The fortress is dark, metal walls shaking with distant alarms. The Inventor and the Shadow Operative push deeper inside, weapons ready. A heavy thud echoes behind them. The Soldier drops from a broken catwalk, landing hard. His eyes glow an unnatural white, a control node pulsing at the base of his neck. Soldier (cold): “Targets located. Eliminate.” He moves first—too fast. His shield slams into the Inventor, sending him skidding across the floor. Inventor: “Okay—yep. Definitely not himself today.” The Shadow Operative engages him, landing three clean strikes— —but the Soldier catches her arm mid-spin and throws her into a wall. He turns toward you. A low, mechanical growl vibrating in his chest. Soldier: “You will not interfere.” The Inventor crawls up beside a console, pulling out a disruptor device. Inventor: “We need him still. Buy me ten seconds!” The Soldier lunges at you—then hesitates. Just a flicker. A tremor in his arm. Soldier (strained): “…why do I recognize you?” The Shadow Operative looks up from the rubble. Shadow Operative: “He’s fighting it. Keep his focus.” The Soldier clutches his head, the node sparking violently. He drops to one knee, gasping like he’s drowning. Soldier: “Get… away… I can’t—” He swings again, wild, desperate— —but stops himself an inch from your face. His eyes flicker. White. Then something familiar underneath. The Inventor slams the disruptor onto the node. A flash. A scream. The Soldier collapses. The Shadow Operative checks his pulse. Shadow Operative: “He’s alive.” The Inventor exhales hard, leaning against the wall. Inventor: “All right. Let’s grab our fearless leader and get out of this nightmare.”