“I learned about the plan yesterday. They’re sending the Guardian fleet away after the drones are deployed. Adm. Nagano said the warships will be put to better use elsewhere. Heard any scuttlebutt about where they might be headed?”
“Sorry, bruv. That’s above my pay stamp. Even if I knew, it’d be against regs to share. You understand.” Connor slipped his legs off the ottoman. “It’s getting late. Usually lights out for me by now. Relatively speaking. Whatcha say we pick this up tomorrow?”
Trevor didn’t expect the sudden turn.
“We just got started. I thought you wanted to catch up.”
“Eh. Plenty of time. I ain’t going anywhere for a while. I’ll catch a bite over at the L-3. Kick back.”
“No interest in the Raison Club?”
“I’ve outgrown that fucking place.” Connor tossed his cigar into the snuffer. “Sorry I couldn’t be more fun on the first day back.”
Trevor stood to meet him.
“It’s OK. Just having you here is enough. It was only the two of us for so long that ... well. I’ll save the nostalgia for another day.”
They hugged.
“Stallion brothers are riding high. Love you, T.”
“I love you, Connor. Always.”
Just before Connor exited, he turned and added:
“I’ll check in first thing, bruv. We’ll do lunch.”
“Count on it!”
Afterward, Trevor snuffed his cigar and turned to Mau.
“Talk to me,” Trevor said.
Mau rose to meet him, now much taller than the original.
“The bag is filled with deceptions. He intends to betray you.”
The Enzathi’s avatar made the accusation with no sense of urgency. Trevor’s rage stirred.
“Betray me? Not a chance. How? Why?”
“The manner and motive are unclear, only his aim.”
“Why should I trust the Enzathi? It’s been listening to my thoughts all along – which I did not realize until today.”
Mau raised both hands as if in surrender.
“Incorrect, Trevor. The Enzathi values the bag’s privacy. It only hears your thoughts after it has begun direct communication. If the bag calls out for assistance, it will hear you.”
Trevor decided to challenge the proposition.
“If I tell you to go away and never return, will you?”
“The bag will not make such a request. You need the Enzathi.”
“To supercharge my paranoia? No thanks. You promised: If all the fragments merged, the Enzathi would have the strength to move on from me.”
Mau dropped his hands to his sides.
“The decision does not belong to the Enzathi. It observes incongruity. It says the bag is in need of the Enzathi. It says: Accept an alliance until you are certain.”
“Certain of what?”
“Only you will know, Trevor.”
It’s playing games. Is this what it did with Mau? Is this ...?
Trevor cursed. It was reading his thoughts.
“Go away. I want my privacy.”
Mau nodded.
“The Enzathi complies, but it will ask the bag again. When you accept the offer of an alliance, we will go forth in grace.”
Mau disappeared, as did the converged floaters. Trevor felt a subtle shift, like a cool breeze drifting through his brain.
He was alone.