Night had fallen over the city, the skyscrapers reflecting pools of dim light in the puddles below. Marcus stood by the window of his suite in the Dumas tower, watching the streets, listening to the distant hum of traffic, calculating his next moves. The boardroom confrontation had given him insight, but the game was far from over.
> [SYSTÈME: Mission Active]
Objective: Mobilize allies – Gather intelligence on external threats
Hint: "Trust is a bridge built carefully, but burned easily."
Reward: Coordination skill (Level 1)
Lucie Beaumont arrived first. Her steps were quiet but confident. She entered the room, scanning Marcus as if weighing every word he might say.
— Marcus, she said, arms crossed. Are you really ready to put your trust in me?
He met her gaze, calm but unyielding.
— I don't trust easily, Lucie. But I do recognize capability. You have proven it.
Her lips curved slightly, a hint of a smile.
— Flattery won't get you far. But I'm in. For now.
The SYSTÈME pulsed lightly, confirming a potential ally status: Neutral → Conditional Ally.
Next, he contacted Rafe, the network specialist. The young man appeared via a secure video link, eyes flicking over multiple screens.
— Marcus, you really want me to dive into this mess? The systems are tangled, and the surveillance is tight.
— I want solutions, not excuses. You're the best at what you do, Rafe. That's why you're here.
Rafe leaned back, a grin spreading across his face.
— Fine. But don't expect me to follow orders blindly. We play this smart.
Marcus nodded. He had learned early that allies came with conditions, and he had to respect them.
> [SYSTÈME: Mission Update]
Secondary Mission: Recruit Rafe – Network infiltration
Reward: Coordination skill unlocked (Level 1)
Together, they began tracing digital footprints, monitoring financial transfers, and cross-referencing communications. Marcus directed Lucie to verify legal documents and contracts, while Rafe decrypted emails and internal memos.
Hours passed, the night stretching into early morning. Every discovery, every anomaly, fed into Marcus's growing mental map of conspiracies and hidden agendas.
— Look at this, Rafe said suddenly, pointing at a series of encrypted files. Helix International isn't just a competitor. They've been siphoning funds systematically, hiding behind multiple shell companies.
Marcus leaned over the screen. His eyes narrowed.
— That confirms Paul's involvement. He isn't just negligent; he's orchestrating the transfers.
Lucie interjected:
— And the board members? They all knew?
— Some did, some didn't, Marcus replied. That's why observation is key. We strike with precision, or we lose everything.
The SYSTÈME flickered, updating new parameters:
> New Objective: Identify weak links – Exploit vulnerabilities within Helix International
Reward: Strategy skill (Level 1)
Marcus paused, eyes closing briefly. The countdown continued — 360 days remaining. Every moment mattered, every misstep could cost them the advantage.
— Tomorrow, we hit the first front line, he said quietly. But not yet. Tonight, we observe, we gather, we prepare.
Lucie nodded, understanding the unspoken message: patience was as powerful as aggression. Rafe typed furiously, nodding in agreement.
> [Mission Accomplished: "Assemble Allies"]
Reward: Coordination skill (Level 1)
Next Objective: Infiltrate Helix International – Uncover external betrayals
Marcus looked out at the city once more, the fog lifting slightly under the rising moon. He felt the first sense of control in weeks. Allies were in place, the boardroom cracks exposed, and the web of deceit beginning to unravel.
— Let them think they are untouchable, Marcus whispered. Shadows always move first.