ALTAIR

My watch vibrated again on the pod ride to the senate. Irritated, I flicked open the message.

I wasn’t late yet, why—

Check in.

A two-word message. The sender’s address was a random string of numbers and letters that screamed throw-away account.

And Shadow Raven.

Damn.

I deleted the message and punched in the command to clear my tracks, but a spike of anxiety sped my heart. Eva wouldn’t risk contact for trivial reasons.

Something serious had to be brewing.

But now wasn’t the time. I had to get to a secure line before I could risk a call, and being that late to the party would draw attention I didn’t need. I’d have to worry later.

I straightened my tie and then checked the time on the pod console. Two minutes to arrival.

The pod whirred smoothly along, but it didn’t relax me this time. I dreaded the senatorial compound. I’d rather confine myself to the lab for weeks than leave my work to glad-hand, but it was a necessary evil.

When the soaring spire came into view, my stomach tightened. The senate was the tallest building ever constructed by human hands—an unrivaled architectural marvel of gleaming glass and polymer compounds.

The plastic palace. As always, my least favorite destination.

The pod eased to a stop at the private arrivals hall halfway up the spire. A Gray Helix was already waiting as I stepped out. She bowed so low, all I could see was her bobbed black hair and the Helix tattooed around her neck like a collar.

“Welcome, honored guest. Please provide verification.” She held out a scanning console.

I offered my forearm. The instrument beeped as soon as it registered my tattoo through the cloth.

“Sincere thanks, Mr. Orpheus. Please continue.” The woman bowed even lower. As soon as I passed, she scurried off to greet another pod. The job could easily be automated, but the Seligo loved a human touch. Or rather, they loved a little show of subservience.

Hence the Grays. Bred for deference and total lack of ego.

And yet another problem that needed fixing.

But one thing at a time. I had to advance if I was going to change anything in the Citadel.

Other Grays bowed as I strode away from the pod tracks, deeper into the stronghold. The marble tile gave way to Persian rugs and hulking Black Helix warriors stood against the walls, interspersed between artworks like part of the decor.

Monet. Warrior holding automated weapon. Ming vase. Man in body armor. Sculpture of Madonna and Child. Woman with stun lance.

Domed surveillance units rounded out the security, dotting the ceilings and walls. They blended into the architecture, but they couldn’t hide from my eyes. Nothing had changed since my last visit. No blind spots. No weaknesses. Everything watched.

Starting trouble here would be instant suicide. Tonight, I planned to be on my best behavior.