The Assembly Protocol

The antique architect's desk concealed a hidden compartment-a false bottom-one even Margaret had not found. Inside was the final blueprint of James Bennett: 

Project Assembly

A worldwide network of lighthouses each able to synthesize neural stabilizers from local materials when activated in sequence. Activation involves:

Voice print of a Bennett heir (Ryan)

Sample of Calloway blood (From baby's umbilical stump)

Carter witness (Lena)

Sophie traced the coordinate points. "He built a worldwide reset button. But why hide it?" 

That thought first grasped by Ryan's disintegrating mind. "Because it's also a weapon." He gestured at the small print: Frequency harmonic may cause permanent dissociation in Phase Two recipients. 

Lena's stomach sank. Activating the lighthouses might save the uninfected-but would lobotomize every Calloway collaborator, including the brainwashed children.

The baby's cry interrupted the silence. Outside, the horn of the Acheron bellowed-the tide was high.