The Xander family estate's quantum security field registered three distinct enhancement layers: Level 1: Standard aristocratic protocols Level 2: Military-grade surveillance Level 3: Something older. Something that made Nailah's Caribbean combat enhancers scream warning.
"Remember," Valerian subvocalized through their encrypted channel, "Cross has eyes everywhere. One wrong enhancement signature..."
"And we both dead," Nailah finished, shoulders tense under borrowed silk. "Mi know de stakes, rich boy."
Around them, academy society's elite mingled. Old money enhancement signatures pulsed beneath tailored suits - each one cataloged by Cross's surveillance nets. The air tasted of expensive champagne and calculated moves.
Tactical Analysis: Known Surveillance: 12 guard patterns Suspected Monitoring: 3 ATA frequencies Active Threats: Cross's systems, Jake's tactical grid, Xander family security Current Mission Success Rate: 27%
"Valerian." Cora Xander's voice cut through the murmurs. "Skulking in corners? How... predictable."
She approached with measured grace, their family's signature enhancement patterns humming at frequencies that shouldn't exist outside military labs. Her implants - latest generation Xander tech - scanned everything.
"Sister." Valerian's cybernetic eye whirred through combat modes even as he smiled. "I'm surprised Father let you leave his hospital room. His condition must be improving."
Something dangerous flashed across Cora's perfect features. "Indeed. Though he's quite interested in your recent... activities."
Back at the academy, Sarah's medical scanner registered the conversation through Valerian's encrypted feed. Her hands stilled on Kasper's neural ports.
"Their family protocols..." she breathed. "They're similar to-"
"Javier's enhancement signature," Kasper finished. His nanobots pinged recognition at frequencies that shouldn't exist. "The Xanders were involved with Project Echo?"
In Lab 7, Lucas's neural interface sparked as he dug deeper into encrypted files. Maria's healing crystals pulsed weakly - still drained from trying to stabilize Sean's deteriorating neural patterns.
"Project Echo test subjects," Lucas muttered, blood trickling from his nose. "All from prominent families. All with unique enhancement capabilities. All disappeared after-"
"After Mirage City," Sean finished. His tactical overlay flickered dangerously. "Just like Javier."
Maria's healing field pulsed with concern. "Sean, your neural damage is spreading. I can't maintain-"
"Doesn't matter." His voice carried steel despite the pain. "Keep digging."
At the Xander estate, Nailah caught fragments of carefully crafted conversation:
"...Vega's containment proceeding as planned..." "...Project Echo's evolution exceeding expectations..." "...the de la Fuente boy's nanobots showing similar patterns..."
Her tactical comm buzzed: "Father's private servers," Valerian whispered. "Northwest wing. But Cora's watching-"
"Let her watch." Nailah's Caribbean training kicked in. "Mi got a plan."
She stumbled, enhancement patterns flickering like a malfunctioning civilian model. The borrowed dress "accidentally" caught Cora's eye.
"Oh dear," Cora's smile held razors. "How embarrassing. The help's enhancements acting up again."
As attention focused on Nailah's apparent malfunction, Valerian slipped away. Family security recognized his patterns - but not the hidden frequencies underneath.
The private servers held one active file. A security feed showing Vega in a containment cell, neural ports modified with Xander tech.
"Project Echo was meant to create perfect infiltrators," she spoke to someone off-screen. "But the enhancement patterns evolved beyond control. Javier proved that when he began detecting the original subjects. Before we could stop him-"
The feed cut. Security alarms screamed.
"Oh, brother." Cora's voice filled the estate's speakers. "Did you really think Father would let you access his systems? Your enhancement signature was compromised the moment you touched academy tech."
They ran, patterns shifting to avoid detection. Behind them, the Xander estate's defenses activated - recognizing them as both family and threat.
In the medical bay, Kasper's nanobots suddenly surged with recognition. Sarah's scanner registered a familiar frequency growing stronger.
Through their tactical link, Lucas's voice cracked: "Guys? You need to see this. Project Echo wasn't about creating infiltrators. It was about controlling them. And according to these files..."
Sarah's hands trembled on her scanner. Because she knew what Lucas would say next.
"According to these files," he finished, "it worked. On everyone except Javier."