“Do you see or hear rotors or drive fans anywhere on them?” Tanya asked.

Every vampire in the room focused their superhuman senses on the six floating orbs of shiny metal. The drones were absolutely silent.

“How?” Atta asked.

“Without delving into the esoterica of quantum physics and general relativity theory, it will perhaps be sufficient to say that the Vorsook have mastered propulsive technologies that, for lack of a better term, might be called anti-gravitational, although that is at its core incorrect. Combined with vastly improved energy storage devices and multiple new weapon types, these drones are each more powerful than a US Air Force Reaper Drone.”

“Seems like a rather outsized claim,” Gault said.

One of the drones shot across the room to hover without any motion over the dead body of a guard. There was a short, intense hum sound and the entire head and torso of the dead vampire disappeared in a wave of heat and ash. The beam or pulse or whatever had destroyed the body was completely invisible, even to the wide spectrum sensitivity of vampire eyes.

Tanya, who was watching both Tzao and the now upright kneeling Mausya, saw the moment when realization struck both Elders.

“What would a larger version be capable of?” Tan asked.

“The first version of such a craft, which is ten times larger, is nearing completion as we speak. As you surmise, it will be capable of much greater destructive abilities, in addition to being fully capable of traversing large areas of space beyond the atmospheric envelope of Earth.”

“What are you going to do with that one? Take over the world?” Atta asked.

“The phrase take over the world is generally used to imply achieving a general dictatorial control over all of this planet’s human governments at one time. Use of a weapon system to achieve such a goal is counterproductive to maintaining existing efficient economies and societal systems. It is much more advantageous to exert influence over the information and administrative systems of each country’s governments all at once.”

There was silence as the vampires processed the computer’s words.

“In other words, if you are having difficulty translating… he’s already taken over the world,” Lydia said.

“In a manner of speaking. To answer the original question, the new full-sized drone is already tasked with an important protection mission in the northeastern United States.”

“Easy guess on who that one’s protecting,” Lydia said with a nod to Tanya. They didn’t explain that to the rest of the vampires, most of who were watching and listening warily.

“So you have technology available multiple levels beyond current human standard?” Tzao asked.

“Yes. How does that effect your calculations, dearest Mausya?” Senka asked.

Rising slowly to her feet, the vampire let go of the stump of her arm, the nub at the end completely healed over with pale white flesh. Head tilted to one side, she considered.