Shards of Hope (Page 158)

“That’s the issue.” Aden already had a team following every tendril of data they’d recovered from the shooter and the captured CEO, but so far, nothing. “Our captives confirm that the Consortium leadership learned from watching the disintegration of the Council and of Pure Psy—even the members don’t know one another’s identities.”

He met the eyes of each attendee in turn. “Signs point to the Consortium having gone under until the heat dies down. I don’t intend to allow the pressure to ease. The squad will continue to be vigilant and we’ll alert each of you at any sign that they’ve reemerged.”

“You want us all to keep watch, too,” Lizbeth Schäfer guessed, fine lines spreading out from her dark gray eyes as she frowned in concentration.

Aden nodded. “The Consortium works by creating divisions along existing fault lines. By working together, we deprive them of their major weapon.”

“I’ll make sure to pass on the message through the terrestrial and aerial packs,” Lucas said, folding his arms. “Miane, I assume you’ve already warned your people?”

“Yes. The news should reach even our most remote packmates within the next month.” Miane’s hair blew back in the wind where she stood, her comm panel apparently placed on an outdoor wall, since Aden could see waves behind her and her image moved in time with the motion of the sea. “The Consortium’s tactics are dishonorable and cowardly and BlackSea has no argument with working with everyone to cut off their heads.”

“The Alliance will also alert its network,” Bo said, his flint-hard gaze turning to connect with Miane’s. “We’ve lost a small number of people recently—they were hired away on plum contracts before disappearing from sight.”

Miane’s expression grew even more grim. “We should pool our data.”

“Let’s talk after this.”

Lizbeth Schäfer had a troubled look on her face. “We’ve been working with a human settlement in Kenya that lost ten of its older teenagers six months ago,” she said, her English flawless and accented with the rhythms of her native tongue—German. “The teens left saying they were heading out to join a group that would make the world ‘a better place.’ No trace has ever been found of them.”

It fit the Consortium’s MO, but it could as easily be a small guerrilla or mercenary organization that had seduced the teens. “We have to be careful not to see a conspiracy at every turn,” he said. “That could hamstring us.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“If you wish,” Aden added, “I’ll send in a team to track the teenagers.”

Clear relief on her face. “I would very much appreciate that. Many of their families are distraught.”

The entire group spoke for over an hour, putting together more troubling facts that meant nothing on their own, but together painted a disturbing picture.

“I have a proposal,” Aden said toward the end.

Once he set out that proposal, the discussion was vigorous, rough details hammered out so the various attendees could go back to those they represented to ask for feedback.

Switching off the system after the last person signed out, he turned to the woman who’d watched from the shadows. “It could take years.”

“You’ll do it.” Absolute, unflinching faith from his mate.

“If we can hold the connections, forge them ever deeper,” Aden said, “the world could become a fully functioning triumvirate again.”

Zaira wove her fingers into his. “It’ll happen. This is your destiny, Aden.” Her kiss was fire and love and primal possessiveness. “Your parents dreamed too small when they wanted you to become the leader of the squad. You’re about to lead the entire world out into a new dawn.”

“My dream,” he said, “is right here in my arms.”

Firelight traveling through their bond, a psychic kiss from his dangerous, beautiful, perfect commander.

PSYNET BEACON: BREAKING NEWS

An unexpected new cooperation agreement, the Trinity Accord, has been negotiated and agreed upon between major elements of all three races. The aims of this agreement are to foster and maintain stability, both in world markets and for the personal safety of individuals. It has also been termed the first step toward creating a permanent United Earth Federation.

The Trinity Accord allows for the rapid sharing of data across signatory groups, and for the formation of mixed teams to deal with issues that affect more than one race. It is, however, more than an emergency network such as that managed by Silver Mercant. According to the papers released to the Beacon, Silver Mercant’s network falls under the much wider umbrella of this “proto-Federation” agreement.

When asked for comment, Nikita Duncan, member of the Ruling Coalition, had this to say: “The Trinity Accord isn’t only a political agreement, but one that opens up economic opportunities for all the signatories by breaking down the walls that previously hindered smooth and fast communication. Businesses no longer need be limited—an innovative Psy company can tap into the changeling or the human market and vice versa.”

Nikita Duncan’s interpretation of the Trinity Accord is one that is popular among the larger Psy families polled for this article. All came out in strong support of the Ruling Coalition for opening up new avenues of business as well as stabilizing the economic climate. “This is what our rulers are meant to do,” stated Jen Liu, head of the Liu Group. “Not to isolate us, but to open up opportunities.”