Strong For Too Long Trilogy ✔️

23. A Plan In Mind

CHAPTER 23: A Plan In Mind
(Aaron's POV)

We spent two weeks studying each of them, only asking for an analysis if they were willing to give one. I never forced any of them to submit to any questions or injections unless they consented to it. After a few days of it, they were opening up about what fucking Soren did and I couldn't have been more pissed off. Alexander was the one who lost his shit though and disappeared for a few days. I run recognition on each of their files, when I look up and furrow my eyebrows at the sight of Tobias trying to talk to Ingrid Evers, only she seemed to prefer being called Thirteen.

I gesture to her next to Javier, "Has she said anything about those Numbers she spoke of?" I ask him, stoically.

He turns his head away from scrutinising Reed and Silas. We had to let them out, especially when they were right about Soren, but I wouldn't go right up to Pierce and ask him more questions, I'd rather leave that up to Alexander, if he'd ever get back.

Branson furrows his eyebrows on his laptop screen, "Hey, Aaron. Come take a look at this." He says to me, turning his screen around and opening the main news channel on YouTube that aired a few hours ago. He presses play.

"Here on state news, a tragedy at Rivers Festivals that occurred over five months ago now is still holding conspiracy theories of government secrecies, the bombing could have been a set-up for arguments on soil transactions and building an underground bunker that is too wrecked to be understand. It is said to be a bunker for what the world now know as genetic subjects whom are a part of the Numbered. The park's most celestial and prized positions turns under a rooted scandal of genetically and chemically modified people who are not only highly dangerous, but are highly advanced according to scientists Fredrick Scorn, who despised against the makings of the Numbered. The Phoenix Movement, a previously associated agency in cancelling all suggestion of such Numbers almost four years ago now are trying to track down all Numbers. Now that the story blooms, I have Agent Aster Pierce, Agent Fern Henries and Agent Alexander Carson here on next from London central under Agent Aaron Westlake's Phoenix Movement for more scientific information on such dangerously encoded discoveries." I study the television news.

"Is this some sort of joke? What interview?" I ask Branson. He studies me, just as the doors open and a stoic Alexander struts in, his dulled, green eyes penetrating his computers, I stand and without a word, I show him the video.

He stands stiffly, "I didn't coordinate anything, someone here, on the inside is doing this. I just don't know who and I don't know why." He says in irritation.

I look at him and fold my arms, "My guess is Soren attempting to stir up trouble. You've been on hiatus long enough, start doing your job. I don't want to have to fire you, Alexander." I say to him, giving him a stern look, he shoulders past me.

"That you don't have to worry about. I'm taking the son of a bitch down anyway," He spits harshly. Grabbing his laptop and opening a new set of screens, "I've been tracking him, he's located in a special facility within the board of this company. The best thing we could do is simply schedule a meeting, but act as though it's about new agents going into the Continuum, acting as if we're checking the supply. That's the best way to locate the grid line used between both companies and finding out if there is more than one network involved." He says, sounding more on to it than the rest of them.

"You'll need help getting in." I hear by the railing, where two guards halt in front of one of the male numbers I recognised as Candidate A-One. Standing next to another female and male, Candidate V-Twelve and Candidate C-seventeen.

I lean my hands on the silver desk, "And why is that?"

Candidate A-One gestures to the guards, "They have newly released guards at your facilities. Member across the grid. Just because we are of the older generation, doesn't mean we don't know how this works. There is bound to be more candidates out there and they are either silent, or activated. You can only identify them by numbers and/or letters on their wrist." He explains.