Page 36

Myall

The aftershocks of last night’s close call still rattle my bones this morning. My head aches from lack of sleep, the taste of stale air and adrenaline lingering on my tongue.

The Authority’s true nature churns in my mind, the stolen data pulsing with sickening urgency. The implications of their plans—the new NeuroMods—gnaws at me, a suffocating presence with every breath.

If we don’t act, we might lose everything.

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves as I arrive at work, passing through the new security measures.

Stepping onto the main floor, the weight of the atmosphere presses in on me, as if the very air is under scrutiny.

My skin prickles with the silent gaze of the ever-present cameras, their mechanical whir a constant hum in my ears.

I can almost feel Colvin’s eyes boring into me, a constant pressure that I can’t shake.

Sitting down, my fingers are already dancing over the keys, but my mind races ahead, a thousand thoughts colliding. The stolen data. Neck implants that can track and control emotions even more precisely than before. It’s a chilling prospect.

Around me, my colleagues work in eerie silence, the only sound the clicking of keys and the hum of machines. I can’t help but wonder how many of them harbor secret doubts, hidden rebellious thoughts that they dare not voice.

“Hansen.”

I flinch at the sound of my name, turning to see my supervisor standing behind me. Her face is impassive, but there’s tension in her jaw.

“Regent Colvin wants to see you. Now.”

My heart pounds as I nod, rising from my chair on unsteady legs. I can feel Ziva’s eyes on me as I walk past her, but I don’t dare look in her direction.

I pause outside Colvin’s office, the sterile metal door cold against my fingertips as I brace myself. My stomach churns, and my throat tightens with the taste of iron—fear, I realize. I try to steady my breath, but it feels shallow, panicked.

No matter what happens in this room, I know one thing for certain—I won’t let him break me. With a final steadying breath, I knock on the door, ready to face my fate.

The door swings open, revealing the austere interior of Colvin’s temporary office. He sits behind a sleek metal desk, his piercing eyes fixed on me as I step inside. The room is eerily quiet, the only sound the soft swiveling of the surveillance cameras mounted in each corner.

“Myall Hansen,” Colvin says, his voice cool and measured. “Please, have a seat.”

I sink into the chair opposite him, my palms damp with sweat. Up close, Regent Colvin is even more imposing, his angular features carved from stone. He regards me silently for a moment, his gaze seeming to strip away every layer of my carefully constructed facade.

“I trust you know why you’re here,” he says at last, leaning back in his chair. “I’ve been conducting interviews with all personnel, to ensure their loyalty to The Harmonization Authority.”

I force myself to nod, swallowing past the lump in my throat. “Of course, Regent Colvin. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have.”

He smiles, but there’s no warmth in it. “Good. Let’s begin, shall we?”

Colvin leans forward, his chair creaking under his weight as his cold blue eyes pierce through mine, like a blade trying to find its mark. His stare is like a vise, tightening with every passing second, trying to wring the truth from me.

“Tell me, Compliance Monitor Hansen, have you ever witnessed any suspicious behavior among your colleagues? Any signs of dissent or disloyalty?”

My throat feels raw, and my mouth goes dry. My mind races, tumbling through a thousand possible answers, but none of them feel right. The thud of my pulse fills my ears.

“No, sir. Everyone here is fully committed to The Authority’s mission. We understand the importance of maintaining emotional stability for the greater good.”

Even as the words leave my lips, I feel a twinge of guilt, a sharp twist in my gut. My heart hammers, as if it knows what I’m doing, as if it wants to scream the truth. But I push it down, forcing myself to keep my voice steady, to maintain the mask of compliance. I can’t afford to slip now.

Colvin nods, but I can see the skepticism in his gaze. “And what about you, Hansen? Any doubts about the system? Any sympathy for the rebels who seek to undermine our way of life?”

My heart continues to pound, but I force myself to meet his eyes with unwavering conviction. “Absolutely not, sir. I believe in The Authority’s vision. Emotion is a weakness that must be controlled for the sake of order and progress.”

He leans back in his chair, his eyes never leaving mine. “Tell me, Hansen, what do you think about the recent rumors of a new NeuroMod device? One that would be implanted directly into the necks of citizens for even more precise emotion monitoring?”

A chill runs down my spine, but I keep my face impassive. I can’t let him sense that I already know—or that the thought of such invasive technology makes my stomach turn.

“I haven’t heard much about it, sir,” I lie smoothly, keeping my tone even despite the pounding of my pulse. “But if The Authority deems it necessary, I’m sure it will be for the greater good.”

Colvin nods, a hint of a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth. “Indeed, Hansen. The Authority always acts in the best interests of society. But tell me, what are your thoughts on the growing rebellion? Surely you must have some opinions on those who would seek to undermine our perfect order.”

A bead of sweat trickles down my spine, but I refuse to let my nerves show. “I think the rebels are misguided, sir. They don’t understand the importance of emotional control, the chaos and violence that would ensue if we allowed ourselves to be ruled by our base instincts.”

His gaze is piercing and intense as he studies me. “And what would you do, Hansen, if you discovered someone close to you was involved with the rebellion? A coworker, perhaps, or even a friend?”

The thought of Grandma Elara, Ziva, Marcus, and Arden— the only ones who truly understand me—makes my heart clench.

“I would report them immediately,” I say, my voice cold and detached. “The Authority’s laws exist for a reason, and anyone who violates them must face the consequences.”

“Even if it was someone you cared about…deeply?” he asks with a pointed look, the question hangs heavy in the air. My stomach twists in knots at the mere thought of it. Is he referring to Ziva?

Fuck .

I force a calm facade, my voice devoid of emotion. “I would report them without hesitation, sir,” I state firmly, though my heart is pounding so loudly I fear he can hear it.

Colvin’s gaze locks onto mine, narrowing as he leans forward. “I’ll ask you one more time, Mr. Hansen. Have you had any contact with rebels or dissidents?”

I meet his stare, keeping my voice steady. “No, sir. I have no knowledge of any rebel activities.”

He studies me, looking for any sign of deception. I keep my expression neutral, my hands clasped tightly in my lap to hide their trembling.

Finally, He sits back in his chair, a thin smile playing across his lips. “Very well, Mr. Hansen. It seems your loyalty to The Authority is intact.”

Relief floods through me, but I dare not let it show. I nod respectfully. “Thank you, sir. I am committed to serving The Authority and maintaining the harmony of our society.”

Colvin’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “See that you continue to do so. The Authority has no tolerance for those who seek to disrupt our carefully crafted order.”

I incline my head, a silent acknowledgment of his warning. Inside, my mind races with the knowledge of the data chip hidden in my pocket, the information that could bring The Authority crumbling down.

Colvin rises, signaling the end of the interview. “You may return to your duties, Mr. Hansen. But remember, The Authority is always watching.”

I stand, my legs shaky, and head for the door. Just as I’m about to exit, Colvin’s voice stops me.

“One more thing.”

I pause, my heart in my throat as I turn back to face him.

His eyes glint with suspicion. “If you do happen to come across any information about rebel activities, you will report it immediately. Failure to do so will have… dire consequences.”

I swallow hard, nodding once more. “Of course, sir. I understand.”

With that, I step out of his office, the door closing behind me with a soft click. I take a moment to steady myself, drawing in a deep breath.

I’ve made it through the interview, but I know Colvin’s suspicions haven’t been completely dispelled. I’ll have to be more cautious than ever, even as I work to undermine the very system he represents.

I square my shoulders, feeling the weight of the world on them, and make my way back to my workstation.

My thoughts are already racing, spinning in chaotic loops—plans for the resistance, for how we can turn the stolen data into something that will make The Authority tremble.

My heart beats faster, fueled by the knowledge that every second counts.

I settle into my seat, fingers moving mechanically to the keyboard. The day’s tasks fill the screen, but my mind is elsewhere, replaying the interview on a loop.

Did I give anything away? Did Colvin see through my carefully crafted responses? The questions swirl in my head, and I have to force myself to focus on the screen in front of me.

Around me, my colleagues work in silence, their faces drawn and tense. Since Colvin arrived, the atmosphere has shifted, a palpable sense of fear settling over us all—even those with muted emotions.

I catch Ziva’s eye from across the isle, the rest of the world falling away. In that brief glance, I can see the same fear and determination that I feel reflected back at me.

She gives me a questioning look, and I respond with a slight nod. We both know that we can’t risk talking openly, not with The Authority’s surveillance constantly monitoring our every move and not after Colvin caught us in the supply closet.

I tear my gaze away from Ziva’s, focusing on my work once more. But even as I work, my mind is already racing ahead, plotting our next move, trying to figure out the best method to get the information we stole into the hands of the public.

The day drags on, the tension in my body building, a coiled spring ready to snap. I move through the motions of my tasks, but my thoughts are miles away.

I think back to the interview with Colvin, the way he probed for any hint of disloyalty.

It took everything I had to maintain my composure, to keep my mask of compliance in place.

But even as I lied through my teeth, I could feel the weight of the truth pressing down on me—the new NeuroMods, The Authority’s plans.

It’s too much to bear alone. We need to act, and soon. Every delay gives The Authority more time to tighten its grip. We can’t let them win.

But how? How do we make people see the truth?

My resolve hardens. We need help. We need to recruit, to build a network of resistance from the inside out.

It’s a risk, I know. Every new recruit is a potential weak link, a chance for The Authority to discover us. But we can’t do this alone anymore.

The world blurs around me as I meet Ziva’s gaze, a silent understanding passing between us. Tomorrow on our day off, it starts. We will fight back, together. I know it’s dangerous, but it feels like the only choice now. We won’t stop until we’ve brought The Authority to its knees.