by Larkin, Matt
“I know.” Apollo strode out of the room.
Caleb clutched his chest and shuddered.
A few seconds later, Rebekah slipped back in. He was going to have to start locking the damn door.
The girl stared at him. Waiting on his pleasure?
“I need you to pull up and compile all the records from the Gibborim project. I want them sent to Aluf Lamport immediately. And covertly.”
Rebekah nodded, almost smiled. Which was odd. He could have sworn she’d come in here to seduce him. And sadly, long as it had been, he had no mood left for it. Apollo had managed to scare the lust right out of him. Bastard.
His assistant left, and he turned the Mazzaroth back on. “Contact Rachel Jordan.”
It took several minutes for her to answer. When she did, she stared at him without speaking. By the look of the room, she was no longer on a Sentinel ship. It lacked that oppressive blackness and poor lighting.
“Hello, Rachel.”
“What do you want, Caleb?”
“You’re always trying to save the universe. Why don’t we work together and see what we can accomplish?”
Rachel laughed. Rather longer than he thought necessary. Just when she seemed done, she wiped her eyes and chuckled a moment more. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“I always aim to please a woman. In any way she needs. I am quite adept at it, in fact. You should really consider my offer. I’d take good care of you.”
She shrugged. “Sexual innuendo’s not exactly the best thing to win me over, Caleb. Besides, I have another goal in mind. And even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t work with you. You know, because you’re an ass and I don’t like you.”
Ugh. Well, that was direct. It was worth a try, anyway. If he could convince her to his side, maybe they could actually stand up to the Angels. And Apollo. And Asherah. God, he wasn’t even sure who his enemies were. But one thing he’d learned, Rachel Jordan was too much trouble to allow her to be one of them.
“You don’t want to see the Angels reignite the Days of Glory any more than I do, Rachel. When you’re ready to work together to stop that, give me a call.”
She gave him the finger and cut the line.
Caleb drummed his fingers on his knee. He was going to need to find an ally. And fast.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED ELEVEN
January 14th
I sit, sometimes for hours, on the edge of the docking bridges. Manna Products owns this station, but they allow anyone to use it—for a charge, of course. Even Asherans have come here, fleeing the terror now haunting them. They keep to themselves, hiding their faces and bodies beneath suits. Fear follows them, as Mizraim citizens stare, wondering what cybernetic horrors lurk just out of sight. If only these people knew the real monsters were those with wings.
David stood at attention, eyes fixed on Imperator Akram Scott through the Mazzaroth. Several other members of the Sanhedrin shifted about behind the Imperator.
“We’ve come to this decision regretfully, Captain,” Scott said. “But we have come too far in the last six hundred years to simply surrender all we’ve built out of Mizraim. To submit wholly to Angel authority, to give up all we’ve done in their name, dishonors the efforts of our ancestors.”
“Aye, sir.” David tried to keep his expression blank. The truth was, he didn’t know how to feel about it. For certain, he didn’t truly want to be beholden to the Angels. Not now—not after having met Raziel. What would the Angel’s brethren think if they knew David held one of their own prisoner? And yet, his whole life he’d believed them divine. He’d thought they would have all the answers.
“You have had extensive experience on the Angel’s Ark,” Scott said. “It’s why we want you to deliver the message. Invite them to a peace summit here on New Rome. We are certain a compromise can be made. After all, Mizraim is the legitimate successor, and we have held true to the Covenant.”
David swallowed, then saluted. They wanted him to find the Ark and invite the Angels home for dinner? He wasn’t sure he shared Scott’s optimism that they would come. Even if they did, David doubted they would agree to compromise. It didn’t seem to be in their nature. The Angel he’d met was the all-or-nothing type.
And maybe Rachel was right about the Angels all along. Maybe they had served their purpose, had guided mankind all they could. For them to return now … He doubted the Days of Glory would be all they had once been. For six hundred years mankind had been free. It would not be so easy to return to servitude. Before, they had submitted to Angels as saviors. Before, humanity had been all but wiped out by the Adversary. Things were different now. There was no terrible threat looming over them, no Adversary to unite mankind under Angel rule.
“Sir,” he said. “I can find the Ark. They haven’t been hiding, exactly.” Considering they continued destroying the Asheran fleet one system at a time. “It shouldn’t take more than a day or two.”
“Good.” Scott leaned forward, eyes locked on David. “Here’s your opportunity to redeem yourself, McGregor. Don’t make us regret giving you the second chance.”
David saluted again, and the Mazzaroth flickered off. As far as he knew, the Shekhinah had been the one to give him a second chance. Last time he’d seen Imperator Scott, the man had sentenced him to the penal colony of Horesh for refusing to betray Rachel. And now he’d driven her away.
Except … For God’s sake, what had she been thinking letting Gavet go? The man was in bed with Asherah. He was the Chairman of Jericho Corp, a company all but at war with Mizraim at this point. And Rachel was sympathizing with the enemy. How could he not castigate her for that?
He tapped his comm. “Lieutenant Dana to the war room.”
A few minutes later, Phoebe swaggered in, saluted, then plopped down at the table without waiting for permission.
“Miss me, boss?”
“We have a mission, Phoebe.”
“Yup, yup. Save the universe. Kind of a fulltime, gig, too. I mean, I took a day off, once. I hear a galaxy imploded.”
David sighed and sat down across from her. “I need you to be serious, lass. I’ve come to depend on you a lot in the last months.”
Phoebe sat up straighter and brushed that ridiculous pink hair out of her face. “Sir. I know, and thank you. You can. Count on me, I mean.”
David blew out a long breath. Bugger, the question he had to ask was about the most awkward he could imagine. “You and Knight are getting on well, these days.”
“We fight, we fuck, we spar. Sometimes all at once.”
David winced. “I’m not asking for details, lass.” Best be out with it. “Do you … plan on requesting pregnancy leave … any time soon?”
Phoebe quirked an eyebrow. Then she snickered, snorted, and covered her mouth with her hand. Silent peals of laughter shook her shoulders.
Bloody void, what a question to have to ask. Her of all people. At least she seemed to be taking it well.
“Worried …” She snickered again. “Worried about the Shekhinah’s orders to Knight?”
Aye. The computer had told him to reproduce as often as possible. Void, it had ordered David to facilitate that, which was not happening.
“Phoebe …”
She shook her head. “Yeah, maybe when the war is over. Or it dies down a bit or something. Not now, not like this. I am a Sentinel, sir. I’m needed out here.”
“Aye. You’ve no idea how much … Commander Firoz was killed in our last engagement.”
“Yeah.”
Of course she knew that. David shook his head. “I’m going to need a new first officer, Phoebe.”
“Yup, yup. You want me to go over personnel files or something?”
“No, lass. I want you to do the job.” He’d known her a while, and he knew he could trust her. Besides, she was one of the only people on this ship who knew the truth about what happened on the Ark. And despite her never-ending snark, she was a fine officer. If she could learn to keep her mouth in check, she could go far.
&nbs
p; Phoebe clucked her tongue. “Uh, sir … You’ve got several officers in line before me. Shit, Leah is ahead …”
David shook his head. “Leah is a medical officer.” He’d considered her, anyway. They’d been friends a long time, and there was no one he trusted more. But it would compromise her duties as the chief medical officer to have to be on the bridge all the time. Besides, with what he’d learned from Knight about her true feelings for him … “She’s simply not ideal, and, under the circumstances, I don’t have time to get to know any of the others.”
Nor could he risk bringing them into the loop. Not yet.
“So … I’d be getting two promotions, huh?”
“Just the one, lass. Captain’s discretion to assign a Lieutenant Commander as XO during times of war.”
“Hmm. Well, even one would put me ahead of Knight. Where I belong. I mean, obviously.”
David scratched his head. He hoped he wasn’t going to regret trusting her with this much responsibility. The truth was, he didn’t see any other choice.
“Computer,” he said, “I hereby offer a field promotion to Phoebe Dana to the position of Lieutenant Commander.”
“Acknowledged.”
The computer sent out a signal to the nanobots in her suit. David couldn’t see or hear the signal, but her insignia changed, displaying her new rank almost immediately.
Phoebe glanced down at it. “Yup, yup. I’m the best. Er, after the Captain, I mean. Obviously, the Captain is the best. First class, sir. In fact, I could probably hug you.”
“Don’t.” Knight would probably have a fit over it. “I have a better mission for you. Track down the Ark. We’ve got a message for them.”
Phoebe stood and saluted. She turned to go, then glanced back at him. “Sir. Is ‘message’ a euphemism for us planning to start some shit?”
“What? No, lass. We literally have a bloody message. Get to your station.”
She left, and David followed her out. That sorted one of the women in his life. Still, he had two others to worry about, and he cared about both a great deal. He prowled through the ship until he reached the med bay.
“The rest of you are dismissed,” he told her staff.
They saluted, then filed out.
Leah turned to face him, standing with her hands behind her back. “David?”
He licked his lips. He’d been going over this conversation in his mind from the moment Knight had told him how she really felt. Or not told him, but told him enough. And the truth was, there was nothing he could say to her on the subject that would salve the pain. But maybe that wasn’t what he needed to say.
“I’m sorry about the other day, lass.”
Leah shook her head. “No. I was out of line. You have to maintain your authority in front of the crew.”
“Aye. But I need my friend, too. I miss her.”
Leah smiled a little, then turned away, but he thought he’d seen a hint of water at the corners of her eyes. “You never lost her, David.”
“Is it … too hard for you if I talk about Rachel?”
She shook her head without looking at him. She’d placed her palms on the desk in front of her, apparently no longer caring it spread the webs between her fingers in plain sight. Nor should she. “You can tell me anything, David. You’re my best friend.”
He put a hand on her shoulder. “And you’re mine, lass. That’s never going to change.” And she had to know that meant she’d never be more, either.
From the way she bobbed her head, slow and sure, she knew. “You’re scared for her?”
“Aye. I don’t know where she is, or if she’s safe. I want to call her, but I …”
“But what?” Leah rubbed her face, then turned to look at him. “You’re afraid she won’t answer? Or you’re afraid she will and you’ll have to argue again? Either way, David, if you want to be with her, you have to call.”
“She was the one who was wrong. She could call me.”
Leah looked at him like he was a fool lad. Aye, so that wasn’t going to happen. Rachel wasn’t going to be the one to call. Or admit she was wrong.
Leah embraced him then. “Are you sure she’s what you want, David?”
“Aye.” He couldn’t afford to leave any false hope to Leah. She meant too much to him to let her suffer like that.
“Then you know what you have to do.”
“Aye."
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED TWELVE
January 17th
I do not regret putting Gihon behind me. I have made many enemies in my quest, but I’ve made friends, as well. It is past time I called on them to do what I can fix the universe, little as it may be.
Knight sat in the pilot seat when David entered the bridge, looking relieved they had just jumped out of the Conduit.
“How go the flying lessons?” David asked.
Knight grunted.
“He’s doing fine,” Lieutenant Commander Kennison said. David had assigned the Psych to teach Knight the ways of the Conduit. Now that the Gehennan was one himself, he needed to know. Sadly, Aarah Kennison had about as much sense of humor as a Calnehnian boar caught in a thunderstorm. Which meant she, like a number of other officers, didn’t seem overly pleased David had placed Phoebe as the XO.
“We’re approaching New Rome, now,” Phoebe said. “So … you really think they’ll come?”
David took position beside Knight. “Guide us to the planet, slow and steady, then set a geosynchronous orbit.” He glanced at Phoebe. “I don’t know, lass.”
The truth was, he doubted the Angels would show. They didn’t seem interested in negotiating. They wanted to rule. They thought it was their right, and he couldn’t really blame them. They had been in cryo sleep for the last six hundred years, so they had no way of knowing how much mankind had changed.
The Tabernacle had moved off orbit and stood ready to greet the Ark, should it actually appear. Meanwhile, the Sanhedrin had secured the Pinnacle on the planet below for the negotiations. The tower offered the finest view of the most beautiful planet in the universe. Maybe Imperator Scott hoped to impress the Angels with all Mizraim had built in their absence. If so, David could think of no better way to do so. And if the Sanhedrin succeeded, if the Angels really joined Mizraim against Asherah, maybe this war could be finished quickly and with minimal loss of life.
Or maybe Asherah would fight to the last man, unwilling to surrender their way of life. They had cast aside the Covenant like naughty children, thinking themselves free to play while their elders were out. But the Angels would not slap them on the wrist and set them for penance. They would likely kill the Asherans for the cybernetics polluting their bodies. And how far did that pollution run? The Sentinels had never had exact figures on just how much of Asherah used cybernetics. It could be mostly the military, or it could be damn near every man, woman, and child in the whole Confederacy.
And if so, would that mean total genocide? The Asherans had given David more reason to hate them than most. The Balthazar Incident had claimed his mum, and he could never forgive them for that. But it didn’t mean he’d willingly march alongside the Angels in the extermination of God-alone-knew how many lives. Maybe as many as a trillion people lived in the Confederacy.
Knight maneuvered the ship with a nervousness David had never seen in the Gehennan. His movements were jerky, as if he expected a ship the size of the Wheel of Law to react like a hoverbike, and constantly overcorrected when it didn’t. The ride through the Conduit was bumpy, but then, it always was for a novice pilot. And Knight had managed to get them here relatively quickly—which was the point of the exercise. To test his intuitive sense. Soon, David would need Leah to run a full Psych workup on Knight. He’d need a proper Psych rank. A hard thing to judge, considering his only significant talent seemed to be telekinesis—the rarest of all gifts. And his was shockingly powerful. Knight had ripped a hole right through the floor of the Ark in his fight with Raziel.
“You’re doing fine, lad.”
“I
know that.”
“We’re probably going to have to work on the concept of the chain of command at some point, though.”
“The only chain I’m interested in is a kyoketsu.”
David shook his head.
“Captain,” Kennison said. “The Ark just jumped out of the Gate. The Tabernacle reports they are not responding to hails.”
“Up, lad.”
Knight jumped out of the chair, and David sat down. He waved the display onto the holo screen. It showed the Ark converging toward New Rome. Bugger. David scratched his head. They did come. But why would they ignore the hails of the Tabernacle? Did they consider the officers onboard beneath their notice? Did they come directly to see the Sanhedrin?
Something tingled at the edge of his mind. He had no time for psionic input right now. He tried to shut out the sensation, but it prodded at him.
“Phoebe … Send our regards. Inform the Ark the Sanhedrin eagerly await them on the planet.”
“Yup, yup. I’ll just call up the Angels on the Mazzaroth. ‘Cause we’re buds. Maybe I should invite them for brunch, later?”
David rubbed his temples, allowing himself the barest glimpse of the vision tugging at his mind. Fire. There was a terrible fire and … He shook his head, trying to clear the vision. That had been New Rome. Burning.
“Phoebe … How many Sentinel ships are in the system?”
“Five, counting us. Which, I always do.”
“Open a channel to them. Tell them—”
“Sir,” Kennison said, “The Ark is powering some kind of weapon.”
God help them. He was right. The Angels didn’t come to negotiate. They came to subdue. They came to prove there was no order except their order.
“Fire on the Ark!” David jerked the Wheel around, trying to get between the Angels and the planet. “Fire everything! All missiles, all MAGs, pulse cannons!”
An iridescent beam shot from the Ark. It impacted the Pinnacle and the tower exploded in an outward wave. The beam continued, boring into the planet. The atmosphere caught fire. In a matter of seconds New Rome went from a blue-green ball on his screen to a miniature sun, engulfed in flame. Glowing red.
