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

“Ten thousand, actually. There are eight more just like it around the planet, and more are growing.”

She stopped cold. “Growing?”

“Out of the planet. The Jewels started their work here thirty-eight years ago. They planted their seeds everywhere. They made the brontinium ore inert. After everyone evacuated, the terraforming began. It’s still going. Brother James said it won’t finish for another fifty years. But the Jewels knew we were coming, so they made enough of the planet sustainable for us.”

“And James told you all this?”

“Yes. Everybody. The day after we entered orbit. You didn’t know the story about what happened in 5320?”

Sam knew the official story about the “Fall of Hiebimini.” Her parents told it to her early on, using it as justification for the creation of the hybrids. History recorded that an “undetermined global event” caused the planet to cascade toward death and destroy most of the Chancellory’s supply of the vaunted brontinium extract. She knew the Admiralty evacuated the thirty million native Hiebim to other colonies. The Guard used to maintain a blockade of the Nexus point. But nothing about terraforming.

“What else did Brother James tell you?”

“Not much. Only that this was the first day of a new civilization, and we would survive a million years longer than the last.”

“Just to be clear: The Jewels of Eternity designed cities to grow out of the planet itself?”

Miguel took over. “Correct, Samantha. The Jewels put the brontinium to new use. The ore’s magnetic properties are inert, but it’s still one of the hardest substances in the universe. Every building here is constructed of it. Every structure draws from the sun to maintain a perfect temperature balance. This city will last forever.”

The irony did not escape her.

“The same brontinium that’s destroying my people will shelter and protect yours.”

The four immortals were silent. She discovered them staring at her, as if she made a great revelation.

“What?”

“We see the first day and the last day,” Rosa said.

“We rise as they fall,” Miguel added.

“We are The Promised Few,” Rikhi finished.

“That sounds well-rehearsed.” Sam realized her foolishness. She had tried to think of these immortals as individual personalities, forgetting they reported to a common master. “What have you been promised? And by who? The Jewels?”

“You’ll find out.” Miguel nodded toward the valley. “Brother James will tell us the last great secrets when he names the city and renames the planet. He’s promised a festival very soon. All the hybrids will be here as well as the immortal leadership.”

The quiet boy, Olan, started down the steps ahead of them. Miguel encouraged the others to follow.

Sam stayed close to Rosa as they drew closer. She saw life everywhere. In a clearing near the domes, a hundred immortals drilled with weapons. Other immortal children glided through the city on rifters above wide stone avenues. She didn’t see any of the hybrids, but their numbers were much fewer. She dared not think about Rayna being nearby.

“Isn’t anyone worried about an attack? If the Guard comes, you have a poor defensive position. How will you hold them off?”

Miguel stopped her and pointed across the horizon, far beyond the city’s eastern boundary. The forests extended toward higher plains. Her anti-solar prosthetic lenses deflected the sunlight well enough for her to see clearly at a great distance. A thin structure rose from the planet, extending into the clouds. It shimmered in the sunlight.

No. It can’t be.

She saw something like this once before, as she stood on the beach of New Stockholm on Earth days after crossing the fold.

Miguel turned her around and pointed behind them, beyond the Scramjet. She saw the same structure, rail thin. It didn’t have the same shimmer, but its geometry was more distinct. It resembled an obelisk.

“Some aren’t visible because of the highlands, but there are eight altogether,” he said. “Each tower is exactly one hundred five kilometers from the city center. They’ve been growing up to twenty meters a day, but the rate of growth is slowing.”

“Space elevators?”

“No. Brother James says they are a guarantee if all else fails.”

“How do they work?”

Miguel laughed. “No one knows, except Brother James, of course. If we’re fortunate, we’ll never find out.”

“And what’s your best guess, Miguel?”

“I don’t think we’ll be fortunate.”

14

S AM DID NOT HAVE LONG TO PROCESS the miraculous city. The further she walked, the more she deteriorated. She slumped forward like a wearied grandmother with osteoporosis. Her knees buckled, and her breathing became labored. Miguel was right: Her “recovery” aboard Lioness was an illusion fed by the artificial gravity. Hiebimini was literally dragging her down. Miguel and Rosa carried her inside a small habitat dome, where soft lighting illuminated automatically and holotools emerged from a medpod. The elevated container resembled the one she recovered inside after being shot almost three years ago in Philadelphia Redux.

The holotools went to work at once, stabilizing her respiratory system and injecting her muscles with anti-grav synthetics. Miguel dismissed Rosa, who was anxious to reunite with friends, and he stayed at Sam’s side for a while. But as he began laboring, too, she told him to go rest.

“Follow the AI’s instructions,” Miguel said after thanking her. “Admiral Valentin says the only uses we have for medpods down here are adaptation for the immortals and birthing for the hybrids. So, follow the regimen. Perhaps you’ll be strong enough for the evening dine. I hear it’s quite a scene.”

As Sam felt the holotools taking effect and the drowsiness setting in, she asked, “Dinner? How will I know when it’s time?”

“Not sure myself, but I’ll send someone around.” As he turned to leave, Miguel hesitated. “I’m glad you’re here, Samantha. I don’t why you’re here, but it’s better than the alternative.”

She fell asleep before mustering a thank you.

Sam woke from the