She thought about it and then shook her head. “I’d have to say no. I mean … why on earth would they strap it on knowing that they were that completely disposable? Remember, the Kuga organization isn’t a religious or political movement. They’re basically the Mafia on steroids. Criminals are not known for heroic sacrifice. They don’t want to die for a cause, they want to get rich, get fat, screw down and marry up, and retire old. PMCs are no different. They take risks because it’s a job that pays them for that; but in the end, they want to be able to spend that money.”

“Maybe we can find some way to tell them,” said Bug. “If they stage a hit, then I can try and hack into their coms systems.”

“That’s good,” said Wilson.

“Unless the suits can be remote detonated,” said Coleman.

“Thank you, Debbie Downer,” said Doc.

“Ron is correct,” said Church. “It’s doubtful Kuga would make the critical error of sending his troops out without a fail-safe. He really only needs them to get into position. Whatever collateral damage they inflict with guns and grenades amounts to theater. The real goal would be to destroy a very specific target, either for maximum body count or to make a point.”

“Like what?” asked Isaac. “Walking into the United Nations?”

“They’re diplomats,” said Wilson. “Parliament or the Capitol Building are more effective targets. Or the White House.”

“Agreed,” said Church. “But we need to consider nonpolitical targets. Or targets of a military nature.”

“Yes,” said Wilson slowly. “If, say, they sold that tech to the Kurds and had a couple of them go after Assad’s palace.”

“Or to Palestinians,” said Isaac. “Or to Israelis, for that matter.”

“His preeminent buyer would likely be underdogs in any political or military conflict,” said Church. “If ISIL wanted to make a comeback, for example. Or the Taliban. There are endless possibilities, and any one successful strike becomes a catalog page to sell this technology to the next fifty buyers. Being apolitical, Kuga can sell to both parties in any conflict.”

“Then we are in real trouble,” said Coleman.

“Yes, we damn well are,” said Doc, and Church nodded.

“I really, really, really hate to ask this,” said Nikki, “but is there more? And please say no.”

Doc Holliday gave her a smile as bright as the noonday sun.

“Why, sweetie, of course there’s more.”

CHAPTER 109

THE TOC

PHOENIX HOUSE

OMFORI ISLAND, GREECE

“Now we get to the areas where we don’t know much for certain,” said Doc Holliday. She clicked to change the image. This one showed a collage of several documents with handwritten notes or Post-its, each with a different acronym. Doc used her laser pointer to tick them off one at a time.