The heavy door slid open without a sound.
Evelyn exchanged a cautious glance with Anthony before stepping through.
The room beyond looked nothing like the abandoned institute above.
Floor-to-ceiling screens displayed streams of data.
Glass walls surrounded a circular laboratory filled with advanced equipment that seemed years ahead of anything Evelyn had seen.
At the center of the room stood a woman with silver hair pulled neatly behind her head.
She looked to be in her late sixties.
Her posture was straight.
Her eyes were sharp.
"You've grown into your mother's smile," she said softly.
Evelyn stopped in her tracks.
"You knew my mother?"
The woman smiled.
"I knew both of your parents."
Anthony instinctively moved a step closer to Evelyn.
"And you are?"
The woman extended he
