Getting in hadn’t been easy-they’d all gone through rigorous security checks and confidential screenings before finally being allowed into the restricted zone.
From a distance, Elodie spotted Klein Whitaker had already arrived.
The moment Klein saw Elodie, the stern lines of his usually stoic face melted into
a broad smile. “Elodie, you’re here. I happened to have some business today, thought I’d stop by and see you.”
Truth be told, he still held out a bit of hope-maybe if they kept crossing paths, Elodie might warm up to his son, Naylor Whitaker, one day.
Sylvie entered just in time to catch Klein’s greeting. She frowned, shooting Klein a puzzled look.
Why was someone like Klein being so… gracious to Elodie? It was borderline enthusiastic, as if he’d just bumped into a VIP.
A twinge of suspicion and something like annoyance-crept up in Sylvie. She figured it must be because Elodie had recently acquired the Silverstein name; people had started treating her with more respect. But Klein? Of all people? That didn’t make sense.
She just couldn’t wrap her head around it.
“Mr. Whitaker.” Sylvie stepped forward, offering a polite greeting.
Klein glanced at her, well aware of the recent controversy at TerraCore Technologies with the Neural Intelligence leaks. The situation was complicated, and he didn’t want to get involved. He simply nodded. “Well, since everyone’s here, let’s get started.”
Elodie walked with Galen, quietly discussing the next steps and some details of the schedule.
They needed to coordinate on some technical matters.
Only a small section of the base was open to them; the rest was strictly off-limits. Even in this designated area, everything was tightly monitored.
Still, Elodie reminded everyone to be thorough and pay attention to every detail.
For the technical briefing, some testing was required. Elodie caught sight of a few planes parked inside the hangar.
She recognized the models immediately.
They were from three years ago-practically ancient by industry standards now-
so this was a rare chance to inspect them up close.
“Mr. Whitaker.” A voice called from the entrance.
Elodie turned, surprised.
Patricia strode in, clad in a flight suit, heading straight for Klein.
Klein raised his eyebrows. “How did you get in here?”
Patricia leaned in and murmured, “I got clearance. My dad’s actually working in Zone 3 today.”
Klein nodded, understanding. So she’d passed the checks.
Sylvie frowned the moment she saw Patricia.
She’d never liked women like Patricia-too bold, too sharp, and Patricia had
never bothered to show her any courtesy.
Patricia didn’t spare Sylvie a second glance; she made a beeline for Elodie, curiosity gleaming in her eyes, “Hey, Ms. Thorne. We meet again. Are you here to board for inspection?”
Elodie nodded calmly. “Yes, after the test I need to coordinate with the team here.”
Patricia narrowed her eyes with interest. “So, does everyone get a turn?”
“Pretty much.”
This small section of the facility was open to visitors, provided they signed confidentiality agreements and received approval they’d be granted a chance to board for testing.
Five years ago, when she was researching the U.N2 project, Elodie had already inspected a few of these planes.
Patricia turned away, thoughtful.
Sylvie, meanwhile, was fighting off a surge of excitement.
Opportunities like this were virtually nonexistent. If it weren’t for a special government project linking the military to private enterprise, she’d probably never get a chance to step onto a plane like this. Today’s test flight would be a major highlight on her résumé.
She was just about to step forward when a cool, cutting voice sounded from behind: “As far as I know, with these models, you’d need clearance
going back three generations
touch them. May I ask, is Ms
just
Fielding even qualified?”
Sylvie froze in her tracks.
She turned, incredulous, to see Patricia standing right beside Elodie.