![\"\"](\"https:\/\/buber.net\/Basque\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/maite-and-kepa-v3b.png\")
\u201cWhat?\u201d she exclaimed exhasperated. \u201cCan you read my mind too? I wasn\u2019t going to do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The sphere just floated there. If it understood her, it didn\u2019t acknowledge it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite stood up and sighed. \u201cI assume this is some kind of summons then?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As she made toward the door, the sphere turned and started floating down the hall. Instead of out to the patio, where at least Maite could take in the admittedly magnificent view of the city, the sphere took her in the opposite direction. At the end of the hall was a large double door, made of some shiny metal. The sphere stopped. Maite stopped. Nothing happened. She looked up at the sphere, which just floated in the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUgh,\u201d she said as she approached the door. It opened silently, each side sliding into the neighboring wall. Inside, she saw a large desk surrounded floating displays. She recognized a few. One was of the city from above. Another showed the plaza outside the airport where she and Kepa had first encountered the flying eggs. Others displayed more intimate settings, seemingly the inside of people\u2019s homes. A shiver ran down Maite\u2019s back as she watched on one display a mother and father make dinner for their two children. Were these enemies of de Lancre that he might be planning to eliminate?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Lancre sat behind the big desk. As Maite entered the room, he waved his hand and all of the displays dematerialized, leaving the room empty and spartan. Beyond de Lancre\u2019s large desk, there was a small table surrounded by chairs in one corner, and another large chair on the opposite side of the desk from de Lancre. There was no art on the walls, nor shelves with momentos or books. Just plain bare walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Lancre stood up as the desk rotated around him such that it was now behind him. He approached Maite and offered his hand. \u201cI want to show you something,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite, her hand remaining at her side, replied. \u201cWhat if I don\u2019t want to see it?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Lancre tilted his head to the side. Three of the spheres floated into the room, small bolts of electricity arcing between them. They surrounded Maite\u2019s head, one at each side and one behind, with de Lancre in front. \u201cI hate to use them, but I won\u2019t hesitate.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maite sighed, extending her hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Lancre smiled. <\/p>\n\n\n\n