Nigel was awakened again, this time to a booming sound.

What the hell was that?

Nigel moved as quickly as his injury would let him. Upon opening the curtain, the scene unfolding before him gave him pause. Several people seemed to be rioting outside the Bank of Newport. It was difficult to make out what they were saying with the window closed, but Nigel thought he could hear the words “give” and “money” clear enough. Moments later, the house phone rang with a tone that seemed louder than necessary. Nigel picked up the phone.

“We need you downstairs for lunch in ten minutes,” a woman’s voice said.

Is that Dahlia? She sounds annoyed.

Nigel got dressed the best he could with his one good hand.

I wish Blanka were here to help me.

Nigel was getting accustomed to having her help him. He was missing her. Moments later, he shuffled into the conference room. All members of the Cabal were present.

“Good afternoon, Nigel, how is the arm?” Mr. Chen said.

“It hurts, and I’m almost out of meds,” Nigel snapped.

Blanka and Vedrana helped him into one of the oversized chairs. Nigel noticed another teenager about his age glaring at him.

What’s his problem?

“Before we have lunch, we need to go over the plan,” Chen said.

“What plan?” Nigel said.

“The plan to raid the Ohio Valley Nuclear Reactor, of course!” Mr. Tage said.

“What? Why are you doing that?”

“Will someone please bring Mr. Watson up to date,” Mr. Chen said.

What the hell is going on here?

Mr. Tage and Dr. Ash gave Nigel an overview of the overall plan, and why it was crucial to get the nuclear material.

“We need this material to create the new cyborgs, right? What about the existing cyborgs, like Delta or Nozomi?” Nigel asked.

“Nozomi is part of the Echo series of experiments, which are more advanced than Delta. She has an expected lifespan of sixty years.”

“And the Delta series?”

“The Delta series was expected to have a similar lifespan. However, I examined a recent blood sample from Nozomi, and the breakdown of her genetic material has already begun,” Dr. Ash explained.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“How long does she have?”

“I estimate she has less than a year remaining, perhaps less. I’m so sorry,” Dr. Ash said.

“Now that is settled, here are the assignments. Vedrana, Eva, and Blanka will take point on the mission with Mr. Watson and Freeman providing support. Dahlia will be the commander in charge,” Chen said.

“We need a hacker in the field in case there are remote connectivity issues,” Dahlia said.

“I will volunteer to go with the onsite team,” Freeman said.

Good, because I’m not. Ohio seems like a long way off.

“Out of the question,” Dahlia said to Freeman. “We need someone with field experience. I’ve seen Nigel Watson in action—he will provide the onsite support.”

Nigel thought he saw a slight smile on Blanka’s face.

“When is this mission taking place?” Nigel asked.

“In less than ten hours,” Chen said.

“What? No way I’m going until I know Jet is okay. Are you going back on our deal, Chen?” Nigel said.

The room fell silent. No one said anything for a long time.

“I will honor our arrangement, but if you could help us one last time, you will be a rich man.”

“I don’t want your money!”

“Nigel, this mission is necessary to help April. She is dying. Her organs are failing. The nuclear material will preserve her life. I think Jet would have wanted that.”

Nigel swallowed hard. He was speechless.

“Josephine is safe and resting at the home of a dear friend of mine in a safe location. I will take you there after the mission is complete,” Dahlia said.

Nigel’s eyes blurred. He wiped away some tears. He hated showing any emotion in front of these vipers. He only trusted one person in this room. After a long moment of reflection, he agreed.

As if on cue, Ezekiel entered. “Lunch is now served.”

Blanka and Vedrana assisted Nigel to the banquet hall.

“Vedrana, do you want to dine with me?” Freeman asked.

“No, I’m dining with my sisters and Nigel,” she replied. “We need to prepare.”

Freeman looked like he had been punched in the stomach. He gave Nigel a contemptuous stare. Nigel shrugged, then followed his lovely companions to their table.

Lunch was delicious. Nigel had duck and several side dishes. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten. The assault on the tower seemed like a long time ago. To his surprise, Melissa entered the dining hall. She was alone and sat well away from everyone in the room.

“Melissa!” Nigel yelled, waving his good arm.

The sudden movement caused the pain to resurface. She ran over to him.

“You’re hurt,” she said.

“I was shot yesterday. It hurts like hell, but it’s not the first time someone has taken potshots at me.”

Vedrana and Blanka gave each other a look.

“Join us,” Blanka said as she made room for Melissa.

“What are you doing here?” Nigel asked.

Melissa gave Nigel a sad look.

“I just sold my stake in the island to Mr. Chen’s company.”

I’ll make Chen pay for this.

Nigel and his female companions shared their experiences from the past several days. A strong bond was forming with the unlikely group. He didn’t know Vedrana and Eva as well, but he thought he could trust them.

“Dahlia is going to take us to see Jet once this nightmare is over. You should come,” Nigel said.

“I would like that,” Melissa said.

A ringing sound emanated from the back of the room. Nigel looked over to see Chen standing and tapping on an expensive-looking glass with a butter knife.

“Your attention, please. Mr. Chen would like to say a few words,” Ezekiel said.

“The mission you are about to embark on is not only important to our bottom line, but will allow us to save dear friends and loved ones from extinction,” Mr. Chen said. “As Dr. Ash has already informed us, the cyborg known as Delta requires an isotope from the nuclear reactor to survive. Join me in wishing the onsite and remote teams luck.”

Melissa looked alarmed.

“Is it true?” she asked Nigel.

“I just found out, Mel—this mission is the only thing keeping me away from Jet,” Nigel said.

“Nigel, are you ready?” Dahlia asked.

“We are leaving now?”

“Yes. Get everything you need for the mission and meet in the hotel lobby in thirty minutes. We will travel by train.”