“Not since martial law was imposed,” he countered angrily. “It’s a whole new ball game now, Adrienne. They’ve rigged up the computers so that the moment someone’s wrist computer is cut, it begins an automatic trace on them. Nicole says they can pinpoint the location of removal in under thirty seconds. And Travis has blanketed the city with roving teams of Guardians so they can respond quickly. No, Adrienne,” he finished firmly. “I can’t risk losing either you or one of the kids.”

A figure suddenly stepped out of the hallway that led to the bedrooms, and Clayne shot up out of his chair, sending it crashing to the ground.

“Is that the only thing stopping you?” Eric asked. “The risk?”

“Come in, Eric,” Adrienne said calmly. “As I told you, he isn’t very easy to convince.”

“Eric!” Sarah and Timothy leaped up and threw their arms around his legs.

“Hi, kids.” Eric bent down and swooped them into his arms and swung them around. When he came full circle, he came face to face with the muzzle of Clayne’s stun gun.

“Put them down, Eric.”

Eric smiled. “Hey, big fella, you don’t need that. I came unarmed, and I sure don’t want to tangle with a moose like you.”

“Put them down!”

Eric let them slide down his arms to the floor. “Okay, kids, away you go. Your dad and I need to have a little talk now.”

Adrienne motioned toward the family room. “Okay, you two. It’s time for television. Off you go.”

“But, Mama,” Sarah wailed plaintively.

“Now!” thundered Clayne, causing both children to jump and scamper into the next room. Timothy stopped long enough to peek around the door and give Eric one last wave.

Adrienne stepped directly in front of Eric and stared at her husband. “Clayne, I let him in.”

“You what?”

“About ten minutes before you got home. At least listen to him.”

“Clayne,” Eric said, stepping out from behind Adrienne, “you’re in it now, like it or not. Your wife has committed a treasonable offense by even letting me in the door. So what have you got to lose by listening to me? If I can’t convince you, you can still take me in. Tell the Major you set me up in a trap.”

The muzzle of the weapon lowered slowly, and Eric plunged in. “I find it interesting that in countering Adrienne’s arguments, you only talked about the risk.”

“So?”

“I heard no cries of betrayal, no speeches supporting the Major’s cause, no affirmations of loyalty. Suppose I told you we have eliminated the risks. Then what?”

“Garbage!”

“Not all the risks, of course. You’d be in with us, and until this is over, that means danger. But what if I could guarantee that the Major cannot terminate your family via implantation?”

“Stop the snow job, Eric. You heard what I said about the computers.”