Kai Langford - September 2120
"We're going to sneak into GeneX headquarters."
Thomas's words hit me like a truck. Judging by the silence that swallows the room, I'm not the only one. No one looks pleased.
Tessa is the first to break the quiet. "This seems like a death wish." Her voice is calm, but the tension in her posture is clear as she leans against the bookshelf.
Daniel follows. "There is no way we're getting in there. The place is fully armed and crawling with Guardians."
I can't argue with him. After the Facility, GeneX headquarters is the second most secure building I've ever seen. Getting in, or out, without being noticed is nearly impossible.
Edmund takes a step forward. "That's why we're using the Summit as our opportunity."
He continues, "Ethan was able to steal Christopher Oswald's invite. That will be our way in."
My stomach sinks at that name. I glance at Ethan. He fidgets, shoots me a quick look, then drops his gaze.
I shouldn't feel jealous about anything Ethan did before I came here. I know that. But knowing what he and Boardman Oswald got up to in that private room at the club… it sits wrong in my chest. I don't blame Ethan. I just hate that it was him. That man.
Daniel breaks through my thoughts. "And how does one invite get us inside? Most of us are recognisable. And if we're not, we'll be questioned the moment we step through the door."
Edmund clasps his hands behind his back. "Oswald's invite gets himself, or should I say Isaac, into the Summit. The rest of you won't be using the front entrance."
Tessa raises an eyebrow. "So we're taking the back door into one of the most secure building in the country. Brilliant."
Edmund ignores her sarcasm. "During the Summit, the upper floors will be understaffed. Most of the Guardians and staff will be stationed in the main halls and conference areas. Which means most of the attention will be focused on them, not the labs."
Thomas nods, folding his arms. "This is our best opportunity to extract any GeneX information. Records, prototypes, samples… anything."
Daniel frowns. "And you expect us to stroll in and look around?"
"No," Edmund says calmly. "I expect Kai and Tessa to do that." His eyes land on me. "You'll enter through the emergency stairwells, bypass the security with Issacs help, and break into the upper labs, and recover whatever we can."
A flicker of warmth pulses through me, he trusts me with this. But then I notice Ethan stiffen slightly beside me, his jaw tightening.
Daniel also seems tensed. He probably doesn't trust me to look after Tessa for him.
Edmund carries on, "Ray, Ethan, and Daniel will be positioned outside the compound as emergency response. If anything goes wrong, they step in."
Tessa's eyebrows lift higher. "So… just me and Kai going in?"
Before Edmund can answer, Thomas steps forward. "You'll have full comms. And Ethan will be close by, watching for trouble. His sight will give you an early warning for anything you can't see yourselves."
Ethan still doesn't speak, but I feel him shift beside me, like he's forcing himself not to react.
"I'm not happy with this. You can't just send Tessa in there like that," Daniel snaps, anger building in his voice.
"She won't be alone," Thomas says calmly. "Kai will be with her. He's the most trained, the most capable of getting in and out without being caught."
Daniel steps forward. "Then send someone else with him."He points directly at me.
Something twists in my chest, sharp and unwelcome, but I keep my expression still.
"Tessa is essential to this mission," Edmund explains. "She's the only one who can bypass their locks and break through whatever security they've put in place."
Daniel turns away, frustrated, throwing his hands up. Tessa reaches out and lays a hand on his arm to steady him, and it works, but barely. Because when he looks back, his anger lands squarely on me.
"We don't even know if he can be trusted," he says, jabbing a finger in my direction. "He's Langford's son, after all."
The room tightens instantly. So do I.
My shadows tremble at the edges of my vision, and the words hit harder than I expect.
He's right. I am Langford's son. I wouldn't blame any of them for doubting me. Even if I would never hurt the people in this room, the blood in my veins is enough to make anyone uneasy.
"Oh, back off already, Daniel," Ethan snaps, stepping in front of me before I can react.
"Kai has already proved himself. Don't take your fear for Tessa and dump it on him."
He sounds annoyed, more annoyed than I've ever heard him.
"Ethan, you can't just defend him because-"
"Enough."Edmund's voice slices through the room, sharp and final.
Silence drops.
Ethan looks away but shifts closer to me, just slightly and somehow, that small movement steadies me.
Edmund stands as calm as ever behind his desk, his gaze moving steadily over each of us.
"You all know what it means to be part of this revolution," he says. "And you know I would never force any of you into something you don't wish to do."
He folds his hands neatly."This is the plan Thomas, Ray, and I have put together. As always, if anyone wishes to withdraw or has a better alternative, speak freely."
My eyes drift to Ray. He's been silent in the corner the entire time. I'd wondered why he hadn't added anything, now I know. He already has.
Tessa steps forward. "I'll help. But the first sign of trouble, I'm out."
Edmund smiles faintly and nods. "Expected."
"Anyone else?" he asks, still perfectly composed.
Ethan steps forward.
"I want to go in with Tessa and Kai."
"What?" The word leaves my mouth before I can stop it. "No."
Ethan turns to me, then back to Edmund, jaw set.
"My sight works better in person, not over comms," he says. "If either of them hesitates for even a second, I might not catch it in time."
He's right. With him beside us, things would run smoother, maybe even safer.But the thought of him in that building, the thought of something happening to him, makes my stomach tighten.
"It's safer for you to stay outside," I tell him.
Daniel lets out a quiet scoff behind me, as if to call me a hypocrite, but he doesn't comment.
"Well, tough," Ethan says, turning fully toward me now. "I'm going with you."
His eyes hold mine, sharp and unwavering, leaving no room for argument.
Ray finally speaks from the corner. "Ethan being there would make the mission run a lot smoother."
A knot forms low in my stomach, tightening with every heartbeat.
I don't want him there.
Not because he's incapable, Ethan is sharper, faster, and far more adaptable than people give him credit for. His sight alone could save our lives. I know that. Everyone knows that.
But GeneX isn't just another mission. It's a nest of everything I've been running from. Everything that created me. Everything that could take me apart again.
I've seen what GeneX does to people. I've seen what they did to him...
I can't risk them getting to him again.
If anything went wrong…
If something happened to Ethan because I let him stand beside me in there…
My chest tightens painfully.
I clench my jaw, forcing my expression neutral as everyone around us continues debating logistics. But inside, a quiet panic scratches beneath my ribs.
I stay quiet, letting the meeting continue around me, but my eyes keep drifting toward Ethan. He's focused on the plan, more intense than I've ever seen him, every detail catching his attention like he's memorising it all.
"I have a question," Ethan suddenly says, voice sharp and curious.
I glance at him, trying not to let my unease show.
"What happens if Issac, disguised as Christopher, bumps into the real one?" he continues.
Ray chuckles and claps a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "Don't worry about that. That's part one of our mission."
Everyone turns to look at him, curiosity piqued.
"Part one?" Tessa asks.
"Me and Kai are going to go on a little trip," Ray adds, grinning.
I look up at him, confused. A trip? I haven't heard anything about this.
"What? You're taking Kai to go after Christopher?" Ethan says, shock in his voice.
Ah. So that's what he means.
Ray's talking about me and him stopping Christopher before he even makes it to the Summit.
"He'll be tricky to catch, which is why we need to be fast, quiet, and precise," Ray continues.
I nod, determination settling in my chest. "Okay. I'm in. When do we go?"
If this is my chance to get some sort of revenge for what he did to Ethan, I won't hesitate.
"I know I can trust you," Ray laughs. "We head out tomorrow."
Ethan stiffens beside me. "No way!" he protests, stepping a little closer.
I reach over and squeeze his hand to reassure him. He goes silent, but I can see the worry lingering in his eyes.
"Good. Now that everything's planned, we'll gather again after Kai and Ray's mission," Edmund says.
People begin to filter out of the room, and I watch Ethan leave without even glancing in my direction. A lump rises in my throat.
I take a step forward, intending to follow him, but Ray blocks my path with a quick hand on my shoulder.
"Kai," Ray's grin stays in place, like he can't help himself, "with you on our team, I think we can accomplish a lot more for the cause."
I glance back at Edmund and Thomas. Edmund is seated at his desk, nodding in agreement. Thomas is still there too, his expression calm but guarded, still unsure about me joining them fully.
"I'll do what I can," I say, voice even.
Ray laughs and pats my back before stepping aside. I take that as my cue to leave.
I step into the courtyard, preparing to run after Ethan, but freeze in my tracks.
There he is, standing right in front of me. Arms crossed, eyes fixed on me, radiating annoyance.
"Erm…" I falter, unsure what to say.
"Let's go to the bedroom," he says, voice flat, clipped, and just… sharp.
I don't know how it's possible that someone smaller and weaker than me can make me feel so tense, so unnerved, with just the tone of his voice.