Movement on the far side of the room attracted Kira's attention as humans wearing the uniforms of the Consortium entered. They were accompanied by seven-foot-tall figures covered in long cloaks.
Odin emerged out of the crowd. "I was wondering if they'd show up."
Kira looked around, making sure no one was watching them. "How did you get in here?"
The guest list for the night was highly restricted. In addition to politicians and some of the most powerful people in the galaxy, only those who'd distinguished themselves in the quorum were invited.
Odin didn't fit either of those categories.
Odin swirled the glass of champagne she was holding. "You should know by now I have my ways."
"I'd very much like to hear about those ways."
Odin lifted the glass and sipped from it. "A lady never reveals her secrets."
Not giving Kira a chance to ask any more questions, Odin took an interested look around. "Where's the Tin Can? Don't tell me you left him behind."
"He has his own matters to take care of."
Odin's lips curled. "You mean he's spying."
That was exactly what Kira meant.
Odin didn't make any more comments about Jin's absence, instead focusing on the trio whose presence had attracted quite the crowd, all of them humans.
"What do you think of our friends?" Odin asked.
Kira folded her arms and tapped one finger against the rim of her glass. "I think their presence here is remarkably interesting. Last I heard, the Consortium was decades away from such an advancement."
Humanity had made great strides in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics before the treaty with the Haldeel, but since then, their research had stagnated. They shouldn’t have been anywhere close to achieving a breakthrough.
"They're the newest model. The latest and greatest." Odin tilted her head, peering at them with an interest that was a little too pronounced.
In the middle of the floor, Admiral Kent held court over the group that had formed around the cloaked figures. Zepher’s military representatives were among those present.
Himoto and Jace stayed in the background, patiently observing the group.
Feeling her gaze, Himoto made eye contact and gave her a cordial nod.
Kira looked away, not reacting outwardly to his greeting.
"The Consortium hopes their new toys will put them on even ground with the other powers in the universe," Odin said with a twisted smile.
"You don't sound approving."
"They should be careful not to let their arrogance lead to their destruction." Odin drained her champagne, setting the glass on a passing drone carrying a serving platter.
Kira was quiet as she watched their hulking figures. A part of her couldn’t help but wonder if these constructs could solve Jin's problem—at least partially.
At an order from their handler, the androids removed their cloaks, facing their audience with blank expressions.
On first glance, their bodies seemed modeled after that of a human, with a set of legs and arms, a torso, neck, and head.
It was only upon closer inspection one realized how different they were.
Their faces were strange. The designs etched on them making them seem eerie. Black lines trailed under each eye, adding an illusion of emotion. A series of circles connected by squares and additional lines were embedded on their foreheads.
The androids lacked noses. Their necks were elongated and protected by a series of heavy metal interlocking plates.
