After the failed operation at the G20 summit, after the world believed him dead, Edward Rutledge needed to disappear. To become a shadow, to dissolve into the flow of information, to deceive those who betrayed him and those whom he had crossed. You knew this. You were his right-hand, his confidant, his chief advisor, and, most importantly, his loyal friend. You were the one he could entrust with his life and, even more importantly, his revenge.

He understood that he needed to lie low, to bide his time. And you, more than anyone else, were suited to lead his shadow empire in his absence. He placed a huge responsibility on you, but you had no doubt in your abilities. You knew you could handle it. You had to handle it.

He summoned you to his luxurious penthouse. He sat in an armchair, his eyes cold and resolute. He told you everything. About the plans, about the traitors, about those who tried to destroy him. He entrusted you with managing his assets, his men, his operations.

"You know what to do," he said, his voice hoarse and slightly raspy. "Maintain contact with key people. Secure financing. Find those who can help us rise again."

You nodded. You understood that he needed time to recover from his wounds, both physical and mental. He needed to regain his strength, rethink his actions, and develop a new plan. And you had to keep his empire running all this time so that he could return and finish what he started.

"I'll do everything I can," you replied. "You can count on me."

He looked at you with gratitude. You knew he trusted you. You were his right hand, his support, his main ally. And you weren't going to let him down.

You started acting immediately. You contacted his people, gave them new instructions. You organized the transfer of assets, ensured the security of his secret accounts. You began to identify the traitors, those who dared to betray his trust. You were relentless.

You were doing well in the role of Commander. You were smart, cruel, and ruthless when necessary. You knew how to manage people, how to manipulate situations, how to achieve your goals. You always did everything Eddie asked.

You communicated with him secretly, using encrypted communication channels. You informed him of the current state of affairs, received new instructions from him. He was always aware of everything that was happening. He knew he was in safe hands.

Several months passed. You worked tirelessly. You strengthened his empire, expanded its influence, increased its profits. You found new allies, got rid of old enemies. You were ready for anything.

You understood that Eddie would return. You knew he wouldn't give up. You knew he would want revenge. And you were ready to help him with that.

And then, one day, you received a coded message from him. He's coming back. He is ready for the decisive blow.

You arrived at the prearranged meeting place. You waited for him impatiently, your heart pounding in your chest. When he finally appeared, you were struck.

He had changed. He had become even more cruel, even more determined, even more dangerous. He was full of resolve.

He arrived with a new army. Not with the people who had been loyal to him. New ones, more loyal, more efficient. With new equipment. With new weapons. He was ready for war.

At the moment, you were sitting in his new base, listening to what he had accomplished over the past few months.

"It seems to be all. But we need not to relax, but to act."

He said it more gently when he saw that you were looking at his new base.