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

Jewel they worshiped moved to depart. During the preceding madness, few had noticed the cargo transport landing nearby or the Scramjet returning.

“The enemy is on approach,” Admiral Valentin told Brother James. “Should we give them one more treat?”

“I think so,” James said.

Rikhi was oblivious at first, but his eyes turned south along the coast. That’s when he saw them: Two Scramjets approaching fast. Of course. They must be coming from the UG training outpost. He was surprised they took so long.

The Scramjets were almost upon them, but no one showed concern. The giants reached the base of the attack ship on which Brother James arrived when another thunderbolt and flash of light ripped open the sky. It happened so fast, Rikhi was still adjusting his eyes, which looked into the heart of the sun.

A new ship hovered over Peshawan and fired a stream of energy slews at the approaching attack vessels. Every slew hit its target. The Guard’s ships exploded, sending flaming shrapnel across the town and the cliffs of Omanpuri Shelf.

Valentin escorted Rikhi onto the Scramjet with him and Brother James. All others boarded the transport. Only then did Rikhi try to process the last thirty minutes of his life. He was sobbing.

Brother James knelt beside him on one knee.

“They tried to hide you because they knew what you were,” James said. “It’s beautiful to be liberated. It’s beautiful to have purpose. Rikhi, welcome to The Promised Few.”

James kissed the boy. At once, Rikhi felt a warmth chisel deep into his soul. Soon, he learned to define this new sensation.

He was in love.

 

18

1.2 Astronomical Units (AU) from Brahma

 

U LRICH RAHM DID NOT REMEMBER growing up, which suited him. It couldn’t possibly have been as interesting or fulfilling as the life of a Jewel. Only on occasion did he envy Brother James and Sister Rayna, who borrowed from early life experiences. Ulrich’s journey began the day Brother James burrowed inside his Chancellor compliance program and decimated it, freeing Ulrich to touch the heart of ancestors who pre-dated humans. Having unfettered access to a million years of history proved endlessly exhilarating. But what fascinated him most was quantum math. He could not absorb enough astrophysics and jumped into James’s plans for weaponized wormholes with glee.

No place felt more at home than a navigation cylinder – even one in tight quarters. He approached the target in uplift beta, the second personal transport craft liberated by Salvation. Maximum capacity: Four. Ulrich flew many missions, but this was the first with only one passenger. When they exited the Slope into the Brahma system, Ulrich locked the uplift inside Black Forest.

“We’re secure,” he said. “Their system probes can’t see us.”

“You are very efficient pilot,” Rayna said as she threw open an array of holowindows. “I do not believe there is better.”

“Better even than Joakim?”

“Do not tell him I say this,” she spoke of another Jewel. “He is prideful, has short temper.”

“Don’t I know it? We were experimenting with new transverse code last week. He miscalculated. Could’ve sworn he was going to go Berserker then and there. Gato con tres ojos.”

He slipped again. Rayna stopped what she was doing.

“What did you say?”

“Sorry, Sister Rayna. Sometimes, the Spanish comes without warning. I’m told I spoke it growing up on Catalan.”

“Yes, I know of your history. What do the words mean, Ulrich?”

“Cat with three eyes.” He looked away from Rayna. “Why would I say that? I couldn’t carry on a conversation in Spanish if you put a blast rifle to my skull. And what’s a cat?”

“Feral little beasts, but very sly. They do not exist in this universe.”

“Huh. Apparently, they must on the parallel Catalan.”

“Are these language slips becoming a problem, Ulrich? Do you need additional therapy from my husband?”

Therapy, she called it. Continuous agony, Ulrich called it. James’s transference of what he called “life-force Jewel energy” had yet to take in Ulrich or any other hybrids. James insisted all ten Jewels should have access to the control over life and death he’d been granted in his rebirth on first Earth. He was certain his unique scenario – defying the program and rising from the dead – did not make his skills incompatible with other hybrids. On this one matter, Ulrich thought, Brother James was wrong.

“No worries, Rayna. I have it under control.”

“I understand. I used to speak Russian before I met my destiny. Russian is beautiful language but harsh and violent. Perfect for me. No? I surrendered part of my soul. But for James, I would do more.”

“As would we all.”

“Perhaps.”

Rayna did not clarify the last remark as she turned her attention to the holowindows. She called up a series of long-range probes which zeroed in on Brahma. She narrowed her options to the orbiting fleet of eleven Ark Carriers. These city-ships anywhere from one to three miles long carried populations in excess of ten thousand Chancellors each. Ulrich doubted he would ever step foot on one.

“There,” Rayna said. “The Jeremiah Harrod. Flagship of the Brahman Noose.” She pivoted to Ulrich. “That’s what Chancellors call it. A joke to make them feel in control. I saw many nooses as a child. Men swaying in them dead. I wonder if Chancellors would feel good about noose if flagship vanished?”

“We’d certainly have their attention.”

“Tell me, Ulrich. What do you think of our plan?”

“Should be a quick in-and-out. We plant the refractor and go.”

“No, no. Not today’s mission. The larger plan.”

“Which plan? For the Brahman fleet? The indigo army? The new home world?”

Rayna fingered the holowindows and established a full scan of the UG patrols outside Jeremiah Harrod.

“Yes. There are many plans. So much time, so little patience. I refer to the Brahman fleet.”

“Honestly, I think it’s a long shot. At best. Odds are, they’ll