Lin Mei led Qian Wei away from the government complex, but Qian Wei stopped before they reached the waiting vehicle.
"There is one matter we need to settle before I go anywhere with you," she said. "You have admitted that your superior authorized the surveillance, but you still haven’t identified the organization you represent."
Lin Mei faced her. "I told you that I work for a government division responsible for unusual threats to national security. I cannot disclose more while we are standing in public."
"That description is too broad. I approached you because I want to cooperate with the country, but I will not enter an unknown vehicle and allow strangers to take me to an undisclosed location without knowing whom I am trusting."
"You were willing to do that a moment ago."
"I was willing to discuss the conditions. That is different from surrendering myself blindly."
Lin Mei remained composed, although a trace of impatience entered her eyes. "Officer Qian, you requested direct contact with my superior. If you want that meeting, the location must remain secure."
"I understand the need for secrecy because I am also a law-enforcement officer. However, secrecy does not require dishonesty." Qian Wei glanced toward the vehicle. "If you cannot even tell me the name of your department, we have nothing further to discuss."
She turned away.
Qian Wei did not intend to leave permanently. She had already decided that reaching the authorities was necessary, but Project Dawn needed to understand that desperation would not make her abandon every precaution.
She had taken three steps when Lin Mei called after her.
"Officer Qian, please wait. I cannot reveal operational details on the street, but I can provide enough proof to confirm that we are acting under government authority."
Qian Wei stopped and looked back.
Lin Mei’s polite smile had disappeared.
She reached inside her jacket.
Qian Wei’s body tensed instinctively, and her attention moved to Lin Mei’s hand. The woman noticed and deliberately slowed her movements before removing a thin black card.
No name or photograph appeared on it.
A silver rising sun stood within a broken circle.
Lin Mei held it out. "My name is Lin Mei, and I represent Project Dawn, a classified government research and security division. This identification will verify itself when you touch it."
Qian Wei accepted the card cautiously.
A faint light passed over her fingers before the surface changed.
[Government authority confirmed.]
[Identity: Lin Mei.]
[Clearance: Restricted.]
[Additional information unavailable.]
Qian Wei returned the card. "What does Project Dawn research?"
"I cannot answer that here. The division’s existence is protected by the highest national-security classification, and what I have already told you exceeds what an ordinary civilian would be permitted to know."
"I am not approaching you as an ordinary civilian."
"That is why I was allowed to identify the organization."
Qian Wei considered the response. Lin Mei had revealed as much as discipline allowed without reaching the secure facility. Pressing her further would accomplish nothing.
"I will go with you, but I want my status understood before we leave. I am cooperating voluntarily, and I am not under arrest."
"You are not a suspect, and no arrest order has been issued against you."
"I also retain the right to leave unless Project Dawn formally detains me under the law. If that changes, someone must explain the legal grounds to me."
Lin Mei nodded. "That condition is reasonable, although the information you receive inside the facility may prevent you from returning immediately to ordinary life."
Qian Wei had expected that. "I understand that classified information comes with restrictions. My final condition is that I speak directly with the person who possesses the highest authority over Project Dawn."
A faint crease appeared between Lin Mei’s eyebrows. "You are asking to bypass several levels of command before we have confirmed what information you possess."
"I am asking because what I know cannot be handled by ordinary personnel. If I explain it repeatedly while waiting for someone important to believe me, we will waste time humanity may not have."
Lin Mei studied her. "Do you understand who leads Project Dawn or what authority that person holds?"
"No, because I did not know the organization existed until a few minutes ago."
For the first time, Lin Mei appeared almost speechless. "Then you are demanding a meeting with the highest authority in an organization you know nothing about."
"Yes."
"Why would anyone approve that request?"
Qian Wei met her gaze. "Because the information I possess concerns the survival of humanity."
Any lingering impatience disappeared from Lin Mei’s face.
She touched the device behind her ear. "I need priority authorization before transporting Officer Qian into the facility. She approached us voluntarily and will only disclose her information to Project Dawn’s highest authority."
A voice responded through her earpiece.
It was too faint for an ordinary person to hear, but Qian Wei’s enhanced senses caught every word.
"Has she explained why she requires direct access?"
Lin Mei continued looking at Qian Wei. "She claims the information concerns humanity’s survival. More importantly, Variable One initiated contact without our intervention."
Qian Wei’s pupils contracted.
Variable One.
The system had called her humanity’s final variable, but she had never shared that designation with anyone. Why would Project Dawn use the same term?
"Priority contact has been approved," the distant voice replied. "Bring her directly to the director."
Lin Mei lowered her hand. "My superior has agreed to meet you. We can leave as soon as you surrender your service weapon for transport."
Qian Wei removed it carefully. "I expect this to be returned if I choose to leave."
Lin Mei placed it inside a sealed security case. "It will remain registered under your name and returned unless the director issues a legal detention order."
They entered the vehicle.
The journey lasted forty-three minutes.
Qian Wei counted every one of them.
For the first twelve minutes, she watched the city and memorized each turn. Then the windows became opaque, and the interior communication system disconnected from public networks.
She could no longer see outside, but she continued tracking changes in direction, acceleration and elevation.
Lin Mei noticed. "Are you trying to map the route?"
"I am remembering how I reached an unknown location. Cooperating with you does not require me to stop thinking like a police officer."
"You will not be able to reconstruct the entire journey. The transport entered a secured route after the windows changed."
"That does not mean I should remember nothing."
A faint smile touched Lin Mei’s lips. "Your records described you as cautious, but I suspect they understated it."
"My records were written before I woke up in a hospital without part of my memory and discovered that strangers were monitoring me."
"That experience would make most people cautious."
The vehicle changed direction, and pressure built inside Qian Wei’s ears.
They were descending.
She remained silent as the transport continued for several minutes. The absence of traffic and outside sounds suggested that they had entered an enclosed passage.
When the vehicle finally stopped, the door opened onto a wide platform.
Qian Wei stepped out and looked around discreetly.
The walls were made from dark reinforced material, while narrow lights extended along the ceiling. There were no windows, signs of weather or ordinary environmental sounds.
She knew the city well enough after studying its maps to realize that no structure like this existed above ground.
"You brought me underground," she said.
Lin Mei did not deny it. "Project Dawn’s location must remain protected. You should stay beside me and avoid touching anything unless someone gives you permission."
"How far underground are we?"
"That is among the details I am not authorized to disclose."
"At least your answers are consistent."
They passed through three security checkpoints.
The first verified Lin Mei’s identity and temporary escort authorization. The second scanned Qian Wei’s clothing and personal belongings, while the third confirmed that she carried no weapon or external transmission device.
At the fourth checkpoint, a machine swept pale light from Qian Wei’s head to her feet.
It beeped twice.
Lin Mei, who had already taken several steps forward, stopped.
The security officer examined the results and frowned. "The scan detected an unusual biological reading. I need to repeat the examination before I can authorize her entry."
Qian Wei’s heart tightened.
Had the machine detected her mutation?
She maintained a calm expression and returned to the marked position.
The officer adjusted the scanner. "Please remain still, Officer Qian. The first result may have been caused by movement, but we need a clean reading before you proceed."
"I understand. You may repeat the scan."
Qian Wei kept her hands relaxed at her sides even as she spoke inwardly.
"System, can this equipment detect the mutation inside my body?"
[Detection probability is increasing.]
"Can you conceal it without harming the machine or alerting them?"
The panel appeared for only an instant.
[Concealment will consume System Energy.]
"How much energy will you need?"
[Five units.]
Qian Wei possessed only nine.
Spending more than half would leave the Analysis Module almost unusable, but allowing Project Dawn to discover her mutation before she explained it could turn a voluntary meeting into immediate containment.
"Do it."
[Concealment initiated.]
The scanner activated again.
Blue light began travelling upward from her feet.
Then it stopped at her chest.
A red warning appeared above the security terminal.