Shadows Behind the Shield
The chairman's office was quiet.
Floor-to-ceiling glass reflected the Paris skyline, sunlight cutting clean lines across the polished floor. Keith sat behind his desk, fingers interlaced, while Ethan Hunt—once Ethan Hondou—sat across from him, posture straight, eyes sharp.
"Tell me about Zoo," Keith said calmly.
Ethan exhaled.
"It's not a single organization in the usual sense," he began.
"It's a parasite network—they never act directly. They hide behind other groups, using them as shields, tools, and scapegoats."
Keith nodded. "Timeline?"
"Ten to fifteen years," Ethan replied. "At least that's how far back we can trace consistent patterns."
Keith leaned back slightly. "So they don't pull the trigger themselves."
"No," Ethan said grimly.
"They make others do it."
Borrowed Names, Stolen Sins
Keith's eyes sharpened. "Which organizations did they frame or manipulate?"
Ethan hesitated for half a second—then answered.
"Several intelligence cells. Some private military groups. Underground financial syndicates."
He paused.
"…And the Black Organization."
For a moment, silence.
Then—
Keith laughed.
A low, amused sound.
"So even that group was a puppet," Keith said, shaking his head.
"Grandfather would be furious—and insulted."
Ethan looked… embarrassed.
"Believe me," he said, rubbing his temple, "so am I. They were used as a blunt instrument. Zoo leaked intel, created pressure points, and let the Black Organization take the blame."
"Efficient," Keith said coldly.
"Cowardly."
The Case That Shouldn't Have Been
Keith tapped a finger against the desk. "What was the most prominent frame job?"
Ethan's expression darkened.
"An FBI case," he said.
"Agent Andrew Starling."
Keith's brows rose slightly. "Starling… close to Renya."
"Yes," Ethan confirmed.
"He was one of Karasuma Renya's godsons."
Keith's gaze sharpened. "He died."
Ethan nodded. "Killed after refusing to cooperate. Zoo made it look like an internal failure—then pinned the aftermath on another group."
Keith's thoughts connected instantly.
"…So Jodie Starling."
"Yes," Ethan said.
"Andrew's daughter. She entered the FBI training program shortly after."
Keith nodded slowly. "That explains her drive."
A Promise Kept, A Grudge Born
Keith leaned forward. "Did Andrew have family?"
"Just Jodie," Ethan replied.
"And before he died, he made one final request."
Ethan paused.
"He asked Vermouth to keep Jodie away from the Black Organization. Completely."
Keith's eyes flickered.
"She agreed?"
"She did," Ethan said.
"Vermouth personally extracted Jodie and placed her into the FBI protection program."
"And the house?"
Ethan closed his eyes briefly.
"Burned. To make it look like Jodie Starling died with her father."
Keith exhaled slowly.
"But Jodie survived," Keith said. "And believes Vermouth killed her father."
"Yes," Ethan replied quietly.
"She holds a deep grudge."
Keith massaged his forehead with two fingers.
"So Zoo frames other organizations, sacrifices loyal agents, destroys families, and walks away clean," he said.
"They turn enemies into shields and allies into corpses."
Ethan lowered his head slightly.
"That's why I'm ashamed," he admitted.
"I didn't realize how deep it went until it was too late."
The First Crack in the Web
Keith straightened.
"I'll find a way to contact Jodie Starling," he said evenly.
"She deserves the truth—or at least a choice."
Ethan looked up, surprised.
"…That won't be easy."
Keith smiled faintly.
"I didn't say it would be."
Ethan stood and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Young Master."
As he turned to leave, Keith added calmly—
"Zoo likes throwing blame around," he said.
"Let's see how they handle it when the blame starts coming back."
The door closed softly behind Ethan.
And in the quiet office, Keith's smile faded—replaced by something far sharper.