Frontier's End: A Seth Donovan Novel

by Jim C. Wilson

  “Assassin,” barked old man Hieron.

  “What?”

  “You were shot by a sniper,” explained Max, “during the launching ceremony.”

  As my vision regained a semblance of clarity, I was able to make out other details of the room. An unknown man stood apart, his attention on a tablet held before him. Max noticed my gaze and gestured to him.

  “This is Doctor Pierce, the Protectorate’s resident cybernetics and medical expert.”

  The man looked up from his tablet, gave me a forced smile and nodded. “You’re a lucky man, Mr Donovan. Your subdermal thoracic plating absorbed the majority of the blast. The remaining energy discharge resulted in significant resection of your ribcage and surrounding tissue, and only partially damaged the myocardium wall. However, the risk of myocardial infarction, and subsequent congestive heart failure was too great. We performed a cardio-resection and installed a Human Industries 5258 Core. This model is well documented as a myocardium alternative and offers improved stability and longevity…”

  “Hold on, what?” I said.

  Zoe squeezed my hand and gave me a weak smile. Her red-rimmed eyes, tired from lack of sleep, were welling with tears. “He means we had to replace your heart.”

  “…and your synthetic lung. Might I say, the condition of the lung prior to these injuries tells me you have not kept up with prescribed supplemental…”

  “Doctor,” snapped Max, “Shut up.”

  He closed his mouth and did his best to look offended. My grandfather chuckled.

  “I lost my heart?” I stammered.

  Zoe knew how I felt about my cybernetics, and the look of grief she gave me told me she understood the pain I was going through. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.

  “I was in a coma? How long” I asked.

  She nodded. “You needed time for your injuries to heal, for the cybernetics and bio-augs to take. You’ve been out for eighty-two days.”

  “Three months?”

  “It was touch and go for a while. There were progressive surgeries for the first three weeks, just to keep you alive. We did the best we could to save your heart, but Dr Pierce is right, there was simply too high a risk of problems down the line. The cyber-heart is a stronger alternative to a bio-Aug replacement, and since it was on Protectorate financing, we went with top-of-the-line. The bio-lung we had to regrow. I worked with the medical ward here for several weeks getting the mix right, we had to make sure the damage to the lung prior to the attack was not suggestive of DNA mandated failures…”

  “Wha…what damage?” I stammered.

  “We think it might have been spores from Ambrose Station,” she said.

  “Or the Restitution,” said Hieron, “Martine Lenser had the ship quarantined and the refugees had to be screened, but they turned up nothing. Probably a grub disease you picked up killing the bastards.”

  “Grub disease?” I must have sounded like a simpleton, repeating back what they told me. My mind was still recovering from the deep sleep I had been in, for three months.

  Max held my other hand and gave it a squeeze as well. “You gave us all quite the scare, Donny. Old man Hieron just made the Eridani System last week.”

  “Came to visit as soon as I saw all the fuss these Protectorate do-gooders were making about you,” he said, smiling through his bushy grey beard, “Thought I’d come talk some sense into you and congratulate the young lass on paying off my dad’s ship. Looks like I got here just in time. You say Osiris Blackburn did this, I’ll shake off my thud gun and hunt the bastard down…”

  “It wasn’t Osiris,” I interrupted, “He woke me up last night and gave me some information. Said it wasn’t him, that I should follow the credits.”

  “He was here?” said Zoe, her mouth agape.

  “He said he was paying back a favour. Probably for…” I paused, looking to Hieron.

  “It’s okay, boy,” he nodded to Maxine, “the lass told me all about your last job.”

  “I didn’t know you two were old enemies.”

  “I’m old. He’s young. Just one of my loose ends is all.”

  “I’m going to find him one day,” I started.

  “I used to say that too, lad. Truth is, he was good for the Network, back in the day. Brought some stability to the region. I could always count on crooks behaving themselves a little when he was in charge. I never really intended to catch him in the end, just make things harder for him.”

  “He left us in a tight place, on Ambrose Station. A lot of good people died because of him.”

  “Yeah. He is an arsehole, but he’s a necessary evil. If he’s back in power, it can only mean better things for the Votus-Eridani Network. They don’t make villains like him anymore.”

  “You condone him?” I said, surprised.

  “No. Catch him if you can, but don’t ruin your life doing so. Don’t let it eat you up if the bastard gives you the slip. Sounds like you have bigger problems, anyway. You really have a Jump Drive? Like them Destroyers?”

  “Yes, sir,” I said.

  “And these Protectorate patsies want you to go lose it chasing after these grubs?”

  “A necessary evil, I’m afraid.”

  He laughed again, “Apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, does it, Bubbles?”

  Maxine’s face went bright red. “Hieron. Please.”

  “Bubbles?” I asked. Even Zoe started to grin.

  “Long story. Old story. One we will not be revisiting, understood?” she directed this last at Hieron, who simply started chuckling.

  27.

  It was good having old man Hieron around. When the others left to sleep, he stayed behind and kept me company. Maybe he hoped Osiris would pay me another visit and he could finally catch the man. My grandfather regaled me with his usual plethora of stories – fisticuffs with the locals on Oceania, libellous or lewd encounters with tourists in his bar, gambling winnings fleeced from wealthy visitors or the latest art pieces he bought for a bargain. I didn’t mind. I’d always had a soft spot for old man Hieron – the last living Donovan besides me.

  I told him about Eric’s death and my efforts to making his passing count. He told me he was proud, approving of the sending-off I had given his coffin.

  “I think I’d like something similar when I finally shake off the mortal coil,” he mused, “Think I’ll head on out to Vanhoeven System. Get the boys there to chuck me into the black-hole those Votus are studying.”

  “The way I’m going, it should be me telling you how I want to go out. You’re going to outlive most of us here,” I said.

  “Nonsense. You’ll get well, and these clone organs get real tiresome after a few decades. Not the same as the original meat, you know?”

  “Thinking of letting nature finally run its course?”

  “Madeline wouldn’t let me. She wants at least as long as the first wife out of me before she moves on.”

  “How is my step-grandmother?”

  “Don’t you let her hear you call her that. She’s younger than Maxine. She’s on Yggrest for a while, one of those rejuvenation clinics. Got her hooked on the bloody things.”

  “You can’t complain, you’ve used them for decades!”

  “Yeah, but each time I do it takes a sizable chunk out of my retirement fund. I may be a wealthy bastard, but I’m no Corporate wanker.”

  “Keeps her looking saucy, though, right?” I said, giving him a sly grin.

  “The older you get, lad, the more that doesn’t matter. What you need is a good woman. Looks fade, skin sags, and the body withers, but the mind and the soul stay the same. That lass you’re shacked up with? Zoe? She’s a keeper. Smart, motivated and she cares for you a great deal.”

  “Yeah, she’s definitely been there for me.”

  “You should marry her, then.”

  “Gramps!”

  “What? Are you just going to drag it out? Civil union isn’t the sanctimonious trite it used to be. It’s just a legal agreement between two or
more people who want to spend some time together. It protects you both, in case something happens. Makes sense. Sign her up.”

  “Because you’ve been so successful with your civil unions?”

  “Almost all of them have been amicable separations. Besides, she’s not your first union.”

  He was right. In my early twenties, straight out of Star Marine boot camp, I’d entered into a civil union with a girl I had met on Kanto Moon. A civilian administrator that I had a thing for whilst I was posted there. It didn’t last – as soon as I started deploying to other star systems the time dilation effects made the relationship pointless. We spent over two years apart, through different deployments, and when we finally met up again it became clear to both of us that we had moved on as people. Last I heard, over eight years ago now, she was a commodities trader on a station in the Harakiwa System still.

  Hieron gave me a prod and laughed. “I can see you’re thinking about it. Soon as you’re on your feet you should ask her.”

  “Why wait?” I said, smiling.

  “A man should be able to walk before he can kneel. Don’t screw this up. It’s all about the delivery, lad.”

  “Any tips?”

  “Make sure most of your wealth is in untraceable accounts, and get a prenuptial before signing anything.”

  “You’re hopeless. I meant about asking her.”

  “Oh. Can’t help you there. Man needs to speak from the heart, she’ll hear that and respond. I can help you out with the set-up, but the words, the ideas – they got to come from you.”

  “How did dad do it?”

  His face went dark, whether it was from the pain of losing a son or the memory of the damage my mother had done, I didn’t ask. I winced and apologised immediately.

  “No, it’s alright, lad. Castor wasn’t as smart as you. Didn’t do subtle real well. Thought with his heart too often, instead of his head. He meant well, but…”

  “It’s what got him killed, wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah.”

  He didn’t elaborate. We remained in silence for a few minutes, lost in thought.

  “Eric had a woman, you know?” he said, finally.

  “No, I did not.”

  “She passed away before you were born, but she was a sweet lass. How about I tell you how he popped the question?”

  “Sure. I’d love to hear it.”

  “We were shipping ores from Iadon to Rasp, a sweet deal we wrangled from the Outer Harakiwa Station officials. That’s where we picked up that pallet of Archenfold bobbleheads that nobody could ever move from the cargo hold…”

  “Actually, I did manage to offload that pallet – a black marketeer on Eridani Station in Gossamer wanted it.”

  “No kidding?” he looked surprised, “I thought they were junk! Anyway, there’s this famous bar on the Station – the Boche and Teris Bar. Some two-bit outlaw Captain met his end there, years ago, in a fancy duel with a local hero. Eric and his belle had a thing for the theatrical back then, staged a mock re-enactment of the duel with an actor and dedicated his victory to her. Popped the question there and then, sweat soaked and breathless.”

  “Did she join the crew?”

  “Didn’t get the chance. We did that run for a few years, slowly chipping away at our latest upgrade debt. She got some exotic illness, passed away on the trip back to Kanto Prime for treatment. Out of respect for Eric, we decided to head to Eridani for a while and earn in some other region. The rest of us didn’t mind, the run was getting a bit stale, anyway. Ended up doing a spot of mercenary work – security detail for a few rich families trying to set up a dynasty.”

  “What do you think about my current job?”

  His bushy eyebrows raised, he put his hands on his hips and looked about to launch into some sort of lecture. Then, as if remembering that I was hospital bound and only just recovering from major surgery, he softened.

  “The Galactic Protectorate ain’t what they were in my day. I’ll admit, I haven’t kept tabs on the current political scene or the state of the Inner System worlds. Never did like a man in uniform. Too many of ‘em have a stick up their arse. If it takes a Donovan to sort their shit out, then it’s a Donovan they’ll get.”

  “You know this means I’ll probably never end up Captain of the Dreaming. They’ve given me my own capital ship, with the power to write my own missions, within reason.”

  “So I hear, along with this crazy plan to stuff the Dreaming into its hold. Don’t sweat it, kid. Maxine’s well and truly attached to her and she’s family as far as I’m concerned. Just hope she passes it along to someone as worthy as her.”

  “I trust her. I know you do, too.”

  We were silent for a few minutes, the sound of my monitoring equipment beeping softly. Eventually, Hieron broke the silence.

  “You think this whole grub story is legit? It’s not just some scare mongering by the media Corporations?”

  “It’s legit,” I said, “The Ghantri have been a thorn in my side for years. Just when I finally thought I was done with them, I find out the real threat they pose. And we’re lightyears away from stopping them.”

  “The Destroyers have been gone a long time, lad. Chances are, they’re nothing but dust and debris.”

  “If there’s even a remote chance that the Ghantri will find the ghru and bring them here, don’t you think the smart thing would be to try and stop them?”

  He nodded his head. “But how? We don’t even know where they are.”

  “That’s why I got to take this job. We have to start looking somewhere, and as luck would have it, we have a ship that can take us there.”

  “If you can get this damn Jump Drive to work.”

  “One foot in front of the other.”

  He chuckled, shaking his head. “That Gaston is a right bastard, you know that?”

  It was my turn to laugh. “You’ve met the Professor?”

  “Met your whole crew. They’re a ragtag bunch, I’ll give them that. Where did you find such characters?”

  “Most of them were refugee’s that I rescued from Ambrose Station. When they heard I was going to find permanent crew for the Restitution, they signed up right away.”

  “It’s dicey, kid. A lot of inexperienced people.”

  “They’re resourceful, intelligent, and courageous as hell. They don’t buckle under pressure, they’re not afraid of hardship and they’re loyal.”

  “Easy, kid. I didn’t say they were shit spacers, just a little green.”

  “I made sure that my officers were experienced, and any senior positions I filled were crewed by people I knew could handle the job. My First Officer…”

  “Mmm, Martine Lenser. Now there’s a lady that catches my eye…”

  “Grandpa!”

  “I’m just saying! Long voyages are always better when the crew is pleasing to the eye.”

  “Lenser has my respect, you dirty old man, that’s why she’s my First Officer.”

  “I’m just busting your chops, kid. Just because I’m on a diet, doesn’t mean I can’t look at the menu.”

  I groaned and rubbed my face in my hands. Hieron chuckled some more, then composed himself.

  “No more jokes. Promise,” he said.

  “I should probably find out about the progress made while I was in the coma. I’ll need to get some of the crew in to brief me. Can you hang around while they do and give me your take afterwards?”

  “Sure. What are you looking for?”

  “I want to know how they’re meshing as a team. If there are any personality problems or behavioural issues I need to head off. More importantly, I just need a general read on their morale after I was nearly assassinated.”

  His face went dark again, “You going to find out who did this?”

  “I will, with your help.”

  “What can I do?”

  “I’m going to give you the file Osiris gave me. It’s nothing but financial jargon and account details, just looks like Orlii poetry to me.
You have way more experience with financing than I ever did.”

  “Galactic economics are a hobby I’ve taken up in my retirement. Flick it over, I’ll see what I can dredge up.”

  “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

  “No problem, kid,” he said, rubbing his palms together, “Will be my pleasure.”

  28.

  “I think I know how it works,” said Gaston, fumbling with a trio of tablets he was trying to juggle.

  “You think?” I asked.

  Gaston was the last of my briefs, after all of the section heads had come through over the last few days giving me updates on the ship. I had left the Professor until last so I could focus completely on his work. I knew that there were many concepts that we would discuss that I needed my undivided attention to understand.

  “First up – I believe the Drive’s placement on the primary and secondary reaction chambers of the Linus Drives is completely arbitrary. There is absolutely no reason I could fathom why the two should be connected.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “What do you recall when you witnessed the portable Jump Gate operating?”

  I thought about it. “It looked just like a regular Jump Gate – event horizon and all.”

  “And how was it used?”

  “Osiris and his cronies simply entered it.”

  “Right, they just walked through it. Same with ships in a Jump Gate. Putting this Jump Drive around the ship’s engines would be analogous to putting a Jump Gate around your legs to go through it. Shifting isn’t a three-dimensional movement, it’s orthogonal to the three dimensions. Actually, it’s orthogonal to fifth-dimensional movement.”

  I tried to wrap my head around what he was saying. “It’s a movement diagonally, or at right-angles to three-dimensional movement?”

  “Fifth-dimensional.”

  “You lost me.”

  A stern look came over his face as he crossed his arms. “I forget. You’re an idiot.”

  “Professor…”

  “Very well. Put it this way – consider a universe that has only a single dimension. It has a single one-dimensional line created from multitudes of points. A two-dimensional universe is simply multiple one-dimensional lines arrayed in a plane. Likewise, a three-dimensional universe, such as our own, consists of multiple two-dimensional planes stacked next to each other to create a three-dimensional space – it gives us our depth. Following me so far?