The oligarchs' boardroom in the Centreon was an opulent affair, even by their standards. A large granite-topped table stood atop the Kimberlite floor on massive, hand-carved mahogany legs. Twelve ivory-trimmed leather chairs sat along the long sides of the table leaving one end empty.

The walls were adorned with rare curiosities - artifacts of the Second Age, with the exception of one item. A first series prototype Gatsu that hung behind the head of the table. It was a symbol of ultimate power and the pinnacle of technological achievement. A reminder to all around the table of the terrible power that could be wielded by a single man - even if that person was merely a monster in disguise.

Thin windows ran from floor to ceiling down one wall, a dozen of them evenly spaced. Beams of light from the late afternoon Sun cut across the table at oblique angles.

In each chair sat an Oligarch, a necessary gathering of Meta's power elite, due to recent events. Every solemn face oriented in the same direction. At the head of the table in a distinctly different chair sat a smiling Niles Galvin. He rolled an imaginary ball between his thumb and forefinger.

"For those of you who may, for some reason, have been out of touch recently, we have suffered a slight setback. An incident at the Cortex has resulted in the loss of Wagner and subsequently most if not all of the remaining Second Age data. A significant loss, I know, but it also rids us of Wagner and that I could not be more pleased about.

Several research divisions will have to be reassigned projects. And as Henrik has parted ways, there is now an opening in that division as well. Put the word out."

A bearded man at the far corner stood and asked. "Does the loss of the Cortex have a significant impact on all our R&D efforts."

"Randolph, I think were are at a crossroads. Wagner shaped our technological evolution, he controlled the pace and direction. It is time for us to take control of our own future. Second Age technology was a useful pursuit, for a time, but I must admit, my new goals are somewhat more lofty.

Effective immediately, financing for the Orbital Platform research division is doubled. There will be openings for 150 additional personnel. The Second Age division will be reduced to essential staff only, whatever is deemed necessary to maintain projects currently active. No new projects."

The entire cabal exchanged looks. Another stood, a statuesque women with flowing auburn hair and an abrupt chin.

"What about these terrorists? What about the Paladin program?"

"Additional fail-safes are being added to the Paladin program as we speak. For the time being, Paladins are off active duty. As for the group we captured. So far the Senstech scans have turned up DNA from the Paladin Captain and the one prisoner, Trey Parker. We suspect both were killed in the blast. We have no evidence of the others one way or the other, but it is believed they are also deceased and pose no further threat to us. An explosion of that magnitude could obliterate all traces of DNA."

"And what of the fifth member of the group? And Erik?"

"Erik cannot hide for long. Any move he makes across the networks in the Core will be detected and traced. That in turn will lead us back to this bio-born menace and he will be dealt with accordingly."

With that Niles stood. "I will ensure you are all sent full documentation on the current state of affairs with regard to the items discussed today. I would like to adjourn the meeting at this time and schedule another in two weeks. After you have had a chance to review the material in its entirety we can have a more in-depth discussion about any concerns you might have." He interlaced his fingers and looked across the room.

Slowly the attendees got to their feet, gathered their things and exited the boardroom. Some still carried on discussions with each other about the new developments.

Niles remained behind in the same pose. He opened and closed his mouth, his jaw clicked, just like it has every time since he took that punch in the MemEx lab. A molten rage welled up deep inside him, he felt his face flush and his ears burned. He pulled out his Netpod and made a call.

"It's Niles, your operation has been authorized."

* * * * *

"You have to go." Nic pushed on Katherine's metal head. "It's not safe here for anyone anymore." Katherine did not budge. "If I have to, I will power you down and load you into a shipping container." He really did not want to, it would be heartbreaking to do that to her. But he was running short on options.

"She can stay in the belfry." Simon offered.

"No she can't, if they find her here, they will hurt her and you. I thought Erik was going to be the biggest challenge, but it's been two days since I sent him off and I still can't get Katherine to leave."

"She's too loyal."

"Well, whatever it is, it's a pain in the ass." He turned again to Katherine. "Look, I promise I will be in contact as soon as I reach my destination. But I can't leave until you leave. Hop the wall, jump on a Mag and get to the coordinates I gave you. Remember on a Mag - NOT in. Unless you can sneak into a cargo unit of some kind. Really, Katherine, you have to go. My permit expires tomorrow, I have to grab a Mag tonight."

She hung her head and beeped.

"I'll be fine. I just need to know you are safe. Now go."

She finally relented and walked slowly to the door, he followed behind.

"Stay out of sight, and run if you come into contact with MiST - don't fight, just run." He gave her a pat and opened the doors. She slipped out into the night and disappeared.

"Two down. Now I just have to get myself to the Mag Exchange in time and hope these egress papers are worth the money. This fake CIT is driving me crazy." He scratched at his wrist. He had a recent visit to the black market, where he had a fake CIT implanted. The implant site was red and irritated. It looked infected. "Simon, I would feel a lot better if you went away for a while too. Perhaps you could do some more research overseas?"

"I'll be safe here Nicolaus, it is you who needs to get far away. Don't worry about me, I have plenty to do around here and who is going to bother an old man like me?"

"Well, I know I can't put you in a shipping container. Please be safe. I will try to contact you but it could be a while before I am able."

"That's quite alright Nicolaus, I am a patient man. Here, I have packed you some food for the trip." He handed Nic a small container. The old man's eyes were wet. "Take care Nicolaus, go with the Gods."

Nic embraced Simon and clung to him digging his hands into the old man's robes. It was a good-bye to the only father he had ever known. He had no idea if he would ever seen him again.

He let go and ran his forearm across his eyes. He couldn't manage a good-bye, so he grabbed his things and left the church. Maybe for the last time.

* * * * *

Even at 2:00AM the MagEx was exceptionally crowded. Nic considered that a plus. With the hub under the Centreon in ruin, the MagEx was getting all the overflow. Anyone destined for the Centreon had to take a MagLev into a nearby Old Cities junction and take a Jumper into the Core proper. Freelance jumper pilots were making a killing.

So far despite the discomfort, his dodgey CIT implant had been a success. He breezed through the first security checkpoint with ease. His MagLev was delayed, so Nic found a seat and waited.

Until he could make his escape from the Core he could not risk contacting Erik. Two days prior, he helped Erik egress the Core via DarkNet and from what he could tell, Erik made good his escape. As it turned out, Nic was able to secure both Erik and Katherine a new home with an old friend - Katsuo Maki. It was a refuge half a world away, and there was no one he trusted more than Katsuo - except Simon.

Nic's MagLev arrived finally and he joined a deluge of people as they surged forth to the platform. He blended in seamlessly with a thousand other passengers, his CIT again proving it's worth, despite his concern that he might lose his hand from infection.

Twenty minutes later the lights were dimmed and most passengers fell asleep as the MagLev rocketed across the continent at Mach three. Nic could not sleep, he worried about Katherine and Simon, Erik too. Mostly, he could not stop thinking about the four friends he couldn't save. Dead or alive, they were lost to him. The inescapable guilt gnawed at him.

He decided to eat the food Simon packed. There was no way he could bring food like that into Norsk Gulag, if it was anything like what he'd learned, they would kill him for a stale piece of crust. Perhaps one of the most dangerous places on Earth, but it was also a place where bio-borns don't stick out. A place into which he could disappear completely.

No more bodyguard, this was now a solo journey. Whatever trials he was about to face, he'd face alone. He checked his Netpod for the time, initiated a data wipe and tossed it under the seat in front of him.

"Going dark." He said to himself.

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