Chapter Two: Likes Become Power

Gu Yan spent thirty thousand. The raven became entirely solid, and a miniature power core emerged from its abdomen. Zhou Fang, a broke prop designer summoned by phone, examined it for ten minutes with shaking hands. “Closed-loop steam. Its conversion efficiency is at least three generations ahead of existing technology.” He looked up. “Patent this, and eight hundred thousand will be pocket change.” But Gu Yan was watching Lin Xia. Director's Perception had placed a red close-up frame beside her: the identity card in her jacket was fading. She pulled it out. The name LIN XIA vanished as though erased. Another name slowly appeared. XIA MI. On her phone, the contact marked Mother changed to CHIEF OF THE CONSTABULARY.