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

chance, so Ophelia started for her quarters. However, she couldn’t leave her curiosity unquenched.

“Tell me, Valentin,” she said. “Has James touched him?”

“He kissed the boy on Brahma, but he hasn’t touched.”

“And why not? It seems to accelerate the transition.”

Valentin rolled his prodigious eyes. “My brother is being more selective. He only shares with those whose loyalty is guaranteed. Why pass along his treasure to doubters?”

“Interesting. He never hesitated to touch every Chancellor scientist or peacekeeper defector in this fleet. What’s changed?”

Valentin shook his head as he opened the door.

“Remember how grateful we were two years ago? Such a shame it’s come to this, Ophelia.”

He disappeared inside. And he was the reasonable one.

“Such a shame,” she whispered.

Ophelia once again contemplated suicide. Every logical bone suggested now was the time. How much longer before they barged into her quarters and hauled her off to receive a death sentence at Brother James’s hand? If Valentin was stepping in to handle transitions, they must be nearing the end of immortal rescues. If a big move was coming, as whispers suggested, Ophelia saw no purpose to go on.

Except for one. The niggling possibility she dismissed as too insane to succeed. The curve they’d never see coming amid their delusions of godhood. But she didn’t want to hurt the children; none of this was their fault. She might have left it there but for an unexpected moment which buoyed her spirits.

Ophelia visited the Commons rather than ordering from a kiosk like usual. A violin concerto played against a holographic backdrop of the Earth’s most beautiful natural wonders. Scattered diners, most destined to live for centuries – blended with a handful of Chancellor engineers. One in particular caught her eye.

She heard of his arrival in the fleet months ago. Stationed aboard the transport Haven but working periodically in weapons research aboard Lioness. He wasn’t much different than Ophelia remembered. Slender, a tidy beard, bushy brows, and a twinkle in his eye representing a man much younger than he appeared.

What had it been? Seventeen years?

He waved her over with the same seductive grin she fell for during those weeks on Catalan.

“Magnus Levinson,” she said with professional courtesy, not wanting to rouse suspicion in her former lover’s dining companion.

He kissed her hand. “I was wondering if we’d ever meet.”

“They keep me busy, as I’m sure they do with you.”

“I suspect that’s the idea. Yes?” He turned to his companion. “Nathaniel Cay, this is Ophelia Tomelin. Have you had the honor?”

“No,” Nathaniel said, his features stoic. “I think the Triumvirate keeps you for themselves, Ophelia.”

“Triumvirate?” She winced. “I believe that term goes back to pre-history. Never heard them referred to that way.”

“We toss titles about.” He lowered his voice. “Three-headed horse seems disrespectful.”

“Indeed,” Magnus said. “We have nothing but the greatest respect for our benefactors.” He scratched the base of his nose, a tick Ophelia remembered from Catalan. Magnus was lying.

“How long will you be on Lioness?”

“Nathaniel will be returning to Haven in a few hours. For myself, it appears my stay is indefinite. Production has …” He paused, glancing toward Nathaniel. “Production has increased.”

“On what, might I ask?”

“You might, at another time.”

The immortal children weren’t watching, but she couldn’t be sure they weren’t listening. Every test verified the heightened intensity of their auditory skills.

“I see, Magnus. Well, it has been lovely to meet you, Nathaniel. Perhaps next time you visit Lioness, we’ll have more time to speak. Magnus, I trust they aren’t working you all hours?”

“Not at all. Our benefactors are quite reasonable.”

“Excellent. So, I was wondering. Have you had occasion to visit stellar dome? A truly spectacular experience.”

“I’ve been told one needs special dispensation for entry.”

“True. But as Nathaniel points out, I work with the Triumvirate. Special dispensation will not pose an obstacle.”

He kissed her hand again. “Perfect. I’d love to catch up. We can reminisce about Catalan.”

“True, but I was thinking less about the past. I thought the future would be a more interesting dialogue. Yes?”

34

V ALENTIN OCCUPIED THE CAPTAIN’S DAIS on the command bridge when his brother and sister-in-law returned from their mission on Tamarind. He was not pleased. His exclusion as the mission’s military commander did not sit well, but his time alone with young Rikhi Syed complicated matters further. Nonetheless, he played along as the Officers of Salvation saluted the returning heroes, sharing the glory with fellow Jewel and navigator, Ulrich Rahm.

“Brother James,” the officers shouted to great applause. “Another triumph! Sister Rayna! Victorious warrior!”

This sycophantic routine struck Valentin as childish, but James and Rayna took a lap around the bridge, hand-in-hand. Valentin remembered the old days, when he too relished adulation. But he’d been in this universe far longer.

When they reached the dais, Valentin leaned into them both.

“If we fail to conquer the galaxy, I’d say the two of you should start a career in theater.”

Rayna kissed her husband’s cheek. “Does he mock us?”

“Yes.” James said with relish. “We deserve it. No matter. This is a day to celebrate.” He turned to the waiting Officers of Salvation.

“We established important new allies today. We proved ourselves as gods to the Khaavat and Tuvaan Mongol clans. They represent one-third the population of Tamarind. I reached out my hands,” he raised his palms, “and cured an entire hospital of Lumac’s Syndrome, which is a genetic disorder not curable by the Chancellory’s Genysen injections. I cured ten children at a ceremony by the River Ashkanya. Needless to say, I impressed them.”

The adoring officers cried as they thickened their applause.

“My wife,” James added, “did the rest.”

Rayna exalted in broken Engleshe, forelock hanging over her eyes.

“There was peacekeeper base at border of Tuvaan lands with Chinese. Guard tells natives it is to keep peace, but nowhere has there been