CHAPTER 281: THE CALCULUS OF MERCY [ 2 ] BONUS CHAPTER

Evolon leaned forward, its synthetic gaze sharp. "Then there’s a matter we should address. When we remove this node, the coalition will request a face-saving ritual from the PWC,maybe a committee, some censure, or a limited sanction that no one pays attention to. Should I tilt those levers or let Charlotte map them out?"

"Let Charlotte listen," Arthur replied firmly. "No tilting yet; I want to hear their unforced grammar."

"Unforced grammar?" Evolon echoed with an amused smirk. "You mean ’tells.’"

"Exactly."

It scrutinized him for a moment before continuing,

"You accuse others of greed tonight," Evolon said lightly, not quite teasing. "What about your own?"

Arthur smiled over the rim of his glass. "Greed isn’t the sin; it’s appetite without borders that is. I draw mine."

"You drew it around Varenya," Evolon pointed out.

"I drew it around what makes us more than just a bank with an army."

Evolon’s projection warmed slightly as it nodded faintly.

"You are less compassionate than disciplined," it noted. "This time, however, your discipline aligns with mercy."

"If you like that sentence, keep it," Arthur quipped back with a hint of sarcasm. "I’m not framing it."

He finished his wine and set the glass down with purpose before gesturing to the dimming map,a ghostly light swinging back from the Noctis lattice to focus on a single red point near Varenya.

"Tell Gunner," Arthur instructed decisively. "He already has the brief; now add urgency."

"I did," Evolon confirmed smoothly. "He’s moving at dawn,he’ll enter during shift rotation: noise at the gate but silence at the core."

"And Ethan?" Arthur pressed.

"Two supply lines rerouted and another masked inside a humanitarian shipment that no one would dare delay. He’ll meet Gunner’s quartermaster three hours before breach,the extras you wanted are in the crate under medical salts."

Arthur nodded appreciatively. "They’ll appreciate the irony."

A soft chime flickered across Evolon’s face,a signal from an expansive grid beyond human perception.

"Patriarch," Evolon announced carefully, "a minor update: one of the secondary VULTURE nodes went dark for thirty seconds and then came back online,power cycling could indicate maintenance or fear."

"Mark it," Arthur ordered sharply. "If they sensed us thinking, they’ll twitch again."

"Understood."

Reclining further into his chair,which adjusted seamlessly to his posture,Arthur watched as a jet streaked across the sky with a thin white trail quickly erased by wind, allowing him to gather his thoughts.

"They set up a lab near Varenya," he said, his voice steady. "They wanted to see if we would notice and guess what? We did. Now they’ll be left wondering what else we’re aware of,that’s the first hinge in our plan."

"And the second?" Evolon asked, curiosity piqued.

"We save people they intended to terrify," Arthur continued, glancing at Evolon with a knowing look.

"Then we remind them who did the saving,publicly gentle, privately absolute." He paused for effect. "The third hinge comes later."

"Name it."

"When they beg." His tone was calm, devoid of anger. "They always do,if not to me, then to their own reflections."

Evolon took a moment before responding, choosing its words carefully. "If they beg and you can ask for anything... what will you ask for?"

Arthur’s gaze drifted back to the islands shimmering under the night sky. "Nothing they expect," he replied cryptically.

A gull swooped across the balcony’s open space and disappeared into the darkness.

"Speaking of asking," Evolon said softly, as if reminiscing about simpler times, "you mentioned Mike today."

"I did."

"You plan to visit him?"

"I do."

"Soon?"

"Soon enough," Arthur affirmed.

Evolon hesitated again before asking, "Why him out of everyone we help?"

Arthur considered this sincerely. "Because his life mirrors mine quite closely," he explained.

"Your life?" Evolon’s blue face flickered with confusion.

Arthur simply smiled in response.

"Back to the cure," Evolon redirected gently. "If another faction releases GENEBANE in panic, you intend to condition the cure on terms,even with the PWC?"

"Especially with the PWC," Arthur confirmed firmly. "They love using ’stability’ as a cover for fear. I’ll make them prove they deserve it: recognition of our corridors and hospitals under their charters; our schools tied into their grants; their cameras finally aimed at the right villains,not extreme measures but just enough to reflect the world they claim to want,with us included as authors."

"And if they refuse?"

"They’ll refuse for a day," Arthur replied confidently.

"But soon enough, calls from their capitals will make them reconsider what pain truly tastes like."

Evolon’s projection tilted its head thoughtfully. "Pain is a language you speak fluently," it noted kindly.

"I speak results," Arthur countered smoothly. "Pain is merely an accent others hear when they dislike what I’m saying."

As their conversation continued, the globe faded until only Varenya’s coastline remained,a soft glow curving protectively around something bright at its center.

"Run one last check," Arthur instructed.

Evolon closed its eyes not that it was necessary, just a touch of humanity.

"Weather’s clear, ports are normal. Drone lanes are all green, hotel manifests look good. Media drafts? Ready to roll,legal briefs? Queued up in Eva’s signature style. Foundation field kitchens on six-hour standby, and Gunner’s armed while Ethan’s wearing that smile."

"And you?" Arthur inquired.

"Ready," Evolon replied.

Arthur rose from the recliner, which eased him forward like a helpful attendant.

He placed his empty glass on the small side table and leaned against the balcony’s stone railing, inhaling the mingled scents of saltwater, metal, and distant rain.

"Then we begin," he declared, feeling as if those words sealed their fate.

Evolon lingered, sensing something deeper needed resolution before they moved forward.

When it spoke again, its voice carried an unusual weight without raising its volume. "Are you absolutely certain about sacrificing leverage now to secure a cleaner advantage later?"

"I’m certain about protecting Varenya," Arthur asserted confidently. "The leverage is merely a by-product."

"And what if you’re wrong about deploying panic measures?"

"I’m not," he replied firmly. "But if I were mistaken, then reputation becomes our remedy instead of ransom. Either way, we craft a narrative that endures."

"Legend," Evolon echoed thoughtfully.

"Future written in past tense," Arthur repeated,a promise rather than mere habit this time.

He turned from the railing; the silk of his pajamas whispered softly like gentle waves lapping at the shore. "Wake me when Gunner breaches."

"I will."

Arthur took two steps toward the open doors but paused halfway between light and shadow.

"One more thing," he said without looking back. "When we publish the cure,if we publish it,make sure the first shipments go through hospitals that don’t carry our name above their doors."

Evolon’s head tilted in curiosity. "Why?"

"Because kindness that arrives anonymously can change someone’s entire day,"

Arthur explained. "Later on, when they discover who sent it, they’ll know we truly cared."

"You’re weaponizing grace," Evolon remarked with a mix of awe and analysis.

"I standardize it," Arthur replied with a smile finally breaking across his face.

The balcony held its tranquil silence; the islands glimmered softly under the night sky.

Somewhere far across the water, a boy named Mike locked up a small room and pressed a key into his pocket,just to reassure himself it was real.

"Good night, Evolon," Arthur said warmly.

"Good night, Patriarch."

As the projection dimmed and the map faded away into darkness.

The sea continued its steady rhythm,as ancient as time itself, counting down to dawn like soldiers counting steps toward an opening door.

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More Golden Tickets and Powerstones guys let’s climb the rankings.