CHAPTER 279: THE SILENT PIVOT [ 3 ] BONUS CHAPTER

In the stillness that enveloped the room, a silence settled not oppressive, but genuine.

Evolon regarded Arthur thoughtfully before allowing a hint of humanity to infuse its voice.

"You are constructing a response ecosystem. Strike, obscure, measure, redirect, reframe, and repeat. Your aim is for the coalition behind VULTURE to expose its vulnerabilities not just once, but as a habitual practice."

"That’s precisely the plan," Arthur affirmed.

"And what about the risks?" Evolon probed.

"They may approach us from an unguarded angle," he replied cautiously.

"They could target aspects of our operation that lack fortification,law, credit, publictrust. If they catch me off guard, it will only happen once."

"Because you intend to eliminate their element of surprise," Evolon concluded.

Arthur nodded in agreement.

The ambient light from Evolon dimmed slightly,a signal that it was choosing to tread more delicately.

"There’s one question I want to ask," Evolon began. "Why this strategy? Why not execute a cleaner, simpler strike devoid of theatrics?"

"Empires don’t crumble from a single blow unless you can secure the territory afterward," Arthur explained earnestly.

"This is not merely a raid; it’s about strategic positioning. If we dismantle a key node and leave a void behind, someone far worse will seize control of it. I prefer to dictate what flourishes in that emptiness."

Evolon absorbed this insight with interest.

Arthur turned his gaze toward the window where below him lay the illuminated arteries of Sanctum’s roads.

Ferries traced bright paths around the islands while Varenya’s mechanisms operated silently.

"When Gunner strikes," he instructed firmly, "I need your heartbeat steady across our network,no brownouts or jittering signals; everything must appear as any other night."

"I will mask our pulse effectively," Evolon assured him. "Our systems will blend seamlessly into the background."

"And regarding communications?" Arthur pressed.

"I will respond solely to prearranged calls," it stated confidently. "Unplanned ones will be left ringing so others appear eager for engagement."

A flicker of amusement crossed Arthur’s face. "Excellent."

They allowed themselves a moment of quiet reflection before Evolon returned to an unresolved matter weighing on its circuits.

"Patriarch," it said cautiously, "if the coalition assesses Varenya post-operation and opts for escalation, your strategy shifts from mapping out scenarios to direct confrontation."

"Then we confront them head-on," he asserted without hesitation.

"Shall I begin modeling potential outcomes now?"

"No." He shook his head decisively. "Run those models in the background and only present me with initial branches when we see signs of movement."

Evolon inclined its head in acknowledgment. "Understood."

Arthur adjusted the lamp by a notch, casting the shadows into new shapes, as if he were rearranging files in an office.

He spoke again, his tone lighter, almost playful.

"Evelyn’s three suites," he began. "Ensure that those occupying them are individuals who can’t afford to be surprised by VULTURE’s downfall.

I want them seen in our rooms by those who believe they uphold the PWC.

"They will be there,"Evolon replied confidently. "You, however, will not be present. Your absence will convey power."

"And regarding Osborn Media," Arthur continued with purpose. "Draft our messaging now,not conclusions but framing.

We must project responsibility and calmness; we are committed to rule-bound solutions that safeguard lives. Let us provide the world with a statement they can repeat without feeling compromised."

"I’ll prepare three variations and test them against sentiment models," Evolon responded, a hint of pride evident in its voice.

"People tend to trust the third telling; we shall become their third telling."

A subtle smile tugged at Arthur’s lips. "You remember."

I do," Evolon affirmed.

Arthur closed the drawer he had left slightly ajar; the soft click resonated like a final note in a symphony.

He glanced at the clock,an unnecessary gesture for one so attuned to time.

"Send Gunner the full brief along with terrain overlays and contingency plans," he instructed decisively.

"Provide Ethan with the procurement slate plus two additional items he didn’t request; he’ll recognize it as a gift and grasp our timeline."

"I’ll incorporate a redundancy that goes unnoticed until it’s needed,a silent evacuation corridor for a casualty we hope never occurs," Evolon assured him.

"Excellent," Arthur replied succinctlyProceed."

Evolon remained motionless,like light suspended in air but its pause felt akin to a hand resting on a doorknob before entering unknown territory.

"One more point," Evolon said thoughtfully. "You’ve asked me to map beneficiaries following each VULTURE operation.

Instead of seeking monetary gain, I will identify favors granted: Who received quiet permissions? Who escaped inconvenient oversight? Who gained access through midnight corridors? This will reveal patterns."

"That indeed will be our pattern," Arthur concurred.

"And when we uncover these patterns?"

We reveal the truth once,only once to show them we see their machinations clearly,"

Arthur stated firmly. "Then we allow them to sit with that knowledge while we construct our strategy."

Evolon’s gaze held steady on him, reflecting understanding and resolve. "You play for the long game."

"There is no other way to secure victory."

The study seemed to shrink back into its usual dimensions as tranquility enveloped it once more; even as shadows danced under the lamp’s glow, tension simmered beneath, a prelude to inevitable change.

Arthur’s voice softened, a whisper of hope cutting through the stillness. "Evolon."

"Yes," replied the AI, its tone imbued with a sense of attentiveness.

"How is the boy...Mike doing?"

As if sensing the weight of Arthur’s inquiry, the projection’s edges lost some of their harsh illumination.

"He is well," it conveyed gently. "He found work last week. He arrives early and leaves late. Though he still wears the same shoes, his gait has changed; he walks with purpose now and looks up more often."

A genuine smile crept across Arthur’s face, a small yet profound expression of relief and joy. "Good."

"He still checks the street before he sleeps," Evolon continued, its voice softening further to convey empathy. But he does so less frequently than before."

Arthur nodded thoughtfully, absorbing this information. "It seems I should make time to visit Mike."

Evolon fell silent, understanding that no words were needed to fill the space between them.

The unspoken connection lingered in the air,a simple yet heavy promise bridging this quiet room to a future waiting across the water.

Outside, lights on Sanctum Island flickered on in a synchronized dance from east to west, reminiscent of a measured breath inhaling tranquility.

Beyond that horizon lay the Varenya,a realm where an unnamed moment awaited him; a moment he had already chosenin his heart.

"Send the orders," Arthur commanded decisively.

In response, Evolon dissolved into a stream of data, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with anticipation, the study now calm on its surface but alive with potential beneath, ready for that pivotal day when everything would change.