Chapter 11 - THE CRYOGENIC CORE
The freight elevator descended into the earth with a gentle hum, the digital floor indicator ticking downward through subterranean levels: -1, -2, -3, -4.
When the doors slid open on level four, the atmosphere changed instantly. The air was frigid, smelling faintly of liquid nitrogen and sterile disinfectant. Rows of glowing glass containment pods lined the massive white-tiled corridors, casting an eerie blue light over the polished floor.
“Stay behind me,” Arthur instructed, gripping a heavy steel pipe he had grabbed from the loading dock as they stepped off the elevator.
They moved quickly down the main corridor toward the central research vault where the primary cryogenic extraction units were housed. The facility was eerily quiet—too quiet.
“It’s a trap,” Julian whispered, slowing his pace as they approached the heavy blast doors of the main lab.
Before Arthur could answer, the heavy steel doors slid open automatically.
Standing in the center of the sterile laboratory, illuminated by the harsh overhead surgical lights, was Marcus Thorne. He wore a crisp, tailored grey suit, his silver-streaked hair neatly combed, a calm, chilling smile playing across his lips.
“Arthur,” Marcus said smoothly, spreading his arms as if welcoming an old friend to a reunion. “I must admit, when my security team reported a breach at your abandoned estate, I didn't expect you to actually make it all the way here.”
Arthur stepped into the laboratory, his legs firm and unwavering beneath him. “You always did underestimate the people you stole from, Marcus.”
Marcus chuckled softly, his eyes shifting past Arthur to fix entirely upon the bundle in Julian’s arms. “And the miracle child. Look at her. Millions of dollars in research, years of dead ends, and the answer was simply wandering around the city streets like a stray dog.”
“She’s not a subject, Marcus. She’s a human being,” Arthur snarled, raising the steel pipe.
“Science doesn't care about sentimentality, Arthur,” Marcus said calmly, pressing a concealed button on his wristwatch.
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Instantly, four heavy armed guards emerged from the side corridors, their weapons leveled directly at Arthur and Julian.
“Drop the weapon, old man,” Marcus said, his smile hardening into a predatory glare. “Your little miracle experiment ends tonight.”
