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

it did for all navigators. Yes, he worried about wear on the Scrams, uplifts, and transports. Yes, post-flight maintenance intensified, creating more chances for support personnel to make crippling errors. But Ulrich couldn’t deny the exhilaration he sensed among the hybrids and the immortal army. They were willing to push themselves over the finish line, no matter the sacrifice. Chaos was working!

After finishing his shutdown procedures and logging the maintenance requests, Ulrich caught the final moments of Valentin’s debriefing. The three soldiers, ages twelve to fourteen, stood tall and proud of their successful security effort on New Caledonia, their first field mission. He saw the sparkle in their eyes and the thrill when told their next mission might require full combat. Their admiral asked if they were ready, and they responded with a right-fisted salute over their heart.

In a way, Ulrich envied them. Not long ago, each child was killed – shot through the head – and reborn to prove their immortality. Death was not their enemy. If anyone had concerns about the accelerated timetable, it wasn’t these three.

Nor was it anyone they met after docking on Lioness. The ship seemed drenched in a kinetic energy which stirred Ulrich’s blood. Did they all sense the endgame nearing? Did the rogues and Chancellors believe their prizes were at hand? Nothing Ulrich saw or felt wholly supported Admiral Valentin’s skepticism.

Indeed, when he and Valentin entered the executive quarters, conversations among those waiting were brisk and enthusiastic. Almost all the important players in this final stratagem were present, along with a few Ulrich did not expect. They huddled in small groups before holowindows. Most did not notice when the last attendees arrived, but Brother James acknowledged them, breaking away from Sister Rayna and triplet-carrying Ursula Amondala.

“You decided to join us,” James said, advancing to his brother. “We’ve been getting a head start on just about the entire agenda.”

Valentin held both hands behind his back and turned to Ulrich.

“Inform my brother about our successful jaunt to New Caledonia and how we secured a blessing of loyalty from the A’Mauri Tribal Confederation. Apparently, he thinks we’ve been lingering.”

Ulrich did not appreciate being trapped in the middle.

“Yes, Brother James. The Admiral is an expert negotiator. He talked the Elder Council down from their demands for twenty percent renumeration after we expel the Chancellory.”

James smiled, revealing teeth. “The Council wasn’t making a serious demand. They were always going to agree to terms after how I restored Lake Sau-Fio and stocked it with an endless supply of fish.”

Valentin shook his head. “Ah, yes. Of course. How silly of me. All credit to the miracle man. I am curious, though. Will they be graced with any miracles when they fight for us against superior forces?”

James’s smile disappeared. “They’ll make sacrifices, like all the others. A few broken eggs. But in the end, they’ll be liberated.”

“Regardless of the cost.”

“Regardless.” James directed his brother and Ulrich to the room’s long, oblong table. “Please. We have a thick agenda.”

James called the others over as well, and they tossed away the holowindows. Ulrich found a seat roughly equidistant from the Bouchet brothers, determined to extract himself from this pissing match. However, he realized Valentin wasn’t staring down his brother. Instead, the admiral noticed the same odd inclusions to the meeting that caught Ulrich’s eye when they entered.

Most attendees made sense. In addition to the Triumvirate, five of the other seven hybrids attended, four of them within weeks of birthing ten new members of the next generation. One of them – Nya Pasqual – carried Ulrich’s first two children. The hybrids missing – Bartok Hyem and Joakim Cardenas – maintained officer duty. Bartok supervised engineering while Joakim took over as chief flight officer on the command bridge. Two immortals joined, both of them Officers of Salvation. Valentin’s XO, Major Rafael Kane, and Quartermaster Bridgette Dern sat on either side of the admiral.

Curious, however, were the inclusion of James’s sons, Benjamin and Peter. They were strapping boys, now almost six feet tall despite being fourteen standard months old. Their growth through their father’s transference stunned Ulrich every time he saw them. He wondered whether James would expect Ulrich to have equal success with his own twins. Still, he’d never seen them on the command bridge or at strategy sessions, and their maturity lagged far behind their physicality or intellect. They sat next to their mother, swiveling impatiently but their lips buttoned tight.

“Good,” Brother James said, standing at the head of the table. “Everyone’s here who needs to be. I want to make sure we have a clear plan and clear heads for the coming days. We need to be prepared to make rapid adjustments as events dictate. We …”

Valentin interrupted. “Agree completely, brother, on your thesis. But I do wonder if this is an appropriate venue for my nephews.”

“Ah yes. As I was telling the others before your late arrival, my sons will be attending all future strategy meetings. One day, they will lead our people, and they need to learn from us as they grow. Do you have objections?”

“I object to the characterization of being late. Otherwise, I ask that if you insist on Benjamin and Peter being present, they do so as silent observers.”

Rayna laughed. “We knew you would have such objection. Do not worry, Valentin. We have ordered our boys to sit here in silentium. They will be punished if they speak.” She eyed her sons, who nodded in acquiescence. “We are good parents. No?”

“I don’t judge, Rayna. Good parenting did not run in my family, and they ensured I’ll never be one myself.” Valentin turned his attention elsewhere. “I also have concerns about Mr. Malwood.”

Harrison Malwood, the Chief of Intelligence, adjusted uneasily in his chair, a white patch over his empty left eye socket. Though valuable to Salvation – his intel helped liberate Spearhead from Qasi Ransome