The Autumn War

by Ani Fox

  I took it without reading it and waited. One of her men whispered something to her and she nodded. She handed me a mobile phone. “I’ll ring you in a day or two.”

  “Okay.” I put the phone in my pocket.

  “Good day, Baker.” Her head made the slightest of respectful bows.

  I met it precisely, dropping a fraction lower. “Chief.” That was after all what one called their superior within the Concierge’s organization. None of the men here understood that she was Oslo except my Chef, and he’d understand the implications soon enough. They lived in the Syndicate’s world and did not know they served a more dangerous master. I could just as soon have used Lord, Master, Majesty. In the nations that had just absorbed me, she was the undisputed Empress.

  After she departed, I gave Pierre forty-eight hours to put his affairs in order, approved the schedule on my guard roster, including the cleaning crew and grocery service. This time they saluted me smartly and informed me the password would be “Transect” for the next twenty-four hours. That done, and having no further duties, I went back into my home to visit the cat

  As I sat down in the chair vacated by Pina, he invaded my lap and demanded to be scratched on the chin. Hippo seemed to tolerate me well enough and likely felt owning me would not be too much a burden upon him. I read him the card:

  Spetz. Call me any time you want to finish our conversation.

  He remained unimpressed. “Hippo, I believe that woman would like to get naked with me.” He licked a paw, turned his head a little, and started to beg for more chin scratches.

  The fire roared mutely. Pina had blown up almost everything I’d thought I knew about The Web and how it worked. There were Powers outside its perimeter; scientific advances beyond what was known, potentially cybernetic interfaces. Murray had busted loose, could eventually find and interact with these Powers. My people were in harm’s way. And now Oslo’s people were mine as well and, to a lesser degree, the whole of The Syndicate.

  Hippo seemed underwhelmed by the enormity of it all. Mostly he rammed his head into my stomach and purred. I found myself drowsing a bit, relaxed enough to ditch the suit coat and remove my shoes and socks. This was our home now, our fortress against the chaos beyond the walls. I closed my eyes and gave my cat a smile. When it was time, we’d face it together.

  About the Author

  Ani Fox lives in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg - the heart of ancient Europe. He’s published short fiction in Jim Baen’s Universe as well as in the Ragnarok Publications anthology Corrupts Absolutely? The Autumn War is his first published novel. In his spare time he holds down a day job, serves as Editor in Chief for the European Review of Speculative Fiction and does what his cat tells him. He holds a BA in History from the Rutgers University, a PhD (ABD) in World History from the Australian National University and a PhD in Indigenous Theology from ULC Seminary; none of which make him more fun at parties. Hobbies include sleep, drinking too much coffee and dreaming of the day when he wins an argument with his wife or daughter.