The Rebellious Mate

11(ii) The Burden of Genius

"Any headway on the mysterious signal you've been obsessing over?" Acwulf asked, tinkering with the laboratory equipment.

"No, but I might find out more when it's activated." Mikheal played the signal. "I sure can't trace it while it's bouncing off satellites worldwide. Also, it exploits traditional misdirection to conceal itself. Some ingenious minds developed it, possibly Saraswati or Nabu, whose worms guard the OS of Odin's staff. They both imbibe the principle of Pandora's box. Open the lid and unleash a swarm. All that's left is gibberish. "

"Why are they so melodramatic? And what's the use of reading irrelevant fiction?" Acwulf groaned.

For two decades, Mikhael failed to persuade Moffat to invest in IT, data sciences, and biotechnology. They may be shifters, but they had to keep up with the humans to survive. And set aside past petty disputes. "Have you agreed to have my version of the greennet available for educational purposes?" he asked. For now, it was a subscription-based service. To top it off, the hardware cost an arm and a leg.

"Ha! Free computers and internet for students is not happening. The Emperor will not have his subjects exposed to human proclivities. As is, he's convinced social media has turned their brains to mush. It's a no-go until I have a bargaining chip. And he believes the libraries serve the same purpose."

Except, there weren't enough public libraries; most couldn't access them frequently. Mikhael deduced the authorities feared the uninhibited flow of information.

'Why? As it might open our populace to other possibilities,' Misha grumbled.

"I emailed you the update on the fertility drug trial. We've had positive results, 65% births," Mikhael protested.

"When can we roll it out? Sell it?" That's what Acwulf cared about.

"Not until the infants' beasts ascend, minimum." Their population was still in negative growth, but he couldn't sign off on its production. Via multiple trials, they'd uncover the long-term effects of the hormonal cocktail, if any. Their study groups would include mothers and children until their beasts ascended. Except the Emperor expected miracles and overnight solutions to their problems.

"Mik, you're killing me."

"It's ready when I say so." Mikhael perfected the products, performed the stingiest quality checks, and tested them. Saya managed manufacturing, as well as personal acquisition, along with the administrative aspects. Acwulf oversaw distribution, sales, and marketing. "I'm busy. Go away." His gruff order had no effect.

Acwulf pulled out a vial with gel in it.

"What is it?" Mikhael asked.

"A new puzzle to solve, but I expect payment."

"What?"

"You'll accompany me to the ball and meet the mate my father has chosen for me." Acwulf was a dog with a bone.

His curiosity got the best of him.

When Mikhael nodded, Acwulf tossed him the sealed test tube. "Within is a microchip that has seamless integration and is undetectable. A low-level diplomat, allergic to the bio gel, scratched himself and it stuck under his nails. The Greys uncovered them on all the delegates. Unfortunately, it melts when not in contact with the skin."

Mikhael prepared a slide. The microscope revealed a speck. "It's nanotech." He scraped the translucent skin, but the magnified cells coagulated into a white blob. He groaned and straightened, stretching his spine. "It's embedded in an acid shell. But it was too tiny to register on the metal detection wands. How-"

"The USCA hosted a diplomatic dinner in Cairo. I sent three employees to attend it and ensured the hosts were aware of who they were. Armed with this, I've implemented infrared laser security in court. And now the entire palace is a dead zone and we're sending a trade delegation to the Americas, through back channels, of course. Hopefully, we'll acquire specimens for you to reverse engineer. I assume it is a listening device."