2400 AD

No matter how hard they tried, the collective mind power of the Samarand team could not reach Jacob or Thespian. Finally they stopped.

Lillian said, “This isn’t working. We’re hurting them.”

An elder spoke. “Our spatial sense is wide. This should be easy. Something is blocking the frequency. It may be outside interference. What could possibly block our collective mind power?”

Lillian thought for a moment. “A disturbance in the fabric of space/time. Like explosions. Or we’re channeling destructive psychic energy instead of just trying to orb them out of there.”

“Psionic Explosions?”

“Exactly. One or two of us is disturbing the field. We all have to be on the same page, every one of us. Shall we try again?”

The group of eight stood in the center of a marked circle and bowed their heads, concentrating on their ability to sense the boys. With luck they should be able to convert the children into energy and back to matter. All of them repeated Jacob’s name in unison.

After several seconds of repeating his name and channeling their collective power, Lillian opened her eyes wide, as though in fear, and collapsed.

The group broke the chain. They rushed to help her and in her dazed state of mind, she mumbled, “Another explosion. It’s not us. It’s someone else. Xenocon.”

Then she passed out.

***

The damage to the communications hub was unexpected but temporary. A few moments after the second explosion communication lines were restored and Tumelo wiped the sweat off his face as he made contact with Gideon.

“I’m on my way up,” Gideon said breathlessly. “Check in with the vent towers. We can’t lose any of them.”

Tumelo began the roll call. He had logged 4 successful calls when the monitors returned to life and he stood silently, his face blazing with horror as he realized what had caused the explosions.

Gideon and Callum entered the Communications Lab and immediately stood beside him, silently watching the events unfold on the screens. Shortly after, Nkoni, Terces and several team leaders stood beside them.

Thousands of Android soldiers stood waiting on the surface. Dozens of drones, emblazoned with the X emblem, hovered a few meters in the air.

The face of their leader was clear and threatening. He stepped forward and spoke slowly, ensuring that every word he said was clear and without ambiguity.

“Give us the children and we will go away. Keep them and suffer the consequences.”

Gideon turned to Nkoni and whispered, “This is war.”