TRANSCRIPTS FROM INTERROGATION OF TAMIKA AFOLABI KINGSTON, SEPTEMBER 1997.

INTERROGATOR WAS NAFISAT KHALID, BUT WILL BE REFERRED TO AS THE BAT.

TB: Hello, Tamika. You know the drill already, I ask the questions, you give the answers.

TA: Nafisat, I know you've been dying for a chance to get a peek into my head. Now I might not know why I am here, in this stupid white room but I do know that I have done nothing to warrant being here. If this is one of Remilekun's tricks, I'll remind both you and him that I have been absolutely loyal to ORION, and I have served for many years. Even going as far as recruiting my boyfriend for this organization.

TB: Yes, yes, we all know about your loyalty.

TA: Being sarcastic again? Remember how I used to tell you that you'd never get a husband that way? Back when we were friends? I guess I was wrong, I heard about the wedding and you've got a gorgeous ring. Congratulations.

TB: I suppose congratulations are in order for you too, odd really, both of us getting married in the span of a week.

TA: Strange that we once dreamed it would be so, now look at us.

TB: I'm not here so we can take a trip down memory lane, Tamika.

TA: Funny, you seem almost eager to get to it, Nafisat.

TB: What is you affiliation with Rising Sun?

TA: I don't know what you're talking about, as you know, I've been out of the country for a while, Seychelles is a lovely place by the way — in case you were thinking of a honeymoon destination.

TB: Don't play stupid, Tamika, it doesn't suit you. You know, you could have at least been a little discreet with your betrayal.

TA: I suppose so.

TB: Now you aren't denying it?

TA: What's the point?

TB: (visibly frustrated) Swahili, your mother is half Kenyan and she named you Tamika. Remember what that means, what your own name means?

TA: Flower of the rising sun.

TB: (begins pacing) Rising Sun, the same organization that has been leaking information about us to the press. You stupid, stupid woman.

TA: Yes, I did leak information about us to the press. Remember what The ORION Project started out as? For someone who claims to be so dedicated to the cause, you have surely forgotten the original statement, the first one, not the one Remilekun Phillips fucking wrote to his will.

TB: That is not your place to say.

TA: our mission statement fucking says that nobody in TOP is allowed to run for government, ORION is supposed to have a balance, to be content with making the rules behind the scenes like it was founded to be, to handle the funds that the government cannot. To protect! To serve! Remember that?

TB: I'm afraid your actions have consequences, Tamika.

TA: No, it won't, because no matter how this organization tries to shrug it off, I am in charge of writing the damn program that Phillips needs and I'm far too deep to get rid of now. So here's what you'll do, I'll get a fucking slap on the wrist, I have no parents you can kill or blackmail and I know better than to expose my business.

TB: Tamika, shut the hell up!

TA: No, you might try to go after Tolu, but there's only how far you can go before he snaps and stops caring if you take another hammer to his father's business, because you and I know that Phillips needs all the support he can get.

TB: Sooner or later, you will have to finish Project Eden, Tamika, and when you do, Remilekun will thank you by putting a bullet in your head. Think of that day, because it will come.

TA: That is where you are wrong, Nafisat, I am not looking to start a fight, I am looking to begin a revolution. And it will come.

***

"Hello, Grace." It wasn't just anyone that came down for her, it could have been any of the men and women milling around in sharp suits but fate hated her and it just had to be Joshua Phillips himself and he looked different somehow, although Grace couldn't put a finger on what was different.

He was smiling, but it was flat and his eyes were hollow. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and that was the only imperfection he allowed — although Grace was sure that if he could erase it with a single wave then he would — he was wearing a smart suit that clung to his form, it was a deep black colour, his trousers were tailored to hug him rightly but not too tight that he looked ridiculous.

And his hair was back to its normal buzzcut. Grace found herself thinking that he looked better with the usual hairdo, she didn't like men who kept too much hair on their head. Unconsciously, she shifted her head to stare at Kendrick's full brown hair that he had packed in a lazy bun and frowned, certain that he had more hair than her.

Joshua didn't look surprised to see Sanmi, and when he glanced at Sanmi, a pleased look flashed through his eyes briefly before fading. He gave Sanmi a single nod in greeting, the same went for Kendrick. He didn't even seem to notice that Delilah was gawking shamelessly at him.

"Joshua." She nodded, suddenly feeling underdressed. She was wearing plain jeans and a flowing floral top she had borrowed from Ewatomi, this had been her plan, to show up like she didn't care one bit about meeting the vice president of the country, lest he thought that she was intimidated by him.

Kendrick seemed to share the same sentiment as they shared a self conscious glance. He smoothened his ripped jeans and gave a shrug that was more false than the smile on his face.

"Kendrick," Joshua said. "Amina and Victoria will be down for you soon, Sanmi, you can leave now."

Sanmi gave a smile that was as rude as the middle finger gesture, worse, it was patronising and Joshua seemed to hate it, raising an eyebrow incredulously.

"Don't worry, I'm sticking around, I was supposed to see Victor for something." Sanmi said, giving Joshua's shoulder a pat that was swiftly shrugged off.

"Of course, I'm sure he has something new he wants you to deliver." Joshua said with a smile of his own. Sanmi lost the battle, grinding down on his teeth, Grace gave him a sharp look and he sighed.

"Come on, Dad doesn't like to be kept waiting, Grace. We will catch up with your boyfriend later." Joshua commented flippantly, he spun on his heels and Grace had no choice but to follow. She threw a final look at a grim looking Sanmi and a distracted Kendrick, don't do anything stupid, she warned.

Grace hurried to match Joshua's quick steps, he led her to the adjoining archway and stopped to nod at a tall girl who mentioned something about "the contract"

"What contract?" Grace asked as he stopped right in front of the several elevators at the end of the room. There was another archway to the left seemingly leading to a flight of stairways.

Joshua punched in a button and as he stepped inside the open elevator door, Grace suddenly realized that she would be sharing the same space with Phillips, the thought made her hesitate for a second before she stepped into the cool cubicle space.

"We have several recruits that need to sign contracts, like the both of you." He answered as the elevator began to go up.

Joshua leaned back on the cold glass, crossing his arms and closing his eyes. Being close enough to touch him made his exhaustion even more obvious, oddly, she felt pity for him.

"So I'll be signing a contract?" She asked.

Joshua gave a nod, his eyes snapped open just as a robotic voice spoke.

"Approaching top floor, insert identification."

Joshua shifted and pulled out a white card and flashed it directly in front of the blinking red screen on the glass. Grace watched with slightly parted lips as the screen flashed green then the voice muttered a thank you.

When Grace looked back at Joshua, there was a smile playing on his lips, he looked almost human.

"Yes, Grace, contracts make sure you don't blab about anything, they also have their perks."

Grace snorted. "Sanmi isn't getting any perks that I know of." She pointed out. It had been bothering her since she found out, that her brother seemed to be something of an errand boy and she had heard the rumours around campus of how he dealt illicit things for them.

Joshua cast her a surprised glance.

"Sanmi isn't an ORION member." He admitted. "He is one foot in and one foot out, this organization has always associated itself with the most influential, the smartest and Sanmi isn't made of stuff like that.",

Grace felt stung on his behalf and without thinking, she jabbed a finger at his chest.

"I can't wait until the day you underestimate somebody and they end up fucking up your life." She snapped.

Joshua smiled. "Trust me, I am still picking up the pieces."

"Go cut yourself on the pieces." She flipped him off just as the elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Grace stepped out into the white lit hallway. There were eleven doors on each side and at the end, there was another elevator.

She stepped onto the plush black rug that contrasted the white walls and Joshua reached out to grab onto her arm. Grace gave him a look but he gave an equally stubborn one.

"The ORION Project never forces anyone in, your brother's decisions were his and his alone, he knew the ups and downs." He said, after a long moment, he let go.

"I guess I'm the exception."

He didn't bother to come up with an excuse.

"I suppose so." Was all he said.

Two elevator rides later, they came to a stop before the wide open doors of a conference room with a ceiling like the one on the first floor; a constellation of stars. Joshua walked in right in, Grace behind him, tiptoeing as if she was walking into the lion's den.

There were two people in the vast space, one of them was a man in a suit seated at the head of the table, head bowed and reading something from a slab of glass in his hands, on a closer look, the object was lit up with several colourful icons Grace could read from the other end.

The other was a tall chubby dark skinned woman standing near the floor to ceiling window on the left. Her hair was packed into a tight chignon and she wore an a purple Ankara gown that flared widely at the hips and had a big black bow on the waist. She was frowning deeply as she stared at the setting sun descending on the buildings below.

Joshua's less than quiet steps made the man raise his head and Grace's chest thud with anxiety. This was the vice president, Joshua's father — Remilekun Phillips. He stood as he saw Joshua and to Grace, looked taller than he usually did on television.

He didn't look much like Joshua except for the deep set eyes and slanted smile that grew wider when he caught sight of Grace.

Whatever she had expected of him, this wasn't it. He was beaming as if she was a long lost relative, the worst part was that it looked real.

"Dad, this is Grace Ilori." Joshua stepped to the side so that she was visible to them. The woman in the corner turned her face and her lips parted slightly, Grace couldn't focus on anything, but the big bright smile in her face, she didn't even notice that the woman looked the slightest bit familiar.

"Grace," His voice was level, he wasn't loud or too low to hear, his voice filled the conference room and when he left his seat to approach her, Grace took a frightful step back.

"Hi." Grace choked out then spluttered her next words. "I mean, good afternoon, sir."

Remilekun Phillips gave a laugh, up close, he was even more like a hallucination, age had done him well and the only lines on his face were laugh lines. His head was streaked with several lines of white, the only giveaway of his age.

"Hi will do, isn't that what children like you say these days?" He said wryly. Joshua had slinked away quick to the tablet his father had left lying on the table and was now frowning at it.

Grace wondered if the adrenaline coursing through her was excitement or fear, she couldn't tell. She had never particularly looked up to politicians, everyone always talked about how corrupt they were but she had never cared, never bothered herself with whatever money they were said to embezzle. She didn't worry about things like that, and now she was standing before one of the most powerful men in the country, it was even more frightening that he was the mastermind behind ORION.

"Dayo, look what Joshua's brought to us." Remilekun turned his head to smile at the woman. She looked at Grace for a moment that was too long to be considered comfortable.

"This is Dayo Kingston, I'm not sure you've heard of her, you kids these days aren't interested in politics." He said with his permanent smile that made Grace wince with irritation, he seemed to be among the class of older people who liked talking about how the kids of today were beneath any intelligence. Linda Ilori belonged to that class, Grace thought that they'd probably get along swell — only if Linda was filthy rich.

Dayo gave a grim smile.

"You're Firepemi's mom!" She exclaimed suddenly then shrunk back when Remilekun Phillips gave another patronizing smile. "The senator too."

"Nice to meet you, dear." Although her tone was nothing but flat.

Grace shuffled on her feet, keeping her smile in place as Joshua's father gave her a single appraisal then nodded in his son's direction.

Remilekun Phillips turned back to his seat and settled down.

"I hear you have some questions concerning The ORION Project, I am all ears."

Grace didn't want to answer any question, she wanted to run far away. It didn't escape her that she was still left standing, while he sat back and stared. Remilekun Phillips wanted her to know who was in charge even if she was the one asking the question.

She inhaled sharply, hating the scent of spicy cologne that tickled her nose when she did so. She steeled her spine and walked to the nearest chair.

She sat, crossed her legs and leaned forward. Remilekun Phillips kept staring, he didn't frown or give any indication that she offended him, in fact, his smile inched wider.

"You do have your mother's spirit." He said simply, then waited.

Cut to the chase, his eyes said.

Linda Ilori is a broken woman, she wanted to say but she didn't.

"With all due respect, I want you to know sir, that I want no part in The ORION Project, in fact, I want out."

Joshua gave a little huff but he said nothing. She didn't want to hear what he had to say anyway.

Remilekun Phillips leaned forward, deadly still.

"Five million dollars, Grace Ilori, I want to buy your time and silence for five million dollars, just your time and I swear to you, you will be free when that time expires."

Grace frowned but he wasn't joking, he was dead serious and it made her all the more wary. Why wasn't he threatening her to stay? He definitely had the power to get her silence without paying a dime.

"You're definitely wondering why I'm not forcing you to stay, you see, I know Joshua has tried that and we both know it isn't working."

"But I think you're a reasonable girl, you have a decent bargain and I have a job for you." He continued, he flexed his wrist and the stars caught the blink of his silver cufflink.

"You can get anyone else for that." She pointed out.

"Listen to me, Grace, I have had over a hundred experts try to crack this and what I need is a fresh eye, someone who has had no ties to our work, someone smart as you."

He lost her at smart and Grace laughed tiredly. "Smart? I'm far from it, in case you didn't notice, I had my grades boosted by one of your people."

Remilekun gave her a look that told her she was stupid.

"I don't need school smart." He told her. "Tell me something, Grace, how hard did you have to think to solve the first puzzle you were given?"

"Not hard." Grace admitted, almost smiling when she saw Joshua shoot her a frown. It wasn't her fault he was shitty at riddles.

"Usually, it takes days or weeks for our new recruits to figure them out. I need a quick thinker."

"I'm sure you would have heard Project Eden in passing."

Grace nodded reluctantly, it was the same thing Jamal had told her, the same thing that everything seemed to circle back to.

She watched as he rose again. Joshua was behind him instantly, it struck her how in his father's presence he was nothing more than a shadow, merely an extension of another man. He had no substance. Remilekun had created a perfect clone.

"Then come with me, there is something I must show you."

***

". . . and this is the hall of fame."

Kendrick sighed, he didn't want to hear anything about the hall of fame or shame, he wanted to know why it was almost an hour and Grace was still wherever she was with Joshua and his slimy father. But instead, he was stuck listening to Victoria rant while Amina pretended he didn't exist as she tapped speedily at her phone.

Victoria was a girl in thick rimmed glasses that looked familiar to Kendrick and he supposed she must be among the inner circle of friends he had seen on Firepemi's flashy social media accounts. She was a no nonsense girl who had taken one look at him and decided he needed a tour of the place.

"I really don't care about the hall of fame." He told her as they stepped into a vast room with the walls full of silver plaques, the room was circular and each plaque extended high up to the ceiling. Each one was lit up in white lights and brightly declared the name and achievements of each member of the hall of fame. The names were lit brightly and all blended together in a shine of light that formed several spotlights on the floor.

There was a single square table in the middle of the room and the closer Kendrick came to it, he realized that it was a computer and was displaying a slow slideshow of all the plaques.

Victoria was angrily muttering about how he should care about the history of ORION and Amina was still typing away on her phone, raising her head every few seconds and glancing his way as if she expected him to be gone each time she did.

"Don't touch the screen." Victoria cried from where she stood as Kendrick drew closer to the computer.

He rolled his eyes and was in the motion of telling her that she needed to worry about the plaques falling off the wall when he caught the next picture on the slide.

Tamika Afolabi Kingston, creator of Project Eden.

Kendrick halted in his steps, his converse making a squeaking sound on the pristine tiled floor but he didn't care that he had almost slipped.

He could only stare at the slideshow until it flipped away to another name that he couldn't pronounce and didn't care.

The previous name played a loop in his head. Tamika Afolabi Kingston, TAK.

He knew that name, he could swear it on his life.

***

This chapter wasn't a total disaster but it was tasking, the next update won't be coming until maybe a week and some days. I'm sorry, the last thing I want is The ORION Project feeling like a task or a chore, I already have blood moon for that, lol.

So, what has our dear boy Kendrick found out now? And what is Grace dipping her hands into? I hope you enjoyed this chapter, leave a vote and a comment if you did. Rn, I need to eat and crash, see ya next week ;-)