood, who has been part of the series since the very first game in 2000, Hitman: Codename 47. But it also emphasizes 47’s relationship with Lucas Grey, his childhood friend and fellow cloned assassin who joined the series in 2016’s Hitman. During Hitman 3, Grey kills himself to avoid falling into the hands of their enemy, The Constant. But the reasons for Grey’s sacrifice go deeper than avoiding capture.
At the end of Hitman 3‘s second mission, Dartmoor, The Constant turns the tables on 47, Grey, and Diana. As the mission ends, soldiers from the Constant’s CICADA militia ambush Grey and wound him. 47 disguises himself as a CICADA member and races to the scene to rescue Grey. He’s too late to save Grey, but he’s willing to die trying. Grey recognizes this, and before 47 can make his move Grey shoots himself. But before he does, he tells the CICADA soldiers to tell The Constant to “start running.”
On one level, Grey is sacrificing himself so that 47 can survive. In the wilderness clearing, 47 is heavily outnumbered and outgunned, and trying to rescue Grey could only end in death. Grey pre-empts 47 from doing something reckless so that he can continue fighting The Constant. But Grey’s sacrifice is also one last act of defiance that later gives 47 the courage to do what needs to be done. And by taking his own life, Grey brings the story of Hitman 3 and his relationship with 47 to satisfying (yet tragic) tragic conclusion.
Lucas Grey Has Always Been 47’s Role Model
![Hitman 3: Why Lucas Grey [SPOILER]](https://static1.srcdn.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/hitman-3-lucas-greys-decision-47-recovers-memories-in-hitman-2.jpg)
Lucas Grey is a relatively recent addition to the Hitman franchise, but he knows 47 better than anyone else. Grey was created in the same lab as 47 and given the name “Subject 6.” As boys, 6 and 47 bonded over their harsh treatment. 6 was the first person to ever suggest to 47 that there might be more to life than being a cloned assassin. During their childhood they tried to escape but were caught, and 6 later escaped on his own. In response, their creator, Dr. Ort-Meyer, brainwashed 47 to keep him compliant. When 6/Grey finally comes back into 47’s life, he resumes where he left off, encouraging 47 to reject his creators’ intentions and live free.
In Hitman 1 and Hitman 2, Grey explains that while he’s lived free, he’s also spent his entire life on the run from Providence, the shadowy organization that backed Dr. Ort-Meyer and now is run by The Constant. When the CICADA soldiers indicate that they plan to take him alive, Grey’s choice is made for him. Beyond putting 47 and Diana at risk, as well as falling back into Providence’s hands, would be a fate worse than death as far as Grey is concerned.
When Grey tells The Constant to “start running,” he’s also speaking directly to 47. This is Gray’s way of telling 47 to keep up the fight. Later in the game, Grey’s words of inspiration comes in handy when 47 needs it most. After the “Mendoza” mission, when it appears Diana has betrayed 47 and 47’s confidence wavers, Grey appears in a dream sequence and tells 47 to wake up and finish the job. That one last jolt of confidence allows 47 to wipe out The Constant and end Providence. Grey did live a free life, but it was never a peaceful one. As Hitman 3 ends, it’s clear that Grey had to give up his own life so that 47 could finally be free.
