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

“Everything is new. It’s like I was never here.”

“Because you were not. Rebirth allows an immortal to see the truths he never had the courage to face when mortal.”

“Why don’t I cry for my family?”

“Because they were never your family. Don’t grieve for the life you lost. Celebrate the life we have granted you.”

Rikhi did not let go of Valentin’s hand until they reached the fields – or what was left of them. The barren wasteland had not been tilled in months; breezes kicked up swirls of gray granules. The fields, which once produced the best array of vegetables and berries for three hundred kilometers, stretched half a mile toward the horizon, ending at the base of the mesas.

The olive-armored soldiers lined up in front of the townspeople. Rikhi rarely saw so many Peshawanians together. More citizens arrived as the crowd spread out along the foot of the fields. Rikhi heard Valentin say, “We’re in position, brother. Open the aperture.”

Thirty seconds later, Brahma shook beneath their feet as a flash brighter than the sun exploded before them, accompanied by thunder. When he looked up, a Scramjet hovered above the field thirty meters from the crowd.

The starboard port pixelated and disappeared. A giant more monstrous than Admiral Valentin, bigger than anything Rikhi recalled from UG propaganda streams, stood in the open port. He wore a full-length robe that shimmered in waves of silver and olive. His beard was full and as golden as the hair that fell over his shoulders. Rikhi gasped when this monster leaped from the Scramjet but did not fall.

He descended, as if taking gentle steps down a staircase only he saw. When he reached the soil, he broke the crowd’s silent awe.

“My name is Brother James, and we share a common enemy. I intend to destroy the Chancellory, and I will slaughter every human who comes between me and my goal. I control life. I control death. I am a destiny created a million years ago, and I will lead you to independence and true prosperity. All I ask in return is your absolute, unquestioned loyalty. What you see here today, you will spread across Brahma, and our great news will travel across the colonies. When the time comes, you will join me in the defeat of an empire.”

No one spoke, but they shared quizzical glances as if mystified by this creature. Brother James bent down and touched the soil.

It happened at once. A mind-boggling sight. Surely, an illusion. Like others, Rikhi could not help but drop to his knees and cry.

The field came alive. Rows of green blasted through the soil and contorted into maturity, most of a life cycle passing in seconds. The green expanse spread like a virus to the distant ends of the fields. Corn, melons, berries, tomatoes, winyards, and tube legumes blossomed and began fruiting.

“Your bounty has returned,” Brother James said. “I have cleansed the soil. Your community will flourish again. But your success cannot be guaranteed unless we remove your enemy.”

The Scramjet fired its thrusters and moved clear. It pivoted then hit a burst. In less than thirty seconds, it came to a halt, a silver bullet in the distant sky, and unleashed a torrent of ovoid energy slews upon its target. The Indira Reclamation plant exploded in a mountain of flames. As the Scramjet started back toward the crowd, Brother James took steps in their direction.

Valentin grabbed Rikhi’s hand again and escorted him through the crowd. When they reached the front and passed through the gantlet of armored disciples, Valentin offered comforting words.

“Don’t be intimidated, Rikhi. Brother James and I will love you like no one in Peshawan ever could.”

They came together. Only at his feet did Rakhi notice the red glow in the giant’s eyes. Not a man. Something else. Was it true?

James did not speak to Rikhi, but he stood beside his brother as Valentin made a proclamation.

“Bring the apostates forward.”

The eight men and women who were dragged to Valentin’s feet in the town square stumbled at gunpoint. They apologized, they begged for forgiveness, and at least one peed his pants.

Rikhi’s father spoke for the group.

“Brother James, thank you. We promise to work with you in the future. We will never do business with the Chancellors again.”

The miracle worker showed no expression as he studied Muhar.

“What happens next,” Brother James said, “has nothing to do with the future. You cannot change your crimes of the past. Apostates become enemies, and enemies have to die.”

The giant leaned into Rikhi’s father and blew onto Muhar’s face as if extinguishing a candle. Instead, Muhar twisted as his body glowed from within and erupted into flame. Rikhi saw the horror in his father’s eyes before they incinerated, but it was as if Muhar were a stranger. Rikhi felt all memories of life as a Syed drift away in the breeze with his father’s ashes.

The other seven became fleeting torches until nothing was left.

Valentin addressed the dazed residents of Peshawan.

“As a final act of confirmation, Brother James asks that you signal your absolute loyalty by lying upon the ground, your faces kissing the soil which he has restored to you. Do this now, and he will leave you in peace, with a guarantee of permanent protection from the peacekeepers and the Chancellory.”

Few hesitated. Many parents dragged their kids down with them. Nonetheless, a few dozen remained standing, defiant and willing to meet Brother James eye to eye. Rikhi knew they were fools. Why couldn’t they accept the new future?

The olive soldiers opened fire and annihilated the defiant few.

They left the townspeople in a strange stew of huddled tears and rampant joy. Many found the courage to race into the field and explore the impossible bounty. As they did so, the immortals, their disciples, and the