Under the same stars

Episode 11

Episode 11:  Old memories

With the victory over Victoria Blackwood and the exposure of Project Phoenix, Emily and Liam enjoyed a period of relative calm. The city celebrated their bravery, and the media hailed them as modern-day heroes. Yet, beneath the surface, they knew that shadows still lingered.

One chilly evening, as they relaxed in their cozy apartment, a package arrived addressed to Emily. It was a simple brown box with no return address. Emily's curiosity piqued, and she carefully opened it, revealing a collection of old photographs and a handwritten letter.

"Liam, come look at this," she called.

Liam joined her on the couch, peering over her shoulder. The photographs were black and white, depicting a group of people in various locations—some in labs, others in formal gatherings. The letter, written in elegant cursive, read:

**"Emily, 
The past has a way of catching up to us. These photos are from the early days of The Consortium, long before you and Liam became involved. There are secrets buried here, secrets that could unravel everything. 
Meet me at the old clock tower at midnight. 
- A Friend"**

Liam frowned. "Do you recognize anyone in these photos?"

Emily shook her head. "No, but they seem important. And this letter—do you think it's a trap?"

"It's possible," Liam said thoughtfully. "But we can't ignore it. If there's a chance we can learn more about The Consortium's origins, we have to take it."

That night, they made their way to the old clock tower, a relic from the city's past. It stood tall and imposing, its silhouette stark against the moonlit sky. They arrived early, scouting the area to ensure it wasn't an ambush.

At midnight, the clock's chimes echoed through the empty streets. Emily and Liam waited, tension thick in the air. Moments later, a figure emerged from the shadows—a woman with silver hair and piercing blue eyes.

"Emily, Liam," she greeted, her voice soft yet firm. "Thank you for coming."

"Who are you?" Emily asked, her tone cautious.

The woman smiled faintly. "My name is Abigail Sterling. I was one of The Consortium's founding members, but I've long since turned my back on them. I’ve been in hiding, watching, waiting for the right time to come forward."

Liam crossed his arms. "Why now? Why contact us?"

Abigail sighed. "Because the dangers are far from over. The Consortium's influence was vast, and not all of its members were exposed. There are still factions working in the shadows, planning something big."

Emily glanced at the photographs again. "What do these pictures have to do with it?"

"These photos," Abigail explained, "are of The Consortium's original leaders and some of their earliest projects. There were experiments—terrible ones—that they covered up. Some of the people in these pictures are still active, still dangerous."

Liam’s eyes narrowed. "What kind of experiments?"

Abigail hesitated, then pulled out a folder from her coat. "They were working on something called Project Dominion. It was supposed to be the ultimate form of control—mind control on a massive scale. They were trying to develop a way to influence people's thoughts and actions without them even knowing."

Emily felt a chill run down her spine. "And you think they're still pursuing this?"

"I know they are," Abigail said grimly. "I've been tracking their movements. There's been a resurgence of interest in these old projects, and I believe they're close to a breakthrough."