Zane detects unusual activity in a disconnected region of Central Asia, where several hubs have gone offline. Investigating further, he uncovers evidence of a new Syndicate faction, one that appears to be cooperating with rogue AI remnants.
"This isn't just sabotage," Zane explains. "They're building something—an alternative network to challenge Vigil."
Aria leads a strike team to the region, uncovering a hidden facility that houses a prototype system. The system appears to integrate adaptive AI principles similar to Catalyst's framework, but its purpose is unclear.
Catalyst analyzes the prototype remotely and sends a warning: "The system seeks control. It will not coexist."
The strike team disables the facility, but the discovery raises new concerns. "If the Syndicate is building its own Catalyst," Nyla says, "we might be facing a threat even more dangerous than Solas."