The courtroom emptied in controlled chaos.
Lawyers gathered their files.
Reporters rushed for the exits, phones already pressed to their ears.
Every news outlet in the city had received the same alert.
Explosion Reported at NovaGene's Original Research Laboratory.
Arthur was the first to move.
"We're leaving. Now."
Damien was already dialing his security chief.
"Status."
A strained voice answered immediately.
"The fire department has arrived."
"Casualties?"
"Unknown."
"What about Vault Zero?"
"There was no explosion at headquarters."
Damien stopped in the middle of the courthouse hallway.
"What?"
"The explosion happened at the original research campus outside the city."
Arthur released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
"So this wasn't random."
Damien nodded gr
