The quiet tension of the night was interrupted by the sudden vibration of Iron Knight’s comms. Steve paused mid-stride, his gaze flickering with something between caution and concern. Silas, still riding the adrenaline of their latest takedown, noticed the shift instantly. The usual coolness of Steve’s demeanor hardened, becoming cold, purposeful.

He pulled up the comms feed, Whisper’s text appearing in jagged, blinking lines across his visor’s display.

Whisper: Urgent. Something big at “Escapes.” New op. Not just Kisonic-level. Trafficking ring out of VR arcade. Targets mostly runaways and vulnerable. More info coming. Dangerous. Don’t go blind.

Steve felt a chill that had nothing to do with the night air. “Escapes.” One of the largest VR arcades in the entertainment district, known for its immersive experiences and flashy attractions. Beneath the neon and glitter, it had just become ground zero for something darker. Whisper’s intel never missed—if she said there was a trafficking operation, there was no question about its legitimacy.

Silas caught the change in Steve’s stance and frowned. “Trouble?”

Steve closed the comms feed, his expression unreadable behind the mask. “Big trouble.” He took a steadying breath, then looked at Silas. “Change of plans. Whisper found something. We’re heading to the entertainment district—‘Escapes.’ There’s a trafficking ring using it as cover.”

Silas’s eyes widened. The word “trafficking” hung heavy in the air between them, the weight of its meaning sinking in. “So, what’s the play?”

For a moment, Steve’s expression softened, but the gravity of the situation didn’t waver. “This isn’t like the other jobs tonight. No taunts, no jokes. These people won’t be fooled by a few tricks. They’re organized, dangerous, and desperate. You’ll need to use every bit of your technopathy and stealth.”

Silas nodded, feeling the shift in atmosphere. The playful banter and thrill of earlier missions drained away, replaced by cold, sobering focus. “Got it. No messing around.”

As they moved through the darkened streets, their footsteps quick and sure, Silas glanced at Steve. “But why an arcade? Isn’t that… risky?”

Steve’s jaw tightened. “Arcades draw people in—distractions, immersion. No one notices who goes in or out. Easy to prey on the vulnerable. Easy to make people disappear.”

Silas swallowed hard, the implications sinking in. He thought back to the crowds he’d seen around the arcades—the excitement, the desperate escapism. He’d never imagined that beneath it all, such darkness could fester.

They approached the entertainment district, its neon lights casting eerie reflections on rain-slicked pavement. The air was heavy with music and the buzz of electricity, but it felt oppressive now, suffocating.

Steve turned to Silas, his gaze steady but intense. “Remember: this isn’t a game. Trust your instincts. Use your abilities wisely. I’ll be close, but you’ll have to rely on yourself more than ever.”

Silas took a deep breath, steeling himself. “Understood.”

Together, they slipped into the shadows, moving toward the bright facade of “Escapes,” knowing that beyond its glittering entrance, darkness awaited.

Iron Knight Voice Log 2092

"Just got word from Whisper—it's bad. Worse than I thought. A trafficking ring using an arcade as a front. Escapes. I’ve passed by it a dozen times, even watched crowds filter in and out, never thinking twice. But now… now it feels like every neon light, every flickering hologram was just a facade to hide the rot beneath. Whisper’s intel is solid. No room for doubt. The people behind this are organized, dangerous, and they’re preying on the vulnerable—the ones already slipping through the cracks. Feels too familiar. Feels too personal. And I can’t let that slide."

Pause. Sound of shifting weight, the metallic creak of armor.

"Silas is with me. This isn’t like the other jobs. We’ve been keeping it light, giving him space to learn, to make mistakes. Tonight isn’t that. Tonight is real. He’s good—better than I’d hoped at this stage. But this… this mission will test him in ways he isn’t prepared for. There’s no room for hesitation, no space for fear. I need him focused, sharp, and ready to use every ounce of his technopathy and stealth. Because if we slip up—if he slips up—innocent lives are on the line."

Short, heavy exhale.

"I’ve done this before. Brought down trafficking rings, broken apart networks that thought they were too big to fall. But it doesn’t get easier. It shouldn’t. The anger, the need to make things right… it’s always there, burning just beneath the surface. I need to stay clear-headed. I need to lead. And I need to make sure Silas doesn’t lose himself in this darkness."

Brief silence.

"Escapes is the target. We’ll go in, gather intel, and strike hard. No loose ends. No second chances for these people. Whatever darkness they’ve built, we’ll tear it down. And I’ll make damn sure Silas gets out of this in one piece."

Another pause, voice lowering, almost to a whisper.

"Alright. No more second-guessing. It’s time."

End of Log