The inside of the abandoned building was, if possible, even more depressing than the outside. The furniture was broken and piled up in the corner. It was the perfect place to plan a counterattack against one of the most influential companies in the city — one that, just minutes earlier, had almost ended the lives of everyone gathered there.
—Wow— murmured Logan, lightly kicking a pile of leaflets— I think with a little cleaning, this could become a Wall's office... oh wait, I just realized I was about to say something stupid.
—How about you shut up and help instead?— said Paul, dragging a table to the center of what had once been a conference room.
Fay was floating above the table, projecting a holographic blueprint of the building.
[Full structural analysis of the building. Probability of catching (at minimum) syphilis: 20%. Probability of Logan saying something stupid and completely irrelevant in the next five minutes: 80%.]
—Thanks, Fay, I can always count on those lovely stats— Logan replied with a forced smile.
—Quiet, look— said Fay, updating the floating display.
[New Mission: Strike Back!]
[Objective: Develop a plan to expose Uranus's illegal operations and retrieve the complete data from Project Gemini.]
[Reward: 10,000 credits + Skill "Emperor's Flow" (Level 1)]
—Ten thousand credits— whistled Logan— and that skill sounds... kind of weird.
—Focus, idiot— scolded Fay— This isn't the time to get excited about the reward. Right now, we need to expose Uranus and show the world what they really are: a nest of vipers who know nothing about human emotion.
—And how exactly are we supposed to do that?— asked Logan— The last time I infiltrated their systems, if you remember, we barely escaped alive. Not to mention you almost fried my brain worse than Nico's cat.
—Calm down, both of you. I know Uranus is strong, but they have a weak spot— said Paul while tapping on the tablet— That's right... I'm talking about their arrogance. They believe their logical and methodical ways make them superior. But they don't account for how ambiguous and unpredictable humans can be.
—"The ambiguity of humans"?— asked Elena with skepticism— You mean Logan's massive clumsiness?
—Hey! My clumsiness has been more than useful— protested Logan— It's been essential!
—He's right— admitted Fay, to everyone's surprise— Logan's behavioral patterns are so chaotic and random that he's, by default, the natural enemy of Uranus's predictive logic. It's like trying to predict the pattern of a lava lamp.
Logan stared at her in shock —Did you... just give me a compliment? Nah, I must be dreaming.
—No, you idiot. I'm just making an objective observation. Your incompetence is, statistically speaking, something that could work in our favor.
Paul interrupted. —Here's the point: we need to infiltrate their central server. This time not physically, but digitally. And for that, we'll need a massive distraction.
Everyone immediately looked at Logan.
—What? Why are you all looking at me?
—Because, dear Logan— said Elena with a smile— you are the king of massive distractions. You hacked public screens just to annoy your ex. You interrupted a live broadcast with an absurd announcement. You are... truly unpredictable.
—We have to go big— said Paul— We need something that forces Uranus to divert all their resources to contain it, while Fay and I slip through the back door and steal the Gemini files.
—Ah... great— Logan nodded— And what exactly is this... "big distraction" you have in mind?
Fay then projected a new image. It was the morning news, showing the "Altaris Annual Tech Gala," basically a luxury event where all the major corporations, including Uranus and Walls, showcased their latest inventions.
—The Gala— said Fay— It's the most publicized event of the year. Broadcast live to the entire world with all major media in attendance.
—No— said Elena, turning pale— You can't be suggesting...
—Exactly!— Paul grinned— Logan's going to the Gala, and he's going to put on a show no one will ever forget.
[Updated Side Objective: Attend the Altaris Tech Gala and interrupt it.]
[Reward: 5,000 credits + Access to the social elite of Altaris.]
Logan stared at the mission screen, completely dumbfounded —Me... me? At the Gala? Paul, you've got to be kidding me. I mean, look at me. My "fancy outfit" smells like fried chicken and blood.
—We'll fix that, relax— said Elena— Walls is still one of the city's most influential companies. It won't be hard to get you an invitation and a suit that doesn't look like it came from a dumpster.
—B-but what do I even do?— asked Logan, on the verge of panic— Do I just show up and start yelling like an idiot, "Don't believe Uranus, they're evil"?
—Something like that— said Fay— But a bit more refined. Or did you forget about your "Stage Presence"? Combine that with your new suit and a carefully written speech from us, and we can maximize the impact.
—A speech? The last time I tried public speaking, remember that the cops almost arrested me!
—Don't worry— said Fay with a smile, one that was genuinely terrifying— I'll be in your ear, literally. I've updated my communication module. You just need to move your mouth and try not to trip on the red carpet.
The weight of the mission hit Logan... again. This wasn't just another silly task for more charisma or cash. This was real danger.
—Alright, alright, I'll do it— said Logan, his voice firmer than he expected— But I have one condition if you want me in your plan, and I expect you to be completely honest.
—What is it?— asked Elena.
—That you tell me who Clara really is, and why you're being accused of killing your father... And tell me what she really means to you.
Paul tried to step in. —I already told you, sir, she's her adopted sist—
—No... I'll tell him— interrupted Elena, swallowing hard and taking a deep breath— The reason we're after the Gemini files, and why, despite no evidence, I was investigated by the police... is because Clara is more than my sister...
Elena paused.
—She's my clone.
---End of Chapter 11---