Roen nodded. It seemed not even someone like Marco could avoid the new Quasing-hating landscape. At least Roen’s parents had been completely insulated from his extra-terrestrial activities. He didn’t realize how easy he’d had it compared to the others. Marco was right, though. They had been blessed here in the Pacific Northwest, partially because of the tight ship Jill ran, and partially because the only sort of action that ever happened here was refugees passing through.
“Are you two behaving?” Jill asked, coming up the stairs.
Marco held up his glass of scotch. “I have my remedy right here, love. However, I’d like to get to that scout team post haste. Those Interpol boys are – how do you say it out here – circling the wagons in Ontario. There’s no time to waste.”
“The Keeper considers your operation high priority,” Jill said.
Marco struggled to stand. “Very well then. Here’s what I need. Weapons, ammunition, unmarked cash, a crate of the finest whiskey you can drum up here in the backwaters, six operatives, and a vehicle. Preferably a German convertible but I’ll settle for a Jaguar if I really must suffer.”
“That’s a large operation.” Roen frowned. “What are you guys running? Six is a tough order to fill. We can’t spare those numbers. Do you need incendiaries?”
Marco shook his head. “Small arms fire will do.”
Jill ticked off her fingers. “I can send my doctor, Ines, and two bodies. Roen, what cars can we spare?”
“I got that Oldsmobile in the back, which should – big emphasis on should – get him to Ontario.”
Jill smiled. “There you go, Marco.”
He sniffed. “At least it’s not another old Fiat.”
Roen ticked off the head-count in his head. “I don’t count three. Ines, Hurley, and you? I don’t like this at all.”
“No,” Jill said. “Not me. I need to run Ops. You’re going, Roen.”
“No!” both Roen and Marco shouted at once.
“I… this is unacceptable. Disastrous,” Marco sputtered.
To Roen’s surprise, it seemed Marco actually disliked Roen more than Roen disliked him. This was a rare display of outright outrage. In a way, Roen was glad he got under the arrogant man’s skin. After all, the guy went out of his way to offend Roen every chance he got, while at the same time pretending to do it innocuously.
“Jill, be rational,” Marco raised his voice. “You know what happened the last time we had to be in the same room together, not to mention Egypt.”
Roen scowled and stood up. “You want to bring that up again?”
“Yes. Yes, I do, you stubborn oaf,” Marco said.
The two of them stared at each other across the coffee table. Marco threw back his half-full glass of scotch. Not to be outdone, Roen did the same. He was almost successful at keeping the burning climbing up his throat from showing on his face.
“Shut it, both of you,” Jill snapped. “I don’t like this any better than you, but that’s our orders. I have a lot more to babysit than you two, so figure it out.”
“I’m no longer running missions away from my family. At least not for more than one night.” Roen shook his head stubbornly. “We agreed on this after DC.”
“Keeper’s orders,” sighed Jill. “I don’t like it either, Roen, but we’re low on manpower. It’s been over ten years since she’s made this sort of request. Make an exception, hon. It’s important; lives are at stake.”
“I still don’t like this,” Roen growled.
“That makes three of us,” Marco growled back. “Ahngr thinks this is a shit idea.”
“Well, live with it,” Jill snapped. “Roen, Marco’s the host. He holds command.” She stuck a finger in his face. “You follow orders.” She turned to Marco. “If word gets back to me that you’re mistreating my husband, I will rain holy hell upon you. You two got it?”
“Yes, Jill,” they both answered grudgingly.
“Good. Get to work.” She reached out and gave Roen a kiss on the mouth. “Thanks for being understanding. Now behave, mister. I mean it.”
He grunted as she walked out of the room. Finally, Roen sighed and looked at the Brit. “Guess we’re stuck with each other.”
Marco gnashed his teeth in a very ungentlemanly way. “Just follow my orders, Roen. Remember, you’re under me.”
“Kiss my ass, Marco. What’s the plan?”
Marco sighed. “It’s a twelve-hour drive to the Idaho border. Why don’t you ride with me and I’ll fill you in?”
9 The Russian Campaign
I first came to standing among the Quasing in India when I, along with Chiyva, laid the foundation for Hinduism. After that, sensing opportunity with the unrest in the Median Empire, I moved west and joined a young prince named Cyrus who rebelled against his father.
Together, we overthrew the Medes and ushered in the first Persian Empire. The region was wracked by strife, though, and his empire was short-lived. However, with this experience, the Council hypothesized that humanity’s conflicts were a great catalyst for their innovations.
Zoras
Austin died three days after the cowardly ambush at the Church of the Disposition of the Robe. Any time an Adonis Vessel passed, the loss was widely grieved. Any time it was someone from Enzo’s Assembly, his inner circle, justice demanded vengeance. Any leniency he might have given Vinnick was now off the table. To strike at one of his Hatchery siblings was a personal affront to him. To strike at Enzo himself was treason.
It was one thing for them to play at Council Power Struggle. That was expected and even approved of by the Holy Ones. However, the attempt on his life changed the game. It broke the unspoken rules among the Council. Now, Enzo was going to treat Vinnick as he did all enemies.
This meant war.
The death toll had risen to twenty-six, and Enzo intended for Vinnick to pay for every single one of them. An entire wing of the Botkin Hospital was cordoned off for its fourteen newest patients. His entire security team had swooped in and locked down the building, and now the entire city block was a veritable fortress.
Vinnick’s desperation will not go unnoticed. However, restraint in this case will curry more favor than recklessness.
“I won’t stand for it, Zoras.”
You will not have to. I may need to speak with Flua directly. We cannot tolerate a delay to Quasiform at this important stage of the project.
“Impossible. You already saw what he attempted when I tried to parlay in good faith. Besides, it would lower my standing if I put myself in that position again.”
See to it. I do not care how.
Enzo grimaced. “As you wish, my Guardian.”
Amanda pushed her way through the gaggle of doctors fussing over his wounds and whispered into his ear. “Azumi and Jacob have arrived, Father. The Assembly is complete.”
Enzo waved off the nagging nursemaids. He had suffered worse injuries during training. Still, Amanda, the only non-vessel he allowed within his Assembly, insisted. She had previously been Devin’s aide and continued to serve Enzo faithfully. No one knew the daily operations of his vast holdings as well as she did. He had been meaning to bless her, but her standing was far too low for any Holy One to accept. Still, loyalty, much like treachery, had to be rewarded.
“Get out.” He pushed the doctors aside and hopped out of bed. His shoulder ached and he would need to walk gingerly for a few days, but otherwise, Enzo couldn’t waste his time with rest. Amanda helped him into his shirt. “Clear and assemble in ten minutes.”
She nodded and left the room. He could hear her shout through the hallways to clear the floor. A few minutes later, Enzo and his most trusted lieutenants squeezed into one of the small hospital meeting rooms. Amanda, who was sitting next to him, activated a small machine on the table. The group waited as a low-pitched resonance in the room got higher and higher until it got imperceptible to the human ear. She looked over at him. “The room is soundproofed, Father.”