Flashback ( PDFDrive )

“Fake caches,” Mr. Forkle corrected. “Or so we’ve been told. I’d like
to verify that information, since it could be a misdirection. But if it’s
not, I’d like to know how the Neverseen managed to fool us. We might
be able to learn something about the identity of their Technopath by
studying their handiwork. Plus, we may need to use Kenric’s replica if
the Council asks Sophie to produce his cache before we recover the
real one—”
“You’d give the Council the fake?” Sophie had to ask.
Mr. Forkle nodded. “If we needed to buy ourselves more time, I
believe I would. But I’d like to understand exactly how risky that
decision would be before I make it. And, quite honestly, I’m also
trying to ease my own frustration. I hate to be fooled—and I despise it
even more when I can’t pinpoint exactly how the trick was achieved.
So I’d like to at least know what we missed—particularly because the
Neverseen could’ve made more than one decoy to thwart our next
efforts to find the originals.”
“Ugh, I hadn’t even thought of that,” Sophie grumbled, choking
down the sour taste in her throat.
“Can I see those?” Tinker asked, holding out her hand for the
caches.
Mr. Forkle handed them over. “You can keep them for now—but
before you get sidetracked, I wanted to discuss another project. One I
held off mentioning earlier, because I wanted you to meet Mr. Dizznee
and see for yourself that he’s both talented and kindhearted. That way
you won’t be confused by the intention.”
“And what intention is that?” Tinker asked.
Mr. Forkle stole a brief glance at Dex and Sophie before he said,
“To make weapons.”