"If I were certain of my ability to do so, I would not have struggled with the decision of whether to accept Navuh's terms. The problem is that I do not think I can compel him, not even with Mia's enhancement."
"Why not?"
"Think about it, Kian. Navuh fooled Mortdh, which means that he was immune to the god's compulsion. Mortdh was nearly as powerful as my father, and I am not even close. If your plan rests on my ability to get the information from him, it is not a good plan."
"So, we will find another way to breach the enclosure. Turner is arranging for an electromagnetic pulse device. A high-yield, low-altitude detonation over the island that will devastate their technological infrastructure without harming anyone physically. It will knock out their power grid, their surveillance systems, their communications, everything digital. The island will be set back decades, and hopefully also disable the triggers for the booby-traps."
So, that was why they no longer needed the disarmament codes. But the traps might be mechanical in nature, and if they triggered them…
"That seems risky."
"It is, but that's the only option available to us. After the island's systems go down, a large team of Guardians will enter through the underwater cove where Navuh's escape submarine is. There's a tunnel that connects the cove to both his harem residence and his mansion. By accessing that cove, the team can reach the basement in his mansion without anyone on the surface being any the wiser. They will bring with them all theequipment necessary to breach the enclosure, including a big battery to power their tools."
There were so many possible obstacles in this plan, but on the face of things, it seemed doable.
"How long until Turner can arrange for this device?"
"He said that he can get it in forty-eight hours or less."
"We will also need the large submarine again."
"Correct. Turner has already contacted Captain Rodriguez. The team will infiltrate through the underwater cove, navigate the tunnel to the mansion, disable the booby-traps using the information you extract from Navuh, if you manage to do so, breach the enclosure, and transport the bodies to a waiting ship. If you can't manipulate Navuh's mind, we will find another way to breach the enclosure. William is going to join the team, and I have a high level of confidence in his ability to troubleshoot whatever needs to be done."
"William knows how to dive?" Annani arched a brow.
"No, but neither did the harem ladies, and they still made it to the submarine with the help of trained divers."
So many risks. So many things that could go wrong.
"I will attempt to enter Navuh's mind." Annani pulled a cashmere throw over her lap. "When do you need me to do this?"
"After we've confirmed that Losham has received and obeyed the compulsion."
She nodded. "How is the team going to transport Khiann and the others? Their bodies will be extremely fragile after so longin stasis. They will not survive being taken out of the chests that hold them, let alone getting transported under water."
"That's why we are not going to remove them from the chests, provided that they are still encased in them. We'll take them with the chests and envelop them in waterproof material for the underwater journey back to the ship. That's another technical detail that William is working on figuring out."
A technical detail.
It was jarring to hear Kian refer to the survival of her truelove mate like that, but he was just being practical. He had no reason to be sentimental about a male he had never met and to whom he was not related.
Not physically anyway.
Annani believed that all of her children had been born with a piece of Khiann's spirit in them.
"Thank you, my son. You have given me hope."
"Don't thank me yet." He let out a breath. "Thank me when Khiann is safely recovered and Navuh remains in our custody."
"I am thanking you for the tremendous effort you are putting into this regardless of the outcome. I love you, Kian."
"I love you too, Mother."
The call ended, and as Annani looked at Alena's hopeful expression, she smiled. "So, what do you think?"
"I think that we both need some calming tea." Alena rose to her feet. "I got anxious just listening to the plan."
"Indeed." Annani nodded.
