Interlude: Cao
ASB Headquarters, Linan, Democratic Union of Aviye
"...Something we need to prepare for if we are to face it together."
"What is it?"
"The Master, and his army..."
The words of the recording brought a sheen of sweat to Director Cao's head as he listened to them in the quiet hours of the morning, sitting in his office after the daily brief.
They'd found the listening devices. It was only a matter of time until they found the rest of the bugs. Until a formal inquiry began. The fact that Khayin managed to sneak two into Amri's suite bought Cao some time.
The ASB had agents on standby near the Center, mostly to ward off hapless intruders before they reached the military perimeter. He just needed to arrest someone who'd been stationed there over the last few months... maybe sooner, to hide just how long he'd been able to listen in.