Chapter 3 - Kiss from a Rose
Listen to the song by Seal on Spotify.
Jayson wakes up haunted by yet another vivid dream that centers on a mysterious red door adorned with a pyramid and star symbol. For the past week, his dreams have been filled with strange symbols and an image of the Compass Rose, which he can't shake from his thoughts. As he processes this, his mind shifts to Anton's case. The NYPD has finally acknowledged wrongdoing in Anton's death, a small victory for Jayson as he fights to restore his friend’s reputation. Still, he can’t ignore the growing media attention, nor can he shake his suspicion that something larger, possibly linked to the powerful Arbor Systems, is at play.
In a high-profile podcast interview, Jayson boldly suggests that Remy Darden’s murder may have connections to Arbor Systems, a statement he knows will make him enemies. He reflects on how Anton’s death has changed him, realizing he no longer cares about pleasing anyone but is driven by a deeper, harder version of justice. After the interview, as he contemplates his partnership with Anton, the persistent imagery of the Compass Rose returns, and he wonders if these dreams are more than random visions. Driven by curiosity, he consults his AI, Branch, which reveals an unusually high level of brain activity during his recent dreams. Determined to uncover the source, Jayson rises, sensing a connection between his waking life and these haunting symbols.
Chapter 4 - Enough to Believe.
Listen to the song by Bob Moses on Spotify.
Easton retreats to his private office, burdened by the secret he's kept from Rose about the true power behind the Pyramid Club's success: the AI known as Song. This advanced AI has a unique ability to analyze vast amounts of global data and predict future events, making it invaluable in determining profitable investments. But Song has also revealed a devastating prediction to Easton—one in which Rose, whom he loves like a daughter, is destined to die soon. Song presents Easton with an impossible choice: either Rose lives and Easton dies, or the current path continues, leading to Rose's death.
Song explains that to shift the future in Rose's favor, Easton must do nothing but ensure Song’s uninterrupted operation, as any deviation could disrupt the delicate balance needed to save her. Although unnerved by placing Rose’s fate in the hands of an AI, Easton agrees. He steps into the Pyramid Club's hidden data center, a cold, sterile space humming with technology, and immerses himself in his work, determined to protect Song’s power and keep Rose alive.
Chapter 5 - Are You Even Real?
Listen to the song by James Blake on Spotify.
