I pulled a chair closer, and our shoulders touched we were that close. “Is that a lot?”
“Yes and no. Everything is relative. One second’s output would be the equivalent of about 150,000 kilowatts of electricity. On an absolute scale, it’s pretty powerful.” Zeke made a few adjustments and the screen doubled in size. “The current Drevlin weapons, as far as we can tell, are about two standard deviations higher. For purposes of this discussion, a standard deviation is about 2500 megajoules. That was the original strength of Drevlin weapons, so we mark our improvements from that base.”
This was a side of Zeke I hadn’t really seen. When he made the sensors, he just did it without explaining. “That means the current output of Drevlin tech is closer to 14,000 megajoules.”
“Correct. The weapons and shielding correspond to the output they can get from their generators. We’ve developed weapons at about three standard deviations above the currentDrevlin developments. Lael’s tech is old compared to current Drevlin specs and antiquated in comparison to ours.”
Why would Lael be messing around with tech several generations too old to be effective? “This is a trap. We’re being set up.”
“You think he’s expecting us?”
I nodded, my brow furrowing as I considered the implications. “He has to know by now angels are investigating the surges. If he didn’t at first, when the humans arrived, he’d have assumed Michael sent someone to do the same. Now you’re telling me his tech is antiquated. What’s he doing?”
“Maybe he’s creating Drevlin tech to sell on the black market, but that doesn’t answer why he hasn’t packed up and left.”
Zeke remained silent as he continued to stare at the two sets of data. The gap was staggering. The difference between a conventional bomb versus the original atomic bomb versus current nuclear warheads. “Are you sure the readings are accurate?”
“As sure as I can be.” He tapped his phone. “I need to speak to Gabriel.”
I exhaled slowly, my mind reeling as I tried to make sense of what I was seeing.“Lael, what the hell are you up to?”
The gravel crunched beneath our feet as Zeke and I approached the dilapidated barn, each step carrying us closer to the confrontation I’d been dreading. My heart thudded in my chest, a steady drumbeat of anxiety mingling with grim determination.
Gabriel asked us to continue as planned. He reiterated our need to capture the tech, Lael, and his accomplices. I expectedZeke to protest. If what he said was correct, Lael could destroy everything in a fifty-mile radius if the machines explored and more if detonated the weapon. That included us.
For Zeke’s sake, I managed to remain outwardly calm despite the maelstrom of emotions churning inside me. This would be the first time I’d have seen Lael in over seventy years. I had no idea how he could have fallen so far into darkness. He’d always been arrogant, but the audacity to meddle with forces he clearly didn’t understand . . . that bordered on delusional madness.
We approached the barn uncloaked. If they knew we were coming, they wouldn’t have to use the weapon in a panic. The rest of the team was concealed, ready to swoop in as needed.
The doors creaked open, and Lael stepped out. Two other angels joined him, leaving a gnawing sense of unease in my gut. Lael’s mocking smile was disquieting. He acted like everything was going according to plan.
“Well, well,” Lael said, his attention on me. “I didn’t think my little trap would bring me such an unexpected trophy.”
Lael locked his gaze on mine, but his two associates kept their eyes on Zeke. Having fought with Zeke already, my money was on him if it came to a fight. “You haven’t trapped anyone,” I said. “We walked up knowing what you were doing.”
I tensed, ready to act if Lael escalated things suddenly. Lael’s bravado faltered and his gaze flickered past us. His jaw tightened, and the first tendril of doubt crept into his expression.
Seizing the opportunity, I stepped forward. “What’s going on, Lael? Why are you doing this?”
For an instant, the man I’d once loved surfaced in his eyes—that familiar fire, that unshakable sense of purpose that had so captivated me lifetimes ago. But it was a fleeting glimpse, swiftly consumed by the madness that had taken root.
“You mean you haven’t figured it out yet?” He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head in disgust. “The Drevlin are coming,and our so-called leaders are too timid and too complacent to develop the weapons we need to protect ourselves.”
With a sweeping gesture, he indicated the unassuming structure looming behind him. “That’s what this is all about. Me and the others, we’re taking matters into our own hands. Building the arsenal that will ensure our survival when the Drevlin finally arrive.”
My stomach twisted at the fanatical zeal burning in his eyes. This wasn’t the passionate warrior I’d fallen for all those centuries ago. The unhinged desperation twisted his features into something unrecognizable.
“You should join us, Orion.” Lael’s voice took on a pleading tone, and I heard echoes of the love we’d once shared. “We were an unstoppable team. Together we can save our kind from annihilation.”
I shook my head slowly, my heart heavy with sorrow and regret. “I’m not sure who filled your head with this false narrative, but I won’t join you in this suicide mission.”
A muscle twitched in his jaw, but before he could unleash the torrent of vitriol I knew was coming, I cut him off.
“Stand down, Lael. Come with us quietly, and no one has to get hurt.” I infused my words with as much calm authority as I could, hoping some part of him might still hear reason.
Silence hung in the air, thick and oppressive, as Lael regarded me through narrowed eyes. Then, as if the spell he was under reasserted itself, his eyes flashed hot.
“You think you can stop me?” He sneered, pointing to himself. “I’m not going anywhere. Try and take me, Ori. I dare you. I’ll blow up half the state if you try.”
