Chapter 16 – Summary

Colonel Daniel Weaver returns to Fort Liberty, frustrated by his failed attempt to recruit Mark Peltier for a mission. Determined not to take no for an answer, Weaver calls George Ramsey, explaining that Peltier is uniquely qualified and that no other candidate measures up. Since Peltier left the Army a decade ago and isn’t subject to recall, Weaver considers leveraging Peltier’s beloved Coral Bay property—possibly through financial pressure or legal threat—to compel him to accept the mission. He plans to investigate the real estate purchase for any impropriety.

Meanwhile, Mark enjoys a peaceful morning with Lisa and her daughter Becky, showing a strong familial bond. Lisa apologizes for unknowingly letting Weaver onto the property, but Mark reassures her. He explains that Weaver was recruiting him and he refused, though he expects more pressure to come.

Elsewhere, FBI agent Robert Jackson wraps up his final scheduled check-in with Dr. Alexandra Conner about the AI project Quest, which is functioning well. Shortly after, over lunch with a colleague, Joe Carter, Jackson is stunned to learn that the CIA's new AI has flagged him as a potential national threat. This revelation deeply unsettles Jackson. As his concern grows, he realizes something may be seriously wrong with the AI—or someone may be manipulating it.