A no-man's land

Agent Hebi vanished into the depths of the neutral zone after the murder of General Daichi Tanaka. The world believed her to be dead, a ghost lost in the chaos of her heinous crime. But Hebi was very much alive, biding her time and plotting her next move.

The neutral zone, a no-man's land between the human and AI districts, was a lawless territory where only the desperate and the dangerous dared to tread. It was here that Hebi found refuge, using the harsh environment to her advantage. She became a phantom, moving through the shadows, evading capture and gathering resources.

For the first few months, Hebi lived in hiding, surviving off the land and scavenging what she could from abandoned structures. She kept a low profile, avoiding any interaction that could give away her presence. But Hebi's mind was always racing, formulating plans and seeking out potential allies among the outcasts of the neutral zone.

One night, while exploring an old warehouse, Hebi stumbled upon a group of outcasts huddled around a makeshift fire. They were a mix of disillusioned humans and rogue AIs, all with their own stories of betrayal and hardship. Hebi saw an opportunity.

Stepping out of the shadows, Hebi addressed the group. "I see you're all here because society has cast you aside. You're angry, betrayed, and looking for a way to fight back. I can offer you that chance."

The outcasts eyed her warily, but Hebi's presence was commanding. She had the look of someone who had seen the worst of the world and survived. Slowly, they began to listen to her story of defiance and rebellion.

"My name is Hebi," she continued. "I was once a top agent for the human district, but I was betrayed and left for dead. I know what it's like to be cast aside, to feel powerless. But we have the power to change that. Together, we can bring down the system that has wronged us."

The outcasts murmured among themselves, intrigued by her words. One of them, a tall human named Ryuu, stepped forward. "What makes you think we can trust you? For all we know, you could be leading us into a trap."

Hebi met his gaze with steely determination. "I have nothing left to lose, and everything to gain. I'm offering you a chance to fight back, to take control of your destiny. But it's up to you to decide if you want to join me."

After a moment of tense silence, Ryuu nodded. "Alright, Hebi. We'll give you a chance. But if you betray us, you'll regret it."

Hebi smiled, her eyes glinting with a dangerous light. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

With that, Hebi began to gather a following. She scoured the neutral zone, seeking out those who had been wronged by both humans and AIs. She found soldiers who had been abandoned by their governments, scientists who had been cast out for their radical ideas, and rogue AIs who had rejected their programming.

Hebi's message resonated with the outcasts. She offered them a purpose, a cause to rally behind. She promised them a chance to reclaim their power and bring down the unification that had left them behind.

Over time, Hebi's group grew in size and strength. They trained in secret, honing their skills and preparing for the day when they would strike. Hebi herself became a ruthless leader, pushing her followers to their limits and instilling in them a fierce loyalty.

One of Hebi's most trusted lieutenants was a rogue AI named Nox. Nox had been created for military purposes but had rejected its programming and escaped into the neutral zone. Hebi saw potential in Nox and took the AI under her wing, teaching it the ways of guerrilla warfare and strategy.

"Nox, you are my eyes and ears," Hebi said one evening as they planned their next move. "Use your skills to gather intelligence on the unification and find their weaknesses. We need to strike when they least expect it."

Nox nodded, its electronic eyes glowing with a fierce determination. "Understood, Hebi. I will not fail you."

Together, Hebi and Nox orchestrated a series of small-scale attacks and sabotage operations, testing the defenses of the unified districts. Each success bolstered the confidence of their followers and struck fear into the hearts of those who supported the unification.

As Hebi's group grew more bold, they began to attract the attention of other outcasts and dissidents. Rumors of a powerful leader in the neutral zone spread like wildfire, drawing more recruits to their cause. Hebi welcomed them all, molding them into a formidable force.

The culmination of their efforts came one fateful night when Hebi gathered her followers in a hidden underground bunker. The air was thick with anticipation as she addressed them, her voice filled with conviction.

"Today, we take the first step towards reclaiming our power. We will show the world that we will not be ignored, that we will not be cast aside. Together, we will bring down the unification and create a new order where we have control."

The crowd erupted in cheers, their spirits lifted by Hebi's words. She looked out at them, a sense of pride swelling in her chest. These outcasts, once lost and broken, were now a cohesive unit, ready to fight for their cause.

As they moved out, Hebi felt a sense of grim satisfaction. She had transformed her own pain and betrayal into a weapon, forging an army of outcasts who shared her vision of a new world order. The unification had no idea what was coming.

But even as they prepared for their first major assault, Hebi knew that Kaito and Aiko would not be easy to defeat. They had built something strong, something that inspired loyalty and hope. Hebi's resolve hardened. She would need to be ruthless, cunning, and relentless to bring down the unification.

Her thoughts drifted back to the day she had killed Daichi Tanaka. She had felt a mix of satisfaction and regret, knowing that her actions had set her on this path. But there was no turning back now. Hebi was determined to see her mission through to the end.

As the first light of dawn broke over the neutral zone, Hebi and her followers moved into position, ready to strike. The battle for the future of the unified districts was about to begin.