Hiroshi and Aki exchanged a look. "We were missing one link," Hiroshi admitted. "A solid connection between the PSIA traitors and the foreign intelligence meddling – proof that can't be denied. We've collected bits and pieces: mentions of Jackal, some coded bank payments from overseas accounts. But nothing explosive yet."
He straightened, a resolve coming into his eyes. "That's why tomorrow at dawn, I have a little surprise planned for Director Takeda."
Aki nodded, catching on. "The masquerade," he said cryptically.
Hiroshi explained for Tachibana's benefit. "We have a replica of Takeda's face and voice ready. I intend to impersonate him on a secure call to one of his foreign handlers – trick them into acknowledging a deal or giving an instruction. It will be recorded, traceable, and something Takeda can't weasel out of because it will occur in his name."
The lawyer's eyebrows shot up. "You're going to pretend to be Takeda and get a foreign spymaster on tape? Bold."
Aki added with a slight smirk, "We've scheduled the call when we know Takeda will be unreachable – he always takes a closed-door 'meditation' break at 6 AM. Our tech will reroute any incoming secure line to Hiroshi instead of his phone."
Tachibana rubbed his chin. "If that works… it would indeed be a hard link in the chain of evidence, showing the collusion." He gave a cautious nod. "Just be careful. If they suspect a trap, they'll clam up. But if anyone can pull off an impression…" he looked at Hiroshi appreciatively, "it's the Elusive Fox, I hear."
Hiroshi gave a thin, tired smile. "I'll get what we need."
With that, Tachibana glanced around at the assembled operatives. Their faces were drawn but determined, illuminated by the flicker of screens filled with damning evidence. In a few hours, those same screens would likely light up with live footage of raids, arrests, the climax of all their efforts.
Right now, for this last quiet night, they had to keep it together – to stay sharp yet also gather their strength. Tachibana closed the accordion file of notes and rapped it with his knuckles. "I'll be heading back to HQ to finalize the warrants and brief the special prosecutors. Tonight, get your final ducks in a row." He made eye contact with each of them in turn. "By this time the day after tomorrow, if all goes well, we'll be processing a hell of a lot of prisoners."
Power cracked her knuckles excitedly at that, and Kobeni gulped but set her jaw ready.
The lawyer picked up his coat and started toward the door. Hiroshi followed to see him out. At the heavy steel safehouse entrance, Tachibana stopped and turned to the young Assistant Director, one hand on his shoulder. Despite having only known Hiroshi briefly, he spoke to him like a mentor to a protege. His voice was low, so only Hiroshi could hear:
"You've done good, kid. Just one last push."
Hiroshi met his eyes. The weight of everything yet to come – the danger in the day after tomorrow's confrontations, the uncertainty of how each traitor would react when the trap closed – pressed on him. In that moment, he truly felt his age; barely twenty, yet bearing a burden fit for a hardened veteran. But he also felt the support of everyone around him – Makima's unwavering will, Yoshimura's steady hand, his team's loyalty, and this gruff lawyer's expertise. He was not alone in this fight.
He gave a deep nod. "We won't let you down, sir."
Tachibana snorted, masking any sentiment. "Hmph, better not." Then he raised a finger as if delivering a final verdict: "You bring me the final piece, kid… and I'll burn every last one of these bastards in court. Guaranteed."