The choice
432 Words
The live video filled the hidden room beneath the Lancaster estate.
Oliver stared at the screen.
Tracy stood beside the Golden Pawn, calm but clearly trying to understand what was happening.
"Oliver," she said, "don't listen to them."
The Golden Pawn smiled.
"Always protecting each other. That's what makes you both predictable."
Marcus stepped closer to the screen.
"We can trace the signal."
"How long?" Oliver asked.
Marcus checked his equipment.
"Maybe ten minutes."
The countdown continued.
08:42... 08:41...
The Golden Pawn held up a small black device.
"Inside this device is the location of the Legacy vault."
Oliver's eyes narrowed.
"And what do you want?"
"A choice."
The masked figure pointed toward two options displayed on the screen.
OPTION ONE: RELEASE THE LEGACY FILES
OPTION TWO: DESTROY THE LEGACY FOREVER
Oliver stared.
"If I destroy it, Tracy goes free?"
The Golden Pawn nodded.
"If you release it, the truth becomes public. Every secret, every name, every crime connected to Phoenix will be exposed."
Inspector Reed looked at Oliver.
"They're forcing you to choose between saving one person and exposing the entire organization."
Tracy shook her head.
"Oliver, don't let them decide who you become."
Oliver looked at her.
Even through the screen, he could see she was afraid.
But she was still standing strong.
Marcus suddenly looked up.
"Wait."
He replayed the video.
The Golden Pawn's reflection appeared in the glass behind Tracy.
"There."
He zoomed in.
A second person was visible in the room.
Someone standing in the shadows.
"The Golden Pawn isn't alone."
Oliver studied the reflection.
Then his expression changed.
"I know that person."
"Who?" Marcus asked.
Oliver's voice became quiet.
"My uncle Richard."
---
The Golden Pawn noticed something was wrong.
"You figured it out."
Oliver stepped closer to the screen.
"Richard... you're one of them."
The masked figure slowly removed the golden mask.
Uncle Richard Lancaster looked back at him.
"I was wondering how long it would take."
Tracy stared in disbelief.
"You were behind all of this?"
Richard smiled.
"Not all of it."
He looked at Oliver.
"Phoenix existed long before me."
The countdown continued.
03:00... 02:59...
Richard placed a hand on the control panel.
"Now you finally understand."
"What?" Oliver asked.
Richard smiled.
"Your family didn't create Phoenix to gain power."
A pause.
"They created Phoenix to hide something much worse."
The screen went dark.
The countdown remained.
02:00
Marcus looked at Oliver.
"We need to find Tracy. Now."
Oliver stared at the blank screen.
Because for the first time...
He wondered if uncovering the truth could destroy everything they were trying to save.
- Writer
