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

chipped in credits to purchase the commercial liner Praxis, a vessel built to house up to three hundred people.

Now, Michael stood on the platform ready to board the largest vessel currently docked at Hinton. The crowd that came to see him off was small but important. Most of them, he was seeing for the last time. On that matter, his heart was certain.

He came to rely most on Merton Bayfield. He didn’t realize how fond Merton had grown of Sam until they spent hours in his office planning the mission, banging their heads against a wall, and in quiet moments, reminiscing.

“Thanks for everything, Merton,” he said as they hugged. “I couldn’t have gotten this far without you.”

“Doing my job, Michael. No one wants Samantha to come home more than I.”

“You’ll make sure the Pynn estate is placed back in trust?”

“Naturally, Michael. The estate was dormant for fifteen years. It can sit empty again for however long it takes.”

Dropping the Pynn compound into quiet trust and leaving it in the hands of a single caretaker was not Michael’s preference. But paying staff with dwindling credits was not sustainable. Sam obliterated half her wealth fighting back against Celia Marsche and the Admiralty. He deleted another twenty-five percent paying his Presidium’s share of Praxis.

Truth was, Michael never wanted to see that house again. The ghosts were real. Reminders of those beautiful moments in their bedroom suite, where he and Sam dreamed of the life all lovers desire. Memories of laughing at the dinner table with Finnegan Moss. Making nice with the twins who were working against them all along. David Ellstrom’s horrible luck encountering the kidnappers following his predawn jog about the compound. Vids proved the twins hid in the cellar for two days before stealing weapons from the armory.

The house was never more than a waystation, and he was glad to be done with it. Michael removed two half-folded pieces of paper from his jacket and handed it to Merton.

“There’s something important I need you to do for me, Merton. I know you can pull it off because you have contacts. You put together that strike team for Sam in no time.”

“Of course. And this would be?”

“Open it.” Merton glanced at the opening lines and winced. “I wrote it last night. Merton, it’s a letter to my parents.”

“On your first Earth?”

“Yeah. Look, dude, you got to know something. I’m never coming back. For two years, I been dodging people trying to kill me. No matter what I try, I’ll never really fit in here. Whatever happens to me is gonna happen out there.” He pointed up. “I’ve thought about writing this letter for a long time. My folks, they never found out what really happened to me. Probably assumed I was dead. Maybe this will help. It’s my handwriting, so they’ll know it’s real.

“Merton, can you arrange an expedition to cross the fold? I know it’s dangerous, but all they’d need to do is deliver the letter. The address and directions are there. Can you make it happen?”

“It might take some time but …”

“As long as it gets to them.”

“I’ll see it done, Michael. And if we never see each other again, I want you to know it was … an honor.”

Dear Mom and Dad:

There’s twenty kinds of shit I regret, but I guess the worst was leaving you in the dark. I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through, or what the hell they’ve been saying about me. Just know I didn’t have time to make a smart decision. I went with my gut, which pretty much always spelled trouble. No different this go-around.

I’ve gotten my sorry ass caught in the frying pan more times than I can reckon. Somehow, I always come out the other side, either on account of dumb luck, an angel on my shoulder, or hell, maybe there was a plan for me.

Not this time. The place I’m going, there’s no coming back. That means I’ll never say this to you in person.

I love you, and I’ll never forget you.

 

Michael wasn’t sure Rikard and Matthias would be here in time to see him off. The early negotiations on the way forward without the Solomon Treaty were moving slowly and occupying most of their time. Complicating matters: The return of almost four hundred Ark Carriers housing eleven million people; the Guard battalions stationed across the planet; and stalemates on how to transfer vast sums of property titles to Solomons. Nonetheless, they came.

“Thank you both,” Michael said between hugs. “You two gave me a purpose. Can’t put a price on that.”

“I wish you told us sooner about this mission,” Rikard said. “There are many Solomons who would have volunteered.”

“No. This is my cross to bear. The rest of you should stay here and build a better Earth. God knows, it could use the work.”

“I wish I had been a better general, Michael. Harrisboro was my fault. It’s a damn miracle you survived.”

“Yeah, I’ve gotten good at that survival business. Look, Rikard. None of it matters now. Go get the Solomons what they deserve.”

“You be safe out there, Michael. Space is a dangerous place.”

“If it weren’t for everything you’ve taught me, I wouldn’t be strong enough to take this on. I’ll miss you both.”

Michael prepared to board – until he saw a familiar face running toward the platform, a bag slung over her shoulder. When she reached him, Maya Fontaine caught her breath and threw on that stoic face Michael knew all too well.

“Reporting for duty, Mr. Cooper.”

“Wait, what? Maya, I haven’t heard from you since Harrisboro. Are you planning to …?”

“I am. I offer my prodigious services to your company.”

“How did you even hear about this? It’s totally off-book.”

She twisted a smile. “You have to ask?” She looked over