The Quantum Paradox

Chapter 5: Infiltrating Sector 12

Malcolm had broken into corporate facilities, government databases, and even high-security vaults. But Sector 12?

That was another beast entirely.

Located in the Lunar District, Sector 12 wasn’t just restricted—it was a fortress. The district was a remnant of the old world’s elite, an area once reserved for the ultra-rich before society fractured. Now, it was under strict military lockdown, controlled by a combination of corporate security, AI-driven drones, and elite mercenaries.

And Lillian Carter was hiding in the middle of it.

Back at Zeke’s safehouse, Malcolm studied a holographic projection of Sector 12’s layout. The towering skyscrapers, the tight patrol patterns, the biometric checkpoints—everything about it screamed impossible.

Zeke, still recovering from their last run-in with the Syndicate, paced behind him. “Okay, so just to clarify—you wanna break into the most secure district in the city, past military guards and AI drones, just to find a woman who may or may not be willing to help?”

Malcolm didn’t look up. “Yeah.”

Zeke groaned. “Dude, there are easier ways to die.”

Malcolm smirked. “Where’s the fun in that?”

Zeke exhaled, rubbing his temples. “Alright, genius. You got a plan?”

Malcolm tapped the projection. “A freight tunnel runs underneath the district—one of the last remaining underground access points. It’s supposed to be decommissioned, but I doubt they’d destroy something that valuable. If we get in, we can move undetected beneath their security grid.”

Zeke raised an eyebrow. “And once we’re inside?”

“That’s where you come in.” Malcolm turned to him. “I need you to hijack Sector 12’s network long enough to shut down the internal scanners. I don’t care how—just give me a five-minute window.”

Zeke let out a dry chuckle. “Oh, sure. Just hack into a corporate-controlled military zone like it’s a damn vending machine. No problem.”

Malcolm clapped a hand on his shoulder. “I knew you’d love it.”

Zeke muttered a string of curses, but he was already pulling up his interface.

Malcolm grabbed his gear. This had to work.

The tunnel entrance was hidden beneath an old supply depot. Rusted, forgotten. Perfect.

Malcolm knelt by the access panel and pried it open, revealing the old manual controls. A few quick adjustments, and the heavy doors groaned as they slid apart, revealing a dark passageway leading into the depths of the city.

Zeke shifted uncomfortably. “You sure about this?”

“No,” Malcolm admitted. “But I’m going anyway.”

He stepped inside.

The freight tunnel was cold, damp, and claustrophobic. Malcolm moved quickly, his steps soundless on the steel flooring. Somewhere above, Sector 12’s elite security forces patrolled, completely unaware of the intruder beneath their feet.

His comm crackled.

Zeke’s voice came through. “You’re almost at the main access point. But uh… I might have bad news.”

Malcolm sighed. “Of course you do.”

“The Syndicate’s been sniffing around. They’re watching Sector 12. If Delaney figures out what we’re doing, she’ll cut you off before you even reach Carter.”

Malcolm gritted his teeth. “Then we move fast.”

He reached a maintenance shaft leading up into the district. Above him was a security checkpoint—two guards, both armed.

Malcolm climbed silently, emerging just behind them.

One of the guards yawned. “Hate this shift, man. Nothing ever happens down here.”

Malcolm struck.

A quick chokehold put the first guard down before he could react. The second turned—too slow. A swift strike to the throat, and he collapsed.

Malcolm dragged the bodies into the shadows.

Zeke’s voice came through again. “Security scanners coming online. I need 60 more seconds to disable them.”

Malcolm swore. He was out in the open.

The scanners hummed to life.

A robotic voice echoed: “UNAUTHORIZED PRESENCE DETECTED.”

Shit.

Malcolm sprinted.

Red warning lights flashed across the facility.

Guards poured into the corridors, weapons drawn. Malcolm vaulted over a security barrier, weaving between obstacles as bullets ripped through the air behind him.

Zeke yelled in his ear. “I’M ALMOST DONE! JUST DON’T DIE!”

Malcolm wasn’t planning on it.

Ahead, a maintenance lift led to the upper floors—where Lillian Carter was last seen.

He dived inside, slamming the emergency override. The doors shut just as the guards reached him.

Bullets dented the metal.

Malcolm exhaled. Too close.

The lift began to rise.

Zeke’s voice crackled through. “Okay, scanners are down. But you better move fast—Sector 12’s security AI is rebooting in five minutes.”

Malcolm tightened his grip on his pistol.

That was all the time he needed.

The lift doors hissed open to a dimly lit laboratory. The air smelled of antiseptic and old tech.

Malcolm stepped inside cautiously.

A figure stood at the far end of the room. Dr. Lillian Carter.

She looked exactly as he remembered—sharp-eyed, calculating, her silver-streaked hair tied back. But there was something else… a weariness behind her gaze.

She didn’t look surprised to see him.

“Malcolm Voss,” she said calmly. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Malcolm narrowed his eyes. “You knew I was coming?”

Carter smirked. “Of course. You stole something you don’t understand. And now you need answers.”

She turned, gesturing to a holographic display. The same device Malcolm had risked everything for appeared in the projection, its engravings glowing faintly.

“This isn’t just a prototype,” Carter said. “It’s a key.”

Malcolm’s stomach tightened. “A key to what?”

Carter met his gaze.

“To the future.”