Chapter 5

Elias stood in front of the empty cryo pod alongside his co-workers, only let in once the police finished investigating.

"How does a frozen person defrost and take off?" Magnus asked. "This doesn't make any sense. And it was only this one. Number 80848680."

"It must've happened when the power went out last night," Rin said.

"But it still doesn't make sense why this one malfunctioned and opened. Do we have any information on them?" Elias knelt down to inspect the pod closer, and couldn't help but notice a small stain near the panel. How long has this been here? Did Kristie spill something?

Brie came over with the department's tablet. "Name: Jae Jackson. Formerly an army major. He was taken in after being severely injured in the war. They managed to heal him, but he was comatose and put here."

"Even more so; how did he get out? Comatose patient to escaping a cryo pod. He could be dangerous."

"Especially considering he knocked out the security guard. I can only imagine how afraid he is right now. Let's hope he doesn't wreak havoc."

Elias looked over her shoulder at the picture on the tablet, and his eyes widened. "No way..."

"What is it?" Brie glanced back at him. "Did you notice something?"

"Uh... Nope. Not a thing."

"While we can't track him, it's shouldn't be hard to find someone without one of these." She wiggled the watch on her wrist.

"That's easy to cover with clothes."

"Oh, I guess. But his signature is in the system, so AI should be able to find him. I wouldn't worry about it," Rin said.

"But where would he go?" Magnus asked.

"Where would you go if you woke up in a strange land, and you didn't know anyone around?" Elias asked as he thought about Kristie's odd behaviour from earlier. "She wouldn't, would she?" he mumbled. If she ran into him outside, she might help him. Elias never understood it, but she'd been pining after him since she saw him in the pod. "Who am I kidding? She would."

"Who would what?" Rin asked.

"Nothing; never mind that. What do they want us to do? We're not suited to go on a hunt for a military man."

"They wouldn't ask us to do that." Rin laughed. "The police are on the job; they've trained for this."

"But I doubt they've had to do much work..."

"Can't argue with you there!" She pushed her glasses up as she composed herself. "But it's not our place to comment on it. They're there when needed, and that's what's important. Anyway, should we head home for the day? I don't like the idea of sitting around a crime scene. Terrifying."

"The police said the area was secure, so there's no need to," Magnus said.

"What if he comes back for us? He might blame us for keeping him here."

"You just want a day off..."

"It's a valid worry. The security guard was knocked out, so he's hostile."

"But he seemed fine," Elias said, and they all turned to him. "The security guard, I mean. I imagine he could've done worse."

"How about we all calm down and get back to work?"

The door to the room opened and an older man in a detective uniform walked in.

"I thought everything from this end was done?" Magnus approached him.

"We wanted to talk to Elias Takius," he said, looking past Magnus.

"Oh... Elias, go."

"Yes, sir." Elias lowered his head slightly and made his way out of the room.

"I'm Max Webber, head detective—"

"Is there something you need from me? I don't imagine I know more than the others."

"You were identified as an individual with access to this room and recently seen in the vicinity."

"I tend to take my lunch break here with my friend."

"Miss... Kristie Reinhart?" He looked at the information on his watch.

"Unlike our department, all the teachers and students were sent home for the day, so she's not here."

"What were you doing here during your break?"

"We almost always stay over here for the peace and quiet, and for the view." He pointed past the detective at the window. "Why are you even asking about this? I thought there was a power outage last night, and that's how he got out?"

"As far as we know, that is what happened, but we need to make sure there wasn't someone sabotaging the cryo room. I hope you will continue to co-operate with us."

"Of course, but I don't know what I could tell you. Shouldn't AI know everyone that was around until the outage? It has eyes everywhere."

"I know. We all know. It's a safety measure and makes sure people follow the laws."

"Do you know what caused the outage?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't share any of that information with you. It's still under investigation."

"So, what else do you want from me? I apparently still have work to do." Elias sighed, wishing he could go home like Kristie did.

"AI informed us of you two talking about the same person who ended up getting out. Amazing coincidence."

"I don't like the way you said that." Elias pointed at him. "Neither Kristie nor I did anything to make this happen. There wasn't some magical plan to break him out. I wouldn't do something like that—"

"But your friend would?"

"She wouldn't have the know-how to do it."

"But she would want to?"

"What is wrong with you? Do you have an agenda? You want to pin a malfunction on someone, even if you have to make it up. I didn't think AI would stand for something underhanded like that. Guess I'll have to find a way to report it to the higher-ups."

"AI is the higher-ups."

Elias froze. "Excuse me? Sure, AI runs the world these days, but there are still humans at the top to make sure AI doesn't overstep and take over, right?"

The detective went silent.

"Damn... Isn't this what we were supposed to avoid? Are you sure it wasn't AI that let him out, then? They're pulling him out to test how things go."

"AI wouldn't do that without telling us."

"Cause AI doesn't lie?" Elias sighed.

He looked around. "I think you're going to have to come with me."

"What? Why? I didn't do anything. AI," Elias called out to it. "It would be unlawful to take me in, so you should stop it."

The light on the door lit up. "The police have the right to detain anyone they deem dangerous or with potential information for up to 48 hours."

"That's nonsense. There's no proof I did anything, because I didn't do anything."

"I'm not trying to arrest you; I just want to talk to you somewhere else," Max said.

"Next thing you know, I've gone missing. I've heard horror stories like this. I can't believe AI would turn on me like this." He threw his hands into the air and walked away.

"Hey! Where do you think you're going?"

"To the police station. Where else? AI, I want a lawyer."

"I will be your lawyer," AI replied.

"But you're biased against me."

"No, I am not. I am perfectly unbiased."

Elias kept walking, and the door's glowing light turned red as he passed the door.

A smooth, unfeeling voice rang down the halls, "Subject Elias Takius is now under surveillance."

He froze mid-step and looked back. His eyes met with the detective's, an apologetic smile on his weary face.

Elias tightened his jaw and walked faster.