Chapter 53 - The Obsidian Table
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The chamber was deathly silent, save for the echoing hum of the massive ventilation system. Heavily armed guards lined the perimeter, their pulse rifles resting at their sides.
I pushed the silver pram slowly across the black marble floor, Ben walking firmly at my side. We stopped ten feet from the obsidian table.
"Welcome, Lydia Sterling," a voice echoed through the chamber. It was impossible to tell which of the seven masked figures had spoken; the voice was electronically synthesized, projecting from speakers embedded in the ceiling.
"I received your invitation," I said, keeping my head high, projecting absolute confidence. "I brought what you asked for. Now, I want to know exactly what you want with my family."
"We do not want your family, Lydia," the synthesized voice replied. "We only want the child. Clara’s genetic marker is the final key required to unlock the Sovereign Trust—an ancient financial reservoir that predates modern banking. With it, we will finalize our control over the global economy. Without it, the Spheres remain vulnerable."
"And in exchange?" I asked, my grip tightening on the handle of the pram.
"You will be given a seat at this table," another masked figure gestured to an empty chair made of dark wood. "You will command the Vanguard Apex division under our banner. You will be a queen in the new world."
I looked at the seven masked faces. These were the monsters who had ordered my father’s death, who had manipulated Julian, who had terrorized the world from the shadows for decades.
"It's a generous offer," I said softly, reaching down and slowly pulling the blanket back from the pram.
The masked figures leaned forward, eager to see their prize.
"But I decline," I whispered.
I ripped the blanket away, revealing the weighted doll. At the exact same moment, Ben ripped his tuxedo jacket open, exposing the blocks of C4 wired to his chest.
"It's a decoy!" one of the guards shouted, raising his pulse rifle.
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"Now, Ben!" I screamed.
I twisted the clasp on my velvet clutch. The EMP charge detonated with a blinding, silent flash of blue light.
