Free The Rise of Io by Wesley Chu Page A

servant now. Because of this, I allowed your insubordination on the account of our past friendship. You have used that card. You do not have another.”
    She bowed. “Your will, High Father.”
    Shura kept her eyes focused on the ground long after the screen went blank. For as long as she could remember, she had planned to return to Russia to reclaim her birthright and her family’s standing, and possibly lay the groundwork to fill the still-vacant Russian council seat. Now, the path before her was dark, her future unknown. Achieving standing was never easy or simple among the Genjix, and it was doubly difficult for someone in her position. She had thought her work sufficient to placate the Council, but that no longer seemed the case.
    I warned you before. Standing is never given. It must be taken. You could not expect the Council to offer it just for doing as you were told.
    Tabs was right. It was time she stopped trying to earn her standing and seize it. Something Weston said gave her pause. He had never been an ally of Rurik back at the Hatchery. Perhaps in denying her heritage, he was offering her something else. In any case, there was only one path forward now. She had to follow the Council’s command and take control of this floundering project, even though it meant reporting directly to Rurik.
    Unless you can somehow claim the Bio Comm Array as your own. Only someone on the Council will have the authority to take that from Rurik.
    There was always that. Conflict bred innovation. That was their creed, even among their own. However, it was always a delicate balancing act to fight other Genjix for standing as opposed to acquiring it by defeating their enemies. Injuring a Holy One or disrupting faction goals were the only things forbidden. In this particular case, Shura would have to work within the confines of managing the Bio Comm Array construction while undermining Rurik’s standing and acquiring ownership of it at the same time.
    First things first, she was flying in the wrong direction.
    The captain’s voice came over the intercom. “Ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. Due to a mechanical malfunction and poor weather ahead, we are rerouting our flight plan to make an emergency landing in Surat, India. We apologize for the delay and will do everything in our power get you back on schedule as soon as possible.”
    The Genjix’s influence ran deep.
    At least that was one problem she didn’t have to worry about. Shura remotely accessed a secured terminal and pulled up all the details, reports, and files of the Bio Comm Array project. She had a job to do. It was time to get to work.

Eight
    Day After
    D inner was one of the most annoying experiences Ella had had to endure in a long time. Even though she was treating herself to her favorite food in the world – Singapore noodles, or half-her noodles as she called them – she couldn’t enjoy herself.
    The annoying voice in her head wouldn’t stop talking. Every five minutes Io had to open her non-existent mouth and dole her wisdom out upon Ella. In the short span of one bowl of noodles, the Quasing had felt the need to educate her on where noodles came from, when stir-fry became a popular method of cooking, and why a human body burped. That last bit came, incidentally, right after Ella burped. Everything she did or saw, Io had something to say about it.
    â€œI really don’t care,” Ella ended up repeating over and over again.
    Well, you should. Your education is lacking.
    The fragile truce the two had forged from Io saving Ella’s life twice that night was on shaky grounds by the time she got home. She resorted to going for the nuclear option and drinking. She wasn’t sure what the alcohol was, just some nasty gag-inducing yellow liquid that made her eyes water every time she took a swig. Ella didn’t care. If it shut up the dumb voice in her head, it was worth it. She ended up