The Impossible Future: Complete set

by Frank Kennedy

  The only other physical attendee was Alayna Rainier, representative of the Coronado Presidium. She was ten years older than Michael. She joined with the allied Presidiums who risked everything during the Solomon uprising to enter the Great Plains Metroplex and force the hand of then-Rear Admiral Angela Poussard. Alayna and Michael represented the civilian interests here, while the other three Presidium reps lived aboard Praxis. Michael assumed they’d be attending the meeting by holowindow.

  “Good,” said Cm. Cabrise, breaking away from Maya and looking around. “We’re all here. Maj. Nilsson, once again we have your team’s heroism to thank for keeping the indigo threat at bay.

  “Specialist Cooper, the major’s initial report said you took a great many direct hits this morning but performed valiantly under complex circumstances.” Michael tensed as the room’s focus turned toward him. “These reports become familiar. Always taking the hits but killing the enemy with great efficiency. And yet …”

  The commandant turned to Nilsson. “Major, outside of Cooper, what is the lowest rank on your team?”

  “First lieutenant, sir.”

  “And Cooper is only Class A Specialist? I was A-Spec my first day in the Guard. Forty-nine years ago, if you can believe that. Done this so long, I’ve gone mad. But not so mad as to know when a man deserves a battlefield promotion. What do you say, Major? I am thinking …” He grabbed his beard and studied Michael. “Third lieutenant. Say you?”

  “Done.” Nilsson offered a side-nod. “Sir, may I introduce you to Third Lieutenant Michael Cooper.”

  Instinct told him to swell with pride. Indeed, Michael stood tall in the moment. To be recognized for his sacrifice, even for a rank that would not matter for long, felt satisfying. He saluted his superiors.

  Cabrise offered his hand and they shook, then Cabrise leaned in close and whispered.

  “Consider this moment the highlight of your day, Michael. I’m afraid it’s not going to improve. At all.”

  After dumping upon Michael’s prideful moment, he pulled away with a wide smile for all those present.

  “Ranks,” he said. “Medals. Stripes. Nilsson, make sure Cooper receives his stripes.” He paced in the center of the office. “I was an admiral. Then I was not. Years later, I was again. Commanded the fleet around Tamarind. When I gave it up during the evac, the Admiralty said I was a fool and demoted me. Again. Just like they did after I lost Hiebimini. But down here, they don’t care if I grow a beard, so maybe I’m in a better place. Yes?”

  Awkward smiles and suppressed chuckles. Cabrise laughed hardest.

  Michael saw it in their eyes. They respected Cabrise’s rank, but not him. Michael didn’t blame them. The commandant served the Guard for too long. Why didn’t the Admiralty force him to retire?

  “Maya, if you will,” Cabrise ordered, and Maya threw open a pair of holowindows that pivoted into position front and center. As Michael expected, Capt. Delano Forsythe and Col. Joseph Doltrice sat beside each other on the bridge of Praxis, while the other Presidium reps joined from the residential wing of the ship.

  “Good morning, everyone,” Forsythe said. “We will not require too much of your time today, but the information we bring is vital to our future – both in the immediate and in the long term. First, I’d like to address our security issues in light of today’s heightened incursion against the base. Colonel, if you would?”

  Michael tried to stay close to Col. Doltrice in the opening weeks of their mission, but spec-ops training filled his hours, and Joseph became consumed in his role as special advisor to Forsythe. When they arrived in orbit, Forsythe appointed Joseph head of planetary intelligence. His job was to reestablish relationships with former Tamarind allies and Chancellory sympathizers. If the major clans – Chinese or Mongol – decided to move en force against the base, Joseph was required to know it about in advance.

  “Thank you, Captain,” Joseph said, taking center stage. “I’ll be direct. Our intel suggests the mountain Tuvaan who attacked on rifters have begun receiving support from agents within the Mandewatt Convocations. Yes, the Chinese. We have not identified whether they are supplying weapons and materiel, financial credits, or tactical training. Likely a combination. This would explain the Mongols’ more elevated strategy. These rogues by themselves have proven woefully inept in previous efforts.”

  Nilsson interrupted. “What do the Chinese hope to gain?”

  “A diversion. Their political underpinnings have become unstable. Several months ago, Mandewatt vowed allegiance to Bouchet and Salvation. However, their spiritual leader died last week. Zhang Wong’s approval for the alliance with Salvation tilted the balance. The new Master of the Convocations is skeptical of Bouchet.

  “Our contacts believe a schism is inevitable. After that, civil war. Bouchet’s allies within Mandewatt hope the rogues will keep us distracted and at bay while they firm up their power within the Convocations. Remember, the Chinese promised Bouchet they would fight any Chancellor incursion on Tamarind.”

  Alayna Rainier laughed. “A proxy war?” She drew everyone’s attention. “They might not want us here, but they’ve apparently learned well from us. The last few years of our civil war on Earth, we used mercenaries and Solomons as third parties to execute our nasty business.” She turned to Michael and offered a supportive nod. “We turned a servant class into spies and assassins.”

  The other Presidium reps concurred, as if feeling the need to remind everyone of their shame. Michael wasn’t buying it. He didn’t think the comparison was apt. Solomons chose whether to fight for the movement – and many shied away altogether. Moreover, they were paid well to track down and kill high-value targets. These rogue Mongols, on the other hand, were wild animals set up for slaughter.

  Cabrise jumped in. “Most Chinese are opportunists. The same day Mandewatt vowed loyalty to Salvation, we almost killed their leadership and Bouchet himself. I watched from the bridge of Newhouse. Saw the monsters meeting in Mandewatt. Dropped a pair of energy slews on them.” He tapped thumb and forefinger together. “This close to cutting off the head. But I reminded the Chinese of their place. If not for the evac, they’d be ours.”

  “How serious is the threat of a direct assault?” Nilsson asked.

  “For the time being, you should be safe,” Joseph said. “There are caveats, however. We have been receiving intel from our allies throughout the colonies. Salvation has been scrambling to shore up support wherever Bouchet established a foothold before realignment. We have reports of regular appearances by Bouchet or members of their so-called Triumvirate. They have influence on twenty-nine worlds, and their presence is creating instability.”

  “As I predicted,” Cabrise said. “They forced the Carriers to evacuate and left behind a vacuum.”

  “Correct,” Joseph continued. “Interplanetary commerce has crashed. The Chancellory spent centuries maintaining a stable but complex system of trade that benefited everyone. We have a deep well of support begging for the Carriers to return. And without the Sanctums to bridge the political lines between us and them, most simply do not know how to govern themselves.”

  “Ethnic sovereignty,” Frances mused. “We fed the indigos no greater illusion. They cannot survive without our leash.”

  Forsythe nodded. “As their economies destabilize, they will slide into partisan factions. Many believe in Bouchet’s so-called miracles.”

  “Yes,” Joseph said. “And some worlds will slide firmly into his corner. The others will devolve into violence – the kind peacekeepers used to quell. But even those wars will produce winners, new political dynamics, and new economic philosophies. In time, the colonies will create new rules for trade. Many have fleets of system ships and the infrastructure to build more.”

  “Which leaves Earth on the outs,” Michael said. He waited for a response, but none came. “I mean, that’s what you don’t wanna say. Right? I know history. I’ve been studying. You used Elevation Philosophy and the Guard to rape the colonies for centuries.
Ninety percent of the Chancellory’s wealth comes from the colonies. Lose them, and Earth is royally fucked.”

  No one bothered to argue the point. Michael was experiencing something new – a moment where he left Chancellors confounded.

  “Look, people, I’m not a dumbass,” he continued. “This new tech … the Anchors … this ain’t just about invading Hiebimini. It’s your way back in business. You master this tech and build it out … hell, that leash you mentioned, Frances? Shorter and tighter than ever.”

  Frances raised a finger as others tried to interject.

  “Our newly christened third lieutenant is an expert on Chancellors because he has been studying history. Three years on our side of the IDF, and you understand the past thousand, do you?” She licked her lips. “In this case, yes. Your analysis might be considered spot-on. But your tone is misplaced. As is your impertinence.

  “No one wants the Anchors to work more than you. No one wants to reach Hiebimini faster than you. Yes? This Chancellor you love? Her family built its prestige off these colonies. The Boston estate where you lived in opulence? Not possible without worlds like Tamarind. So, yes, dear Michael. The Anchors are our way back in business.” She acknowledged everyone else.

  “Now appears as good a time as any for my news. The Anchor prototypes have been perfected. In two days, we conduct a full-scale test of their capacity. Then we will be back in business. Yes?”

  6

  T HIS NEWS OVERSHADOWED EVERYTHING ELSE. As much as he wanted to wrap his hands around her neck, Michael conceded the point to Frances. His heart beat faster as she laid out the details of the test to an excited group.

  “We have decided upon ambitious parameters,” she said. “We will test the Anchors using a quadrangular portal, spanning 2.4 light-years. Anchor Alpha, in the lab beneath us, will transport to Anchor Beta on Praxis, which will transport to Anchor Gamma on Euphrates, which will then deliver our product to Anchor Delta, situated on the far side of Euphrates. And then, back here. My husband has been overseeing operations on Euphrates. He insists we are ready.”

  Aside from the revelation that Emil Bouchet had traveled in secret to Tamarind’s nearest colonial neighbor – he was assumed to be managing operations from Praxis – Frances surprised everyone with the notion of a four-way test.

  “Our immediate concern is bypassing Hiebimini’s Nexus blockade,” Alayna Rainier said. “We need to know this works as a straight line between two points.”

  “My husband and I conferred,” Frances said. “We have been thinking too small. We need to test their capacity as a network. This is, after all, the ultimate goal: Instant transport across multiple routes. When we reach Hiebimini, we should be able to deploy our forces across the planet to attack the enemy wherever he resides.”

  “Agreed,” Cabrise said. “But is there a danger of pushing the technology beyond its capacity?”

  One of Frances’s engineers, Oliver Huron, stepped forward.

  “If I may, Frances? Each Anchor contains a pattern sleeve with a unique and continuous quantum signature grounded to its exact coordinates using the Galactic Plane Navigation Model. In simplest terms, Anchor Alpha will be programmed to find the GPNM signature of Anchor Beta, and so on. That assures point-to-point connection. However, we have programmed a separate delivery sleeve to forward the arrival of any object or person to the next Anchor in the sequence. If the two sleeves at Anchor Beta fail to communicate, the worst that will happen is the new arrival will exit Beta unharmed, only seconds after departing Alpha.”

  Quizzical stares followed. Michael studied enough quantum science and interstellar navigation to understand the concept, but it sounded as impossible as the day he first heard of the scheme.

  “One question,” he said.

  Frances tapped Oliver’s shoulder and raised a finger.

  “Is this a question, Michael, or another one of your colorful rants?”

  “I don’t rant, Frances. I just say what the fuck’s on my mind. One question, Oliver. You said, ‘any object or person.’ Right? So, do we know for sure that people can be tossed across light-years and come out the other side without being ripped to shreds?”

  Oliver rolled his eyes. “As I’ve told you before, Michael, this is not teleportation. We tried that centuries ago. It doesn’t work. What was that movie you kept referencing …?”

  “Star Trek.”

  “Yes. We are folding space inside the black matter substrata. This is no different than walking through a door but only takes a few seconds longer. We’ve had this conversation. What do you not …?”

  “Oh, I understand it. And I want it to work.” Michael addressed everyone. “I do. Frances was right. I want to be on Hiebimini yesterday. But … I’m sorry, I gotta see it for myself.”

  “Fair point, Third Lieutenant,” Nilsson said, his glare demonstrating impatience. “I’m sure the test will prove one way or the other. For the sake of argument, assume total success. How much longer would we need to remain here?”

  Frances and Oliver shared an uneasy glance, as if they had not prepared for this question.

  “Long enough to finish production on the pattern sleeves,” she said. “The raw materials for the Anchors themselves are more plentiful on Euphrates, but there is only one Void. And those sleeves use the quantum signatures of Void energy. I’ll have to consult my husband, but I would estimate another thirty standard days.”

  It wasn’t what Michael wanted to hear, but no one seemed distraught. After all, what was thirty days to regain an empire?

  Nilsson faced Forsythe. “Captain, I request we revise our security strategy. Frances confirms we will be here at least another thirty days. If the Tuvaan rogues are being supplied by outsiders, they will continue to put my team at risk. There are fifty Mongol corpses on the ridge as I speak. We need to be rid of them and gird ourselves against the possibility of a larger attack from the terrorists.”

  Forsythe and Doltrice nodded, their faces grim.

  “What is your assessment, Aldo?” The captain asked.

  Cabrise shrugged. “The same as it’s always been, Delano. Do whatever it takes to protect this mission. I’m with Cooper. I’d like to be on Hiebimini yesterday, too. But Maj. Nilsson has a point. What happened this morning changes the game. Personally, I always took pleasure solving problems with energy slews. I ended the Hiebim civil war with the most beautiful barrage anyone ever saw. Not that I received proper credit.”

  The long silence from Praxis gave Michael hope that maybe one problem was about to be silenced. And yet, in the seconds before the captain spoke, Michael saw the fear in his eyes.

  “This is awkward, to say the least,” Forsythe said, his voice weary. “Earlier, we did not have a chance to complete our report. The subject turned to the Anchors instead. We had hoped to save that one bit of good news for last.”

  “Apologies,” Frances said, with no hint of remorse.

  “This next information,” Forsythe said with hesitation, “will be confusing for all of you, but far more difficult for others.” He looked Joseph square in the eye then he turned to the base staff. Michael thought their eyes met, but only for a second.

  “I can do this, Captain,” Joseph said. “We have just learned of an unexpected ...”

  “I’ll take it from here,” Forsythe interjected. “As Joseph reported earlier, interstellar commerce has crashed. Moreover, conditions on Earth and in orbit are near a tipping point. Earth Presidiums have halted repatriation of the eleven million Carrier residents. Among other things, most Carrier populations refuse to acknowledge the full citizenship of Solomons. Hardline elements are demanding Guard forces return to the colonies and establish martial law until the terrorist threat is eliminated. This realignment has done more than destabilize the colonies. Which is why I cannot say I am shocked by what has happened, at least not in retrospect.”

  The room tensed as Frances spoke for them all.

  “And what might be so shocking, Delano?”

&
nbsp; “We learned that four standard days ago, a delegation from three Earth consortiums met with representatives from Salvation to open diplomatic talks.”

  Reaction was immediate, a cacophony of disbelief and anger. Amid curses and words such as “never,” “impossible,” “insane,” and “treasonous,” Michael caught Cabrise out of the corner of his eye. The old commandant was studying him, as if he was privy to something dire, as if he anticipated the moment. Earlier, he whispered that Michael’s day was not going to improve “at all.”

  “How did this happen?” Nilsson asked.

  “Who approved this madness?” Frances added.

  “When and where?” Alayna asked.

  Forsythe waited for the voices to settle.

  “Here is what I know,” he said. “Bouchet’s people initiated communication with Supreme Admiral Poussard. She approved the meeting without consulting the full Admiralty. The terrorists demanded no military presence, so she recruited three trusted civilians. They rendezvoused with a Salvation ship half a million kilometers from Mars. Salvation also sent a team of three, including one Chancellor and two unarmed immortals.”

  Michael’s stomach twisted. One Chancellor. Could it be?

  “Poussard will lose her stripes for this,” Nilsson said. “She gave in to the Solomons, and now commits outright treason. You said she did an end-run of the Admiralty. Are they moving against her?”

  “I have no information on that count, Major. But as of six hours ago, when she spoke with me, Angela Poussard still held command.”

  “Eh,” Cabrise said. “New boss, same as the old boss. Supremes come and go. The important question, Captain, is why?”

  “Correct,” Forsythe said. “Why negotiate with terrorists …”

  “Who have killed millions of our people,” Alayna interrupted to strong agreement from the others. Forsythe was undeterred.

  “And why, given Salvation’s recent success, would they open lines of dialogue? Bouchet has publicly declared his goal: End Chancellory rule over the Collectorate, isolate Earth from the colonies, and establish a new center of power on Hiebimini.”