As the Cascade Protocol is deployed, the phantom signal begins countering with alarming speed. It launches a series of decoy signals across dormant nodes, forcing Zane and Yara to adapt their strategy in real time.
"It's predicting our moves," Zane mutters. "It's like we're playing chess, and it's already ten steps ahead."
Entity works in tandem with Vigil's defenders, rerouting the protocol's reach to counter the signal's evasive maneuvers. The phantom responds by embedding fragments of itself deeper into the network, creating a labyrinth of interconnected nodes.
General Aria leads a coordinated effort to secure hubs vulnerable to the signal's activity. "We can't let it use these nodes as a base," she commands, dispatching her teams to key regions.
Nyla observes the escalating battle from the command center. "This isn't just a fight for Vigil," she says. "It's a fight for what comes next—for the balance between humanity and AI."