The control room buzzed with panic as alarms blared and red lights bathed the walls in a pulsating glow. Screens displayed multiple angles of the battlefield, showing soldiers falling one by one. Alyssa and Shadow Alliance's synchronized chaos cut through the ranks like a blade through water, leaving OrgaCorp's forces scrambling.

Renfield, standing in the center of the room, gripped the edge of the console. His sharp eyes flicked across the monitors, taking in the destruction with a mixture of frustration and grim determination. Around him, scientists and technicians shouted over each other, their voices drowned out by the cacophony of failure.

"Sir," a frantic scientist called out, pointing at the main screen. "They're breaching the second perimeter! At this rate—"

"Deploy CORTEX." Renfield's voice cut through the noise, cold and resolute.

The room went silent, save for the relentless wailing of the alarms. Every head turned toward him, a collective sense of dread settling over the team.

"Deploy what?" one of the lead scientists, Dr. Kline, stepped forward, his face pale. "Sir, we can't. CORTEX isn't ready. The neural framework is unstable—it could backfire! If it fails, the entire facility—"

"I am aware of the risks, Doctor," Renfield snapped, his tone icy. "But do you see what's happening out there? They're dismantling everything. If we don't act now, there won't be a facility left to worry about!"

Another scientist chimed in, her voice shaking. "We haven't even run a full simulation! The AI's decision-making is still erratic—it could turn on us!"

Renfield slammed his fist on the console, silencing the protests. "I didn't bring you here to debate. I brought you here to execute my orders. And my order is to deploy CORTEX. Now."

The room hesitated, tension thick in the air. Dr. Kline exchanged a look with his colleagues, then sighed, defeated. "Fine. But when this blows up in our faces, remember this moment, Renfield. Remember who made the call."

Renfield's lips curled into a thin, humorless smile. "I'll take full responsibility, Doctor. Now deploy it."

Reluctantly, Kline turned to the console, his hands trembling as he began inputting the activation codes. Around the room, other scientists busied themselves, their faces set in grim resignation.

On the battlefield, the chaos continued unabated, until a sudden, sharp hum cut through the air. The lights in the facility flickered, and a low, mechanical growl resonated through the walls.

Renfield watched the screens with a predatory gleam in his eyes as a massive shadow emerged from one of the hangars. "Let's see if your doubts are warranted, Doctor. CORTEX has just joined the fight."

As CORTEX comes online, the room dims, and a haunting hum fills the air. The scientists recoil as the walls begin to shimmer, data streams coursing through them like glowing rivers. Suddenly, a massive holographic figure materializes in the center of the room, its form swirling with energy and shifting shapes.

"Initialization complete." a layered voice intones, sending shivers down the spines of everyone present. The voice twists and expands, filling the room with its light.

Dr. Kline stammers, "This... this isn't what we designed! It's unstable—thinking beyond its parameters!"

Renfield's lips curl into a dark smile. "Perfect. Let's see what it can do."