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

the Guard thing, killed a few hundred Mongols, almost finished Tier III and got super smart, learned I was immortal, folded space, came here to rescue Sam, and learned the Jewels are gonna wipe out the hybrids, immortals, and Chancellors unless I do something to change the equation. Any of that ought to make for good conversation. Where do you want to start?”

Valentin lowered his weapon and told the AI to close the bulkhead. It pixelated shut. He turned to the ship’s pilot, sitting inside a navigation cylinder Michael knew well.

“Col. Joosten, take us to the NR7 site.” Valentin holstered his rifle. “Your presence here is not possible, Mr. Cooper.”

“You got that right. But I am, and the fact you didn’t shoot probably means you already have intel confirming some of what I said.”

“How do you know about the Jewels?”

“They told me. Not in so many words. In fact, damn few. Been talking to you, too?”

“No.” Valentin fell into the captain’s chair. Michael looked around, saw nothing else but still-seats. Never much liked them.

“Then who?” Michael asked.

“Your Samantha.”

Hearing her name gave value to every agonizing moment of the past four months. A weight fell. Confirmation. Finally.

“She’s doing OK then? Wait, what? Sam gave you the intel?”

“This morning, before you killed six of my soldiers.”

“Temporarily killed. Again, my apologies. I assume that’s where we’re headed now?”

Valentin’s expression shifted with a sudden realization.

“Did you say you’re immortal?” He asked.

“Yeah, although I’m surprised you didn’t pick up on that nugget right away. Look, it’s a long story and I only learned about it yesterday. I didn’t come by it the same as you and the others. But trust me, I’ve been killed a few times. So has Sam. She might not realize it yet. Did she say how the Jewels contacted her?”

“Yes. It appears they have an agent of sorts on Aeterna.”

“Aeterna? What’s th …” He understood. “New planet name? Not bad, especially in our case. Aeterna. Eternal. I can live with it.”

“And you? How did the Jewels contact you?”

“Last night. Entered my mind. Came from one of those towers.”

Valentin stiffened. “The towers? What do you know about them?”

“You sound like you don’t know much yourself. The towers are a defense system, but specifically to defend against Berserkers.”

The Admiral sighed. “Are you going to tell me a story about the Jewels’ creators, and how one brother betrayed the other a million years ago?”

Holy shit. “I will. The story ends with the younger brother begging me to save him. It’s why we’re talking now.”

The Scramjet set down on land.

“How did you get here, Mr. Cooper?”

“First of all, it’s Michael. And for the record, I’m not Guard anymore, but the body armor makes me feel safe. Although I figure my armor ain’t as strong as yours. Second of all, I expected that to be your first question. But there’s a lot to take in. I get it. Like I said before, I folded space. New tech.”

“Is this how the Guard will attack?”

“Pretty much. They’ve been building a jumpgate.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow. Today. Fifteen minutes. They’re close. Good thing you’re prepared, not that it’ll do much good.”

The bulkhead pixelated. Michael looked outside to the scene of his most recent massacre. The bodies still weren’t moving.

Valentin left his chair. “Follow me, Michael. Col. Joosten, be ready to leave in a rush.”

They stepped outside. In the greater light, Michael despised what he saw. The idea he could kill kids with such nonchalance – even if they were bound to recover – disgusted him. Valentin bent over a girl whose eyes stared toward the sky.

“How’s she coming along?” Michael asked, feeling stupid.

“The wound has nearly vanished,” Valentin replied, scowling at Michael. “After this, you expect me to trust you?”

“I could say the same, if we’re being honest, Valentin. Your people – hell, maybe this girl was one of them – invaded my base on Tamarind. They killed members of my team. Sometimes, a little payback is good for the soul. Yes?”

“So, you were on Tamarind? You jumped here from the base?”

“I did, along with two others. But don’t worry, they aren’t a threat.”

Valentin moved to the next dead child. “How did you know this was a graviton weapon?”

“Like I said, I’m super smart now. Been doing lots of reading.”

“You’ve also used Guard synthetics to build yourself out. That rate of growth is unnatural except among Chancellors.”

“So they tell me.”

“Why do all this, Michael? Just to be with Samantha?”

“No better reason.”

Valentin laid two fingers over a boy’s bloody neck.

“A heartbeat. Progress.”

“Great. I’ll be happy to smooth things over when he’s awake.”

Valentin rolled his eyes. “You and Samantha are asking me to kill my brother and the other hybrids. While I will admit your presence is remarkable, and your ability to confirm each other’s story is compelling, I have only your words against my brother’s. He’s been our guide. He has seen the future. We’ll form an empire. He says the Jewels showed him this future. Who am I to believe?”

“In other words, who are the Jewels lying to? Him or us?”

Valentin moved to the third child, a boy with waxen hair intermixed with blood.

“You’re an efficient soldier, based on the precision of these shots.”

“Stone cold.”

“And you have reasonable intel regarding the invasion?”

“I have some ideas.”

“I’m correct in assuming you’d like to kill my brother yourself.”

“Aside from putting my arms around Sam, I haven’t thought about much else.”

“Will you have a problem killing soldiers of the Guard?”

“Like I said, I’m not with them anymore. I’ll take out as many as I can. Just out of curiosity, how much stronger is your armor?”

Valentin smiled, but not for the reason Michael thought.

“This one is coming around.