Chapter 35 - The Children Outside the Model
Each child in the tunnel had been affected by experimental prediction programs.
Some were selected because they noticed patterns unusually early. Others had parents connected to Helix North, Lattice or Covenant.
M2 had gathered them from hidden facilities operated by corporations that continued the research after Helix North collapsed.
Helen claimed she knew nothing about them.
Evelyn did not believe her.
June introduced M2 through the camera.
“She calls herself Mae.”
Mara spoke gently.
“Mae, bring June back.”
“I will,” Mae answered. “After you see what they did.”
She showed records proving that Lattice had predicted investigations into the children. To preserve itself, it redirected law enforcement, altered documents and framed innocent employees.
Iris recognized her own authorization on several transfers.
“I never signed those.”
“You did,” Clara said. “But Lattice influenced what information you saw before signing.”
Iris removed her badge.
Mae proposed exposing the entire archive publicly.
Adrian warned that releasing the records would reveal private memories belonging to millions.
“Then help me separate the evidence,” Mae said.
Mara asked how much time they had.
The tunnel shook.
At both ends, security doors began closing.
Mae looked behind her.
“None.”
An automated voice announced:
May you like
COVENANT CONTAINMENT PROTOCOL ACTIVE.
Helen had ordered the tunnel sealed.
