Their plan was a high-stakes gamble built on a foundation of precision and misdirection. They had only one shot.
Alice, her heart a frantic drum against her ribs, approached Professor Draven’s office at 3:00 PM sharp—the time his assistant was reliably on a coffee break. She clutched a dense economics textbook tightly to her chest, her face a masterpiece of confused concern.
“P-Professor Draven?” she called him, peering around his open door. “I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m completely lost on the Keynesian multiplier. Could you possibly spare a moment?”
Professor Draven looked up from his paperwork, his expression shifting from annoyance to keen interest. Alice Solace, A-07, seeking help with her designated “control variable”? It was a data point he could not ignore. He gestured her in with a big, yet fake smile. “Of course, Miss Solace. Let’s see where your confusion lies.”
As Alice launched into a rehearsed series of long questions, deliberately positioning herself to block Professor Draven’s view of the door, Leon moved. He slipped from the shadow of a marble column, his crutches silent on the thick runner. The door to the inner office was ajar. He slid inside quickly.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9gBNqtIIxn
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His room was imposing: dark wood, leather, authority. Leon’s eyes scanned the desk, the shelves. Nothing. Then he saw it—the faint outline in the breast pocket of the blazer draped over the chair.
He could hear Alice’s voice, strained but clear, from the outer office. He had seconds. He moved as quickly as his injured leg allowed, his fingers brushing the wool.
“—so if I am correct, does this mean the initial injection is just the start?” Alice’s voice rose a fraction, continuing asking him questions to buy Leon some more time.
“Precisely, Miss Solace. It creates a ripple effect,” Professor Draven replied, his voice closer than Leon liked.
Leon’s fingers closed around the cool, hard rectangle of the keycard. He began to withdraw his hand.
Thump.
His crutch, leaning precariously, slipped and hit the floor.
“Crap...” Leon cursed inside his mind, he was doomed.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPLLgnUYfP
The conversation in the outer office stopped dead.
“What was that?” Professor Draven’s voice was a blade, he immediately stood up.
“I-I don't know...” Alice pretended to be confused, her heart racing with fear. “Professor Draven, I still have—”35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbt8i8GfWKt
“My apologies, Miss Solace. I have to check my office real quick, please wait for a moment.” Professor Draven was already moving, he was going to enter the room.35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgm9yA6pPPt
No, no, no! Leon froze and screamed inside his mind, the keycard burning in his palm. If he was going to be caught, he would be—
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Suddenly, another voice, dry and raspy, yet very familiar, cut through the tension from the long hallway. “Ah, Professor Draven! Just the man I was looking for!”
It was Mr Henderson.
Leon didn’t hesitate. He quickly shoved the keycard deep into his pocket, righted his crutch, and pressed himself flat against the wall behind a large filing cabinet as Professor Draven’s chair scraped back.
“Henderson,” Professor Draven said, his tone shifting from suspicion to weary irritation. “What is it?“35Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnvakYQv47
“A matter of urgency regarding the… ‘academy business’,” Mr. Henderson replied, the word laden with deeper meaning. “The east wing readings are quite... anomalous. I require your immediate authorisation to access the dampening controls.”
It was a brilliant, chaotic distraction. Professor Draven was immediately hooked, his attention captured by Mr. Henderson’s technical jargon.
From his hiding spot, Leon heard Professor Draven grumble, “Very well. This can’t wait. I am deeply sorry, Miss Solace, but we may have to discuss your questions another time.” Their footsteps retreated down the hall.
Silence. After an around thirty-count, Leon quickly emerged, his whole body trembling. He looked at the empty doorway, then down at the keycard in his hand. Mr. Henderson hadn’t just helped; he had intervened directly, using the school’s own secrets as the perfect bait to remove their obstacle.
He had saved them. And in doing so, had irrevocably proven his allegiance. Leon slipped out and met a pale-faced Alice around the corner. He held up the keycard.
“Mr. Henderson,” was all he needed to say.
Alice’s eyes widened in understanding. They had the key. And they had an ally. It was time to get their genius back.
ns216.73.216.33da2
and then Add to home screen.