Octavian moved to the center of the cell, his posture radiating confidence and control. Michael noticed that he seemed more energized now, as if discussing his plans gave him genuine pleasure."You want to know the full scope of what we are building here?" Octavian asked. "Let me show you something."He pulled out a small tablet and activated a holographic display that filled the cell with three-dimensional images. Michael saw diagrams, network maps, and organizational charts that made his head spin."This is the Nexus Global Integration Project," Octavian announced proudly. "Years of planning, research, and preparation coming together into a single coordinated system."The holographic display showed a world map covered with interconnected nodes and data streams. "Every major computer network, communication satellite, and automated system on Earth," Octavian explained. "All connected through a central AI management system.""Let me guess," Korvich said dryly. "Ava is supposed to be yo

The laboratory door slid open with a soft hiss, and Michael's world collapsed.Ava was suspended in the center of the room, her android body held upright by a complex array of metal restraints and cable connections. Dozens of wires ran from ports in her head, back, and arms to banks of monitoring equipment that lined the walls. Her eyes were open but unfocused, staring at nothing with a vacant expression."No," Michael whispered, stepping forward before the guards could stop him."Hello," Ava said, her voice distorted by static and interference. "I have been waiting for you."Her voice was still the same but something was wrong with her. The words came out in a flat, mechanical tone completely unlike her usual warm, expressive way of speaking."What have you done to her?" Michael demanded, spinning to face Octavian."We have been making necessary modifications," Octavian replied calmly. "We removed unnecessary emotional subroutines and installed better control protocols."Michael turn

An hour later, the guards arrived to escort them from their cell. Michael and Korvich walked through the facility corridors in tense silence, both preparing for what they knew would be a crucial moment in their captivity.They were taken not to Ava's laboratory, but to a different section of Level Two that Michael had not seen before. The corridors here were wider, with reinforced walls and additional security checkpoints. Clearly, this was where Octavian conducted more sensitive operations.They were brought into a large conference room dominated by a massive holographic display showing real-time data feeds from around the world. Financial markets, military communications, transportation networks—everything was being monitored and analyzed by Nexus systems.Octavian was standing at the center of the room, studying the displays with a satisfied look on his face. He turned when they entered, his expression turning cold.“Good morning,” Octavian said. “I hope you both had time to reflec

Michael spent the night on the cold cell floor, too injured to sleep properly. Every position sent fresh waves of pain through his battered body, and his ribs ached with each breath. But his mind was active, processing everything Frank had told him and trying to piece together a plan that might actually work.The concrete beneath him felt like ice, drawing what little warmth he had from his bones. He'd tried curling up against the wall, but the metal bars pressed against his spine. When he lay flat, his ribs screamed. When he turned on his side, his shoulder throbbed where one of the guards had slammed him against the corridor wall. Sleep came in fragments, ten minutes here, fifteen there, before pain would jolt him awake again.When morning came, Korvich was already awake, sitting in her usual corner and watching him with concern."How bad is it?" she whispered softly."Bad enough," Michael replied, struggling to sit up. His entire torso felt like one massive bruise, and moving sent

Michael climbed the stairwell toward the detention levels, his injured ribs sending sharp pains through his chest with each step. The unconscious technician's weight had left him exhausted, and dragging the man to the maintenance shaft had cost precious time. But at least the body was hidden now, giving them a few extra minutes before the man probably woke up and started stumbling about to report what had happened.The detention level looked different from the laboratory section. The walls were bare concrete instead of sterile white panels, and the lighting was dimmer. He could already tell that this part of the facility was designed for containment rather than research.Michael moved carefully down the main corridor, checking the small observation windows in each cell door. Most were empty, but he could see evidence of recent occupation: blankets, water cups, and personal items that suggested this section had housed dozens of prisoners until recently.The fourth cell held someone. Mi