I ran for three hours before I realized I was being herded.
Every direction I chose led toward the same destination. Every phase-shift brought me closer to coordinates I didn't consciously select. Every attempt to escape pushed me toward cliff face overlooking valley I didn't recognize.
The Architect's Council wasn't chasing me. They were guiding me. Using quantum barriers invisible to normal perception but obvious to prototype consciousness that was growing inside me. Forcing me toward location they had prepared specifically for this confrontation.
I stopped at the cliff edge. Looked down at valley five hundred feet below. Looked back at forest where soldiers emerged from every direction. Surrounding me. Weapons raised. Quantum nets ready to capture rather than kill.
"Eva Morrison." V
