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Khalani’s eyes widened at the sharp knives glinting menacingly on the tray. A cramp formed in her neck, and she could barely inhale.

Breathe.Just breathe, she told herself.

What she needed to do was stall him for as long as possible.

If she kept Dr. Strauss talking, maybe the Aces could save her in time.

“What are you going to do to me? What’s the point of your research?” she asked frantically.

Dr. Strauss’ eyes brightened as he turned toward her. “I’m so glad you’re interested. Most just scream, never understanding the gift I’m about to give them. Seth, grab the chip.”

“You’re telling the subject?” Seth asked in shock.

“Perhaps learning their purpose will have a positive impact on the trial data. We’ll study the effects. If it doesn’t work, the subject will be terminated. Grab it.” His voice hardened when he wasn’t immediately obeyed.

Seth walked away without a word and shortly returned, handing something to Dr. Strauss. Dr. Strauss smiled and held it in front of her face.

It was a small green chip, similar to the mini circuit board she’d seen once as a child. In school, the teachers showed pictures of old computers, wanting to teach the youth howobsessed humans were with technology and how only through our trust in the Governor of Apollo could they attain peace and order.

“This is a very special device,” Dr. Strauss explained, holding the chip steady. “It’s a transmitter chip. The purpose is to take over certain functions, like an override system.Thisis what we’ll be inserting into your brain.”

Her mouth fell open and every ounce of blood drained from her face.

Inserting…into her brain.

The sheer notion was more invasive and terrifying than anything her worst nightmares could have conjured.

Keep him talking!

Keep him talking!

“W…w-why?” Her breaths were shallow, and it was the only word she could form.

Dr. Strauss sighed, seemingly displeased by her unenthusiastic response.

“Simply put, humans have a knack for rebelling against authority. If left to our own devices, we elicit destruction at every corner. History never lies. Nor does it fail to repeat. To put a stop to that, we need a strict hand to guide us into a better future. And once this proves successful, we’ll distribute these chips to the other underground cities, starting with Apollo.”

Her chest heaved as his words sank in.

They were implanting chips into people’s heads to turn them into mindless puppets.

She licked her lips, her mouth suddenly dry as images of the Governor flashed in her head. Alexander Huxley was a machine that controlled their lives without anyone knowing.

Could this be connected?

“You mentioned humans.” She swallowed tightly. “Does that include you?”

For the first time, Dr. Strauss frowned, almost as if he couldn’t compute what she said. “I…yes. Of course that would include me. Wh-why w-wouldn’t it?” He looked down in thought and his neck twitched momentarily.

“You alright, sir?” Seth stepped forward.

Dr. Strauss shook his head and straightened. “Yes. Of course, I’m fine. Now, where were we? Ah, yes! Where you come into play.” He returned the chip to Seth and his expression transformed back to glee, as if the past few seconds didn’t even happen.

Dr. Strauss donned blue elastic gloves. “We’ve learned that to get your brain to accept the change, certain areas need to be impaired—primarily the temporal lobe and the limbic system. Unfortunately, a certain level of pain is necessary for this type of degradation. It’s unavoidable, I’m afraid. But now that you understand the great purpose you’ll serve to better our community, I’m sure you’ll accept this with open arms.”

He grabbed a long scalpel from the tray and started cutting her white uniform open, revealing her bare thigh.

“I don’t accept anything! You’re fucking insane!” She pushed against the restraints with all her strength, but they wouldn’t budge.