Chapter 22 - THE BOARDROOM AT THIRTY THOUSAND FEET
Gideon Quinn had been dead for sixteen years.
At least, that was what Mara believed.
Sabine connected the vault screen to an encrypted transmission.
A luxury aircraft appeared above the clouds.
Inside its boardroom sat Celian Ward.
Across from him was an elderly man with silver hair and a familiar scar across his hand.
Mara recognized the scar before the face.
Her father had received it while rescuing her from the ferry.
“Hello, Mara,” Gideon said.
Her voice failed.
Ward appeared uncomfortable beside him.
For years, everyone had assumed Ward controlled Orpheus.
He had only managed its corporate network.
Gideon had built the deeper system and hidden himself behind identities that never existed longer than a few months.
“Why?” Mara asked.
“To create a world where no government can decide who is allowed to disappear.”
“You sold identities to criminals.”
“I sold freedom.”
“You erased innocent people.”
“Every invention has a cost.”
Gideon wanted the Cradle archive and Elias’s access sequence. In exchange, he promised to release Elias from the implant and leave the children alone.
Elias shook his head.
“He cannot disable it remotely.”
Gideon heard him.
“That is true. But Dr. Holt can.”
Sabine stood slowly.
Ward turned toward Gideon.
“You told me Holt worked for me.”
“I told you what you needed to believe.”
Ward reached for his phone.
The aircraft’s boardroom doors locked.
Gideon remained calm.
“Celian, your usefulness ended when the plane stopped.”
The transmission flickered.
Ward was dragged out of view by his own security team.
Gideon looked directly at Mara.
“Bring the children to Gate Zero.”
“No.”
“Then ask Jonah where they are.”
Mara turned.
May you like
Jonah was gone.
So were Theo and May.
