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

was like the first two weeks? Just the three of us. Eluding pursuit? Raiding for fuel and supplies? Killing almost everyone we met.”

“Yes, brother. I remember.”

“I’ve never had so much genuine fun in all my life. The more I killed, the hungrier I became. And Rayna … every time we touched … every time we made love … sometimes, I wish we could go back to being renegades. Just surviving day to day. No clear strategy. Taking whatever the universe gave us.”

“Those were heady days. Yes. But we have a responsibility to our people. We must be effective leaders with a clear plan.”

James pushed his brother’s hand away. “Of course, and we do. I just haven’t told you all of it because there are too many variables still in play. I won’t tell you what I have in mind for Samantha because I’m saving the moment for myself. I will admit this: I do have a fixation on her, but not for the reason you might think.

“I despise her. No one did more to betray me than Samantha Pynn. She was her parents’ spy in my life, posing as my friend, even as someone I should love. And I almost fell for it. She would have allowed me to die and be reborn as a compliant Chancellor tool. I’ve tried to forgive her every day for the past two years. I never will.”

“Then I don’t understand. Why not just kill her? Why assassinate her aide? Our operative had the shot.”

“Because Sam is a domino. She’s where I need her to be. In time, she’ll know what it means to be a compliant tool.”

“Right there,” Valentin pointed. “The very sort of vague madness I hear coming out of your mouth more and more often. She is one woman among thirty-five billion humans. No single person outside this fleet will turn the tide of our campaign.”

James laughed under his breath. “Already did.”

Valentin did not react fast enough. James swooped in, his hands striking like thunderbolts, snapping Valentin’s neck.

A dark blanket settled over him, and all thought vanished.

When Valentin opened his eyes, he stared at stars.

Seconds passed. His cognition returned. The sharp tingle at the back of his neck softened.

“You worried me.” James’s voice echoed from behind. “You were gone longer than the last time. I thought about saving you.”

Valentin pushed himself up. “You thought?”

“For a man who will live forever, you are very impatient. I decided to remind you about your gift.”

He turned his neck gingerly. “By killing me a third time?”

“Don’t get up.” James walked past him and pointed upward, to a region close to the nebula’s edge. “Like I was saying before, someone already did turn the tide of our campaign. Do you remember when we scouted this system as a possible refuge? Remember the debris field we discovered half an AU from here?”

He did. Something large and manmade had been incinerated long ago, but Valentin found nothing in Guard historical data.

“I chose this system for a reason,” James said. “Forty years ago, the Jewels of Eternity were being held in an off-book facility. They were captured during a deep-space mission and taken to Lease Station XF-41. The plan was to weaponize them into planet-killing Berserkers. A Chancellor means of absolute control.

“Fortunately, a man named Ephraim Hollander liberated them and destroyed the facility. His decision set in motion the events leading to the fall of Hiebimini and the desperation of the Chancellory. Without his actions, the hybrids would never have been created, and I would not have the opportunity to burn down the Chancellory.”

Valentin knew that name. It came quickly.

“Hollander? Yes. He was there. At Hiebimini. It was he and his son. They were working together. Hollander’s been a fugitive ever since, assuming he’s still alive.”

“Correction, brother. They did not collaborate; they fulfilled a destiny. The Jewels saw it coming. For three thousand years, they saw the end. And they also viewed the end as a new beginning.” He reached out and helped Valentin stand. “I’ve seen it all, brother. Ever since I ripped Ignatius Horne out of my mind two years ago, the Jewel has shown me an entire history. This is where you and I come in. This system is the perfect place to prepare for the beginning. Valentin, I know everything we need to do. I always have.”

“If this is true, James, why not trust me to the full plan?”

“I do trust you. Valentin, I love you. Whatever happens, I promise we’ll be at each other’s side to the end. We’re monsters, you and I. Killers. Yes? But I worry. When you realize how far I’ll need you to go for me, I’m not sure you’ll have the stomach for it.”

This was the most honest his brother had been in some time. Valentin searched with care for his next words.

“James, will your plan guarantee a home for both our peoples?”

“It will.”

“Will your plan guarantee a safe future for generations?”

“It will.”

“And you have no doubts?”

“None, brother.”

Valentin took a long, deep breath and then the plunge.

“You kept your promise, brother. We’ve rescued five hundred immortals. I’m with you, no matter the cost.”

James’s features softened, a generous smile which reminded Valentin of the joyous creature who took to space travel and acts of terror with childlike abandon two years ago. Who celebrated the birth of his children as the single greatest day of his life. Who shared in liquor-soaked celebrations after each of their early victories.

“I’m glad,” James said, his voice tender. “Let’s share a drink.”

“And then you’ll tell me how we burn down the Chancellory?”

“It’s going to be beautiful, brother. My best work yet.”

12

Special education sector

Lioness

 

V ALENTIN LOVED ALL HIS CHILDREN, though none shared his genes. They ranged in age from five to