Chapter 195 Beneath the Atlantic

Chapter 195 Beneath the Atlantic
The room remained silent after Aria revealed the location.

ATLANTIC OCEAN – 17 MILES OFF THE COAST.

Liam stared at the coordinates. “That’s where Vale is.” Aria nodded. “The real control room is there.”

Lucas immediately brought up a map. “I can locate the facility, but it’s deep underwater.” “How deep?” “Almost two thousand meters.” Ryan frowned. “We’re going to need a submarine.”

Jace looked at him. “Where exactly do you think we’re going to find one?” Lucas smiled. “I already have one.”

Everyone stared at him. “You have a submarine?” “Not personally.” He pointed toward the screen. “The Lagos facility has an underwater transport system.” Mara raised an eyebrow. “Of course it does.”

Lucas continued. “It was designed for emergency evacuation.” Liam looked at the others. “Then we’re leaving.” Miriam laughed softly. “You think you can simply walk into Vale’s facility?”

Liam turned toward her. “We don’t have a choice.” “You do.” “What?” Miriam pointed at the screen. The synchronization percentage had changed—52%.

“You have less than two hours.” Lucas checked the system. “She’s right.” “How long until full synchronization?” “One hour and forty-eight minutes.”

Liam’s expression hardened. “Then we have one hour and forty-eight minutes.” Miriam smiled. “You still don’t understand.” “What?” “Once it reaches seventy percent, the network becomes self-sustaining.”

Liam froze. “So even if we destroy the facility…” “It won’t matter.” Clara looked at Aria. “Can you stop it?” Aria shook her head. “Not from here.” “Then from where?” She looked toward the floor. “The main control room.”

“Under the ocean.” “Yes.” Liam nodded. “Then that’s where we’re going.” They left the control room. Miriam remained behind. Before Liam walked through the door, she called his name. “Liam.”

He stopped. “What?” “Be careful.” He turned. “Why?” “Because Vale doesn’t want to control humanity anymore.” Liam frowned. “Then what does he want?” “To replace it.” They reached the underwater transport chamber twenty minutes later.

A small submarine waited inside. Lucas opened the hatch. “Everyone inside.” Liam helped Clara aboard. Everyone followed except Jace who remained at the entrance.

Liam looked at him. “You’re coming.” Jace shook his head. “Someone has to stay here.” “Why?” “Because Miriam isn’t the only person who can access this facility.”

Lucas looked at the control panel. “He’s right.” Jace handed Liam a device. “If you need help, press this.” Liam took it. “What does it do?” “It opens every emergency door in the network.”Liam smiled. “Hopefully we won’t need it.”

Jace smiled back. “Hopefully.” The submarine hatch closed. The chamber filled with water. Then the submarine descended.

The city disappeared above them. Darkness surrounded the vessel. Clara held Liam’s hand. “You okay?” He nodded. “I’m thinking.” “About?” “Everything.”

She smiled. “That’s dangerous.” He laughed. “For once, I agree.” Clara rested her head against his shoulder. “No matter what happens…” “We’re getting through it.” “You promise?” “I promise.”

Across the cabin, Aria suddenly looked up. “Something is following us.” Everyone turned. Lucas checked the sonar. “I don’t see anything.”

Aria closed her eyes. “I can feel it.” Zero looked through the window. A shadow moved in the darkness. Then another.

Lucas’s face changed. “There are three.” Ryan grabbed his weapon. “What are they?” “Submarines.” “Whose?”

Lucas checked the signal. “The Order.” Liam sighed. “Of course.” The first submarine fired. The underwater transport shook violently. Clara grabbed the seat. “That was close.”

Lucas increased the speed. “We need to reach the facility before they destroy us.” Adrian looked at Liam. “Can you protect the submarine?” “I’ll try.”

Liam placed his hands against the wall. Golden energy spread through the vessel.

A shield formed around them. Another missile struck. The impact pushed them sideways. Liam gritted his teeth. “I can’t hold this forever.”

Mara joined him. “Then don’t do it alone,” Adrian added his energy. Then Aria. Their combined power strengthened the shield.

The submarine accelerated. Suddenly, the sonar beeped. Lucas stared at the screen. “We’re here.” A massive structure appeared in the darkness. It looked like a city beneath the ocean. Lights covered its walls. Towers stretched upward.

At the center was a huge glass dome. Clara stared. “They built all this underwater.” Lucas nodded. “And nobody knew.”

The submarine approached the entrance. The doors opened automatically. Liam frowned. “Why did they let us in?” Aria looked toward the facility. “Because they were expecting us.”

The submarine entered. The doors closed behind them. A voice filled the cabin. “Welcome.” Liam recognized it. “Vale.”

The screen activated. Dr. Adrian Vale appeared. He looked completely calm. “You finally arrived.” Liam stood. “Release the network.” “No.”

“Then we’re coming for you.” Vale smiled. “I know.” “Why?” “Because that’s exactly what I wanted.” The screen changed. A countdown appeared.

SYNCHRONIZATION: 61%.

Liam’s heart sank. “You’ve been waiting for us.” “Yes.” “Why?” Vale looked directly at him. “Because I need all four vessels inside the facility.”

Mara frowned. “Why?” Vale smiled. “Because the network cannot reach its final stage without you.”

Liam stepped closer to the screen. “What final stage?” Vale’s smile disappeared. “Ascension.” The screen went black.

The submarine suddenly locked into place. Lucas tried the controls. “We’re trapped.” The doors opened. Beyond them was a massive underwater corridor. Liam looked at the others. “We move together.” 

The moment Liam’s feet touched the floor, the lights came on. Hundreds of people stood behind glass walls. All connected to machines. Clara’s face fell. “They’re prisoners.” 

Aria shook her head. “No.” “What?” “They volunteered.” Liam looked at her. “Why?” Aria looked through the glass. “They believe Vale will give them a better world.”

A woman behind the glass smiled at Liam. “We want peace.” Another person raised a hand. “We want unity.” Liam’s expression hardened. “He’s convinced them.”

Samuel looked around. “Then we need to show them the truth.” A door opened at the end of the corridor. Vale stood there. “You’ve come this far.”

Liam stepped forward. “End it.” Vale smiled. “I will.” He pressed a button. The corridor doors slammed shut. The synchronization percentage jumped. 68%.

Aria gasped. “We’re running out of time.” Vale looked at the four vessels. “Choose.” Liam frowned. “Choose what?” “Join me.” “No.”

Vale smiled. “Then watch the world change without you.” The lights went out. When they came back on, the four siblings were standing alone. Clara was gone. Liam’s heart stopped. “CLARA!”

Vale’s voice echoed through the facility. “You wanted to protect her.” A pause. “Now come and prove it.” Liam looked at the others. Adrian’s fists tightened. Mara’s eyes glowed. Aria stared ahead. “We’re getting her back.”

Liam nodded. Then he looked toward the darkness. “Vale.” His golden energy erupted. “You just made the biggest mistake of your life.” Far above them, the synchronization reached seventy percent. 70%.

And somewhere inside the facility, Clara opened her eyes. She was lying on a strange platform. A machine surrounded her. Standing beside her was Dr. Adrian Vale. He looked down at her. “Welcome, Clara.”

She struggled against the restraints. “Where is Liam?” Vale smiled. “Exactly where I need him.” Clara stared at him. “What do you want from me?”

Vale leaned closer. “The same thing I’ve wanted from you since the beginning.” He touched the machine. “Your heart.”