If the government manages to capture Ash, the consequences would be severe and multi-layered:

** 1 ****Neural Reconditioning** - General Thorne would likely subject Ash to an enhanced version of the neural suppression technology, one even more invasive than before. This time, rather than simply wiping his memories, they would reprogram him completely, turning him into a loyal weapon under Thorne's direct control.

** 2 ****Weaponization** - As Subject 01 and the most powerful pyrokinetic, Ash would become Thorne's premier asset. His tactical genius combined with his fire abilities would make him devastating against any resistance. He could be forced to hunt down other Elites, including Oracle and eventually the young pyrokinetic.

** 3 ****Psychological Torture** - Thorne would likely use psychological conditioning to break Ash's will before reprogramming him, exploiting the memories he's recovered to create new trauma points that ensure compliance.

** 4 ****Prototype for Mass Production** - Ash's neural patterns and genetic markers would be used to refine Thorne's techniques for creating artificially enhanced soldiers. His capture would accelerate Thorne's program to build an army of controlled enhanced individuals.

** 5 ****End of Resistance Hope** - Without Ash's leadership, the nascent resistance movement would lose its figurehead and most powerful combatant. Iris and Dr. Carter would lack the protection and strategic guidance needed to continue their work.

** 6 ****Oracle's Execution** - If Ash is captured before freeing Oracle, the water manipulator would likely be terminated once his usefulness ends, or permanently enslaved in the tracking system.

** 7 ****Advancement of Thorne's Political Power** - Capturing the "dangerous terrorist" Ash would give Thorne even more political capital, allowing him to expand emergency powers and further militarize the government.

** 8 ****Template for New Control Methods** - By studying how Ash broke free of his original programming, Thorne's scientists would develop countermeasures to prevent any future Elite from achieving independence.

The stakes are extraordinarily high, which is why Ash might eventually prefer death to capture—knowing that his abilities in Thorne's hands would cause far more harm than his sacrifice.