Chapter 225: Caught

September 15th, 2027. In New York.

Autumn had settled in New York, bringing cooler temperatures and a change in scenery. The leaves were turning shades of orange, yellow, and red, creating a picturesque backdrop against the city's buildings. People in Manhattan were beginning to wear their coats and scarves, adjusting to the crisp air.

Central Park was filled with fallen leaves, children playing, and couples taking walks, enjoying the mild weather.

The smell of roasted chestnuts and hot coffee filled the air from street vendors' carts. Yellow taxis moved through the busy streets, their drivers occasionally honking in the typical New York traffic. The city had transitioned from the heat of summer to the refreshing coolness of autumn, and there was a renewed energy as everyone prepared for the upcoming holiday season.

In the financial district, inside a towering building, was the office of Elena Skies. Across from her sat a man, looking tense. He leaned forward slightly, hands clasped on the table, focusing intently on Elena.

"Mrs. Skies, this is what I have gotten from the Reyes Corporation," Carter said as he slid a flash drive across the table toward her.

Elena took the flash drive without a word, her expression unreadable. She examined it for a moment before turning slightly and beckoning her assistant. The assistant stepped forward promptly.

"Please insert this into your tablet," Elena instructed.

The assistant nodded and took the flash drive, quickly inserting it into her tablet. She tapped a few buttons, and a series of files began to load on the screen.

Elena's assistant reviewed the contents briefly and then handed the tablet back to Elena. She scanned through the documents and data, her eyes narrowing slightly as she absorbed the information. The room was silent except for the faint hum of the tablet.

"This is no good, Mr. Carter...all of this is just data of the Medipod, not the actual schematics of the technology itself."

"Mrs. Skies, it's hard to locate where Reyes saved the schematics of the Medipod," Carter admitted, looking slightly nervous. "He keeps that information extremely secure. What you see here is the closest we could get without raising suspicion."

Elena frowned, tapping her fingers on the table thoughtfully. "But I can't do anything with this data you have given me. I am paying a huge sum of money, Mr. Carter and your mission is simple, to obtain the schematics of the Medipod," Elena finished.

Carter nodded, visibly anxious. "I know, Mrs. Skies. I'm doing everything I can. Reyes has top-notch security. It's like trying to break into Fort Knox.

But I'll keep trying, I promise."

Elena's gaze hardened. "You do that. I need results, Carter, not excuses. I suggest you take a direct approach, any means necessary."

Carter nodded again, a hint of worry in his eyes. "Understood, Mrs. Skies. I'll do whatever it takes to get those schematics."

"Good," Elena said, leaning back in her chair. "Keep me informed of your progress. I expect an update soon."

Two stern-faced guards flanked him, their grips firm on his shoulders as they guided him to a secluded room at the end of the hallway. The door to the room was heavy and reinforced, a clear indication that it was designed for situations exactly like this. One of the guards swiped a keycard, and the door clicked open, revealing a sparse, windowless space.

Inside, a single metal chair sat bolted to the floor under the harsh glow of a fluorescent light. The guards roughly pushed him into the chair, securing his cuffs to the metal armrests. They stepped back, their expressions unreadable, but the underlying message was clear: escape was impossible.

Michael Reyes entered the room, his demeanor as cold and calculated as ever. He closed the door behind him with a soft click, the sound echoing ominously in the confined space. He took a moment to observe Carter, his eyes flashing with disappointment and anger.

"So, John," Michael began, his voice steady but laced with a chilling edge, "I think it's time we had a little chat about your extracurricular activities."

John Carter's heart pounded in his chest as he met Michael Reyes's piercing gaze. The room's silence was oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of the fluorescent light above.

"Michael, I can explain—" Carter started, his voice trembling slightly.

Michael held up a hand, silencing him. "I don't need an explanation, I need to know who hired you and why you thought you could betray me and get away with it," Michael continued.

Carter swallowed hard, trying to find the right words.

"I... I can't tell you that, Michael," Carter said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Michael's expression hardened. "You can't, or you won't?"

Carter looked down, unable to meet Michael's gaze. "Both. If I tell you, it will ruin me. Please, Michael, you have to understand."

Michael's patience was wearing thin. "You think I care about your ruin right now? You betrayed me. Do you have any idea what that means?"

Carter looked up, desperation in his eyes. "I had no choice, Michael. They have something on me. Something big. If I tell you who it was, I'm finished."

Michael leaned closer, his voice dangerously low. "And you think you're not finished already? You're playing a very dangerous game, John."

"I can help you, Michael. I can still be of use to you. Just give me a chance. I'll do anything."

Michael's eyes narrowed. "Anything, you say?"

"Yes, anything. Look, I will not gain anything by giving them what they want. But I can give you inside information. Just please, don't make me say who it was."

Michael stood up straight, contemplating. "I don't think so, I have another plan."