Page 324 of Scars of Fate

“The original Fate program required two levels of approval,” Ghost said. “One to access the predictive system and another to activate operational responses.”

“What operational responses?” I asked.

“Meridian assets. Bank accounts. Satellite networks. Weapons. Assassination teams.”

Aras laughed.

“All of it. Whoever activates the second key doesn’t merely open Fate. They control Meridian.”

Every person looked toward the black wafer in my hand.

Something so small.

So ordinary.

Powerful enough to start wars.

Lucas took it from me.

“Then we destroy it.”

“No!” Ghost shouted.

“Why?”

“Because the second key also controls the shutdown protocol. If you destroy the original tag and that one-use copy, you can never disable Fate permanently.”

“So Kane needs me alive until I open the system.”

“Yes.”

“And Minser?”

“He believes the key will make him Meridian’s new director.”

Aras leaned back against the wall.

“He’s wrong.”

“Why?” I asked.

“Because Kane changed the protocol.”

“When?”

“Six years ago.”

The timing struck me.

Our divorce.

The surveillance team disappearing.

The moment Lucas and I separated.

“What did he change?” Lucas asked.

Aras looked at me.