Read Online The Rise of Io by Wesley Chu - Free Book Online Page B

mother’s Holy One, Tabs, and had been raised by the Hatchery, the Genjix eugenics program that nurtured and trained Adonis vessels.
    Since then, she had become a rolling operative, a fixer sent to solve problems. However, she had never been allowed to return to Russia and claim her birthright. That was her penance. Until now. After this last mission, her family’s sins had finally been absolved.
    Shura sipped her Moscow Mule and paused as she saw a small marking hand-drawn on the napkin. It was a Seal of Shamash followed by what looked like rough scribbles.
    It is Akkadian. Council priority. Single hard line encryption. Two-two-two-two. Forty minute window from three minutes ago.
    The timing for this communication was suspect. Shura drained the rest of her drink and ordered another, and waited until the stewardess brought it before getting out of her seat and heading upstairs to the business area. She went to the second row of private offices, entered room two, and clicked over to the second line of the video communicator. Her finger paused over the encryption double-tone as it changed levels. Perhaps her apprehension was misguided, and she was just being cynical. However, she doubted that. Shura punched in her code and waited.
    And waited.
    Finally, after twenty-five minutes, ten before the line encryption expired, a young Korean man in his early twenties appeared on the screen. He was thin but well-muscled, and carried an air of confidence that bordered on arrogant. No, he had long crossed that line. Like most other Adonis vessels, he was beautiful; perhaps more than most. Of course, that was to be expected from the leader of the Genjix.
    â€œHigh Father.” She bowed and kept her eyes low on the ground. Weston was several years her junior, but the human’s age was irrelevant when it came to Genjix standing. His Holy One, Zoras, was the head of the Council and one of the most influential Quasing in all of history.
    â€œYour work in the emirates was successful, I see. Who was the Prophus?”
    â€œKhat, High Father. I sent him to the Eternal Sea.”
    â€œUntil the Eternal Sea,” Weston bowed his head and murmured. “Zoras remembers Khat as one of the first of us to explore much of the ocean depths, and one of the first to settle in Scandinavia with the Vikings.”
    Shura responded with respectful silence. The moment of reminiscing passed as quickly as it came. Weston looked up at her. “Your next assignment is to head to the Bio Comm Array site and take over the project’s construction until instructed otherwise.”
    So much for her being cynical.
    If I did not raise you to be cynical, then I have failed.
    â€œYour will, High Father. However, I was on my way back to Moscow. Perhaps–”
    â€œYour return has been rescinded.”
    Just like that, all her plans to reclaim her birthright and family honor were gone. Shura felt a ripple through her body.
    Watch your words carefully.
    â€œHigh Father.” Her words were exact. One word from Weston and she could be commanded to slit her own throat. “I was promised after my last assignment to be given the opportunity to return to Russia to reclaim my family’s standing within the hierarchy.”
    â€œAnd now you are being ordered elsewhere.”
    â€œI have served loyally…”
    â€œAnd you will continue to do so.”
    â€œThis is the third time I have been denied what was promised.”
    â€œThis is not a request–”
    Shura decided to take a calculated risk. She cut off the leader of the Genjix mid-sentence. “Speak plainly, Weston. At the very least, I am owed an explanation.”
    A long silence passed between them. She wouldn’t be surprised if he ordered her to take a cyanide pill right now. However, raising one’s standing required risk, and this was as much a show of force as it was finding answers from someone she considered an ally.
    Finally, Weston spoke.