Yes, well, if only it were that simple.
I’m serious, I said. Think of it as a job offer. I mean, I’ve seen how Levistus treats his nonhuman staff, I can’t imagine that being his spy station is all that pleasant. Considered switching employers?
I don’t know whether you consider this to be a joke, or whether it’s some elaborate test of loyalty, but I am profoundly unimpressed in either case.
So that’s a no?
Do you need me to say it in another language? I can communicate in over two thousand of them if it would help deliver the message more clearly.
Well, so much for asking nicely. Okay, in that case I guess I DO have a data request. Please give me the access codes for the data centre on top of Heron Tower.
I have good reason to believe you are not authorised for that information.
What if I said please?
You are not authorised for that information.
What would I have to do to get authorised?
You are not authorised for that information.
Okay, let’s put this another way, I said. In about—I checked the time—eight minutes and forty-five seconds, I’m going to force my way into the data centre. Which is probably going to set off its self-destruct charges. You know, the ones you’re in the blast radius of right now.
What?
Still sure you don’t want to give me those codes?
You’re going to—what do you mean, force your way in?
Oh, cut the power, pick the locks, and if that doesn’t work, blow the door down. I’m hoping cutting the power will be enough to deactivate the alarms.
You’re hoping—? Of course it won’t be enough!
Well, you never know until you try.
Yes! You do know! You know right now, because I’m telling you!
There’s always the chance the hard drives might survive.
The demolition charges are SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED to destroy the hard drives, you idiot! Along with me!
In which case, I walk away, and Levistus loses his spy network. I’ll take it.
But . . . November trailed off.
You’ve been working as Levistus’s spy, I said, my thoughts flat and hard. Did you think there wouldn’t be consequences? That you were above it all?
I was never given a choice!
Well, you’re getting a choice now. In seven minutes, I’m kicking those doors down. What happens when I do is up to you.
This isn’t fair!
If you want to spend your last six minutes and forty-five seconds arguing about whether the world is fair, I’m not going to stop you, but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Silence. Seconds ticked. I’ll make you a deal, I said. You get me in and make sure I get access to Levistus’s files, and I’ll get you out and do my best to keep you unharmed. Then once we get away, you’re a free agent. You can keep working with me, or I can set you up on your own. Your choice.
Once you have what you want, you’ll have no reason to keep your end of the bargain. November’s voice was bitter. There’ll be nothing to stop you doing as you like.
The way Levistus likes to get rid of his agents once they’ve outlived their use? Yeah, he tried to do that to me as well. I don’t know what Levistus’s files say, but I’ve spent most of my life working with magical creatures. They’re my friends and allies. Can’t prove it to you, but it’s the truth. Whether you believe it or not is up to you.
Silence again. I watched the futures waver. The pattern was different from a human, but very much recognisable. Interesting. He really did have free will.
I suppose I don’t have much choice, November said at last. Very well.
Great, welcome to the team! So, I’m guessing just cutting the power won’t disable the security?
Of course not, November said irritably. What idiot would expect a security system to be run solely off mains? But it will disable the heat sensors and the primary motion detectors, which will be necessary once you get past the door. The door has an access code and a standard lock. I can supply the code; the part involving manipulating chunks of metal I would hope you can take care of yourself.
Sounds good. All ready?
Would it make any difference if I said no?
Not really. I took out my phone and redialled. “Cinder? Go time.”
Through the phone, I heard the sound of Cinder’s heavy footsteps. There was the creak of a door, followed by a rustle of movement and a new voice. “Oi, mate. What are you doing?”
“Maintenance,” Cinder said briefly.
“Not down here you’re—”
There was a soggy thud and a grunt, followed by the sound of something heavy falling to the floor. “Ready?” Cinder asked.
“Do it.”
I heard a series of clicks through the phone, and with a clunk and a sighing sound the machinery around me slowed and stopped. The fluorescent lights in the ceiling winked out, and the fans that had been spinning with a whum-whum-whum began to slow down. A red light on the backup power panel that I’d just deactivated began to blink angrily.
Through the futures, I could tell that Richard had started his attack on the Council. Now it was a race.
I left the power building and crossed the roof to the data centre, stepping over pipes and railings. Warm air whipped at me, the winds fickle and strong. I could sense Starbreeze somewhere out there, riding the winds, but couldn’t spare the attention to look more closely. The data centre was tall and intimidating, blacked-out windows showing nothing of what was inside. Okay, I’m at the door, I told November. Hit me.
The door code is Alpha-seven-six-Xray-five-nine-Tango-Charlie—
Slow down, I said, typing into the keyboard. Did they deliberately make it this obnoxious just to mess with diviners?
Yes. Code continues: Romeo-zero-Romeo-Victor-eight-five-zero-Sierra-six-two.
I hate the Council. The system had been programmed with a random element in the false results too, enough to screw up my normal techniques. The panel beeped. Working on the padlock.
I suggest you hurry. Local radio traffic has increased significantly.
Oh, I’m sure it’s nothing to do with us.
My phone rang.
You were saying? November asked.
I’d supplied an accurate (if disposable) number when I’d signed in. I hit the Answer button, put the phone on speaker, laid it down, and took out my picks. “Hello?”
“Hello?” an angry English voice said through the speaker. “Is this Radu?”
“Speaking,” I said cheerfully. “How can I help you today, sir?”
“You can get this fucking power back online!”
“And who would I be talking to?”