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'''Francisco Domingo Carlos Andres Sebastian d'Anconia''', in [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was the last CEO of a [[copper]] [[mining]] company that had been in his family since the days of the [[Spanish Empire]]. He presented the public face of a [[playboy]], interested primarily in meaningless romances while his company descended into rack and ruin. In fact he was deliberately destroying it, on the orders, as he interpreted them, of [[John Galt]].

'''Francisco Domingo Carlos Andres Sebastián d'Anconia''' (born 1980), in [[Ayn Rand]]'s novel ''[[Atlas Shrugged]]'', was the last CEO of a [[copper]] [[mining]] company that had been in his family since the days of the [[Spanish Empire]]. He presented the public face of a [[playboy]], interested primarily in meaningless romances while his company descended into rack and ruin. In fact he was deliberately destroying it, on the orders, as he interpreted them, of [[John Galt]].

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== Back story ==

== Back story ==

In the days of the Spanish Empire, and probably at the invitation of the [[Viceroy]] of [[Peru]], Sebastian d'Anconia came to the [[Andes Mountains]] in [[South America]] and explored them for mineral wealth. He found a rich [[lode]] of [[copper]], and on this lode he built a fortune that would sustain his family for many generations to come.

In or about 1600, in the days of the Spanish Empire, Sebastián d'Anconia insulted the Lord of the [[Spanish Inquisition]] at a court dinner and fled to the [[Viceroy|Viceroyalty]] of [[Peru]]. He came to the [[Andes Mountains]] in [[South America]] and explored them for mineral wealth. He found a rich [[lode]] of [[copper]], and on this lode he built a fortune that would sustain his family for many generations to come. Fifteen years later, he sent for the woman he had left behind in [[Spain]].

But his successors were not the sort of "trust fund kids" that one finds today. The descendants of Sebastian d'Anconia prided themselves on following his examples of self-reliance, self-discipline, and above all, autonomy.

Sebastián d'Anconia's successors were not the sort of "trust fund kids" that one finds today. They prided themselves on following his examples of self-reliance, self-discipline, and above all, autonomy. As Francisco would later explain, before any man took the reins of what became D'Anconia Copper SA, he must prove himself worthy of the family name.

== Youth ==

== Youth ==

Young Francisco d'Anconia spent many of his [[adolescent]] years at the family compound of the Taggarts, the family that controlled the great [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]. His playmates there included [[James Taggart]], his sister [[Dagny Taggart|Dagny]], and [[Eddie Willers]]. James Taggart never impressed Francisco very much. He could tolerate Eddie Willers, because Eddie followed his lead and did not spend half his time complaining, as James was wont to do. But by far the playmate who made the greatest impression on him was Dagny. In fact, he and Dagny became not only friends, but lovers.

Young Francisco d'Anconia spent many of his childhood and [[adolescent]] summers at the family compound of the Taggarts, the family that controlled the great [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]]. His father encouraged this, so that he would consider himself a man of the world, not merely a man of his native [[Argentina]].

 

His playmates there included [[James Taggart]], his sister [[Dagny Taggart|Dagny]], and [[Eddie Willers]], last in a long line of men who had served the [[Taggart Transcontinental Railroad]] in various subordinate executive positions. James Taggart never impressed Francisco very much. He could tolerate Eddie Willers, because Eddie followed his lead and did not spend half his time complaining, as James was wont to do. But by far the playmate who made the greatest impression on him was Dagny.

 

 

In the summer of 1992, Francisco managed to get a job as a night dispatcher on the TTRR, in violation of several child-labor laws and other regulations. He lost that job strictly on account of those regulations. Everyone in the yard liked him and liked the job he did. He did it for one reason only: to be able to boast that he had had a job on the TTRR before Dagny had. (Dagny had long since told him that someday she would run the TTRR.)

 

About two years later, Francisco observed to Dagny that the industrial trademarks he saw as the two would hop freight trains for fun were the closest things to coats-of-arms that modern society offered.

== College ==

== College ==

When he was sixteen years old, Francisco went to the [[Patrick Henry]] University (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]). He decided to pursue an interesting and demanding double major: [[physics]] and [[philosophy]]. To his pleasant surprise, he met two other young men who had the same plans: [[Ragnar Danneskjold]], who descended from a long line of [[Viking]] aristocrats, and [[John Galt]], who came to the school virtually penniless and literally worked his way through college. Despite the vast differences in their backgrounds, the three became very fast friends, though perhaps none of the three would know ''how'' fast their friendship would prove to be in the years ahead.

When he was sixteen years old, Francisco went to the [[Patrick Henry]] University of [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]] (not to be confused with the real-life [[Patrick Henry College]]). He decided to pursue an interesting and demanding double major: [[physics]] and [[philosophy]]. Though he had a generous allowance, Francisco worked nights as a furnace boy in a copper foundry in Cleveland.

 

To his pleasant surprise, he met two other young men who had the same plans: [[Ragnar Danneskjöld]], who descended from a long line of [[Viking]] aristocrats, and [[John Galt]], who came to the school virtually penniless and literally worked his way through college. Despite the vast differences in their backgrounds, the three became very fast friends, though perhaps none of the three would know ''how'' fast their friendship would prove to be in the years ahead.

 

 

Francisco returned to PHU and completed his undergraduate degree. He then bought the copper foundry where he had worked, shocking the employees of D'Anconia Copper and even giving pause to his father. But in the fall of 2000, Francisco went to Montana as assistant superintendent of the D'Anconia Copper properties in that State. In the spring of the next year, he came to New York and took charge of the D'Anconia Copper branch headquarters there. Slightly more than two years later, his father was dead, and Francisco then took command of D'Anconia Copper SA and all its worldwide interests.

== The strike call ==

== The strike call ==

A few years after his graduation (probably [[Atlas Shrugged#Time setting|1945]]), he received what he could only describe as a summons from [[John Galt]] to meet him at an address that he least expected John Galt to have: a garret apartment in a run-down brownstone in [[New York City]]. He answered the summons. He was shocked to see John Galt living in a place like this, and that [[Ragnar Danneskjold]] joined them.

On March 7, 2007, Francisco received what he could only describe as a summons from [[John Galt]] to meet him at an address that he least expected John Galt to have: a garret apartment in a run-down brownstone in [[New York City]]. He answered the summons. He was shocked to see John Galt living in a place like this, and that [[Ragnar Danneskjöld]], whom he had last seen pursuing his PhD in Philosophy at PHU, joined them.

John Galt was not interested in something as mundane as a "college reunion." He told them a very disheartening and bracing story of his experiences at the [[Twentieth Century Motor Company]] in [[Wisconsin]], where he had gone to work as an engineer. His story was this: after he completed the prototype of a motor that could run on static electricity from the atmosphere, the owner of the factory, Gerald "Jed" Starnes, died. Gerald Starnes' heirs then proposed a plan that Galt knew he could never accept. Under that plan, all the workers would work according to their abilities, and be paid according to their needs. John Galt immediately announced his refusal to work under such a plan and his intention, as he put it, to "stop the motor of the world."

John Galt was not interested in something as mundane as a "college reunion." He told them a very disheartening and bracing story of his experiences at the [[Twentieth Century Motor Company]] in [[Wisconsin]], where he had gone to work as an engineer three years before. His story was this: after he completed the prototype of a motor that could run on static electricity from the atmosphere, the owner of the factory, Gerald "Jed" Starnes, died. Gerald Starnes' heirs then proposed a plan that Galt knew he could never accept. Under that plan, all the workers would work according to their abilities, and be paid according to their needs. John Galt immediately announced his refusal to work under such a plan and his intention, as he put it, to "stop the motor of the world."

He then shared with them his proposal: to call a [[strike]] of the men of the mind, and note how quickly human society would collapse without their contributions. He then asked Francisco and Ragnar to join him in this strike. During his talk, he gestured out the window. "When you see these lights go out," he said, "then you will know that our job is done."

He then shared with them his proposal: to call a [[strike]] of the men of the mind, and note how quickly human society would collapse without their contributions. He then asked Francisco and Ragnar to join him in this strike. During his talk, he gestured out the window. "When you see these lights go out," he said, "then you will know that our job is done."

Francisco knew that merely quitting and joining the strike would not be enough for him. "To whom much is given, much is expected," and as Francisco saw it, John Galt would expect nothing less of him than that he not only ''quit'' the D'Anconia Copper Company, but also to ''destroy'' it so that no one would have the benefit of the talents of his predecessors. As he would later explain it to Dagny,{{cquote|I am not merely leaving it as I found it; I am leaving it as Sebastian d'Anconia found it, and then let the world get along without him or me!}}

Francisco knew that merely quitting and joining the strike would not be enough for him. "To whom much is given, much is expected," and as Francisco saw it, John Galt would expect nothing less of him than that he not only ''quit'' the D'Anconia Copper Company, but also to ''destroy'' it so that no one would have the benefit of the talents of his predecessors. As he would later explain it to Dagny,{{cquote|I am not merely leaving it as I found it; I am leaving it as Sebastiän d'Anconia found it, and then let the world get along without him or me!}}

== Dagny Taggart ==

== Dagny Taggart ==

Besides which, all of his playboy activities were an elaborate sham. As he continued to invite gossip, he was preparing to make some business decisions that would be thoroughly bad in any context except that of a deliberate attempt to destroy his family business.

Besides which, all of his playboy activities were an elaborate sham. As he continued to invite gossip, he was preparing to make some business decisions that would be thoroughly bad in any context except that of a deliberate attempt to destroy his family business.

=== The San Sebastian Mines ===

=== The San Sebastián Mines ===

In or about the ninth year of the strike, Francisco opened the San Sebastian Mines in the [[Sierra Madre]] mountains of [[Mexico]]. James Taggart rather excitedly built a special railway line, the San Sebastian Line, to serve those mines and the workers' community that served them. Dagny Taggart suspected that this was a bad decision, but only because Mexico was now the People's State of Mexico and was likely to [[nationalization|nationalize]] the mines and the railway line at the next meeting of the Mexican Congress. So Francisco saw the service on the San Sebastian Line cut to one passenger train a day (pulled by a [[wood]]-burning [[steam]] [[locomotive]]) and one freight train every other day. Francisco accepted these service cuts without complaint.

In or about September of 2011, Francisco opened the San Sebastián Mines in the [[Sierra Madre]] mountains of [[Mexico]]. James Taggart became President of the TTRR in that year. He rather excitedly proposed a special railway line, the San Sebastián Line, to serve those mines and the workers' community that served them. Dagny Taggart became Vice-President of Operations three years later and, within a year, completed the line. Francisco presided over its opening, on New Year's Day of 2016, but noted with satisfaction that Dagny did not attend. She knew, just as Francisco did, that Mexico was now the People's State of Mexico and was likely to [[nationalization|nationalize]] the mines and the railway line at the next meeting of the Mexican Congress. So beginning on September 2, 2016, Francisco saw the service on the San Sebastián Line cut to one passenger train a day (pulled by a [[wood]]-burning [[steam]] [[locomotive]]) and one freight train every other day. Francisco accepted these service cuts without complaint.

Then, inevitably, the People's State of Mexico nationalized the mines and the railway line. But then the Mexican government discovered the truth: Francisco had opened mines where there was neither copper nor any other mineral to be found. When the story broke, Francisco was in [[New York City]], staying at the Wayne-Falkland Hotel (probably the [[Waldorf-Astoria Hotel]] under a fictitious name). Dagny Taggart came to see him, and Francisco simply feigned innocence and asked her to try to reason out for himself why he would drive mines into mountains that could yield no minerals, for no better reason than to play an elaborate scam against a [[Communist]] government. Francisco left her with only this clue:{{cquote|Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you find yourself facing an apparent contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.}}

Then, inevitably, the People's State of Mexico nationalized the mines and the railway line. But then the Mexican government discovered the truth: Francisco had opened mines where there was neither copper nor any other mineral to be found. When the story broke, Francisco was in [[New York City]], staying at the Wayne-Falkland Hotel (probably the [[Waldorf-Astoria Hotel]] under a fictitious name). Dagny Taggart came to see him, and Francisco simply feigned innocence and asked her to try to reason out for himself why he would drive mines into mountains that could yield no minerals, for no better reason than to play an elaborate scam against a [[Communist]] government. Francisco left her with only this clue:{{cquote|Contradictions do not exist. Whenever you find yourself facing an apparent contradiction, check your premises. You will find that one of them is wrong.}}

=== Stock manipulation ===

=== Stock manipulation ===

In another dubious decision, Francisco actually manipulated the common stock of his company to make it look attractive to James Taggart, Orren Boyle, and their politically connected friends. Then, on the occasion of James Taggart's wedding to a young woman named Cheryl Brooks, he made a great show of protesting that his company was out of cash and could not keep going without a major loan. The stock promptly crashed, and the connected politicos lost heavily.

In another dubious decision, Francisco actually manipulated the common stock of his company to make it look attractive to James Taggart, Orren Boyle, and their politically connected friends. Then, on the occasion of James Taggart's wedding to a young woman named Cherryl Brooks (September 2, 2018), he made a great show of protesting that his company was out of cash and could not keep going without a major loan. The stock promptly crashed, and the connected politicos lost heavily.

=== Lost cargoes ===

=== Lost cargoes ===

The third manner in which Francisco systematically depleted the assets of his company involved his old friend [[Ragnar Danneskjold]]. Ragnar had long since became a [[privateer]], and was seizing government "humanitarian" cargoes and generally becoming the scourge of the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Francisco would occasionally send messages to Ragnar whenever one of his copper-laden freighters was setting sail, in the expectation that Ragnar would attack the ship, cast the crew adrift in lifeboats, and then sink the ship with its load. One such "loss" would place a great strain on Francisco's campaign to recruit Henry Rearden into the strike: Rearden had contracted with D'Anconia Copper to ship a load of copper for the pouring of another heat or two of Rearden Metal (see below), but that copper would never reach its intended port.

The third manner in which Francisco systematically depleted the assets of his company involved his old friend [[Ragnar Danneskjöld]]. Ragnar had long since became a [[privateer]], and was seizing government "humanitarian" cargoes and generally becoming the scourge of the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. Francisco would occasionally send messages to Ragnar whenever one of his copper-laden freighters was setting sail, in the expectation that Ragnar would attack the ship, cast the crew adrift in lifeboats, and then sink the ship with its load. One such "loss" would place a great strain on Francisco's campaign to recruit Henry Rearden into the strike: Rearden had contracted with D'Anconia Copper to ship a load of copper for the pouring of another heat or two of Rearden Metal (see below), but that copper would never reach its intended port.

== D'Anconia Copper Number One ==

== D'Anconia Copper Number One ==

In the fifth full year of the strike, John Galt recruited [[Midas Mulligan]], the famous banker of [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. Mulligan not only quit, but bought a hidden valley in the Rocky Mountains, cut off all access but a single road (which he camouflaged), and stocked the valley with supplies to last a man a lifetime. But Mulligan did not remain secluded. [[Judge Narragansett]] and [[Richard Halley]] asked for and got leaseholds in the valley, and John built an electrostatic powerhouse to provide it with electric power.

In the springtime of the same year (2011) in which Francisco first drove the San Sebastiän Mines into the Sierra Madre Mountains, John Galt recruited [[Midas Mulligan]], the famous banker of [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]. Mulligan had long since bought out the old mining "ghost town" of Ouray, [[Colorado]], after the very slow economy had long since killed its tourist trade. (In real life, Ouray, CO is accessible by one paved road, the southern part of which is a switchback pass without guardrails.) Mulligan in fact owned the entire land area of the former town of Ouray, together with several miles of the Uncompahgre River valley to either side. Now Mulligan built a single house up-slope from the valley floor, cut off all access except for the old Million Dollar Highway (which he now camouflaged), and stocked the valley with supplies to last a man a lifetime.

And so, in June of that year, Francisco came to this valley, not to the former meeting place of the strikers (wherever that had been, which the novel never names). He needed only one look at the surrounding mountains to see the possibilities. He prospected through those mountains, and struck a lode of [[copper]]. Now he knew that he could still build a productive career, ''and'' provide a product for a thriving community.

But Mulligan did not stay secluded. He hired John Galt to build at least two vital projects: a refractor-ray system to project a false image of the valley for any curious pilots (satellites had long since fallen silent), and a powerhouse to provide energy for the ray screen, for Midas Mulligan's house, and for any other house that a man might build. And so, in June of that year, Francisco (and his friend Ragnar Danneskjöld) came to this valley, not to the former meeting place of the strikers (wherever that had been, which the novel never names). Each of the three built a house in the valley, to use for one month out of the twelve. John and Francisco likely worked together to extend electrical service from the powerhouse to each of the four houses in the valley.

For Francisco knew that as the strike gathered momentum, it would create a community of like-minded men. That community would need copper and other raw materials. And so he quietly recruited some of his people at D'Anconia Copper, hired some of his fellow strikers, and worked the lode. D'Anconia Copper Number One became the first mining operation in the place that he now called [[Galt's Gulch]].

Francisco needed only one look at the surrounding mountains to see the possibilities. He prospected through those mountains, and struck a lode of [[copper]]. Now he knew that he could still build a productive career, ''and'' provide a product for what might one day become a thriving community. For Francisco knew that as the strike gathered momentum, it would create a community of like-minded men. That community would need copper and other raw materials. And so he quietly recruited some of his people at D'Anconia Copper, hired some of his fellow strikers, and worked the lode. D'Anconia Copper Number One became the first mining operation in the place that he now called [[Galt's Gulch]].

Labor was chronically short, so Francisco designed new mining machines to enable one miner to do the work of ten or more. Transportation remained a problem; only [[mule]]s could negotiate the trail he blazed to the mine. (Eventually, [[Henry Rearden]] would help him build a truck road, and after that, [[Dagny Taggart]] would build a railroad from the mine to the valley. But that would come near the end of the strike.)

Labor was chronically short, so Francisco designed new mining machines to enable one miner to do the work of ten or more. Transportation remained a problem; only [[mule]]s could negotiate the trail he blazed to the mine. (Eventually, [[Henry Rearden]] would help him build a truck road, and after that, [[Dagny Taggart]] would build a railroad from the mine to the valley. But that would come near the end of the strike.)

== Looking for conquests ==

== Looking for conquests ==

At about the same time as the San Sebastian debacle, Francisco noticed that Rearden Steel was in the news. [[Henry Rearden]] had invented a new kind of [[alloy]], the principal constituents of which were [[iron]] and [[copper]]. With this metal, called "Rearden Metal," Henry Rearden proposed to pour rail and even make an entire bridge to renovate Taggart Transcontinental's ailing Rio Norte Line in [[Colorado]]. While he was making his plans in detail, his wife Lillian gave a grand dinner party, to which Francisco d'Anconia received an invitation; apparently the rules of the social set to which Lillian Rearden belonged demanded that she not ignore him entirely.

At about the same time as the San Sebastián debacle, Francisco noticed that Rearden Steel was in the news. [[Henry Rearden]] had invented a new kind of [[alloy]], the principal constituents of which were [[iron]] and [[copper]]. With this metal, called "Rearden Metal," Henry Rearden proposed to pour rail and even make an entire bridge to renovate Taggart Transcontinental's ailing Rio Norte Line in [[Colorado]]. While he was making his plans in detail, his wife Lillian gave a grand dinner party to celebrate their eighth wedding anniversary (December 10, 2016). Lillian invited Francisco d'Anconia; apparently the rules of the social set to which Lillian Rearden belonged demanded that she not ignore him entirely.

Francisco attended, and introduced himself to Rearden. Rearden sardonically asked him whether he was "looking for conquests." In answer, Francisco said, "Yes, I have found one who will be my greatest and last." By whom Francisco meant Henry Rearden himself, though he would not explain that until much, much later.

Francisco attended, and introduced himself to Rearden. Rearden did not really want to talk to him, but Francisco could tell, even then, that Rearden would be ripe for the taking within a few years. All that Francisco need do was to encourage Rearden to think about himself and his situation, along a certain line.

Francisco met Rearden again at James Taggart's wedding reception. He made a few sarcastic remarks at James Taggart's expense; for instance, when James Taggart began to boast of the "replacement" of "the aristocracy of money," Francisco said that the replacement was actually "the aristocracy of pull." But Francisco had not come merely to make himself unpleasant. As he had done at Lillian Rearden's dinner, Francisco was actively cultivating his relationship with Rearden. It was on that occasion that Francisco warned Rearden, in no uncertain terms, never to buy the stock of D'Anconia Copper, nor deal with D'Anconia Copper in any way, shape or form. (Rearden would forget that advice on a critical occasion, and a load of copper that he thought would be delivered without incident wound up on the bottom of the [[Caribbean Sea]].)

Francisco met Rearden again at James Taggart's wedding reception, on September 2, 2018. He made a few sarcastic remarks at James Taggart's expense; for instance, when James Taggart began to boast of the "replacement" of "the aristocracy of money," Francisco said that the replacement was actually "the aristocracy of pull." But Francisco had not come merely to make himself unpleasant. As he had done at Lillian Rearden's dinner, Francisco was actively cultivating his relationship with Rearden. Rearden sardonically asked him whether he was "looking for conquests." In answer, Francisco said, "Yes, I have found one who will be my greatest and last." By whom Francisco meant Henry Rearden himself, though he would not explain that until much, much later.

 

It was on that occasion that Francisco warned Rearden, in no uncertain terms, never to buy the stock of D'Anconia Copper, nor deal with D'Anconia Copper in any way, shape or form. (Rearden would forget that advice on a critical occasion, and a load of copper that he thought would be delivered without incident wound up on the bottom of the [[Caribbean Sea]].)

In all his various meetings with Rearden, Francisco repeatedly sounded one central theme: that Rearden, by continuing to give of his talents to society, was supporting those who not only did not appreciate his talents but in fact intended to punish him in any way that they could. On one occasion, Francisco asked: {{cquote|If you saw [[Atlas]], the giant who holds the world on his shoulders—if you saw that he stood, blood running down his chest, his knees buckling, and the harder he worked, the more the world pressed down on his shoulders—what would you tell him to do?}}

In all his various meetings with Rearden, Francisco repeatedly sounded one central theme: that Rearden, by continuing to give of his talents to society, was supporting those who not only did not appreciate his talents but in fact intended to punish him in any way that they could. On one occasion, Francisco asked: {{cquote|If you saw [[Atlas]], the giant who holds the world on his shoulders—if you saw that he stood, blood running down his chest, his knees buckling, and the harder he worked, the more the world pressed down on his shoulders—what would you tell him to do?}}

Francisco answered, "To shrug."

Francisco answered, "To shrug."

Two incidents nearly ended any hope that Francisco had of convincing Rearden to "shrug off" his burden. One, as mentioned, was the incident in which Rearden had rashly contracted with D'Anconia Copper to deliver a load of copper to him, but that load ended up at the bottom of the sea. At that time, Francisco had said to Rearden, "I swear to you, by the woman I love, that I am your friend." The other was when Henry Rearden discovered that Dagny Taggart was the woman whom Francisco loved—but Henry Rearden had been having an affair with Dagny himself. In a jealous rage, Rearden hauled off and slapped Francisco across the face with the back of his hand. Francisco summoned all his self-discipline not to strike back.

Two incidents nearly ended any hope that Francisco had of convincing Rearden to "shrug off" his burden. One, as mentioned, was the incident in which Rearden had rashly contracted with D'Anconia Copper to deliver a load of copper to him, but that load ended up at the bottom of the sea. At that time, Francisco had said to Rearden, "I swear to you, by the woman I love, that I am your friend." The other was when Henry Rearden discovered, on May 28, 2019, that Dagny Taggart was the woman whom Francisco loved—but Henry Rearden had been having an affair with Dagny himself. In a jealous rage, Rearden hauled off and slapped Francisco across the face with the back of his hand. Francisco summoned all his self-discipline not to strike back.

== Directive 10-289 ==

== Directive 10-289 ==

In May of what would become the last year of the strike, the [[United States]] Bureau of Economic Planning and Natural Resources issued [[Directive 10-289]], under which all persons would be legally attached to their jobs, ''and'' all inventions and other intellectual property would be nationalized and become an intellectual common. Francisco called Dagny and simply asked her whether she had yet received news of what he called "the moratorium on brains."

On May 1, 2019, the [[United States]] Bureau of Economic Planning and Natural Resources issued [[Directive 10-289]], under which all persons would be legally attached to their jobs, ''and'' all inventions and other intellectual property would be nationalized and become an intellectual common. Francisco called Dagny and simply asked her whether she had yet received news of what he called "the moratorium on brains."

Within twenty-four hours, Dagny Taggart had disappeared. Then on May 15, John Galt told Francisco that he had discovered, from his position as a spy in the Taggart Terminal, where Dagny might be found. He then told Francisco that he should go to her and tell her of the strike, saying that he had "earned" this chance. From Galt, that was a significant concession, because Francisco knew that John Galt had fallen in love with her.

Within twenty-four hours, Dagny Taggart had disappeared. Then on May 15, John Galt told Francisco that he had discovered, from his position as a spy in the Taggart Terminal, where Dagny might be found. He then told Francisco that he should go to her and tell her of the strike, saying that he had "earned" this chance. From Galt, that was a significant concession, because Francisco knew that John Galt had fallen in love with her.

== The scab ==

== The scab ==

In June of that year, Francisco prepared to take his annual one-month vacation in [[Galt's Gulch]]. By now the Gulch was almost self-sufficient; Midas Mulligan bought a limited number of goods, possibly including [[steel]], from the outside. (Where he got them, the novel never says, but he might have gotten them from the same [[black market]]eers who bought their goods from none other than Ragnar Danneskjold.)

Following the disastrous meeting with Dagny and Rearden, the one in which Rearden had slapped him across the face in a jealous rage, Francisco prepared to take his annual one-month vacation in [[Galt's Gulch]]. By now the Gulch was almost self-sufficient; Midas Mulligan bought a limited number of goods, possibly including [[steel]], from the outside. (Where he got them, the novel never says, but he might have gotten them from the same [[black market]]eers who bought their goods from none other than Ragnar Danneskjöld.)

But Francisco then heard the dreadful news that [[Dagny Taggart]] was overdue to return to an airfield in Colorado, and was missing and presumed lost in the mountains. Francisco delayed his usual coming to the Gulch for days while he searched the mountains for the wreckage of her aircraft. Finally he could stay away no longer, and came to the Gulch to pay his respects to John Galt. Then Galt surprised him by saying that he had a [[scab]] staying in his house. This was something that Francisco positively had to see. He was shocked to discover that the "scab" was Dagny herself. She had indeed crash-landed, ''in the Gulch,'' after trying to follow one of John Galt's recruitment flights—but now that he had found her alive, he was able to call off his search and remain in the Gulch for the rest of June.

But on May 31, Francisco then heard the dreadful news that [[Dagny Taggart]] was overdue to return to an airfield in Colorado, and was missing and presumed lost in the mountains. Francisco delayed his usual coming to the Gulch for days while he searched the mountains for the wreckage of her aircraft. Finally he could stay away no longer, and came to the Gulch to pay his respects to John Galt. Then Galt surprised him by saying that he had a [[scab]] staying in his house. This was something that Francisco positively had to see. He was shocked to discover that the "scab" was Dagny herself. She had indeed crash-landed, ''in the Gulch,'' after trying to follow one of John Galt's recruitment flights—but now that he had found her alive, he was able to call off his search and remain in the Gulch for the rest of June.

During Dagny's stay in the Gulch, Francisco gave her a tour of D'Anconia Copper Number One. Dagny observed that he transported his copper ore to the valley floor on [[mule]]back, and suggested that he build a railroad instead. At first he protested that laying rail would be too expensive, but Dagny said with complete confidence that she could build a railroad easily and inexpensively. But in the middle of her presentation, she lamented that she could not lay such a short stretch of rail and abandon an entire transcontinental system.

During Dagny's stay in the Gulch, Francisco gave her a tour of D'Anconia Copper Number One. Dagny observed that he transported his copper ore to the valley floor on [[mule]]back, and suggested that he build a railroad instead. At first he protested that laying rail would be too expensive, but Dagny said with complete confidence that she could build a railroad easily and inexpensively. But in the middle of her presentation, she lamented that she could not lay such a short stretch of rail and abandon an entire transcontinental system.

Francisco would not see Dagny again until the next winter. As the fall approached, he laid his plans to complete the destruction of D'Anconia Copper. He knew that the People's State of [[Chile]] intended to nationalize all his remaining holdings. So he quietly placed explosive charges in all his facilities, timed to explode at the moment that the Chilean parliament would call itself to order to consider the nationalization bill.

Francisco would not see Dagny again until the next winter. As the fall approached, he laid his plans to complete the destruction of D'Anconia Copper. He knew that the People's State of [[Chile]] intended to nationalize all his remaining holdings. So he quietly placed explosive charges in all his facilities, timed to explode at the moment that the Chilean parliament would call itself to order to consider the nationalization bill.

This happened on September 2, 1957. The next day, New York City's scrolling calendar display showed, not the date of September 3, but Francisco's personal message of defiance and vindication:

This happened on September 2, 2019. The next day, New York City's scrolling calendar display showed, not the date of September 3, but Francisco's personal message of defiance and vindication:

{{cquote|Brother, you asked for it!}}

{{cquote|Brother, you asked for it!}}

== The rescue of John Galt ==

== The rescue of John Galt ==

On November 22, John Galt made his famous three-hour speech. The next day, against Francisco's advice, Galt went back to New York. Francisco was not a "nail biter," but if he ever came close to doing that, this was the time. Three months passed with no word from Galt, other than a gazette of sorts describing the decline and eventual shutdown of Rearden Steel. Francisco informed Rearden, who laughed at him and said, "Francisco, Rearden Steel is right here in this valley!" In fact, Francisco and Rearden collaborated on building a real truck road, so that Francisco could move his copper to the valley much faster. He needed to—because Rearden did indeed re-found Rearden Steel, with a new kind of furnace that poured Rearden Metal. The last of the dependencies on the outside world disappeared.

On November 12, Ragnar Danneskjöld landed in the Gulch. With his usual cargo of gold, he brought a dire piece of intelligence: that [[Mr. Thompson]] intended to deliver a speech "on the world crisis" on November 22. John Galt summoned the Committee of Safety (consisting of John, Francisco, Ragnar, and now Henry Rearden) and informed them all that he, not Mr. Thompson, would deliver a speech to the world that night. This Galt did. The next day, against Francisco's advice, Galt went back to New York. Francisco was not a "nail biter," but if he ever came close to doing that, this was the time.

On February 22, 1958, John Galt was arrested. Dagny Taggart gave every indication of having turned him in to the authorities in order to protect her railroad, but Francisco knew her better than that. He now had merely to wait for the final series of disasters to convince Dagny that any further "strikebreaking" was futile.

Three months passed with no word from Galt, other than a gazette of sorts describing the decline and eventual shutdown of Rearden Steel. Francisco informed Rearden, who laughed at him and said, "Francisco, Rearden Steel is right here in this valley!" In fact, Francisco and Rearden collaborated on building a real truck road, so that Francisco could move his copper to the valley much faster. He needed to—because Rearden did indeed re-found Rearden Steel, with a new kind of furnace that poured Rearden Metal. The last of the dependencies on the outside world disappeared.

Ragnar Danneskjold was back in the Gulch by then, having put his privateering ship in "mothballs" in a Norwegian fjord and begun settling his crew in the valley. But with the news of Galt's arrest, the men in the valley cried out for leadership to get him back. Ragnar obliged. He organized the Galt's Gulch Air and Land Militia, with half the men in the valley participating, using every aircraft available. Francisco served as the chief of intelligence.

 

Ragnar Danneskjöld was back in the Gulch by then, having put his privateering ship in "mothballs" in a Norwegian fjord and begun settling his crew in the valley. But with the news of Galt's arrest, the men in the valley cried out for leadership to get him back. Ragnar obliged. He organized the Galt's Gulch Air and Land Militia, with half the men in the valley participating, using every aircraft available. Francisco served as the chief of intelligence.

He got word to Dagny, leaving only a telephone number for her to call when Galt was in danger. Meanwhile, Ragnar infiltrated Manhattan Island with his militia, and set up "camp" in multiple "safe houses" (actually, safe ''apartments'') around the Wayne-Falkland Hotel, where the authorities held Galt. But they did not dare storm the hotel; the authorities would almost certainly kill Galt before they could get close.

He got word to Dagny, leaving only a telephone number for her to call when Galt was in danger. Meanwhile, Ragnar infiltrated Manhattan Island with his militia, and set up "camp" in multiple "safe houses" (actually, safe ''apartments'') around the Wayne-Falkland Hotel, where the authorities held Galt. But they did not dare storm the hotel; the authorities would almost certainly kill Galt before they could get close.

Dagny and Francisco got off Manhattan in a hurry, but not by the usual route. How they got to Francisco's aircraft, or even where that aircraft rested, the novel does not make clear. Obviously the entire Galt's Gulch Militia had to decamp with them.

Dagny and Francisco got off Manhattan in a hurry, but not by the usual route. How they got to Francisco's aircraft, or even where that aircraft rested, the novel does not make clear. Obviously the entire Galt's Gulch Militia had to decamp with them.

Dagny, Francisco, Hank Rearden, and Ragnar Danneskjold flew together to New Hampshire, with the militia keeping formation with them. Ragnar gave the order that he and his companions would rescue Galt themselves, with the militia standing by. That rescue turned out to be ridiculously easy—because the kind of men who were guarding the facility where John Galt was held prisoner did not have the best minds in the world. The four of them captured the "Project F" building easily, killing five guards in all and incapacitating the rest.

Dagny, Francisco, Hank Rearden, and Ragnar Danneskjöld flew together to New Hampshire, with the militia keeping formation with them. Ragnar gave the order that he and his companions would rescue Galt themselves, with the militia standing by. That rescue turned out to be ridiculously easy—because the kind of men who were guarding the facility where John Galt was held prisoner did not have the best minds in the world.

 

The four of them captured the "Project F" building easily, killing five guards in all and incapacitating the rest. Ragnar had planned the operation well, and adapted quickly as the four captured and interrogated some of the guards.

Then came the time for the actual rescue. Francisco was not at all sure that they had arrived in time. So after Ragnar had picked the lock on the torture chamber door, Francisco entered first, holding out his arm to bar the way to the others. He caught sight of Galt, lashed to a mattress but very much alive and without a mark on him. Francisco lowered his arm, and the rescue party rushed inside.

Then came the time for the actual rescue. Francisco was not at all sure that they had arrived in time. So after Ragnar had picked the lock on the torture chamber door, Francisco entered first, holding out his arm to bar the way to the others. He caught sight of Galt, lashed to a mattress but very much alive and without a mark on him. Francisco lowered his arm, and the rescue party rushed inside.

Of the four rescuers, Francisco found the fact of what John Galt had endured hardest to take. He swore to hunt down Galt's torturers and kill them, but Galt told him that such a course would be not only unavailing but unnecessary. Hank Rearden and Ragnar Danneskjold said nothing; they concentrated on freeing Galt from his bonds, and then Ragnar systematically destroyed the torture apparatus while Rearden and Francisco helped Galt to dress. Then the party took him out of the building and to Francisco's plane, which was waiting on the lawn of the State Science Institute campus, and took off for the Gulch. As they passed over New York, the city was plunged into darkness as the power grid failed catastrophically and permanently.

Of the four rescuers, Francisco found the fact of what John Galt had endured hardest to take. He swore to hunt down Galt's torturers and kill them, but Galt told him that such a course would be not only unavailing but unnecessary. Hank Rearden and Ragnar Danneskjöld said nothing; they concentrated on freeing Galt from his bonds, and then Ragnar systematically destroyed the torture apparatus while Rearden and Francisco helped Galt to dress. Then the party took him out of the building and to Francisco's plane, which was waiting on the lawn of the State Science Institute campus, and took off for the Gulch. As they passed over New York, the city was plunged into darkness as the power grid failed catastrophically and permanently.

Francisco now devoted his full attention to his one copper mine, and had plans laid to drive or sink more mines, in a society that would have better respect for the rule of law. He even had designed a new type of smelter that would allow him to process his ore much more efficiently, and looked forward to supplying Henry Rearden with large quantities of copper with which to make his new Metal.

Francisco now devoted his full attention to his one copper mine, and had plans laid to drive or sink more mines, in a society that would have better respect for the rule of law. He even had designed a new type of smelter that would allow him to process his ore much more efficiently, and looked forward to supplying Henry Rearden with large quantities of copper with which to make his new Metal.