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"Understood. Enhancements include personalized DNA sequencer checks against a predetermined list, with redundant fail-safes that engage complete lockdown should any unauthorized access attempt be detected."
He considered this for a moment. Such measures were extreme but not unheard of in high-security Imperial military installations. He wasn't surprised they'd added them to the Mate area.
"And?" he prompted again.
"All internal communication lines within the Mate Program offices are isolated from the main station's network and employ d’henaas encryption nodes to prevent interception or hacking from external sources."
His eyebrows shot up. D’henaas encryption nodes… that was technology so advanced and expensive it wasn't often seen outside Imperial military vessels, specifically the flagships. It made messages impossible to intercept because they weren't transmitted in the usual way. It was also not a B'Kaar technology, which meant that the emperor had ordered measures against the cyberwarrior clan.
"Interesting," he murmured, scrolling through the schematics and noting each new feature.
"Also, the offices have been equipped with independent power breaker systems designed to isolate them from the main grid in case of system-wide failure or sabotage."
He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his chin. It looked like someone had anticipated an event like this—perhaps even prepared for it. "This is all interesting, but not what I'm looking for. Is there anything else noteworthy about the Mate Program offices?"
"Given your interest in TX chips, it is worth noting that the chips installed in the specified area of the station are a newer model of TX-14 chip, which are not present in other sections."
He blinked. That was it.
"Open communications with the Mate Program offices," he ordered. "Route me to med-tech V'Renn."
The console beeped as it established a connection. A moment later, S'aad V'Renn's face appeared on his screen—he was a distant cousin of Vaarn’s with sharp eyes that didn't miss a thing.
"S'aad." Vaarn greeted him with a nod.
"Vaarn." S'aad grinned, a wide smile on his face. Like most V'Renn he was tall and whipcord lean, his fair, sand-hued hair and vivid green eyes making it hard to work out his true age. Something Vaarn knew S'aad had used to his advantage many times. "I was about to call you."
"Oh? What for?"
"I was just about to request another shipment of tracking bracelets from you." S'aad leaned back in his chair. “They’ve proven extremely popular with the newly mated warriors.”
Vaarn nodded. He wasn't surprised.
"Can't say I blame them for wanting peace of mind," he said. "Two years ago, we faced a future without mates. No one wants to take any chances with their safety."
The other warrior nodded. "Every male on this station will fight to the death to protect their mate."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. However, I did design the bracelets so they cannot be removed without the right tools. Once on, they don't come off."
"Clever." S'aad nodded. "The warriors like that they can track their mates anywhere on the station or on the planet below. Gives them some control over the situation."
He hesitated, frowning. "Have there been any specific threats against the human females that I should know about?"
The med-tech shook his head. "No, nothing like that. Just males being extra cautious. Can't blame them."
"No, you're right." Still, something about it nagged at him. The increased security and the general jitteriness of the warriors who had mates? Was there some risk somewhere they weren't being told about? Could Sadie be in danger?
"Anyway," S'aad said with a smile, "Make me another batch of bracelets, and I'll get them distributed."
"Of course. Never thought my jewelry-making skills would prove so useful." He snorted in amusement. "I may need to take on an assistant at this rate."
That wasn't a bad idea. He pulled a notepad toward himself, scrawling a quick note to remind himself to do that later.
S'aad laughed. "The great Vaarn T'Kaan, renowned engineer and warrior, now making jewelry for all the station's lovesick males. Who would have thought?"
He grunted, his lips quirking in amusement. "Don't let word of that get out. I have a reputation to maintain."
"Wouldn't dream of it, cousin," S'aad said, an innocent look on his face. "This will be just between us."
