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

Another voice, unfamiliar and monotone, echoed all around. It came from a far distant place.

“Final cargo is safely onboard. All ships, initiate catalyst drivers to spin the magnetic field. Infuse dark matter substrata. Verify program sync. Open your aperture in ten, nine, eight …”

Though she did not understand the terminology, Sam thought this seemed less like a dream and more like …

“… three, two, one. Open all apertures. Jump.”

The voices went silent, but different sounds replaced them. Rattling. Rumbling. Shivers raced through Sam.

This wasn’t a dream.

She opened her eyes. To the left, Brayllen Helmut. To the right, Rosalyn. The twins gazed up at a large holowindow. Sam didn’t understand the spiraling design with flashing symbols speeding across from right to left. The room itself, decorated in holotools and three rows of beds, might have passed for a hospital ward. But no, this was different.

Sam found the strength to touch Rosalyn’s arm. The girl twisted about, a laser pistol in her right hand. She gasped.

“See, I told you she’d be fine,” Rosalyn told her brother. “The dose was perfect.”

Brayllen was also armed but smiling.

“I’m glad you made it back,” he said. “We were worried.”

“Where am I?”

The twins replied together: “Salvation.”

“You’re going to like it here,” Brayllen added. “Of course, we won’t be on the ship for long. I hear the new home world will be like a paradise.”

“Yes,” Rosalyn. “Much better than Earth.”

She thought they were hypnotized. Their words were stilted, as if someone was whispering in their ear. Each carried a half-smile and the eyes of the possessed.

“What have you done to me?”

“He’s been waiting for you to join us,” Rosalyn said. “Sometimes, we were worried if we’d ever reach this day. When you sent us away, we were so angry.”

Sam sat up, her chest tightening in a fearful noose. Recent events came spilling back as the moment clarified itself. The day before Michael was discharged, Sam received a report saying the twins never made it to their foster home and that authorities were continuing their investigation. But Sam disregarded it, focusing all her efforts on Michael’s recovery.

Michael.

“I’m going to ask you again. Where am I?”

They didn’t answer, delivering only a sickening smile. But the door slid open, and a man over seven feet tall entered.

“You are on Lioness, and you are safe,” he said. “My name is Ulrich Rahm, and I will be your escort.”

“Where?”

“He’s ready for you.” Sam knew who he meant, but Ulrich turned his attention to the twins. “Brayllen, Rosalyn, I think you know where to report. Well done.”

“Thank you, Ulrich,” Brayllen said. “Be nice with Brother James,” he told Sam. “He’s been waiting for you a long time.”

“Rot in hell,” Sam said. “Both of you.”

Rosalyn turned to her brother as they left. “What’s hell?”

Ulrich helped Sam down from the table.

“For the record, I wouldn’t have done it this way. Very sloppy. That man at your estate almost got you killed. Take my arm.” She did for lack of any other choice. “In fact, he did kill one of our soldiers. Fortunately, an immortal. He’s back with us now, recovering.”

“Where are we?”

“The Lioness, flagship of the Salvation fleet. We are en route to our new home world. You might know it as Hiebimini, although James plans to change the name to something more appropriate.”

“Why did he do this to me?”

Ulrich shrugged as he walked her forward.

“James has plans within plans. We never question because he has lived up to all his promises.”

He led her into a lift. “Stellar dome,” he announced, and the lift moved. “My advice is simple, Samantha. Follow his orders, never so much as contemplate betrayal, and you might live long enough to see Earth again. No one will be coming to your rescue.”

Sam smiled. “You don’t know Michael.”

“I don’t have to. Even if he brings an entire army, it won’t matter. He’ll never get close.”

The lift stopped; the door slid open. Ulrich led the way, insisting she follow. As she stepped out, the voice Sam heard earlier cascaded across the ship.

“Aperture closing in three, two, one.” The Lioness shuttered and stabilized in seconds. “All ships confirmed. The fleet has arrived. Welcome to the Hiebimini system. We have come home.” Seconds later: “Scramjets Beta, Gamma, Tau, prepare for immediate launch. Set aperture coordinates for the Hiebimini system Nexus point. Spool catalyst drivers …”

“Hear that?” Ulrich said. “Within days, the Nexus point will be inaccessible. Like I said, no army will come for you. Now, if you’ll follow me.”

The arena design that encircled an elevated round stage did not capture Sam’s attention as much as the great open dome above. She saw an emerald green planet with swirling cloud patterns and pockets of deep, deep blue. The ship was nearing orbit.

She no longer harbored delusions of this being a nightmare. Sam thought of the last time she saw Michael, watching her from his pillow as she drifted off, hoping for a better tomorrow.

I’m so sorry, sweetie. Pray for me.

Sam knew she needed Michael’s God when she saw the three wannabe gods on the elevated stage. James, Valentin, Rayna. Side by side, staring out at their new home world. She flashed back to the last time she saw them, just like this but at Hinton Station. There, they were captivated by SkyTower, which they soon destroyed. She knew then how dangerous they might become. But this? She had no words.

Ulrich pointed up the stairs. “Climb.” When she reached the top, Ulrich made an announcement. “The final piece, Brother James, as you requested.”

The three turned as one and looked down upon Sam. She sensed disdain, even disgust, in the Ukrainian’s eyes. Valentin betrayed no emotion. James, on the other hand, opened his arms and beckoned her with