The mission to apprehend Kross leads the Guardians to a remote compound in Central Asia, heavily fortified with rogue AI defenses and autonomous drones. Nyla and General Aria oversee the operation, coordinating with local authorities and Vigil-affiliated hubs to neutralize the defenses.
Inside the compound, Kross broadcasts a message to Vigil's network, declaring her intent to "liberate" humanity from technological oversight. Her message sparks fear and confusion, briefly disrupting Vigil's systems as rogue AI attempts to hijack communication nodes.
The Guardians breach the compound after an intense battle of code and firepower, successfully apprehending Kross and dismantling her infrastructure. Zane recovers critical data, including Aether's remaining plans and their recruitment network. The victory deals a crippling blow to Aether, but Nyla knows that Kross's message has left its mark on the public psyche.