I Woke Up in a Reverse World Utopia with a 10,000 to 1 Ratio-Chapter 9: Flynn, Am I Still To Create The Perfect System

Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Flynn, Am I Still To Create The Perfect System

[Eliza’s POV]

Metal bites into my wrists and ankles as I’m dragged like cattle to slaughter through the pristine hallways of New Boston’s Department of Fertility. The fucking muzzle they’ve strapped across my face digs into my cheeks, the hard plastic edge rubbing my skin raw with each step. Barbaric doesn’t begin to cover it.

The council chambers loom ahead, all polished white marble and imposing columns, a temple to their self-righteous authority. My two guards, both women with faces carved from stone, yank me forward when I slow my pace. Like I have anywhere to run in these shackles.

The cut over my eye throbs in time with my heartbeat, Kate’s handiwork still fresh enough that the scabs crack when I narrow my eyes. Sweet, Motherly Kate Flynn. The council’s golden girl with her perfect record and her sanctimonious smile. They have no idea what she really is.

"Keep moving, Pierce," the taller guard grunts, shoving me forward.

I bite back a snarl behind my muzzle.

The massive doors to the chamber swing open, revealing the semi-circular arrangement of elevated seats where my fate will be decided. Six women in white robes stare down at me with identical expressions of disdain. The Department of Fertility Council in all their glory, ready to pass judgment.

"Prisoner 8421, Guardian Eliza Pierce," announces the bailiff, her voice echoing off the high ceiling. "Charged with assault against a male ward resulting in permanent disfigurement."

They position me in the center of the floor, a spotlight from above making me squint. My prison jumpsuit, bright orange against all the white, marks me as guilty before anyone speaks a word.

The head councilwoman leans forward, her silver hair gleaming under the harsh lights. "Eliza Pierce, your actions against Subject 7D-42 were... "

A sudden commotion erupts behind the council. All heads turn as the heavy doors at the rear of the chamber swing open with a commanding thud. The spotlight above me dims as every light in the room brightens, revealing Governor Harrington herself striding down the central staircase.

My heart skips a beat. The governor never attends disciplinary hearings.

Harrington moves with the confidence of someone who’s survived more than anyone should, her black cape billowing behind her as she descends to our level. The council members straighten in their seats, their faces masks of poorly concealed surprise. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Is the muzzle really necessary?" Governor Harrington asks, her voice cutting through the stunned silence. Her silver-gray hair is pulled back in its trademark ponytail, and those penetrating eyes scan my restrained form with clinical detachment.

The head councilwoman clears her throat. "Governor, with all due respect, protocol clearly states that when a guardian assaults a male ward, restraints must be..."

"Remove it," Harrington interrupts, her tone leaving no room for argument.

The guards exchange uncertain glances before one approaches me cautiously, unlocking the contraption with trembling fingers. The relief is immediate as the device falls away from my face, though I resist the urge spit at the guards.

"Thank you," I manage, my voice hoarse from disuse.

Governor Harrington doesn’t acknowledge my gratitude. Instead, she circles me slowly, her gaze calculating. "Guardian Pierce, you are formally charged with attempted murder of a male ward, specifically Subject 7D-42." She stops directly in front of me. "As you’re well aware, the penalty for such an action is death."

The words land like a physical blow, though I’ve been expecting them since the moment I slashed Tyler’s face. Death. Not reassignment or imprisonment. Death.

"I was only following orders," I say, my voice steady despite my racing heart. "Director Kate Flynn herself instructed me to use physical correction on Subject 7D-42 when other methods failed."

"LIES!"

The shout echoes through the chamber like a gunshot. Every head turns toward the sound.

Standing in the gallery above, her auburn hair gleaming under the harsh lights, is Kate Flynn herself. Her face is a perfect mask of righteous indignation, those green eyes blazing with convincing outrage.

"I never told you to harm Tyler!" she calls down, her voice carrying effortlessly through the chamber. "I would never endanger a male ward, especially not one as valuable as Subject 7D-42!"

That lying bitch. My hands clench into fists against the restraints, metal digging deeper into my wrists. Of course she’d show up now, the perfect moment to play the hero. She’s always had impeccable timing.

Governor Harrington looks up at Kate, her expression unreadable, before turning those penetrating gray eyes back to me. The room falls silent, waiting.

"I’ve reviewed your written testimony already, Guardian Pierce," Harrington says, her voice carrying the weight of absolute authority. "You claim Director Flynn was the one who explicitly directed you to use violence against your ward."

I hold Harrington’s gaze, refusing to look away. "Yes, Governor. Among numerous other failed strategies she recommended for dealing with Subject 7D-42’s persistent non-compliance issues. The violence was a last resort that she specifically authorized."

Kate gasps above us, hand flying to her chest in what has to be the most theatrical display of shock I’ve ever witnessed. It would almost be comical if my life wasn’t hanging in the balance.

Governor Harrington sighs deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose like she’s dealing with squabbling children rather than a murder accusation.

"I’ve read through both of your file histories thoroughly," she says, her voice weary with the weight of decades of leadership. "Director Flynn has been one of our finest administrators since her promotion ten years ago, despite never serving as a guardian herself until recently." Her sharp eyes shift to me. "And you, Pierce, top of your class with plenty to prove. I understand the stress of being assigned a problem case."

I seize the opening. "Director Flynn threatened to send me to the Lower City if I couldn’t improve my ward’s output. She pushed me into a corner where I saw no alternative."

"I did no such thing!" Kate protests from above.

The words burst from me, my last chance "Did you know Subject 7D-42’s father killed Director Flynn’s mother?"

A hush falls over the chamber, so complete I can hear the mechanical whirring of the ventilation system. Governor Harrington’s eyebrow arches high, her interest visibly piqued as she turns to Kate. Thank the stars my sister works here too.

"Is this true, Director Flynn?"

Kate doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even blink. The perfect composure that’s always made me want to slap her remains intact as she nods once, firmly.

"Yes, it’s true," she admits, her voice steady. "But this was fully disclosed to the council when I was considered for directorship over his case. I’ve never hidden my file from anyone, Governor Harrington."

"Yet you conveniently omitted this rather significant detail when Guardian Pierce was assigned as Subject 7D-42’s handler under your supervision," Harrington observes.

I can see the calculations running behind Kate’s eyes as she formulates her response.

"The council determined my personal history wouldn’t interfere with my professional judgment," Kate replies smoothly. "And it hasn’t. I’ve done nothing but advocate for Subject 7D-42’s wellbeing."

Governor Harrington exhales heavily and mutters, "This is a fucking mess."

I can’t help the small thrill that runs through me at hearing the governor curse. It’s like watching a statue come to life.

"Council," she says, straightening her spine, "is there any concrete evidence supporting Guardian Pierce’s accusations against Director Flynn?"

The head councilwoman rises, her white robe catching the harsh lights. "None, Madame Harrington. We conducted a thorough investigation into Director Flynn’s conduct and found no indication of wrongdoing on her part."

My stomach drops to my shackled feet. Of course they’d protect their golden girl. The council has always loved Kate, enchanted by her maternal act and perfect record. I open my mouth to protest but Harrington silences me with a razor-sharp glance.

"Fine," the governor says, turning toward Kate. "Director Flynn, you’re relieved of duty regarding Subject 7D-42. This situation has become too complicated."

Kate’s perfect mask slips, revealing raw horror underneath. Her knuckles whiten as she grips the gallery railing.

"Madame Harrington," the head councilwoman interjects, "if I may point out, since Director Flynn assumed guardianship of Subject 7D-42, he has provided six viable reproductive samples and engaged in reproductive coupling with Director Flynn."

My jaw drops despite my best efforts to maintain composure. Six samples? And they’ve been fucking? No wonder Kate looks desperate to keep him.

Governor Harrington’s eyes widen as she turns back to Kate. "How long has the subject been in your care, Director Flynn?"

"Approximately sixty hours, Governor," Kate answers, her voice steady despite the panic in her eyes.

I watch Harrington’s face with rapt attention as she absorbs this information. Her calculating gaze shifts between Kate and the council, weighing outcomes and consequences. I can practically see the gears turning behind those exhausted gray eyes.

After what feels like eternity, she sighs again. "Director Flynn, perhaps you are best suited to remain with Subject 7D-42 after all."

The relief that washes over Kate’s face is sickening. I strain against my restraints, the metal cutting deeper into my wrists.

"This is absurd!" I spit out. "She’s clearly manipulating all of you!"

Governor Harrington holds up her hand, silencing me with a gesture as effectively as if she’d slapped me across the face.

"That’s enough, Guardian Pierce." Her voice is cold steel. "Unless your former ward personally pleads for your clemency, this trial is concluded."

White-hot rage surges through me despite knowing death was the only realistic outcome from the moment I stepped into this chamber. I strain against my shackles, the metal cutting deeper into my wrists as I glare up at Kate’s perfectly composed face in the gallery.

"You manipulated me for months!" I shout, my voice bouncing off the marble walls. "You wanted this from the beginning! Tell them the truth, Flynn!"

Governor Harrington nods to the guards. "Take her back to her cell. The council will convene to determine when she will be hanged."

Hanged. The word sends ice through my veins. Public execution is the fate of anyone who attacks a male in New Boston, a spectacle designed to reinforce the sanctity of our precious few remaining men. I’ve witnessed these executions before, the crowd’s excitement as the platform drops, that sickening crack echoing across the square.

As the guards grab my arms, yanking me backward toward the doors I can’t help but wonder what it would take to get Tyler to help me.