The Impossible Future: Complete set by Frank Kennedy (mini ebook reader .txt) 📕

Ignatius stood near water’s edge, where the sand packed firm. He wore a white karate robe with brown belt. He motioned James forward.

Moments later, two peacekeepers took James. When they stepped into a long, shadowed corridor, they intercepted Valentin and the two soldiers marching abreast of him. Like James, his brother was also stripped but for a bonding sheathe across his genitals. The physical mismatch never seemed more staggering.

At some level, James admired Valentin’s perfect symmetry – the V configuration of sculpted, undulating upper torso and a narrow, chiseled abdomen. Terminator. Schwarzenegger. It all fit. More than that, James saw an empty, soulless contempt in his brother’s eyes. James detected no rage, no thirst for victory; nor did he sense any desire for familial outreach. In this moment, he would have appreciated a condescending smirk.

“If he kills me, will he even care?”

Their practice round concluded, Ignatius toasted the sunset.

“He did not know of you yesterday, so if he no longer has to know of you tomorrow …” He sipped champagne from a long flute. “The question answers itself. Make sure he knows of you tomorrow.”

That was the general idea, although James understood he had no shot at victory in a fair fight. Instead, as he marched in silentium toward the inevitable, James wondered what Perrone hoped to gain. Was this vengeance for Christian and Agatha? Did he want to see how far he could push the Jewel before it incinerated Valentin? Neither possibility, nor the theatrics, made sense. The uncertainty frightened James more than the pain about to be inflicted upon him.

The corridor ended at a windowless door. A soldier tapped his stream amp to Perrone’s voice. “Are they ready, Lieutenant?”

    “In position, sir.”

“Escort them in. Ten meters and hold for my command.”

The door disappeared, and one soldier led Valentin first. The peacekeeper who watched James strip down leaned in to whisper.

“Your new brother deserves a good smack-around. If you can connect with one smart lick before he tears your head off, I will not be the only satisfied old soldier.”

James had no response. Instead, he turned to Ignatius.

“Why would he say that? Ever since I went on the run, all I’ve seen is Chancellors trying to take each other out. And these people run a galactic empire?”

Ignatius smiled. “Their ancestors did the heavy lifting. These most recent generations are the spoiled remains. They crave solace for their wandering hearts. Now you come along … something new.”

“I’m the entertainment.”

“After a fashion, I suppose you are.”

The stark chamber he entered seemed fit for just such a venue. All it lacked was a hungry audience thirsting for blood. Spotlights from a high ceiling cast narrow beams that intercepted each other, like a continuous Venn diagram. His guard ordered him to stop in a lit circle three shy of his brother, who turned and tightened his stance for battle. Legs extended, arms to his sides, fists balled.

James called upon the moves Ignatius taught him, but he could not decide on an opening maneuver – let alone if it might leave even a bruise on Valentin. The longer they stood without orders to begin, the more James wondered whether the delay might dent his brother’s enthusiasm. They held captive in those spotlights for five minutes before a familiar voice cascaded from above.

“Some say the natural state of brothers is they must try to kill each other at least once,” Perrone said. “Love usually stops them short. You will have no such distraction, yes?

“First Specialist, let me be clear. Slaughter this abomination, and I will guarantee your path to the glory you desire. You will emerge from your father’s long shadow and take a place even he will envy.”

Valentin betrayed the glimmer of a smile.

Perrone continued. “James, I offer you an enormous prize if you annihilate your brother. Not only will I guarantee full and safe assimilation for your two dear friends, but you will be free to pursue whatever destiny brought you across the fold.”

It sounded too perfect. James couldn’t resist.

“And if neither one of us dies?”

“Hmm. Defiance. I am taking to you, James. If no one prevails, my officers will make sure to dispose both your bodies. So, let’s begin. Yes? First round will be hand to hand. First Specialist, you are to disregard kwin-sho launch techniques. This will be a fair fight.”

Valentin did not show disappointment. Rather, he mumbled, “I don’t need to waste art on you.”

The officers backed away and Perrone gave the command.

“Kill.”

As Valentin crouched, positioning himself to lift off in a dead sprint, James envisioned his own defense and recalled Ignatius.

“Stand and block. At the last, diamond formation.”

He firmed himself against the inevitable, but James knew his odds. He might as well have brought a knife to a gunfight. Perhaps he’d scratch Valentin, even draw blood or a halting look of surprise. But victory? No, not like this.

His bones shattered and his nerves unleashed cold agony before Valentin took even a step. Yet, James did not sense terror or retreat.

Instead, he unburdened his heart. He took himself back to the stone outcropping where, not twenty-four hours ago, he surveyed the world for what he believed would be the final time. So pretty … He lifted the pistol and placed it against his temple. A millisecond of pain then a nightmare disintegrated. A dream devoutly to be wished. He was prepared to die, to escape all the pain. But now …

Let it come, he thought. Tear me to shreds. I’ll win.

The music of the future sang a rising tune, and the shifting tide chased through his veins. James did not understand the vision, except that it must come to pass.

The Jewel told him so.

“Hurt me,” he whispered as Valentin launched.

 

16

J AMES BRACED AS VALENTIN KICKED HIGH, SWEEPING THROUGH the