THE DEMONSTRATION

Locke accepted Adrian's proposal with the satisfaction of a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. The demonstration would take place in two weeks at a conference center in Colorado, where energy industry executives gathered annually for a retreat that combined strategic planning with outdoor recreation.

"The target is William Carver," Locke explained, providing a dossier that rivaled Adrian's own research in thoroughness. "CEO of Western Petroleum. His company has spent forty million dollars lobbying against climate legislation while simultaneously publicizing their commitment to sustainability. He's personally responsible for blocking three renewable energy initiatives that would have reduced emissions by an estimated twelve percent."

"And you want me to use the ultrasound device on him."

"I want you to demonstrate what your technology can do. Make him feel the consequences of his decisions. If the effect is as powerful as you claim, he'll return from that retreat a changed man."

"Or a dead one. The device hasn't been tested on subjects with his physiological profile."

"Then consider this the test. Success opens the door to our partnership. Failure..." Locke's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Failure would be unfortunate for everyone involved."

Adrian understood the subtext. Failure wouldn't just end the partnership. It would trigger Locke's threat against Chen, destroying them both regardless of whether the failure was Adrian's fault.

He prepared the modified device in his Cambridge laboratory, working with the precision that had always defined his best research. The tracking mechanism was microscopic, embedded in the device's power supply, transmitting location data through a cellular connection that would activate only when the device was powered on. The incapacitating compound was trickier—a derivative of his terminal agents that produced temporary neurological disruption rather than permanent damage. It would render Carver unconscious for approximately six hours, during which time Adrian and Chen could extract him from Locke's control.