Losham arched a brow. "They do?"
"Yes. Doctor Petrov and I have realized that we failed to take into account the psychology of the subjects. We did not know anything about them, and we didn't ask because we were told to deliver chemical results. But the body and mind are inseparable, and one influences the other. It is important that we talk to the Eight and treat them as people."
That made sense and even explained the involuntary tension he had detected in Volkov's shoulders when he'd asked about the new relationship with Dave. The Russians had been told not to ask questions beyond what was absolutely necessary. They had probably been afraid to ask Dave too many questions.
"Who came up with the idea for the walk after dark?" he asked.
"That was Dave," Dimitri admitted. "Frankly, I was a little scared of walking with them to places that were not covered by surveillance cameras, especially after Mattie and I were attacked, but it turned out to be quite pleasant."
"Pleasant." Losham chuckled. "I wouldn't describe any interaction with Dave as pleasant. They are creepy."
Behind him, the girl snorted softly.
He turned around. "I see that you agree with me."
She nodded. "That perfectly synchronized way they do everything is creepy as heck."
He tilted his head. "Are you scared of Dave?"
"No. Dave saved my and Dimitri's lives. They are my heroes."
Losham wasn't sure he liked the admiration in her tone.
"The best approach with Dave is cautious respect." He smiled. "After all, they are vicious killers."
He headed toward the door without waiting for a response.
On his way back to the office, he thought about Dave's words.
People will do far more for those they care about than for those they fear.
It was true, but it wasn't a very helpful observation.
Losham needed to assert his influence on the population of the island, and being nice to everyone wasn't going to do it.
"Get Dave over here," he told Rami when they were back in his office. "I need to talk to them. All eight, not just Number One."
"Yes, my lord." Rami inclined his head.
A few minutes later, the Eight came in. Filing into his office, they stood in a loose formation in front of his desk, eight bodies occupying a space designed for two visitors at most.
The room felt suddenly very full.
"I have a task for you," Losham said.
Eight pairs of eyes regarded him with identical measured attentiveness.
"My father maintained control over the island through his compulsion. Every day, his voice carried over the loudspeakers, reciting the devotions. We are still doing this, but those are just recordings of his voice, and they don't carry the same power." Losham paused. "I do not have my father's ability, and neither do you, but together, we might have something comparable."
All eight of Dave tilted their heads at the same angle, and Losham couldn't help but think of Mattie's remark about how creepy that synchronization was.
"What would you like us to do?" Number One asked.
"I want you to make rounds. Every day. Visit the barracks, move through the common areas. Talk to the warriors. And while you talk to them, do what you do. Thrall them. Compel them. Influence them in that particular way that you have." He leanedforward. "I need the warriors to be loyal to me, not my brothers, and not even to my father. My brothers have been whispering to their factions, building their own loyalties, testing my control. That stops now."
The Eight all nodded their agreement, but there was identical hesitation in their eyes, as if they weren't sure they could do what he was asking of them. They needed clearer instructions.
"You cannot do everyone at once," he continued. "My father could blanket this entire island with his compulsion. That is beyond your capabilities. But you can cover ground, rotating through different sections of the island so the effect accumulates over time. Within a few weeks, every warrior will have been touched."
