Chapter 39: Gregor's Authority
High above the sprawling prison complex of Iron Bastion, where towering walls of reinforced steel stood like the ribs of some colossal beast, the Director's office overlooked the entire fortress in absolute silence. Beyond the thick, bulletproof windows, rain drifted steadily from a charcoal sky, its soft rhythm tapping against the glass while distant flashes of lightning illuminated the endless rows of prison blocks below. Massive floodlights swept across the compound in slow, methodical arcs, revealing armed patrols, towering watchtowers, electrified fences, and countless inmates locked away behind layers of steel.
From this height, Iron Bastion no longer resembled a prison.
It looked like a city built solely for despair.
The only light inside the spacious office came from a collection of floating holographic displays that hovered above the polished floor, bathing the room in shifting shades of blue. Files flickered in midair, streams of classified data scrolling endlessly across transparent screens while the quiet hum of advanced machinery filled the otherwise motionless room.
Standing before the enormous window with one hand resting behind his back was Director Cassian Vanderbi.
His expression remained calm.
Unreadable.
The amber liquid swirling lazily inside the crystal glass in his hand reflected the holographic glow as he silently watched the rain fall over his kingdom.
A few steps behind him stood Shinsei Voss.
Unlike Cassian's relaxed demeanour, Shinsei's posture remained perfectly straight and professional as she operated a floating console with swift, practiced movements. Her fingers danced effortlessly through the air.
SWISH.
PING!
The holographic interface responded instantly.
Several encrypted files unfolded one after another, expanding into large translucent windows before the Director.
Without turning around, Cassian spoke in the same casual tone one might use while discussing the weather.
"Show me the files."
"Understood."
Shinsei nodded once before flicking her wrist.
PING!
Eight separate dossiers materialised above the console.
One after another, holographic profiles rotated slowly through the air like suspended statues carved from light.
Daito Greyhell.
Brandon Fu.
Champagne Vannian.
Wasabi Yuko.
Fah-jin Dou.
Zachia Grancumber.
Wei-Wan Lou.
Avenor Yakisa.
Each profile displayed a detailed summary biometric scans, combat evaluations, criminal records, previous affiliations, threat assessments, and psychological analyses all meticulously organised beneath rotating three-dimensional portraits.
Shinsei silently examined each file.
At first, her expression remained composed.
Then...
Her eyebrows slowly drew together.
"...That's strange."
Cassian raised his glass to his lips and took another slow sip before speaking.
"What is?"
Shinsei enlarged several government documents.
SWISH!
Official identification records expanded into the air, their authentication seals glowing softly beneath layers of encrypted data.
She scanned them once.
Then again.
Finally, she frowned.
"These people..."
Her finger hovered over the identification seals.
"They're not registered citizens of Gregor Naught."
Cassian offered no immediate response.
Only the distant rumble of thunder answered her observation.
RUMBLE...
Shinsei continued searching.
Another series of reports unfolded before her eyes.
"No travel permits."
SWISH.
"No employment contracts."
SWISH.
"No Savage operation licences."
Another file appeared.
Nothing.
She slowly folded her arms as realisation settled across her face.
"...Officially, they don't exist inside Gregor Naught."
For the first time, Cassian shifted his attention away from the rain.
He slowly turned toward the floating displays, his sharp eyes calmly moving from one profile to the next.
Shinsei continued piecing together the timeline.
"They infiltrated the city illegally."
"They engaged multiple divisions of the Defence Forces."
"They attacked prison transport units."
"They caused widespread destruction across several districts."
She looked up at the Director.
"...But why?"
Cassian remained silent.
His gaze drifted across the holograms until one particular profile rotated into view.
Daito Greyhell.
The file stopped directly before him.
Shinsei enlarged the record.
PING!
A section near the centre of the document flashed crimson.
FORMER AFFILIATION: NATIONAL BIOHAZARD AUTHORITY (NBA).
Cassian tilted his head ever so slightly.
"Hmm..."
The faint sound escaped almost absent-mindedly.
Shinsei, however, looked even more confused.
"That doesn't make sense."
She quickly accessed another encrypted database.
Several archived news broadcasts emerged from the government network before projecting themselves into the centre of the room.
Static flickered briefly.
ZZZT...
Then the recording stabilised.
A familiar news anchor appeared.
Behind her was a massive headline stretching across the screen.
NBA SUCCESSFULLY CAPTURES DANGEROUS SAVAGE GROUP LED BY DAITO GREYHELL.
Footage played beneath the headline.
The report showed images of Daito and his companions being declared captured only days earlier, the National Biohazard Authority proudly announcing the successful conclusion of their operation.
Shinsei stared at the broadcast.
Then slowly looked back toward the prisoner files floating nearby.
Then back again.
Her expression hardened.
"...Director."
Cassian stepped closer to the projection.
"The National Biohazard Authority publicly announced that Daito Greyhell and his entire group were already in custody."
She gestured toward the prison records now hovering beside the broadcast.
"...Yet they're imprisoned here."
Silence swallowed the room.
Even the rain outside seemed quieter.
For several long seconds, neither of them spoke.
Cassian simply stared at Daito's rotating profile, studying the young man's face with growing interest.
Then...
"Heh..."
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
It was soft.
Controlled.
Yet strangely amused.
The corner of his mouth curled upward into a slow smile.
Shinsei raised an eyebrow.
Cassian reached forward and tapped Daito's holographic portrait with a single finger.
PING!
The profile rotated once more.
"See?"
He looked back at Shinsei, his eyes carrying an unmistakable glimmer of curiosity.
"...Interesting."
Shinsei folded her arms once again, deep in thought.
"There are only two logical explanations."
Cassian waited.
"Either the National Biohazard Authority lied to the entire world..."
She paused.
"...or something far stranger is happening behind the scenes."
Cassian leaned casually against the edge of his desk, swirling the drink inside his glass as though neither possibility particularly concerned him.
"Both options sound entertaining."
He turned once more toward the towering windows.
Far below, hundreds upon hundreds of prisoners slept behind reinforced steel doors, watched over by floodlights and armed patrols.
To everyone else, they were merely dangerous criminals.
Disposable.
Forgettable.
But somewhere within that endless maze of concrete and steel...
One prisoner had captured Director Cassian Vanderbi's attention.
His voice remained calm.
"Keep watching them."
Shinsei gave a firm nod.
"I'll increase surveillance."
Cassian's eyes remained fixed on the prison yard below.
"Especially him."
Lightning split the heavens.
KRAAAK!!
For a brief instant, brilliant white light engulfed the office before darkness reclaimed it once more.
Cassian continued staring into the storm.
Because the longer he observed Daito Greyhell...
The more convinced he became that this young man and the mystery surrounding him would soon become far more interesting than an ordinary prisoner.
to be continued.....