From Alexei Volkov POV. Three days before his death, Alexei recognizes surveillance and framing - fake emails sent in his name, voice-synthesized phone calls making it appear he restarted his investigation. He writes final letters including one to Nightshade with his analysis.
Victoria returns to the compound near death from septic infection. She reveals that Ashford was killed before she could act - tetrodotoxin in champagne, the same method she used on Viktor. They set a trap with fake intel claiming Ashford named the mole.
Victoria meets Commander Ashford at a Kensington safe house. Ashford reveals complete knowledge of Wild Flowers and blackmails Victoria into eliminating Viktor Volkov in exchange for destroying the intel files.
Two weeks after Prague. Sage undergoes psychological evaluation with Dr. Reeves, performing expected emotional responses while internally feeling no guilt. She lies about nightmares and processing. Lily confronts Sage about her lack of genuine distress after witnessing her first kill.
Victoria departs for London to handle Commander Ashford. Back at the compound, Sage brings urgent intelligence about a digital intrusion - someone with internal access has been transferring classified files for eleven days.
One week after Alexei meeting at Gas Works. Surveillance confirms Alexei has honored the agreement - no investigative activity, no journalist contact, genuine abandonment. Victoria appears compromised, staring at nothing during the briefing.
On the flight home, Sage processes her first witnessing of assassination. She asks about moral weight and justification. Upon return, Victoria reveals alarming news - Alexei has identified Nightshade's face from security footage and is building a case for publication.
The Prague operation unfolds with professional precision. Nightshade surveys Charles Bridge and approach routes while Lily works undercover as bartender at the Black Swan club. Sage provides security backup at entrance. When Marcus Kohl arrives, Lily delivers poison in his whiskey.
The team holds vote on Alexei before Prague deployment. Vote splits 3-3. Nightshade proposes a third option - meet with Alexei directly, show him evidence of his family crimes, let him choose. The Gardener rejects the proposal as too risky. Nightshade votes wait as her tie-breaker.
Sage undergoes her final evaluation before Prague - a simulated infiltration with real security personnel at a Wild Flowers holding company. She infiltrates the secure wing, photographs documents, and subdues a suspicious guard non-lethally. Victoria declares her ready for Prague.
The Gardener summons Nightshade and Victoria, revealing she already knows about Ashford's contact. Three options are presented: Victoria complies, Ashford is eliminated, or Victoria disappears with new identity. The Gardener orders Victoria to engage with Ashford for intelligence.
Victoria's stress from MI6 blackmail manifests in harsh training sessions with Sage. She reveals to Nightshade that Commander Ashford has issued an ultimatum demanding Victoria return to London. Victoria plans to handle it alone after Prague operation, keeping The Gardener uninformed.
