Chapter 13
Chapter 13: The Black Site
Ellen brought me to a bank of monitors on the far side of the bunker. The screens showed satellite feeds, encrypted data streams, and blueprints of a massive, heavily fortified compound hidden deep within the Adirondack Mountains.
"This is the Vanguard Facility," Ellen said, pointing to the screen. "It’s a private, off-the-grid research campus funded by a coalition of international defense contractors. This is where they brought her. They have less than forty-eight hours to complete the data transfer before the chemical compound in her system stabilizes permanently. If it stabilizes while she's under their control, her old personality—the real Sophie—will be completely erased. She will become a permanent, empty vessel for whatever data they choose to inject into her."
"Why Sophie?" I cried out, staring at the sterile blueprints. "Why did Mark do this to his own blood?"
"Because genetic compatibility is required for the dermal absorption matrix to take hold without causing fatal brain swelling," Ellen said grimly. "Mark tried it on three other subjects before Sophie. They didn't survive the Phase 1 baths. He used his own daughter because he knew her DNA would accept the compound. He sacrificed his child for a multi-million-dollar payout and a seat at the table."
I felt a sudden, cold fury ignite inside my chest, burning away the last remnants of the sedative. The fear that had paralyzed me for weeks evaporated, replaced by a dark, dangerous resolve.
"How do we get in?" I asked, looking directly into Ellen's eyes.
May you like
Ellen stared at me for a long moment, evaluating my expression. A slow, grim nod passed between us.
"They think you're neutralized, Clara. They think you're just a hysterical, broken mother who will run to the local police, who are already paid to look the other way. They aren't expecting us to bring the fight to them. But we have to move now. I have a contact inside the facility, but his window of clearance closes at midnight."
