The Cain Conspiracy (Harvey Bennett Thrillers Book 8) by Nick Thacker

Author:Nick Thacker [Thacker, Nick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: New
Publisher: Turtleshell Press
Published: 2019-11-28T08:00:00+00:00

40

Ben

Ben was still staring at the screen when Garza’s exoskeletons began moving. The wave started on the right side of the screen, then moved to the left. Eventually, all of the robots were moving in perfect sync, as if being controlled by something externally, rather than by the individuals wearing the suits themselves.

They jostled and shifted in perfect formation, eventually tightening their rows and then taking a single step forward. They stopped, waiting.

Garza’s voice continued through the speakers. Ben could see one of them, a small three-inch circle recessed into the top of the slanted portion of the desk to his left.

“These are my newest invention,” Garza continued. “Although I have to give you — the US Army — most of the credit. You were the original purveyors of the tech. The HULC and the XOS 1 and 2 — they were created for your use, although neither Lockheed Martin nor Sarcos could ever figure out the power maintenance requirements.”

Onscreen, a single man stepped out from behind the crates.

Beale.

Through his headpiece, Ben heard his voice. “What do you want, Garza?”

“What do I want?” Garza replied. “I am not the one trespassing onto private property, bringing weapons into my facility.”

“We’re just here to check in with our —”

“A phone call would have sufficed.”

“What are you building here, Garza? This isn’t what Sturdivant —”

“Sturdivant is not my employer, Captain Beale. He is merely a middleman. He has a list of requirements, no doubt a list you are carrying as we speak, and rest assured, I will check off every box on that list.”

“But we need to assess the technology and the support system, and report back with —”

“You will do nothing of the sort.”

There was a pause, and Ben could barely see Beale’s mouth moving on the screen.

“They switched channels,” Reggie whispered. “That’s not good.”

“It is a private communication,” Mrs. E added. “Which means Beale is discussing something with his own men.”

“Like I said — not good.”

Beale’s voice switched back to their channel.

“Garza, we can finish this one-on-one, in your office. Have your suits stand down and we’ll —”

“You are not here to give me orders,” Garza interrupted. “Nor are you here to negotiate. You are here to steal my tech.”

“Garza we’re not —”

“I didn’t move my entire business to Peru to simply be once again infiltrated by an illegal force,” Garza said. “I don’t appreciate the implications. I’ll tell you what. I’ll let your team leave, and we won’t speak of this again.”

Another pause, and then another voice came through Ben’s headset. “Door’s locked, boss.”

Beale spoke to Garza. “You locked the door behind us?”

“There is another exit on the opposite side of the demonstration floor.” Garza said. “But I thought you came here for a demonstration?”

“Garza…”

“I will let you leave,” Garza continued. “If you make it through my demonstration.”

“What the —”

A few others on the channel — Beale’s other men, still hiding behind the crates and boxes — cursed. Ben heard the distinct sound of the men arming their rifles.

“I’ll make this easy.

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