Time Remaining: 35 Days, 10 Hours. (Status: Clearance Level 3 [Restricted].) Location: The Citadel - The Apex Tower.
The invitation to meet the Director did not come on a gold card. It came in the form of a heavy iron collar.
Arthur stood in the decontamination chamber of the Citadel. The air here was different. Down in the foundries, the air tasted like sulfur and penny shavings. Here, at the base of the Director's tower, the air was cold, sterile, and smelled of ozone.
Overseer Silas stood behind Arthur. His hands were shaking slightly as he held the device. It was a thick ring of black metal, lined with sharp brass needles on the inside.
"Neck," Silas ordered. His voice was quiet. He wasn't barking orders anymore. He was terrified of where they were going.
Arthur lifted his chin. CLICK-SNAP.
