“No. Arae, Cosime. Those feral Barisan gladiators would rip our limbs off and use them as clubs on each other.” He traced a winding pattern up her calf with his fingertip, his gaze dropping to hide the struggle he suspected was evident in his expression. She couldn’t be caged, could she? Not even when the cage was an entire planet’s worth of halcyonic beauty and the man she loved was her constant companion to enjoy it with. More relevantly, she shouldn’t be caged. Not when she shone so fiercely when free. All right, then.
“So, I heard that Concord is instituting an intelligence agency—almost like it’s planning to be a real government or something. Alex’s friend, Richard Navick, is slated to head it up.”
Excitement danced in Cosime’s eyes. “Do you think he’ll give us a job? We can do so much good as agents of chaos.”
“Or stopping agents of chaos.” He chuckled. “I think he already offered us one.”
“What? When were you going to tell me?”
“I’m telling you now.” He threw her back onto the bedcovers, pinned her arms above her head and leaned in close. “Are you sure this is what you want to do?”
“I am crazy sure.”
“You are definitely crazy, and I love you madly for it.” His lips brushed across hers. “Okay. If it’s what you want, we’ll do it.”
For all that it had now cost him everything, he couldn’t bring himself to regret the choice he’d made, or the thirteen years which had followed. They’d torn up this corner of the universe in service of their mission to stop—and occasionally cause—chaos, get into fights and generally keep the citizens of their new, better-than-the-Directorate empire safe.
He brought the shirt to his face and breathed in her lingering scent on the fabric before folding it and placing it atop the dresser along the far wall. Then he went out onto the porch, where their hammocks swung idly in the morning breeze.
He stood on the far rim of the porch, his toes curling over the edge. His muscles strained with the profound need to jump, to plummet to the forest floor below…but then everything would simply start over again.
During the trip here, he’d worked out how he’d be able to hack into the Concord regenesis server and delete the cache backup they were now keeping of his mind. Then he’d be free to disconnect his integral a final time and end it all, like he’d planned to do after delivering Torval to the Savrakaths.
A will to survive wasn’t what stopped him from doing it. One day it might, but he hadn’t found the strength of that will yet. No, duty stopped him. Drae had been right about one thing. A lot of people had worried over him, searched for him and helped him, though he didn’t deserve any of it. It wouldn’t be fair for him to let them down a second time.
So he would keep drawing air, for now, even as every breath cut his chest open in fresh welts of agony. For his friends, until he reached a place where he could do it for himself.
A songbird landed atop one of the tree limbs that teased the patio, sang a dulcet morning tune for him, then beat its wings and flew off.
Tears were streaming down his cheeks before he realized it. His chest heaved, all the air driven from his lungs, and he sank to the smooth teak floor. He couldn’t hold the deluge at bay any longer—and this was why he’d come here, wasn’t it? If he was going to mourn her, he needed to do it here in their home, where she’d infused everything she touched with rich, vibrant life.
Sobs wracked his body in punishing waves, and he at last surrendered himself to the grief.
73
* * *
SAVRAK
Malcolm struggled through a gap where two pieces of concrete had landed diagonally to one another and climbed out into the searing heat of the midday Savrak sun. He squinted, blinking away overpowering halos while his eyes adjusted to seeing real light for the first time in weeks.
When his vision finally cleared, he looked behind him to see…nothing. The entire landscape had been eradicated. He couldn’t even tell what sort of building had once stood there, for no trace of it remained. There should have at least been clouds of soot and debris clogging the sky, but he inhaled only crisp if hot air.
To his left, a crater fifty meters deep and almost a kilometer wide had cleaved a cavernous bowl into the ground. The main force of the blast had missed the underground wing where he’d been held captive by less than a hundred meters; as much destruction as he’d just traversed, his prison had been spared the worst of it. Only nonconventional weaponry inflicted such damage. So who had inflicted it?
Two Savrakath ships approached rapidly from the southeast, and he broke into a loping run to get free of the destruction. His left leg ached from dragging the chain and brace up through four levels of jagged ruins and now mucky soil that wanted to pull him back down into its depths, but he forced himself to keep moving forward. No part of his bruised and weakened body was going to stop until he was off this planet, dammit.
He stumbled across multiple bodies thrown wide of the destruction. One or two of them might have still been alive…and he couldn’t bring himself to stop and check. He’d deal with the guilt of not doing so later, once he was home and safe and wrapped up in Mia’s arms.
Finally he reached a small copse of swamp trees a few dozen meters beyond the last of the debris. He dropped his hands on his thighs, winded and gasping for air. The instant he’d caught his breath, he straightened up and tried to remember how to comport himself like a soldier, then sent a message to AEGIS Operations at the Presidio.
“This is Fleet Admiral Malcolm Jenner, authorization ACZ-21Y18 Omega Zulu Mark 3.1. I need a priority Caeles Prism extraction at my location.”
AEGIS Operations: “Sir? But you’re—please repeat your authorization code.”
He frowned but complied, one eye on the sky, where in the distance more Savrakath response units began arriving at the crater.
AEGIS Operations: “I see. Um…I need to check with my supervisor. Sir.”
“Please do hurry. My position will be compromised at any moment.”
No response was immediately forthcoming, and he crouched low beneath the trees’ overhang to hopefully avoid being spotted by the approaching craft. He was so close to freedom, if the military bureaucracy failed him now….
It took three minutes before he got another reply.
AEGIS Operations: “Fleet Admiral, this is Brigadier Thompson. I apologize for the delay. I see that your location is the planet of Savrak in the Antlia Dwarf galaxy. Is this correct?”
“Affirmative. I was captured a month ago during a Godjan rescue mission.”
“Yes, sir. We’re…aware. A Caeles Prism will open at your coordinates shortly.”
He exhaled in relief and tried to prepare himself. He’d be facing a tough few days of endless debriefs and medical treatments, but he would be home.
The air shimmered in front of him, then wrent apart to reveal…the Security Department on the Presidio, he believed. Three MPs, a man he assumed was Brigadier Thompson, and a medical team waited for him on the other side, which seemed like a bit of overkill.
He squared his shoulders and walked through the wormhole, chains and all.
THE PRESIDIO
Security Wing
The MPs’ hands went to their service weapons, and the brigadier took a half-step forward. “Sir, keep your hands at your sides. We need to confirm your identity.”
Malcolm wanted to argue, but it was proper procedure. “Right, of course. As soon as that’s done, if someone can grab a blowtorch and cut these shackles off of me, I’d greatly appreciate it.”
One of the MPs held out a scanner and stared at it for a second. “Identity confirmed.”
Thompson snapped a sharp salute. “Welcome back, Fleet Admiral. We, uh…the Savrakaths told us you were dead, sir.”
Dead? The word shook him to his core. “Dead? No, I was a prisoner. They didn’t—” His heart stopped as a realization hit him.
Mia, I’m alive and safely back on the Presidio.
Recipi
ent is not accepting messages at this time.
What? What had happened while he was gone? Panic snaked through his chest to squeeze his poorly healed ribs, and his gaze snapped over to the brigadier. “Where is Mia Requelme?”
74
* * *
EPITHERO
Casmir’s attention jerked toward the door to his luxurious cell when it opened to reveal his Machim guard. “Sir, you’re wanted in the conference room.”
Something had gone wrong with the ‘mission’ to trade for Torval. Whatever calamity had resulted, Ferdinand would now want him to patch up the wreckage and fix it. But he was tired of playing Ferdinand’s errand boy whenever it suited the Kyvern, only to be locked up and denied a voice in decisions when it didn’t.
He considered simply refusing to answer the summons. But then Ferdinand would barge his way in here, full of poisonous hot air and feckless declarations. Better to go to the conference room, embarrass Ferdinand in front of all the others and get himself hastily removed once more.
He stood, smoothed out his shirt and nodded to the guard. “Let’s go.”
Ferdinand’s head snapped up when Casmir entered. He had a frazzled, glistening air about him…regenesis?
Casmir snorted. “You went to the exchange yourself, didn’t you? Got yourself killed?”
The Kyvern elasson rushed forward to get in his face. “Who did you tell?”
“Excuse me?”
“Who did you warn about the exchange?”
Casmir was careful not to scan the room in search of the Kyvern ela who’d passed him messages from Concord. “No one. Recall, you have me locked up and cut off from all communications.”
“You found a way.”
“I did not. What happened? Did the Savrakaths arrive armed and you insulted their honor?”
Ferdinand ran a hand through hair he’d already managed to tangle. “Someone blew us up. Everyone: myself, Otto, Torval, a dozen Machim officers and half the Savrakath military leadership.”
“Then you should be pleased. You live again, while the Savrakath leadership has been decimated.”
“Of course this is a welcome development, but I do not appreciate being blown up.”
“No one ever does. Where is—”
The intercom burst to life. “Sir, we’ve got an unauthorized ship landing on the lawn outside.”
“On the lawn? How did it get past the defense array?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“Well, arrest whoever emerges, put them in shackles and take them to a secure room. I’ll deal with them later.”
No response arrived, and Ferdinand’s perpetual sneer deepened. “Acknowledge my order.”
“Um, sir…I’m afraid I can’t comply.”
“What?” Ferdinand and several others in the room gravitated to the tall windows at the other end of the conference room. After a second, Casmir followed behind them.
On the lawn far below, a dark-haired man in a charcoal suit and indigo turtleneck strode toward the building entrance, flanked by two of the Machim guards. No weapons or restraints were in sight.
“Has everyone lost their minds today?” Ferdinand pivoted toward the door, where two additional guards stood watch. “Go downstairs and intercept them. See that the intruder is properly restrained and isolated.”
“Yes, sir.” They turned on their heels and disappeared through the doors.
“Now, where were we? Ah, yes. Casmir, you were attempting to convince us you had no role in the explosion on Savrak.”
“That’s correct.” Casmir shifted his focus to Otto, who sat at the conference table. The Machim elasson had endured many, many more regenesis cycles than Ferdinand, and he sat there acting calm and composed. “Otto, why don’t you tell me what transpired?”
“We met the Savrakath contingent at a facility several hundred kilometers from the capital. They presented Torval, then—”
“Sir. You have a guest.” The voice on the intercom sounded like it belonged to one of the guards who had just vacated the room.
Ferdinand ground his jaw in growing annoyance. “A ‘guest’? What I had better have is a prisoner.”
“But, sir, it’s—”
“I don’t give a flying fuck who it is. If they aren’t in shackles, you soon will be.”
Ferdinand paced anxiously along the length of the table while he waited on an update…that again never came.
The raucous sounds of a commotion echoed outside the doors, and Ferdinand started to order the guards to take up defensive positions, only to realize he’d dispatched all the guards to deal with the intrusion. He spun to Otto, and Hannah sitting beside him. “Be ready to shoot whoever comes through the door.”
The elassons stood. Casmir’s hand went to his hip but came up empty. No weapons for captives.
Five seconds later, the doors opened. The guards from before walked in first, weapons holstered at their sides.
“Well? What happened? Where’s the intruder?”
None responded to the inquiry; they refused to meet Ferdinand’s furious glare as they moved off to either side of the entrance.
A man walked deliberately through the door, unarmed but also unshackled.
Casmir sucked in a sharp breath, for the man wore a face every Anaden knew. It was also impossible that it appeared here before them now, for the face belonged to a dead man.
Corradeo Praesidis silently acknowledged every dropped jaw in the room, one by one, saving Ferdinand for last. “No prisoners will be taken today, elasson.”
Shock rendered Ferdinand speechless, his expression a caricature of terror, and Casmir started laughing. “Uh-oh. Daddy’s home.”
75
* * *
AKESO
At the sound of a ship emerging through the Caeles Prism and descending to the landing complex, Marlee took off running out the front door and across the mud-soaked meadow.
Caleb reached the porch in time to see Isabela exiting the airlock of her small ship and Marlee running into her arms. He smiled, leaning against the railing to drink in the scene. To let it warm his heart and reaffirm the rightness of all the painful choices he’d had to make.
After several more hugs, they walked arm-in-arm to the house. Isabela beamed at him as Marlee rushed up to take his hand. “If it’s okay, I’m going to go stay with Mom for a few days.” She leaned to whisper, “She’s being all needy.” Behind them, Isabela rolled her eyes.
“Of course it’s okay. I got you home. Now your life is yours again.”
“Right.” She tapped her foot and studied him intently for a minute. “But I’m coming back to visit very soon.”
“I look forward to it.”
“Me, too.” A grin broke across her features. “Let me grab my bag and say goodbye to Alex.”
As soon as she disappeared inside, Isabela wrapped him up in a big hug, too. “Thank you. Thank you so, so much.”
“How many times must I tell you? I will always rescue her—rescue both of you. Anytime, anywhere.”
“I know you will.” She drew back and wiped a tear off her cheek before gazing out at the wrecked meadow curiously. “What happened here?”
“Just a storm. It’s passed now.”
She turned to regard him with a questioning look not at all unlike the one Marlee had bestowed upon him. “Has it?”
Marlee returned to the porch in a flurry, her bag of souvenirs from Namino slung over one shoulder. She kissed him on the cheek, then grabbed her mother by the arm. “Come on—I need new clothes so badly. Maybe we can have lunch at Fuori Barbeque?”
He watched them stroll back to the landing complex, drawing every ounce of joy he could wring from the scene, then went inside.
Alex was drying her long hair with a towel in the kitchen. After her shower, she’d changed into a loose black tank top and flimsy gray shorts, which only served to remind him how utterly beautiful she truly was. “Did I miss Isabela?”
“Yeah. Marlee has a big day of shopping a
nd feasting planned for them.”
“Good. She deserves a little frivolity.” She laughed faintly. “I talked to Mom a few minutes ago. Once the Rasu realized they were no longer going to be able to reach the planet, the armada in orbit cut their losses and fled. Our forces will be another day or two dispatching the remaining Rasu trapped on the surface, but we’ve got the upper hand on them.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“Me, too.” She folded the towel on the countertop and came over to grasp him gently by the shoulders. One hand drifted up to his neck, the other along his arm. “So what do we do now?”
“Now…I need to go outside for a while.”
“Caleb—”
“Listen. Something is broken inside of me, and I cannot continue on like this. It’s not fair to you…or to me, or to Akeso.”
Her brow furrowed in consternation. “But you can’t sever your connection with Akeso, can you? I won’t lose you, so if you’re thinking of—”
“No, I can’t sever it. And I don’t want to. But we have to find another way.”
She kissed him softly, tasting of mint, warm spice, and hope. “I’ll be here. Yell, and I’ll come running.”
Her palm rested flat on his chest; though the connection was fading, he knew she could still sense him, still feel his heartbeat in her mind, for now. It made things easier, knowing he wasn’t genuinely leaving her behind.
He squeezed her hand then stepped away. “I love you. I’ll be back soon.”
Outside, he picked his way through the strewn tree limbs and uprooted shrubs. The house had been spared all but the most minor of damage, but a lot of work lay ahead for Akeso to replenish what the two of them had destroyed.
The damage was even worse in his beloved forest, and his heart ached for the anguish and turmoil he had caused. But this was why it couldn’t happen again—to either of them.
Inversion (Riven Worlds Book Two) Page 43