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

to be their protector. Brayllen painted a complete picture and was damn well done with this woman.

He cursed under his breath and faced Rosalyn, who flashed a wink of approval. Rosalyn always knew when the moment was right. She wasn’t going to hold him back this time.

They crossed the pedestrian bridge en route to the transport core. Below them, twenty-five levels bustled with global and intersystem traffic.

Rosalyn slowed, grabbed the barricade, and leaned over as if she fell sick. Miss Lavender shooed away her ever-present holocube and tended to Rosalyn.

“Is it your stomach or the height?” The woman asked.

“Height?” Rosalyn moaned. “I’ve lived on a Carrier all my life.”

“I’m sure it will pass. A nice lie-down in the landing will settle you. Nerves disrupt every child during these transitions.”

Brayllen looked to either end of the short bridge. Empty. As if someone scripted the moment.

“There won’t be any transition,” he said.

Miss Lavender never had a chance to turn around.

Brayllen grabbed her high and low and flung her over. He didn’t hear her scream.

Rosalyn took his hand and continued toward the transport core.

“He’s here, isn’t he?” She asked.

He felt Brother James settle a giant, comforting hand upon his shoulder. He heard distant whispers and saw salvation nearby.

“He says it’s time, Rosie.”

“Good. We waited long enough. Where to, brother?”

“Boston.”

PART THREE REALIGNMENT

The most important thing I want you to remember is this: I lived more in two years than most folks do in a hundred. Damn, what a ride. I’ve seen things you wouldn’t believe. Made friends, made enemies, found the love of my life.

And how about this for a real head-knocker: I led men and women into battle. Yep! Real, honest-to-goodness combat. Pew-pew, and all that jazz. Some folks even said I was a hero. Truth is, I don’t think there are any heroes in war. Just a shitload of people doing whatever it takes to see another sunrise.

Smile whenever you think about me. No matter what happens next, I can honestly say I found my purpose, and I made a difference.

46

The Salvation Fleet

 

T HE WORMHOLE APERTURE CLOSED, tossing Spearhead back into normal space. Chief Navigator Ulrich Rahm took pride in precise calculations that brought his ship to a thousand meters of the perfect spatial alignment with the fleet. Seventy-seven roundtrips without an error. He glanced over his shoulder and saw Valentin’s clear discomfort, his pale features. The giant immortal had yet to adjust to the distortions of Slope travel. Ulrich suspected the admiral’s child soldiers in the rear cabin were equally nauseous.

Ulrich never joked openly about this deficiency, which only appeared to affect the immortals. Even their Chancellor and ex-peacekeeper allies showed no discomfort. He once mentioned his observations to Brother James, who sprouted a half-smile then told him to restrict these thoughts to their shared Jewel mind.

“Don’t add to their insecurities,” James said. “Immortals don’t want to be reminded of their endless pain.”

“The price of living forever?”

James looked away, as if contemplating his answer.

“An upset stomach will be the least of their problems.”

As James changed the topic, Ulrich felt a cold shiver chase through his soul, as if he were standing in a bottomless pit of sadness. Perhaps he misread the moment; the shared mind was an imperfect communicator. Powerful emotions crisscrossed among the hybrids, often confusing the messages.

Now, as he aligned Spearhead and began his flight shutdown procedures, Ulrich felt no such confusion. He heard Brother James grousing from inside the flagship Lioness. Impatient. Frustrated.

“He says we’re late, Admiral,” Ulrich told Valentin. “He expects us in the executive quarters for a command-level strategy session.”

Valentin unbuckled his restraints and swiveled about.

“And what do you say, Ulrich?”

“My numbers show we returned ten minutes ahead of schedule.”

“As do mine. Given the complications we faced, I think we did an exceptional job. Yes?”

“A rousing success, Admiral, with no casualties.”

Valentin nodded. “I’m sure you’ll tell my brother just that. Yes?”

“Of course, Admiral. I …”

“In fact, why don’t you tell him before we dock.” Valentin tapped his own temple. “Set his mind at ease.”

“Admiral, it’s hard to explain how our shared mind works. Brother James dictates the terms, depending upon his emotional state. He will listen to us or tune us out at his discretion. A moment ago, I felt him because he wanted me to. Now … nothing.”

Valentin winced. “He shuts out the hybrids, as well?”

“Only for our protection. James says his intellect is too vast. If he opens it to the shared mind for too long, he might overwhelm us.”

“That makes no logical sense, Ulrich.”

“What is logical about any of us, sir? We should be impossible.”

Valentin headed aft. “Fair point. Finish your shutdown, Ulrich. The uplift will be here soon. I’ll debrief my soldiers.”

Ulrich refocused on the navigation cylinder, examining the data emanating from the Carbedyne nacelles. He thought the starboard nacelle showed external scoring. Might be nothing, but …

“One more thing.”

Ulrich jumped at Valentin’s words. He thought the admiral had left the flight deck. Ulrich swiveled, and Valentin continued.

“All of you have seen the change in him these past few days. Yes? The impatience, the short temper, the greater-than-usual arrogance.”

Ulrich did not want to venture down this thorny path, but he couldn’t ignore the accuracy of Valentin’s point.

“True, Admiral. He has become a bit more excitable since the Guard deployed troops back to Earth. But I think he sees an opportunity to accelerate our schedule and reach our home world sooner. It’s an admirable goal.”

“Assuming we have the resources to achieve it. How much sleep have you had in the past week?”

Valentin did not wait for an answer to yet another strong point. Yes, Ulrich’s workload doubled in the past few days, as