"The number of Icarus Operators who have defected at this point is 42. Among them, 26 are unable to use their Icarus Gear due to Central Park's interference. In other words, the remaining 16 can use their Icarus Gear without major issues."

"Without major issues, huh? Does that mean there are still minor issues?"

"That's correct. Icarus has embedded a separate betrayal prevention protocol in every operator's gear, and operators with low energy ratings can't resist these blocking protocols, or even if they resist, most of the gear's functions are locked. In other words, the defectors can't use all the functions."

"If their energy ratings are low, such things can happen. This might be a bit off-topic, but what about us?"

"There's something that Secretary Solomon once told me: 'If you get such a question, answer like this,' but... well, when the Dagger Team defects, they said we'd have to use a megaton-class nuclear weapon."

"Wow."

In mid-December, above Westchester County Airport in New York.