Chapter 14: The Edge of Betrayal

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The days that followed were a blur of activity. Selene barely had time to sleep, let alone process the truth about Project Dawn. The Consortium’s attacks were relentless, and the resistance was struggling to hold its ground. Every victory came at a cost, and every loss felt like a step closer to defeat.

It was late when Selene finally returned to her quarters, her body aching with exhaustion. She had just sat down when her comm unit buzzed. It was Daniel.

“We need to talk,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “Meet me in the archives.”

Selene’s heart skipped a beat. The archives were a secure location, deep within Sanctum’s underground levels. If Daniel wanted to meet there, it could only mean one thing—he had found something important.

She made her way through the dimly lit corridors, her footsteps echoing in the silence. The archives were a maze of shelves and data terminals, filled with centuries of knowledge. Daniel was waiting for her at one of the terminals, his expression grim.

“What is it?” Selene asked as she approached.

Daniel didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he pulled up a file on the terminal’s screen. It was another dossier, this one marked Project Eclipse. Selene’s breath caught as she read the first few lines.

“Project Eclipse was the next phase,” Daniel said, his voice tight. “After Project Dawn, the Consortium began experimenting with ways to enhance their creations. They wanted to make them stronger, faster, more obedient. But something went wrong.”

Selene’s eyes scanned the screen, her heart pounding. The file detailed a series of experiments, each one more horrifying than the last. The subjects had been pushed to their limits, their bodies and minds broken in the process. And then, at the bottom of the file, she saw it—a list of names. Her name was among them.

“They didn’t just create us,” Daniel said, his voice barely above a whisper. “They tried to control us. And when they couldn’t, they tried to destroy us.”

Selene felt a cold chill run down her spine. The truth was worse than she had imagined. The Consortium hadn’t just engineered her abilities—they had tried to turn her into a weapon. And now, they were coming for her.

“There’s more,” Daniel said, pulling up another file. “This is a list of their current targets. You’re at the top of it.”

Selene’s hands trembled as she stared at the screen. The Consortium wasn’t just trying to crush the resistance—they were trying to eliminate her. And if they succeeded, the resistance would fall.

“We need to act fast,” Daniel said, his voice urgent. “If they find you, it’s over.”

Selene nodded, her mind racing. She knew what she had to do. “We’ll strike first,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. “We’ll take the fight to them before they can come for us.”

Daniel’s eyes met hers, and for a moment, she saw the same determination reflected in his gaze. “We’re with you,” he said. “No matter what.”

But as they left the archives, Selene couldn’t shake the feeling that they were walking into a trap. The Consortium had been one step ahead of them at every turn, and she couldn’t help but wonder if they were already too late. The edge of betrayal was closer than she realized, and one wrong move could cost them everything.

Submitted: February 22, 2025

Science Fiction society magic new science rebellion