They can perhaps goad our masters into hurting you, Feng went on. Or worse.
It was a possibility. One that bore more safeguards against it.
So what do you recommend? she asked.
Feng was silent for a moment, threading the Opal through wet Bangkok traffic.
I think the Americans should not get the chance to deeply interrogate Kaden Lane.
You mean that we should liberate him? she asked. Or that we should kill him?
Feng was silent again.
I mean that the Americans should not get the chance to interrogate Kaden Lane.
I doubt our masters would agree to either silencing him or whisking him away to China on such short notice, she sent.
Feng took his time replying.
What they do not know of, they need not agree to, he sent. Accidents happen. Bangkok is a dangerous place.
You've become so hard, Feng, she sent him. You would kill this boy? An innocent?
Your safety is my priority. He threatens it.
What about the woman, the agent he's with?
Feng considered. Challenging. Not impossible.
I would rather have him alive, and on our side, than dead.
You may not have that choice, Feng replied. We must all act within the choices we are given.
Su-Yong Shu leaned back into the plush seat of the Opal, and contemplated.
The Wild at Heart bar was a sprawling three-story club in the heart of Bangkok's tourist district. It was 9pm, halfway into the 8pm to 10pm mixer, and the place was packed with students attending the conference. Kade meandered through the throng, lost in thought. What had he expected of Shu? That she'd be completely innocent of what the ERD had accused her of? That she'd be a monster?
She was neither. The opportunity she was offering him was beyond his wildest dreams. Could he accept it? Could he fool the ERD? Could he live with himself if his work was weaponized, was used to harm innocents?
Could he become posthuman? A demigod? An immortal?
He got in line for a drink, peeled off two hundred-baht bills for something strong and alcoholic. The Nexus link on his phone came alive before the drink reached his lips.
[sam] Welcome back. Meet me on the roof.
Kade shrugged and made his way to the roof, downing his drink as he went. Show time. Again.
He found Sam with her back to the party, looking out onto the street and the chaotic, rain-soaked capital of Thailand.
"Hey."
"Hi there." She smiled at him, put her hand on his arm.
[sam] Put your arm around me.
[kade] What?
[sam] Just do it.
She turned back to the street, leaning against the banister. Kade grimaced, put his arm around her, joined her in leaning out for a view. Sam pressed her body closer. The rain made the night almost cool. Her body was distinctly warm, and firm, and curved under his hand… [sam] Give me your other hand.
[sam] I need a few drops of your blood. [kade] What?
[sam] I need to see if she's dosed you with anything.
[kade] I would have told you.
[sam] Maybe. If you knew. If you could. Hold out your hand.
Kade did as he was told. Sam took his free hand in hers. With her other hand she produced a small black rectangular device. She pressed it against the tip of his finger. He felt a brief sting, then a tiny bit of suction. Sam held it there for a few seconds, removed it, put it back in her pocket.
She snuggled against him, gave him a smile. "So, you had a good dinner?"
[sam] How'd it go?
[kade] Good. She invited me to come visit the lab, see if I was a good fit for the postdoc position.
[sam] Excellent. Now, walk me through the dinner. Let me see it and hear it from your perspective.
Show time indeed. Kade let himself sink into the alternate memories Shu had scripted in his mind. They fit like a mask, like a garment over his mind, like a role he was playing on a stage. He opened himself to Sam.
She roamed through his memories of the night. He watched her. She skimmed the early part of the conversation, focused on the work portion, absorbed the deliciousness of the meal, the sensuality Shu exuded as she savored the food.
Kade found himself becoming aroused. Sam's body felt good against his. She was snuggled against him, his hand on the swell of her hip. She felt firm, athletic, and still she had these curves… He could smell her hair. He liked her warmth, her touch.
Sam noticed his response. She moved fractionally further away, opening a tiny space between their bodies. His hand was still on her hip, but the message was clear: This is just an act, buddy.
Kade sighed. It wasn't like he wanted to be turned on by Samantha Cataranes.
Sam went back to sifting through his memories. She scanned the dinner and conversation from beginning to end. If she detected any flaw, if she was suspicious in any way, she didn't show it.
Sam and Kade's phones buzzed simultaneously. It was a message from Narong.
Meet me out front of mixer at 10.15 to head to the afterparty?
[kade] What's this afterparty about?
[sam] It's a chance to get closer to Narong, which means closer to Suk Prat-Nung and his uncle Ted. We're going.
[kade] You're the boss.
They went back into the mixer, mingled for another hour; 10pm came. The mixer was officially over. Some students elected to stay and continue their drinking at the Wild at Heart Bar. Oth ers filed out into the rainy night. Sam dragged Kade out to the front entrance. Narong met them there.
"So where's this afterparty?" Sam asked.
"It's in Sukhumvit," Narong answered. "You know the city?"
"A little," Sam replied.
"It's off of Soi Sama Han, just east of the Nana District." He looked out at the rain. "We can take a cab most of the way, then walk a few blocks."
Sam's interest was piqued. Soi Sama Han, eh?
"Is that near Sukchai Market?" she asked.
Narong looked surprised. "It's a few blocks from there. We don't have to go near it, really. There's a different way."
"I'd love to see it, actually. I've heard a lot of stories about it."
Narong looked uncomfortable again. "Well, it's not the classiest area…"
Sam laughed. "I'm a big girl. I'm a scientist. I'm really curious."
Narong searched her eyes, as if trying to determine how much she could handle. Or how much he could trust her. He made a decision. "OK. Just stick with me and do what I say when we're there. Kade, that sound OK by you?"
Kade exuded mild befuddlement. "Sure, I'm down for whatever."