All Chapters of MICHAEL SULLIVAN: NEW DYNASTY : Chapter 131
- Chapter 140
177 chapters
— 131 —
The silence in the laboratory was broken by the sound of alarms throughout the facility. Not the urgent warning signals they had grown accustomed to during their battles with Octavian's forces, but different tones this time."Ava," Michael called out to the speakers, "what's happening now? Why are the alarms going off?""The facility is breaking down," Ava said. "Octavian’s attempt to merge with the master AI triggered a chain of failures throughout the network. Systems are shutting down, and I am detecting damage to the structure itself from the power surges."As if to prove her words, a crack split across the laboratory ceiling. Dust rained down onto the equipment, lights flickered wildly, and somewhere deeper in the building came the echo of collapsing metal."We need to move everyone out now," North said, his instincts as a soldier cutting through the chaos despite his injuries. "How much time do we have?""Not much," Ava answered. "Maybe an hour before the main support systems gi
— 132 —
Michael was reviewing documents in his office at Medici Industries when his phone rang. The caller ID showed a number he didn't recognize. He hesitated for a moment before answering."Michael Sullivan speaking," he said."Michael! Thank God you answered. It's me, Philip. Your brother."Michael's jaw tightened at the sound of his stepbrother's voice. It had been a month since the events at the Nexus facility, a month since Frank's death and the revelation of all the conspiracies that had shaped his life. He had thought he was done dealing with his family by now."Philip," he said coolly. "I wasn't expecting to hear from you.""Michael, please, you have to listen to me," Philip's voice carried a desperate edge. "I know things between us have been a little complicated, but I'm in serious trouble here.""A little complicated?" Michael repeated, his voice hardening. "Is that what you call trying to destroy my life for years? A little complicated?""Look, I know I made mistakes," Philip con
NEW DYNASTY - BOOK TWO:
PROLOGUE:The light bulbs in Dante's office hummed like dying insects. Carter Hayes sat across from his supervisor, watching the older man's mouth move, already knowing where this conversation was headed. He had seen this same scene play out four times in the past eight months. Different offices, different excuses, same ending."You're a competent worker, Hayes. I'll give you that." Mr. Dante leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. His tie was loosened, his shirt wrinkled. It was only two in the afternoon. "Your numbers are solid. No complaints from clients. Clean work."Carter waited. There was always a "but" coming."But competence isn't enough in this business." Dante spread his hands like he was delivering bad news about a terminal illness. "We need team players. People who fit the culture. Who bring energy to the office. Who make connections.""I make connections." Carter kept his voice even. "Henderson's account was falling apart before I stepped in. I s
I
Carter walked Manhattan for hours. His phone was dying, his feet hurt and the October cold had seeped through his jacket into his bones. But going back to his apartment meant facing the reality of his overdue rent and a sad, lonely life.Stealing wouldn't be the right thing to do. He knew that. But righteousness did not pay bills or put food in his stomach. His last meal had been a bodega sandwich at lunch, and his stomach was starting to remind him of that fact with increasing urgency.He found himself in Midtown around ten at night. The streets were still busy with theatergoers and tourists and people whose lives were not falling apart. Carter watched them pass, these people with their nice clothes and easy laughter, and felt like he was observing a different species. He was about to head to the subway when his phone vibrated again. Another text from Elena. This time it was not words. Just a photo.Eli, asleep in bed, clutching the superhero drawing he had made. Even in sleep, the k
II
Reginald struggled to compose himself. The trembling in his hands stopped and his breathing steadied. Then he turned to the men and barked, "Stand down. All of you. Now."Scarface hesitated. "Sir, he stole your card. We should at least—""I said stand down." Reginald's voice was loud and it cracked like a whip. "Step back. Ten paces. And turn around."The men exchanged nervous glances but obeyed. They moved back and turned to face the van, presenting their backs to the scene.Reginald waited until they were out of earshot. Then he turned back to Carter, who was still kneeling on the cold pavement, utterly lost."Stand up," Reginald said quietly.Carter did not move, and instead asked, "What the hell is going on?""Stand up," Reginald said, his voice firmer this time.Carter's legs were shaking but he managed to get to his feet. He swayed slightly, still winded from the punch to his stomach. Reginald steadied him with one hand, the touch surprisingly gentle."What is your name?" Regin
III
The Mercedes moved through Manhattan like a shark through dark water. Smooth and silent. Carter sat as far from Reginald as the seat would allow, which was not very far. The man's presence filled the space and it made Carter very uncomfortable.The partition between the front and back seats was up. The driver was invisible behind tinted glass. Carter could see the van following behind them through the rear window.Reginald had his phone out, typing something rapidly. Carter tore his attention away from Reginald and instead watched the city slide past outside. They were heading uptown, toward the park. The streets were cleaner and quieter here. The buildings were also taller. This was not his New York. This was the version that existed for people like Owen Grace. People who had never worried about rent or food or whether they could afford the subway."Who the hell are you really?" The question came out before Carter could stop it.Reginald did not look up from his phone as he answered,
IV
Carter was shown to a guest room on the third floor of the mansion. It was bigger than his entire apartment in Brooklyn. The bed alone could have fit four people. Heavy curtains framed windows that overlooked the dark estate grounds. The furniture looked antique and were probably worth more than everything Carter had ever owned combined.Reginald stood in the doorway. "Your belongings from your apartment will be collected and stored. You will not need them for the foreseeable future. Everything you require will be provided.""My apartment." Carter's throat tightened. "I still have to pay rent on that place.""Your lease has been terminated. The landlord has been compensated for the inconvenience." Reginald checked his watch. "You should rest. Training begins early.""Wait." Carter turned. "I need to call my sister. Before all this starts. I need to tell her something."Reginald's expression did not change. "What do you intend to tell her?""That I'll be gone for a while. That I got a
V
Carter woke to someone shaking his shoulder. He opened his eyes to find Reginald standing over him, fully dressed, looking like he had not slept at all."It's five-thirty. Dr. Mora is ready for you."Carter sat up and asked "Ready for what?""The first procedure. Come along," Reginald replied.Carter was led downstairs, then down another flight into what appeared to be a basement level. But this was not like any basement he had ever seen. The walls were white and several beeping equipment lined the hallways. It looked more like a private hospital than a basement.They entered a room that looked an operating theater. Carter noted the surgical lights and a table in the center with restraints. A woman in scrubs stood by a tray of instruments.'She must be the Dr. Mora Reginald was talking about,' Carter thought to himself. She had the kind of face that might have been pretty if it ever smiled. It did not smile. She looked at Carter the way a mechanic might look at a broken car."Sit," sh
VI
Carter could not sleep. He lay in bed staring at the ceiling, thinking about the device that would be installed in his skull in a few hours. A neural interface. An AI in his brain. The idea was insane. But then again, everything about the last three weeks had been insane.At five-thirty, Reginald came for him. They went down to Dr. Mora's surgical room in silence.This time, Carter was given hospital scrubs to change into. Dr. Mora was already prepped, her face covered by a surgical mask. An anesthesiologist stood by with equipment Carter did not recognize."Lie face down on the table," Dr. Mora instructed. "Head in the cradle."Carter lay down. The cradle positioned his head so his neck was exposed. He felt vulnerable, trapped. His heart was hammering."You'll be under a lot of anesthetic this time," the anesthesiologist explained. "So you won't feel anything during the procedure. When you wake, there will be pain. We'll manage it with medication.""How long does the surgery take?" C
VII
About four weeks had passed since the Protocol installation. Carter stood in front of the full-length mirror in his room at the Grace Manor, barely recognizing the person staring back.The transformation was complete. His hair was blonde, swept back in the way Owen wore it in all his photos. Blue contact lenses covered his natural brown eyes. The surgical changes to his face had healed perfectly. His nose was refined, his cheekbones more pronounced. He wore clothes that cost more than he used to make in a month. A navy blazer, white shirt, dark jeans that fit perfectly because they had been tailored specifically for him.He looked exactly like Owen Grace.But when he stared into those blue eyes, he still saw Carter Hayes underneath. Still saw the con artist from Brooklyn pretending to be something he was not.The Protocol hummed quietly in his head, a constant presence now. He had learned to ignore it most of the time, to push it to the background of his awareness. But it was always t