The Edge of Infinity (War Eternal Book 7)

by M. R. Forbes

  "If that's what you want, Nathan," General Hafij said, though she didn't seem happy with the idea.

  "It is."

  "Major Asher, do you have a transport?"

  "Yes, ma'am," Katherine said.

  "You are expected to transfer planetside. You will be escorted to DCHQ when you arrive."

  "Yes, ma'am."

  "This is very curious," Teegin said. "Very curious."

  "Curious or not, we can't afford to get tied down planetside, or stuck in a brig somewhere," Steven said.

  "Should we make a run for it?" Ella asked.

  "No," Teegin replied. "We must determine what is happening here, or our entire plan could be at risk. Follow their instructions. Be ready to act."

  Ella glanced at Steven again, who nodded almost imperceptibly. Whatever was going to happen, they would both be ready.

  31

  The MPs were waiting when the transport from the Carver landed, quickly aligning alongside while a pair of Zombies covered them on the ground and a pair of drones monitored them from overhead.

  Despite what General Cornelius had said about them waiting to pass judgment, it certainly didn't feel like it to Ella.

  "Why do I feel like I'm walking myself to my execution?" she said.

  "And a court-martial," Steven replied. He had freshened himself up in the thirty minutes they had before boarding the transport in the Carver's hangar, switching uniforms and adding all of his hardware to his chest.

  He wasn't kidding about being decorated. His jacket was adorned with ribbons she didn't even recognize.

  "Just remember," he said. "It's possible that none of them are themselves. I'm willing to bet the Tetron are nearby, Jupiter maybe, just waiting to strike."

  "Or closer. Teegin said he had a plan. We need to trust him, I suppose."

  They made their way over to the exit, stepping down and into the midst of the MPs, making sure to keep their posture confident, their heads up. They hadn't done anything wrong, and there was no reason to act as if they had.

  The MPs escorted them to a second transport, half boarding with them. Ella tried to make contact with the soldiers, knowing they had to recognize her. They didn't look her way, keeping their expressions flat. She had known plenty of trained soldiers before. There was usually a tell of some kind, even in their intentional disregard. These MPs were vacant. Not themselves.

  She was going to transmit a message to Steven to that effect when a man approached them, holding a small device in his hand.

  "What's that?" Ella asked.

  "It will disable your neural interface," the man said. "A precautionary measure, nothing more. It will be removed after your debriefing."

  "Precautionary for suspected traitors," Steven said. "Is that how the Council sees us?"

  The man shrugged. "The Council is concerned because your receiver keys have changed and administrative access has been removed. I'm following orders, sir. Please, turn your head to the side."

  Steven did as he was asked without another word. The man put the device behind his ear, and a soft hiss escaped from it. When he pulled the device back, there was a small button attached to Steven's skin.

  The man turned to Ella. "Turn your head to the side please, Captain North."

  Ella did as he asked, feeling the pinch as he used the device. Her ARR was still active afterward, but all of the networked capabilities were gone. Of course, the Tetron wouldn't let them in without removing their ability to communicate.

  She leaned back in her seat, looking out through the simulated open air of the transport. Defense Council Headquarters were located in the middle of downtown New York City, in the building that had once belonged to the United Nations and which now housed the United Planets. The structure had been reborn twice over the centuries and was now a nearly three-kilometer high supertower that was still dwarfed by the buildings around it. No matter how many people moved off-world, New York had always remained a densely packed urban center, one of the only ones like it in the universe.

  "How long has it been since you've been back?" Steven asked, watching her stare.

  "I left when I enlisted at eighteen," she replied. "I haven't been back since."

  "No family?"

  "None that I want to see again. My real family died in the Battle for Liberty."

  "Roger that."

  The transport touched down on the rooftop. The MPs disembarked first and then led them from the roof toward the lift. As they did, a second transport touched down beside the first. Ella stopped walking, looking back at it. The MPs stopped with her, motioning for her to get moving again.

  "Ella," Steven said, putting his hand on her shoulder.

  The transport hatch slid open, and Katherine exited along with another squad of military police. She recognized which version of Katherine it was by the short stubble on her shaved head.

  "Wait here," one of the MPs said.

  They waited while the second group caught up, bringing Katherine over to them.

  "Captain. Admiral," Katherine said.

  "Major," Steven replied.

  "This way," the MP said.

  The second group headed back toward the two transports, while the first led the three of them to the lift. They stepped inside and began to descend.

  "So," Ella said. "Do any of you want an autograph?"

  Steven glanced at her like she was crazy. Katherine allowed herself a small smirk. Only one of the MPs made any expression at all, emitting a soft snort at the statement that drew Katherine's attention. She eyed the MP for a moment before looking away.

  The lift stopped a moment later, the door opening and the MPs ushering them out. They were in an open room ringed with portraits of Defense Council members past and present. Both the United States and Planetary Alliance flag were hung near a larger door, through which Ella guessed the main Council chambers were waiting.

  A soldier approached them from a desk near the chamber.

  "Admiral Williams," he said, bowing. "I'm Second Lieutenant Johnston. Please, wait here a moment while the rest of the Council arrives."

  "Thank you, Lieutenant," Steven said. "They do understand the gravity of this situation?"

  "I'm certain they do, Admiral," Johnston replied. He turned to the lead MP. "Sergeant, I think you can give the Admiral and his companions a little breathing room? They're unarmed."

  The military police backed away without a word, taking up a position near the lift.

  "Thank you," Steven said.

  "My pleasure, Admiral," the Sergeant replied.

  His eyes passed over them, landing on Katherine for a moment. Ella could swear she saw his face twitch as they did.

  Steven started walking toward a row of full-length windows on the east side of the building. Ella and Katherine followed him, standing beside him as he looked out at the bustle of the city. They were high enough to have a decent view between the other skyscrapers and low enough that one of the air traffic lanes was only a few meters below them.

  "I never liked New York much," he said. "Too busy. Too crowded. Give me space any day."

  "Crowds never bothered me," Ella said.

  She glanced back over her shoulder, noticing that Lieutenant Johnston had floated over toward them, staying close. Likely so he could hear whatever they said to one another.

  "Katherine, did you ever visit New York?" she asked.

  Katherine nodded. "A long time ago. Although, it doesn't seem that long. For as much as it looks like it's changed, it doesn't feel like it's changed much at all."

  They stood there for a few more minutes, making small talk and waiting. Steven and Katherine had noticed Johnston as well, and they made sure not to give him anything he could use. It was still unclear to Ella who was under Tetron control and who wasn't. Everyone? No one? Like Teegin had said, it was curious.

  "The Council will see you now," Lieutenant Johnston said.

  Steven took the lead as they followed Johnston to the doors to the Council's chambers, wh
ich slid aside as they approached. Ella had been expecting something more formal than she got. A long table, with three empty chairs on one side and the five Generals of the Defense Council seated on the other. A ring of monitors adorned the three solid walls, which she assumed were used to stream to and from other locales.

  The Council members stood as they entered. Three men and two women in full dress uniforms, clean and pressed and crisp, their chests more decorated than Steven's.

  "Generals," Steven said, bowing to them. Ella followed suit, as did Katherine.

  The MPs flowed in behind them as the doors closed.

  "Admiral Williams," Cornelius said. "Captain North. Major Asher. Please, have a seat."

  They sat down. Steven glanced back at the MPs.

  "Is that necessary, sirs?" he said in reference to them.

  "It may be," General Pietro said.

  Cornelius raised his hand to keep the others quiet. "Admiral, we brought you here because there is some question regarding the legitimacy of your claims of an attack by an as yet unknown enemy force, in light of the information that has been gathered regarding Captain North and her exploits on Liberty. The goal of this Council is to understand the connection between these events, to sort out the truth of your surprise visit, and to pass a recommendation for action on to the Global Senate and the Prime Minister. Do you understand?"

  "Yes, sir," Steven said.

  "Sir," Ella said, speaking up. "I don't understand where this information is coming from, or how you can take it seriously. You're a soldier. You've been out there. You have to know that there would be no possible way to choreograph an entire battle to ensure a specific outcome."

  "Captain," General Hafij said. "You will be asked to speak when it is appropriate."

  Ella looked at the General. "Appropriate, ma'am? I'm being accused of treason. In fact, there doesn't seem to be much questioning by the Council of the facts, despite how ridiculous this ongoing research seems to be."

  "Captain," Pietro said, admonishing her.

  "Sirs," Steven said. "We came here to warn you about a threat, not only to the Alliance but to all of humankind. One that is capable of not only controlling people through their neural interfaces, but also of accessing data that we imagine is secure. It is not only possible but highly likely that this enemy has altered facts to paint Captain North in a poor light in order to undermine our efforts to trigger an early warning and have a fighting chance in the days to come."

  "Admiral Williams," Cornelius said. "In order to accomplish that, this supposed enemy would have had to know you would be coming here with Captain North. How do you suppose that would be possible?"

  The General smiled again, giving Ella another chill. There was a subtle maliciousness to the expression that she didn't like.

  "Because it has happened before," Katherine said. "Slightly differently, and with a different hero, but any intelligence worth naming itself as such could have followed the logic chain to this outcome." She paused, making eye contact with each of the Generals. "Are you worthy of naming yourselves as such? Do you see what is happening here? Are you aware?"

  "What are you talking about?" General Hafij said.

  Katherine continued turning her head, back and forth before stopping on Cornelius. "Why don't they see it?" she asked him.

  "Misdirection," Cornelius replied. "Misinformation. They are primitive. Children. It's easy. I'm impressed, Katherine. I didn't think you would figure it out so quickly."

  "Katherine, what is he talking about?" Ella asked.

  "One second," Cornelius said. His eyes twitched slightly, and the other four Generals slumped into their seats, eyes closing. "We don't need them interrupting."

  "Captain North," Katherine said. "Meet Watson."

  "A pleasure," Cornelius said.

  "I don't understand how you are doing this?" Katherine said. "Controlling the Tetron who are controlling the Council?"

  "Not controlling," Watson said. "Influencing. I don't have the reach to control them directly. I can only intercept the signal right outside the source. It's a limitation of this configuration."

  "Where is the real General Cornelius?" Steven said.

  "Dead. For some time, actually. There can't be two of us, after all."

  "You aren't working directly with the Tetron who arrived here, including this instance of yourself. Why not?"

  "I just told you, Kate. They're primitive. Behind the times. I've had four hundred years. I feel pretty good."

  "We took your core."

  "Yes, you did. To be honest, it was a more liberating experience than I was expecting. In fact, I would almost say you did me a favor. Out with the old, in with the new. That sort of thing. I mean, the basic idea worked fairly well the first time, but I think I've improved on this iteration."

  "Enough to defeat the Naniates?"

  "I think so, yes. Once my estranged brothers and sisters finish taking the human worlds, I'll be ready to take them. The dog that eats the cat that eats the rat. There's always something bigger. Another predator. In a way, I'm sorry you're the rat. I've come to appreciate humans much more over the centuries. You do have your certain endearing qualities. In any case, I know what you're trying to do. It's not going to work."

  "Why not?"

  "My little secret, one that you won't be around long enough to see me expose. It's a shame you were all killed trying to assassinate the members of the Defense Council. At least we had the foresight to keep a few MPs around before you managed to kill them all."

  The MPs behind them started to move, raising their rifles and aiming them at their backs.

  Watson stood and drew a pistol from behind, and then walked around to their side of the table.

  "Now, let's see. Which one of them has to die for the cause?"

  He waved the gun at each of the Generals. "How should we decide, do you think? Eenie. Meenie. Miny." He paused on General Pietro. "I never liked beards."

  Ella tensed to try to stop him, but Katherine looked her way, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

  "Watson," she said.

  "Yes, Katherine?" he replied.

  Then she exploded.

  Not in a blast of heat and shrapnel, but in a flash of light and a wave of energy that spread out from her center, escaping through her eyes and mouth and pores. Ella squeezed her eyes closed against the brightness, losing her vision to pure white despite the effort.

  And then, just as quickly as it had come, it was gone, the solid replaced with bright circles that scattered around behind her eyelids, her brain trying to recalibrate after the shock.

  The seconds passed. She heard groaning from the other side of the table. She opened her eyes, trying to focus past the spots. Katherine was gone, replaced with a humanoid bundle of liquid metallic muscle that was facing her direction, looking back at where Cornelius had been standing.

  "Teegin?" she said.

  A mouth appeared in the bundle. "Captain North. You are safe."

  She turned her head, looking back at Cornelius. His body was motionless on the floor.

  "Configurations are not purely organic. They are protected from EMP, but not from the punch I just delivered."

  "Teegin?" Steven said from the other side of him. "What happened to Katherine?"

  "She is well, Admiral. I utilized the resources gathered from Captain Pathi to create a human skin above this extension of myself."

  "What's going on here?" General Owens said. "How did I wind up in the council chambers?"

  Ella turned her attention to the Generals. They were waking from whatever slumber Watson had put them in.

  "Captain North?" General Hafij said. "What are you doing here? Admiral-"

  She stopped talking when she saw Teegin.

  "It's okay, General," Steven said. "He's with us."

  "Admiral," General Pietro said, "I hope you can tell us what this is all about? And how we wound up here?"

  "I will, sir," Steven said. "Please, you have to contact S
pace Defense Command and reactivate the EMS network immediately."

  "Why?" General Owens said.

  "I'll explain, General. I promise. It's vital to our security."

  "Okay." She stood on shaky legs. "I'll have it reactivated. Who gave the order to turn it off?"

  "You did, ma'am," Ella said.

  "I did?" She shook her head. "Excuse me."

  She hurried from the room. At the same time, Pietro stood and moved to where Cornelius was sprawled on the floor. He knelt beside him.

  "What happened to Nathan?" he asked.

  "He wasn't General Cornelius," Ella said. "It's a long story, but you have to hear it. The Alliance needs to prepare for war."

  32

  Mitchell didn't have to try very hard to find the Knife. There was only one place where he could be located whenever Teal reported that Tio had left Asimov.

  He made his way into the engine compartment of the Dove, where Origin's core rested, filling the massive space that had once held the starship's primitive FTL drives. Tio was standing in front of the bundled mass of cords, in front of a small table he had brought in, along with a number of devices that Mitchell didn't recognize or understand. The eternal engine was obvious as it rested on the table, glowing softly with the stored energy of a dozen suns.

  "It's incredible, isn't it, Colonel?" Tio said, noticing his approach. "The molecular structure is so complex; it will take me weeks to untangle it and begin to understand how it holds so much power. I'm fairly certain there is a quantum based component as well, but I haven't even reached the center yet."

  Mitchell looked past the Knife to Origin's core. The Tetron had been concerned with allowing the warlord access to the device, but he had convinced her it was the only way to gain his full compliance and assistance, and he suspected the engine was too complicated for the man to reverse engineer in such a short timeframe anyway.

  He was happy to know that so far, he was right.

  "Is the transmission ready to send?" he asked, ignoring Tio's gushing.