Chapter 117: Dinner with the Devil

The Midnight Express tore through the darkness of the Swiss Alps at 300 kilometers per hour.

In the exclusive private dining car, crystal glasses jingled softly with the vibration of the tracks. Outside the window, nothing existed but snow and night.

Jackson adjusted his cufflinks. Under his tuxedo, he was wearing a ceramic knife taped to his ribs—the only weapon the metal detectors didn't pick up.

Serenity sat opposite him, looking breathtaking in a black velvet gown. She held a clutch that contained a small vial of Margaret’s anti-serum.

"Nervous?" Jackson asked, pouring her water.

"I’m having dinner with the man who tried to kidnap our children," Serenity’s eyes were cold. "I’m not nervous. I’m restraining myself from stabbing him with a fork."

"Patience," Jackson whispered.

The door at the end of the car slid open.

A man walked in.

He looked nothing like a villain. He was handsome, in his forties, wearing a grey suit that cost more than the train itself. He had silver hair and a smile that didn't reach his grey eyes.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sterling," the man bowed slightly. "Or should I say, Your Highnesses. I am Zero."

He sat down at the table without asking. Waiters appeared instantly, serving wine.

"Cut the pleasantries," Jackson didn't touch his glass. "You invited us. You have ten minutes before I buy this train and derail it."

"Always the aggressor," Zero smiled, sipping his wine. "I represent The Architects. We are not a cult like The Order. We are scientists. Visionaries."

"You are child kidnappers," Serenity spat.

"We are recruiters," Zero corrected. "Your children are special. Alex interacts with machines as if they possess souls. Aurora bends reality. They are the next step in human evolution. We want to offer them... scholarship."

"Scholarship?" Jackson laughed dryly. "You mean a cage."

"We mean guidance," Zero tapped the table. A holographic map appeared between the plates. "The world is dying, Jackson. Resources are depleting. Climate is collapsing. Ordinary humans cannot survive what is coming. But Homo Superior... your children... they can lead us into a new age."

"We offer them a throne above the world," Zero leaned in. "Give them to us for training. In exchange, Montbert will be spared. Your family will rule the new Earth."

Jackson picked up his steak knife. He looked at it thoughtfully.

"You talk about saving the world," Jackson said quietly. "But you forget one thing."

"And what is that?"

"I don't care about the world," Jackson slammed the knife into the heavy wooden table. It stood quivering, inches from Zero's hand.

"I care about my world. My wife. My kids. My dog."

Jackson leaned forward, his face a mask of beautiful, terrifying rage.

"If you touch my children again, I won't just stop your evolution. I will hunt down every single Architect, burn your labs, and delete your history from existence. I will make you extinct."

Zero looked at the vibrating knife. He didn't flinch, but his smile faded.

"A disappointing answer," Zero sighed. "We hoped for logic. But you choose emotion."

"Always," Serenity stood up, radiating queenly energy. "Dinner is over."

"Very well," Zero checked his pocket watch. "But remember, Mr. Sterling. The train is moving fast. And the tracks... can be slippery."

He stood up and walked backwards towards the door.

"Enjoy the ride. It might be your last."

As the door closed, the lights in the train car flickered and died.

SCREECH.

The train’s emergency brakes slammed on.

"Trap!" Jackson grabbed Serenity. "Get down!"

The train tilted violently.

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(Chapter 117 End)