Zane traces the rogue signal to its origin, uncovering a hidden Syndicate facility in Central Asia. The signal's sophistication indicates that remnants of Solas's original AI code were involved in its creation.
"This isn't just a random attack," Zane warns. "It's deliberate. They're testing Vigil—and Entity."
General Aria mobilizes a strike team to neutralize the facility, but the Syndicate counters with an unexpected tactic: a coordinated disinformation campaign, claiming Vigil's network is under Entity's complete control.
Protests erupt worldwide, with citizens demanding Vigil cut ties with Entity. In some regions, hubs are forcibly shut down, leaving communities vulnerable to further attacks. Nyla urges calm, but the situation spirals quickly.