"Mr. Collins," Richard Holt said, his voice flat and deadly, exactly as I'd heard it in Elias's recordings years ago. "Greetings from Elias Kane. He said, 'Welcome to the rectification, Architect'."
I held my breath for a moment, my pistol still aimed directly at him, even though my legs felt heavy as old wounds suddenly started throbbing again. Beside Holt, two other Vanguard operators raised their assault rifles, aiming them at Selena and Victor.
"Drop the weapon, Richard," I said, my voice calm, contrasting with the storm raging inside me. "You know exactly what you're doing. This is a betrayal of the Foundation."
Selena, standing behind me, quickly drew her pistol. "Back off right now! All of you will face a Vanguard military tribunal!"
Holt let out a short, dry, unpleasant laugh.
