Champion Genshi of Clan Whitecrest
“Is everything prepared?”
“The trap is set, Champion. The Ghost will not escape.”
“And it will have no inkling of this?”
“No.”
“…Is the assault team ready?”
“Yes.”
“…Very well. Proceed.” Genshi calmed himself with a quick meditation and proceeded to the meeting.
“I had wondered when you would deign to explain yourself.” Grandfather Hyarrin was anything but pleased. And he was right, Genshi’s actions over the past several months strongly pushed the boundaries on what a Whitecrest Champion could do. Hyarrin was in charge of operations, not Genshi, and both knew how important that was.
“I have needed to set much in motion to protect us both from something…quite terrible. Grandfather, would you consider removing your implants?”
A noise binged in his earpiece. The Ghost was attempting to leave. Good.
“Why?”
“We are aware of a security concern. There is a potential cryptographic flaw that we find very, very worrisome.” That was a tricky thing for Genshi to communicate. He couldn’t say anything about what the genuine concern was, not even in code language, because of course he didn’t know if Grandfather was truly compromised.
“…Are you to tell me your activities are nothing more than a concern? All of this? You’ve activated agents in every Clan, spent favors like they cost nothing, and your response to me is…you suspect me.” His claws came out. “This will not end well for you, ‘Champion.’”
His earpiece told him the transfer was complete. “No. It won’t.” He quick-drew a pneumatic pistol and fired before Hyarrin could react. The round activated a stasis bubble the instant it made contact with Hyarrin’s chest. Challenge won.
Genshi sighed to himself very quietly. “Cubs help friends.”
“Yes, father.” The assault team bustled in, collected the Grandfather, disguised him in a cargo float, and discreetly exited the room. Another set came in and scrubbed the room of all evidence, and a third whisked away the receptionist and other immediate witnesses.
Time was against them.
Fifteen minutes later
Gaoian medical technology was extremely advanced by most any standard. To the Humans it was almost magical and the idea that a Gaoian surgeon could extract a deep-brain series of implants faster than a cup of tea could be prepared was…well, it gave Genshi some pride.
They were already speeding towards the nearest Whitecrest safehouse.
Hyarrin regained consciousness during the ride and quickly assessed his situation. “…What have you done?”
“Removed your implants and captured the Ghost living in them.”
Hyarrin eyed Genshi warily. “Explain.”
“A digital sapient has occupied your mind for many years now. Be thankful: we were worried we might have needed to eliminate you, because amongst the things this sapient can do is take over the body and mind of any being with sufficiently extensive implants. Such as you.”
Hyarrin attempted to move and found himself utterly restrained. The van continued its journey at an inconspicuous high speed.
“That’s an incredible claim, to say the least. Why not simply tell me?”
“Everything you know, it knows. We have rather incontrovertible proof on this point, but it comes from the Humans and requires a secrecy contract. Would you like to see?”
“And if I refuse?”
Genshi said nothing.
Hyarrin shook his head. “Well, what choice have I? Tell me this tale.”
Grandfather Hyarrin of Clan Whitecrest
“Our entire network is compromised. All of our contacts, every one of our agents…”
“None of mine, but I’ve activated them all.”
“The Hierarchy must know of this by now.”
“Our actions tonight will have certainly tipped them off, yes. We needed to wait until we had measures in place.”
Hyarrin rolled his head in an expression of utmost annoyance and malice. He did it in a way even Genshi found frightening.
Genshi squirmed in place and dithered. “Secrecy is important to the plan…”
“As are logistics,” snapped Hyarrin, “Which you cannot provide.”
“And which you cannot secure, Grandfather. Everything you know…”
“Oh, that will be fixed immediately.” Hyarrin growled, then relented a bit. “But your point is well made. Grant me time to fix this.”
“Of course, Grandfather. I have contacts with the Humans that could help…”
“No. This is a Whitecrest problem and we will solve it.”
Genshi tilted his head, “…How?”
Grandfather snarled wickedly. “Like the warrior Clans of old.”
Meanwhile…
<System Notification: Session established>
++0103++: We lost contact with 626.
++0008++: That is alarming and we will need to respond. Expect reassignments shortly.
<System Notification: Session closed>