CHAPTER 3 

“I beg your pardon... Are you implying you're to spring your own assassin from prison?!” 

Inhales deeply 

"Alaya, prepare yourself for what I'm about to reveal." 

YESTERDAY 

Utter disbelief had me paralyzed for a good five minutes before I could muster a response. I was stupefied, interpreting their demand as a twisted jest. My fist and jaw clenched involuntarily, but I quickly composed myself. Lifting my chin, I managed to articulate my confusion. 

"Am I hearing you correctly? You want me... to spring someone out of jail?" 

“Exactly..." 

That confirmed it. I hadn't lost my grip on reality. 

"Apologies for any misunderstanding, gentlemen, but I am a law enforcement officer. I place criminals behind bars, I do not assist them to escape." 

Suddenly, the screen before us came to life, depicting intricate 3D schematics of a complex edifice, undoubtedly the prison in question. 

"Your background is no mystery to us, Mr. Bishop. Valedictorian of your high school, top of your class in university, and again, at the Academy. You completed the Safety and Security Corporation Division training in a record time, securing a promotion within two months of full-time service. With an IQ of 143, abandoned by your biological parents on the doorstep of the SSC Main Office, and later adopted by Adam Bishop after his wife legally separated. We're well aware of your history, Mr. Bishop, and we have a specific task in mind for you. The question is... are you ready to undertake it?” 

The Genesis Era is the result of a treaty among the last three nations on Earth. Each governed by its sovereign entity, all accountable to a single world leader, who, in turn, answers to their populace and respective governments. The world leaders, though separate from the government, wield the highest authority. The territories: Apollo, the Land of Medicine, Research, and Development; Demeter, the Land of Agriculture; and Janus, the Land of Technology. Situated equidistantly from these three nations is an island housing the Correctional and Detainment Facility or the Prison. 

At birth, our Universal Information (U.I) is implanted beneath our skin, serving as our Unique Identifier throughout our life. It carries all our personal details, from Digital Birth Certificate to Driver’s License and Salary Information. A millennium ago, the conventional currency was replaced with the Points System. 

Partly automated by an AI, the Prison is operated manually by human staff in less hazardous areas. Come January 8th, the government-approved initiative to fully automate the facility will be implemented. 

“You need to infiltrate the facility and extricate my son before that date. Fail to do so, and both of you risk being trapped in there indefinitely.” 

Indefinitely…? 

Am I truly expected to gamble my life and freedom to rescue some murderous child? 

“Unless I'm mistaken, aren't you three among the most influential individuals alive? Can't you simply extract him from the prison? Or perhaps delegate this shady task to someone else?” 

The tension in the room was palpable. My gaze flitted to the guards, wondering about their orders should I refuse. 

“We might be powerful, but remember, no one is above the law. If there’s any connection drawn between us and this act, our titles won't shield us from prosecution.” 

Mr. Lu's countenance morphed into desperation as he picked up a photo from his desk. 

“When I last saw him, he was a mere infant. His mother, a good woman, if somewhat naive. He's not malevolent, Mr. Bishop. He's my only son, and I have failed him by my absence. I yearn to make amends, but we need someone with your skillset.” 

“And frankly, Mr. Bishop,” Mr. Phillips interjected, “we're running against time.” 

PRESENT 

Exhales deeply 

“Do you comprehend the situation now?” 

Alaya’s bewilderment was a mirror of my internal turmoil. Wordlessly, she walked to her cabinet, retrieved a bottle of vodka, and downed a shot. 

"By God... You're in deep waters!" 

"Thank you, Captain Obvious, for that revelation!" 

"You can't possibly go. That’s akin to committing suicide!” 

"So is refusing..." 

Her puzzled expression prompted me to walk towards the window, pulling the curtain aside slightly to reveal a van parked across the street. 

"Do you see that van?" 

She peered through the gap in the curtain. "Yeah!" 

"It isn't serving ice cream. I'm fairly sure they've been tailing me since I left my apartment, probably tracking my U.I as well. If I refuse, they'll likely eliminate me to erase any loose ends." 

“To keep their plan covert…” Realizing this, she stepped back, her hands trembling as she tugged at her hair in fear. “We're cornered… If we try reporting to the government, we have no tangible evidence. We'd likely be incarcerated for defamation.” 

She sought solace in another shot of vodka as we stood in silence, both grappling with the inevitability of our dire situation. 

“What’s your plan?” 

“The only viable course of action... 

I must kill him before he kills me!”