Ethan didn't move.
He didn't need to.
"…you've been observing me," Jared said.
"…evaluating," Ethan corrected.
"…same function."
"…not quite."
Screens lit up.
All around them.
Dozens.
Different people.
Different places.
All connected.
"…this isn't random," Ethan said.
"…confirmed," Jared replied.
"…it's a system."
Silence.
Iris stepped closer.
"…you mean… all of this?"
Ethan nodded.
"…we find potential."
"…we test it."
"…we refine it."
Silence.
Jared's mind accelerated.
Pattern confirmed.
"…and those who fail?" he asked.
A pause.
Ethan smiled.
"…removed."
Silence.
Cold.
Iris whispered—
"…I don't like him."
"…same," Jared said.
"…you never say that."
"…exception."
Ethan stepped forward.
"…you passed every stage so far."
"…irrelevant."
"…join us."
Silence.
Iris froze.
"…WHAT."
"…you have the intelligence," Ethan continued.
"…the adaptability."
"…the potential."
A pause.
"…don't waste it."
Silence.
Jared thought.
Fast.
Then—
"…no."
Silence.
"…why?" Ethan asked.
Jared answered instantly.
"…you're inefficient."
Silence.
Iris blinked.
"…THAT'S YOUR REASON?!"
"…yes."
Ethan laughed.
"…good."
"…then we proceed."
Lights dimmed.
Doors locked.
CLANG.
"…I KNEW IT WAS A TRAP," Iris shouted.
"…confirmed."
Movement.
All around them.
Not three.
More.