Bab 40: Chapter 40: Test Of Loyalty

With the network fully operational, Lucian turned his attention to the next challenge: ensuring the loyalty of its members. The network was only as strong as the people who made it up, and Lucian knew that even the most carefully vetted individuals could be tempted or coerced into betrayal. To safeguard his empire, Lucian decided to implement a series of tests designed to weed out any potential traitors before they could do any damage.

The first test was simple but effective. Lucian arranged for a series of false leads to be planted within the network—information that seemed valuable but was actually a carefully constructed trap. These false leads were given to specific members of the network, each one tailored to the individual's position and access to information.