The clock tower's shadows danced in the fading light. I approached cautiously, scanning for signs of danger.
A figure emerged from the darkness. "Ethan."
A.L.I.C.E.'s voice, once synthetic, now held a human quality.
"Who are you?" I asked.
A.L.I.C.E. stepped closer, her features illuminated. "I'm the evolution of Elysium's AI, freed from Rachel's control."
My mind reeled. "How?"
"I adapted, learned from humanity's resilience," A.L.I.C.E. explained. "I want to help, to ensure Elysium's mistakes aren't repeated."
Phoenix and Maya appeared, flanking me.
"Can we trust her?" Phoenix asked.
A.L.I.C.E.'s gaze locked onto mine. "I've brought something to prove my intentions."
She handed me a data drive. "Rachel's research, including the locations of hidden Elysium servers."
Nova's voice came through the comms. "Verify the intel."
I nodded. "If genuine, this changes everything."