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“In Mariposa.”
What?
“From Declan.”
“Declan wouldnotsell land to the Russian mob. Why?”
“Maybe he didn’t know it was the mob. But you need to ask yourself, why did he buy this island, anyway? Out of all the islands... Four years ago, with the island still recovering after a terrible hurricane, Declan Stone buys the entire island, including a destroyed village on the northwest side. Why?”
“Because it was for sale? He likes to scuba dive? It’s a nesting ground for turtles?”
She rolled her eyes. “Or how about this—and you’ll need to put your STEM hat on.”
“My what?”
“Mariposa is lousy with a mineral called obsidite. It’s a rare crystalline mineral that is sometimes found in ancient volcanic soil. It looks like dark obsidian, with a sort of blue hue, and contains a blend of lithium, scandium, and etherium, which is known for its high conductivity and energy-amplification properties. Obsidite conducts electricity ten times more efficiently than copper, and the atoms naturally amplify any electrical signal passing through, meaning that it dramatically enhances the performance and efficiency of electronic components. It’s also heat resistant and extremely durable.”
“What are you getting at?”
She took a breath. “Obsidite is used in the production of AI chips, the kind that are used in AI soldiers.”
“Like the Terminator?” He grinned.
She didn’t. “Like the Terminator.”
“That’s... No. That’s?—”
“Welcome to the future. The chips can process vast amounts of data in milliseconds. And with the enhanced applications of the program Declan developed, the soldiers can make real-time strategic decisions in combat scenarios.”
He had nothing. More, he’d heard Declan’s presentation about Axiom months ago in Spain, and even then Stein had come up with nefarious ways someone might use AI. It had sent eerie chills through him, his brain imagining the exact scenario Phoenix had just drawn.
“And here’s the rub,” Phoenix continued. “Like I said, obsidite is really rare. Which makes this mine a strategic asset. Declan is fielding offers to sell it—to the Germans, to the Chinese, and even to the Russian mob. That, in my book, makes him a terrorist.”
“That’s a big leap.” But even as he said it, in his memory he stood on a hotel rooftop in Barcelona, watching his boss talk with a German researcher—in German. And that in itself wasn’t proof, because plenty of other international scientists had glad-handed him during the conference.
Meanwhile, Stein had been catching up with Colt.
Oh no. Colt’s words slammed into his memory.“The DOD has used it with some of their cybersoldiers?—”
In fact, Colt had been the first to use the wordTerminator. Aw...
Declan had either lied to him or didn’t know about the dangers...
“That kind of leap keeps the world safe,” Phoenix said.
He stared at her. “No. He’s not that guy.” But to his own ears, he sounded like he was trying to make himself believe it.
“Even Hitler had friends.”
“Really?” He narrowed his eyes at her. Found some footing. “I’ve spent time with this guy. He’s generous and yes, smart, but genuine and... I’m sorry. He’s just not the monster you say.”
She held up her hands. “I hope not. But he won’t get a chance to be without his program.”
Another beat.
She smiled, closemouthed as if in victory.
“You got into the vault.”