That day found Lei Yeung reflecting on the same events as the Guardian Lords, but obviously, for very different reasons.

Those within the Council gifted with remote viewing skills had provided startling clarification of what had actually happened to bring both the storm and Land Buster debacle to an end, and he was still chewing on those revelations like a dog with a bone.

Although he hadn’t unearthed any definitive proof as yet, Yeung had little doubt that Member Espasito was responsible for the missile attacks. Neither did he believe that the fool truly comprehended the greater implications of what he’d done.

Their enemy’s response to the containment threat in New Mexico had been impressive to say the least. No sooner had the doctored alarms activated, than they were all over the place, initiating a huge operation in answer to another genuine threat. Despite the scope of that operation, they’d quickly been able to recognize it for what it truly was: a diversion, and a lethal piece to a much larger puzzle.

What Yeung found fascinating was the tiered protocols the Guardians had employed to react so swiftly, for they were already distracted by their commitments in Texas and Oklahoma, and Espasito’s plan had been structured in such a way that the corrupted B91s should have remained undetected until they’d fulfilled their mission objectives. But they hadn’t! Within minutes of discovering the subterfuge at Carlsbad, the Guardians had somehow managed to zero in on the test site in Knoxville, Tennessee, and confirm their suspicions.

Against seemingly impossible odds, their enemy had gone on to destroy all those Land Busters heading toward populated areas without incident. Realizing something was off about the final five, they had attempted to neutralize and retrieve them for analysis.

Complacent the Guardians certainly weren’t, but having achieved their aims, they could be forgiven for thinking they could start to relax a little. After all, how were they to know that each of the remaining B91’s had been rigged to explode if anything interrupted their preprogrammed flight plans.

Moments after the first shock detonation, astute, needle-sharp minds had reacted instantly by attempting to obliterate the surviving missiles outright, a prodigious strategy that should have stood little or no chance of success.

And yet, two of the four targets were eliminated before any harm could be caused.

Yes, more than one thousand three hundred people died, and about half that number was injured. But it could have been worse. It should have been worse.

Yeung wasn’t naïve enough to imagine for one second that the Guardians’ incredible security procedures wouldn’t be tightened even further, making it virtually impossible for him to try anything like this himself in the future. And he could only imagine what the Inquisitors might be uncovering right now, from retrieved micro fragments, forensic evidence, or even from the minds of those they’d interrogated.

The media had been silent on the results of investigations so far, but that didn’t mean the Guardians weren’t making progress.

As vexing as this was, however, that wasn’t what worried Yeung the most.

No, he was troubled about the godlike creature they called, the Overlord, and any others out there that might be like him.

How can we possibly stand against beings of such limitless potential?

When might we expect these Inquisitors at our door?

Or might this Overlord lead the hunt himself in secret?

Yeung was relieved the recent lunacy did not have the backing of the Council and that the person responsible for pushing Espasito’s buttons had now been dealt with. He was sure that had he not exercised appropriate caution by cutting all ties to the wayward crime boss early; his ill-advised temper tantrums could have been the end of them.

It will certainly be the end of Member Espasito. He shook his head sadly. Jumped in off the deep end this time didn’t you, Luigi? Pity you forgot to remove your concrete boots first.

*

By the time the newly commissioned magnates made their way from the main conference room of the training academy, the Sun hung low in the sky.

“That went better than I expected,” drawled Andrew – the new Lord of Shadow Operations – sarcastically. “If only I’d remembered to bring a knife, I’d have had something to cut the atmosphere with.”

Not the only exceptional being to possess a wicked sense of humor, Andrew had been branded “the Dark Lord” by Jade Heung almost immediately. While he’d initially let the jibe ride, he’d had to draw the line at her Darth Vader references, otherwise his new moniker would have resounded around the academy before he got back to his rooms and stuck like glue, whether he liked it or not. And truth be told, where Andrew was concerned, the total opposite would have been far more appropriate, given his heritage.

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Victoria, the equally new Lord Inquisitor, smiled as they walked along. “Cut them a little slack. Remember, they’ve had to absorb a lot in a short space of time and it can’t be easy. The world is changing and they’ve got to keep up. At least they know which direction things will go if we manage to ride the storm and get over this latest hiccup. The Unification Process is a project that’s remained on the backburner for centuries, so it’s not surprising most of them have given it scant regard for some time. But now the probability lattices have swung into alignment, everybody needs to be on the same page and ready for anything.”

Andrew chuckled and fine-tuned his thoughts to an ultra secure mode to prevent any chance of eavesdroppers: True, but can you imagine their reactions when they eventually find out who we really are?

Rounding on her companion, Victoria initiated a further security pulse and tweaked Andrew’s psyche between the talons of a potent compulsive grip for the merest instant, causing him to wince: Shut up, dickhead! Don’t even hint about such things. They’re beginning to forge the transcension barrier, so you can never be sure who might be strong or talented enough to pick up stray broadcasts.

He raised both palms and backed away from her: Okay, okay, I’m sorry, jeesh, it’s not like I’m threatening to turn anyone to the Dark Side or anything.

She came to an abrupt halt and turned to face him fully: Just be careful. Do anything to screw this up, and you’ll risk him losing his temper. Have you forgotten what happened last time?

Andrew sobered immediately: Yes, you’re right. It was such a long time ago I tend to forget... Sunk without a trace doesn’t go anywhere near to describing it, eh?

He suddenly brightened. “At least he’s got you jumping in off the deep end. Phew! First day on the job and you’ve already got a case of mass terrorism to solve! The future of our continued relations with mankind may rely on your success. So, no pressure.

“And a New Psychic Law and Order Bill to push through, too. When people realize that our Inquisitors will be able to lawfully probe apprehended felons, or mind-snoop suspects to illegal activities – ouch! I dread to think of the reaction that’s going to provoke. Where’s he going to find the sucker to head that little operation...?”

Adopting a studious facade, Andrew tapped one finger against his lips. Then he made a dramatic gesture, as if he’d only this second discovered the secret of life and pointed toward her, “Oh yeah, I forgot, you’re standing right next to me. Sucker!”

Victoria punched him on the arm. “I’m not afraid to step up when it’s required. At least Vladimir and I will have something constructive to do. To be honest, I was more concerned at Jade and Anil’s reactions, as they were a bit put out I got the job over them.”

Andrew reverted to mind speech: That’s because they think it should have gone to someone older and more experienced. Take it as a compliment. We’ve been blending into the background for so long now that our seniority slips their minds sometimes.

“If you think about it, Adam’s thrown me in at the deep end in more ways than one, eh?” Victoria postulated out loud.

Grinning like a clown, Andrew patted her on the back and nodded.

After a moment, the new Lord Inquisitor’s eyes narrowed. “At least I’m not alone. The shock on their faces when you told them Adam’s been off world again, already looking for viable planetary colonization candidates, and that you’ll be taking on that assignment full time until further notice . . . Classic.”

Andrew looked thoughtful for a moment. “Yes. He does like to plan ahead, doesn’t he? But at least they know why we’ve been absent so much lately. There’s a lot of universe out there to range through, even when we can limit our initial scrutiny to nearby galaxies and stars in the F, G, and mid-K spectral range. Then it’s down to repetition, narrowing candidate planets by ultrascan, hyperjumping to check them out in person, and verifying...”

Nodding in agreement, Victoria struck a pose and recited The Drill for him. “…verifying bio-diversity, geo-chemistry, constancy of planetary rotation, stability of habitable zones, availability of liquid water with an absence of tidal locking, and acceptable atmospheric dynamics for sustained bio-development. And...?”

“And not forgetting clean underwear!” they said together, bursting into raucous laughter, and drawing the attention of passersby on the main concourse.

Upon seeing who it was causing such a ruckus, those passersby – both students and instructors – bowed in respect.

“Aah crap! The word’s already out.” Andrew muttered, in painful resignation.

“It would appear so. Shall we take the plunge?” Victoria offered, extending her elbow toward him.

Andrew sighed. Linking his arm through hers, he led the way out onto the central thoroughfare and together, they commenced replying to each greeting in turn.

Inclining her head, Victoria whispered, “Hey, talking of taking a plunge, what about doing that literally? The bottlenose dolphin pod is back.”

“Really? The ones who try to swim along with us when we go aquasonic?”

“Yup, those are the ones. It will be nice to converse with intelligent creatures for a while before I start dealing with the lowlife from tomorrow...”

Victoria moved even closer. “Speaking of lowlife; how would you like to engage in a spot of undercover shenanigans for me before you go floating off among the cosmos?”

“Love to, why?”

“There’s someone I’d like you to impersonate for me, just for a morning or afternoon here and there over the next week or so. If the latest intel from my teams is correct, it’ll help facilitate an arrest in the very near future. One I intend to make as loud and as public as I possibly can.”

“What, another breakthrough already?”

“Thank God, yes. We need this now more than ever, but I don’t want to go rushing in until I’ve conducted a mind ream or two of my own, personally.” She ginned and winked, “You know how I love to delve into the minds of scumbags, eh?”

Andrew felt his scalp tingle and nodded, ignoring the joke at his expense. “I think you have yourself a date. Let’s make our way down to the beach, but slowly. We don’t want to deny the gawkers a good long look, now, do we?”

*

It was extremely rare for Andrew and Victoria to be seen in public together at the same time. So, on this most auspicious occasion, as the two new Lords strolled along, arm in arm, many were struck by something they had never really noticed before: how alike they were, both in their bearing and mannerisms.

What’s more, those who managed to pass close by perceived something else coincidental: that the pair possessed the most mesmerizing eyes imaginable.

Eyes like bottomless wells of quicksilver.

Eyes that reeked of ageless wisdom and power.