Chapter Three: The Deal in the Shadows
Mr. X stood in his dimly lit office, the cold glow of the surveillance monitors casting long shadows across the walls. He watched as the prisoners fought for survival in the arena below, their desperation fueling the spectacle. Some fell quickly, others fought with the ferocity of caged animals. Good, he thought. The weak ones will be weeded out soon enough.
A sharp buzz from his desk broke his concentration. He pressed a button, and a secure, encrypted line connected.
"You have news for me?" a distorted voice crackled through the speaker.
Mr. X straightened, his posture rigid. "Yes. The experiment is progressing, but we require additional funding. The current resources are… insufficient."
A pause. Then, the voice responded, "You were given a budget, X. Why the sudden shortfall?"
Mr. X exhaled slowly, choosing his words carefully. "The subjects are evolving beyond expectations. Enhancements require more advanced containment measures. We need to push further, refine the process. But without the necessary funds, our progress will stagnate."
Another pause. Then, the voice spoke again, low and calculating. "What do you propose?"
"We invite the right people," Mr. X said, stepping toward the tinted window overlooking the facility. "Investors. Governments. Private entities who have a stake in the future of warfare. If they see the potential of our work firsthand, they will pay whatever it takes to ensure it succeeds."
A low chuckle came through the line. "Ah. You want to turn this into a spectacle. A blood sport for the elite."
Mr. X allowed himself a small smirk. "Precisely. They won't just be watching—they'll be bidding. Imagine their excitement when they see what our creations can do. They will want to own them."
Silence stretched between them before the voice finally replied, "Make the arrangements. I will ensure the right people attend."
Mr. X nodded. "Understood."
The call ended. He turned back to the monitors, watching as Ethan and his team fought with everything they had.
Soon, he thought. Very soon, the world will see the true value of our work.