Chapter 20 - The Woman in the Photograph
Samuel Hale took the photograph from Victor’s hand.
The moment he saw the woman standing beside Vincent Lang and Harold Crane, the color drained from his face.
Ethan noticed immediately.
“You know her.”
Samuel remained silent for several seconds.
Martin stepped closer.
“Who is she?”
Samuel turned the photograph over and examined the message again.
PHASE TWO BEGINS WHEN SAMUEL RETURNS.
“Her name is Dr. Evelyn Mercer,” he finally said. “She designed the original software used to track counterfeit components.”
Victor stared at him.
“Mercer died before the Project 417 investigation began.”
“No,” Samuel replied. “She disappeared.”
He explained that Evelyn had once been one of the most respected aviation systems researchers in the country. Her software could identify microscopic inconsistencies in engine behavior before physical damage appeared.
But the same technology could also be reversed.
Instead of detecting danger, it could create convincing false reports, hide mechanical weaknesses, and manipulate engineers into replacing perfectly functional equipment.
Vincent had wanted the software.
Evelyn had refused him.
Then she vanished.
Ethan looked at the recent photograph.
“She doesn’t look like a prisoner.”
“No,” Samuel said quietly. “She looks like a partner.”
Martin turned toward the damaged transport platform.
“Why would Phase Two require Samuel to return?”
Samuel walked toward the dismantled engine that had crashed into the laboratory. He examined the turbine casing and found a small black symbol etched near the fuel regulator.
A circle divided into four sections.
His expression hardened.
“This engine is not counterfeit.”
“What is it?” Ethan asked.
“A prototype.”
Samuel removed a hidden access plate.
Behind it was a compact control unit unlike anything Martin had seen. It contained no manufacturer label, no serial number, and no conventional wiring system.
Victor leaned closer.
“Remote autonomous control.”
Samuel nodded.
“This engine can change its own performance without receiving commands from the cockpit.”
Ethan studied the internal sensors.
“It learns.”
Samuel looked at his son with concern.
“Yes.”
A damaged screen on the platform suddenly activated.
A map appeared, showing four blinking aircraft across different countries.
Each carried the same circular symbol.
One of the signals was moving toward Westbridge Airport.
Its estimated arrival time was less than forty minutes.
May you like
Samuel stared at the screen.
“Phase Two is already in the air.”
