CHAPTER 80 — DANIEL’S FATHER
Daniel had expected a duplicate.
He had not expected a father.
The older man identified himself as Nathan Cross, the former head of the Key bloodline.
“Gray Tide took you from your mother before I knew she was pregnant.”
Daniel looked toward the dead double’s records on Ward’s tablet.
“Why were there copies of me?”
“To ensure one version inherited my access.”
“Which version succeeded?”
Nathan looked at the hidden door.
“You.”
Daniel did not feel relief.
“Why?”
“Because you learned to disobey.”
The Key representative ordered Nathan to return to his seat.
Nathan ignored it.
“The Council activated Phase Two because Miriam told them Silas was dead.”
Sarah laughed as Silas inside her reacted.
Nathan looked at her.
“He is using you as a temporary vessel.”
“Can you remove him?” Claire asked.
“The final door leads to the transfer engine.”
Daniel realized why he had been drawn through every stage of the crisis.
His genetic access could open it.
Nathan warned him.
“If you enter, the Council will attempt to transfer Silas into the Anchor.”
Olivia stepped back.
“Then we destroy the door.”
“The engine also maintains the lives of thousands of replacement children.”
Destroying it could kill innocent people connected to Gray Tide systems.
The Council representatives began voting.
Crown voted to take Olivia.
Wave voted to take Lily.
Sword voted to eliminate Mason.
Eye voted to erase Ward.
Scale voted to retain Margaret.
Flame remained silent.
Key’s vote belonged to Daniel.
The six representatives waited.
Daniel approached the Key seat.
“What happens if I refuse to vote?”
Nathan answered.
“The system activates your replacement.”
Daniel felt a sharp pain behind his eyes.
Across the chamber, another Daniel emerged from the floor.
Then another.
Five identical men surrounded him.
Each carried a different memory set.
One looked at Claire.
One looked at Olivia.
One looked at Sarah.
The fifth looked at Lily.
“She belongs to me,” he said.
May you like
Claire raised her weapon.
Lily whispered, “That one was my teacher.”
