Chapter 86
"Focusing on remote locations with recent construction or renovation," Brodie added, zooming the map to highlight a mountainous region several hundred miles north. "And we found this."
The holographic display shifted to show what appeared to be a mining operation nestled within a steep valley. To casual observation, it looked like nothing more than an industrial site, heavy equipment, security checkpoints, and supply vehicles.
"It's a former copper mine," Miles explained, "supposedly reopened for resource extraction under a subsidiary of Westridge Industries."
"Except Westridge doesn't actually mine copper," Federico interjected, swiping his tablet to share additional information with the projection. "They're a defence contractor specialising in 'human enhancement technologies.' The mining operation as cover."
The pendant warmed suddenly against Ioannis's skin, the warning chill replaced by an almost urgent heat. She touched it instinctively, drawing strength from its solid presence as she studied the holographic display.
"You're certain?" Nickolas asked, his body tensing beside her. Through their bond, she felt his tactical mind already calculating approach vectors, security vulnerabilities, and extraction routes.
"Ninety per cent," Brodie confirmed, with a nod.
“The thing is that we’re going to need to develop new techniques and toys to get past the defences,” Miles stated, “Our current ones aren’t going to do everything.”
Ioannis nodded, at Brodie and Miles’s words, “We need to get eye and ears into the place, and surely when these kids arrive they would want to appear loving and caring right can we intercept their deliveries like toys I mean their still children that they need to feel safe with them and some of them if they were omegas that had nothing officially of their own no more hand me downs, its going to look a lot better than home ever did.”
The twins' eyes lit up at Ioannis's suggestion, identical expressions of strategic inspiration spreading across their faces.
"Brilliant," Brodie breathed, fingers already dancing across his tablet. "Intercepting deliveries gives us both intelligence and potential access."
"Children's toys are perfect," Miles added, his mind clearly racing ahead. "We could embed surveillance tech that would bypass their security sweeps. Most military-grade systems aren't calibrated to detect components disguised as toy circuitry."
Nickolas's hand found Ioannis's beneath the table, his fingers squeezing gently in approval. Through their bond, she felt his tactical mind expanding on her concept, calculating probabilities and potential risks.
"It would need to be convincing," he cautioned, his storm-grey eyes focused on the holographic display. "These aren't amateurs we're dealing with. The toys would need to appear completely legitimate, packaging, branding, everything."
Alpha Darkwood leaned forward, his weathered face set with grim determination. "Harvey Inc. has the resources to create convincing replicas. And the commercial contacts to make the interception appear routine."
"We'd need to identify their supply chain first," Federico pointed out, scrolling through data on his tablet. "Determine which vendors they're using for these... amenities." His voice hardened on the final word, disgust evident in his tone.
Luna Holland's silver eyes gleamed with approval as she studied her daughter. "Always thinking in patterns," she murmured, pride evident in her voice. "Seeing connections others miss."
The pendant warmed against Ioannis's skin, pulsing gently as if in agreement. She touched it absently, drawing strength from its solid presence as her mind raced through possibilities.
"The twins' social media strategy gives us another advantage," she realised, the artistic patterns forming more clearly in her mind. "The public scrutiny will force them to maintain appearances. They can't treat these children like pure test subjects if there's even a hint they might be discovered."
"Which means toys, comfort items, education materials," Nickolas agreed, his tactical mind immediately grasping her reasoning. Through their bond, she felt his approval flowing toward her like warm sunlight.
"We could create a specialised toy company," Brodie suggested, excitement building in his voice. "One that caters to 'special needs' children with developmental challenges. It would explain any unusual components and make us appear as a logical vendor for their purposes."
"Westridge would want to provide appropriate stimulation for their 'subjects' while maintaining control," Miles added, fingers flying across his tablet as he developed the concept. "Our toys could appear to serve both purposes."
Alpha Darkwood nodded slowly, his dark eyes calculating. "A viable approach. But it will take time to establish such a company convincingly."