“What proof do you have that this intel of yours is factual and not just speculation, Lieutenant?” Thea sat among the ministers and high-ranking officials, her entire focus on the gangly man in the center of the semicircle.
Lieutenant Diobring squared his shoulders and placed his hands behind his back in the customary stance of a soldier briefing a superior officer. “Sir.” He nodded toward Thea. “My team of seven and I have been undercover in disguise for eight weeks. We have covered cubes four, eight, and ten, as some of the law-enforcement officers had heard through reliable sources that something may happen there soon.”
“Did they reveal their reliable sources?” Korrian asked. She sat next to her wife, hands folded before her.
“No, Admiral. Not then. They offered.” Diobring looked seriously at Korrian and then shifted his gaze back to Thea. “I trust my team with my life, but we still thought it prudent to contain information to a need-to-know basis only. I asked Commander Vantressa to construct a non-connected computer for us to use for this type of intel. The team leaders involved with our operation are the only ones who can access the information, and it takes a joined command of at least two of us to access it.”
“I’m glad you approached Commander Vantressa.” Thea knew Adina’s integrity was beyond reproach. She had stood by Caya and Briar throughout the media’s gauntlet and public outcry. Now she was Thea’s most trusted advisor when it came to technological and electronic-engineering issues. “So, in short, you’re of the opinion that several teams of terrorists can be operating aboard Pathfinder?”
“Yes, sir.” Diobring pulled out a small device and used it to switch on a set of twelve holographic lights between him and the men and women around the semicircle. A three-dimensional view of Pathfinder in blueprint mode appeared and pivoted slowly. “Everywhere you spot a small green light on the blueprint represents a sighting. They are not confirmed, but they’re probable. I found this evidence credible enough to bring before you, sir.”
“I see.” Thea rose from her chair in the center of the table and circled it to stand next to Diobring. She bent forward and scrutinized the blueprint. All the cubes were represented, and none of them were without small glowing green dots. Thea could see how the green dots congregated in three cubes especially. “Don’t tell me. Cubes four, eight, and ten.”
“Correct, Madam President.”
“And now you want to escalate the surveillance, perhaps even go after these terrorists directly.”
“If we don’t stop them, we won’t reach Gemocon in one piece. That’s my honest opinion, sir.” Diobring clenched his jaw, and it wasn’t hard for Thea to see how he was ready and motivated to stop the ones who’d had caused so much pain and suffering since they left Oconodos.
“I hear you, Lieutenant.” Thea stood silent for a moment while she considered what her next move would be. No matter what, ultimately the responsibility was hers. “Lieutenant. Give us the room and wait in the common area outside my office. I’m going to confer with my advisors and the members of the cabinet. If they agree with me, I’ll need you to accompany me shortly, so stay within earshot.”
Diobring stood at attention. “Aye, sir. I’ll be outside.” He saluted, hand to chin, and then left the room.
“What are your thoughts, Madam President?” Korrian raised an eyebrow at Thea, as if the seasoned admiral couldn’t guess already. “Am I assuming too much when I think you want to run his intel by a certain clairvoyant young woman?”
Glowering at Korrian, Thea nodded briskly. “Very astute, Admiral. We won’t get much better intel than the lieutenant provided. The next step is to give Caya Lindemay a chance to verify—or perhaps even add to Lieutenant Diobring’s facts. She may also advise against it.”
“And no matter what this girl says, will you let her have the last say?” one of the ministers, a frail-looking middle-aged woman, asked.
“I have learned to listen to Caya, yes.” Thea turned slowly and narrowed her eyes deliberately as she challenged the woman to contradict her. “I believe you were in these halls when the Lindemay sisters saved all of us by issuing warnings and, in Briar Lindemay’s case, physically dragging two people to safety while risking her life. Since then, Caya has given us advice several times, which has all been true and thus saved both lives and resources.”
“I still find it disconcerting that you are at the mercy of a changer, Madam President,” the female minister said. To her credit, she sounded sincere, albeit overbearing enough to make Thea grind her teeth.
“Let me reassure you—all of you—that I’m at nobody’s mercy.” Giving them her broadest smile, the one she knew made younger assembly members tremble, Thea accepted her official cloak from her assistant, who knew by now exactly when her boss meant to leave. “I know we have more talking points to address, but let’s do that tomorrow, or perhaps tonight via communication links. Thank you. Leave in heavenly splendor.”
Thea strode out the door, followed by her usual entourage of presidential guards, assistants, and personal secretary. She spotted Lieutenant Diobring at the far end of the corridor and waved for him to join her. He trotted up next to her, about to salute again, but she gestured dismissively.
“No need. We’re on our way to visit a person that I hope will be able to add to your intel. This person is somewhat special, and you might not entirely believe in her methods or in my listening to her, but I ask you to bear with me. Can you do that, Lieutenant?” Thea glanced up at the tall man next to her. He was good-looking and in his late twenties, hardened to some degree by his profession, but also with an honest expression.
“Yes, sir. I try to keep all options open to a degree.”
“Good to know.”
They rode the lift up to the corridor where Thea’s private quarters were located, along with the most prominent ministers’. She stopped outside Caya’s door, which used to be the president’s guest quarters. Now Caya called it a luxurious prison, which wasn’t fair. She wasn’t a prisoner but kept in protective custody, though Thea didn’t know how to convince her of the difference.
“I will enter with Lieutenant Diobring,” Thea informed her guards. “Remain here until we’re done.” She turned to her assistants. “Continue to the workstation at the far end and make sure the computer has transcribed the notes from today’s briefings properly. The last few had serious mistakes.”
“Yes, sir.” The two assistants hurried down the corridor just as Caya’s door opened.
Thea nearly gasped out loud but managed to restrain herself. Caya stood there, dressed all in white silk and lace, her hair billowing around her shoulders and down to the small of her back. A white headband kept it out of her face, which made her disdainful expression all the more readily visible.
“Madam President. What a surprise.” Caya spoke in a low, menacing voice. “And you brought a guest.”
“I did. May we come in?”
Making quite a production of widening her eyes, Caya pressed a hand to her chest. “But of course. These aren’t really my quarters after all. I’m humbled that you deign to pay me a visit after all this time.”
Thea flinched before she managed to stop herself. It was true that she’d kept her distance these last thirty-some days. Wary of Caya’s vitriol, she had been relieved that she didn’t have to call upon Caya for official reasons. Until now.
“Stop it, Caya. That’s enough.” Thea stepped into Caya’s quarters and motioned for Diobring to follow her. The door closed behind them. “This is Lieutenant Diobring. He has some information we need to share with you. His team and others are about to go into a situation blind, and if you can shed some light on any of it, it could save lives.”
“I see.” Suddenly looking tired and older than her twenty years, Caya motioned to the couches by the far wall. “Please, have a seat.” She looked back and forth between Thea and Diobring as they sat down. “Life and death, hmm? Nothing like a bit of pressure to make one’s day interesting.”
Thea understood what Caya meant. To put such a burden on her narrow shoulders was inhumane, to say the least. If Caya hadn’t been as gifted as she was, but instead a normal girl about to start her courses at university, like the rest of her peers, Thea would have gladly used any other means. But now that Caya could do more for their tactical advantage than several covert units combined, Thea couldn’t allow herself to go soft.
Caya sat down on one of the couches, one seat away from Thea. Her transparent, turquoise eyes shifted between Thea and Diobring, their expression guarded and just one degree away from hostile.
After confirming with Thea that he really was meant to brief Caya with the latest intel, Diobring spoke for a good ten minutes. Once he was done, Caya unfolded her arms and turned to Thea. “And what does this have to do with me?”
Thea disregarded Caya’s attitude and spoke matter-of-factly, which was how she knew she would get through to Caya. “You can imagine the damage covert groups could do to individual cubes, not to mention their inhabitants. Of all the scenarios possible, covert operatives are bad, but potential sleeper agents are worse. Is it possible for you to see anything?”
“Excuse me, Madam President,” Diobring said. A frown marred his strong features. “What’s going on here? What is Ms. Lindemay supposed to ‘see’?”
“I can tell that your president has conveniently forgotten to tell you that I’m a clairvoyant changer.” Caya looked expectantly at Diobring. “This is news to you, right?”
“It certainly is.” Diobring’s expression had gone a lot colder. “I didn’t want to believe the rumors of stowaway changers. Are you telling me this girl is one?” He refused to look at Caya.
“She is. As is her sister. You did promise me to keep an open mind. Caya has saved this ship on several occasions, and now I hope she can help us find out more about the hostile plans you have almost uncovered.”
Diobring pressed his lips together and turned back to Caya, clearly uncomfortable. “Very well.”
“Let me try.” Caya sighed and moved a little farther from Thea. She closed her eyes and pressed her palms against her knees. Rubbing slowly back and forth, she hummed just below her breath.
Thea had seen Caya do this several times, but she didn’t think she’d ever seen her look this pale, her complexion transparent as the air around her seemed to sparkle.
“Creator of all things,” Diobring whispered, and Thea shook her head, gesturing for him to be quiet. He nodded absentmindedly, clearly enthralled by what was going on.
“Everything is blue. Dark blue, almost black.” Caya spoke with a low, husky voice, very unlike her normal melodious tone. She opened her eyes, startling Thea, as that normally didn’t happen. “The woman is fragile. White skin, freckled, hair fiery red. She’s wary, afraid, and she has good reason. Something, no, someone, knows she’s not entirely devout. Her life is in danger. She’s not going to survive longer than three days from now unless you take action.” Caya curled up, hugging her knees close to her chest. “She’s in a dark alley. I’m not sure which cube. She’s on her back, half hidden among a set of…barrels, I think. H-her injuries are extensive…oh, Creator…it’s bad. So bad.” Caya’s eyes filled with tears as she turned toward Thea. Dazed, Caya gripped her hand, which made Diobring stand, but Thea stopped him with a short gesture. She held on firmly to Caya’s cold hand.
“Go on,” Thea said quietly.
“Her throat is slit. She’s lying in a large pool of her own blood.” Caya shook now. “And the police and the military surround her now. They begin to move her when—oh, no! No!” Arching her back so violently it had to be a spasm, Caya sobbed furiously, pressing her eyes closed. “Her body…her body was a trap. Thea. Something around her, or underneath, exploded. So much destruction and death. You have to stop them. Save them.” She gasped with each breath. “And save her. If you don’t, there’s no turning back. People will once again blame the changers.”
“Changers are behind this?” Diobring rose, pulling at his communicator.
“Sit down, Lieutenant.” Thea heard the crack in her voice and so did Diobring, who sat down as if she’d whipped his ankle with an energy rod.
Caya sat up straight. Her tears ran all the way down her neck, but her voice was once again fierce. “I don’t think so. I don’t know. It really doesn’t matter at this point if you don’t find this woman and save her. Once they get to her and her secret is out, it’ll be too late.”
“Can you describe her more than red hair and freckles?” Thea slid closer and tried to take Caya’s hand. To her dismay, Caya flinched and pressed her back against the armrest behind her.
“Maybe. She is thin. Very thin, almost emaciated.”
“Wait. Let me record your words.” Thea reached for her bag and pulled out her personal, highly encrypted recorder. While working with the settings, she glanced up briefly at Diobring. “Get your team together again, Lieutenant. Only use the core officers, as we cannot afford to bring anyone not properly vetted.”
“Certainly, Madam President.” Diobring stood and bowed toward Thea and Caya. “I hope we meet again during less ominous circumstances, Ms. Lindemay.” Diobring smiled cautiously and then left the guest quarters. It didn’t escape Thea that Caya had returned his smile. She couldn’t remember when Caya had last reciprocated any of her smiles.
“All right. It’s recording. Please continue.”
Caya tore her longing glance from the door as it closed behind Diobring. “Right. Yes. So, she’s very thin, has shoulder-blade-long, copper-red hair. Her freckles are evenly distributed across her face, neck, and lower arms. As for the rest of her body, I have no idea. In my vision she wore a soft-grey trouser suit with white hems, lining, and lapels. I got the feeling she was dressed quite formally. Perhaps she holds some official capacity?”
That was an astute observation. “Anything else. Lips, teeth, eye color?”
“Brown eyes. Short, straight nose. Narrow, peach-colored lips. Didn’t see the teeth.” Caya rubbed her temples. “Short, well-kept nails.”
“Thank you. That’s a good start. If you have any more visions, regarding this woman or anything or anyone else, please let me know right away.”
“Sure. I’m at your beck and call as always, Madam President,” Caya said, her lips tense. Standing up, she began rounding the table between the couches as if she couldn’t stand to be in close proximity with Thea a single second longer.
“Caya. Please.” Without realizing her intention, Thea gently grabbed Caya’s right wrist.