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

“I’ll do it. Get them strapped in.”

In seconds, Ulrich reassembled the cylinder and stabilized the ship. He opened the Slope sequencing and prepared the catalyst drivers to spin the magnetic field that would open the aperture. He studied the quantum algorithms and entered new system coordinates. He had never worked this fast. His record for perfect arrivals was in jeopardy.

As the black matter substrata infused the drivers, he swiveled to check on his passengers, who scrambled to buckle up, magnetize against still-seats, or brace themselves with ceiling hooks. The twins, Jie and Mie, each held one hand on Zhang Wong’s medchair as they steadied themselves in still-seats.

“We’ll open the aperture in ten seconds, everyone. Hold tight.”

It didn’t occur to them that the leaders of Mandewatt were receiving an early preview of one of James’s bold promises.

Spearhead entered the aperture to great turbulence and metal rattling. Readings showed significant scarring along the port side of the vessel. Hold together, my friend.

She did. The aperture closed 29.3 seconds later and spit them out within fifty thousand kilometers of Ulrich’s target. The perfect record was lost, but he didn’t care. He brought Spearhead to a full stop. When he stepped out of the cylinder, Ulrich saw the stunned humility in James’s eyes. You never considered resistance.

He thought the sisters might blame them for this outcome. He thought wrong.

“The Chancellors were willing to kill all of us to destroy you,” Jie said. “Never in a thousand years have they tried to slaughter civilians not in combat. Our planet’s treaty specifically forbids Guard action except in the event of insurgency or civil war.”

James sighed. “You met with us. That’s all the cause they need.”

Mie, silent since negotiations began, spoke up. “We were betrayed by our own. They knew our precise time and location. They made sure all were present before they fired.”

Jie nodded. “It appears we have a larger problem in Mandewatt.” She faced Ulrich. “What you did will be remembered for generations. It was the most horrifying sight I have ever witnessed, but it gave us a future. We owe you a debt.”

Horrifying didn’t begin to cover it. Ulrich felt a deep well of revulsion, not at finding a way to survive but at seeing the monster inside him come to life.

“There’s no debt,” he said. “Just promise to be with us when the Chancellors leave.”

She eyed James. “And this you know will happen?”

“Sooner than I expected, Jie.”

“Then I have only one favor to ask.” She kneeled down beside Zhang Wong, who seemed exhausted to the brink of death. “Give him the life to see it done, and we will be your allies.”

For the first time in as long as he could remember, Ulrich thought James shed his trappings as a living god and reduced himself to a simple man. Perhaps he understood how close his arrogance came to destroying their plans.

James laid his hand upon the man’s cheek like a glove. The familiar blue globules of Jewel energy coalesced in his hand and drifted into Zhang Wong. The tribal leaders clustered around the scene and witnessed the miracle.

Ulrich had no time to relax. The soldier who helped him escape the second barrage of slews tapped his shoulder.

“Ulrich, we have a problem,” she said. “We’re missing two of our compatriots. They were right behind us. We think Spearhead launched before they … the firestorm must have consumed them.”

Casualties. We’ve never had casualties.

He couldn’t tell James. Not yet.

64

Lioness landing bay

Scramjet Gamma

V ALENTIN WAS PREPARED FOR A PREDICTABLE ending to the trap James insisted be sprung. They were all here, all playing their parts as expected. Except for the one neither he nor his brother foresaw. When Ursula Amondala stepped onboard the Scramjet, he reassessed. Why did James demand this public theater?

“Dropping your weapons would be smart,” he told them, his own blast rifle poised and ready to fire.

Ophelia collapsed to one knee as she obeyed. However, Magnus Levinson made a quick move, settling his pistol against Ursula’s belly. He grabbed her and retreated to the navigation cylinder.

“No, sir,” he said. “You’re not going to slaughter me like you did Nathaniel. You try anything, and I kill four hybrids in one shot.”

Nathaniel Cay’s head decorated the navigator’s chair.

“Oh, please now,” Harrison said, sporting a glorious smile. “It’s over, Magnus. You gambled, you failed. Life. Yes?”

Magnus’s stunned realization matched Ophelia’s.

“It was you, Malwood,” he said. “You set us up.”

“Of course. What other choice did I have? I follow orders.”

“I suppose that,” he pointed to Nathaniel’s head, “was your work, you cudfrucker?”

“As I said a short while ago, blood is not my specialty.” He turned to Valentin. “I assume Brother James ordered this. His flair for the dramatic is potent.”

“No, no,” Magnus did not let up. “Here’s what’s going to happen. Malwood, Valentin, you’re going to leave. Ursula will take us to another system. She’ll drop us off on a colony of our choosing. Then we’ll disappear. You’ll never hear from us.”

Valentin examined his options. One of them at a time.

“Rikhi, come to me.”

The boy straightened his shoulders and marched to his admiral, standing at attention. He leveled his right fist against his chest.

“Admiral Valentin, sir!”

“About face, soldier.”

Rikhi twirled around. Valentin waited for Ophelia’s reaction. Her dismay was palpable. Tears blessed her cheeks. She was speechless, a woman desolated by utter defeat.

Valentin grabbed the moment. “Rikhi and I made significant breakthroughs in recent days. He has seen the light of Salvation.”

“James touched him?”

“After much consideration. Yes.”

She stretched a hand toward the boy, but he ignored her.

“Rikhi, please. This was not what you wanted. You can be free.”

“I am, Dr. Tomelin. I have been set free by Admiral Valentin