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

Chancellory and maintain stability on the colonies. We all lost at the fall of Hiebimini. We also know the most visionary among us have worked hard to give our people a future. The very notion of any Chancellor attempting to destroy or pervert that work is beyond criminal. Augustus Perrone was not only willing to ruin the Bouchets with false claims of crimes against humanity, he planned to annihilate the key to extended life. I witnessed him pit two brothers in combat for his entertainment, knowing he would one day execute them and incinerate their bodies along with the other Jewel hybrids and extended-life prototypes. He also ordered assassinations – including that of Dr. Tomelin – and carried out illegal UG operations on Earth in violation of The Foundation Treaty. We also have proof he has been an agent of The United Green, despite sending his own wife and son into hiding with a hybrid.”

James shared disbelief with Valentin.

“He’s lying,” Valentin whispered. “Perrone’s a bastard, but he wanted to steal Father’s work, not end it.”

James saw the wandering eyes zeroing in on them. He jumped into Rayna’s mind.

-          Are you sure Perrone said nothing against us?

-          No. He introduced me to his circle of fools. One did not like my words and said Jewels must be compliant. She did not say to kill me. If he wanted us dead, he could have killed us on island.

He disconnected. Perrone could have killed him many times, starting outside the fold. He knew what James and Rayna were capable of. Why keep the threats alive?

Marshall went on, listing Perrone’s crimes. He disclosed his own effort to place so-called infiltrators into SkyTower in the admiral’s name. He talked of mercenaries hired in Bouchet’s name who sacrificed their lives on Seneca to lure Perrone into the trap. He spoke of how Ophelia’s inside knowledge of the Bouchet operation and ability to adapt to “unexpected events” at the fold proved valuable in luring Perrone into their trap.

“Soon, I will transmit the evidentiary package to the Magistrate General of the Guard,” he continued. “In the coming days, this scandal will test our assumptions about Chancellor unity. Regardless, the proper faction now controls the future.”

Rayna jumped into James’s mind.

- I knew admiral was a fool. This man is true master.

- Did you hear him? ‘Controls the future.’ Control it how? You and I are part of that future.

- I told you this was trap, but you did not listen. These people think they own us because they created us. You know what they will do if they do not trust us. Da?

She was right. He felt it in his bones.

- I have an idea.

He disconnected and turned to his brother.

“The three of us need to talk,” he whispered. “Can you get us out of here?”

Valentin nodded. Once mild applause for the major died away and Marshall took his seat, Valentin had a word with his parents. The discussion lasted long enough to make James uneasy. Valentin returned, stopping at the head of the table. He did not whisper.

“Father has permitted me to provide you a tour of our home. Then I will show you to the guest quarters for the night.”

“Sounds great,” James said. “I’d love to see how I might have grown up. Rayna?” He nodded in a way that said, “Just play along.” Her mischievous smile indicated she understood.

However, Misha popped up from the next table. “Please allow me to come. I want to make sure Rayna’s transition is …”

“No.” Rayna grabbed his hand. “Your job is done. Go home to family now. Change name. You dislike Tsukanov.”

He winced as Rayna twisted his hand. Misha relented.

James thought they were clear until a towering, familiar voice rose.

“Peacekeepers Bouchet and Bouchet. Soldiers of the Guard.”

Maj. Marshall put down a napkin but did not rise. Valentin stood at attention, so James followed suit.

“Expect to be summoned soon. Col. Onyx will contact you for a final mission briefing.” They responded with side-nods as he turned to Rayna. “And young Miss Tsukanova. You were also witness to important events here, on Seneca, and in the Ukrainian Expanse. You will be summoned as well. Do you understand?”

“I do,” Rayna said. “I will tell everything you need. Da?”

James felt relief at Rayna’s choice to play nice. Yet the instant they left the observatory and hopped aboard a rifter, he realized what was happening. Everyone in that room was talking ab                                                                                out the Jewels – openly, frankly. With Perrone and his conspiracy behind them, only one issue remained. Control the future.

“They need us to be compliant,” James told Valentin as he took Rayna’s hand, a heated surge of Jewel energy passing between them. “We will never be. Do you understand what that means, brother?”

Valentin closed his eyes. James didn’t need an answer. He understood.

50

Philadelphia Redux

Hamilton Park Overlook

 

S AMANTHA PYNN WAS OFFICIALLY ONE of the thousand wealthiest Chancellors on Earth. She inherited her parents’ compound in Boston Prefecture, a suite of landings in New Stockholm City, a shared outpost on the Pacific Riviera, and a standing residential occupancy pass for the Ark Carrier Infinitus, orbiting Indonesia Prime. She owned a seat on the Americus Presidium and acquired her first Solomon. She wore a Transitional Communicator around her right wrist until the sanctum approved her stream amp for installation. Her purchase of a private uplift would be completed in days. She was, at long last, one of them.

Sammie never felt more terrified.

She gazed upon the city and realized she was in over her head. Philadelphia Redux rose similar to a pair of mighty cliffs, its cylindrical skyscrapers lining either side of a vast forest a kilometer wide, a powerful river chasing through the center. The polychrome towers glistened orange, pink, and yellow from the late-afternoon sunlight. She