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“I regret, Governor,” said the woman, “the citizens are the highest authority of the Core, and, at the moment, we have a ninety-five percent rate of unpopularity toward you. According to our Constitution, this allows the Council to take over all official decisions regarding the Chicago Core and System. All military operations launched under your command will be immediately canceled to prevent any further outbreaks.”
“The Scientific Community aligns with those decisions,” added the man, who was glaring behind his glasses. “Your actions are nothing but intolerable, and we will see that you pay for all your crimes, including toward our peers that tried to oppose you. We will also reach out to the Suburbs’ current leaders to find a way to settle the damages you caused.”
“We are not negotiating with those criminals!” shouted the Governor, furious.
“You are the criminal, Governor. We ask that you remain in your building until you’re officially prosecuted. There’s an awful lot of mess for us to deal with, but, given the situation, we first need to appease our citizens and at least lessen the incommensurable damages you’ve caused. Not to mention the major leak of data. But I promise we will get to your case!”
He looked absolutely disgusted with the Governor, and the communication was immediately cut off right after that. Eden tried to ease her breathing a bit since he had stopped shooting. That rotten old man was probably too shocked by how low he had now fallen that he had forgotten about her. Eden eyed the elevator. Could she make it? She glanced down at Dante’s body. …She didn’t want to leave without him. She wanted to at least be able to give him a proper funeral. More than anything, the idea of leaving him here with that man disgusted her beyond anything. She took a deep breath. Her new Part legs would be able to carry her without trouble, but would she be able to carry Dante and get to the elevator before she got shot? She grabbed his gun, only to realize that thing was out of bullets. She had left her weapon god knows where too... She sighed. Either she made it to that elevator, or they’d both die here, together.
“Eden, it’s alright.”
She suddenly raised her head, only to see Pan was still there, on the screen, gently smiling at her.
“Don’t worry, little sister,” he said. “You’ll be alright. Take him. Go.”
Eden nodded. If Pan said so, she had to believe him. Either way, she couldn’t think of another solution. With a deep breath, she dropped the gun, and pulled Dante the best she could, preparing herself to run. Just steps away from her, the doors to the elevator suddenly reopened. Eden stood up right away, heading there as fast as she could.
“Oh no, you’re not!” shouted the Governor.
From the corner of her eye, she saw him aim in her direction. This time, no matter how bad of a shot he was, he’d hit her somehow. Still, she didn’t stop. Eden knew she wouldn’t have a second chance to get them to that elevator. She kept running, waiting for the sound of gunshots any second now.
They didn’t come, though. She heard the Governor swear furiously.
“Why won’t it work!”
“Did you forget, Governor? The System is programmed so no harm can be done to a child...”
“That bitch is not a child!”
“...Even if it’s still unborn.”
Eden finally reached the elevator doors, and fell forward, on all fours, Dante’s body falling next to her. Her hands fell on something familiar. She grabbed the gun, turned around, and shot, several times, until the doors closed.
She stayed like this for several long seconds, seated in the middle of the elevator, her hands still trembling on the gun. All of a sudden, she felt unwell. Dizzy. The elevator spun around her. She leaned back, unable to even sit anymore. It was as if her body was suddenly catching up with all the madness of the last two hours.
“...Pan?”
“I’m here.”
“Did I get him...?”
“Yes.”
“Good...”
“You did well, little sister.”
Eden wasn’t so sure of that. Right now, she had a metallic taste in her mouth, her head spun like crazy, and she knew she was about to pass out any second. She vaguely felt the elevator going down until it stopped, and the doors suddenly opened.
“Stop! Stop! Don’t shoot! It’s Ghost!”
She vaguely heard people running, stomping around her, and many voices. Eden didn’t even realize she had closed her eyes, but the darkness was inviting her gently. She felt familiar hands gently grabbing her.
“Oh shit, he’s... Take him. …Eden? Eden, it’s Circé, can you hear me? Are you injured? Help me carry them, you idiots! We need to get her out of there. Nebty, we’re ready to go. …Hold on, girl, just a bit longer. I got you. We got you.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Something was grunting and gently biting her hand. She heard a little bark. Her dry mouth was the first sensation that came to her... along with a mild headache. She tried to breathe in, but something was bothering her, making her want to scratch her nose.
