Stones: Experiment (Stones #3) by Jacob Whaler Read Free Book Online Page A

table.
    “No thanks,” Jing-wei says. “I’ve already had too much of that particular solution. It’s starting to give me waking hallucinations.”
    Elsa raises her hand. “Please, no more.”
    “Enhanced Wake Formula Five.” Ryzaard lifts his eyes to the ceiling.
    A fine white mist falls from tiny holes above them and slowly settles to the level of the table like a gentle snow.
    Diego raises himself to an upright position, his eyes open in spite of the dark rings below them. “Diego Lopez.” The shakiness drains out of his voice. “Reporting for duty.” His hand goes up to his forehead at an angle and drops crisply, saluting Ryzaard.
    “Always makes me hungry.” Kalani’s eyes survey the table like a caged jaguar.
    “I’ll have them bring up sushi and ramen.” Ryzaard blows out a horizontal blast of smoke. “After we’re done.”
    General stirring moves through the room as lungs fill with the vanilla aroma of the white mist.
    “That’s better,” Ryzaard says. “Now let’s get down to business.” He stands up, holding the black cigarette between his fingers.
    “I know I push you hard. Take it as a compliment. You’re all so capable. Let’s have some reports on our progress. And then you can all take the rest of the day off to relax.”
    “How can we relax now that you’ve got us all addicted to illegal Russian wake drugs?” Elsa takes a thin pack of cigarettes from a pocket and pulls one out with trembling fingers. As it touches her lips, the end glows red and a delicate line of smoke curls away. She inhales, settling back into her seat.
    “The world situation is delicate.” Ryzaard’s palms go to the table. “Rio de Janeiro’s seawall has been breached. All its beaches and most of the city is under water. As a result, Brazil has joined Argentina in declaring war on China. Just the most recent manifestation of the sickness that plagues the world. It cries out for our help.”
    “Cyber-wars are a dime a dozen. Nothing to worry about.” Kalani pops something long and blue into his mouth. “When is the sushi coming?”
    “When our business is finished.” Ryzaard turns to the right, looking past Alexa, who is being unusually quiet, to Jerek. “You go first.”
    “There’s not much to tell, really.” Jerek picks up the cube he brought with him, fingers dancing on its blue surface.
    “Don’t be modest.” Ryzaard’s arms open up, motioning at the lab. “Your work has made all of this possible.”
    “The Amplification Protocol needs some work, but the basic theory is sound. Reliability is one of the issues I’m trying to address. It still cuts out from time to time.” Jerek juggles the cube between his hands. “I’m developing a portable model to replace the roomful of equipment next door.”
    “Your Amplification Protocol is the best news we’ve had in months. Its feedback loop has boosted the predictive power of the Stones by two levels of magnitude. No need for live captives like Little John anymore. The days of having to unite with another Stone Holder to produce greater power are past. With the Amplification Protocol, you’ve made my Stones act
as if
they were united. No small achievement. As always, science provides the answer. Excellent work.” Ryzaard walks around the table past Jerek and stands behind Elsa. “Now let’s hear about the financial backbone of our entire operation. Elsa, you have the floor.”
    Elsa’s palms drop to the table and pick up the slate in front of Kalani. With a swipe of a finger, its blue water surface goes blank.
    Kalani grips his club. “Hey, you can’t just—”
    “Our trading operations have recovered from prior setbacks and reached a new and delicate phase thanks to the science geek.” Elsa glances at Jerek and nods, coming as close to paying him a rare compliment as she ever has. “I won’t bore you with the details. We’re trading every stock, commodity, currency and derivative market on the planet. We’re involved in