‘Shut it,’ Sophia said, ‘or I’ll put you back in slave mode.’
Czarina blinked. ‘I don’t ... still have slave mode, do I?’ She looked at Ieva. ‘Do I have slave mode?’
‘Of course not. You’re deprogrammed.’ Ieva leaned in and lowered her voice. ‘Or are you?’
Czarina jabbed a finger at her. ‘Don’t do that. Or I’ll put you in unconsciousness mode. Even I can do that one.’
Sophia leaned back in her chair. The muscles around her ribs were burning and itching. Her Regen pseudogenes were doing their thing, driving her accelerated cellular repair and regeneration.
‘Maybe DC’s right,’ Ieva said. ‘Maybe we need to slow down and be careful for a little while.’
‘Until we figure out what the hell’s going down,’ Czarina said.
‘That’s the last thing we should be doing,’ Sophia said. Right now, we need help.
Ieva folded her arms. ‘You’re going back out there, aren’t you?’
Sophia pulled up the map on her phone. The operative was on standby now, sitting in northern Poland. Sophia stood and her ribs burned. ‘I need a spare phone.’
‘Why?’ Ieva asked.
‘I’m going out there again,’ Sophia said. ‘This time, I’m doing things differently.’
Czarina and Ieva stood together.
‘Not without us, you’re not,’ Czarina said.
Chapter Fourteen
Vilnius, Lithuania
The Fifth Column had Evgeny now.
DC couldn’t get the thought out of his head. He wasn’t sure how much the Fifth Column knew, or why after all this time they’d grabbed the Russian spy, but the fact Evgeny had played a crucial role in Project GATE was known to very few. Sophia didn’t know. Not even Denton.
He reached the crest of the cobbled alley and looked down at Vilnius. In its twilight hour, the city was dotted with the honeycomb yellow of candle- and bulb-lit windows. The sharp spires of Orthodox and Catholic churches lined the horizon like barbed wire.
He’d stopped by a crumbling wall, inside which stood the remains of a factory. His vehicle was parked on the other side, next to a cemetery; he just had to cut through the remains of the factory to get to it. Moving through the rubble, he glanced behind him; a precaution.
Some small distance away, a man was walking toward him. Moonlight glinted off his shaved head and polished black shoes, but was absorbed by the dark suit and scarf. A chill washed through DC.
Denton wasn’t even trying to hide. He stepped through into the remains of the factory with a smile. ‘You’re not an easy man to follow.’
‘That’s why you recruited me,’ DC said. Denton was too far out of range to read DC’s mind, but not too far to shoot him. DC’s hand remained close to the pistol grip protruding from his waistband.
‘What do you want?’ DC asked.
Denton was the only figure DC could make out, but he was sure the man had backup. There’d be operatives here too, watching him.
‘You ignored my LinkedIn invitation,’ Denton said. ‘And after everything I’ve done for you. Now I hear you’re a double agent for no fewer than two resistance groups.’ He shrugged. ‘Then again, one group is extinct and the other … I’m not even sure existed in the first place.’
‘The Sixth Column exists.’ DC stepped carefully backward, facing Denton the whole time.
Denton frowned. ‘Russia and China cut loose years ago. Doesn’t sound like much of a sixth column to me. It sounds like a handful of rubble. It sounds like this place right here.’
DC said nothing. How much had Denton siphoned from his mind in the last few minutes as he walked the alleys of Vilnius? DC was well trained, but so was Denton. He didn’t want to think about it as Denton took a step closer, so he thought instead of the Sixth Column and its potential.
‘Is that what you’ve been doing all these years?’ Denton asked. ‘Hoping to rebuild an alliance that will never exist? The Sixth Column is dust, but at least you’re alive. You’re welcome, by the way.’
‘You have nothing to do with my survival,’ DC said.
‘Oh, but every moment you stood against the Fifth Column, every moment you looked to destroy it, I was there to carve that path for you,’ Denton said. ‘I made it possible. Whether you choose to believe it or not, we’re fighting on the same side.’
‘You’re the one who’s lucky to be alive. The next time you cross Sophia, you might not be.’
Denton climbed over rubble, closing the distance between them.
‘That’s close enough,’ DC said.
Denton halted, but his smile did not fade. ‘Have you told her?’
‘Told her that you’re here?’
‘No, that you can’t be trusted,’ Denton said. ‘That you will betray her in the end. That you always do.’
DC swallowed his anger.
‘Poor Sophia,’ Denton said. ‘Trying so hard to put it all together, but here you are, hiding pieces from her.’
‘Why are you here, Denton?’
‘Do you mean, why am I here talking, and not killing you?’ Denton asked.
‘Fine.’
‘I’m here because something is coming,’ Denton said. ‘You can feel it, too. I see you do, in your step, in your eyes. It’s coming off you in waves.’
‘Big deal,’ DC said. ‘You can only smell emotions because you stole it from Sophia’s DNA. But you’ll never feel them, not the ones that matter.’
‘And for that I am grateful.’ Denton smiled. ‘That and all the pseudogenes I’m collecting. Speaking of which, I hear the Regeneration pseudogene is on the market.’
‘It doesn’t exist,’ DC said.
‘It’s already in my DNA, I think it does exist.’ Denton took another step closer.
‘Maybe.’ DC’s hand tightened over his pistol grip. ‘But the samples don’t exist. I made sure of that.’
Denton raised his hands in admission. ‘Word on the street says otherwise.’
‘If you’re looking to upgrade your little squad of operatives, including the one with her scope on me through that dark window’—DC pointed to the building across the street—‘the Fifth Column have their HAC thing going. I hear they pack a real punch.’
‘Human Artificial Microchromosome.’ Denton nodded. ‘I’ve ordered the sampler.’
‘Tell me why you’re really here.’
‘The Fifth Column general. He’s planning something.’
‘What generals do,’ DC said.
‘I know the patterns, the behavior. You see it too.’
‘If you’re such a genius, then what is it?’
‘I was hoping you could tell me.’
DC stifled a laugh. ‘You don’t know anything, do you?’
‘I know the general is making his final move. And whatever the outcome, it will end badly.’
‘Define badly.’
‘On a scale of genocide to extinction?’ Denton wiggled his hand. ‘It’s a little flexible.’
DC sighed. ‘Or melodramatic.’
‘The Fifth Column doesn’t like to lose.’
‘Sorry, can’t help you,’ DC said.
‘That certainly is a shame.’ Denton turned sharply on his heel and walked away.
DC kept his hand on his pistol grip. He could’ve stepped clear of the operative’s scope and taken the shot, put a round through Denton’s skull. But Denton would’ve considered that possibility, and he would almost certainly have multiple operatives shooting DC the moment his gun cleared his waistband. If nothing else, Denton never doubted his own strategic value.
And neither did DC.
In the alley outside the destroyed factory, Denton turned and waved back at DC. ‘See you at the Christmas party.’
Chapter Fifteen
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The glass elevator shot Aviary skyward. Damien and Nasira stood beside her, their arms cuffed as tightly as hers. Intron’s security had taken them into custody at the Ecuadorian data center and qu
estioned Nasira. Whatever she’d said, it worked because their captors barely said a word after that, throwing them—sedated and under guard—onto a private jet bound for Brazil. And now here they were, on an elevator traveling to the very top of Intron headquarters. Aviary’s stomach knotted.
‘Centro Zone,’ Jay said. ‘We’re downtown.’
As the elevator rose, it granted them a view of the lush, green mountains that encircled the city. Jay pointed to the beaches and mountainous islands that peppered the bay.
‘That’s the South Zone. Sugar Loaf Mountain.’
‘You grew up here?’ Aviary asked.
‘Nah, in a slum on the other side of Super Jesus.’ He pointed to their right, at a large forested mountain and the Jesus statue that loomed over the city.
Aviary didn’t know exactly what was waiting for them, but when she tried to press a button for a level about halfway it ignored her request. ‘Worth a try.’
‘Welcome is Intron headquarters,’ Nasira said. ‘You wanted their research center, you got it.’
‘Yeah, but can we do things in a way where I don’t get captured all the time?’ Jay asked.
‘You’re lucky they didn’t kill us,’ Nasira said. ‘Thank me later.’
‘What did you say to them?’ Aviary asked.
Nasira positioned herself in front of the elevator doors. ‘I told them there’s a problem with their operatives, and we can help fix it.’ She turned to Aviary, sweat beading on her forehead. ‘We can help, yeah?’
Aviary swallowed. ‘I … I hope so.’
‘What about getting my abilities back?’ Jay asked.
‘We’ll get to that,’ Nasira said. ‘If we last that long.’
The elevator drew to a halt. The doors opened.
Seven employees stood before them, mostly security. Four of them—two on each side—wore vests and carried submachine guns. The centermost trio were dressed sharply in tailored suits. Two of them, a woman and a man, had room under their arms for shoulder holsters. Aviary was getting good at noticing those things. Unlike the others, the employee standing in the very center was unarmed. She clasped her hands behind her back.
‘My name is Lívia.’ She had a smoky, beige complexion and bright, olivine eyes, which focused directly on Aviary. ‘This way.’
Aviary stepped out of the elevator and under a gleaming white arch, beyond which it looked like a jungle had taken over the entire atrium. Curved glass walls leaned in from the sides, with foliage climbing the glass to a high ceiling and carefully pruned trees lining the perimeter.
‘What is this place, a terrarium?’ Nasira asked.
‘Carbon neutral,’ Lívia said, walking ahead of them. ‘And completely self-sufficient.’
They followed Lívia up a staircase to a vine-wrapped mezzanine, drawing curious glances from the Intron employees they passed on the way. Wall-mounted panels showed colorful video presentations of different company projects: gene therapy with an adeno-associated virus breaching a host cell; smart suits that monitored health and increased mobility; or elegant, V-shaped drones coated in solar panels, gliding peacefully through the stratosphere. Under the panels, three words:
Your Destiny Awaits.
Lívia escorted Aviary and her group into a meeting room shaped like a large tea cup. In its center were two white, hexagonal tables that almost connected. Resting on top, a plastic water jug and plastic cups. Ergonomic mesh chairs were tucked around the tables, where Lívia gestured for the party to sit. Aviary took a seat first, followed by Damien. Nasira and Jay took longer, casing the room before finally lowering themselves into chairs. Both the suit and vest people—six security officers in total—took positions against the walls and the room’s bank of windows, beyond which a rainforest cavity collected moisture.
Lívia clasped her hands on the table. ‘You’ve come a long way to get my attention.’
Nasira reclined in her chair, crossing her legs. ‘I think we already had it.’
‘You seem oddly comfortable for someone caught trespassing and stealing.’
‘Speaking of odd,’ Nasira said, ‘when were you planning on reporting our crimes?’
One of Lívia’s eyebrows moved fractionally.
‘You have something of a hard-on for genetics,’ Jay said.
Lívia glanced sideways at him. If the change of subject irritated her, she didn’t show it. ‘We have an interest in many fields. Tomorrow, we launch our fleet of solar-powered drones. Project Destiny.’
Jay nodded. ‘And what will Project Destiny be bombing?’
Lívia barely registered his question. ‘Project Destiny will deliver high-speed internet to those who don’t have it, which is two thirds of the population. Here, in parts of Latin America and in regions of Africa and Asia, we’re partnering with local carriers to change that.’
‘Must come with a hefty price tag,’ Jay said. ‘Like this place, right? Smack bang in Centro Rio … that’s more expensive than New York City.’
‘We’re fortunate that our work has proven successful,’ Lívia said. ‘And we’re always pursuing new areas to explore.’
‘Such as?’ Aviary asked.
‘As your … friend mentioned, we’re most interested in life sciences,’ Lívia said. ‘Now, you can imagine my curiosity after finding you poking around our data center in Ecuador. And you can imagine my suspicion when you claim our life science products are potentially faulty.’
‘About that,’ Aviary said. ‘I mean, I was looking—’
Lívia raised her hand. ‘And then you can guess how surprised we were to find serial numbers on particular genes’—she glanced between Nasira and Damien—‘in both of your DNA.’
‘You took blood samples without our consent,’ Damien said.
‘More importantly, we took it before deciding whether to press charges.’ Lívia leaned over the table to whisper, ‘We know what you are.’
‘Pissed off,’ Jay said. ‘And a bit thirsty.’
Lívia gestured to the jug of water. ‘You’re from Project GATE. Rogue operatives, judging by the lack of tracking devices under your skin.’
‘Guessing that’s why you didn’t press charges,’ Nasira said.
‘We do things a little differently around here.’
‘Yeah, getting that vibe,’ Nasira said. ‘So let’s cut to the cha—’
‘Let’s start with why you’re here,’ Lívia interrupted. ‘You want something from us.’
‘Your research center,’ Nasira said. ‘It’s in this building, right?’
Jay shifted in his chair. ‘You know, the kind of joint where you strap people down and scoop out their pseudogenes.’
‘Not only is that unlikely, it is very much unlike our business practices.’ Lívia studied him. ‘Is there something you’re not sharing?’
Jay stood suddenly. The security officers uncoiled like snakes from their corners. But Jay simply glared at her. ‘Your people already kidnapped me and stole all my abilities. No point denying it, we both know. So yeah, don’t think I have much else to share.’
‘This is something we need to address.’ Lívia’s hand trembled over her phone. She moved her hand under the desk. ‘I cannot express how truly sorry I am for what you endured. You’ve been a victim of an unauthorized black market operation—a despicable violation of human rights that is no way condoned by Intron.’ She picked up her phone and started writing onscreen. ‘I’m requesting our bioengineer join us.’ She lowered her phone and focused on Jay. ‘He can assist in answering your questions, but please know that, as we speak, we are bringing those responsible to justice. And if there’s anything we can—’
Nasira leaned forward. ‘Your justice sounds a little … internal to me.’
‘We’re dealing with corruption on an unprecedented scale, but we’re making excellent progress,’ Lívia said. ‘What happened to your friend here, that exposed everything to us. And that means no one else will have to experience what he went through. As of this moment, we have sh
ut down all unauthorized operations.’
‘Because they were burned to the ground?’ Nasira asked.
‘Our facility in Barranquilla, yes,’ Lívia said. ‘The terrorist group who attacked this facility did so in order to steal highly valuable research.’
‘My genetics?’ Jay asked.
‘No,’ Lívia said. ‘They did not steal anyone’s pseudogene profiles. Please, sit.’
Jay reluctantly sat down. ‘They shot me. I’m lucky to be alive.’
‘It’s a miracle we can all be grateful for,’ Lívia said.
Aviary cleared her throat. ‘So what did they steal?’
‘Sensitive research that unfortunately I cannot share,’ Lívia said. ‘Rest assured, it does not affect you in any way.’
The glass doors to the room parted to reveal three new faces. Two of the new entrants were armed with holstered pistols, a man and a woman in black vests and boots. The third pulled up short before the hexagonal tables. He looked younger than Lívia, his smooth, round face not a day older than nineteen. Unlike Lívia, he was dressed in sneakers and a gray t-shirt.
The bioengineer, Aviary thought.
He walked to Lívia’s table and carefully sat beside her while his bodyguards took positions on either end of the table.
‘Hélio Morgado is our lead bioengineer,’ Lívia said. ‘He specializes in gene resurrection.’
Hélio shrugged. ‘I prefer the term biohacker.’
‘I prefer the term put my shit back where you found it,’ Jay said.
‘Your bodyguards.’ Damien spoke softly. ‘Where did you find them?’
Unlike the security officers, the bodyguards’ arms weren’t folded or crossed.
Lívia blinked. ‘I’m not sure I follow.’
Nasira sat upright and inhaled slowly. ‘Now that you mention it, they look kinda familiar.’
Aviary recognized her “shit was going down” look. The security officers bristled, yet the bodyguards remained calm and still. Aviary concentrated on slowing her breathing, remaining calm.
‘They look like a lot of people,’ Hélio said quickly.
Nasira smiled. ‘Helldiver Squad. One of them was under my command.’ Her gaze fixed on the male bodyguard. ‘Felix, right?’
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