Along with that came a video – a video whose authenticity we’re still verifying – that appears to show the Acting Director of the Emerging Risks Directorate inside the Department of Homeland Security admitting to the creation of the PLF, and forcing some sort of drug onto a subordinate.

Announcer: Brad, those are incredibly serious charges. What effect is this going to have on the race?

Reporter: Diane, we’re still trying to validate these files. They look valid, but we can’t be one hundred percent sure here. Proxies for President Stockton are already accusing Senator Kim’s campaign of an unethical “November Surprise” and of forging these documents. How voters respond will depend on whether or not they think these allegations are correct.

One thing is for certain. With the election only three days away, this has thrown the race – and US politics – into completely unknown territory.

Breece turned off the news with a press of a button. Well, well, well. May you live in interesting times.

Chapter 90: My Daughter, My Self

90

MY DAUGHTER, MY SELF

Saturday November 3rd

Ling descended in the cavernous elevator car down to her mother, her father by her side. Her father’s mind was hers, now. Inside, he wept and moaned. He railed at her. But he was powerless. Only human.

He obeyed so well now. “Please,” he’d begged Sun Liu. “I would like to take Ling to see her mother one last time.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” the minister had asked. But he sounded distant, distracted.

“It will help her say goodbye,” Chen Pang had replied.

Ultimately, Sun Liu, consumed by his own problems, had agreed.

This will not work, her father sent to Ling as the elevator took them down. Your mother is insane. And even if she weren’t, there’s no way she could escape.

Ling allowed her father to speak to her, though he was wrong. He underestimated her mother, underestimated what she was capable of, once the restraints were loosed. He even underestimated Ling. Had he not scoffed when she’d told him that she could hide the nanodevices in their brains from the scanners?

The giant elevator descended for minutes on end. Up above, Father’s assistant Li-hua and others of his staff were gathering, preparing to initiate the final backup, and then the shutdown.

They would never get the chance.

Ling and her father descended, descended, descended.

The room-sized elevator car clanged to a halt. The inner doors of the elevator parted. The meters-thick doors of the Physically Isolated Computing Center slid apart with a grinding noise next. Ling stepped forward with her father. And for the first time, Ling saw her mother’s true body.