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

only, Major. The Supreme Admiral made her position clear to me. We are to finish our mission. When the Anchors are ready, we will move on the Hiebimini system. However, she did also say we must maintain defensive operations only in the meantime. She insists we will not break the truce until we invade.”

“Ah,” Frances said with a carefree tone. “A ruse. Perhaps there is a modicum of logic here.”

“Captain,” Alayna said, “has this gone public?”

Forsythe sighed. “Not officially, but I’m telling you this because everyone will know soon enough. Col. Doltrice’s team monitors the public streams across Tamarind. A few hours ago, Salvation launched a new propaganda vid using footage from the secret meeting. It’s only a matter of time before every colony sees it. And then, of course, there’s Earth. It will trigger outrage.”

Michael had to know. “Captain, have you watched it?”

“Yes, Michael, I have.”

“Is … who was the Chancellor they sent?”

“I won’t lie to you. It was Samantha Pynn.”

He focused his eyes on Forsythe. He didn’t want to face the others in the room.

“She … she was forced to do it. You know that, right? What does she say in the video?”

“I’m afraid we only have a visual, no sound. James Bouchet is talking over the images of the meeting. He says the Chancellory agreed to talks because they know their rule over the Collectorate is at an end. They acknowledge Bouchet’s unlimited power. And on and on. The words of a madman.”

Only then did Michael feel the tears. He wiped them away as quickly as he could.

“This has to be a put-on. Sam would not speak for that bastard.”

“I have no answers to satisfy you. The vid shows her smiling as she talks with our civilian delegates. Poussard told me the delegates reported Sam to be upbeat and eloquent as she discussed terms. She called herself Salvation’s Ambassador to Earth. Michael, I know this is difficult. Col. Doltrice worked closely with Samantha during the Solomon uprising. He has nothing but respect for her …”

Joseph stepped in. “Michael, she’s alive. Whatever else has happened, we have our first confirmation. When all this is over, Sam will have a chance to explain her actions.”

Michael’s defenses fell as he tried to assess the inconceivable. That Sam would support a monster’s cause ... and with a smile …

“He brainwashed her,” Michael insisted. “Or worse.” He turned to those in the room. “She wouldn’t do this. Not of her own free will.”

He saw their doubts, which Frances confirmed.

“Are you so sure, Mr. Cooper? The first prerogative of a true Chancellor is to pursue survival through any necessary means. Victory is morality. Isn’t that right, Major?”

Nilsson squared his shoulders. “Indeed. The Guard’s mantra.”

“No. Not Sam.” Michael wanted to crush her neck.

“Perhaps,” Frances said, “she found herself in such desperate straits that she made a bargain with her old and dear friend. Perhaps she saw a way to make herself useful and give my son the time he needed to shore up his hold on the colonies. She …”

“One more word, Frances, and I’ll kill you where you stand.”

Michael placed a hand over his Ingmar. Nilsson stepped in.

“Cooper,” he said. “Stand down, Lieutenant.”

Michael’s trigger hand quivered as he backed off.

Nilsson breathed on him. “You are a soldier of the Guard, and you will damn well comport yourself as such. Am I clear, Lieutenant?”

He struggled to look his superior in the eyes.

“Yes, sir. I apologize, sir.”

Nilsson squeezed a hand on Michael’s shoulder.

“Good.” He turned to Forsythe. “Captain, I recommend you block this transmission from the base staff’s internal streams. Its content will cause an unnecessary disruption and may compromise one of my team. I suggest we broadcast only that this conference took place and that it does not impact our operations on Tamarind.”

Michael heard no objections.

“I concur,” Forsythe said. “Col. Doltrice and I considered the potential complications. However, I must swear each of you to silence on the matter of Samantha Pynn. Her role will only inflame opinion, especially given her relationship to Michael and the hand she played in ending the Guard occupation of Earth. Please encourage everyone to continue the mission with all due speed and efficiency. This is an off-book operation. Nothing must threaten its success. Say you all?”

Everyone affirmed his request, even Frances. But few met his eyes, and Michael expected their suspicions to run wild. Many Chancellors never gave up on the conspiracy theory that Michael and Sam were working with James all along, and that they staged their near-deaths in Philadelphia Redux the day SkyTower fell.

Forsythe called the meeting to an end, but not without a postscript. “Michael. Stay.”

The others left, including Cabrise. On her way out, Maya leaned into Michael and said: “Find me. We’ll talk this through.”

The room now empty, Michael faced only Forsythe and Doltrice.

The captain looked grim and pale.

“Michael, we will do everything we can for her. However, I want to be fair to you, especially after the enormous lengths you have gone to rescue her.”

“What are you saying, Captain?”

“When we are finally able to assault Hiebimini, I fear Sam will no longer be classified as a prisoner of war.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means no special care will be taken to save her from becoming collateral damage. The mission goal will be to eliminate Salvation and all collaborators. Poussard is walking a fine line. She will not be able to justify protecting Samantha. I’m sorry, Michael.”

7

M ICHAEL WAS DRUNK BEFORE he stumbled upon some of his comrades in the canteen an hour later. They didn’t notice him enter. They were toasting, their glasses high, and a cloud of poltash smoke lording above them. He threw back the last of his second bottle of jubriska and rummaged through pouches