Desh was horrified, but everything she said rang true. Their chances of surviving the alien threat probably would be greater with her and Frey as dictators, wielding their supply of gellcaps.
“And worst case,” continued Kira, “if we are unable to fend off the aliens, then at least we’ll be able to solve the ZPE drive and run away, and live to see immortality another day.”
“Very poetic,” said Frey. “I think this is going to be the beginning of a beautiful relationship.”
“As long as we work together,” cautioned Kira. “If we don’t stab each other in the back for petty power, we’re unstoppable. Someday, thousands of years from now, we can split the universe between us.” She raised her eyebrows. “Although if we do, I want the half with Saturn in it. I’ve always been partial to rings.”
“I’m looking forward to further discussions,” said Frey.
Kira gave the address of the Kentucky facility. Frey manipulated the computer with superhuman speed and an aerial view of the facility appeared in the corner of the monitor the moment she finished. “Your facility won’t work,” said Frey. “For our first meeting I want a neutral location.”
Kira frowned. “Why? I know you trust me.”
“I do. But your building is too big and too out in the open. And if we’ll be negotiating how we work together, I want neutral turf for our first meeting.”
Kira opened her mouth to speak, but before a single word could come out, Frey added icily, “Save your breath. I’ve already discounted all of your counterarguments.”
Kira wore an expression of frustrated resignation. “Where then?” she asked
Frey consulted his now photographic memory. “There’s a safe house about eighty miles south of you. A horse farm the FBI uses to hide key witnesses. It’s isolated. If I don’t call back, assume it’s available and the meeting is on.”
“How is that neutral territory?” complained Kira.
“I’ve never been there either,” said Frey. “I’m in a safe house in Florida now. I’m not asking you to come here. We’ll both have to travel.” He gave her an approximate time for the meeting and told her he would call her with the address once he and Dutton, with Matt Griffin in tow, had arrived and made sure the site was open and ready for business.
“Bring David along as well,” said Kira. “He was getting suspicious of me in the end. I need to interrogate him. I like to learn from my mistakes.”
“Very admirable. But rumor has it that you don’t make mistakes.”
Kira smiled. “I try to keep them to a minimum.”
“Good policy,” said Frey. He raised his eyebrows. “And if Desh tries to be a hero and causes trouble before we get there?” he asked.
“Then kill him,” replied Kira with a shrug.
***
Ten minutes later the fire left Frey’s eyes and he began shoveling food into his mouth at a rapid pace. He turned to Dutton. “We’ll take the team of mercs with us,” he said as bits of food flew from his mouth. “And I’d like you to activate a few more.”
“Worried she might be setting a trap?”
Frey laughed. “Not at all. You know I can’t be deceived when I’m under the influence. You’ve tried. That’s how I know your intentions toward me are, um . . . honorable,” he added wryly. “Kira Miller is on our side. I guarantee it. She won’t try anything.”
“Then why the mercs?”
A malicious smile crept slowly over Frey’s face. “I never said that I won’t try anything,” he replied in amusement.
61
The state of Kentucky was known for its extensive cave systems, navigable waterways, and bourbon, but it was nicknamed The Bluegrass State for a reason: this lush grass thrived in Kentucky’s fertile soil and was ideal for supporting the breeding of Thoroughbred horses. The Noble Equine farm was similar to hundreds of other horse farms throughout the region, although it was far smaller than most. It was isolated and absolutely picturesque, with gleaming white fences, gently rolling hills, and a beautifully appointed farm house, with pointed spires reaching through the roof between six evenly spaced dormer windows.
The only real difference between the Noble Equine horse farm and others of its type was its total lack of horses, which tended to make its name a misnomer. It was on private property, off the beaten path, so no one was likely to ever discover its secret. If anyone did happen to get lost and drive by, they would assume the horses were in the barns rather than out to pasture.
Kira arrived alone, in a spacious van that was an almost identical twin to the one they had used in Denver. She parked in front of the stunning farmhouse and cautiously approached the door, which opened from the inside as she neared it. Eric Frey stepped across the threshold and offered his hand warmly. “Welcome, Kira,” he said as she took it. He gestured inside. “Let’s go make history.”
As Kira stepped inside two commandoes raised automatic weapons and trained them on her chest. As she turned back to protest, Frey gave her a gentle shove and closed the door behind them.
She found herself in the living room of the farmhouse, which had hardwood flooring and little else save a small coffee table off to the side near a couch, and several large monitors hanging on the walls. Kira’s eyes swept the room nervously. Sitting against one wall, their hands behind their backs, were David Desh and Matt Griffin. Andrew Dutton was off to one side, and six additional commandoes were spread evenly throughout the room.
“What’s all this about?” demanded Kira, her voice strained.
“What do you think?” said Frey.
Kira shook her head. “You know you can trust me,” she said in confusion. “You were enhanced when I agreed to partner with you—in good faith,” she added pointedly.
Frey smiled. “Yes, I do know I can trust you. But do you know if you can trust me?”
Kira shook her head in horror. “But why? The world is plenty big enough for the both of us.”
“Let’s just say I don’t work well with others,” he replied dryly. “Never have.”
Frey issued orders to two of the soldiers. One pulled Kira’s hands behind her back and bound them tightly with plastic handcuffs while the other began to frisk her roughly. Dutton made sure she knew there were no pins or paperclips to be found anywhere within the premises, so she wouldn’t be pulling a repeat of her escape from Colonel Jacobson.
“The good news for you,” said Frey in amusement, “is that I’ll let you keep your panties on. I’m not interested in adult women. And I’ve set up a field that will dampen the electronics you’re carrying.”
The man frisking her removed a cell phone and key ring—which housed her spare gellcap for emergencies, and handed them to Frey, who immediately passed them to Dutton to store in his pockets. The merc then removed a Sig Sauer 9mm and a military grade tranquilizer gun. Frey pocketed the handgun, but held the tranquilizer gun in front of his face and examined it with great interest. “I see you come to negotiations well prepared,” he commented. “A little too well prepared for my tastes.”
“Fuck you,” spat Kira.
“Again,” said Frey smugly, “I’m not interested in adult women. But thanks for the offer.” He paused in thought. “I know you were honestly prepared to work as partners, so why the weaponry?”