Chapter 38 - Identity Two
The progress bar remained frozen for several long seconds.
Identity Verification: 1 of 5 Complete.
No one touched the keyboard.
No one entered a command.
Yet the legacy archive terminal continued operating as though someone unseen were responding to questions hidden from everyone else.
Marcus examined every cable connected to the machine.
"It's isolated."
The technician nodded.
"It isn't connected to the airport network anymore."
"Then where is it receiving instructions?"
No one answered.
A soft tone echoed again.
The progress bar advanced by itself.
Identity Verification: 2 of 5 Complete.
Samuel stepped closer to the monitor.
"I've seen this interface before."
Every head turned.
Marcus looked at him.
"Where?"
Samuel frowned, trying to remember.
"When I was thirteen... Grandpa mailed me an old educational computer. It had no internet connection, but every birthday it displayed a different message."
"You still have it?"
Samuel nodded.
"I never understood why he insisted I never throw it away."
Arthur slowly smiled.
"He wasn't sending you a computer."
Samuel looked confused.
"What was he sending?"
"A piece of the archive."
Marcus immediately ordered an officer to contact Samuel's apartment building and secure everything inside until a search warrant could be arranged.
Before the call was completed, the archive terminal chimed once more.
A new instruction appeared.
SECOND CUSTODIAN VERIFIED.
Awaiting Third Verification.
No name appeared.
Only the confirmation.
Marcus looked around the room.
"Whatever this system is doing..."
May you like
"It already recognizes two people."
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