 Taft refuses to believe Hugh's story of faulty equipment at first, but later discovers that it is true after accessing the company's computer records and finding that the next shipments of new, adequate equipment have been delayed way past the deadline.Michael Jennings, the ruthless CEO of Aegis, deludedly believes that Hugh's carelessness is to blame for the rig fire and, after discovering his efforts to alert the EPA about the use of substandard equipment, arranges for him to be ‘dealt with’ by his henchmen MacGruder and Otto.Jennings is alerted to Taft's activities and orders that Taft be eliminated as well.