Rothman snatches the mic. "Sentimentality is boring. Decide, Rider."

"Did you think 'Assist' was Rothman's weapon? No, Alex. It was mine . An emergency protocol I hid inside SCORPIUS's network years ago. You just gave me access."

"Help me destroy MI6, or Jack dies. That's the assist." Act Two: The Choice Alex's hands shake. Kyra grabs his wrist.

"Then watch them. And when they cross the line — you stop them. That's your real assist, Alex. Not to a flag. To people."

"Kyra. How fast can you hotwire a SCORPIUS helicopter?" Kyra (grinning): "Faster than you can say 'assist.'" Act Three: The Assist (Double Meaning) Alex types furiously on the tablet. He's not disabling the missile. He's redirecting it — to an empty SCORPIUS training island in the Hebrides. But the bunker's manual lock requires Jack to pull two levers 30 seconds before impact.

Alex hesitates. Kyra shouts from the helicopter: "ALEX, NOW!"

Rothman smirks, nods. The line crackles. Jack's voice — calm, almost amused.

"You're stalling. Kill the girl."

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