“Nothing. I have no interest in listening to what he has to say through this. If I ever speak to him again it’ll be face to face. I won’t let him keep lying. All I know for sure is that he’s alive.”
“Can he track us with that?”
Sage frowned. Probably, she thought. It was built by Cassius Vale. “I’m not sure.” She picked up the device. Before she could think twice, she pried her artificial fingers open and placed it on her palm. With the three she could control, she crushed it until its lights went dark and it was flat as a disc. Then she dropped it and returned to her seat.
“It’s better if he doesn’t know whether we’re alive or dead for now,” Sage decided.
“I agree with that,” Talon said. “I just don’t understand what he’s after.”
“Vengeance. He wants to destroy the Tribune completely. It’s that simple. He blames them for letting his son die, all because of a plant that grew on Earth. When they wouldn’t return what he believed was his son’s work, Benjar tried to have him killed. But before the final blow the other Tribunes decided to show him mercy for all that he’d done for them. Now he’ll stop at nothing to show them their mistake.”
“No offense, Sage, but there isn’t a Ceresian in existence who hasn’t wished they’d wake up one day and the Tribune would be gone. But not like this. Zaimur’s made a deal with a devil and all of my people are the pawns. Our colonies are falling one by one, and whatever he’s planning I fear none of us will survive it. I didn’t go through all of this to save Elisha just to watch her world burn.”
Sage wanted to tell him that he had no other choice. She wanted to tell him that when it came to Cassius there was nothing he wasn’t prepared for.
“So what are you going to do?” she asked when she could think of nothing else.
“This isn’t my ship, so whether or not Larana wants to take us there, I’m going to find Zaimur and try to get him to see the truth. That’s all I can do.”
“And if he doesn’t listen?” Larana asked.
“I haven’t gotten that far yet. I guess then I’ll have to try to help Sage earn that face-to-face.”
Sage feigned a chuckle, but remained silent.
Larana rubbed her chin and stared out into space through a viewport. “Tarsis trusted you,” she said, finally. “I knew him most of my life, even though he lied. I’ll trust you further, Insider. If the Morastus Prince can help stop the man who took out an Ark of the Keepers, then we go to him. Kitt, set a course.”
“Yes, cap’n,” Kitt replied. He hopped to his feet and set off for the command deck.
Sage still wasn’t sure if everything Talon had concluded was one hundred percent true, but there was one thing she did know—escaping the influence of Cassius was impossible for her. For better or worse, their lives were bound. There was still a shred of humanity in him. It was the same shred which convinced him to help her rescue Elisha even if he wanted to attack the Ascendant for his own desires as well. Only she could bring it out of him, and somehow she knew she was destined to stand before him again.
It wasn’t a mission. It was fate. And it would be up to him whether she did so with a pistol in her hand or not.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN—CASSIUS
All for You
Cassius imagined he got more sleep in the days it took to reach Ennomos than in all the years that passed since Caleb died. In what seemed like no time, the ruddy asteroid was hovering in the White Hand’s path.
Cassius hadn’t heard from either ADIM or Sage yet, but knew better than to dwell on it. ADIM would contact him as soon as he could. He always did.
If Sage, on the other hand, had already reached Ceres Prime then she’d be out of range for live communication between their HOLO-Recorders. He’d sent a few additional messages throughout his voyage and continued to receive nothing back. The thought that maybe it, and her, were floating through the vacuum briefly entered his mind. He didn’t allow it to stick. That wasn’t a fitting fate for Sage Volus, and if it were the case he had little doubt she would resolve to contact him rather than suffocate alone. If the Tribune had her or her body than there was no question they would’ve discovered the device, found those messages, and replied just to taunt him.
She’s alive, he told himself. Whatever the reason for her lack of contact, he knew without question that she was alive.
Cassius took over the White Hand’s controls from autopilot and guided it toward the narrow channel leading into his facility’s hangar. He was still rusty at having to work everything manually. The bottom of his ship scraped across a portion of the rock, but not hard enough to leave a scratch more noticeable than the ones which were already there from battle.
The hangar’s outer seal opened upon reading the White Hand’s signal, and Cassius flew it in slowly. He maneuvered it over the parked Solar-Ark and to the other end of the lofty space, right beside the line of five Tribunal freighters he’d stolen.
The red eyes of androids snapped toward his position, each of them loading a Gravitum bomb into one of the freighters. Even with the hangar lights on the weapons glowed so bright that he had to shield his eyes. He’d need to make sure to wear protection at all times around them. If he took one step beyond the dense hull of his ship without wearing an enviro-suit he’d risk contracting the Blue Death. Then he’d have something in common with the Ceresian Sage was so fond of.
He switched off the White Hand’s engine and made his way to the cargo bay. He put on his full enviro-suit and helmet, checking every seal twice before lowering the ship’s ramp. Five androids greeted him immediately. Beyond them he could see the sixth, the one which ADIM had impaired, limping out of the Solar-Ark.
“The White Hand is severely damaged, Creator,” the androids addressed him in perfect unison. “Does the Creator require medical assistance?”
“I’m fine,” Cassius said. “Patch her up as best you can, and repair the power lines. There is no time to waste.”
“Her?” the androids questioned.
“The White Hand. I need it up and running as quickly as possible. When the work is completed load the last bomb into the cargo bay.”
“Yes, Creator.”
The androids hurried to work. He watched them go by, and then took a moment to take in the condition of his ship beyond just what scanners had told him. It looked as though it’d been through a real war. Portions of its outer hull were either missing completely or peeling away. Its pearly coat was sullied, and where there weren’t bullet holes there were extensive burn-marks.
“Only one more battle, old girl,” he said as he patted the ship’s cold, metal exterior. The androids hooked power and fuel lines to it, and soon after the interior lights began to flicker on. Cassius quickly made his way back to the command deck. “Gaia, open transmission with the Hound’s Paw,” he said. His words were received only by silence. He’d forgotten for a moment about ADIM’s upgrades, and it didn’t take him long to figure out what the issue was. When they were severed, Gaia’s program was corrupted, split between the ship and ADIM’s memory core.
So you’ve left me truly alone haven’t you ADIM, Cassius thought. He didn’t have anywhere near the time to repair her. He was back to running the ship manually, just like when he first received it after the Earth Reclaimer War.
He walked over to the communications console and searched through its adjoined screen. It took him a few extra minutes to reacquaint himself with the controls but eventually he was able to open up coms with the Hound’s Paw. Zaimur Morastus spoke before Cassius could.
“So now he decides to answer me,” he said, his face popping up on the HOLO-Screen. His cheeks were flushed with anger, and his usually prim, blond hair was a mess. “I figured you died over Fortuna. What a relief that would’ve been after having me delay the fleet with no real excuse!”
“Forgive me,” Cassius said. “The attack left me unable to respond until now, but—”
“Attack?” Zaimur scoffed. “Benjar Vakari has just set off
from Fortuna and is bound for Pallus. He’ll be there in a few days. Cordo Yashan is due to provide reinforcements shortly after to maintain order before they turn all of their attention to Ceres. This plan is failing!”
“Remember who you’re talking to, boy!” Cassius growled. The shock on Zaimur’s expression spread. Cassius took a calming breath and continued. “Pallus would be taken already if it weren’t for me. The Ascendant is hampered, and even if Benjar won’t let that show these extra days have given us the advantage.”
“I fail to see any advantage,” Zaimur grumbled. “Pallus itself won’t last a week with what little defenses I’ve left there thanks to you.”
“The Tribune thinks you’re saving all your resources for the defense of Ceres. We stick to the plan. The moment they’re closing in on Pallus you send the entire fleet on a hard burn for Earth.”
“Right. And allow our second largest settlement to be torn apart. I’ve put plenty of faith into this, Vale. It better work.”
Cassius almost wanted to laugh in Zaimur’s face for being so foolish, but knew he needed to stay on his good side for a short while longer. “Or what?” he asked. “If this fails then we’ll both be dead.”
“Well I plan on doing a whole lot more living. So, where’s the weapon?”
“ADIM—” Cassius froze. It was barely for a second so he doubted Zaimur would notice, but he knew he had to get the android out of his thoughts and stay focused. “ADIM is examining it now.”
Zaimur’s eyes narrowed. “Examining it where? I thought we had an agreement that you’d deliver it to my ship before we set off for Earth.”
“That was before my ship was nearly destroyed during our escape. The White Hand is fast. I’ll be able to catch up after you’re already on your way.”
“After? You expect me to do all of this without any proof you even have it?”
He’s lucky I’m almost through with him, Cassius thought. He bit back the harsh words festering in his throat, and then said: “How many times must I remind you we’re on the same side? I’ll send you rough schematics and images as soon as we’re through loading it onto my ship. Is that acceptable to you?”
Zaimur leaned back in his chair and clenched his jaw. “Fine.”
“Once you’re beyond the Tribune’s ability to intercept, you must broadcast our intentions, whether I’m there yet or not. Say that if the Tribune even attempts to approach Ceres, we’ll blow the Gravitum wells.”
“I’d rather not plug the wells if I don’t have to, Vale. We’ll need Gravitum to rebuild. You’re sure the Tribune will fall for this?”
“Without question. To them the mines are more than just a resource. They’re sacred. They are physical conduits of the Earth Spirit’s Essence. They’ll come rushing back, and there, over the remnants of our once verdant homeworld, you’ll have your victory.”
Zaimur smirked, displaying the rebellious spark Cassius had seen in him initially. The very spark he’d preyed on. “Okay, Cassius Vale. Let’s make the Tribune kneel. Many Ceresian lives were lost to get us this opportunity.”
Cassius smirked as well. “Then let us make sure they meant something. It’s time the Tribune sees they cannot decide humanity’s future alone.”
“I’ll begin preparations immediately.” Zaimur reached out to cut off transmission, then paused. He was staring at the screen, but it appeared like he was looking through it, gazing into the future. “We’ll never be forgotten if we pull this off.”
More than a holographic bust in a hallway, Cassius reminded himself. “You’re right. We had best pull it off then.”
Before he could receive a response, Cassius switched off the transmission himself. His heart had started to race halfway through their conversation and he didn’t want to say anything by mistake while he wasn’t fully composed. He usually was, but being so near to reaching Earth after nearly a decade had him feeling especially eager. He was growing tired of having to deceive Zaimur just to get there.
He strolled back off the White Hand, passing his androids that were hard at work on repairs. Cassius let them continue and made his way toward the Solar-Ark. The damaged android was standing outside. It didn’t take part in the repairs because it remained focused only on the Ark, as Cassius had requested.
“Creator, the test subject is prepped for viewing,” the android said.
Cassius didn’t answer. He stopped at the Ark’s entrance and turned so that each of the five re-outfitted Tribunal freighters was visible. Each cargo bay bore a bomb with the power to split open an asteroid. The entire hangar was painted in a blue aura because of them. Thank you for being so willing to clear the way, Zaimur.
He savored a long breath, and then turned to the android and said, “Show me.”
“Yes, Creator.”
It led him into the ship and up to the Cryo-chamber Hall. A few along the bottom rung were filled with his tribunal captives, the glass so foggy that he could only distinguish their silhouettes. The lid of a chamber on the end was popped open, and the bearded, emaciated man whom Cassius had first seen loaded in was still inside. He was shivering intensely, the myriad tubes affixed to his skin rattling against the chamber’s interior. A small screen inside depicted his bodily systems.
“The subject remains alive,” the android stated. “A full recovery will take some time, but the thawing can be deemed a success. Much of the required equipment and programming was already present in the chambers and merely had to be rediscovered.”
“Of course it was,” Cassius said. “The Ancients had incredible foresight before the boundaries of the Circuit tainted them.” He leaned forward and ran the back of his fingers across the test subject’s bony cheek. His flesh was as cold as ice. “Thank you, for your strength.”
The man rolled his head and murmured something. Drugs being pumped intravenously to help with the reanimation had him essentially anesthetized. Even his eyes were closed.
Cassius took a step back and pulled out his HOLO-Recorder. There was still no response from Sage. Before he left for Earth he had a message to leave for her, and he had no plans of leaving behind the device for her to find one day. Even Sage wasn’t going to keep him from bringing along his first son.
If she’s alive…She is alive, and she’ll stop at nothing to find this place after what I’m about to do. She’ll need an explanation when she does.
He traversed the silent halls of the Ark one last time, the android following closely behind. Centuries of history passed by with every step. From conduits in the wall that’d been repaired time and time again by generations of Keepers, to grates placed down by the Ancients themselves, to bloodstains ingrained too deep in metal by his androids to be scrubbed out completely. There was a time he would’ve done anything to get his hands on a Solar-Ark so that he could escape the Circuit and all the anguish it reminded him of. But he’d come to learn over his many years that escape was never in the cards for him.
“Begin prepping the Amerigo’s communications device to broadcast a short-range message encrypted with the code: Caleb Vale,” Cassius said as he began to walk up the stairs onto the ship’s command deck.
“Creator.” The android placed its hand on Cassius’ shoulder. “This unit is obligated to warn you that such a transmission could easily be traced to this location by an Executor’s searching this region for abnormal signals. It was a prime directive for the location of Ennomos to remain concealed.”
“It’s too late for them to change anything now,” Cassius replied, brushing the hand off and continuing up. “Do as I say.” Only one last message to record before the end.
“Yes, Creator.”
The android typed away at one of the command consoles. Cassius positioned himself in front of it and slowly removed the helmet of his enviro-suit. He wanted his words to be heard clearly, and he was protected enough from the Gravitum bombs by the Ark’s dense hull.
“Transmission ready,” the android said. It stood up straight, and a HOLO-Screen projected above
the console to initiate recording. In it Cassius could see himself clearly. His eye-lids were wrinkled and sagging. His hair was messy, and every bit of its former color had given way to gray without him noticing.
He took a deep breath and then began. “Sage,” he said. He spread his arms wide and looked from side to side. “All of this is for you…”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN—TALON
Sleep’s Dull Knife
“Alright Elisha, are you ready to see the command deck?” Talon asked. It’d been a few days since they got her off of the Ascendant and her face was getting fuller. She didn’t walk as if she were stepping on shards of glass. She wasn’t back to her lively, exuberant self, but she stopped looking at Talon like a stranger and started hugging him like she meant it.
“Ready,” she nodded firmly.
Talon held her hand and led her down the corridor of the Monarch. Ships had always been one of her favorite things, and he hoped being imprisoned on one wouldn’t change that. The hallways didn’t impress her, but as the blinking lights and old-style screens of the command deck filled her vision her eyes went wide.
She picked up her pace, so much so that she wound up being the one pulling Talon. She swept into the room, darting left and right faster than her tiny legs could carry her. Talon sighed in relief. Try as they may, the Tribune hadn’t ruined her after all. She paused when her gaze reached the viewport. Through it floated the grandest asteroid in the Circuit. Her home.
“Is that Ceres?” she asked.
“Yep,” Kitt answered before Talon could. He was sitting at the controls beside Larana, completely in charge of navigation. “You wanna see how this all works?”
Elisha gawked up at Talon and he couldn’t stomach saying no. “Go ahead.” He smiled.
Kitt started introducing her to all of the controls.
“It’s not just Ceres,” Larana said to Talon from the seat beside Kitt.
While Elisha and her son talked, Talon walked up behind the captain and squinted through the viewport. Hovering around Ceres was the ringed Conduit Station through which the Solar-Arks served all of Ceresian space. Between it, and the asteroid, was the entirety of the Ceresian Fleet—frigates, fighters, carriers, and transports, everything imaginable. None of them matched in appearance, but Talon recognized the Hound’s Paw in the center.
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