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

one we recognize,” she said. “If we should decide to become your allies, we’ll consider your title. Until then, you are James Bouchet, terrorist and mass murderer. You are neither god nor human. You were born as a Chancellor and remade by the perversions of Chancellor science. And now, your delusions of grandeur have divided the indigenous peoples of the colonies.”

Ulrich turned to James, who hesitated. Had he even considered the possibility of resistance? Ulrich needed to step in.

“My name is Ulrich Rahm,” he said, “First Minister to Salvation. We have come here to negotiate for the support of the Chinese tribal leaders in our conflict with the Chancellory. We have no ill intent. May I ask, are you the Honorable Pao-Lin Mie?”

“I am Pao-Lin Jie.” She glanced to her left. “This is my sister, Pao-Lin Mie. Today, I speak for us both.”

James briefed him on this. They were twins who rotated duties as the voice of Mandewatt. Ulrich wished he had guessed right.

“And the honored elder between you?” He said. “This is Zhang Yong, Master of the Convocations?”

“He is,” Jie said. “Do not underestimate his appearance. Though his sun is about to set, his mind remains acute. He understands why we are here.”

“To forge an alliance. By now, you know about the fealty we have received from the Khaavat and Tuvaan clans. We …”

She silenced him with a hand. “The Mongols have always been superstitious morons. You caught them at a good time. Yes, we know of the miracles and those cured of Lumac’s Syndrome. And we are impressed. While Lumac’s has rarely encroached on our territories, it is both terrifying and resistant to Genysen. We also saw the vids of what the terrorist Rayna Tsukanova did to the Guard’s base at Skarfigg. We are glad to see it gone. There has been a long history of pain associated with Skarfigg.” She took a step forward.

“But do not confuse our gratitude with servitude. Do not confuse our traditional ways of life with primitivism. Though we might not possess the shining cities of Azteca, Catalan, or Hokkaido, we are as educated and technologically advanced as any colonial race. We have no interest in gods – real or imagined. You came at our invitation to sell us on why you offer a better arrangement than the Chancellory.”

Ulrich started to speak, but James placed a hand over his chest.

“Pao-Lin Jie, you talk as if this is a competition. What if I said the Chancellory will be gone soon?”

She grinned, as if humored. “Gone? The ones who have orbited Tamarind for eleven hundred years? The ones we thought would leave soon after their fall at Hiebimini?”

“The same.” James pointed to the stars. “They make you think we are small and insignificant. That you have no options. But have you considered life after the Ark Carriers? I know your people want to build system ships of your own. You’ve been leasing from the Chancellory for two centuries. Yes?”

The sisters locked eyes. Jie nodded with enthusiasm.

“We’ve spoken to many of your acolytes on the other colonies. They told us of this promise. This is the bait you lower before them.”

“Not bait. A guarantee. Every colony that follows me will become a truly sovereign world for the first time.”

“Sovereign. But worshipping at your feet.” She pointed her index finger and waved it in an arc. “Study the trees, James Bouchet.”

The conifers came to life, with figures they missed on the walk here. Ulrich saw shadows take human form, with rifles visible.

“Your game ends here,” she said. “Prove your value to us, or we kill you all. Even try to trigger the Berserker inside, and our firepower will scatter your blood among these trees.”

Ulrich felt like a fool. He envied the immortals.

60

Lioness, Level 4

Habitation quarters

 

O PHELIA WASN’T READY WHEN THE HOUR arrived, but she pressed forward anyway. If not for herself, then for the boy. Give him a chance these other children will never have. Which is why, upon receiving the green light to make her move, Ophelia went for Rikhi Syed straight away.

She found him in the entertainment commons along with a few dozen other immortals. He was riding a virtual cycle.

Ophelia drew agog reactions from the soldiers, who had not seen her among them like this in months. A few nodded – the ones she worked with the hardest to overcome insecurities about their new identities. She caught Rikhi before his eyes shuffled her way. There was simply no subtle way to do this.

She strode alongside. He laid back on a cushioned stanchion, his hands weaving a design through a holowindow while his feet pedaled furiously. Ophelia took a closer look. He was cycling along the coastal shelf of Peshawan on Brahma. Home.

She hated herself as she leaned in. “It’s time.”

Rikhi shot her a darting eye but continued to cycle.

“This is where I want to go.”

“Like I told you before, I can make no promises. But if we don’t leave now, we never will.”

He cycled a few more meters.

“What do I pack?”

“We don’t have time.”

He threw away the holowindow. “I don’t have any possessions.”

“Of course not. As we leave, be casual. If anyone asks, you’re joining me for therapy.”

No one asked.

If the soldiers had an inkling of what she was doing, they’d beat her to death without hesitation – even the most grateful ones. Ophelia knew she’d deserve it.

“What now?” Rikhi asked inside the lift.

“We meet the people who will help us.”

She programmed the lift for Level 2 – munitions and materiel. She sighed when they passed Level 3 without a forced stop.

At Level 2, they stepped into a cargo hold stocked with the spoils of raids, supply runs, and mining operations. The bounty was neatly organized by long rows,