Absolute Knowledge Box Set (Books 1-3)

by Drew Cordell

  After what seemed to be endless insistence and two medical scans, Bracken allowed me to continue my conversation with Jex. I didn’t want to send her away so soon since she had just arrived.

  “I’m sorry for that, Baroness Brae. I hope you’ll excuse my poor decision and hope we can continue our conversation.”

  Jex smiled. “Of course, Jake. So … what was this Infinitum you mentioned?”

  “I think I was delusional for a second. I meant to say the Omniscience Engine,” I said, trying to be as convincing as possible.

  She gave a sly smile and leaned closer again, her pink lipstick shimmering in contrast to the blue blouse she wore. “Only we both know that’s not true,” she whispered. “I don’t know why you wouldn’t tell me the truth, Baron. There are … opportunities for our two houses to unite in a mutually beneficial way.” She stroked the side of my face with her hand, making me feel more than a little uncomfortable.

  “Baroness, the terrorist who decided to attack might very well still be alive, and names are very powerful things. I suggest you forget I said anything and chalk it up to the unfortunate side effects of mixing medication with alcohol.”

  “Of course, Baron Ashton. I’m sure that’s all it was, but if you recall anything else you’d like to tell me, just give me a call and I’ll be happy to have you flown to my estate. Don’t worry about calling late, either.” She leaned forward even further to pick up something on the coffee table, then smiled as she caught my gaze. She was beautiful, but something dark swam behind those glimmering eyes. She knew more than she was letting on, and it seemed like she was waiting for me to confirm information she already knew. I had to be careful around her, and I couldn’t make mistakes like this again.

  “Certainly, Baroness. I appreciate you coming over to see me and once again apologize for my poor decision.”

  “Thank you for having me, Baron. I’m looking forward to another dance once you’ve recovered from your injuries. I still haven’t forgotten our first.”

  She leaned in and kissed me on the cheek before departing, and I was left alone, cursing my stupidity.

  3 PREPARATIONS

  Bracken had done wonders to help me navigate through the unfamiliar territory of Olympus and learn the proper etiquette, social expectations, and complex political relationships that ebbed and flowed in strange ways. I still had a lot to learn, but I was fitting in well. After a proper scolding and lecture from Bracken on common sense, I was permitted to take a bath and get changed for dinner while he and a few robots began preparing the ingredients to cook the feast. Bracken told me the meal would be a surprise and I’d just have to enjoy it, though I expected that wouldn’t be a problem.

  After a thorough bath and another small meal with a dose of medicine, it was time to get dressed. I put on one of my finest suits that brandished an intricate swirling pattern of light gray over the dark charcoal gray of my house colors. Bracken helped me with my cufflinks and the tie. I thanked him before being wheeled out to the kitchen where the heavenly aroma of whatever he started cooking was flooding through my house.

  “Are you feeling well, Jake?” he asked.

  “Yes, but I won’t be doing any drinking this evening.”

  “I’ll have non-alcoholic wine at the dinner so you can still drink; it’s expected you will have wine to accompany your meal,” he said. “You won’t have a repeat of what happened with Baroness Brae earlier.”

  “Great. Thank you, Bracken,” I replied as he stopped me in front of the table and grabbed his datapad.

  “Now, let’s have a short etiquette lesson prior to dinner, shall we?” he asked.

  Declining the lesson wasn’t an option and we both knew it, so I groaned and paid attention as he ran through the expectations of me as a host. I was expected to pour the first and third glass of wine for my guests, but only if they requested a second glass prior to the third. I was also to provide a replacement beverage such as beer, champagne, or a juice or tea should they not favor any of the wine selections I had to offer. The rule was to be modified due to my condition, and Bracken would take my place in pouring the beverages. It was still required, however, that I made the recommendations for substitutes and wines to accompany the meal.

  Due to the short amount of time he had to prepare me, Bracken simply explained what went well with what rather than having me taste everything and deduce my own beverage pairings. The whole system was bizarre, but then again, so were most of the strange social expectations set in Olympus.

  As host, I was also expected to dictate the pace of dinner in which the courses were served based on how slow or how fast everyone was eating. “Move the meal along too quickly from the appetizer, and guests could become disgruntled. Too slowly, and you’ll have the same result,” Bracken warned. After agreeing I should attempt to regulate the pace of dinner but check for approval from Bracken first with a subtle gesture, we were set to move onto the entertainment phase of the evening.

  Given my condition, Bracken opted for games rather than dancing. The game to be played was called Elorium, which was considered the pinnacle of social gaming in Olympus. The game itself had been devised by the Omniscience Engine and the official League of Elorium, which consisted of members of the various houses of Olympus. Bracken broke into the rules of the game using two decks of cards he pulled from a small, polished wood chest. The cards were made of some sort of plastic polymer and displayed an image when placed on the specialized board which acted as a holo projector. The interesting part was that the game was played over the course of four different ages which represented different points of progress in the Absolute Knowledge project.

  “These decks are cheap, but they’re well rounded so you can learn how to play quickly. I’ve constructed these to be a simple but versatile build that will allow you to do well against any other archetype, but you won’t be able to beat another exceptionally well,” he said as he laid the cards out on the table in front of me. There were sixty cards, fifteen for each of the four ages, plus one unique hero card that was separate from the deck.

  “A hand starts with four cards, and you’ll draw a card on the start of your turn. The goal is to manage your resources and try to stop what your opponent is doing while you try to score. Overextend in one of the beginning ages and you might not do well in the third and fourth age of the game. Play too conservatively in the first two ages, you might not be able to catch up at the end. It’s all about balance and reacting to what your opponent is doing.”

  Bracken explained the card types and rules in simple terms, and we played our first game. Bracken allowed me to win since I heeded his advice and played a good number of cards through each of the four ages, careful to avoid the various play penalties. The game featured the history of Absolute Knowledge and contained characters, events, and buildings that were responsible for the project. At the end of an age, or at the point where both players decided to pass their turn, the next age was shuffled into their decks and they’d draw an additional four cards. I bitterly noted the distinct lack of an Infinitum card, but was actually enjoying the game. After the first, we decided to start a second.

  “Play your hero too early, and you’re bound to lose them. Too late, and you won’t get enough benefits out of them to outscore your opponent,” Bracken instructed as he laid down his hero on the first age of the game.

  “That isn’t too early?” I asked as I pointed to the hero that contradicted his instructions.

  “Not really, especially considering my hand,” he said with a sly grin.

  I didn’t know what he was up to, but I decided to call his bluff. I shrugged and tried to remove his hero, Margaret Gareth, by the use of a political card which should have worked. Bracken held up his finger and played a card that interrupted my own and protected his hero.

  We continued through the first two ages and I finally laid down my hero, Barthon Kasra, at the start of the third age, gaining a powerful effect for playing him so late. It wasn’t enough, however,
and Bracken somehow managed to outplay me handily in the fourth age, playing multiple cards and dealing with many of them that would score for me at the end of the game. By the end, Bracken had almost double my score.

  “If you overextend like you did in the second age, then you will run out of fuel for the fourth age since you were trying to come back in the third age,” he said as he swept up his cards. “Next time try to play a little less earlier on since you were free to score and deal with my threats. You played too much, and I was able to significantly outplay you in the third and fourth age because of it. Remember the play penalties you get based on the cards you played in the last round. Sure you can score big in one of the earlier rounds, but you’ll be hurting later on and I can take advantage of it.”

  Bracken called over Samantha, the dark-haired housekeeper who worked in my home, as she was passing by. She was pleasant and looked excited to see us. Her excitement grew when she learned she would be playing Elorium against me as a tutor while being paid for her time. As Bracken tended to the necessary steps needed to prepare the meal, Samantha and I played several games of Elorium, switching decks and going over different strategies I might encounter in the evening.

  “Do you play often?” I asked her, impressed with her skill and grasp of the game.

  “Not on any official scale. I’m afraid I could never afford a real deck; even a Kai rush deck is out of my reach. The working class of Olympus tends to make their own copies of cards. Needless to say they don’t work with the holo boards, but it’s cheaper to make our own.”

  I gawked. “Are these cards that expensive?”

  “Yes. The Board of Elorium sets the prices on all the cards based on their power and the demand from players. Some of the most sought after cards can cost up to fifty units a piece.”

  It was unbelievable these cards could cost that much money, yet again, the houses of Olympus needed means to spend their extravagant wealth in needless ways.

  “Wow,” I said. “And these decks we’re playing with?”

  “Probably a gift from House Adrihel, but they’re easily worth about two hundred units combined,” she replied as she thumbed through the decks. “Actually, you’ll probably have some cards created for your house shortly, sir,” she said. “New cards are based on the history of Olympus, and you are currently the only house without cards. Needless to say, anything added for you will only be playable in the fourth age portion of a player’s deck. Best of all, as House Ashton, you’ll get a free set of the new cards pertaining to your house!” she exclaimed.

  Samantha and I played for another hour or so before Bracken deemed it necessary to make final preparations for the night’s festivities. He quizzed me on all the pointless dinner etiquette that was expected of me as host, a few more advanced rulings of Elorium, and then made some adjustments to my suit and appearance. Satisfied everything was in order, Bracken sent my transportation ship to pick up Mary and Marwin while space was cleared for Colton Adrihel’s personal ship that would escort both the Supreme Leader and the Supreme Lady to my estate. The sun was already down, and the brilliant lights on the landing platform and the rest of Olympus were the only things lighting the dark sky. It was almost time for the big event.

  4 DINNER PARTY

  My ship returned first, and Marwin escorted Mary down the ramp of the ship toward my house. The sight of her through the window sent my heart racing and pangs of panic surging through my veins. Her hair was curled in elegant swirls, and sparkling green emerald earrings swung from her ears in the wind of Olympus. She was wearing a dark green dress with a white sash wrapped around her waist, the loose strands of cloth flourishing behind her as she walked forward. Her silver hand was holding onto Marwin’s hooked elbow.

  The two of them entered my home, and I smiled at them. Marwin greeted me with a strong handshake and slap on the back, then walked toward Bracken who was waiting farther back, intent on his duties.

  “Bracken, there must be something I can help with,” Marwin said, his voice polite. I was sure he was signaling Bracken to walk with him to give Mary and me some space before the Adrihels arrived.

  “It just so happens there is. Do you know you almost caused this party to be cancelled?” Bracken asked Marwin. His voice was friendly, the anger lost in the seemingly endless wave of preparations needed for the evening.

  Mary was looking down and away from me as she walked in. Her replacement hand was a brilliant silver, and dark green pistons lay under the outer shell which glimmered in the bright light.

  “Hi,” I said, trying to catch her gaze.

  “Baron Ashton,” she said, still looking away from me, avoiding my eyes.

  “Mary, I’m so sorry. You have to believe I was trying to do my best to save our lives. That thing would have killed us both if I had given it what it wanted.”

  “Oh, I believe that,” she said, looking at me for the first time. Her eyes were cold and hard, and her voice sent chilling waves down my spine. There was nothing friendly behind her eyes anymore. “What I can’t believe is you would keep me in the dark from whatever is going on with you and shut me out, as if I meant nothing to you. After everything we’ve been through,” she choked, emotion surging through her voice.

  “I’m trying to protect you. If you know what I know, Infinitum will come after you again,” I managed, fighting back tears that were trying to surface. I couldn’t believe how much I had hurt her despite my best intentions.

  “Well, I don’t think there is anything you can do to protect me if that thing decides to come after me again. I understand the danger, but you need to tell me whatever it knows about you if you care about our relationship and want to work on repairing it. I don’t think I can handle anymore lies, Jake. It hurts more than anything else. You’re the only one I have left in this world, and I feel like I’ve already lost you.”

  “I’ll tell you everything I can later tonight if we have the opportunity. No more lies,” I said, tears streaming down my face. “I’m so sorry.”

  I wanted to reach out and hug her, to hold her in my arms and spill everything that had happened to me, but it wasn’t the time nor the place. Adrihel’s ship had arrived, and the ramp was starting to deploy.

  “I’ll make this right,” I promised.

  Mary mustered the strength to give me a nod before walking off to the kitchen to stand with Marwin. She brushed the tears from her eyes and renewed her smile before striding off, her high heels clicking on the stone floor. I watched her walk away, admiring her and thinking about how beautiful she looked in her dress.

  I composed myself and Bracken joined me, ready to welcome our honored guests. Bracken walked out onto the platform and escorted Colton and Chelsea to the entrance of my home. Colton was wearing a fine suit in black and copper with various jewelry, his hair styled with a thin layer of gel. His wife, Chelsea, was wearing a sleek black dress and copper colored jewelry. The Supreme Lady was tall and had brown hair similar to Mary’s. Her features were sharp and slim.

  The three of them walked inside where I waited, preparing myself and remembering all the social expectations of me.

  “Supreme Leader Adrihel welcome to my home,” I said as they approached. I put on a gracious smile and wheeled myself forward. “Please forgive me for not standing.”

  “Baron Ashton, it’s so wonderful to see you doing well. We’ve kept you in our thoughts and wish you a continued and speedy recovery,” he said as he shook my metal hand with a powerful grip. “The new arm turned out very well,” he remarked as he appraised my hand.

  “Thank you, sir. I’m very grateful you made the arrangements for the procedure,” I said. Colton waved his hand in the air, dismissing the thanks. I pivoted my chair to the Supreme Lady and spoke to her. “Supreme Lady Adrihel, it is my pleasure and privilege to have you over for dinner this evening. You look stunning as always,” I remarked as I took her hand and gently kissed the top of it as Bracken had instructed.

  She smiled. “You are too kind, Ba
ron. Thank you for hosting this lively event.”

  We started toward the kitchen and Bracken gave me a deep nod of satisfaction in regard to my manners and the excellent job I had done so far. Mary and Marwin greeted the Adrihels, and I moved everyone to the dinner table to prepare for the meal.

  “We will be enjoying a three-course meal prepared by Bracken,” I began. “The first course, a light stew featuring scallops, onion, and a creamy butter wine base will be served with freshly baked bread. The main course, a steak pasta with a tangy and spicy red sauce, will be served and followed up by a delicious fudge cake, vanilla bean and mint ice cream, and a session of drinks and a few hands of Elorium.”

  Bracken gave me a faint nod, indicating satisfaction with my demeanor. I recommended a tart white wine to go with the stew, and all of my guests deemed it acceptable. Bracken walked around the table and poured the first glass for everyone as my housekeepers brought the bowls of stew to the table. I broke the loaf of fresh bread and passed the basket to my guests as we began eating.

  “This is delicious,” Colton exclaimed as he used his large spoon to dig deep in the stew. I noticed he took eight scoops with the spoon, a slight infraction of the customary rule of only using it for the first seven. I stifled a grin at the ridiculous rule and placed my large spoon down after the seventh bite after I noticed Bracken was watching me closely. A thin smile formed at the corners of his mouth when I didn’t take the eighth bite using the large spoon. Conversation was sparse as the stew was enjoyed, and it hadn’t drifted to the heavier topic of discussion that was looming ahead. I was content with putting it off as long as possible, wanting to focus on being a perfect host and have time to think about everything I was going to say.

  Colton downed his glass of wine quickly and Taylor, the other housekeeper, poured another glass for him. Bracken was keeping close tabs on everything and swooped in to pour another glass of wine for Colton after he had finished the second glass. After seeing that everyone was close to finishing their stews, I decided to move the dinner to the main course. Heaping plates of spaghetti were served to everyone, delectable columns of steam rising and spreading the sweet and spicy aroma throughout the room. Mushroom, steak, and onions were chopped neatly and combined with the thick tangles of noodles to form my new favorite meal of all time. I recommended a sweet red wine that would accent the spice of the sauce and help bring out the sweetness as well. Again, everyone accepted the recommendation, and Bracken poured the wine into new glasses after the old dishes were whisked away.