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

Poussard and the Sanctums decide what to do with us. We’ve had no allegiance to Chancellors or Solomons. Being in-between makes us an inconvenience.”

“But,” Sam said, “you have my full protection.”

“Along those lines, I’ve been meaning to speak with you, Ms. Pynn. I have an idea I would like to broach before the Admiralty. It’s a delicate proposal, but if they’re serious about securing Earth, I think they’ll listen.”

“Absolutely. I can make it happen as soon as tomorrow. My allies and I will be returning to the GPM for more meetings. Join us.”

Michael swooned with pride at the confidence in Sam’s voice. She was becoming the woman he always knew was there, and he loved her more with each new blossom.

Later, after the party settled in nicely and Michael had his fill of delicacies and lit a pipe with the best poltash he ever smoked, he spotted David Ellstrom, sitting alone outside under the gazebo. He brought along a bottle of jubriska and another pipe and made himself at home on the bench next to David.

“Here you go,” he said, handing David a pipe. He saw David’s hesitation. This might have been a party for most, but it was a wake for Finnegan’s Chief of Staff.

“Remember that first night?” Michael asked. “Nearabout got myself killed at Entilles, and instead I wound up sitting outside smoking with Finn. I really wasn’t sure I could trust him, but I figured he was the best shot we had. And yeah, for the record, Sam told me what really went down at Entilles. I know it was a setup, but he was fighting a war, just like the rest of us. He was my friend.”

“Finnegan was so very impressed with you,” David said, lighting the pipe. “The next morning, he said the depth of your humanity excited him and terrified him. You see, Finnegan spent most of his life looking for answers after his Guard years. I think he’d all but given up. It’s why he put his efforts into penetrating the inner circle of the hardliners. He thought that bringing them to ruin in some measure would make up for his savagery as a peacekeeper.”

“I didn’t know.”

“Few did. Meeting you recharged Finnegan.”

“So, why did he do it, David? Sam told me you warned him to leave Celia Marsche before it was too late. Why didn’t he?”

David poured himself a drink. “I’ve asked myself that question a hundred times. I’m still reviewing the data on his admin stack. Perhaps he left a final message embedded somewhere I haven’t overturned. Maybe after he acquired enough to bring down Celia, he didn’t care about himself anymore.” David threw back the liquor and wiped his lips. “He saved us all. There would be war in every city right now if not for him.”

“I never thought I’d see the day,” Michael said between puffs. “A selfless Chancellor. I’m honored I knew him.” He threw back a glass and poured himself another. “And what about you? Sam told me about the shit that went on at the Moss compound.”

“Yes. Nasty business. But I’m doing my best to extricate myself. Finnegan’s wife and brother have already notified their intention to claim the estate under dual ownership.”

“Wait. The dude was married?”

“Name only. A legal maneuver to leverage his family holdings. His brother Ethan is the executive officer on the UGT Maricopa. They landed outside Paris Dome last night. Ethan did not share Finnegan’s views about the Guard. They hadn’t spoken in years.”

“Now that sounds more like a typical Chancellor family.” Michael held up his glass and proposed a toast. “To Finnegan Moss.”

Their glasses clinked. “To Finnegan,” David said.

“Maybe there’s hope for the Chancellors, after all.”

They drank and smoked for a few more minutes until Michael encouraged David to return to the party.

They soon found themselves amid a funeral.

Nervous eyes, low voices, and a few tears awaited them.

He found Sam.

“What happened?”

He saw her dismay, as if she couldn’t bear to say it.

“Sam, what is it? Don’t tell me the cease-fire broke down.”

“It’s too hard to believe, even for him.”

“Him who?”

“James.” The word fell off her tongue like a synonym for the plague. “Ohmigod, Michael. The others were right. They were always right. We should have killed him before he left Albion.”

What happened next reminded Michael that while the Chancellory was one enemy, it wasn’t the enemy.

74

T HEY WATCHED THE TRANSMISSION INSIDE Merton Bayfield’s private office. He threw open a holowindow. Michael had no words for what he saw. This creature with golden locks flowing over his shoulders and a neatly trimmed beard of the same tone in no way resembled the kid he met while swimming in the Alamander River. The red glow in the creature’s eyes highlighted the lack of any leftover humanity. And the voice? Like the echo chamber of a demon spawned from hell. He took Sam’s hand and felt her tremors.

“My name is Brother James,” the creature began. “I bring Salvation to the Collectorate and liberation to all the peoples who have bowed to the Chancellory for a thousand years. Once, you called the Chancellors and their so-called peacekeepers your gods, your protectors, your benefactors. Now, you have a new god, and I have the strength and the will to destroy every remaining Chancellor.

“Today, my hand has reached out across eighteen systems. I have obliterated forty-eight Ark Carriers. If the Chancellory does not meet my demands, I will destroy the remainder of their fleet within seven standard days. I encourage all indigenous civilians of the thirty-eight colonies to rise up against the Chancellor Sanctums and expel them from your worlds. I encourage you to take vengeance upon the very caste that has deprived you of greatness and stolen the resources of your worlds. Demand every Chancellor leave your worlds immediately or face death.