Since our conflict with the Humans, we have made improvements to their design and weaponry.
“Good. Will they be able to destroy Rasu vessels?”
No. Not in sufficient quantities or with sufficient speed. But they will do an excellent job of occupying Rasu forces for an extended period of time. Days, if our simulations are correct. Long enough to buy you time to respond accordingly.
“I appreciate the gesture, but right now we have nothing to respond with.”
I have faith you soon will. Also, I should mention that we hope to deliver additional defensive measures for your use in the coming days.
“What kind of defensive measures?”
I do not want to overpromise and disappoint. We will do what we can.
Maddening, confounding creature. “I…thank you. I mean it. We welcome whatever aid you can provide.”
You may distribute these vessels as you see fit. I await your instructions.
She wasn’t a military strategist, but she recognized full well that every choice came with a cost. “How many vessels are there?”
Four hundred forty superdreadnoughts, as the Humans call them, each carrying ten thousand attack craft.
“Swarmers?”
Yes.
She did the math in her head…it still wasn’t enough. She motioned everyone back to the table, dropped her hands upon it and leaned forward to bring their attention to her and off the Kat. “I think we need to evacuate the Adjunct Worlds. We can’t protect them. But maybe, if we concentrate all our efforts on the remaining Axis Worlds, we can protect them, for a time.”
Katherine threw her hands in the air. “That’s over three million people. Our infrastructure is already straining to the point of breaking under the weight of 6.5 million evacuees from Namino.”
“Then adapt. Overcome. Solve the godsdamn problem. Or someone tell me how I’m wrong? Give me a better plan, one that actually stands a fuck’s chance in Hades of working.”
Silence greeted her. Off to the left, the conglomeration of lights danced languidly, awaiting her order.
“Evacuate the Adjunct Worlds, then pull all our resources back to the Axis Worlds. Mesme, leave one hundred ten superdreadnoughts here and send an equal number to each of Synra, Kiyora and Ebisu.”
It will be done.
She breathed in, finding a pocket of nourishing air for the first time in hours. This was something. A pitiful little iota of something, but something nonetheless.
She turned to regard the eddying lights with what she hoped was a grateful countenance. “What’s the situation in Concord?”
CONCORD
6
* * *
CONCORD HQ
Command
David slid into the chair beside Alex and patted her hand under the table. She offered him a weak smile, but her eyes were unfocused and distant, her thoughts likely parsecs away from the conference room. She’d been robotically going through the motions for the last day, as if the double tragedy of losing—for now—Miri and Marlee had fractured something inside her.
If David thought about it for longer than a few seconds, he could feel vital pieces of himself breaking apart, too. The only glue he had on hand to hold the pieces together was the certainty that Miri needed him to zealously guard everything she’d built in her absence. The sole thing he could do for her in the here and now was be the best steward of her legacy he knew how to be, until she returned.
Renewed determination to do so lifted his chin, and he addressed those gathered at the table with a clear voice he would not allow to crack. “At this point, I’m prepared to officially declare Concord HQ secure. Thanks to a swift response by Field Marshal Bastian, we believe we’ve fully suppressed the mutiny here on the station. Now AEGIS Marines are working together with Khokteh and Barisan soldiers and Vigil officers—non-Anaden Vigil officers—to restore order and security in all departments. In doing so, they are giving lie to Senator Ferdinand’s spurious claims that humans are trying to take over Concord. AEGIS, Khokteh and Novoloume vessels are patrolling the station’s perimeter to deter any new incursions from space. Richard?”
His old friend looked a little worn around the edges, but since the attack he’d showered and donned fresh clothes that were free of dried blood and laser burns. “We’ve arrested and detained all the Anaden attackers who didn’t deliberately null out. To a one, they claim they were simply following orders from two of the Machim elassons, Hannah and Otto. I’m inclined to believe them, because that’s what Anadens who aren’t elassons do—follow orders. But since they’re apt to continue doing so unless something major changes, they will remain in Detention until the ringleaders of the coup attempt are brought to justice.”
“What about the rest of Vigil?”
“The vast majority of the non-Anaden officers stood down as soon as they realized what was happening. They serve Concord, not the elassons, and with a few one-off exceptions, I’m comfortable permitting everyone else to resume their duties.”
“Excellent news. And what of those ringleaders? Hannah, Otto, Ferdinand, any others who might be involved?”
Richard spread his arms wide. “Gone to ground somewhere, presumably to foment further revolution. I’ve tasked five separate CINT investigative teams with hunting them down. I’m also tracking two other potential leads I’m hoping will pan out, but due to rampant security concerns I need to keep them need-to-know for now.”
“Understood. Great work, my friend.”
Richard nodded a thanks, and David returned his attention to the table at large. He held no official title beyond ‘Professor Emeritus,’ but thus far everyone acted willing to defer to him on operational matters. Which was a good thing, since he hadn’t intended on taking ‘no’ for an answer should they refuse. “I can’t overstate how important it is that we continue to hold HQ. Yes, there are troves of data, secure feeds, intel and resources located here. It’s our seat of power, after all. But more importantly, it’s a symbol: whoever controls HQ controls Concord, and any other claimants to authority are nothing but usurpers in exile.”
Pinchu shifted in his chair, causing his tail to make a soft swooshing sound across the floor. “What about the Asterions? We left them in a sorry state. There was no other choice at the time, but honor demands we do what we can for them.”
Pointe-Amiral Thisiame responded. “The probes we left behind indicate the planet of Namino is under full siege by the Rasu. Thousands of Rasu vessels orbit it, fortifying their control of the system. We can’t say what’s happening on the ground.”
David drummed his fingers on the table. “And the other Asterion worlds? It’s safe to assume the Rasu will soon learn where they’re located as well.”
Bastian shook his head. “Maybe, but we cannot afford to send more ships to defend their worlds right now. Not until the situation with the breakaway Anadens is under control. I’m sorry, but I won’t risk leaving us underdefended.”
Alex had been staring at her hands folded in her lap, but now she glanced up. “It’s fine. The Kats are taking care of it.”
David pivoted to her in surprise. “What?”
“They sent a fleet of turbocharged superdreadnoughts to the Dominion a couple of hours ago. Not to try to retake Namino, but to guard the other Axis Worlds.”
He snorted with a trace of disgust. “Where the ebanatyi pidaraz were those superdreadnoughts during the Namino battle?”
She shrugged wordlessly. He wanted to hug her and swear to her on his second life that everything was going to turn out okay, even if he had to corral the entire universe into falling in line before his will. Instead he bit off a tirade against the Kats before it reached his lips. “All right. I’m happy to hear they’ve gotten their act together and the Asterions have some protection. We need to focus on—”
An officer stuck his head in the room. “Professor Solovy? You said for us to inform you when Dr. Canivon arrived. She’s here now.”
He and Alex leapt up in unison,
and he waved distractedly toward the table. “Please, continue without us for a few minutes.”
In the anteroom, Alex embraced Dr. Canivon without guile; the woman awkwardly patted Alex on the back.
“Thank you so much for coming, Abigail.”
“Of course. I’m glad you contacted me.”
David motioned down the hall. “We can talk privately in Miri’s office.”
Once there, they settled around the table by the window, and David clasped his hands on the table. “Well? What have you been able to learn?”
“The regenesis process has already begun at the AEGIS HR lab on the Presidio. All the markers are very favorable for it to be successful. Commandant Solovy’s last neural imprint was taken two weeks before her…passing, which isn’t so long of a gap. It should minimize any disorientation when she awakens. It’s a clean imprint, and any minor glitches fall well within safety parameters. I’m confident the process will result in a favorable outcome for her.”
“Good. Good.” He nodded, mostly to himself. “When?”
“It will take a little time. We long ago perfected growing bones, organs and skin, but we’re still new at the neurological aspects of regenesis. We don’t want to make any mistakes, especially with such a high profile—especially with someone as important as Miriam.” David motioned expectantly for her to get to a timetable. “Since the team has already gotten started, likely two or three more days, the majority of which will be devoted to creating and readying the body.”
He gave Alex a big grin. “Just a couple of days. Nowhere near twenty-five years.”
She rolled her eyes at him and wiped away a tear, then lifted her chin bravely. “Thank you again for stepping in to personally oversee this for us. There’s no one I trust more with my mother’s life.”
Dr. Canivon patted Alex’s hand perfunctorily. “Don’t worry yourself too much. We’ve spent the last fourteen years preparing for this day, all so we can get this one right. Now unless you have any further questions, I need to go install myself in the AEGIS HR lab for the next several days.”
David stood and shook the woman’s hand. “Please, contact Alex or me with any questions or concerns, no matter how slight. And if the loggerheads at the Presidio give you any grief, let me know and I’ll knock them into shape.”
“I suspect the mere threat of you doing so will be sufficient to keep them polite and compliant.”
Only someone like Dr. Canivon would ever refer to humanity’s most elite military officers as ‘polite and compliant.’ What an odd woman she was.
He and Alex saw her to the door and bid their farewells. As soon as she’d departed, Alex buried herself in his arms. “This is going to work.”
“It is.” He squeezed her tight, trying to convey reassurance with every touch. He meant it, too. Though he’d never allowed himself to doubt that Miri would soon return to them, the doctor’s assured confidence had him feeling positively buoyant about the prospect. “Then you will have brought both your parents back to life. Quite a feat.”
“I’m not doing this. Science is.”
“Science we never would have dreamed of discovering and mastering if not for all you did before and after The Displacement.”
“Well.” She drew back to give him a bright if teary smile, and for the first time since the Namino battle, her eyes sparkled with a hint of vivacity. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you. And when she wakes up, I’ll be here for her, too.”
“There are still wars to fight, milaya.”
“I know, but right now I only care about my family—you, Mom, Caleb, Marlee. Let someone else fight the wars for once.”
7
* * *
CONCORD HQ
Command
caleb offered Dr. Canivon a polite nod as he passed her on the way to Miriam’s office. He’d never cared for the woman personally, but he did respect her. She was nothing short of a miracle worker, having created the Prevos who saved humanity, brought Mia back from the brink of death fifteen years ago, and designed two Artificials clever enough to bring her back from the other side. In her capable hands, Miriam was certain to return in consummate form, and soon.
He stopped in the open doorway and watched Alex and David comfort one another. Hugs and murmurs were exchanged with a level of intimacy only family brought. It warmed his aching heart to see, but it also solidified his resolve. He didn’t think he could leave if it meant she’d suffer through this trial alone, but she and her father were here for each other. She would be okay without him.
He’d spoken with Nika a few minutes earlier, but the Asterion had delivered only bad, if expected, news. Not only could they not reach Namino via wormhole, they also couldn’t talk to anyone on the ground there or access their local surveillance systems. Namino was in effect an island drifting in the void, cut off from the universe and the universe from it. And while Nika had expressed a fervent desire to reach the island herself, with her government currently in meltdown and her military decimated, she had bigger concerns than one human girl.
Alex spotted him in the doorway and hurried over to embrace him. “Abigail says Mom’s regenesis should be successful. No problems on the horizon that she can detect. It’ll take a few days is all.”
He breathed her in, absorbing the familiar scent of her hair; kissed her cheeks, tasting tears that now carried hope rather than sadness. “I am so, so glad.”
Her lips brushed across his, her eyelashes fluttering over his skin…and he wanted more than anything in all the worlds to stay.
She drew back to study him closely, and he worked to shape his features into a brave, rock-solid countenance. If he let her see the cracks, he’d never manage to leave.
“What about Marlee? Any word?”
“I talked to Nika a little while ago. They’re working on infiltrating Namino as soon as possible. She said if Marlee was at DAF Command, there would’ve been a lot of people nearby who could help her…and I’m sure they did.”
“So am I. Also, the Asterions spent the last few months putting in place contingency plans in the event of a Rasu invasion. Bunkers for people to seek shelter in, weapons stashes, the works.”
“They did.”
Alex’s brow furrowed, and he sensed the wheels turning in her mind. “Maybe we ought to—hmm. Valkyrie says Mia needs to talk to me about something. Do you want to come with me to see her?”
He managed a weak laugh, and it came out sounding bitter despite his best efforts otherwise. “I’m still a bit hot under the collar at Mia for putting Marlee at risk in the first place. I expect I’ll forgive her eventually, but I probably shouldn’t be around her right now.”
“Understood.” She stepped fully out of his arms and glanced over her shoulder at David, who’d been giving a fatherly impression of ignoring their nuzzling. “You two should head back into the meeting, lest it descend into total bedlam without your guiding presence. I’ll join you shortly.”
David grimaced. “Good idea. I can practically hear the shouting from here.”
Alex shot him a sympathetic look then disappeared out the door.
Caleb closed it behind her and pivoted to David. “I need you to get me into the CINT ship hangar wing and help me steal a Ghost.”
“What makes you think I can do that?”
He just stared at his father-in-law.
“Fine, I can do that.” David leaned against the table by the viewport. “Caleb, Namino is infested with Rasu. Even if a Ghost gets you to the surface, you won’t survive ten minutes on the ground. You’ll never find her.”
“I submit I will.”
David made the same face Alex did when she was growing frustrated with him. “And you’re going to leave Alex here alone? At this moment, of all the times to abandon her?”
Way to stick the knife in and twist. “You think I want to leave her? You think I don’t realize full well what doing this will cost me? But Alex has you. Once Miriam wakes up, you’ll all have each other. Right now, Marlee
only has me. I have no choice but to try to save her. If I don’t, I betray everything I have ever been.”
“You must realize that Marlee…” David’s eyes closed “…she might be dead.”
Fire boiled through his veins, lashing out at the words. His mind went to the promise he’d made to his sister earlier this morning as a grim, steel dawn broke over Cavare.
Isabela stumbled backwards to fall into the chair. “What?”
Caleb didn’t need to close his eyes to see the scene play out in an endless loop in his mind. “She was out on the street during the Rasu attack, trying to help people get to a nearby basement shelter. A passing Rasu sideswiped her and sent her…sent her tumbling onto the sidewalk. She didn’t immediately get up. Then the wormhole failed, and I couldn’t reach her.”
“What do you mean, it ‘failed’?”
“I mean the Rasu have erected some type of quantum interference field around the planet. It’s preventing any wormholes from opening on or near Namino.”
His sister dragged both hands through already tangled hair. “What was she doing there?”
“Her job, ostensibly. Mia was trying to get her to leave, but you know how she is. She refused, insisting on staying to help people.”
“Goddamn her!”
“Bela—”
“Is she dead?”
The prepared response stuck in his throat, and he had to drag each word out against its will. “I don’t think so. I mean, I don’t think the strike from the Rasu killed her. So either she got to her feet and made it inside on her own, or someone helped her get inside, or…if she stayed on the street for long, then…no. She’s alive. I refuse to accept any other alternative.”
“Good.” Isabela grabbed his shoulders and shook him fiercely. “You bring her back to me, no matter what it takes. Promise me!”
Inversion (Riven Worlds Book Two) Page 5
