The Impossible Future: Complete set Frank Kennedy (freenovel24 .TXT) 📖

those other eight assets in our possession. Second, I need her for him.” Perrone tossed out a cube of the observation deck on level 30, where James faced his doppelganger. “He is the most stunning evolution in the history of the human race. If he represents our future – and that remains a significant if – he will need a partner for procreation. In the end, our survival rests on the ability to make babies. The Chancellory has, at best, one more generation before we lose that ability. Yes?”

Perrone cut himself short. He was not ready to mention Valentin’s restoration. They didn’t need to know about the immortals. Not yet.

“Speaking of the other assets,” Admiral Fierston said, “We have dispatched teams to the appropriate colonies, and we should have a grasp on our success rate within the next standard day. We are working on less intelligence than we had for the Earth assets.”

“We are dangling by a thread,” Leonard said. “If this falls apart, if word gets back to the Green, if Emil reestablishes his leverage with the systemwide presidiums, we could lose everything. I put my entire descendency on the line, Augustus. I want a future for the Chancellory, but not at the cost of living the rest of my days in disgrace.”

Perrone smiled. “You speak for everyone, I’m sure. But I intend for this gambit to go our way. Are there any further concerns?”

When the circastream ended, Perrone dissolved the cubes.

“Well done, Sexton. Now, for the hard choices. We have loose bolts in need of tightening. Is our man in Ophelia’s company ready to move on our orders?”

“He is. I think we gave him through more hardship than he expected, and he’s rather put-out. But he’ll act when told.”

“Excellent. As soon as we have the Ukrainian in our custody, and the off-world assets are secured, Ophelia loses the last of her value. The moment that happens, I want her dead. She is far too loud.”

“Yes. And once she knows what we…”

“She might find her way back to Emil Bouchet.”

“And the others in her company? The friends loyal to James?”

“They will not matter much longer.” He pointed to the last cube, which showed James now talking to his brother. “Valentin made a move toward reconciliation, as you predicted, Sexton. He is where we need him. Humbled. He will defer to his older brother, as any good Chancellor might. Perhaps they will even connive against us. No matter! Let them have their fun. As long as James has the loyalty of a brother and is paired with the mother of his future children, he will lose interest in Samantha and Michael. Then we tighten loose bolts. Yes?”

Sexton nodded. “If I may, sir? Your ability to play the game with such relish has been beautiful to observe.”

Perrone took another sip before setting the cup on his desk.

“I do love it, Major. I only wish I had acted soon enough to see the same admiration on the face of my son. I like to think Christian would have enjoyed the game.” His smile disappeared. “Which reminds me. Tell our man that when the time comes, I want Michael Cooper to experience unimaginable pain before we execute him.”

“I will see it done, Admiral.”

Marshall left the office, and Perrone studied the live cube from level 30. He watched Valentin move ever closer to James. And then, after numerous exchanges, it happened. The necessary turn.

Valentin extended his right hand.

“And so it begins,” Perrone whispered.

24

T HE FIRST TIME JAMES STUDIED VALENTIN, he looked into the eyes of a grizzled war veteran. A hardened warrior, perhaps in his mid-twenties, a monster of a man rippling with the features of a Mr. Universe. Now, as James grew toward his brother’s mass, he thought of Valentin as the 15-year-old he truly was. Softer, stunned by a reality he never thought possible, rethinking the world, afraid of what he might learn next.

“I wish I knew where to start,” Valentin said. “Every instinct told me you had to die. I never knew of you until yesterday, and my family legacy… it belonged to me. Only me. You heard the admiral before the fight. What he promised me if I won.”

“Oh, sure,” James smiled. “He tossed some whoppers my way, too. But fact is, I knew things even he didn’t. Still doesn’t. And that fight? Dude, you never had a chance, despite what Perrone said.”

Valentin nodded. “You are suggesting he foresaw the outcome?”

“Not sure, but I reckon he made an educated guess. Look, Valentin, I’ve only been this way for a little while, but I know what I can do. And dude, I’m just getting started.”

Valentin examined James’s body. “This growth. It will continue?”

“Looks like.”

“To what end?”

“I don’t think there is an end. I’m not human, at least not anymore. We might have the same DNA, but I got something else flowing through my blood. And it’s a damn sight more powerful.”

In the awkward pause that followed, Valentin sighed. He looked askance, as if seeking a new way forward.

“When I was young, just entering Tier 1, I wished for a brother. Most of my peers had older siblings, many of them in the UG. They were sources of great inspiration. I was small for my age, so I needed inspiration.”

James thought of Ben for the first time since he crossed the fold. His heart raced.

“I get it,” he told Valentin. “I had a brother, so to speak. Turned out he wasn’t. Not a source of inspiration, either, but I reckon he tried his best for me.”

“Perhaps you will tell me about him one day.”

“I think my old life will fade away before long.”

Valentin stiffened his shoulders. “I understand. The future is the only path. Yes? Tell me, James, where do we go from here?”