2400 AD

Kendall sat to the right of Callum. John Nkoni, the brooding security chief of Denizen 1, sat next to her, and beside him sat his assistant, Monica Pendani. Commanders from the other combat teams were also present.

Nkoni was a large man and he looked upon everything in a serious light. He did nothing trivial. Everything had a reason and a purpose. His dark skin shone beneath the droplights set into the ceiling.

“I’m glad your little dog expedition went off without losing a life, Commander.” His voice was like a sonic boom.

Gideon raised a finger. “The gauntlet served a purpose. The observers needed to see what Xenocon has done to their neighborhoods. Yes, saving the dogs was a part of the mission, but it was not the overall quest. We needed to know if Callum and the team would follow rules and protocol because I think he’ll be a worthy addition to our security team. He’s a soldier and we need him. What’s next on the agenda, Monica?”

Monica Pendani was plucked from the rough streets of Hillbrow as a teenager and brought to the facility to start a new life. She had worked her way up by virtue of her ambitious nature. She kept her dark hair in a bun and always wore thick, red lipstick.

“Next on the agenda is Xenocon, Commander. Blocking and intercepting their simulation signals.”

Gideon explained. “We’ve developed a blocking and intercepting program that works in the lab. The problem is we need to infiltrate Xenocon’s main computer frame to activate it. Any ideas?”

Ideas sifted through the minds of those gathered around the table. Eventually the commander from the Green Combat Team spoke.

“I suggest we send someone who knows Xenocon to infiltrate their system. We won’t be able to do it any other way.”

The White Team’s commander said, “They’ve always said we are the enemy. I say we send our full military might to attack their main hub and kill the machine. This way we won’t have to infiltrate and block. There won’t be a machine left to block.”

Gideon raised a finger. “The odd thing is that they want us to join them. Xenocon says it’s not them, but all our intelligence says otherwise. For years they’ve been abducting kids and harnessing their powers. Buildings are being ripped into the void and people are being killed. My question remains unanswered, if it isn’t Xenocon then who is it?”

Kendall said, “I recommend we storm their facility. They won’t expect it.”

Gideon said, “I disagree. I say we negotiate with them. Invite them here and let’s talk.”

Nkoni played with his thumbs. “I agree with Gideon. We go back to them and propose a merger on our terms. If they disagree then we go to Plan B, infiltrate and block, and if that doesn’t work, we use deadly force.”