Sunset: Pact Arcanum: Book One by Arshad Ahsanuddin Read Free Book Online Page A

to the coordinates Scott had supplied him with over the link. He immediately appeared on the stage in a flash of light.
    Rory’s eyes lost focus as he fed all of his perceptions into the probability matrix in his head and broadcast his findings telepathically to the other two members of the Triumvirate. “Baseline probability of success at forty-five percent.”
    “Better than I expected,” Take commented, paying close attention as Nick introduced himself and explained that he wasn’t human. Take nodded as Medusa ordered her men to throw Nick out. Then Nick grabbed one of the terrorists around the neck and lifted him off the floor.
    “No!” Takeshi said angrily. “She has to start the fight! What is he trying to do?”
    “He is establishing himself as a threat in her mind, rather than a curiosity. Well-played, Nicholas.” Layla smiled slightly. “That was more subtle than I expected of you.”
    Rory agreed. “Probability of success now fifty-five percent and increasing.”
    Takeshi looked back at the screen. “I stand corrected.” He frowned as Medusa backed down and allowed Nick to examine the bomb. “Damn. What is she afraid of?”
    “Pure narcissism,” Layla said contemptuously. “She wishes to die with her people singing her praises. Nicholas is tarnishing her perfection in their eyes, so she wishes to be rid of him quietly, rather than in open challenge where her position could be questioned.” She considered for a second or two. “Scott, can you hear me?”
    “Yes.”
    “Use your link to tell Nicholas he must make himself the terrorists’ champion if he is to provoke her into rash action.”
    “I’ll tell him.” Scott paused for a moment. “I’m detecting a number of minds with hostile intent closing on the building from multiple directions. I think the Americans are finally making their move.”
    “Keep them out,” instructed Takeshi. “Use passive shields across the entryways and external walls. We can claim we were protecting Nick’s negotiations. The last thing we need is for soldiers to start shooting up the place while we’re trying to save them.”
    Rory watched the screen as Rapier reported his analysis of the weapon’s destructive potential. “Probability of success now sixty percent and holding.”
    Considering the information Nick’s AI had offered, Take then addressed the security monitors. “Command Access.”
    “Online,” said a voice from above them.
    “Initiate a new tactical update to be broadcast system-wide over the planetary communication grid. A level five emergency is now declared in the city of Los Angeles, California, subspecification: nuclear attack. Teleport evacuation of all Armistice personnel from the Greater Los Angeles area is to commence ten seconds after broadcast. Authorization code Nakamura four-three-five-seven, authentication keyword ‘honorbound’.”
    “Champion clearance confirmed. Message processed and ready for transmission.”
    “Execute.”
    “Transmission complete.”
    Takeshi focused on Nick’s conversation again. “Initiate teleport evacuation of all Armistice personnel from the greater Los Angeles area, with the exception of Nicholas Magister Luscian, Anaba Nizhoni, and Scott Phillips.”
    “Teleport sequence ready.”
    “Execute.”
    “Confirmed. Evacuation protocol in progress.”
    On the screen, Nick smiled at Medusa and asked, “Just out of curiosity, what’s your real angle?”
    Layla nodded in approval. “Good. Questioning her motives will help drive her to rage.”
    “Nick performed a deep read on her,” Scott said through his com implants. “This is all some kind of personal vendetta against the city. Everything she’s told them about her motives is bullshit. He’s trying to think of some credible way to unmask her.”
    Layla shook her head. “No, that will not work. He has no standing among her men to make such an accusation. Unless he is perceived to be drawing them to his side, she will not attack. Tell