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

“Zhang Yong has lived for one hundred and forty-two standard years. He always believed in the right of self-determination for his people but assumed he would never see the day. Your proposal intrigues him. He asks what assurances you can make. He asks how you plan to remove the Chancellory.”

“Jie, I can’t reveal my methods, for security reasons. But I can promise they will soon be gone. Watch the skies. The Carriers will leave. Here is my assurance: The day after the last Carrier leaves orbit, we will return. We will provide you with demonstrations of Slope travel. We will base a navigator and a small staff here to oversee installation of our tech in your best cargo transport.

“In addition, we have begun manufacturing a new technology that will make face-to-face, real-time communications possible across star systems. No more delays. Tamarind will receive exclusive rights to a device that will turn the Collectorate into a community and never have need of Earth again.”

Ulrich saw glimmers of temptation on both twins. James figured out what the Chinese truly wanted. Ulrich knew about the binary communicator and its potential, but James never talked about mass production – at least not until after settling their home world.

Jie raised her hands as she looked above.

“Snipers, stand down.”

Ulrich watched as the weapons lowered. He motioned for the immortal soldiers to do the same.

“What you promise,” Jie told James, “would in time make Tamarind the most influential colony. We are willing to offer our tentative support to Salvation in exchange for these assurances. You must make these things come to pass, or will we consider you a fraud and an enemy. Do you understand, James Bouchet?”

“I do. And it will be done.”

“As for today, I have one request on behalf of Zhang Wong. I wish you to use your abilities on him to extend his life. Please understand, this is not his personal desire. I merely wish him to live long enough to see the revolution you have promised.”

James stepped forward, his bulk towering over all present, including the twins.

“I can extend his life but make no assurances as to how long. He’s mortal, and his body is all but destroyed. I can restore on a temporary basis.”

Jie nodded. “Anything to make his sunset more pleasant.”

Ulrich breathed a sigh of relief. This was going to work …

His communicator exploded with panicked voices.

“The Carrier Newhouse has just launched two energy slews. We’re tracking and … Ulrich, they’re headed toward Mandewatt. You have less than forty seconds to get out of there.”

James stepped close to Zhang Wong and bent his knee.

We were so close.

And then, chaos.

62

Lioness

H ARRISON MALWOOD BRIEFED THEIR HOSTAGE at the lift. Ophelia thought he took great pleasure in this sorted business. Nonetheless, they listened carefully. His plan seemed feasible, but one wildcard could destroy everything.

“You’ll never leave this ship alive,” Ursula Amondala insisted, hand over her burgeoning belly. “Ophelia, I can’t believe you’d be a part of this. You are putting four children at risk.”

“Please, Ursula, just follow the plan,” Ophelia said. “No one here wants to hurt you. Isn’t that right, Malwood?”

“Blood is not my specialty.”

But you’ll shoot a man in the back. She fully expected him to kill anyone inside the lift if it was occupied.

“Magnus, please,” Ursula said. “We worked together for months.”

“Yes, we did, but we both know what will happen to the Chancellors in this fleet when we’re of no use anymore.”

“You’ll be rewarded and sent on your way.”

“Vented, most likely.”

Harrison intervened. “Enough chatter. Prepare to handle your roles. Rikhi, are you ready?”

The boy held a firm grip on a blast rifle that mocked his diminutive features. He nodded without a word. Harrison opened the lift, his laser pistol aimed.

Empty.

When the doors slid shut, Harrison leaned into Ursula.

“I know about the Jewel shared mind. You might try to warn them, but what can they do? Five are off-fleet, three are as pregnant and fragile as you, and the other is on the command bridge. Best not to place them in harm’s way. Yes?”

Ursula nodded.

“Magnus, take point. Ophelia, next to our young warrior.”

That left Harrison and his hostage pulling up the rear.

They stepped out onto the landing bay, which was loud and busy. Autoloaders moved heavy cargo, technicians used holotools to provide maintenance on uplifts, while others huddled on the transport dais to review holowindows of flight traffic data. This crew was a blend of immortals, rogues, and Chancellors. The immortals stood out – they maintained stationary positions equidistant, blast rifles at the ready. Everyone on Lioness knew the score: These soldiers were charged with firing on anyone not authorized to carry a weapon.

Harrison made certain all held their weapons in subtle, concealed positions such as bodysuit pouches. Rikhi, on the other hand, posed no such problem.

“Your turn,” Harrison told Magnus, who waved toward the transport dais. They waited to be served.

An immortal approached, weapon against his chest. Ophelia remembered him. One of the first to be liberated. Had not spoken to him in months. He’d be seventeen by now.

“Are you the duty officer?” Magnus asked.

“I am. Colonel Miguel Lennox. What is your authorization, sir?”

“We are not actually together, but we have the same destination, Col. Lennox. We need to inspect refractors onboard Scramjet Gamma. I believe the final line produced a critical flaw.”

“And you are?”

“Magnus Levinson, production supervisor. Of course, you know our chief of intelligence, Mr. Malwood, and Sister Ursula Amondala. Mr. Malwood is here to investigate potential sabotage if our findings suggest as much.”

He turned to the hybrid. “Sister Amondala, I was told the last of the refractors left earlier with Sister Rayna. Am I incorrect?”

Ophelia felt a wave of nausea. If Ursula wanted to