Chapter 42: The Director’s Betrayal
I found Dr. Thorne’s private quarters in the lowest basement. It was a stark contrast to the rest of the laboratory. A luxurious office, with thick carpets, a dark wood library, and a large, reinforced bay window that offered an underwater view of the ravine.
And he was there.
Dr. Aris Thorne was a thin man, with greying hair and eyes that shone with a cold, cruel intelligence. He wore an immaculate lab coat.
He was not alone.
He was in holographic communication with someone. The hologram was blurry, the transmission encrypted, but I could make out a figure sitting in an armchair. A familiar figure.
The Director.
My blood ran cold.
"The delivery arrived as scheduled, Director," Dr. Thorne was saying, his voice calm and professional. "The new subjects are of good quality."
"Excellent, Doctor," replied the Director’s voice. A voice I knew so well. "Project Prometheus is our most important insurance policy. Continue your work. The academy will continue to provide you with the necessary resources... and subjects."
Subjects. The kidnapped "Stagnants." It was the Director who was sending them here.
My world had just been turned upside down.
The man who had recruited me, who had given me this purpose, who had sent me here to "clean up"... was the head of it all.