Chapter 5

Ethan's eyes remained fixed on screens as Eclipse continued gaining ground against Oblivion. Suddenly:

**System Alert: Internal Security Breach Detected**

Lexi's voice turned urgent:

"Ethan, our own system's been compromised – someone's helping Victor!"

Ethan's heart sank as he traced the breach source:

**Jax's Terminal – Active Collaboration with Victor's Code**

Stunned, Ethan watched as Jax's avatar appeared beside Victor's:

"Zero... I've been playing both sides. Victor promised me Zero point's leadership."

Victor gloated:

"With Jax's insider help, Oblivion evolves – Eclipse falls!"

Eclipse code disintegrated as Oblivion surged back, overpowering Zero point's defenses.

Ethan felt betrayed, helpless:

"No... Jax, why?!"

Jax's response cut deep:

"Loyalty's expensive, Zero. Victor paid better."

**Oblivion Wins – Zero point Systems Collapse**

Victor celebrated victory as Ethan's world crashed down.

Jax's betrayal stunned Ethan – Victor won this round.

Ethan goes dark.

Ethan vanished into the shadows, severing all digital traces – phones, emails, and Zero point access revoked.

Lexi searched desperately:

"Ethan, respond! We need to regroup – Victor's celebrating publicly!"

But Ethan remained silent, ghosting his own life.

He relocated to a secure safehouse, courtesy of an old ally – Lena's cousin, Alex.

Alex briefed Ethan:

"Victor thinks he's won. Jax is Zero point's new CEO... puppet CEO."

Ethan processed betrayal and defeat, plotting revenge:

"Time to rebuild, gather loyalists, and strike back – harder."

Alex handed Ethan a secure phone:

"Lena escaped Victor's sweep. She's waiting for your signal."

Ethan powered up the phone, seeing Lena's message:

"Ethan, I have intel on Victor's next move – and Jax's weakness."

Ethan regroups in secret – Lena's intel sparks hope.

Ethan met Lena in a secure underground cafe, surrounded by white noise generators – privacy ensured.

Lena briefed Ethan:

"Victor plans to merge Zero point with his own company, Ve corp. Jax is pushing loyalists out."

Ethan nodded grimly:

"We need our old team back – minus Jax's betrayal influence."

Lena smiled:

"Already on it. Ravan and Maverick are willing to rejoin – they hate Jax's coup."

Ethan contacted Ravan (former Zero point head of security) and Maverick (elite hacker):

Both agreed to meet Ethan at the safehouse – loyalty reborn.

**Reformed Team Roster:**

Ethan "Zero" Blackwood - Leader

Lena - Chief Hacker

Ravan - Security Expert

Maverick - Elite Hacker

Ethan outlined the plan:

"Infiltrate Zero point, gather intel, sabotage Ve corp merger – then strike Victor directly."

Team nods confirmed – revenge mode activated.

Team rebuilt – strategy set.

Ethan's team gathered around a virtual war room table, discussing countermeasures for Victor's retaliation:

Lena outlined potential attack vectors:

"Victor will likely use Zero point resources – internal sys admins, network hackers, and Jax's loyalty-enforced security."

Ravan added:

"We should expect physical retaliation too – Victor's goons or even Jax leading a team."

Maverick nodded:

"I'll prep counter-hacking tools – 'Tripwire' and 'ShadowNet' – to detect and disrupt their digital assaults."

Ethan decided:

"Ravan, works with Lena on physical security upgrades for our safehouse. Maverick, finalize Tripwire and ShadowNet. I'll analyze Victor's likely strategies."

**Countermeasure Checklist:**

Digital:

* Tripwire – detect incoming hacks

* ShadowNet – disrupt attackers' connections

Physical:

* Safehouse security upgrades – cameras, alarms, reinforced doors

* Team self-defense training

With countermeasures in place, Ethan's team awaited Victor's move – ready to strike back.

Prepared for retaliation.

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