The ring came from Titan's old network, an illegal black market, my most sensitive code. It was Cypher's analog communication network; she was calling. She launched a voice attack using truly vicious technology. Dr. Elara Cypher's voice cut through the blare of sirens surrounding Oasis. The volume was low, but fragmented and intensely personal, as if she were speaking directly into my earpiece, not over a global satellite feed.
"Oh, Mr. Blackford, how tragic your choice. How foolish: prioritizing a small, personal humanity over global benefit? You’ve just burned down my entire operation. Three billion assets wasted, all for the selfishness of a former lover! Do you truly believe Serena—and her genetics—are worth all this destruction you’ve caused today?"
I landed quickly on a small, unli
