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

and their home world to us. I think they will come around. Admiral Kane will set them straight.”

“Careful,” Joakim said between puffs. “We and our children are mortal. If they turn their rifles on us, they destroy us, or we unleash our Berserkers and destroy them. Either way, we won’t survive. Sooner or later, the Guard will come with overwhelming numbers. Speaking of which, Brother James, you seem unbothered by Valentin’s state of emergency war preparations.”

“No,” James said. “I’m not concerned. Yes, the Guard will eventually find its way here, but not in the next two days, as my brother fears.”

“How can you be certain?”

He found the question peculiar. “Joakim, am I not the first day and the last day?”

“Ah. Yes, of course, Brother James.”

“I’ve seen the future of our empire, and I know the fate of the Chancellory. The Jewels have shown me the path.” He grabbed Joakim’s pipe and inhaled a massive cloud of smoke. It was sweet and subtle; he understood why it might be addictive to some. Still, he intended to outlaw it after he realigned JaRa’s leadership.

“I intend to use this war emergency as cover for what needs to be done. I am currently reconstructing the events on Euphrates and Tamarind to demonstrate Valentin’s incompetence. A public display will erode support among his troops, but it won’t be enough. However, his war emergency will look foolish when there is no war. Then an attempt will be made on my life and the lives of my family. We will stage this attack, of course. Several of his officers will be arrested. They will confess to their crime, and I will reduce them to ash.”

The three co-conspirators sat speechless, pondering the audacious plot. Did they see James’s brilliance? Did they buy it?

Bartok whistled. “A remarkable, if convoluted plan, Brother James. Obviously, we would need to sort out the details; but even if this were viable, how long would this take us? If Valentin is conspiring to kill you, he could strike at any hour. Yes?”

“I know my brother. At the moment, he is of one mind. Military preparation. He won’t bother with me so long as I don’t interfere. He’ll wait until after the battle is fought. Or, perhaps he’ll use the battle itself as cover. Either way, the battle will not materialize. This is when we strike.”

“Of course,” Nya said, “we will support any options you choose. We are indebted to you for our lives and our freedom, Brother James. You gave us self-determination, love, family, and a home of our own. We can’t forget: Despite his prior loyalty, Valentin is not a chosen of the Jewels.”

Bartok sighed. “Indeed. A brother who stands at one’s side needs little effort to extend his blade. We are with you, James. But I cannot leave this meeting without asking the question on all our minds. James, are you certain the relationship with your brother cannot be saved?”

James took a second puff and returned the pipe to Joakim.

“Yes, Bartok. It’s the logical question. I’ve spent hours – no, days - contemplating. I’ve examined the issue from every angle. The best way I can express it is to explain what Valentin and I used to mean to each other. It’s through those emotions that I know our split is permanent.

“In the first weeks after we met, Valentin and I loved each other to a depth I can’t put into words. You must understand, our love was founded in blood. We fought to the death. I rose from that duel to become the god I was designed to be. Valentin rose from the dead and saw the truth of his existence. We bonded as reborn creatures bent on the slaughter of every human who defied us, or simply had the misfortune to be born with lesser genetics. Every time we killed, we grew stronger, and our love grew deeper. While Sister Rayna was my sexual passion, Valentin was my emotional passion and my guide. For all the Jewels showed me, none was an expert on the Guard like Valentin. He taught me strategies that proved vital and gave me crucial insight into the mind of the Chancellor.

“The three of us wreaked havoc without so much as a scar. But our efforts were not sustainable. We realized the need to be practical. To establish goals and objectives, especially after rescuing you lot. Our passions turned to procedures and deliberate military strategy. In short, we learned discipline. Somewhere along the way, Valentin rekindled his love of the soldier he was before we met. He loved me still as a brother, but more as a leader to be followed.

“He was weakening long before realignment. Destroying so many Carriers at once diminished his resolve and deepened his conscience. His loves his army more than me. He loves those children who he believes he’ll spend eternity watching over. Yesterday, when I returned from Euphrates, Valentin humiliated me. He dared to suggest the future would be in his hands. No. Valentin plans to murder me. And that means he is a threat to every hybrid. So, to answer your question: My brother cannot be saved. More to the point, he should not be saved.”

Joakim tapped off his pipe. “Then the matter is sealed. His death will be difficult, but we’ll see it through under your leadership, Brother James.”

“We will, Joakim. Now, all of you, back to your families. Sleep in peace. Tomorrow, we begin.”

53

S AM WASTED TIME. EVERY INSTINCT told her what had to be done, yet she resisted. She stared at the thimble-sized cube on her nightstand. “You’ll know the solution soon enough,” the visitor insisted when Sam asked how to make it work. The man in gray, who refused to give his name or his purpose, disappeared into the night hours ago, leaving Sam physically ill. The sounds of war preparation echoed outside,