Enki! I need a little bit of time. I promised I'd come when you called, and I will. But I need the intel, and I need a chance to deliver it.

Enki's voice came back, firm. The deal was that you'd come the moment I called. I'm very particular about deals, kiddo. Very fucking particular indeed. Pissing around in Boston wasn't part of the deal.

I felt anger flare. You've been absent since the battle at Albany. I haven't had a chance to benefit from the arrangement. I could argue you've already breached the arrangement.

Enki's voice was scornful, mocking even. Ah, ah, ah, kiddo. I'm an entity of word, but only of my exact words. Nowhere in our agreement did I say I'd be reporting to you on a schedule like a postman. No. I'll give you your intel, you'll come help with my problem. That's as far as we got.

I said, Then give me the intel now. You promised me that.

Enki said, I don't want to.

I said, But you have to! We agreed!

Enki said, Yes. I do have to. But first, a little counterproposal. To keep us both satisfied. I am more than a little concerned that you'll take your intel and try to fuck me over. You did it before. I didn't really leave myself with a whole lot of leverage when I struck this bargain. So, yes, I have to keep a deal when I make one because breaking it violates my whole can't-lie rule. But, if you agree to a renegotiation, then I'm off the hook.

I started moving towards Boston, hopeful of having a chance to use the information. Okay. I'm not agreeing to a renegotiation, especially if that would leave you out of the deal we made. But I'll hear a pitch if you've got one.

Where did the sweet innocent little Ti go? The one who feared my otherworldly powers with existential dread? Would you talk to the Oracle with that mouth?

I rolled my eyes. Make your pitch.

Enki said, Okay. Here it is. The job I have for you is a little… how can I say it. It's distasteful. I'd like a bigger carrot to keep you committed to the cause. So here's what I'll propose. I'll let you stop off at Boston with intel on imminent threats, if there are any. Full stop. You come and help me out with my A-Team project for all of a day or so. Then I come visit you at least once a day for the duration of the war and keep you updated on the Buffalo Griidlords.

I listened carefully as I sped forward under the Footfield. That's a little too specific. Not just the Buffalo Griidlords, but any suits that are aligned with them.

Good catch, kiddo. Yes, any suit that's aiding them. How's that?

I pumped my legs hard, driving towards the city, the landscape blurring away. I want troop movements too.

Enki seemed frustrated. You know you're bargaining with god, right? Not some pissant trader. We're not splitting hairs over the price of a horse or a chamber pot.

I said, No. We are not. We are dickering over intel that could change the face of the war. I could be more valuable to the city with this intel than I am with my sword.

Enki sounded suspicious, intrigued. You're talking about your own personal value here, aren't you? Plans brewing, hmmm? Want something you can trade, use as your own leverage, get a bit of extra clout with? I don't give a shit. Power to you. I could care less what your walled meat pens do.

Are walled meat pens cities?

Enki said, Yes. That's what I meant. Here's the deal. I need to be specific because I can't promise exactly what you're asking. I can't see all the troops—

I cut it off. You can see what Griidlords are doing, see through their eyes, know where they are. It's almost impossible to move troops over distance at a meaningful pace without a suit. So if you can see the suits, you can see where the troops are.

Enki sounded almost angry. I've got more important things to do than spend the next fuck-knows-how-long just watching suits.

I'd expected this. Just check in. Before you come to me for the daily check-in, spend a few minutes looking through the eyes of the Buffalo suits, and then tell me whatever you've seen.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Enki growled. Even that's a commitment I don't wa— fine, fuck it. That's what you want. Fine. Is that a deal then?

And the arrangement about the door still stands?

Enki said, Yes, yes. The deal with the door still stands.

I hesitated for just a moment. I was writing a blank cheque. It had said the task would be distasteful and that gave me cause for serious concern. But the prize was so massive. Even if I did miss two days of the war, everything would change once I had the intel. We couldn't be surprised again. We could predict every substantial movement. Lay our own ambushes. Take advantage of them in a dozen ways. It would be a superpower.

I said, Fine. Tell me about the imminent threats.

Enki cackled wildly. There are none.

I narrowed my eyes. What?

There are none, kiddo. I'll need you for two days, tops! I can say with some confidence that there's no evidence that Buffalo will be launching a suit-led attack in the next two days. I know you've a few mobs of those distasteful little Green Men running around still, but Boston will be okay without you. So we can go straight to the A-Team.

I said, No. We said I could stop at Boston with the intel about imminent attacks.

It said, But there are none!

I said, That's still intel about imminent attacks. That's still within the deal.

Silence for a moment.

Then a rolling chuckle. Oh, that's the way to do it. Alright then, you can stop at fucking Boston for a few ticks. Then we're off.

I said, Where are we going?

Enki said, I'll tell you all about that when you finish your playdate in Boston.

***

High in the Tower of Boston, his desk separating us, Balthazar stared at me with eyes narrow. It was as though he were seeing me for the first time. No, that's not quite right. It was perhaps more like he was inspecting to see what demon had taken over me. I was the placid dog that just growled for the first time. I could see him calculating how to contain my new rebellion.

"Tiberius… you lost a friend. I understand that. I've been at war in some manner or another for my whole life. I know how it weighs on you. But you are a Griidlord. I take no pleasure in telling you that you will lose more friends. This was not a first or a last for you. You cannot allow yourself to be so affected by this event."

He gestured at the vast glass wall that windowed his personal office.

"We are at war. We cannot be without our Sword. You swore an oath. You must act for the good of the city. I can't even begin to express the risk you take, leaving us exposed without our Sword, even if it is, as you say, for a day or two."

I just met his gaze. "I am acting for the good of the city. I can secure intel on enemy movements with this excursion that will change the face of this war."

Balthazar shook his head slowly, eyeing me severely. "And you expect me to act on this intelligence without knowing the source? You promise no attacks in the next 24 hours at least. What am I to do with that, Tiberius? Can I give all the forces a day's leave? Honestly, I'm worried about you."

The value of the intelligence will show itself in time. If you don't believe it, or can't act on it at first, once the predictions have continued to prove true then I know what you'll do. You'll act logically. You want to forbid me from leaving, you're probably even wondering if sanctions are worth applying to me. You're balancing the damage in our relationship, the risks involved in sanctioning me—will I resist, will you have to employ force? Of all the suits in Boston, I am aware that the one who poses the biggest threat to me, Magneblade, is very loyal to you. You essentially do have the power, and even the capacity, to arrest me. You're concerned about the precedent. I walked out on you once. If I do it again, how does that make you look to the rest of us?

He said nothing, staring at me with calculating eyes. I could see, in his total lack of reaction, that I was perfectly accurate.

I said, "Here's the thing. I am honor-bound to the city. But I am also honor-bound to complete this next task. There is no conflict. I am fulfilling both oaths. When this thing is done, I will bring a weapon—tactical intelligence—that is more powerful than I am to the effort. I am going. I need you to understand that. Nothing you can do will stop me, short of pitting the Axe against the Sword, and you know what a disaster that would be. So you can forbid it and watch me walk from the gates, or you can permit it and watch me walk from the gates. Either way, it is happening. But one of those ways, you won't lose face."

Balthazar was not one for slumping. I could say he deflated, but he didn't have the capacity to deflate. There was a distinct shift in posture though, almost imperceptible, but still there. I think it was resignation. Maybe, just maybe, it was disappointment or defeat. But this man was a pragmatist.

"Can you at least tell me where you're going? To whom you owe this second oath of loyalty?"

"It's not an oath of loyalty, it's an agreement to fulfill a task. And no."

"Your source? If I know the source of this intelligence, then maybe I can assess its value…"

I said, "I'm sorry."

Throughout our exchange, Enki had been excitedly singing. Quiet at first with a building enthusiasm, the volume was now threatening to drown out Balthazar's words. BUM-bum-ba-da-BUM, bum-ba-duuum!

Balthazar said, "You know I don't like this. If for no other reason, this makes it harder for me to trust you. I thought I could depend on you."

BAH-da-bum-bahh... ba-duh-buh-BUH!

I was surprised by how little that comment provoked me emotionally. Rationally it was difficult. I was developing plans that Balthazar was at the heart of. But I was shocked, and not displeased, to find that I didn't care for this man's approval any longer. "I'll repair that trust with the intel. I need that trust intact, Balthazar. I have other matters to speak of when I return."

DOOT-doot-doo-dooo, DOOT-doot-doo-dooo!... Come on, kiddo, I said you could relay the intel, not have a date. Kiss the bastard or go already. The team is waiting!

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