Alien Mine

CHAPTER 13

Getting a woman into the White House was possible, Rhys thought, listening to the discussion, but China and Russia were different stories. He would have had no compunction having Kiania just execute the Russian or Chinese leaders if he had someone to replace them, but that was problematic in both countries, and he found it frustrating. Moreover, Leslie had just informed him that only one woman was on the ruling party council in China. She was Sun Molong, 67, head of the party's United Front Work Department. It was the party organ in charge of spreading party influence abroad and at home. An unpleasant heavy-looking woman Rhys thought to himself as he looked at the holo image Leslie had in front of them all, and to be blunt, ugly.

"Not your usual beauty," Sandy observed with a smirk on her lips.

The other girls joined in the laughter, much to Rhys' chagrin, "True," he said, "that would be difficult."

"The chairman and premier has a granddaughter, party girl according to the reports," Leslie continued with the briefing, But I don't see a quick path for her, and we need someone there sooner than later."

Rhys nodded; it was apparent the Om were using the Chinese somehow; they had no idea if it was just some manipulation of military figures or something much more sinister.

Rhys shook his head. "Let's broaden our search, find me a woman in the Chinese government, someone with influence. That's where we will start. Given what's been happening, I don't think we can reasonably expect to put someone in charge in the short term. Leslie, you will run her as if you were recruiting a spy, which is what she will be. But someone important, not a wife. I want someone actively involved. Do it," he added, looking Leslie squarely in the eye.

"Yes, sir," Leslie said, responding to what was obviously a command. Rhys had been making sure she understood it was a command more often in the week since the incident with Sandy. With the others as well, but especially with her, it seemed. She found it frustrating; her body reacted in a very positive way while her mind tried to fight it. Nevertheless, the firm command sent a small burst of arousal through her every time he did it, and her body definitely liked it.

Leslie had not returned to her office after the attack, Rhys had insisted she stay with them for the time being, and actually, she was glad even though she had fought Rhys over it. The constant attacks were taking a toll even on her, and besides, she liked being here with everyone. However, her absence from the CIA was causing them problems she would no longer be able to sweep under the rug. Too many people had seen her car speeding down the road under pursuit, and they couldn't possibly hide the results of the battle with the Om. Besides all the sounds of weapons firing, flashes of light, and of course, the large hole in the ground where the Om had been hiding. It had probably still been glowing from the heat when the police arrived. It was being treated as a terrorist attack by homeland security (if only they knew), and her boss wasn't accepting any of her excuses. Unfortunately, her Bob had swept up the camera footage, and now that was making everyone even more suspicious.

"Ok, Russia," Rhys said, jerking her back on track.

Leslie stood up gracefully in her stiletto Amancia designed heels, a feat she would never have been able to do a month ago. The other women tended to dress for meetings and dinner with Sandy's encouragement, and somehow Leslie had found herself doing the same. She could feel Rhys' approval (and Sandy's) when she did, and much to her chagrin, enjoyed it. It was nice to be appreciated, especially when you could actually feel someone's emotions and know it was real. All of the women, even Mei, were dressed in what Leslie had come to consider their formal uniform; midnight blue figure-hugging dresses slit up the side. Amancia had designed them, so the slit was higher than Leslie was comfortable with, above her hip, and high enough to show the dragon marks on Amancia and Sandy. Rhys was dressed in something best described as formal fatigues in the same color. They each had a small pin of the Uranus system with Miranda highlighted.

"Same kind of problem as with China Leslie said. Government positions are very, very male-dominated; the few women senior enough are not in important positions. However, the oligarchs in Russia are still very influential, as long as they support the President. In particular, this one," Leslie said, bringing up an image of an older stern-looking man.

"This is Dmitri Petrov and his wife, Yaneta." Dmitri was tall with broad shoulders, slightly graying hair, clean-shaven; his features were strong but cruel. He was dressed in a dark suit, blue silk shit, and tie; overall, he was an imposing presence.

"Nice looking man," Thea commented.

"Yes," continued Leslie; Dmitri is a good-looking man in his late fifties. He is fit still and stands about six foot tall, brown hair that he dyes. His wife is much younger, the typical trophy wife, 33, beautiful as you can see. Another picture flashed up of a beautiful woman in a long dress. Her features were striking, long blond hair, her dress clinging but low cut in the front. She had blue eyes, which were unusual, full red lips, and long legs. "

"She is beautiful," Mei said, looking at the pair. They made a striking couple. "I can see why he wants her on his arm; it makes a statement to have a much younger woman like that. We see the same thing in China."

"Yes, very beautiful," Leslie agreed, "Yaneta is his third wife and a good match for her husband. However, her beauty is only surpassed by her ambitions and viciousness. Dmitri is all business, generally nothing personal when someone disappears or goes to jail. With Yaneta, it is all personal, and she enjoys it. But, as many have learned, she is in a position to destroy others' careers and lives; you cross Yaneta at your own peril.

"She doesn't look like a happy woman; her features are kind of pinched, like she is angry all the time," Amancia observed.

This is his son-in-law and daughter. The son-in-law, Nikita Volker, is ambitious and completely amoral as far as I can tell. His name means wolf, and it is an apt description of him. Very competent, he works for Dmitri and carries out much of the less-respectable side of the business and is being groomed to take over. Dmitri also appears to have forced his daughter Nelya to marry him; apparently, he got tired of her party-girl shenanigans all over the world.

Rhys looked at the pair thinking the wolf description of Nikita apt. He was not a large man, but his features were wolf-like. Prominent, heavy eyebrows, a think beard with heavy jowls, and large front teeth slightly protruded. He was not handsome, but not ugly either. Nikita's wife, Nelya, 27 years old on the other hand, was beautiful. Tall, slender with slanted eyes, and the figure of a model. She did not look happy either; there was almost a haunted look to her expression.

"Amancia," Rhys said, "what do you think? Does he control enough to make him a valid target?"

"Oh yes, he has consolidated his control over the energy sector with the help of the President so that now his companies own sixty percent of the oil and gas Russia produces. He has also moved into the defense industry and has acquired a controlling share in many critical companies. He is now the single most powerful man except for the President whom he is very close to."

"Rumors suggest his wife Yaneta is also the President's sometime mistress," Leslie added.

"Does Dmitri know it?" Rhys asked, surprised.

"Presumably, but we will know more once we initiate surveillance. And let's face it, in Russia, staying close to the president is in your best health as long as you are not seen as a competitor."

"A dangerous game for Dmitri," Kiania said; he risks looking weak to the other Oligarchs, and what happens when the President tires of Yaneta?"

"Good point, but if we take Yaneta, we won't need Dmitri for long," Leslie pointed out. "Or the son-in-law," she added, "he will have to go as well."

Rhys looked thoughtful for a minute. "Okay, proceed. Amancia, I want you to become an expert on these companies. We will need to take control of them as well as Yaneta. Ideally, we will put her in charge but only for appearances at first. You will manage them. See what other critical economic infrastructure we can add to the holdings. If Yaneta doesn't work out, there is his daughter; would she inherit?

"In theory, but it doesn't always work that way; the state would probably have a say in who ran the companies after Dmitri."

"What about the Om? Won't they know we are looking at them?" Sandy asked.

"Bob, Thea, and I have been working on that, and we think we have a solution," Leslie said. "We have been using Drans encryption but across existing communications networks. Bob thinks they are somehow isolating our encryption and tracing the signal source. These new surveillance devices will use Drans quantum communications directly and bypass standard networks. Of course, we will watch more carefully for any Om interference with an expanded network of sensors. First, however, we will have to infiltrate the surveillance gear ourselves using drones. One trip in the shuttle should be enough.

"OK, what about Israel?" Rhys asked.

"We discussed Mika Levy; she still looks like the best option. Smart, ambitious, a little corrupt, and currently the economic minister. Also very ambitious, wants to be the next prime minister," Leslie said. "With our help boosting the economy, she can be a serious contender."

Rhys liked what he saw, a 40 something woman in good shape, good looking, not beautiful, but there was something attractive about her.

"She is single, divorced five years ago, and has no children," Leslie added. "Since her divorce, she has had about five different lovers, currently dating but not in a serious relationship."

Rhys was quiet for a minute, thinking. He didn't mind being managed a little by the girls, but he didn't want them to get in the habit. "We have been lucky so far in that regard," he said, "but I want to make clear that relationships are something we will consider, but I will break up a marriage if I deem it necessary. We are going to do that with Yaneta and Dmitri, and we may have to do it in the future, but we cannot let it define our choices," Rhys said firmly. I agree that Mika is a good choice, but once the symbiont process is started, it can't be stopped. Slowed, but any mistakes we have to live with or destroy the human and the symbiont."

"I understand," Leslie replied equally seriously, "but we have discussed it," she said, looking around, "and we think this is the best choice for what we are trying to do."

"Okay, can you arrange a meeting?" Rhys asked.

"Probably, but it would be better if we approached her as Miranda; once I become involved, too many others will know about it," Leslie replied.

"Let me do it; I will make the approach from Miranda," Sandy said. "The smell of money and a boost to her ambition will get us a dinner, and from there, well," she said with a sexy smile, "Mika gets a symbiont."

Rhys agreed, and Sandy shifted her focus as the others worked out the details. She listened with one part of her mind while she let the other part focus on Leslie. Since last week, she found it easier to read the other girls; 'taste' their emotions. Of course, her abilities paled compared to Rhys, but it was still a significant upgrade. When she focused like this, she could see the emotional bands in her mind and taste them in her mouth. Each girl was different, the rainbow of emotions and the taste.

Amancia was all bright colors that fit together in a perfect bouquet as if they were color-coordinated, and the taste was sweet, like the best chocolate mixed with strawberries and whip cream. Kiania's emotions were different, stronger or more focused perhaps. Sandy could sense the warrior in her, taste the determination. The taste was good, strong-flavored, but with an underlying sweetness. If Amancia was desert, them Kiania was a fine steak dinner. Thea was somewhere in the middle, fewer colors, very ordered, emotions focused on science, and Rhys, like a good girl Sandy mused. Surprisingly Mei was more like Amancia, but she was so in love with Rhys and perhaps Thea. Parts of her emotions were very focused, but the ones associated with love were like a mixed-up rainbow, all over the place. She tasted sweet with strong overtones, like fine dark chocolate.

Leslie, on the other hand, was none of these. Perhaps a bittersweet chocolate best described her. Several conflicting emotions seemed to fight for dominance and spoiled the flavor, showing how unsettled she still was. Other emotions came out at times like this, but what worried Sandy was the strong bitter taste of unyielding ambition. She knew Rhys could sense it, perhaps better than she could, yet he chose not to do anything about it. After what happened to her, Sandy had thought he would act to control Leslie more, but he hadn't. Leslie was off-limits to her now, Rhys had made it clear, and the chains he had added to her symbiont made sure she obeyed. But the thought still excited her, forcing Leslie to her knees, making her an eager submissive.

But there was no danger of acting against Rhys' wishes anymore; her symbiont understood its place. They had still not discussed what happened, Rhys had avoided the subject, and she had not pushed it. Sandy didn't understand the changes he had made, and she was still discovering new things, like her increased ability to sense emotions. While sampling the other girls' feelings, Sandy had let her hand absently trace over the dragon mark Rhys had placed on her. It always warmed when she did, especially as she traced the flames across her stomach and down to her groin. She was careful not to touch her clit; that was still off-limits, but her fingers felt good, arousing even when she ventured too close. This too excited her.

"Are you sure this is a good idea," Sandy said, focusing again on the conversation. "You are about to get deeply involved in Mideast politics, even the Romans failed there, and we have not done so well either."

'In a small country beset by enemies, it will be easier to establish partial control of major institutions, and it would be in their best interests to keep our secret," Leslie said.

"We will also make them a significant arms producer, Rhys noted, "competing with the US but in a region much less stable. We will have to be careful, but it is manageable with one of us in charge, and we can protect against a nuclear attack. Iran will have to be confronted; eventually, they are too significant regionally to ignore.

"I think this is the most logical place to begin," Amancia added thoughtfully, "especially with the arms industry. We are already heavily invested there through various proxies, but also in the industrial sector as well. I am continuing investments, and soon we will be able to influence or outright control essential parts of the Israeli economy."

"As we introduce new technologies, even the kind we already use for our new team, everyone will notice," Thea said. "That could cause problems."

Rhys nodded. "I agree, but we need to do this, we are on the clock, and it is ticking. We will just have to keep it balanced and not become an immediate threat in the region. Introduction of new weapons systems and advances must be incremental, and we will still have the ones we are developing in the US as well."

"One more item to discuss," Rhys added, "what about Miranda? Thea, can you give us an update?"

Kiania only half-listened to the conversation discussion about Israel. Of course, she understood the politics, but her place was war, and it would be her job to arm and train any new allies. The other part of her mind was observing Sandy as the conversation flowed around her. Sandy was different now, Kiania thought; subtle to be sure, but the changes were there if you looked close enough. Sandy had an increased confidence about her; a solid and vigorous presence was the only way Kiania could think to describe it. But it was more than that. For instance, the "suggestion" to dress had been accepted by everyone, including Leslie, without a thought. It wasn't a command like Rhys would give, but all the girls seemed to 'accept' the suggestions from Sandy without question. Sex with her was also different somehow. More aggressive perhaps, even a little demanding? It was hard to say precisely, but something was different. Kiania thought she liked the new Sandy; it made her even more exciting, and knowing she wore Rhys' collar added to the mystery. It looked like a necklace, but they all knew what it was, especially Sandy. It made Kiania wonder just what Rhys had done inside Sandy's mind.

Just then, a feed from surveillance cameras began playing. "Wait!" Kiania insisted, "they have just arrested Bao!"

***

Bao sighed as she was called to meet with the police again. She had been questioned several times by the authorities after Mei had died in the car wreck. She didn't understand their persistence; Mei was dead; what more could she tell them. All the work Bao had been involved in had been turned over; they had confiscated everything. Mei's death had been a shock to her, and she missed Mei terribly. Of course, there were other friends at the university, but Mei had been like a best friend, mother, and confidant. Something she had not had growing up in an orphanage.

The two men and one woman were different from the ones she had met before; these were from state security, grim and severe-looking. She sat in a small room with four hard chairs and a table with wobbly legs; she had been told to sit but was offered nothing to drink. Two men and a woman sat around the table dressed in their uniforms. One man was about forty, she guessed; he seemed to be in charge. He was tall, perhaps two meters, slim with narrow mean lips. Bao did not like him though he had said little. The other man was medium height, thin, and seemed to do most of the questioning. The woman was heavy-set, older, with a double chin and short dark hair. She did not appear to be in good health.

The questions came fast, what was Mei doing here the night before she disappeared, why was she working with Bao, who had Bao been in contact with, who were her friends, what had happened to the professor, the one who was her boyfriend? Bao explained again that she knew nothing of Mei's accident, but her answer was treated with suspicion. As for her friends, Bao 0nly had few, and knew nothing about the professor's death. Secretly she had been glad he died, Bao didn't like him, and she knew she would have had to give in and become his mistress.

The woman just seemed to observe her intently, asking few questions, but Bao liked that even less. There was something wrong with the way the woman acted, a hostility that she didn't try to hide. Bao was uncomfortable under the intense gaze and tried not to look at her.

They kept her for three hours, going over every part of her life in detail. Then when Bao didn't think it could get any worse, she was told she would have to come with them, authorities in Beijing were interested, and she was to be taken there. She was not allowed to return to her room or pack anything. Placed in a car and taken away, Boa sat in the back seat with the woman, terrified of what was going to happen and trying to hold back her tears. She did not understand what they wanted with her; it was bad enough to have lost Mei, but now she wished she had never met her.

***

"Let's move now!" Rhys said, running for the shuttle. Everyone followed after him, Kiania alerting the men as she ran. Heels were left on the floor, and the girls stepped out of their dresses and into armor just as the men joined them and started doing the same. The shuttle was already airborne and streaking west before they were in their armor.