The Descent into the Maelstrom (The Phantom of the Earth Book 4) by Raeden Zen Page B

evolution , a historical method of advancing the transhuman genome no longer in use by the great houses of development. Isabelle had made sure Connor received plenty of fluids and sustenance, hopeful of turning the underdeveloped whelp to the commonwealth’s cause. Instead, the sheep had escaped her dragnet in Beimeni City.
    “I would’ve preferred it if all of these Selendias were dead by now.” Antosha examined the zeropoint energy in the impulse waves spread by Cornelius Selendia. “He doesn’t yet have control of his abilities.” Antosha blinked closed his extended consciousness. “I can overwhelm him should he dare to challenge us.”
    “I hope so,” Isabelle said, “because Marstone chatter suggests the terrorists are massing, though I don’t know where, and I still haven’t heard from Zorian—”
    “Who could be dead for all you know.”
    “I doubt that. Barão’s striker is too noble to allow it.”
    “Assuming he survived. I don’t think Jeremiah would treat so kindly with Lord Nero Silvana, not after what he and Brody did to him in Palaestra. And in any case, why, if Aera survived, would she reveal herself now, over a hundred fifty years later, and why would she help Jeremiah?”
    “I don’t know, but she’s no less lethal. And it’s only a matter of time before she seeks out the Lorum. Jeremiah isn’t stupid. He knows what you can do with such a species.”
    “Way ahead of you.” Antosha turned and activated a Granville sphere. Above it, a black bot, larger than a Janzer and lined with citrine phosphorescent light, appeared.
    Isabelle examined the rendition, raising her hand to it. “A Protector Prototype would fall quicker to Aera than a Janzer—”
    “This isn’t a Protector, at least not how you think of them. I’ve made some … improvements.” Black balls covered with diamond spikes orbited around the bot, then circled around Antosha, who held one in his hand. “We cannot risk losing the Lorum, not when we’re so close to achieving our goals.”
    “What will you do?”
    He looked at the orb, then at Isabelle, smiling. “Until we’re ready for the Timescape Mission, I’ll move the Lorum orb to the one place Aera would never go.”

ZPF Impulse Wave: Oriana Barão
    Halcyon Village

    Dunamis, Underground West

    2,500 meters deep

    Oriana awoke, rubbed the reflective surface of her Granville panel, and stared at the woman she was becoming. She allowed her mind to enter the ZPF.
    Her new morning ritual …
    … Clouds parted for an orange sun. Fog whispered through a mossy stone inlet. A wooden ship sailed the shoals, half-eaten by the elements, its sails tattered. A dolphin broke the surface, two dolphins, three dolphins, in unison. And now the mermaids, as adolescent as Oriana once was, their bodies layered in cloth to their light green fins, their silver hair gathered loosely with clips atop their heads. Their mother joined them on the rocks, a seashell in her hand, a colorful butterfly dancing around her face.
    Oriana’s mind fogged, and the images blurred. Nathan’s comment returned to her, as it had so often since that night at the Candidate Café: May the most exquisite candidate prove worthy of her smarts and her lineage. She brushed her hair, and the shades of violet and crimson intermingled like blood and stone. What did Nathan know about her lineage? And why didn’t she know about it, if he did?
    She’d conducted her own research, hacked into the House Summerset archive and found a man who bore her surname listed on the Mantel of Champions—Broden Barão, of House Variscan. When Oriana had inquired about this Broden Barão, the lady snapped, “I’ve told you everything you need to know! Best leave it all alone, young lady.”
    Oriana didn’t leave it all alone.
    She had again broke into the House Summerset archive, but the file on Broden Barão was then encrypted.
    “You … need … filed … Marstone … warrant!”
    Lady Parthenia’s distant shouts made