He could almost feel the spittle of the general’s words through the phone. “You get back here now. There is real belief that you used that little girl in your arms to send out that blast so you could get away. And if you think I’m joking, then know right now she has about fifteen high-powered rifles pointed at her.”

William winced at the image. “You know I wouldn’t have risked my family—”

“I don’t know a damn thing but that I have another dead soldier and a furious leader of the free world. You turn around right now or things are going to get worse. If you don’t believe me, then perhaps this will convince you.”

The phone was jostled, and another voice came onto the line.

“William, it’s Aunt Kate.”

“Is Nanna OK? Are you and Stella all right? Roxy?”

“We are. William … we don’t have much time. I’ve talked to the president. They’re considering drone strikes, to just wipe out the entire area. I am trying to convince them to let you try and stop this. But they very much believe you’re not acting of your own accord.”

William paused. “Convince them otherwise. You know I’m the only one that can control them all. If they wipe me out, then there’s no stopping what’s happening all over the world.”

“They know you can’t do anything unless you make physical contact with them. William, there’s no way you can do that in time. You can’t get to all of them.”

“But I can protect the US. Tell them that. Tell them that we could be the last ones standing. Because I’m sure they’re listening in to this call right now.”

“I’ll do my best, William—”

“I don’t know if you heard Nanna, but she’s figured out how to find the girl. I got lucky in California that the man causing the fires ended up near to me so I could directly track him down. This canyon is too vast and too broken for me to just drive. I need help. I need those drones to search for the swarm. Ask Nanna.”

“William, please be careful—”

“I will. Kate, there’s one last thing. I know that Dr.… that Steven died. But he was carrying something that you all need to see. It explains what I told you to ask about. It explains Blue.”

“Mom has it, William. He gave a flash drive to her. She hasn’t been able to look at it yet.”

“Nanna saw Steven? Before he died?”

“He lasted long enough to give it to her—”

Kate’s voice was abruptly cut off. He could hear her arguing, and the general’s voice came on the line. “Just know that the final move will be ours, William. You do anything we don’t like, it’s all over.”