Chapter 13: Fragments of Control
[News Broadcast – December 19, 2035]
"Authorities confirm the death of Victor Hale, CEO of Hale-Interactive Neural Systems, developer of the DeadZ 2 Experimental Network. Over one hundred participants are presumed dead. Lead systems engineer Elara Cho has been recovered after going missing during the collapse. Hale-Interactive has been absorbed by Erevos Technologies, owned by investor Marcus Corvin, father of DeadZ 2 experimental beta test survivor Mina Corvin. Investigations continue."
The broadcast echoed in the sterile hospital ward. Monitors flickered. A pod stood open — empty. Kai Min had already vanished hours earlier.
[Hospital Cafeteria – Kai and Elara]
Kai sat across from Elara, eyes fixed on her tablet displaying fractured simulations.
"She's still in there?" he asked.
Elara nodded, barely looking up. "Clara's mind is fragmented. Hollowpoint, Havenbrook Industrial, Ravencreek—all of it. We can't extract her yet. Forcing it risks erasing her completely."
"So she's trapped until we stabilize the fragments?"
"Yes. Every piece matters. Safely restoring her mind is the only way to get her out."
Kai ran a hand through his hair. "Then I go in. I navigate the fragments, find her, and…"
"You'll need to clear rogue data first," Elara interrupted. "Once inside, I won't see what's happening in real time. This is your mission alone."
Kai nodded. "I understand. I'll get her back."
Elara tapped the tablet. "Victor's network is more advanced than we realized. Any interference from the outside could destabilize her. Twelve days — after that, fragments may be irretrievable."
Kai's gaze hardened. "Then I don't waste a second."
[Simulation – Hollowpoint/Havenbrook Merge]
Fragments of Hollowpoint Station floated through the void, fused with half-rendered skyscrapers and industrial machinery from Havenbrook. The world pulsed, fractured, alive with corrupted code.
A table appeared where none should exist. Clara sat bound in glitched light, calm despite the fractured world. Opposite her, Victor Hale — partially coded, metallic veins beneath synthetic skin — poured pixelated wine, the liquid freezing midair.
"They think I'm dead," Victor said, voice silky, almost amused. "They underestimate persistence—or faith."
Clara's gaze held him, unwavering. "You created the game, Victor. But he… he changed the rules. And you… you can't win anymore."
Victor's smile widened unnaturally, a sharp crack splitting his digital visage. "Win? No, Clara… I don't play to win. I own the board. I am every corner, every shadow. Every fear you clutch to your heart… I am already inside it. Even here, even in the fragments you cling to… I am inevitable."
The fragments shuddered, shadows folding and stretching. Deep in the corrupted code, the network pulsed with Victor's ambition and the silent pressure of investors craving the next evolution. Marcus Corvin, father of Mina, remained a shadow in Erevos, pushing the expectation that Victor's work must continue — unchecked.
[Hospital Cafeteria]
Kai stepped away from the terminal. "I clear rogue data, stabilize the fragments, and restore her mind?"
Elara nodded, barely looking up. "Yes. Until the sectors consolidate, the simulation won't respond fully. Every move inside matters. Once you enter, you're alone. Victor's watching. Stay sharp. Stay human."
Kai exhaled, eyes set. "I'll find her. I promise."
The neural interface hummed faintly — the first pulse of the fractured simulation responding to his presence. Time was ticking.
End of Chapter 13