“Not always, but I put it behind me. I’m a different man now, especially since I joined the Guard.”
“As a soldier, yes. As a killer, yes. But still …” Percy drew an imaginary circle around Michael’s face. “If it makes you feel more comfortable, Cooper, know this. There are four planets filled with proto-Africans. Not everyone as black, but close. They’ve been writing their own history for a thousand years. They’re victors.”
Michael knew the names: Zwahili Kingdom, Mauritania, Boer, and Moroccan Prime. He studied what he could, although the Chancellory historical database in Tiers II and III offered only cursory overviews.
“Were they really the victors?” He asked Percy. “All those centuries, the Ark Carriers were hovering in orbit. Whenever wars or other conflicts needed to be put down, the peacekeepers rained from the sky and snuffed out the problem. The laws went through Chancellor Sanctums. Do the indigos sound like victors to you?”
Percy’s eyes searched for a response. Michael saw the confusion.
“It’s OK, Muldoon. Seriously. Nothing ruins the mood like talking politics. Look. You’ve been good to me from day one. I know how everybody else feels about having a PA in the squad.”
“I’ll admit, Cooper, it wasn’t easy. Couple of us did tours over the PA worlds. The rest, like me, heard all kinds of stories. The first time I saw your black face in that uniform, I felt sick to my stomach. The Admiralty said I was supposed to be your brother? Cud.” He took a drink and lowered his voice to a conspiratorial level.
“But don’t go telling anybody I said this. You’re the only interesting cudfrucker in the whole team. The rest of these assholes, they’re like every Chancellor I grew up with that wanted to be in the Guard. They killed at kwin-sho, they spout Elevation Philosophy like a fucking religion, and they want to slaughter as many different indigos as they can before their tour’s up. They see what’s happening to the Chancellory but they’re in denial.”
Michael dared to hope. He grabbed hold of the moment.
“There’s a term for it, Muldoon. ‘Spouting the party line.’ I get suspicious when a Chancellor doesn’t.”
“Dude. Why do you think I’m whispering?”
Michael laughed without thinking. “Damn. You called me dude.”
“Got it from you, Cooper. Like a lot of words and ideas I never heard before.” He leaned back and inhaled poltash. “Guess our stay in this fine little hellhole is coming to an end soon. Thought about what you’ll do after it’s all over?”
“What do you mean?”
“After we leave here and take Hiebimini. Think you might stay with spec-ops, or transfer to another duty? You’re a fine soldier.”
Michael chose his words with care. “Assuming I’m still alive? Frankly, Muldoon, I don’t have a clue. You know why I’m here.”
“Sure. Rescue your woman.”
“She ain’t my woman. She’s the love of my life. I can’t think past her. Get my speed?”
“More or less.”
“Besides,” Michael said, teeing up a line he knew would draw a laugh, “you think a dude like me could have a career in the Guard?”
Percy tried to hold it in, but the smirk was proof positive.
“When you put it that way … yeah, right. If you were assigned to a Carrier battalion, they’d space your black ass inside a week.”
“What? You think I’d last that long?”
“Carriers are huge. Lots of hiding places.”
“Good to know. So, as you might imagine, my options are limited.” Michael poured another round. “I’m curious, Muldoon. You ever been in love? I’m talking true love, not what you feel after a good fuck.”
Percy didn’t ponder for long. His answer was unsurprising.
“If I ever was, it passed through me without saying hello. Never saw it growing up, didn’t know what it looked like. My descendancy is more about loyalty and tradition. Love, not so much. Holds you back. Kills your leverage. Or so they taught me.”
“Yep,” Michael replied in a cloud of smoke. “That’s the Chancellory’s secret sauce. ‘If you don’t love them, it’s a lot easier to kill them.’ I learned that on Earth, and I mastered it when I put on this uniform. But here’s the rub, Muldoon. I was in love with Sam long before I became a killer. I murdered people for the Solomons. Now I murder people for the Chancellors.
“But guess what? I still love Sam. She’s four hundred sixty-five light-years away, and I love her more than ever. She’s my only reason for living. Shit. The only reason I deserve to live.
“So, I’m gonna ask you something important, and I need you to be honest. OK? I’m trusting you’re not just my brother, but you’re my friend.” Percy put down his half-full glass. Michael knew the next sixty seconds might decide his fate.
“When we were on disposal duty a few days ago, you told me you hoped I’d have my chance at saving Sam and killing Brother James. Did you mean it?”
“Of course.”
“To do that, I’d have to be part of the invasion fleet. Yes?”
He shrugged. “Naturally, Cooper.”
“Suppose the Admiralty barred me.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Dunno. Maybe I’d be a distraction. Or maybe they don’t wanna risk a combat hero who looks like me.”
“But … wait. Didn’t the Supreme Admiral give you an exemption?”
“She did, but times change. I’m just one dude, and a pretty goddamn inconvenient one, to boot.” He pushed the bottle aside and locked in on Percy. No more pretense. I have to know.
“Muldoon. Percy. Have you heard anything at all about what’s going to happen to me when we’re finished here? From the others? Nilsson?”
Michael saw a spark of recognition in those clumsy eyes. Percy stiffened and scanned the Commons.
“Look, Michael. When I was assigned to share quarters with you, Nilsson told me to provide regular reports about your activities.”
“What do you mean?”
“He wanted to make sure you weren’t working against us. He seemed worried about sedition.”
“That tracks. I did fight for the Solomons. Anything else?”
“Nothing about the invasion, which is damn odd because we’re offloading staff through the Anchor.”
“How do you know?”
“Nilsson assigned George, Carver, and Learner to four-hour lab rotations. George said she signed out five support staff this morning. Alayna said she might not be hooking up with me again until Praxis.”
“Hold up. Maj. Nilsson is running ops on Level 1?”
“I’m sure he’s following orders like the rest of us.”
“But whose orders? Don’t you think it’s damn strange? If we’re evacuating, why keep quiet?”
Percy tapped off his pipe and stowed it.
“Respect the chain of command.”
“Oh, yeah? And what if the chain is being broken?”
“Again, Michael. Not my worry. Yours either. Just play it cool. Our orders will come down soon enough. You’ll see.” Percy fidgeted, his body language shifting before Michael’s eyes. “Look, thanks for the drinks. I need to take a shower. Alayna gave me a damn fine workout. See you for chow in a couple hours. Yes?”
“Chow. Sure. See you then, Percy.”
Michael felt a sense of dread the instant Percy walked away. Others in the Commons seemed to be minding their own business, but he wondered how many were also in on the secret evacuation. How was Nilsson managing this under Cabrise’s nose? Why?
Michael left the half-empty bottle behind and followed his suspicions. He didn’t believe Percy was headed for the showers.
Indeed, Percy turned right upon exiting. The public showers were left, thirty meters, around two right-angle bends and adjacent to the sleeping quarters. Why are you lying? Michael stayed well behind.
He wasn’t stunned when Percy arrived at Maj. Nilsson’s office. The lieutenant stood outside for a moment, twiddling fingers, as if uncertain of
his decision. He tapped his forehead to open a stream but not a cube. Seconds later, the office door slid open and Percy entered.
Michael was twenty meters from Nilsson’s office. Beyond it, medpod. Around the next rough bend? Aldo’s executive office. Maybe it was time to drop any pretense and openly meet with Cabrise. At this point, what did he have to lose?
Someone else made the decision for him. A massive right arm looped over his chest as if to grab him in a chokehold.
“Now. I need you right this minute, Cooper.”
Shit. Col. Rachel Broadman spun him around in her usual opening move to foreplay. He didn’t have a chance to respond. She leveled her lips against his and pressed.
“You’ve been putting me off for a week,” she said. “No more, Cooper. The Colonel needs to be serviced. Yes?”
“I will,” he said between kisses. “I promise. But I have to …”
“No, you don’t. I checked the shift schedule. We need to fuck now. Do not make this difficult.”
She grabbed his wrists and pulled him backward toward the sleeping quarters. He recognized those savage eyes – deadlier during sex than combat. Rachel preferred her lovemaking nasty and violent; Michael found it equal parts exhausting and addictive. Indeed, he hardened as she towed him to his quarters.
“Is Muldoon inside?”
“No, Broadman, he’s not, but this ain’t the time to …”
She slapped the printlock. “Time to strip the sheets, 3-L-T.”
Rachel pushed him inside. He stumbled and turned. She filled the doorway, her arms swung wide, like a predator equipped to strike. Michael made the mistake of thinking he might yet talk her down. As a result, he didn’t anticipate what came next.
Rachel launched an aerial assault, her body flying forward and her right leg kicking in a swoop. This was a kwin-sho move, beyond Michael’s physical capability. Her shoe caught him square in the cheek. He reeled in blinding pain as she landed firm and blasted a vicious left hook that connected with his nose. He felt the blood streaming and knew something was broken.
As the door slid shut, a new truth shown in her savage eyes: This was not foreplay.
Michael wasn’t fast enough, not with his fists or a weapon. Rachel threw him against the rear bulkhead. He vibrated inside the Guard body armor. He endured her punishment often enough – starting from day one of spec-ops training – that he refused to flinch.
Rachel stood at ease.
“For the record, Cooper, you weren’t my first indigo, but you were the best. You held your own in my bed, and that counts for something. Now the fun’s over. We all had a part to play.”
I’m a goddamn idiot.
“Be straight me with, Broadman. What are you saying?”
“C’mon, Cooper. At some level, you had to know there was an expiration date.”
Michael laughed at his stupidity. “You’re not talking about sex.”
“No, I’m not. It’s too bad, if truth be told. You’re a good soldier.”
As if on cue, the door slipped open. Maj. Aiden Nilsson entered.
Michael didn’t have to read the Major’s vacant eyes to know what was coming next.
34
N ILSSON LOOKED MICHAEL UP AND DOWN and shook his head before turning to Broadman.
“Colonel, when did I say anything about drawing blood?”
Rachel shook out her left fist. “It was a parting gift, Major. Last gift same as the first: Blood and pain.” When she pivoted toward him, Michael saw no malice in her generous grin. “He took it like a man both times. Standing on two feet, prepared for more.”
“You’re dismissed, Colonel. Wait outside.”
She winked as she left, adding before the door slid shut:
“Hey, Cooper. As cave hunters go, I’ve never seen better.”
In any other context, Michael would have appreciated the sexual compliment. Instead, he was left alone with a man whose trust and respect he spent four months working to earn.
Nilsson pointed. “Given the shape of your nose, I’m surprised there’s not more blood.” Nilsson tapped the dispensary above Percy’s bunk and grabbed a footlong medcloth. “Here. Clean yourself up and have a seat, Lt. Cooper.”
“I’ll stand if it’s all the same, sir.”
“I gave you an order. Sit.”
Michael wiped the blood and dabbed at his nose, which had been broken so often he couldn’t believe it was still attached. Stay calm. Don’t react unless you got no choice. Nilsson remained standing.
“I’ve had suspicions about you for days now,” the Major said. “I was hoping you’d steer clear of the fire. But you’ve always been ten more questions waiting to be asked. I could give you a long-winded exposition, but let’s make it simple, Cooper. Tell me what you think is happening right now.”
Michael tossed the cloth aside and realized he was out of options.
“Major, I think you’re working with Frances Bouchet and Capt. Forsythe to tiptoe out of here with people you need for Praxis. Then you’re going to leave the rest behind for some reason that makes no goddamn sense. I reckon Forsythe has been ordered to hook up with the invasion force, wherever it’s hiding, until they finish building an Anchor big enough for all those ships to pass through. A substrata jumpgate, probably in the Euphrates system or close by. Emil Bouchet has been supervising construction.
“You’re not taking Cm. Cabrise because the Admiralty’s had enough of the old bastard. They won’t forgive him for resigning his last fleet command. As for me, well, I’m a problem the Chancellors had just assume go away. Permanently. Am I close?”
Nilsson scratched at his manicured beard.
“No one ever gave you enough credit, Lt. Cooper, including me. I felt the same way as Lt. Muldoon the first time I saw you in uniform.” Their eyes met, Michael realizing how easily he fell into their trap. “Yes, Cooper, I was listening. It violated protocol, and Muldoon strongly objected. But I had to know how close you were.
“To my point, Cooper: In the past three months, I’ve come to more than respect you as a soldier and a man. I admire you. The staggering pain you endured to pursue a goal with such a small likelihood of success is, frankly, beyond me. I have no frame of reference. Did you know I have a wife and two children?”
“No, sir.”
“Because I never talk about them. To be honest, I rarely think about them. Perhaps when this tour is finished. Yes?” He clasped his hands together. “OK then. To business.”
Nilsson took a seat on Percy’s bed.
“Most of your speculation is spot-on, Cooper. However, we do have a legitimate reason for leaving a majority of staff behind. We want to maintain the illusion of continuing operations in the event Brother James and his agents look our way. If they believe our work here is insignificant, we’ll buy the necessary time to finish the jumpgate and obliterate Salvation. We chose to remain quiet in order to avoid dissent or panic. As for Cabrise, this bait-and-switch operation was proposed weeks ago, and he objected to staying behind. Capt. Forsythe agreed to replace him with Col. Doltrice, but this was a ruse. I don’t think Cabrise ever bought it.”
Typical Chancellor shenanigans. “So, you and Forsythe decided to play hide-and-seek with the base commandant?”
“More or less. Alternatively, I could have arrested him.”
Goosebumps told him how to respond.. “The plan was proposed weeks ago, so you must have known the Anchors worked. Tell me, Major, how long has it been? That test the other day wasn’t the first.”
“No, Cooper. The Anchor was proven viable three months ago, right around the time we arrived here.”
Of course, it was. Assholes.
“And you needed all this extra time why?”
“While we built the jumpgate, we needed to produce enough Void energy compactors to power the pattern sleeves.”
Six months ago, that sentence would have made no sense to Michael. Now, he was able to take it to a logical conclusion.
“Energy compactors? Tho
se are installed in the jumpgate. Right? They act like the arms of the prototype down below. They open the aperture and fold space. You took a cube through the portal during the Anchor test. You said some nonsense about it recording black matter readings. But you were delivering a part of the gate to Emil Bouchet.”
Nilsson shook his head like he should have known better.
“Spoken like someone with a higher pay grade.”
“Whatever. The bottom line, Major?”
“Cooper, I’ll leave in two hours. Col. Broadman will assume my post. We’ll have enough security, be it the Mongols or the terrorists.”
“And me?”
Nilsson did something unexpected. He broke eye contact.
“If I had allowed you to mutiny, this would have been easier.”
“Fuck. You can’t be serious.”
“I’d tell you I’m surprised, but that would be a lie. I knew Poussard couldn’t make it stick for long. After your Samantha went from prisoner to ambassador, I knew it was only a matter of time before the order came down. You and Samantha are a footnote, so it won’t be hard to erase you from history. And that, 3-L-T, is where we stand right now.”
Michael didn’t bother reaching for a weapon. He might be fast enough to slice a laser between Nilsson’s eyes, but Rachel waited outside. Perhaps Percy, too. Maybe they all knew what was coming.
“I don’t believe you’ll do this to me, Major. I fought for you and I never disobeyed an order. I wear this uniform even though I have about thirteen thousand goddamn reasons to hate Chancellors.”
Nilsson jumped off the bed and paced.
“I saw an officer kill a subordinate once. It was my first year. I was an A-spec. The woman was convicted of treason. The commanding officer who brings the charge is required to fulfill the execution. A nasty business. The woman, I’ll never forget her. Reminds me of my wife.”
Michael didn’t care. “I reckon Supreme Admiral Poussard ain’t coming all the way out here to finish me off.”
“No. She’s safely tucked inside the GPM. Cooper, I’ve never lost a soldier under my command. Not for any reason. It’s the part of my record I’m most proud. So today, I’m going to do something that will almost certainly bring me shame for the rest of my career.”
The Impossible Future: Complete set Page 128
