Echoes of the Algorithm

shadows Of the Past

Maeson stood frozen in the small hospital room. The cold metal of the gun pointed straight at his chest. He looked at the tall man in the dark suit. He recognized the silver hawk pin on the collar. It was the mark of the elite security team that worked directly for the father of Ava.

Ava stepped forward. She placed herself slightly in front of Maeson. Put the weapon down right now, she ordered. Her voice was strong, but her hands were shaking. You work for my family. My father is gone. I am in charge now. Tell me where the sick girl is.

The tall man did not lower the heavy gun. He let out a low laugh. I am sorry, Miss Carter. Your father gave me final orders just before the testing lab accident. He knew you were getting too close to the truth. He told me to secure the hacker and his family. The old man is dead, but the contract remains active. The buyer wants the dark magic, and they need his artificial intelligence to control it.

Maeson felt a hot wave of anger wash over him. He clenched his fists at his sides. Where is my little sister? he demanded. His voice was low and very dangerous.

She is safe for now, the mercenary replied with a cruel smile. My men moved her to a secure transport vehicle ten minutes ago. She is still hooked up to her machines. But if you try to fight me, I will make one phone call. My team will pull the plug. She will not last five minutes without that oxygen.

Maeson forced his breathing to slow down. He needed to think fast. He could not fight a trained killer with his bare hands. He needed his best weapon. He slowly raised his hands in the air to show he was giving up. Okay, he said softly. You win. I will do whatever you want. Just keep her alive.

Smart boy, the man said. Now, pick up your black bag. Turn around and put your hands behind your back. We are walking out the back stairs. Do not try any stupid tricks or people die.

Maeson bent down slowly to grab his bag. As his fingers touched the thick fabric, his thumb brushed against the side pocket. His phone was resting right there. He remembered he had linked his phone directly to the hospital main server just five minutes ago. He did not need to type to use his system. He had a voice command protocol built into the code.

Maeson stood up with the bag. He looked directly into the cold eyes of the tall mercenary. Protocol blackout, Maeson said in a loud clear voice.

The tall man frowned. What did you just say?

Before the man could react, the artificial intelligence executed the hidden command. Every single light bulb in the entire hospital shattered at the exact same time. The loud popping sound echoed like multiple gunshots. The small room plunged into absolute pitch black darkness. The heavy emergency backup system failed instantly.

The mercenary shouted in surprise and fired his gun. The bright flash of the gunshot lit up the dark room for one fast second. The bullet hit the wall right above the head of Ava.

Maeson moved faster than he ever had in his life. He lunged forward in the deep dark. He swung his heavy tool bag with all his strength. The solid bag crashed into the face of the mercenary. The man groaned in deep pain and dropped the heavy gun to the floor.

Run! Maeson shouted loudly. He grabbed the soft hand of Ava. He pulled her out of the dark room and into the chaotic hallway.

People were screaming loudly in the dark. Doctors and nurses rushed blindly through the wide corridors. Maeson used the loud chaos to hide. He pulled Ava down the long hall toward a different stairwell. They stumbled down the concrete stairs in the pitch black space. They relied only on touch to find their way down to the first floor.

They burst through the heavy metal fire exit doors. They spilled out into the cold night air of the back alley. The dark purple smoke in the sky was thicker now. The whole city looked like a massive war zone.

We have to find the transport vehicle, Ava said while gasping for fast air. We have to save her before they leave the city limits.

Maeson dropped his heavy bag and pulled out his phone. The screen cast a faint blue glow on his sweaty face. He typed rapidly on the glass. I put a tiny tracking chip in her medical bracelet three years ago, he explained. I always wanted to know she was safe. I am bringing up her exact location right now.

A green map loaded on his bright screen. A small red dot blinked brightly in the center. It was moving very fast away from the city center.

They are taking her north, Maeson said softly. He tracked the fast movement of the red dot. They are heading toward the old forgotten mountains.

Ava leaned over his shoulder to look at the glowing map. Her eyes went wide with pure terror. She grabbed his arm very tightly. The magic child is actually your own little sister.