Most frightening of all are the being’s hands. Huge and clawlike in appearance, they support four slender, scalpel-sharp fingers. The digits are three times as long as the palm and spaced wide, giving each hand an almost spiderlike appearance.

Fully exposed, the being walk-glides across the lake’s mirrorlike surface, sloshing toward the eastern shore.

The two soldiers race to reach the alabaster tree before the alien.

Ten seconds until Nexus. The computerized voice startles Manny.

Nine … eight … seven …

Dr. Mohr moves closer to the glass, his expression suddenly all business. ‘Come on, come on, you can do it this time.’

The alien approaches the thickly rooted tree, reaching for the skull.

Three … two … one—

Twin streaks of ice-blue lightning … a blinding flash of crimson … then nothingness.

The violet lights return.

The lake is gone, as is the alien, the tree, and the entire hellish underworld. In its place—the sterile gray emptiness of an immense holographic suite.

Down on one knee, holding his cloaked head in his hands, is the warrior in white. His companion in black is gone.

Dr. Mohr waits a moment, then touches the comm link on his shirt collar. ‘Are you all right?’

The soldier nods weakly.

‘Success?’

The man in white shakes his head—no.

Mohr pinches his brow, obviously disappointed. ‘Dominique is here. She brought her son.’

The man in white stands. Limps toward the glass wall and looks up. Reaches for the hidden latches of his body armor. Slowly removes his hood.

Immanuel presses his face to the glass.

The white hair is longer, the eyes still piercing azure blue, cold and calculating.

Jake …

28

NOVEMBER 22, 2033: THE WHITE HOUSE,
WASHINGTON, DC

11:34 a.m.

It is the most prestigious and powerful address in the world, a political village heavy with history, situated on eighteen acres. First occupied by President John Adams on November 1, 1800, it nearly burned to the ground fourteen years later at the hands of British troops. The home would be rebuilt and refurbished, with colonnades and office space added to both its east and west wings. While a vast subterranean control center would later be excavated beneath the dwelling, the 132-room mansion itself has remained virtually unchanged for over two centuries.

The White House: America’s hub of democracy and the seat of world power. Within its 233-year-old walls are routinely discussed the future … and fate of humanity.

Lilith Robinson-Mabus, newly crowned queen of Mabus Tech Industries, saunters past the big Victorian fireplace of the State Dining Room, pausing to read the inscription set upon the mantel.

‘I PRAY HEAVEN TO BESTOW THE BEST OF BLESSINGS ON
THIS HOUSE AND ON ALL THAT SHALL HEREAFTER
INHABIT IT. MAY NONE BUT HONEST AND WISE MEN
EVER RULE UNDER THIS ROOF.’
—PRESIDENT JOHN ADAMS

Lilith scoffs. ‘Male chauvinist fool. If women had been in charge around here, the world would be a lot less screwed up.’