“You stole children.”
“We saved them.”
“You tortured them.”
“We strengthened them.”
“You erased who they were!”
Wu goes quiet.
Then says softly—
“Yes.”
The tunnel stills.
Not because of the confession.
Because of how easily he says it.
No guilt.
No hesitation.
Just certainty.
“We removed the emotional weaknesses preventing optimal survival.”
The woman operative suddenly starts crying silently.
Another operative lowers his rifle completely.
Eli looks sick.
And Hannah?
Hannah looks like her heart just shattered all over again.
Because part of her remembers believing him once.
That’s the cruelest part.
Wu’s gaze settles on her carefully.
“You were exceptional because you adapted faster than the others.”
Hannah’s breathing shakes.
“No.”
“You accepted necessary sacrifice.”
“No.”
“You understood the mission.”
“NO!”
