Following the deal struck in LAR 02-04/02-06, MC infiltrates the Solon Hotel auction to recover a second Aether Core fragment. Sylus uses MC as bait to flush out Sherman's traitor faction inside Onychinus — the group attempting to seize the Aether Core for itself. Sylus's entire faction operates in the shadows as a safety net; the scenario is engineered danger with controlled risk. Sherman's faction is eliminated as a result.