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

“And then we came back.”

The next realization hit Michael like a brick upside the head.

“Sam. She’s immortal!”

A second of potential bliss disappeared with the next thought.

“What about James?”

“Hard to say. Even the Jewels are uncertain. Unlike you and Sam, he is genetically bonded with Jewel energy. He recreated himself into something unique among all living things. I know you want to kill him, Michael, and it can be done. Immortality is not a guarantee, but it might be very difficult to overcome.”

What was he supposed to say or feel now? There was no playbook for this sort of business.

“Any more mind fucks you care to spring on us?”

“No.” Maya laughed. “That’s all I have.”

“Good. Best news I’ve heard all day.”

46

Lioness

J AMES BIT HIS TONGUE and listened without interrupting. Valentin ordered James to the executive conference room immediately upon return via the rescue ship. Now, Valentin held court, making preparations for war, never once commenting on their losses. Fifty-one immortals dead. Ulrich Rahm dead. No chance to grieve, no official notification to their people in JaRa. This was unacceptable, but James stewed silently in his rage because he stood upon perilous ground.

After all, he owned this defeat and the inevitable disgrace when news reached their people. What of their colonial allies? Would the setback undermine his claim to offer protection against the Chancellory? How many would see James as a false god? How soon might they turn to Earth to reestablish Collectorate ties? And if they did, how long before Valentin usurped his older brother?

James did not utter a word, but his mind worked with feverish anticipation of his next moves.

“In summation,” Valentin told James and Admiral Kane, “I base our strategy on three assumptions. First: Invasion is imminent. Second: Guard ships have a technology capable of neutralizing the refractor network blockading the Nexus. Third: The Guard has developed mobile wormhole tech on par with Slope.

“Therefore, we have no choice but to mobilize our people for the defense of Aeterna. In the next twenty-six hours, we upgrade every immortal and hybrid of fighting age to combat status. Tactical body armor and full weapons complement assigned to everyone. All Recon tubes in JaRa will focus solely on processing customized armor. Long-term infrastructure projects will be halted. All soldiers will be trained on how to use the S1 Convex Tracking Gradient in their helmet. In addition, we must complete the city’s defensive perimeter. JaRa’s entire supply of rifters will be assigned to this purpose.”

Valentin spoke from the end of the long table, a variety of holowindows open, his new black-and-bronze armor gleaming. James and Admiral Rafael Kane sat across from each other. He continued:

“We must arrange sorties to establish intermediate and long-range patrol zones between Aeterna and the Nexus. We now have only six Scram-class transports, but we’ll make it work. We will designate five for the patrols, each loaded with a complement of slews and an expulsion driver fitted with refractors. The other ship will remain in JaRa to handle the unforeseen. Questions?”

Valentin looked at Kane as he concluded, ignoring his brother.

“Yes, sir,” Kane said. “What about Lioness? We’re a huge target, literally and symbolically.”

“True. I want Lioness to act as command-and-control for as long as it’s capable. Select a small crew – enough to man the bridge – but be prepared to spool the wormhole drivers if and when your position is compromised. Shut down nonessential systems and production line.”

“What of the Chancellor workers? We still have fifty-three.”

Valentin flashed a daring glance at James.

“Confine them to quarters, make sure the kiosks are stocked for a week’s supply. As long as they have value, we will not space them.”

“Very good, sir. You understand Guard tactical strategy better than any of us, Valentin. How do you expect them to attack?”

“Carefully. This will be as new to them as it is to us. The Unification Guard was never challenged before Salvation, so their ships were never designed for interstellar combat. In the past, they used orbital bombardment from Carriers, or deploying peacekeepers for close ground combat, which is their specialty. This will be a hybrid attack with retrofitted capital ships – mostly troop transports and Hemmler-class command liners – supported by Scramjets. They will proceed with caution. Whether they arrive by wormhole or breaking the blockade, they will not risk their core fleet until they scout the system. Our patrols will Slope to their positions to take out their scouts while they’re most vulnerable.”

Kane sighed. “If they follow this strategy, we will hold our own. What about the worst-case scenario?”

Valentin nodded but did not change his expression. Though James saw deep concern, he detected no fear.

“If the enemy is Slope-capable, they might use GPNM mapping to open wormholes inside the atmosphere and bypass our perimeter defenses. However, I believe the Admiralty wants a swift, decisive assault. They can only guarantee this through proper scouting. They know nothing of what Aeterna has become, or our defensive capability. Smart admirals do not order a blind invasion. And then there’s our wildcard, the Towers.”

At last, Valentin turned to his brother.

“James, now would be a good time to tell us their purpose.”

“Ah, so you did call me here for a reason. Thank you, brother.” He shifted uneasily in his swivel. “I know only what the Jewels tell me – the Towers will be used when all else fails.”

Valentin’s irritation morphed into a scowl, like he knew James was withholding crucial information. I won’t try to make you believe me. You don’t trust a word I say, brother.

“It would help, James, if we understood what ‘all else’ encompasses and how far we must ‘fail.’ We don’t know how the Towers work. Do the Jewels control them from inside Aeterna? I find it difficult to believe you haven’t