Kellan used the $10 million from Lyra to swiftly acquire Aethel Corp. He focused his Level 2 Insight on the schematics of Finch's stolen energy matrix.
[Target: Alistair Finch's Stolen Patent Schematics. Assessment: Sub-Optimal Duplication of Prime Energy Source (Finch's "Omega Filter"). Inherent Flaw: Thermal Decay Rate is 1000x acceptable limit.]
Kellan began a surgical data-mining operation. The system flagged a hidden file, encrypted by Finch himself: "PROJECT: CHRONOS-FAIL."
Within the file were Finch's frantic, early notes: "The energy surge—the 'Apex Core'—it was a perfect, self-correcting algorithm that chose Kellan! My Omega Filter is a failed, unstable leech, a sub-optimal echo of the power he possesses! I need to extract him or the whole project is worthless!"
The realization hit Kellan: Finch hadn't just stolen his research; he had realized Kellan was the core technology.
[System Warning: User's Core Identity Exposed. Target: Marcus Vance (Finch's partner) is moving to eliminate external threats.]
Suddenly, the lights in the secure office flickered. The heavy, reinforced door began to rattle violently.
[System Insight: Imminent Threat! External Breach by Non-Standard Operatives. High probability of biological enhancement.]
Kellan jumped up. He was about to face the first wave of Finch's monstrous experiments.