Free The Deaths of Tao by Wesley Chu Page A

to oppose it as well. She needed more time to figure out what angle the Genjix were really after. Wilks wasn’t stupid though. He knew a good deal when he saw one.
    “You’re reaching there, counselor.” He wrinkled his brow. “You don’t usually come to me with such half-assed arguments. What’s going on? Why do you care so much about these sanctions?”
    “I can give you a full account shortly,” she said defensively. “I just need some time. I’m just asking you to postpone agreeing to the deal until then.”
    Wilks shook his head. “I don’t know, Jill. It’s a more than fair offer from the other side of the aisle. I see no downside to the deal.”
    “Just give me some time to analyze this and come back with recommendations. Maybe I can leverage this offer for something even better,” Jill stressed.
    “Fair enough,” Wilks said. “Hogan offered me a sweet deal. You give me a legitimate reason to turn him down and we’ll talk.”
    Jill nodded. “Thank you, Senator.” She left his office and signaled to Tammy, her assistant. “Find me everything you can on the South Seas Trade Sanctions. I need to know who’s for it, who’s against it, and how it affects our trade barriers.” Then she left for the next round of her morning meetings on the Hill. Now the real battle began.

 
    SEVEN
    ELEVATION
    For eons, the Quasing functioned as one mind, following the will of the Grand Council, until the Prophus betrayers splintered from the collective. They claim our way was ill-suited for these humans, that we walked a moral precipice.  
    After millions of years as gods blessing the worthy species of this planet, I find their sudden moral apprehension feeble and hypocritical. After all, we determined the fate of the species of this planet when we first came. Who else but gods can claim such a role?  
    Zoras
     
    Saldhana, flanked by the contingent of guards, entered Devin’s penthouse office at the Genjix research facility in Qingdao, China. Zoras had to admit, he was uneasy. Transitioning to a new vessel carried risks. He had chosen well, though. His handpicked Adonis Vessel was one of the highest-rated humans ever at the Hatchery. In fact, Zoras had to contend with three others on the Council for this vessel.
    Stand at the door. On my order, leave the room.  
    “As you command, Holy One.”
    Enzo stood at the window, looking out at the Genjix Research campus. Half of the honor guard stayed outside Devin’s office while the other half spread out around the room, guns trained on the vessel. Tension filled the air as the ceremony began. Palos and Amanda came in last and took position on opposite corners of the room. On their signal, the guards would shoot Enzo unless Zoras provided the release command.
    This was Zoras’ safeguard. Early in the program, several Adonis Vessels, raised to believe themselves gods, were mentally unstable and ignored their Quasing’s orders. Now, in the third iteration of the program, the Hatchery had optimized the perfect blend of education and physical training for these high-valued vessels.
    Enzo looked relaxed, albeit a bit curious. “I have been summoned by Father Devin. Where is he?”
    Zoras studied his new vessel; Enzo had control of the room without even saying a word. His face was calm, his chest palpitations normal, and he seemed at ease. Adonis Vessels were never informed of the transition, but the Hatchery did not raise fools.
    Enzo’s eyes trailed from Palos to Amanda, then he nodded. “I see. Praise to the Holy Ones.” Those in the room echoed the sentiments. “And to Father,” he added softly. He closed his eyes and murmured a blessing to Devin. So far, Enzo was saying all the right things. The room remained dead quiet as they waited on him. Yes, the boy had gravitas.
    “I am ready,” he nodded.
    Saldhana knelt down in the center of the room and recited a prayer to every Genjix he had ever met, which to his credit, was quite a few. Zoras was satisfied