The message arrived with no signature, just an address and a time. Elliot read it three times, then handed the tablet to Frank.
"Government building. Tomorrow. Noon." Frank's jaw tightened. "They're summoning you."
"They're inviting me. There's a difference."
"Not to them."
Elliot looked out the window at the children playing in the garden. "We have something they want. The children. The base. The symbol of copy independence. They can't ignore us anymore."
"That doesn't mean they'll negotiate in good faith."
"Then we'll make them."
---
The next morning, Elliot stood at the gate, dressed in a simple gray suit. Frank was beside him, armed. Kael waited in the van.
"You're not coming inside," Elliot said.
"The hell I'm not."
"The message said 'come alone.' If I bring you, they'll us
