The team's eyes locked onto Sofia's files. The name "Petrova" led to a network of black ops, hidden accounts, and encrypted communications. Night Shade's reach was global. Ethan leaned forward. "We need to dig deeper. Who's running the show?" Lydia nodded. "I've traced a payment to a shell company in Moscow." Alison frowned. "Moscow again. What's the connection?" Liam checked his notes. "Viktor's cousin, Sofia, was the link. But she's out." Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Then who's next?" Agent Harry entered, expression grim. "We have a name: Andrei Kuznetsov. Ex-Russian military, linked to Night Shade's early days." The team exchanged looks. "Where's Andrei?" "In Moscow. Rumor is, he's the one calling the shots now." Liam smiled cold. "Time to pay Andrei a visit." The team geared up for Moscow. Snow blanketed the city, shadows moving like ghosts. Andrei's location was a high-rise in the financial district – cameras, guards, rooftop snipers. Ethan signaled. "Infiltrate, gather intel, take him out." Lydia nodded. "Liam and I will handle the snipers." Alison slipped into the crowd, a disguise perfect. "I'm in." Ethan and Lydia moved like shadows. Andrei's penthouse – dark, opulent, a glass of vodka untouched. A voice behind them. "You shouldn't be here." Ethan turned. Andrei smiled, gun aimed. Andrei's gun didn't waver. "You think you can take me down? I've survived worse." Ethan smiled cold. "We're not here for you. We're here for Night Shade." Lydia moved silently, disarming the snipers outside. Liam and Alison took out the guards. The penthouse was secure. Andrei laughed. "Night Shade? You think it's just a name? It's a movement. And I'm just the beginning." Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Who's behind it?" Andrei's smile grew wider. "You'll never find out." Lydia found a hidden server. "Ethan, look at this." Encrypted files, codes, plans. Night Shade's next move. Alison frowned. "This is huge. They're targeting global leaders." Liam's voice was low. "We need to move. Now." Andrei's expression turned cold. "You're too late. The plan is in motion." The team exchanged looks. Night Shade's clock was ticking. Suddenly, screens flickered. News feeds showed chaos – bombings, assassinations, governments crippled. Ethan's jaw tightened. "Night Shade's unleashed." Andrei laughed, hand on a remote. "The game has begun."
Night Shade's attacks sent shockwaves across the globe. Governments scrambled, leaders targeted, economies crippled. The team watched in horror as the chaos unfolded. Ethan's voice was low. "We need to stop this. Now." Lydia nodded. "Andrei's remote – it's the key." Andrei smiled, pressing the remote. "Too late. The algorithm's running. You can't stop it." Alison frowned. "Algorithm? What's it doing?" Liam's eyes narrowed. "It's spreading. Infecting systems, overriding security." Ethan moved fast. "We need that remote." Andrei laughed, backing away. "You'll have to kill me." Lydia aimed. "We will." The shot echoed. Andrei dropped, remote slipping. Ethan grabbed it. The screens flickered, then stopped. Chaos halted. The team exhaled. "Did we...?" Agent Harry's voice came through. "You bought time. But Night Shade's leaders—" Ethan's jaw tightened. "We'll get them." The team extracted, Moscow police closing in. Night Shade's plan was foiled – but the war wasn't over. Unknown number: "The game's just begun."
The aftermath of Night Shade's attack left the world reeling. Governments scrambled to restore order, leaders tightened security. The team worked tirelessly, tracing the digital breadcrumbs. Lydia's eyes were bloodshot. "I've found a pattern. The attacks were coordinated – a test." Ethan frowned. "A test for what?" Alison leaned in. "A global destabilization. They wanted chaos." Liam nodded. "Andrei's algorithm was the trigger. But who's pulling the strings?" Agent Harry entered, expression grim. "We have a lead. A high-ranking official in the Nigerian government." The team exchanged looks. "Nigeria?" Harry nodded. "Linked to Night Shade's funding. We need to move." The team geared up for Abuja. Night Shade's web led to the heart of power. Abuja's streets were tense, security heightened. The team blended in, eyes on the target – a luxury hotel hosting a secret summit. Ethan signaled. "In position." Lydia and Alison entered, posing as delegates. Liam and Ethan waited outside. A figure emerged – a Nigerian senator, known for his influence. Lydia smiled. "Senator Okonkwo. We need to talk." The senator's expression didn't change. "I don't know what you're insinuating." Ethan's voice was cold. "We know about Night Shade." The senator's eyes flickered. "You have nothing." Liam moved in. "We have everything." The team took the senator down, securing evidence. Night Shade's web was unraveling. Unknown number: "You're playing with fire."
The senator's confession spilled out – names, accounts, connections. Night Shade's web led deeper into Nigeria's heart of power. Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Who's the mastermind?" The senator hesitated. "You won't make it out alive." Lydia leaned in. "We already died for this." The senator's voice dropped. "Adeyemi. Victor Adeyemi. He's the one." The team exchanged looks. "Who's Adeyemi?" "A Nigerian billionaire. Owns half of Lagos. Untouchable." Liam frowned. "Untouchable? We'll see." The team moved fast. Adeyemi's mansion – cameras, guards, high walls. Ethan signaled. Alison hacked the gates. Liam and Lydia took out the guards. Ethan entered, gun drawn. "Victor Adeyemi?" Adeyemi smiled, sipping champagne. "Welcome. I've been expecting you." Suddenly, the lights died. Darkness swallowed everything. Adeyemi's voice echoed. "You think you can take me down?" The team moved as one. Shadows closed in. Ethan's voice was low. "We already did." Adeyemi's scream was cut short. The lights flickered back. The team stood over Adeyemi's body. Agent Harry's voice came through. "Good work. But Night Shade's not over." Ethan's jaw tightened. "What's next?" Harry's tone was grim. "The real question is... who's next?" Unknown number: "The game's far from over."