19. Peter

19

PETER

P eter stared at the thick folder Roni had just placed on Onegus's desk, its contents threatening to spill out, and when Onegus opened it and started leafing through it, the images he glimpsed made his stomach turn. After years as a Guardian, he thought he'd seen the worst humanity had to offer.

Clearly, he'd been wrong.

"These are just the preliminary findings," Roni said, his face grim. "There are several large networks and many smaller ones. They're using social media apps, gaming platforms, and even educational websites as covers."

Onegus leaned forward in his chair, his expression, usually professional and impassive, showing his disgust. "That's why we're creating the new Avengers division. This requires an entirely different approach than our usual tactics. More precise targeting and elimination. We are not giving these monsters second chances."

The implication was clear. While the Saviors would continue their rescue missions, the Avengers would focus on eliminating the distribution networks and the end users. It was a much darker mission, but it needed to be done. If they could deliver an effective blow to the buyers and cut off the money supply, it would affect the traffickers as well.

"I need someone to head this new division," Onegus continued. "I'm offering you the job if you are interested, but I will understand if you want to pass. It's a dirty job."

"But someone has to do it," Peter completed the sentence. "I'll be honored to lead this effort, Chief."

"It also comes with a big promotion. You will become a Head Guardian and sit on the council during sessions dealing with security. Now that there are more civilian members on the council, Kian has agreed to more military members as well."

Peter was stunned. He hadn't expected that. There were several excellent Guardians more deserving of the promotion than he was, and he had no idea why Onegus had chosen him.

"I'm speechless, Chief. Thank you."

"Congratulations." Onegus smiled. "I understand that the timing might not be right given that you're getting married this Sunday. Your bride is probably expecting a honeymoon."

Marina wouldn't want him to pass this up, and not just because of the big-ass promotion. She would want him to fight evil and save children by eliminating the demonic monsters who preyed on them.

"We weren't planning anything special, and Marina will not only understand but also encourage me to get to work on this as soon as possible."

A ghost of a smile crossed Onegus's face. "You sound very sure of that."

"I know my mate."

Roni clapped him on the back. "You picked a good one, Peter. Sylvia and I are not married yet, but I know she would have also given up our honeymoon to do this, and if you ever need a techno-nullifier, she will be happy to help."

Onegus tilted his head. "That's an interesting way to describe Sylvia's ability. Did you hear about Morelle's talent?"

Roni nodded. "Of course. Cassandra told my mother and grandmother, and I found out about it five minutes later. You know how things work here."

"What can she do?" Peter asked.

"Morelle is a nullifier. She was able to stop Cassandra from blowing up a glass cup, but only after learning what Cassandra's talent was. There is still a lot to be learned about her ability and how it can be utilized. What we know now is that she needs to be close for her nullifying to work, and she can't do it when she's distracted."

Peter nodded. "Now I get the new name for Sylvia's talent. It definitely sounds better than the electronics disrupter." His eyes fell on the folder again, and his expression hardened. "So, what's our first target?"

Onegus nodded to Roni, who began spreading photographs and documents across the desk. "We should start with collecting intel. What Roni could find on the internet is of little use to us. We need boots on the ground." Onegus leaned forward. "I don't suggest infiltrating the networks. It's enough that we have Guardians hovering close enough to collect the information we need. Thralling, shrouding, and compelling are, of course, authorized. "

Peter studied the materials. "I would like to start with a small covert operation to get a feel for what we are about to face."

Roni leaned against Onegus's desk and folded his arms over his chest. "These aren't the regular thugs we are used to dealing with. Some of these bastards have serious security—private armies with military-grade weapons. They're selling 'protection services' to others in their sick little network."

"I know that you're thinking of an undercover approach," Onegus said. "That's good to start with, but you need a solid team to back you up if you get in over your head. I want you to give it some thought, and then we will brainstorm this together. It's new territory for all of us."

"What about Turner?" Peter asked. "Perhaps he can give us some insight."

Onegus shook his head. "This is not what he's used to dealing with. He deals with hostages in the hands of militias and drug cartels, and he can handle military operations. He has no experience with this type of criminal activity." Onegus rubbed his hand over the back of his neck. "I've been around for a long time, and I've never encountered depravity on such an industrial scale."

It seemed that even the chief had trouble dealing with this filth, which meant that the Guardians he needed to recruit would have a hard time as well. Perhaps they needed a little help from the clan's therapist.

"I wonder," Peter said, "if the Kra-ell will have the same emotional response as we do. To be effective, we need to lock our feelings behind a steel door, or we could get ourselves killed even by well-armed humans."

"They do," Onegus said. "I spoke with Jade, and she reacted like any decent person would. She was shocked and disgusted."

"Then we need Vanessa to help prepare us for this."

Onegus nodded. "Good suggestion. It wouldn't have occurred to me to ask her. Although I'm not sure she will be able to help. This is even beyond the scope of what she's dealing with at the sanctuary."

"If she can't, she will know someone who can," Peter said. "Show me what you've found so far," he said to Roni.

The hacker began laying out the network he'd uncovered, pointing to various photographs and documents. "This guy here seems to be one of the main coordinators, but he's not at the top of the food chain, which makes him an easier target. He operates behind a dozen shell companies, but they all lead back to this estate in Beverly Hills."

Peter studied the aerial photograph of a sprawling estate. "Security?"

"We need to find out," Onegus said. "We can hire a human team to do the snooping, or you can do that after you assemble your team."

"I'll do that." Peter was already calculating how many people he would need for an operation like this.

"But here's the kicker," Roni said. "You need to be careful because they might have kids on the property."

Peter felt his jaw tighten. "That's not a problem during the recon mission. But later, when we go in, we might need a blanket thrall. Did you speak with Yamanu?"

Onegus nodded. "As usual, he's available on a case-by-case basis."

"I'll need at least eight people," Peter said after a moment's calculation. "Not for the recon, which can be done by just two Guardians with experience in that sort of operation, but for the extraction. Two for perimeter control, four for entry, and two for extraction. I will also need surveillance drones."

Onegus lifted a hand. "Slow down. We are not there yet. You're getting married on Sunday. Take the rest of the week to put your team together and review the intel. We can plan the first operation for the week after."

"I'll take Monday off, but I can go out on Tuesday." Peter's mind was already racing with possibilities, considering which Guardians would be best suited for this type of work. "I'll have a preliminary team roster for you by Thursday."

He was pushing it, but the sooner they began, the sooner they would get this ball rolling and the sooner the monsters would be six feet under.

"One more thing," Roni added, pulling out another document. "We've identified several smaller operations that might make better initial targets. Places to test the team's capabilities before we tackle something like that estate."

"Smart," Peter reluctantly agreed. In his mind, he and his team were already storming the mansion. "We'll need to work out our dynamics before attempting anything too ambitious."

Roni put everything back into the folder and handed it to Peter. "Homework. I'll probably have another stack just as big by Thursday."

"Thanks." Peter grimaced.

"See ya in a couple of days." Roni clapped him on the back. "If you need me sooner, you know where to find me."

When the hacker left, Onegus leaned forward. "There is one more thing I need to discuss with you that I couldn't bring up with Roni here."

Peter arched a brow. "What could you possibly be hiding from Roni? The kid knows everything."

"He doesn't know this, and I need you to keep it to yourself. Don't say anything to your teammates until you get the green light from me."

Peter's curiosity was piqued. "You have my word."

"Our mellow and charming Prince Ell-rom can kill with a thought, and I need you to bring back disposable targets for him to practice on."