Page 269 of Scars of Fate

“Whatever Fate releases.”

Wynn shook her head.

“That doesn’t make sense.”

“It does if Fate isn’t only predictive software.” Ghost pointed toward the sealed compartments surrounding the servers. “Fate identifies populations vulnerable to collapse. Meridian creates the event that breaks them. Aegis protects Meridian’s people from their own weapons.”

“A post-exposure treatment,” Wynn whispered.

“Yes.”

The horror grew.

Meridian hadn’t merely created a biological weapon.

They had created protection for the people they chose to save.

“Hawk,” Adam said. “Options.”

“Find the primary control module. Disable the dispersal system. Return the containment units to normal cooling.”

“Can you do that?”

“If I can reach the controller.”

He examined the four servers.

“They’re networked. One core unit controls the others.”

“Which one?”

I studied the equipment.

Three units appeared identical.

The fourth had an additional shielded cable running beneath it and a small designation on its control panel.

FATE CORE.

“There,” I said.

Hawk followed the thicker cable to a junction box beneath the unit.

“That’s the primary controller.”

The clock read 13:42.

Adam looked around the team.

“Hawk works the controller. Ghost, assist him. Russ and Boone, search for another exit. Lucas, secure the perimeter. Wynn⁠—”

“I’m helping Hawk.”

“No,” I said.

Adam ignored me.

“Do it.”