Chapter 05

Shadows of Command

Dystopian novel • Published September 23, 2025 • 1589 words, 8-minute read
"Katherine confronts Alexandreï after Oscar's collapse. Between power games and manipulation, she protects the secret of the mental connection between Arthur and Oscar..."

A buzz rose from the infirmary machines. Katherine left Oscar's bedside. He's breathing. That's all that matters for now.

Her footsteps echoed in the metallic corridors. Alexandreï will gloat. Oscar unconscious on the first day - exactly what he predicted.

She entered the command office without knocking.

Katherine: I told you he wasn't ready! You exposed him, here's the result!

The words cracked. Alexandreï juggled with a pencil, impassive. He annoys me with his predator's calm.

Alexandreï: I'm not sure I'm responsible for O-24's discomfort.

Of course you are. Your sadistic tests.

Katherine: A coincidence? Asphyxiating gas and collapse on the same day! YOU are responsible!
Alexandreï: Have you seen the videos? You must have analyzed them. What do you think?

Katherine approached. He's testing me. Ava asked him to monitor me, that's obvious. She activated the screen, feigning confidence.

The images scrolled by. Oscar in the toxic chamber, trembling. My poor boy. So fragile in appearance.

Katherine: What should I see there?

On the screen, Oscar closed his eyes. Meditation. The valves opened slightly - imperceptible for those who didn't know how to look. He touched the machines. Did Alexandreï notice?

Alexandreï: Oscar barely succeeded. Like a champion who purposely finishes second. Your protégé is a strategist.

He saw. But not everything.

Katherine: Are you insinuating he's masking his strengths?
Alexandreï: Exactly. It wasn't the gases that made him fall.

Katherine absorbed the blow. He doesn't know about the mental contact with Arthur. Good.

Katherine: So what? You're beating around the bush!
Alexandreï: Where were they after dinner? Missing for thirty minutes.

The rooftops. Arthur always takes his partners there. His refuge.

Katherine: On the rooftops. Arthur wanted to show the view. It's his flaw - he always seeks spaces where he can breathe. He got an earful.

Alexandreï sighed.

Alexandreï: You're too soft.
Katherine: No. I learned you don't tame a mustang by breaking its legs. He's endured more electroshocks than anyone. I preserved him for Ava. She still hopes for a fusion.
Alexandreï: Ava abandons failures. He'll bend or be reconditioned. Thirty minutes off radar... If your foal is playing with mental frequencies and Arthur is a ticking time bomb, they threaten AVABase.

He's dangerously close to the truth. But he sees a threat where I see a weapon.

Katherine: I'll check.

She masked her excitement.

Alexandreï nodded.

Alexandreï: Katherine...

She turned around.

Alexandreï: Ava is watching. She's always watching. Don't forget that.

Message received. You're her watchdog.

Katherine left, her mind churning. Oscar touched Arthur's mind. Arthur overwhelmed him without meaning to. They're compatible. More than compatible - they're complementary.

In the corridor, she passed a technician who lowered his eyes. They're all afraid of Alexandreï. But they should be afraid of what's coming.

She thought back to Oscar, unconscious. To Arthur, panicked. Two pieces of a puzzle that even Ava didn't anticipate.

A smile touched her lips. The Synergy Project... They think they control synergy. But true synergy is when two consciousnesses merge without losing their individuality.

She returned to the infirmary. Oscar slept. Arthur kept vigil, sitting in a corner.

Katherine: He'll be fine. His brain is learning. Like a sponge discovering the ocean.

Arthur looked at her, searching for answers. Not yet. You'll understand soon.

Katherine placed her hand on Arthur's shoulder. Brief contact. Silent message: Protect him. He's your key as much as you are his.

A monitor beeped. Oscar's vitals were stabilizing.

Phase 1 successful. They've found each other. Now they must survive what they'll become together.