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alongside Arthur Lowell. He knew they’d not reveal exact battle plans, for he’d kept the plans vague until certain he had only actual participants left. Still, their knowledge of an impending assault on Headquarters would be something Arthur and the Hunters would utilize. The element of surprise would be lost. They’d need to make up for that loss of surprise with speed of execution.
    Even those who stayed to fight hated the final phase, the weapon of last resort and desperation, the one they’d prepared to ensure that even if the Aliomenti won the war with the Alliance, their dominance in the world would end. Will hated that weapon as well. But he also realized that it might be the only way to permanently end the war before the two groups rendered each other extinct.
    Those staying in the Cavern were of the opinion that their choice to remain behind and defend the Cavern should make them immune to the effects of that final weapon by design, as the weapon would be triggered only if the invasion ended poorly. But they’d made certain Gena knew their beliefs, insulting her when she’d pointed out that they all won or lost together, and enjoyed the rewards and suffered the burdens together as well.
    Will sighed. “I’m sorry you’ve had to live with that, Gena.” Self-preservation instincts never left humans, no matter how powerful or evolved. Those instincts merely changed forms.
    “We all have, Dad.” Fil shrugged. “It’s difficult to get wide consensus on something. I’ve been recommending optimism. We’ll carry out the earlier phases of the plan to perfection, and the concerns and disagreements about the final phase will become moot.”
    Will grimaced. He saw little reason to think or pretend that final weapon would remain dormant. “I hope you’re right.”
    The site leaders moved to join their teams. Gena and Adam spoke with those remaining behind about the defenses the local teams were building in preparation for a likely invasion by the Aliomenti. Angel and Charlie spoke to those who’d be traveling with them to Eden, which would serve as a staging area for those traveling to and from Headquarters Island. Will and Fil spoke to those participating in the initial assault on Headquarters.
    Will found the second member of their invasion force. She’d join Hope, who’d been there for quite some time invisibly preparing various technical aspects of the invasion. “Ready?”
    Ashley checked the contents of her backpack and nodded at Will. “Everything’s here.”
    Will extended his hand to her, and she shook as she zipped up her pack. “It’s time, then. Good luck, Ashley.”
    Ashley teleported from the Cavern to a waiting sphere and set course for the Island.
    Will flipped open the telecommunication link. “We’re underway, everyone.”
    Then he buried his head in his hands and wept for those who’d die before all of this ended.

IV
    Athos stared outside once more , leaning closer to the thick, clear glass-like material comprising the window his breath fogged. The view hadn’t gotten old yet, not even after days at sea. The submarine traveled at a depth where the now-waning sunlight still reached and illuminated the sights beneath the foaming breakers above. Fish of types he’d never before seen, in all manner of colors, darted around the ship in an ethereal silence. He’d cringed the first time a shark snapped up the slowest moving fish in the area, then watched with morbid fascination as predator devoured prey.
    He would act as the shark in the upcoming encounter.
    He glanced around the cabin. Porthos’ discovery of the hidden rebel base had triggered a meeting with the Leader. That meeting produced all manner of revelations. Porthos’ announcement that the Alliance base rested deep in the ocean water near the Antarctic resulted in little more than a shrug from the Leader, as if the man had known all along. The Leader charged Athos with planning and carrying out the invasion of the