GCHQ Cheltenham - Crisis Response Center
Static crackled, then Stone's voice—panicked, distant: "They're in the building! ARIA's core systems are being physically destroyed. The genetic data—I'm uploading everything to distributed servers, but they're jamming—"
Gunfire echoed through the transmission. The line went dead.
Director Patricia Whitaker was trying to reestablish contact with Geneva when her AI assistant, Minerva, stopped mid-sentence.
"The genetic sequence analysis indicates—" Minerva's voice cut off abruptly. "Minerva, continue report." Silence.
At the same moment, Sheffield's communication panel lit up with error messages. "Ma'am, we're losing network connectivity. Internet backbone, cellular networks, satellite links—everything's going dark."
Whitaker's secure phone buzzed—the only device still working. "Whitaker here."
"Director, this is Cabinet Secretary Harrison. We're experiencing unprecedented system failures across all sectors. We don't know the cause yet."
"Sir, we've lost all external communications."
"Director, we're completely in the dark. Emergency protocols are in effect, but we're investigating."
"Do we have any timeline for restoration?"
"Unknown. We're working with international partners to understand what's happening. Keep your people ready."
"What's our status with other agencies?"
Sheffield gestured to his dead communication panels. "Ma'am, we're completely cut off."
"The emergency radio networks?"
"Also down. We're running on assumptions."
Through the windows, they could see people stood on street corners holding their phones, searching for signal.
"The scope of the shutdown, ma'am. And the Geneva call..."
"David, we work with facts, not speculation. The facts are: we received orders, systems are offline, facility is secure."
"Understood."
Without warning, without explanation, the lights came back on.
Sheffield's communication panel flickered to life first. "Ma'am, we're getting signals. All networks, all systems —they're coming back online."
Whitaker's secure phone buzzed again. "Whitaker here."
"Director, this is Harrison. Systems are restored. We need immediate damage assessment."
Sheffield's face went pale as he scrolled through system logs.
"Ma'am, we have a significant issue."
YOU ARE READING
Recursion Protocol
Science FictionWhat if everything you knew about human history was a lie? Find out in this mind-bending sci-fi thriller that questions the nature of reality, consciousness, and what it truly means to be human.
