Holoprojector came to life in Althos R&D office. Keith looked at the familiar face - grey hair, unnaturally large dark blue eyes, lips curved slightly in ironic smile. How many do really know how much she means to our company, he wondered lazily.

On the outside, Althos R&D was one of Mentar Station research companies, one of those being on the bleeding edge of technology, implementing everything a maniac's imagination could throw. Althos clan specialized their company (on the outside, of course!) on home automation and life support. Little did outsiders know about the true specifics of their work - living armors, metamorph enhancements, neural interfaces, stealth-morphs, and undetectable weapons. Everything aimed at turning an individual into death incarnate.

"Hail, Rhaine of Lerdann," Keith nodded politely.

"Evening, Keith. Do you have secure channel now all to yourself?"

"Naturally. Something interesting?"

"I would like five half-hundred sets of living armor with metamorph enhancements. Matching neural interfaces on best of Dehtyar's hand guns. Five half-hundreds of neural controls locked onto one... Remember, dear, this is urgent. Oh.... and a catalogue of your intelli-home appliances," this made the hologram of Rhaine smile a bit.

"That will be delivered by tomorrow dawn. But... why lock all control interfacts onto one?"

"I trust no one but myself, Keith. And things are getting hot here".

"I see. May I question the last paragraph? Did you finally get an urge of settling down with someone?" Keith's grin matched best of Rhaine's impish grins.

"You may question, but will I answer?" her tone was toxic. "No, this is a bribe. And a way to promote our services and goods in this city. Read Elynne's articles on progression, might teach you something useful. Now, get going, time doesn't stand still."

Ah, there it was.... Always business-like, and always a double meaning to any action. Keith grinned, and shut down the secure channel. In the end, Althos clan owed a lot to her. She was the one to save the results of so many experiments when a terrorist from Lyrid station decided to get a hold on their secrets for free. After this, she invested much of her time and effort in their works with molecular bionics... enough to earn herself position of co-owner. He knew well that Rhaine was using them, but so far her manipulations brought nothing but profit to the clan. Little big boss. How many would know how much she meant to Keith and Elynne? To twins of Althos clan that were kidnapped - and teleported into safety by strange young-looking woman with ageless eyes?

No one should know. And her order shall be followed.

Rhaine was no mentalist herself, although certain psionic abilities were common for all asmodean priests. Kitty's call was way too audible. Not disturbing or unexpected, but ... distracting. After ordering the tiny army of asmodean death squads to stay and wait in readiness, she paced nervously across her study. What if her decision was wrong? What if Vanion uses this bloodshed to unify and conquer the city? But how? Organized resistance might kick him stronger than he suspects...

In such situations she used to talk to someone and discuss the situation. But not anymore. Vitus was deep in the mission assigned to him. Raevyx... Lord only knows where he was. Rhaine has not seen him for a long time.

Again alone. Now with this ridiculous bloodbath in city. Artemus is not an asmodean, and he would hardly participate in the events. Nae'Bris? He idolized her, and followed her without question, unpleasantly reminding of William Cawtone. No one with full understanding of the events to argue with her. Keith Althos? Hardly, he knows only his part of the deal, Rhaine herself did her best in limiting his knowledge. And now she was paying for this - by pacing restlessly, like a caged animal...