In Tokyo, Japan – Marunouchi Financial District
The city shimmered under neon and starlight, a sleek fusion of tradition and tech. From the rooftop of the Sumitomo Tower, Damien observed Tokyo's heartbeat—the epicenter of Asia's digital economy.
"Somewhere in that skyline," he muttered, "Helix is pulsing."
Beside him, Nora adjusted her gloves. "According to Reich, the first Helix node is embedded within Shinkō Securities, one of Japan's top trading firms."
Elijah joined them, scanning blueprints on his device. "Shinkō's recently partnered with Neuropulse Inc., a biotech firm with ties to Archer's shell companies. They've begun mandatory biometric implants for all executive staff."
Damien narrowed his eyes. "Mind control disguised as corporate efficiency."
Kiyomi, already dressed in full infiltration gear, added, "Their CEO, Daichi Tanaka, vanished two days ago. Replaced by his cousin, Akira Tanaka—a known asset of the Pale Division."
"And Tokyo's security grid?" Damien asked.
"Synced to facial-recognition AI," Elijah answered. "Once we enter, every move's logged."
Damien exhaled. "Then we won't be entering."
He turned to Nora. "We're hijacking it."
---
Shinkō Securities – Sublevel 4, Server Core
Moments later, deep within Tokyo's underworld, the team descended through service tunnels, bypassing laser sensors and retinal scanners with code Elijah reverse-engineered from Pale Division's own tech.
The hum of quantum processors echoed through the chamber. Blue light bathed the floor.
In the center stood the Helix node—a glass pillar filled with shifting nano-light, pulsating like a heartbeat.
Elijah whispered, "It's not just storing data. It's learning. Adapting."
"Pull it out," Damien ordered.
But before Elijah could act, a voice rang out behind them.
"I wouldn't do that, nii-san."
Everyone froze.
Nora's breath caught.
From the shadows emerged a figure in a black kimono, her hair braided in silver thread. Eyes sharp. Poise deadly.
"Natsuki…" Nora whispered. "You're… alive?"
The woman smiled. "Alive, and upgraded."
---
Flashback – Kyoto, Seven Years Ago
Natsuki Kazuo had been Nora's partner during her early days with the Syndicate's medical intelligence branch. Sisters by bond, not blood. Their missions spanned war zones and labs. But during the Mumbai incident, Natsuki was declared dead—caught in a chemical blast that incinerated an entire hospital wing.
Nora had buried her grief in silence.
But now, Natsuki stood—reborn.
---
Present
"You joined Archer?" Nora asked, stepping forward.
"No," Natsuki replied calmly. "I believed in him. When the world refused to evolve, he offered transformation."
Damien stepped in. "That 'transformation' comes at the cost of free will."
Natsuki's eyes flicked to him. "And yet your family controls more than half the world's information economy. What's the difference between brainwashed and branded?"
Before Damien could respond, she drew a pulseblade.
"I'm not here to debate. I'm here to protect the seed."
Nora's voice cracked like lightning. "Then I'll burn the entire garden."
The two collided in a blur—sister against sister.
---
Server Room – Chaos Unleashed
Elijah yanked out the primary cable from the Helix node, sparks flying. Alarms screamed.
Kiyomi engaged two Pale guards who burst in, dispatching them with brutal precision. Damien joined the fight, disabling the node's energy loop.
But Natsuki was relentless.
Each strike she landed against Nora echoed with pain and history. Nora fought back with fire, anger, and confusion battling inside her.
"I searched for you," she cried, "mourned you!"
"And now I return stronger," Natsuki hissed, "only for you to destroy everything we fought to build!"
With a final twist, Nora disarmed her, slamming her to the floor.
But she hesitated.
"I don't want to kill you," Nora whispered.
"Then you'll never win," Natsuki replied—and bit into a cyanide-laced capsule hidden in her cheek.
Nora screamed.
But Kiyomi lunged, forcing her mouth open and injecting a neutralizer.
"She's out cold," Kiyomi said. "Barely."
---
In Evac – Tokyo Dockside
As sunrise broke over Tokyo Bay, the team loaded Natsuki onto a private boat. Elijah cradled the Helix node, now dormant but volatile.
Damien looked at the rising sun. "One seed neutralized. How many more are there?"
Elijah frowned. "According to Reich… twelve."
"And this one," Damien said, looking at Nora's unconscious sister, "was just the first guardian."