I stop walking. I turn to face them. Kade and Lyra stop instantly, flanking me.
Through the merge, I feel Kade’s amusement. They think they’re negotiating with a mining company, he projects.
Let them learn, I reply.
"Dr. Thorne," I say, my voice dropping a fraction, letting the deep, resonant frequency of the Anchor bleed into my tone. The air around us suddenly feels heavier, the ambient noise of the helicopters fading into a dull roar. "You are under the impression that you are negotiating with a supplier. You are not. You are negotiating with the gatekeepers of a new era."
I step closer to Dr. Thorne. He swallows hard, his eyes darting to Kade’s massive, silver-rimmed stare.
"The 'quartz' is not a mineral to be mined," I continue, my voice ringing with absolute clarity. "It is a li
