Chapter 16 - The Second Signature

“Let him go,” Evelyn said.

She entered through the north door, unarmed and shaking. Voss turned the pistol toward her. “You chose the wrong side.”

“I chose it years ago,” she answered. “That's why we're here.”

He pointed at Clara's glowing cuff. “Tell your girl to authorize the release.”

“She can't do it alone.”

Voss's eyes narrowed.

Evelyn faced Clara. “Elena built a safeguard into the original system. Two independent living signatures are required to stop an emergency release. Not two blood samples. Two minds making separate choices.”

June stared at her. “You knew we could stop this?”

“I knew there was a chance.”

“Then why didn't you tell us?”

Evelyn's voice broke. “Because I was afraid Voss would kill you both before you got here.”

Clara thought of the photographs, the stolen birthdays, the girls asleep behind glass. “You were afraid of losing your life's work.”

“Yes,” Evelyn whispered. “That too.”

Voss laughed. “Fine. I have two girls. Put June at the other station.”

“Not while you threaten us,” Clara said.

He pressed the pistol harder against Marcus. Marcus kept his eyes on Clara, making himself stand straight despite the pain.

“You don't have to save me,” he said. “I finally understand that.”

Evelyn reached for the emergency control. A guard struck her arm, and she fell against the console. Sparks jumped. The room shuddered.

“PURGE ORDER ACCEPTED,” announced the machine.

Voss looked startled. “I didn't authorize that.”

A wall of red warnings spread through the chamber. Evelyn pushed herself upright, blood running from a cut over her eyebrow.

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“The system has started cleaning up its witnesses,” she said.

Through the glass, the first sleeping girl began to sink beneath her life-support line.