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

in charge, and people who ain’t. People who got all the bucks, and people who don’t. It’s the same damn game, Sammie. Just different names. You get that, right? You ain’t lost all your sense?”

Her eyes widened, as if reaching an aha moment.

“You think I’m getting carried away with being a Chancellor,” she said. “You think I’ll turn my back on you because you’re not.”

“I never said …”

“But that’s what you’re thinking. I felt it earlier. The way you looked up at me after I put down that mercenary. And the way you were talking right before those slews came down on us. I knew something was off, and it wasn’t just because you were scared. I’m just trying to help you, Michael. I’ve been one of your best friends.”

His blood boiled as the weight that fell upon him moments after crossing the IDF neared the surface.

“I don’t know about that best part. J was the one you had the hots for. Otherwise, I reckon you wouldn’t have given me the time of day. But seriously, Sammie. You hear the tone in your voice? You’re already high and mighty – and I’m two years older.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry, but things have changed. I have duties now. There’s a way things are done …”

“Don’t,” he said, pulling away. “Don’t go there, Sammie. Y’ know, you were cool when you were Wonder Woman with an AK. Shit. ‘There’s a way things are done.’ ’” He channeled his grandfather, who always thought racial harmony was a pipe dream. “You sound like every Cracker who ever told somebody like me, ‘There’s a way things are done.’  But what she really meant was, ‘There’s a way us white folks say things are done, and the rest of you people keep your traps shut and play our game.’ ’”

Sammie tried to interrupt, but Michael shut her down.

“Did you ever notice how the black folks lived on one side of Albion and the white folks on the other? Reckon that’s how we kept things nice and peaceful. Walk down Main Street and the white folks be all smiles and waves because they figured, ‘Hey, at least we ain’t got to live next to them.’ Last summer, the Harrises – not three houses down from me – found a noose hanging from a tree in their front yard. Never figured out who done it. Sheriff didn’t do shit.

“You see, Sammie. You got no idea. I weren’t on this planet five minutes, and some white chick looks at me like I ain’t got the right to breathe her air. And they’ve been piling on ever since. I’m already sorry I came, but I can’t go back, and I got to figure out how to live here. If you can help me do that, great. But don’t talk down to me. You ain’t my mom, and I ain’t your Negro. Got my speed?”

Michael regretted making a scene, but not for speaking the truth. Albion wasn’t as segregated as he made out, but he didn’t care. He turned to Rikard, who raised an eyebrow. Was he impressed? Could he relate? Michael figured they would talk later.

Ophelia Tomelin intruded upon the tension.

“Michael, you strike me as someone who longs for an audience. I assume I am the ‘white chick’ to whom you’re referring. As I told you before, I apologize for our first encounter. I know nothing more about your home than you know of mine.” She slipped Rikard a darting glance. “But I suspect you’ve been learning. Understand this, Michael. Ever since we set foot in this landing, Samantha has been insistent that your safety and comfort be as high a priority as any other. She has not put her interests above you or James.”

His shoulders sagged.

“OK. Fine. Look, Sammie. I didn’t mean … hell, I don’t know what I meant. I just want a square deal. I feel like a redshirt.”

Sammie and Ophelia shared their confusion.

“A what?” Sammie asked.

“Redshirt. The dude who gets whacked before the first commercial break. Sorry. It’s a Star Trek thing.”

“No bother, Michael,” Ophelia said. “I’ll never understand your colloquialisms. Here, all of you. Come with me. I want to show you something important.”

On the other side of the EarthIn, a holographic projection rose from a cube on a round dining table. Patricia, AKA the Chief, swiped her fingers through the intricate web of graphics while sipping from a mug. Ophelia led all three around the table, behind Patricia.

“What’s all this?” Michael asked.

Ophelia laid a supportive hand on his shoulder.

“Our plans. Our contacts. Our new hires. Everything is almost in place for our next move.”

“Which is?”

“There’s another Jewel, like James. She crossed the fold in the Ukrainian Expanse shortly after you arrived. Our people are attempting to find her and transport her to the NAC. The same faction that tried to kill us will try to take her out. When the time comes, we need to intercept them with mercenaries and provide cover until we can get her, James, and both of you to safety. Preferably, off-world.”

“Wait, what? How does J fit into this?”

“He’ll be there, too. Plus Augustus Perrone.” She faced Michael. “You fear him, but you’re not alone. I’ve had an epiphany, Michael. I realize why he wanted James so badly. You need to be prepared.” She placed her other hand on Samantha. “Both of you. We’ll make this work, but not everyone may come out alive.”

Michael stiffened his shoulders. “No problem. I should’ve been toast a couple days ago. I’m down with whatever we gotta do. Just one condition: You don’t put me off to the side. Whatever uniform I need, or whatever crazy-ass tech you gotta put in me. Whatever training. I’m all in. Whatever it takes.”

When no one objected – Rikard even smiled – Michael realized he found a