"I've got a way to delay his return from Germia. By then, it'll be useless even if he manages to develop the antidote."

"Really?" exclaimed Emily with her eyes lit.

"But we can only delay him for a while at most, so we must execute the plan before he develops the antidote," replied Ryker.

Emily clenched the armrest of her chair, grinding her teeth until her lip was nearly torn.

"What other plans do you have? Brendan won't let me get close, and hypnosis only works when the other party is not on guard," she asked.

"You forgot we have another candidate, haven't we?" Ryker replied confidently with his eyes narrowed.

-

After Deirdre sent Brendan back, she had Sam ignite the i240, but Brendan vehemently opposed it.

"If I use it, I may become a fool. I won't allow myself to become that kind of person and let my child have a father with dementia!" he protested.

Deirdre sat down beside him, lowering her head and holding his hand. "Brendan, I know your pain and struggle. No one wants to