Horizons Wake

Kate, Malcolm, and Lyle testify. Prosecution cross-examines effectively. Prison notes exchange deepens - Kate and Malcolm share Houston trauma, admit fears about intimacy and commitment. Mixed verdict: acquitted on B&E/property/assault, convicted on computer fraud.

Courtroom battle over stolen DataCorp evidence; Sarah and Becca testify. Lyle gives pivotal technical testimony about the AI targeting system. New section 6: Richard Thorne POV from Georgetown study - monitors trial, manipulates senator, manages media cycle, reveals his patient political...

Kate and Lyle regroup at hotel. Jack reveals Caliche Springs target. Kate connects dots - town shelters Middle Eastern defectors JanCorp relocated. Imran Hyderi built Markwell backdoor under duress via shell contractor, tried to close it with three unauthorized patches reverted by corporate.

Kate strategizes with Park in jail. Prosecution offers formal plea deal (7-10 years); all three defendants reject it to preserve the truth about DataCorp. Lyle writes code by hand. Sarah and Becca meet Li Chen and raid Tacoma records facility. Trial opens with competing narratives.

Kate and team infiltrate DataCorp HQ, Lyle corrupts 93% of AI backups. Arrested by police. Hale POV shows damage assessment and phone call to Richard Thorne, revealing the Hale-Thorne partnership that predates DataCorp - Hale builds the tech, Thorne builds the political infrastructure.

Kate and Lyle raid warehouse to rescue Jack family. William guards with personal stake - brother David with cerebral palsy needs care money. Intense firefight, tranquilizer takedown, family rescued. William asks about trust fund for David post-mission.

Malcolm reflects during interrogation that the anonymous lawyer and NDA feel too institutional for a tech CEO - the legal strategy suggests old political power, someone who knew how to silence people before Hale existed. Plants breadcrumb toward Thorne.

Malcolm relays Sarah's discovery that political machinery targeting activists predates DataCorp by years; Lyle finds communication infrastructure with 2014 server registrations. Both plant breadcrumbs toward Thorne as the hidden power behind Hale.

Kate and Lyle locate the warehouse where Jack's family is held. Kate's lock pick breaks on an industrial deadbolt, forcing improvised entry through a ventilation panel.