OPHELIA

Chapter 3

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10:26am.

Her husband was currently at work, as planned. Elizabeth sat silently in the quiet of her Bugatti. She had been waiting for this day for quite a while. A flare of anxiety washed across her body, bubbling within her pores. It had to be done.

She grabbed her purse open and rummaged through its contents for the burner phone she bought the day before and entered the number, bringing it to her ear. The sound of a man's voice trickled through her ear with a greeting. "Is it done?" She asked bluntly.

"Yes, it is. I'll be on the 3rd floor."

"Good. I'll be there in twenty minutes."

This had to be done, she convinced herself as she drove along the highway. She didn't want to mess this up. And besides, she somewhat grew a liking to Vermont. She wanted this place to remain her home for once.

Her heart raced as her heels clicked on the porcelain tiles of the elaborate building. She made sure her scarf was tucked neatly around her neck and draped effortlessly above her head. The wide-framed glasses sat perfectly on her face as she nodded pleasantly at the employees while she made her way to the elevator.

"Mrs. Lockwick." A tall, plump, blonde woman greeted her, "Welcome to X-tract Corp. My name is Jen, Dr. Rao has set up the system and is waiting for you."

"Lovely. Tell me, Jen, do you see many politicians on this floor?"

"Our software and systems are built primarily to assist the military base, for the greater good and the well-being of our people."

"Ah," Elizabeth smiled at the woman's properly knitted response, "They've programmed you quite nicely."

The 3rd floor opened before them as the clean image of steel, glass screens, and blinding ironed lights spilled before them.

"Elizabeth Lockwick, what a pleasure." A middle-aged man with an off-white lab coat greeted her.

"Dr. Rao, the pleasure is all mine."

With a simple nod, he escorted her into a small glass room. The outside portrayed a slight tint however the interior of the room showed that its exterior was an illusion. It was a modern laboratory, call it what it may, but it was endlessly beautiful.

"Technology in this day and age has unlocked a world of opportunities, Miss Lockwick," he said while turning a switch on, which highlighted the entirety of the room, "OXNA is our newest pride, and our greatest artificial intelligence we have created thus far. Request whatever task you'd like her to perform and she will do your bidding."

"She sounds delightful," Elizabeth smiled as the man exited the room. As the door shut, she felt the chill of new technology embrace her. The scent of iron and new plastic danced into her nostrils. Elizabeth removed her sunglasses and scarf which wrapped around her delicate head.

"Greetings," a sharp female voice began with a smooth underlying tone, "How may I be of your assistance?"

"OXNA," she began, wanting to waste no time. The chill of the room intensified as she drew her words out, "Erase all data on Ophelia Lucien."

Elizabeth watched as photos of the girl showed up on the screens surrounding her. Each deleting in sync, old text messages, calls, resumes, transcripts, passport photos, everything pertaining to that individual is now gone forever. She watched as the bright lights and colours which moments ago plastered the screen now turned into an empty blank darkness.

"Request processed successfully," OXNA's voice finalized.

She waited for the weight to be lifted off her shoulders, but it remained. Perhaps even heavier. She didn't want to think about it. It was a crime in itself. She violated someone's identity. OXNA's voice continued, asking if she'd like to place another request. She was about to walk out of the room when suddenly a thought swam through her mind. Turning back, she faced the screen of the AI.

"For a matter of fact, yes." She began as she fixed back the sunglasses and her scarf upon her head, trying her best to recollect her emotions from seeping out into the open world. "Run a thorough background check on Sally Manson for me."

The young woman's collection of data swam through the screen as Elizabeth studied them intently, "Merci."

And with her new information, she left the room.

***

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