Chapter 6: Strategy for Sub-level 3 Access

👉 [Previous Decision]: You have successfully made contact with investigative journalist Maya Lin, who needs physical access logs or genetic markers from Sub-level 3.

Maya Lin pushed her empty coffee cup aside, her gaze intense. “Federal authorities won’t move on just your testimony, Evan. Not against a company like LuminaTech.”

“They’ll bury you,” she added, her voice flat. “And they’ll wipe you clean if they catch even a whiff of your outside investigations.”

I nodded, the truth of her words a cold knot in my stomach. The threat of a complete, permanent memory erasure was a constant shadow.

“We need undeniable physical evidence,” Maya explained, pulling a small, encrypted tablet from her bag. “Something from Sub-level 3. Access logs detailing who goes in and out, what experiments are conducted. Or, ideally, genetic markers from the subjects.”

“But how do I get to Sub-level 3?” I asked, leaning forward. “It’s even more restricted than the 14th floor. Standard security access won’t cut it.”

“There are two main routes,” she mused, tapping a pen against her chin. “The obvious corporate climb, or the less obvious external pressure.”

“What’s the corporate climb?”

“Julian trusts you, ostensibly,” Maya said. “He’s your best friend. If you play the model employee, show absolute loyalty, you could aim for a managerial position. Executives get unrestricted access to all secure levels. It’s slow, but it’s legitimate.”

“And the other route?”

“LuminaTech uses a third-party security firm for overnight shifts,” she replied. “They’re often underpaid, overworked. A substantial cash bribe might convince a guard to ‘accidentally’ leave a door open for a few minutes.”

I considered the options. Feigning loyalty felt like a betrayal of my own sanity, but direct confrontation hadn’t worked before. A bribe felt risky, but potentially faster.

“The bribe is high-stakes,” Maya warned. “If the guard reports it, they’ll have you on a security breach. You’ll be detained immediately. No questions asked. Total memory wipe.”

“But if you go the corporate route,” she continued, “you’re buying time. Precious time. Every day you’re inside, you risk another blank spot, another piece of yourself erased.”

I pictured Julian’s cold smile. The red camera light. The missing three hours. The metallic taste in my mouth.

“Which path gives us the best chance, Maya?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

She looked at me, her eyes unblinking. “That, Evan, is your choice.”