Chapter 37
Chapter 37: The Final Equation
Daniel walked up to the master control console, his hands bound in high-tensile zip-ties. He stared at the biometric scanner, its green laser glowing, waiting for his hand.
"You think you're saving him, Clara," Daniel said, his voice entirely hollow. "But the moment Marcus takes over that neural baseline, the baby's consciousness is wiped. He won't be a child with Marcus's traits. He will be Marcus. Alejandro will cease to exist."
Tomás stepped behind Daniel, jamming the barrel of his weapon into his brother’s spine. "Press your hand to the glass, Daniel. The global financial networks are frozen. If the Architect doesn't authorize the override keys held in his DNA by midnight, the world economy collapses into total anarchy. Billions will starve. It’s not about the family anymore. It’s about global survival."
Clara looked down at Alejandro. The baby’s breathing was growing shallow. His little lips were turning blue. The mutation was entering its terminal phase.
"Do it, Daniel," she begged, her voice cracking into a desperate scream. "Please!"
Daniel closed his eyes. He felt the weight of a century of Mendoza manipulation resting entirely on his palm. He raised his hand, pressing his thumb firmly against the biometric scanner.
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Authorization Confirmed: Mendoza, D. Baseline Sequence Initiated.
The cryogenic pod filled with bright, blinding silver fluid. Alejandro was lowered into the liquid, mechanical tendrils gently attaching to the back of his tiny skull. The servers roared to life, a deafening hum that shook the entire mountain facility.
