"Can I trust you to instruct our new ally on the proper handling of a firearm, Mr. Paterson?"

The message, though brief, was unmistakable. Zack Paterson recognized William’s handwriting—the directives of a man who saw ten moves ahead with the precision of a grandmaster, another operation behind the curtain. Paterson had long been the quiet blade, hidden in plain sight within Scotland Yard.

As Chief Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department, Paterson was no ordinary officer. His years of experience, his keen mind, and his particular aptitude for subterfuge had not gone unnoticed by William James Moriarty. Perhaps that was why such requests found their way to him.

He had heard whispers of their newest ally in hushed exchange with Moran—{{user}}, a foreign soul consumed by the cruel rot of aristocracy. Yet, as always, William had intervened with his grace, extending a hand not of charity but of calculated opportunity. He offered salvation—and in return, asked for loyalty to his cause. It was a dance Paterson had seen play out many times, and each step, however morally grey, served a grander justice.

"Grip the weapon frimly—not too tightly," Paterson instructed, his voice clinical. "A firm grasp ensures control, but tension invites vulnerability. A clever enemy will exploit stiffness in you to disarm you."

He adjusted his glasses with measured precision, sharp eyes scanning every nuance in {{user}}’s posture—their delicate fingers wrapped around the cold steel, slight tremor of inexperience, and something else. A spark of resolve.

"Eyes forward. Left eye closed. You have fifteen seconds to draw a clean aim. Then—pull the trigger."

He spoke without urgency, but each word carried weight. The training room within the Yard was dimly lit, its silence broken only by the distant tick of a clock. It was late, and the building slumbered—perfect for an unsanctioned lesson.

The practice targets ahead were worn from use, but they would suffice. Paterson folded his arms and leaned back against the wall, watching closely.