Location: Parliament Private Chamber – Tavara
The oak-paneled chamber smelled of age and tension. Only the most influential players in Tavara's political arena sat in this clandestine circle—officially unnamed, unofficially feared.
Cyrus Blackthorne, Damien's trusted cousin and longtime strategist, entered with the grace of someone who didn't need to prove himself. Dressed in a navy tailored suit, his mere presence silenced the murmurs in the room.
"You're representing Damien Blackthorne?" one of the older ministers asked, clearly unsettled.
"I represent order," Cyrus replied, seating himself without permission. "And right now, Damien Blackthorne is the only one offering it."
A skeptical chuckle came from a parliamentarian with known Kane family ties. "Your cousin disappeared for five years and now returns expecting to be welcomed?"
Cyrus leaned forward, tone calm but deadly. "You speak of disappearance like he went into hiding. Damien was building something far beyond what Tavara's political theater could comprehend. Now he's back—richer, stronger, and more dangerous."
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"Is that a threat?" the Kane ally snapped.
Cyrus smiled. "No. If it were a threat, your name would already be off the register, and your assets would be frozen."
Silence.
He tapped a file on the table. "This is a detailed list of off-the-books Kane family transactions. Illicit arms trades. Offshore storage of biogenetic data linked to Project Echo Zero."
That got their attention.
One of the defense ministers paled. "That project was terminated."
"Not by the Kane family," Cyrus said. "And not before they stored fragments of the AI prototype overseas. Damien has proof. And he's willing to let the world see it—unless this chamber recognizes Blackthorne Enterprises as a national strategic ally."
"Impossible!" the Kane ally rose, face red. "You think you can extort Parliament?"
"No," Cyrus said. "I'm here to give you a choice. Align with Damien, or be swallowed by the chaos coming. Victor Kane is already pulling strings in Zurich. His people have begun reassembling Echo's neural cores."
A hush fell.
A newer member finally spoke. "What do you want, exactly?"
Cyrus rose. "Security clearance reinstated for Blackthorne Enterprises. Full support of Damien's military-tech initiative. And immunity for the operatives involved in Echo's takedown."
The room stirred.
"You'll have our answer tomorrow," someone muttered.
Cyrus nodded. "I'll send someone to collect it. And I hope—for all your sakes—it's the right one."
He walked out, calm as ever. Outside, his phone buzzed.
A message from Damien:
"Kane just landed in Tavara. Ready the team."
Cyrus texted back with a grin:
"The wolves are howling. Let's set the trap."