Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 174

Menu

Chapter 174

Long after Damon had walked away, a cold, gnawing unease settled deep in Evan’s chest.

Evan knew one other person at the Aerospace Research Center besides Damon.

They had met once at Damon’s place–Ryan Carter, one of Damon’s colleagues. They had even exchanged contacts on the messaging app.

He pulled out his phone immediately and initiated a call through the app.

When the call connected, Ryan sounded surprised, his voice echoing with professional courtesy. “Mr. Blackwood? Hello. Is there something I can help ou with?”

Ivan forced a friendly tone, trying to bridge the gap.“Ryan, I’m a few years older than you. Just call me Evan.”

Alright, Evan.”

I actually wanted to ask you a technical question.”

Go ahead.”

Is it possible to use a space satellite to monitor someone on Earth twenty–four/seven?”

yan sounded confused.“Who are you trying to monitor?”

No, no,” Evan backpedaled.“I’m just curious. Purely hypothetical.”

Technically speaking, it’s possible, but it’s heavily restricted by law. You’d need high–precision imaging, frequent orbital revisits, and massive data ynchronization. The logistical costs alone are astronomical.”

van pressed further, his voice tight.“Could you do it?”

yan gave a self–deprecating laugh.“Of course not. First off, the technical barriers are insane. Then there’s the cost. But most importantly, I don’t have

hat level of authorization.”

van finally reached the question that was eating him alive.“Could Damon do it?”

yan didn’t hesitate.“Him? Yeah, he probably could.”

van’s voice shook, a wave of disbelief crashing over him.“He holds the same rank as you. How could he have that kind of clearance?”

No, no–he doesn’t have that kind of legal clearance. I mean, using a satellite to monitor a specific person is a felony. Unless there’s a federal warrant or classified government directive, nobody is allowed to do that. When I said Damon could do it, I meant he has the technical genius and the sheer wealth to fund his own R&D, launch a private satellite, and maintain long–term surveillance on someone.”

Private R&D Evan’s unease deepened.“That’s actually a thing?”

The government actually encourages private companies to develop and launch their own satellites. But the tech in the commercial sector is usually sediocre. If you apply Damon’s expertise to it, though, it’s a whole different story. He could easily achieve 24/7 high–precision tracking of a single

erson on the ground.”

Could an illegal operation like that be traced?”

It would be incredibly difficult, Space isn’t divided into territories, and any nation can launch. If a satellite doesn’t have any identifying marks, no one an tell what it’s doing or which country it belongs to not unless you can track down the back–end server controlling it.”

Ivan fell silent for a few seconds. He cleared his throat, his voice tight.“Ryan, when are you free? I’d like to take you out to lunch. There are still a few hings I’d love to pick your brain about.”

I’m free this Saturday”

Saturday at noon, then. At the Haven House Bistro.”

Sounds like a plan.”

After hanging up, Evan gripped his phone so hard his knuckles turned a ghostly white His gaze was cold and heavy as he looked up at the vas pitch–black sky.

The more technology advanced, the smaller humanity seemed to shrink. Somewhere out there, in the vast, invisible reaches of the sky, was there tally an eye staring directly down at him?

The thought was chilling, the kind of realization that made his skin crawl with a deep, existential dread.

14 30

< Chapter 174

Claim 15 Coins By Check in

Menu

Morning light spilled through the window, warm and gentle.

Inside the cozy hospital room, Aubrey Hayes lay in bed. When she woke, her limbs felt as though they’d been injected with setting concrete–heavy, stiff, and impossible to move.

She wasn’t sad, exactly, but she wasn’t happy either. It was more of a hollow void, a sense that everything had lost its meaning. She felt trapped in a block of clear amber, suspended and utterly emotionless. It was as if the tether connecting her to the world had been severed, leaving her unable to pick up any signal at all.

She wasn’t tired anymore, but she had no desire to get up. She just stared blankly at nothing, her mind a complete vacuum. She didn’t even have the strength to sit up.

Tracy Blackwood was awake as well. She tidied up the guest cot and walked over, her voice soft and gentle.“Aubrey? Do you want me to help you to the bathroom to get cleaned up?”

Aubrey looked at her and slowly shook her head.“No.”

Tracy reached out and touched her forehead, checking for a fever. Finding her temperature normal, she gently brushed a stray lock of hair away from Aubrey’s cheek.“Are you hungry then? Do you want some breakfast?”

Aubrey shook her head again.

‘Silas said he’s bringing lunch over later–he’s cooking all your favorites,” Tracy said, a gentle smile playing on her lips, her voice light and airy.“Aubrey, you need to get better soon. Don’t make him worry like this.”

Aubrey felt absolutely nothing. No guilt, no sympathy, no pang of heartache. She was completely, utterly numb.

She stared at Tracy with hollow eyes, her expression so vacant and drained of life it was as if the world had turned to grayscale. Aubrey didn’t even have the energy to speak.

Tracy understood her diagnosis. She could see that Aubrey’s emotions had simply vanished, but regardless of whether Aubrey wanted to move or not, he reached out and firmly gripped her arm, hauling her up.“Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up. It’s a beautiful day out. I’m taking you for a walk; it’ll help clear your head.”

Aubrey wasn’t angry, but she didn’t cooperate either. She was like a puppet on a string, stripped of her spirit and empty, letting herself be pulled upright

until her feet touched the floor.

Tracy knelt down, picking up a pair of soft cloth shoes and sliding them onto Aubrey’s feet.

After putting on her shoes, Tracy steadied Aubrey by the arm and helped her stand, guiding her step by agonizing step toward the bathroom.

Aubrey was dressed in hospital scrubs. Pulling them down should have been a simple task, but she couldn’t even manage that.

Tracy had to undress her, helping her sit on the toilet, and then stood by her side with wet wipes, waiting in the heavy silence.

A moment later, Tracy handed her a wet wipe, her voice dripping with patience.“Aubrey, clean yourself up and just toss it in the bin right there.”

Aubrey took the wipe, her gaze drifting up to Tracy’s face.

Tracy immediately offered a soft, practiced smile. Her eyes shimmered with moisture, projecting a fragile blend of pity and concern.

Aubrey didn’t feel like anything was wrong. So why was Tracy looking at her like she was something to be pitied?

Aubrey cleaned herself up and dropped the wipe into the basket. She pulled her pants back up, her head bowed as she fumbled with the drawstring. trying to tie it with painstaking care.

She struggled for what felt like an eternity, but her fingers wouldn’t cooperate. She couldn’t even manage a simple knot.

Tracy leaned in, her movements fluid as she finished the knot for her. Then, she looped an arm through Aubrey’s and guided her toward the vanity

Aubrey stared at her reflection in the mirror. She looked gaunt and ghost pale, her eyes two hollow volds. She looked like a flower on the verge of rot–wilted, drained, and utterly devoid of life.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify