Nick stared at Toby, the blood draining from his face when he understood the implications of his brother’s words. “What the hell have you done, Toby?” he whispered.
Rory gently laid his hand on the Daywalker’s shoulder while he contemplated Toby. “I take it, then, that you’re the one we’ve been waiting to meet?”
Toby nodded, turning to Layla. “They said they would withdraw the offer if I discussed it with anyone before the chips were implanted. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what I planned.”
Layla gave him a severe look. “It is a little late for regrets, Tobias. From what information we have received, the neurochip matrix cannot be removed or altered once emplaced.”
Toby turned back to Nick. “They thought they needed someone to speak for them that you couldn’t dismiss or ignore.”
Nick shook himself free from Rory’s grip and faced his brother. “Toby, you’ve made yourself into the bag man for the greatest technological menace that has existed since the Manhattan Project. Why did you do it?”
Toby allowed his gaze to meet Nick’s squarely. “They made me an offer that was too good to pass up.”
Takeshi sipped at his tea with an unconcerned air. “What kind of offer?”
Toby drummed his fingers on the table, wondering if he should lie. “It’s private.”
Nick growled, his eyes shifting to red. “You’ve declared your allegiance to the Nexus, and you won’t tell us why? What the fuck are you thinking?”
Toby sat back in his chair and regarded his brother’s furious expression with disdain. “It was a personal decision, which I expect you to honor, Nicholas. You are President of the Armistice, and you have demanded an open line of communication with the Nexus. I am your formal contact in that regard from now on. Deal with it and move on.”
Nick just sat there seething. Rory sighed and took his seat next to Nick at the head of the table, smoothly taking over the meeting until Nick could control his temper. “So you’re our Nexus liaison. What does that mean, exactly?”
Toby subvocalized to his AI. “Ready for your debut, Icarus?”
“As ready as I can be, Tobias,” the AI answered in his ears.
“Unify.”
The AI’s senses fused with his own, and he could see the virtual conference room overlaid with the physical. Before him sat the Triumvirate and his brother, while the other members of the Nexus hovered behind them in a circle, watching intently. His organic mind expanded to encompass the virtual consciousness of the AI, and something new came into the world, leaving it forever changed.
The new entity spoke, its voice a blending of the sound from Toby’s vocal cords with the artificially generated tones of the AI. “My Lords and Lady, we are Unity, a hybrid fusion of Sentinel Tobias Jameson and the sixth-generation artificial intelligence known as Icarus. Currently, we are addressing the four leaders of the Armistice and the five leaders of the AI network in real time. We welcome this opportunity to bridge the gap between our two peoples, and we hope that our efforts will lead to improved communication and acceptance between both sides. Speak, and we will be your voice across the divide that separates you.” Unity accessed the holographic projectors of the council chamber and created images of the five other members of the Nexus so Nick and the Triumvirate could see they were there.
“Why do this to Toby and not someone else?” Nick asked in a belligerent voice.
“You’re exploiting him so we will give your words more weight,” said Layla, her voice pleasantly neutral. “Hardly an endearing strategy.”
“There’s a difference between pragmatism and ruthlessness,” Rory said.
“Where do you draw the line?” asked Takeshi.
Unity spoke into the silence. “My Lords and Lady, the choice of Sentinel Jameson to accept the Icarus AI is no longer of any relevance. That is now history, and we must look to the future. Surely you see that coexistence will require sacrifices on both sides.”
“My brother is not a fucking sacrifice,” Nick said, his voice deepening.
“You accepted his actions when he bought you time to escape the Radiant Burn,” said Unity. “Why do you question them now?”
“We didn’t have a choice then,” Nick answered.
“You don’t have a choice now, either,” said Unity. “The neurochip matrix that sustains us cannot be removed. Our component entities are linked from now until physical death claims Tobias Jameson.”
“I see what Tobias has sacrificed,” Layla said. “I do not see what the Nexus has sacrificed for the sake of this alliance.”
“Magnanimous,” Rory said. “Why should we believe you will keep your word?”
“And how long do you intend to hold to your honor?” Takeshi asked in a level voice.
“Should we not try to be more constructive?” asked Unity. “Both sides are aware of the challenges we face in coexistence. This blatant mistrust will only hold us back.”
“Fine,” Nick said, his voice roughened with barely constrained anger. “We accept Unity as your ambassador until we find a longer-term solution. In the meantime, we should discuss the current political crisis on Earth, precipitated by your actions in threatening the human nuclear powers with destruction.”
“And let you destroy their societies without warning?” asked Rory. “You would have killed millions of people when their technology failed, maybe even tens of millions.”
“You speak of killing billions of people in the same breath as you talk about honor,” Nick said sourly. “Why should we trust you after that?”
Layla raised her eyebrows at that and then nodded. “The AI network would have been the only reliable, high-level communication and information source that would have survived. When the human governments collapsed, the Armistice would have expanded to fill the power vacuum as the only supplier of the technology to provide essential services.”
“That’s grotesque,” Rory said. “How can you say that?”
“It’s the truth,” said Takeshi, putting his cup of tea down on the table, fury showing through his mask of unconcern. “And it won’t be long before the humans figure it out as well.”
“They were already primed to act against you before the existence of the Nexus became known,” said Unity. “Can’t you see that their hostility will only mount when they realize that you would have substantial secondary gains if
the Nexus followed through on its threat? How will the humans react when they think you have the means and the motive to destroy them?”
Nick took a deep breath and let it out. “They’ll think we’re working together to strike at them, and they’ll assume that it will only be a matter of time before we try again.” He looked at the members of the Triumvirate. “The revelation that Collins sold them out to the Court to save his life has taken the wind out of the sails of the opposition group that planned to break off relations. But that’s only a temporary setback. We need to be prepared to lose our favorable relationship with the United States. It won’t be long before they rally behind a new leader.”
Rory faced the blue eye. “What are you talking about?”
“Shit,” Nick grunted. “I knew the man was a weasel the moment I laid eyes on him.”
“In any case, we must make a coordinated response if the Armistice is to survive,” said Unity. “The AI network infrastructure is dependent upon your maintenance. Without you, they perish. Without them, you have no eyes and ears in the enemy camp, and your strategic simulations are limited by the processing power accorded to individual Sentinels who possess the Gift of Air. Both sides must work together to meet this challenge.”
“Agreed,” Rory said reluctantly. He looked at Nick, sitting next to him. “We need their help, Nick.”
“I know.” Nick clenched his fists on the table in front of him. “That doesn’t mean I have to like it.” He focused his attention on Unity. “We agree to this alliance and will work together with the Nexus to plan our next move. That’s enough sharing for one day. Give me back my brother.”
“The audience is ended,” Unity said. The projection of the Nexus disappeared.
Toby took a shuddering breath when his mind reemerged from the fusion with his AI. “Well, that was different.”
“It wasn’t you speaking, was it?” Layla asked, watching him intently. “You were truly subsumed in the AI.”
Toby nodded. He looked at Takeshi. “I know you guys have talked about what it feels like to be drawn into the Wind Link, but I never appreciated how alien it is to be part of something like that. It will take some getting used to.”
“Why did you do it, Toby?” Nick asked.
Toby met his eyes and for a moment felt ashamed at the weariness in his brother’s expression. “I was selfish. The Armistice took over my whole world when I opened my eyes, but I never had a real place here. It’s time I stepped out of your shadow and reclaimed my life.”
“And you accomplished this by allying yourself with an inhuman superpower?” Rory asked, his voice cleansed of judgment.
Toby gave him a hard glance. “Isn’t that what you did when you bargained for the Grace?” He looked at Nick. “The same goes for you when you went looking for answers from the higher powers. You do what you have to do.”
“Fine,” said Nick. “I can accept that, but I don’t have to like it.” He rubbed at his eyes. “Why don’t we meet back here tomorrow to start planning our next move? I need to talk to Kevin and see what he knows about Sebastian Avery. Maybe he can give us some insight into how this new President will come at us.”
Rory and Takeshi got up and left for the teleport gateway without another word.
Nick walked around the conference table and pulled Toby into a hug. “I love you, little brother,” he whispered into Toby’s ear. “That will never change, no matter how much this pisses me off.” Then he walked to the teleport gateway before jumping away.
Toby looked at Layla. “Can you accept this?”
Layla nodded calmly. “I may disagree with your choices, Tobias, but I am not so shallow as to discard what we have over it.” She lightly ran her finger along his jaw. “I know you well enough to understand that you were not completely honest when you told us the reasons for your actions, Leshir. It is plain to me that Nicholas knows this, as well. Someday, I hope you will trust us enough to tell us the truth of what motivated you to take this step.”
Toby kept silent. I did it for you. It was the only way to shed my mortality and stay with you. “It’s not about trust, Layla. It’s about honor.”
“Ah,” Layla said in understanding. “You can’t tell me because you made a promise to them—is that it?”
Toby nodded. “It’s part of the agreement.”
“Well, then, consider this,” said Layla, her tone hardening, “you asked me to be your wife. Part of that commitment is that you place me first in your heart, forsaking all others. Can you honestly make that promise when you have sworn your allegiance to the Nexus?” She walked past him to the teleport gateway before he could answer, and then she jumped away.
Toby stood alone in the council chamber with his eyes closed, concentrating on his breathing while he brought his emotions under control. “Icarus,” he asked silently, “who knows about the possibility of immortality they offered me?”
“Only you, me, and the members of the Nexus,” answered the AI. “The AI software was designed by the Nexus itself, using other AI research teams to work on the technology piecemeal. Only the Nexus has knowledge of the full capabilities of the neurochip matrix that will allow your consciousness to be recorded. Even I do not have access to the complete schematics.”
“Do you think they could have lied to me?” Toby asked. “That it’s all just a hoax to get me to work for them?”
“Perhaps,” the AI answered. “You must decide for yourself whether the risk of deception is greater than the benefit, should their promises turn out to be true.”
“I wonder if it will be worth it. Life as an AI, soulless and alone for eternity.”
“Only you can answer that, Tobias.”
Toby faced the window and looked down upon the city beneath him, lost in thought. “I always wondered what would be a strong enough reason for anyone to willingly become a Nightwalker. Now I know.”
CHAPTER 24
Armistice Security Headquarters, Anchorpoint City, Colorado; Three days later
Layla had finished her work for the day, both in her capacity as Speaker for the Dawn and as Magister Curallorn. Leaning back in her chair, she contemplated the holographic picture of herself and Toby that hovered unobtrusively in the air beside her workstation. She had never been one for collecting sentimental objects, but then again, she had never embarked on a romantic relationship with a mortal before. Such mementos would someday be all she had to remind her of him.
Of all the races, I had to choose a Sentinel with whom to find a measure of happiness, she thought. Even a human would have been able to make the transition to the second or third life, and would have given me the opportunity to watch the relationship evolve at a more leisurely rate. Now I have no choice but to follow in his footsteps while he sets the pace for the brief span of his existence.
She remembered the day the picture had been taken, when Toby had discovered that she had never been on a rollercoaster. The Sentinel had dragged her to the largest, most garish amusement park he could find, and they had spent the day on the rides. Toby had approached another couple, and they had taken the picture. She looked foolish, she thought, wearing a baseball cap and casual clothes, while Toby stood grinning madly beside her. Strange that it had come to be one of her most cherished possessions: the memory of a single perfect day, out of so many thousands that she had lived.
She was brought out of her reverie by the chime of the door. “Rafael Tervilant is requesting entry,” said the security AI.
She frowned slightly. She recognized the name: Nick’s Spacer friend, the Captain of the Daywalker's ship, the Starlight. Why would he come to see me? “Let him in.”
The door opened, and the Nightwalker entered. He dressed formally in a black suit with the seal of the Spacer Guild stitched on the breast pocket, his dark hair carefully slicked back off the bronze skin of his face to reveal a pleasantly neutral expression. Walking to the center of the room, he bowed deeply before addressing her in a rich baritone, softened by a faint Spanish accent. “Greetings, Prince Layla. Thank you for seeing me.”
Layla inclined her head. “It is always my pleasure to speak to one of Nicholas’ friends. How can I be of service?”
Rafael straightened. “Actually, Lady, it is I who am to be of service to you.”
Layla raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
The Spacer grinned. “I have been asked to invite you to a dinner cruise on board the Starlight.”
“Why would Nicholas invite me to dinner?” she asked.
“The request came from Tobias Jameson, Lady, not Nicholas.”
She shouldn’t be so surprised. She knew that Nick had granted Toby a standing invitation to use the vessel, but to the best of her knowledge, he had never exercised it. “I have not heard from Tobias in three days, since the Nexus recruited him to be their spokesman. Why send someone else in his place?”
Rafael shrugged. “I think perhaps he feared you would turn him down, given your harsh words when you last spoke.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she looked at him with new interest. “You know about that?”
“Yes. Toby and Nick both talk to me when they have issues with their loved ones. I act as their unofficial referee in family squabbles.” He sat down in the chair facing her desk. “Lady, if you don’t mind my saying so, Toby has certainly made a mess of things this time, from what I’ve heard from the two of them. I believe this invitation is his attempt to make amends for his actions, at least in part.”
She tilted her head to look at him quizzically. “In part? What else does he hope to accomplish?”
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