CHAPTER 15 THE MAN WITHOUT A SON
Stephen fired.
Ethan dropped behind Ava’s chair.
The bullet shattered the medical screen behind him.
Marcus returned fire.
Nathan pulled Stephen away from the glass as alarms erupted.
Team Alpha split into two groups.
Half remained around A-01.
The others advanced toward Ethan.
A-01 raised her hand.
“Stop.”
The soldiers hesitated.
Nathan entered a command.
The red lights on their helmets began flashing.
“Execute all unauthorized personnel.”
A-01’s jaw tightened.
“I said stop.”
Two soldiers froze.
Three continued forward.
Harris looked at the monitors.
“The command system is dividing.”
Charles understood first.
“Phoenix recognizes two authorities.”
Nathan’s voice.
And A-01’s.
Gunfire erupted.
Marcus pulled Charles behind a steel column.
Ethan released Ava’s restraints and lifted her from the chair.
Her legs could not support her.
He held her against his chest.
A-01 moved beside them.
“You cannot carry her and fight.”
Ethan looked at her.
“I am not leaving her.”
Ava looked into A-01’s eyes.
“Help him.”
For a moment, neither woman moved.
Then A-01 took Ava’s arm and placed it over her shoulder.
The three of them moved toward the rear laboratory exit.
A Team Alpha soldier stepped into their path.
His weapon lifted.
A-01 spoke one word.
“Kneel.”
The soldier dropped instantly.
Ethan stared at her.
“How did you do that?”
“I remember being programmed.”
They reached the service corridor.
Marcus followed with Charles.
Harris remained at the archive console.
Marcus turned.
“Move.”
Harris shook his head.
“I need the blood records.”
“You need to survive.”
Harris continued typing.
“The records will prove which woman is Eleanor’s daughter.”
A bullet struck the console.
Harris fell backward.
Blood spread across his shirt.
Ava screamed his name.
Harris looked down at the wound.
He seemed more surprised than afraid.
Charles moved toward him.
Harris raised one hand.
“Do not.”
Another bullet hit the wall above Charles.
Marcus pulled him into the corridor.
Harris reached beneath the console and removed a small black drive.
He threw it toward Ethan.
Ethan caught it.
“Archive key,” Harris gasped.
“Room F-Nine.”
Ava looked at him.
“Come with us.”
Harris laughed weakly.
“After everything I did?”
Ava’s eyes hardened.
“You do not get forgiveness.”
“You get a chance to testify.”
Harris stared at her.
For the first time, shame appeared on his face.
He pushed himself upright.
Then the control chamber doors opened.
Stephen entered with his pistol raised.
Harris froze.
Stephen looked at him.
“Dr. Harris.”
Harris slowly stood.
“You remember me?”
Stephen’s expression did not change.
“I remember terminating you.”
He fired.
Harris fell against the console.
The archive system burst into sparks.
Ava covered her mouth.
Ethan raised his gun.
Stephen aimed at him.
Father and son stood across the burning laboratory.
Ethan’s voice trembled.
“My name is Ethan.”
“No response.”
“You are Stephen Vale.”
“Incorrect.”
“You are my father.”
Stephen’s pistol lowered by less than an inch.
Nathan’s voice came through his earpiece.
“Fire.”
Stephen’s hand tightened.
Ethan took one step closer.
“You taught me how to tie a fisherman’s knot.”
Stephen’s eyes flickered.
Charles stared at Ethan.
“How do you know that?”
Ethan did not look away from Stephen.
“I remember a lake.”
“A green boat.”
“A man telling me not to be afraid of deep water.”
Stephen’s hand began to shake.
Nathan repeated the command.
“Fire.”
Ethan stepped closer.
“You were there.”
A tear formed in Stephen’s eye.
Then he fired.
The bullet passed beside Ethan’s head.
It struck the soldier behind him.
Stephen turned his weapon toward the other Team Alpha guards.
“Run,” he said.
Nathan screamed through the speakers.
“Lieutenant Vale, stand down.”
Stephen ripped the earpiece from his ear.
“Ethan.”
His voice cracked.
Ethan stopped.
Stephen looked at him as though fighting through a wall inside his own mind.
“I do not have much time.”
He pointed toward the black archive key.
“Do not open Room F-Nine.”
Charles stared at him.
“Why?”
Stephen looked toward Ava and A-01.
“Because neither woman is the original.”
An explosion tore through the corridor.
The ceiling collapsed between them.
When the smoke cleared, Stephen was gone.
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And written across the wall in fresh black letters were four words.
THE THIRD SUBJECT LIVES.
