Page 39

KIAN

T he keep's conference room had hosted many crucial meetings over the years, but Kian couldn't recall one where the stakes were as high and urgent as this. So many thousands of lives hung in the balance, most of them children who just wanted to see their favorite pop star perform.

It was strange to think that the tiny spy drone Aru was going to pull out of a metal case might be the thing that would prevent the disaster from happening.

"Originally, we brought a hundred units with us," Aru said. "But we're down to sixty-five. I hope we can figure out a way to retrieve this one when it's done its job or when it needs recharging."

Not for the first time, Kian wished they could take apart those marvelous devices and make more of them, but Anumatians were clever and protected their tech from getting copied by making everything solid state. Any attempt at tampering resulted in the destruction of the device.

Dagor flipped open his laptop. "I will fly the drone. Someone inexperienced will not be able to hide its presence as well, and we really can't afford to lose this guy, and not just because it's irreplaceable. If they succeed, we will no longer have eyes and ears in their den of malice."

"I remember the basics from your last demonstration," Kian said, "but that was a while ago. Perhaps you could refresh our memories?"

Aru lifted what looked like a miniscule metallic insect from the case and held it delicately balanced on his forefinger. The drone was the size of a mosquito and nearly invisible with its translucent, tiny wings and even tinier body that was made from materials not found on Earth.

"The exterior is adaptive," Dagor said, taking over the technical explanation.

"It can adjust its surface properties to match ambient lighting conditions, making it effectively invisible to the naked eye.

It's nearly silent, beyond the range of human hearing, and barely registers on ours.

The best part of operating it remotely is my ability to park it somewhere safe while the host is not moving.

It can be a wall or a shelf, which makes discovery even less likely.

When the host is in motion, I can attach it to the back of their shirt or somewhere else on their person that is not visible to them or anyone interacting with them.

Andrew, who had been silent until now, cleared his throat. "What about detection with equipment?"

Dagor shook his head. "These drones emit no electromagnetic signature that Earth technology can detect. It operates on different principles and is made from materials that will not show on any of your scanners."

"It can be detected with the help of MRI if the tech is paying close attention," Andrew said.

Dagor smirked. "That's why it won't go into the scanner with the host but gets parked on a nearby surface."

"How does it transmit data then?" Andrew asked.

"Quantum entanglement," Dagor said. "Distance is irrelevant. The connection is instantaneous and cannot be intercepted or detected. The only limitation is energy. It can last a long time, but if it flies a lot, it will need to be recharged."

Kian chuckled. "With all its other wonders, I would think that it could also self-charge."

"The size is the problem," Dagor said. "Something had to give. If it were even a little larger, it could have been self-charging. But then it wouldn't have been as effective at spying."

"It's remarkable technology," Toven said. "I wish I could visit Anumati one day and experience all of its wonders."

Aru was thoughtful for a moment. "You are a full-blooded god, so there might be a way to smuggle you onto one of our ships, but I wouldn't risk it. The Eternal King has spies everywhere, and some can read minds. No one is safe on Anumati."

Toven smiled indulgently. "It was just a bit of wishful thinking. My place is here, on Earth, with my immortal mate."

Aru nodded. "So is mine. At some point, we will have to fake our deaths convincingly enough so no one will come looking for us. But even if we manage a successful fake, we can't allow another team to replace us."

There was a long moment of silence as everyone present was reminded of the real danger looming over the clan and all of humanity.

The Eternal King, the absolute ruler of Anumati and the entire galaxy it controlled, could destroy Earth with one command, and he would do that without giving it a second thought once he realized how close humans were to interplanetary space travel.

"Let me show you the control interface," Dagor said, pulling up an application on his laptop.

That part Kian remembered well. It was surprisingly simple, like a computer game, but Dagor was right about the importance of having experience with it and knowing when to move it and where to.

"How does it attach to the host or the wall?" Andrew asked.

"That's the elegant part. Watch." Dagor set the drone on the conference table and moved his finger on the trackpad. The tiny device suddenly sprouted microscopic legs, scurried across the surface with unsettling speed, and then attached itself to Aru's sleeve.

"It made a little bit of noise," Onegus said.

"That's why it's important to know when to move it and when not to," Dagor said.

Kian turned to Toven. "This compulsion will be a little complicated.

We need Rashid to visit a public location regularly so that Dagor can retrieve the drone and recharge it periodically.

Implant in his mind a love for a particular coffee shop that he will feel compelled to visit at least every other day, have coffee, and sit there for at least fifteen minutes. "

"That shouldn't be too complicated." Toven leaned back. "You just need to show me the coffee shop and what they serve. It also should be close to where he lives."

"I'm on it." Onegus flipped his laptop open. "I'll provide you with this information in a moment."

"Did you think about a story to put into his mind?" Kian asked Onegus.

"Andrew and I discussed this while waiting for Aru and Dagor to arrive," Toven answered instead.

"The ICE story provides perfect cover, as Andrew confirmed that there is no record of this guy entering the country legally.

At least not under his real name. Immigration enforcement raids are common enough in Los Angeles that his cell won't question it. "

Andrew picked up the thread. "We'll implant memories of him escaping ICE agents by sneaking out of their processing center, where they left him to wait with a large group of detainees, unrestrained.

He went to an adjacent building and hid in a dumpster for hours, waiting for nightfall to avoid capture.

The fear, the adrenaline—it'll explain his absence and any disorientation he feels.

As for why he wasn't answering either of his phones, he will remember turning them off to avoid them accidentally giving off a sound that would reveal his hiding place. "

"The beauty of it is that it reinforces their existing paranoia." Toven smiled. "The government finding out about them is a constant stressor, and fear of discovery is deeply ingrained in their psyche."

Kian considered the plan. "If he's been hiding in a dumpster, he should smell like garbage."

"I'll handle that," Max said. "His stuff didn't smell fresh to begin with, but I'll just put his clothing into the trash in the kitchen and give it a few stirs. Maybe I'll open a can of sardines and throw it in there for good measure."

Andrew snorted. "That will make him convincingly rank."

"I'm glad we have that covered." Kian turned to Toven. "The question is how to motivate the guy to get involved with as many of the meetings as possible and maybe even spy on the Doomers."

Toven's expression grew contemplative. "I can implant a subtle suggestion of burning curiosity and being helpful by serving his superiors in every capacity he can, so he will stay close to them.

I might also implant a suggestion to find out what the so-called enhanced soldiers are doing.

It can't be anything too dramatic that will conflict with his established personality and his position, though.

His associates know him. If he suddenly becomes overly eager, they'll suspect something. "

"Subtle is good," Onegus said. "We don't need him to be a spy, just to be present where our drone can get us the information we need."

Andrew checked his watch. "We should move soon. Rashid has been missing for nearly five hours now. Much longer and his story becomes harder to sell."

"Agreed," Kian said. "Dagor, where will you monitor the drone from?"

"Anywhere, really. I should probably stay in the keep because it's closer to everywhere Rashid might be going, and I would appreciate the use of your penthouse if it's available. I would like to get Frankie here as well."

"Of course," Kian said. "I'll get Okidu to come over and prepare a few days of meals for you so you won't have to bother while you work."

"No need." Dagor waved a dismissive hand. "Frankie will take care of me."

"Okay." Kian drummed his fingers on the conference table.

"Toven, Max, and Dagor, please prepare the prisoner.

Max, you will deposit Rashid in the dumpster next to ICE's holding center.

" He turned to Andrew. "I need you to stay a little longer to discuss the breach of security and possible other locations of infiltration. Your department messed up."

Andrew nodded. "Big time. I need to look into how these Revolutionary Guards and their Doomer handlers flew under the radar. Once I figure that out, I will have a pattern to look for."

Kian nodded. "That's good. Are there any concerns we haven't addressed?"

Toven shook his head. "We should go and take care of Rashid."

Max rose to his feet. "Follow me, gentlemen."