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“What just happened?” asked Wall, in a dazed voice. “I could believe that a few of those drones had developed faults from old age, but how could a hundred and sixty of them all explode at once?”
“They didn’t explode,” said Ghost. “The off-worlder boy blew them up. It was obvious from what Donnell and Tad were saying during the battle that we didn’t come here to help Machico take control of the Citadel security system, but to help Tad do it. I was going to wait to ask questions until we were back at the Parliament House, but we need to know right now whether we’re safe from more attacks by Cage or not.”
“Tad, we’ve reached the point where we have to tell the division leaders about you,” said Donnell. “We got away with lying about you turning on all the power to New York, and kept your magic tricks in the subway a secret, but there’s a limit to what we can cover up. A hundred and sixty drones exploding at once is well over that limit. Is that all right?”
“Yes.” Tad’s voice was distracted. “Tell them whatever you like, but please let me concentrate now. I’m into the Citadel security system, but I’m having to work my way through the different sections of the defences, taking control of them from Cage one at a time. I’ve got control of the drone command system now, and given self-destruct orders to destroy the whole arsenal, but Cage may still be able to launch other weapons.”
“Take all the time you need, Tad,” said Ghost hastily.
Tad sat on the floor, closed his eyes, covered his ears with his hands, and started muttering to himself just as he’d done in the room downstairs. The division leaders stared at him for a moment before looking expectantly at Donnell.
“I’d like to begin my explanation by emphasizing a few things,” said Donnell. “Tad is in love with Blaze, so he’ll do anything he can to help her. That means he’ll do anything he can to help the alliance as well. He’s on our side, and you’ve just seen how that can make the difference between life and death for us.”
Donnell turned to look at Ice. “I know that sex and romance are a blind spot for you, Ice, so I hope you’ll accept my word on the power of romantic attraction.”
“I don’t experience sexual or romantic attraction myself,” said Ice, “but I’m fully aware that they can be a powerful influence on other people. I imagine the emotions are like those I feel in response to the bonds of friendship, loyalty, and blood relationships.”
“It was clear earlier that Ice has powerful feelings about his blood relationship to Blaze,” said Ghost. “He was prepared to give his life to save her.”
Ice ignored that. “Donnell, I saw the strength of what happened between you and my cousin, Keira. You’re telling us that Tad has the same level of feelings for Blaze?”
“To begin with, I doubted the extent of Tad’s feelings for Blaze,” said Donnell. “I suppose I couldn’t accept that any other relationship could match the explosive force of what happened between Keira and me. My opinion has gradually changed though. I now believe Tad is passionately committed to his relationship with Blaze, and that a slow burning fire may prove more enduring than a lightning strike.”
He paused for emphasis. “Tad just saved all our lives. He can be a tremendous help to the alliance. It’s essential to keep him safe. I’m asking you all to accept those three facts, and give your word that you won’t harm him.”
“You’ve got my word on it,” said Ghost. “I’m always well-disposed to people who save my life.”
“You have my word,” said Ice.
“I give my word,” said Raeni.
Wall was staring in fascination at Tad. “You’ve got my word, Donnell, and you’ve got me deeply intrigued as well. Go ahead and explain.”
“Ghost is right that we came here to help Tad take control of the Citadel security system from Cage,” said Donnell. “Tad is webbed. His mind has a direct link to the Earth data net. We successfully made the connection that Tad needed, so he could access the security system, but taking control of it was obviously rather more difficult than Tad expected.”
Ghost blinked. “I’ve heard about the ancient web technology, but I thought all the old webs stopped working decades ago. Our three off-worlders came from Adonis, the oldest of the colony worlds. Have they begun webbing people on Adonis again? Are the other two off-worlders webbed as well?”
“No, Tad is a very exceptional case,” said Donnell. “He comes from a hugely influential family. I emphasize again that his safety is vital to the alliance.”
Raeni nodded. “I’ve been wondering why you were so sure that we’d be able to trade in the off-worlders in exchange for safe passage alongside the citizens’ settlements at Fence. Now it makes sense. Those three aren’t an ordinary team sent to retrieve artefacts from the New York museums. Tad can use his influence to help us get safely past Fence.”
“Tad can help us in other ways too,” said Donnell. “Such as ...”
He was interrupted by something shooting upwards from the roof of the Citadel. The first object was followed by several others, there was a succession of deafening claps of thunder, and a thick cloud of smoke appeared in the sky.
Tad gave a sigh of relief and got to his feet. “I was worried that those might be nuclear weapons, but they were only standard short-range tactical missiles after all.”
Donnell buried his face in his hands for a moment before speaking. “I’m deeply relieved to hear those weren’t nuclear weapons,” he said, in a strained voice. “Is Cage able to fire anything else at us?”
“No. Those missiles were the last of the offensive weapons. I’ve got control of all the Citadel defences now, and locked Cage out of the security system. I still don’t understand how he was able to keep overriding my authority for so long.”
“The important thing isn’t how he overrode your authority for so long, but that you’ve got control of the system now,” said Donnell. “What I’d like to know is why you warned me about all the details like trap rooms in the Citadel itself, but didn’t mention the defences included a stockpile of drones and missiles?”
“Because the drones and missiles shouldn’t have been there,” said Tad. “When the Wallam-Crane family left for Adonis, they handed all the offensive weapons over to the United Earth Government. I suppose one of the rooftop launch points was overlooked in the confusion of the move.”
“One of the rooftop launch points?” I repeated. “You mean the Citadel would have originally had more drones and missiles than that?”
Tad nodded. “Vastly more drones and missiles on the roof, and then there were the nuclear missile silos under Wallam-Crane Square as well.”
Donnell ran his fingers through his hair. “I thought Thaddeus Carmichael Wallam-Crane was famous for destroying the ancient weaponry, and uniting Earth in peace and prosperity.”
“Thaddeus Carmichael believed in destroying other people’s weapons, but he kept a few for himself,” said Tad. “He didn’t want any enemies making airborne attacks on his rooftop residence.”
Wall frowned. “Please understand that I’m not complaining about you destroying those drones and missiles, Tad. I’m just surprised that you were able to take over control of the Citadel security system. Even if you’re webbed, random people shouldn’t just be able to connect to a security system and take it over.”
“The only possible explanation is that Tad isn’t a random person,” said Ghost. “He could take over control of the Citadel security system because the building belonged to his family. His name is Tad, which is short for Thaddeus Wallam-Crane.”
