Chapter 184

Ascension Oasis

The facility spiraled outward from a central oasis like some architect’s fever dream. Frank watched it grow larger through the vehicle’s window as they approached. Pools glittered in the late afternoon sun. Palm trees swayed around water features that had no business existing this far into the desert.

A row of attendants waited at the entrance wearing white uniforms, professional smiles, and with hands clasped. Too many of them.

The vehicle stopped.

“Mr. and Mrs. Vitale,” the lead attendant said as Frank stepped out. “Welcome to Ascension Oasis.”

Frank grunted acknowledgment. Helena took his arm, her fingers light against his sleeve. He could feel her amusement without looking. She knew him well enough to know that he was both going to enjoy the charade, yet hate the necessary socializing.

Behind them, the crew spilled out of the second and third vehicles. Whispers started immediately. Someone hissed something about the size of the place. Another jabbed their companion and pointed at the outdoor pools.

He hadn’t been around them long enough to remember all their names. Except for Carmen, because they’d spoken the most. And Doug, of course. The Chief Engineer was a real character, someone who knew his stuff. Worth remembering.

Carmen emerged last, her expression neutral. She caught Frank’s eye and gave a slight nod. The crew would behave. Mostly.

“Your luggage will be taken to your suites,” the attendant continued. “If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to check-in.”

Frank followed. Helena’s hand stayed on his arm as they walked through an atrium that opened to the sky. The central oasis spread out below them, visible through floor-to-ceiling glass. Real grass. Flowing water. And flowers he couldn’t name.

The crew’s whispers grew louder. Frank didn’t blame them. Most of it didn’t belong. The place looked like someone had thrown money at the desert until it gave up and became paradise.

Check-in took minutes. Their documentation had already been completed and payment confirmed.

All that was needed was for Carmen and the crew to sign their final medical waivers.

The attendant handed him a tablet without comment. “Your schedule, Mr. Vitale. Everything is customizable, of course, but we’ve prepared an optimal program based on your intake consultation.”

Frank scrolled. His eyebrows climbed.

Spa treatments. Multiple types of massage. Meditation sessions. A full day labeled ‘centering and preparation.’ Tennis courts, basketball, pickleball, even a hoverball arena. Nutritional optimization. Energetic alignment, whatever the hell that meant.

The injection itself appeared on day four, buried between hydrotherapy and post-awakening monitoring.

He handed the tablet to Helena. She read, her lips twitching.

“Thorough,” she said.

“We believe the awakening experience should be holistic,” the attendant said. “Mind, body, and spirit prepared for the change.”

Frank patted Helena’s hand. She squeezed back.

They were led deeper into the facility. Glimpses of amenities flashed past. Indoor pools with water so clear he could see the tile patterns on the bottom. Meditation chambers with soft lighting and walls that seemed to breathe. A basketball court where someone was casually dunking from the free-throw line.

It surprised him that there were so many clientele, given how expensive the place was. Then again, there certainly was no shortage of wealthy people around the world.

He probably needed to adjust his own perspective on it, now that he was one of them.

The lead attendant stopped. “Your staff will be directed to the rooms they’ve been assigned for the duration of your stay. You are free to explore the facilities, or I can lead you to your suite first if you prefer?”

“That would be wonderful, thank you,” Helena said.

Carmen shared one last quiet glance with Frank before she allowed herself and the rest of the crew to be drawn away.

The lead attendant led him and Helena on to their room. Which turned out to be a couple’s suite, occupying the inner curve of the spiral. A full on suite, not simply a room. Bedroom, sitting area, kitchenette, balcony, and a bathroom larger than some apartments Frank had lived in during his youth.

Their view overlooked the oasis. The luggage was already there.

The attendant withdrew.

Frank stood at the window. Helena joined him, slipping her hand into his.

“Well, this has gone well so far,” she said quietly.

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He nodded. Talia had advised them of the need for care during their stay. Their suites should be completely private. Realistically, it couldn’t be guaranteed. They’d been given extensive instructions alongside the crew. Attitudes to adopt. Topics to avoid. Reminders to be careful even when talking with each other.

Helena leaned against his shoulder. They stood there, watching the oasis below. Somewhere down the hall, the crew was probably still gawking at their quarters. Carmen would keep them in hand. Thankfully. He was too old to be herding cats and dogs.

Tomorrow, the others would begin their program. Meanwhile, he and Helena just needed to enjoy spa treatments and meditation and all the ridiculous luxury.

And hope nobody realized that they were all more than they seemed.

***

Alexander sat on the couch in the dim suite, curtains drawn. Felix occupied the recliner across from him, still in golden retriever form.

A door opened. Augustus emerged from the bedroom wearing his three-piece suit with the breastplate strapped over it. He hooked his thumbs into the armor’s edges and swept into the common area like he was walking onto a stage.

Annie followed a moment later. Red jacket over her own breastplate, ginger hair pulled back, energy crackling just beneath the surface. She caught Alexander’s eye and grinned.

“Ready?” Alexander asked.

Augustus nodded. “Good to go.”

“I was born ready and I will die ready!” Annie said, slapping his shoulder as she strolled past.

Alexander chuckled.

He didn’t blame her for being excited. Besides, it was a nice change from the mood swings she kept having over not being involved in the heist.

“Just to recap. Your only goal is to identify likely locations and targets over the next week.” He gave Annie a serious look. “You are to do your best to avoid any engagements. We don’t have any intel about what we’re up against.”

“Ugh. You’ve said that like five times already.” Annie rolled her eyes. “Unlike you, Mr. Heist-a-lot, I know how to stick to the plan.”

Augustus turned to her. “Is that why you suggested the three of us could, and I quote, ‘take them if we find them’?”

Annie glared at him. “Obviously I was joking.” She paused. “But we totally could.”

Alexander shook his head. “Talia has been given a full rundown on the drones’ capabilities, and she’ll be handling their operations in place of Droney from back home. The holo drones should be capable of completely hiding the car, just keep in mind it won’t hide the tracks.”

Augustus nodded. “And the surveillance drones?”

“Each one has high-fidelity visual, heat, and motion capabilities. Just be warned they have to move much slower if they’re using all three.” Alexander frowned. “Still working on that problem. You’ll need to rely on the charging bank I provided, but you can also portal back here each night for me to recharge them.”

“We’ll limit them to visuals until night time.”

“Okay! Recap. Find the bad guys. Surveil them so Talia can figure out who we’re dealing with. Narrow it down to the right compound…” Annie grinned. “Then we take ‘em out!”

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

Annie huffed. “… with the whole team.”

“Exactly.”

Annie bounced on her heels. “And you’ve got that fun arbitration meeting tomorrow morning. Try not to start a war while we’re gone.”

Alexander laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

“Time to go,” Augustus said.

Augustus reached out and conjured the wand into his hand. He began spinning up the portal, and a few moments later it snapped into existence.

Annie stepped toward it, then paused and looked back. She waved. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”

She stepped through. Felix hopped down from the recliner and followed, tail wagging. Augustus gave Alexander a final nod, then crossed the threshold.

The portal collapsed.

Silence settled over the room.

Alexander turned to Droney. The drone hovered nearby, waiting. “Alright, buddy. You’re up.”

He lifted his cybernetic hand and reached into his favorite new ring using a thread of power. With a thought, three holo drones materialized in the air, glowing faintly before their casings solidified. They hung there for a moment, then spread out.

One drifted over to the couch. Another moved toward Augustus’s bedroom. The third positioned over near the recliner where Felix had been sitting.

The holograms flickered to life as they went, Droney coordinating the visuals.

Annie appeared on the couch, leaning back with her feet propped up. Augustus materialized in his bedroom doorway, towel over one shoulder like he’d just finished exercising. Felix curled up on the recliner, in a perfect golden retriever pose.

Alexander studied them. Not perfect. The edges were too clean if someone looked closely. Movement a bit too smooth. But from the entrance to the suite, and at a distance, they’d pass.

And that was all he needed.

The ESA would have visual surveillance. Legally mandated, part of the arbitration agreement. But visual only. No recordings, no audio, no seismic, and definitely no superpower surveillance.

Which meant they’d see three people and a dog moving around the rooms along with Alexander. Eating, drinking, watching the holo, pretending to have conversations.

Even if they somehow saw through the deception, they’d have to admit they’d violated international and galactic law to do it. Which meant they couldn’t act on the knowledge without exposing themselves.

Alexander walked to the window and threw the curtains open. Dubai’s skyline spread out below, towers glittering against the night. Somewhere out there, Augustus, Annie, and Felix would be getting into a car and preparing to head out into the Empty Quarter. Without him.

He settled into a chair by the window.

Now came the hard part.

Waiting.

Alexander frowned.

He hated waiting. Was terrible at it. Always had been. He preferred having something to do, even if it was only a little repair work or tinkering with an unfinished design. Unfortunately, he hadn’t thought to include some tools and spare components in his ring before leaving the island.

And he’d promised to be on his best behavior.

An oversight.

His leg started bouncing. He forced it to stop, then caught himself doing it again thirty seconds later.

The suite was too quiet. The holograms moved through their routines, but they were just light and shadow. No real presence. No conversation. Just him and the weight of too many moving pieces he couldn’t control.

And only a million projects he could be working on.

Then he smiled as an idea formed. There was no reason he had to stay bored. Not really.

Alexander pulled up his contact list and found his target. Initiated the call.

And waited.

But eagerly, this time.

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