“It remains in optimal condition, Creator. This unit has taken this opportunity to synchronize with Gaia and update all systems. Overall weapons’ precision and maneuverability has been optimized by an average of forty-seven percent.”
“Update?”
“Yes, Creator. We are now one.”
Cassius wasn’t exactly sure what that meant, but if ADIM’s estimations about the system improvements were correct, then he couldn’t complain. The android had just taken on a New Earth cruiser without sustaining any damage. Cassius had little doubt that even he couldn’t accomplish that.
“I look forward to reviewing your upgrades,” he replied. “You pilot that ship as it was meant to be piloted.”
“As the creator intended,” ADIM corrected.
“Yes, well… I await you on the Hound’s Paw.”
“This unit will engage stealth measures to avoid detection.”
“Excellent. Goodbye, ADIM.”
“Goodbye, Creator.”
Cassius reached up and switched off the comm-link. He then scanned the hangar. It was completely empty. Even the Morastus henchmen who’d been posted outside the entire time he was there were absent. The arrival of so many transports and injured Lakura fighters kept everyone busy. It was the perfect opportunity to check how his other creations were faring back on Ennomos.
He switched on a second comm-link connected to those androids there and said, “I need an update on the construction process.”
“The gravitum stores aboard the solar-ark have been completely emptied for the creator’s use,” a voice all too similar to ADIM’s replied. “Development has initiated on the explosive device indicated. Constructing six of them, identical to the one utilized on Kalliope, will take approximately 1,547 hours. Is that adequate, Creator?”
“That long? I’d hoped it would go quicker after the years of research.” He took no care to mask his displeasure, but if they said it, it was true. They had that part of ADIM. The indisputable adherence to logic and data. An inability to lie or overestimate. Perfect workers. What they did lack was his creativity, wrought from years of existence within the Circuit. Of learning that data and statistics told many stories, but there were certain unpredictable facets to every endeavor.
“We can divert a unit from the study of the solar-ark Amerigo if you desire,” the android said. “That would save approximately—”
“No,” Cassius interrupted. “Proceed at the current pace on both projects. There is no room for error. I will find a way to buy us some time before Benjar swallows Ceres whole.”
“Yes, Creator.”
“Cassius Vale, you damned genius!” Zaimur Morastus proclaimed, earning Cassius’ attention. “The Tribune will never forget this!”
His hound came trotting into the hangar first, its beady eyes fixed on Cassius. A cohort of his most loyal guards strode on either side of him, along with a cluster of young men and women wearing skimpy outfits and carrying pitchers.
Cassius switched off his comm-link to end the conversation. He couldn’t risk Zaimur overhearing anything. He put on his best smile and opened his arms wide to receive his new ally.
“And neither will Yara Lakura,” he said. And neither will you.
Zaimur surprised him when he, too, extended his arms and tapped Cassius around the shoulders. It wasn’t a full hug, but it was closer than Cassius ever imagined he’d be getting to a Ceresian who wasn’t about to die.
“Tribune Vakari isn’t giving chase,” Zaimur said. “We should arrive back at Ceres safely and victoriously.”
“I would hardly consider this a victory.”
“For Yara, perhaps not, but for us? Of course it is! I just met with her, and all I had to do was look into her eyes to see how she feels. Trust me, I know women. She’ll lend me all the support I need.”
“Fine. A victory it is.”
“How can I thank my new adviser?” Zaimur turned around and snapped in the direction of his servants. Four of them immediately rushed to Cassius’ side and hung on his arms, holding up cups for him. The pungent aroma of genuine alcohol invaded his nostrils.
“Some of the finest men and women in Ceres. They’ll do whatever you’d like for a night if you want.” He sneered. “Just don’t hurt them.”
Cassius brushed the servants off and shook his head. “I’m far too old for that.”
“Nonsense! My father said the same, and I swear he didn’t smile for the last year of his life.”
“Your offer is appreciated, but I must graciously decline.”
Zaimur frowned. He summoned the servants back to him and whispered something in one of the women’s ears as he brushed her hair. She giggled and kissed his cheek.
“Then a meal is in order!” he exclaimed.
“I have enough ration bars.” Cassius’ lips drew into a straight line. “Zaimur, we can’t waste any time. The Tribune won’t forget this, and that is both a blessing and a curse. We must discuss what comes next.”
“Scheming, scheming, scheming, is that all you think about? You should take some time to enjoy the simpler things in life after wasting so much of your life under the chains of the Tribune.”
“I’ll happily leave that in your hands.”
Zaimur breathed out through his teeth. “One day I’ll break you, Vale, and for once a smile of yours won’t be forced.”
“Celebrating after a draw, and you wonder why your people lost the last war,” Cassius scolded. “Listen to me, Zaimur. If what you said about Yara is true, then you must convince her to back you before her sentiments change. Trust me when I say that the Tribune will not hesitate.”
Zaimur’s cheerful expression was uprooted by a mixture of anger and embarrassment. “And what is the proper course of action?” he asked, leaning in close. “Today we’ve proven that we can stand against them.”
“I know you’re not foolish enough to believe that.”
“Careful, Vale. You may have had a hand in what happened here today, but don’t presume you can speak to me like that. Not on my ship.”
Cassius lowered his head, half to please Zaimur and half to hide his sneer. “My apologies.”
“So what is the plan you’re so desperate to tell me? Or are you just making this up as you go along?” Zaimur asked.
Cassius glanced at the entourage of mercenaries and servants.
“They are loyal to me,” Zaimur assured him.
“The plan is patience,” Cassius finally answered. “Man for man, ship for ship, this war is as good as over, no matter what happened here. You know that. Colony for colony, however, Ceres has the upper hand. ADIM would have the exact numbers, but there are at least four times the number of Ceresian settlements as there are Tribunal. They may have moons and planets, but the belt is rife with occupied asteroids using the gravitum they worship.”
Zaimur rolled his eyes. “We’ve always known that. But most of them are mines, not defensible positions.”
“No, but now that we’ve sparked Benjar’s anger, he will seek to completely wipe all Ceresian influence from the Circuit. He will take every single settlement you have before he surrounds Ceres and demands your people’s full surrender to the Tribune and the Spirit of the Earth. He will be relentless.”
“You don’t need to be a genius to know that.”
Cassius ignored him, biting the inside of his lip. He had to play nice for now. “On the imagery we saw of their fleet, Tribune Cordo Yashan’s fleet at Luna was merely gathering, but it will mobilize now. Two New Earth cruisers will ravage the asteroid belt from either side while they gather defenses around Mars.”
“How could you know they’d leave Earth undefended?” Zaimur asked, one brow cocked. “I thought you were cut off from seeing their movements?”
“I served beneath and beside both of them. I know their minds like I do my own. They wouldn’t dare leave New Terrene undefended. Earth may be the Tribune’s spiritual center, but Mars is its beating heart, and it is positioned between us and Ear
th. While Cordo provides reinforcements, it will remain so. They’ll chip away at our defenses until there is nothing left. They would’ve hoped to starve you of resources by gaining total control over the arks, but I’ve already eliminated that possibility by stealing one.”
Zaimur’s eyes lit up. He stepped forward so that his followers wouldn’t hear, and whispered, “So we’re going to use the ark?”
Cassius chuckled. “No, it’s already accomplished its purpose. We’re going to allow the Tribunal invasion to proceed. One by one, they will take your settlements and leave behind a fraction of their own forces. Once you hold sway over all the clans, you will recall as many of your ships and people as possible to Ceres. Benjar thinks he knows how to win a war, but he is a fool. He will extend his and Cordo’s forces too far, and that is when we will strike.”
Zaimur didn’t appear as enthused as Cassius expected. He waved at his guards to back away. “This is some sort of trick,” he whispered harshly. “All of this and you’re still on their side, aren’t you? Do you know how many will die?”
“Less than the number that will die should you choose to defend every settlement you have. To ensure your way of life, sacrifices must be made.”
Zaimur’s hands tightened into fists. He got as close to Cassius as he could without bumping him. “What do you know of our way of life?”
“Everything,” Cassius replied calmly. “I foolishly once almost destroyed it. I fought in that war because I craved action, but the Tribune started it because they no longer wanted to share Earth. How long before they deny even the Keepers their shipments and claim all the gravitum they want for themselves? Then water? Food? If they can’t own the arks, then surely that’s the next option.”
“So what? You want us to take all of the Keepers for ourselves?”
“The Keepers are irrelevant. A relic of an age without certainty.”
“Then what? I’m growing tired of your games.”
Cassius exhaled slowly and stretched out his fingers. Only one person in the room was growing tired, and it was him. Of men without vision. Who couldn’t see or do what it took to survive. Embarrassments to the Ancients who gave everything to allow humanity to endure.
“Once the Tribune is spread throughout the asteroid belt, we take everything we have, and we head for Earth,” he said. “I’ve already calculated the anticipated period when we will set off, and the orbit of Mars will take it too far out of our path for Tribune Joran’s fleet to stand in our way. We beat them to Earth and hold it hostage by threatening to destroy the gravitum pits with the very weapon they used on Kalliope. Then we draw the terms of a new treaty.”
Zaimur gazed over Cassius’ shoulder in awe, as if imagining a bright future beyond it. “Take Earth?” he said, barely vocal, just mouthing the word. As if even speaking it might bring calamity upon them.
“Yes. They think you only care about resources and will focus on the Keepers. Benjar won’t expect it.” Cassius grabbed Zaimur by the shoulders. His voice was inundated with vigor as finally he was able to speak his plan aloud. “They’ll send everything they have at us, putting their invasion on hold. But they’ll fear us damaging Earth any further, which will give us the advantage we need. In the shadows of our fallen homeworld, the fight for the soul of the Circuit will take place. We’ll either ravage their disjointed fleet or force them into peace.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Cassius saw that Zaimur’s hound was crouched right beside him, baring its teeth and ready to pounce. He released the Morastus leader and backed away.
“We’ll call the very essence of their ‘Spirit’ into question,” Cassius continued. “Only when their people doubt their faith and their Tribune will we ever be able to cripple them.”
Zaimur stared for a few long seconds. Enthralled. Confused. He was every emotion at once. As it should be when the threat of upheaving an entire civilizations is brought to the table. But Cassius could see it, deep in his eyes. That glimmer of belief that perhaps… things could change.
“It’s a lot to ask,” Zaimur said. “Where would we even get the weapons they used on Kalliope?”
“ADIM has been busy attempting to locate one,” Cassius lied. “After he does, he’ll steal it for us, and we’ll carry it straight to our rotting homeworld.”
Cassius knew that Zaimur had seen enough of the android not to doubt his effectiveness. He’d likely have to think up a lie about where they found the weapon, but that was trivial. The Tribune inventing methods to kill their enemies was as commonplace as needing water.
Besides, Cassius knew he had Zaimur as soon as he mentioned taking Earth. It was making him continue to believe he was actually in charge that remained crucial.
“Of course, you will have many clan leaders to convince that this is the proper course,” Cassius added.
“Naturally.”
“Fight today and lose, or lose today and win tomorrow. It’s up to you.”
Zaimur’s features brightened. “If this does work, I’ll have your name carved above the entrance to my home.” He grasped Cassius’ forearm and shook. “I’ll think on this and speak with the others. Now, at least for the ride back, enjoy yourself. I’ll have a fine salad and the best whiskey we own sent here in thanks. Will you continue to remain aboard your ship when it returns?”
“It’s the safest place for me, for both of us. I’m dead, remember?”
Zaimur laughed. “Sometimes I forget. I suppose by now you’ve realized that if I invite Yara into my confidence, she’ll be wary of everything I’m up to. She’s a difficult one to lie to. The others might blindly follow if they figured out about you, but not her. She’ll never forget Lutetia.”
“Neither of us can risk her knowing I’m alive and at your side,” Cassius said. “I trust you’ll tell her whatever you have to in order to appease her. Lie if you must, I don’t care. Just don’t take your time with this. Our enemies certainly won’t.”
Zaimur grinned and glanced back at his servants. “There’s always time for the simpler things. But you’re right. We’ll talk very soon.” He turned to head out of the room. His entourage immediately fell in to surround him, two of the women taking his arms as if he were too weak to walk himself.
As Cassius watched him go, he had to restrain himself from laughing out loud.
“Cassius… Cassius, are you there?” a faint female voice asked behind him. “Are you alive?”
Hearing it made Cassius reach for his sidearm and whip around. Nobody was there. The voice was coming from his belt, in the pouch where he kept the holorecorder holding the last video his son ever recorded. It was a highly encrypted device, only able to instantaneously communicate with its twin device, and only if they were in close enough range.
Sage, Cassius thought, remembering that he’d given it to her back on Ennomos.
“Who is that?” Zaimur asked, glancing back over his shoulder, giggling as one of the women whispered something in his ear.
“It’s ADIM trying to make contact,” Cassius said. “I asked him to mask his voice.”
“Well, tell him his work in the battle was extraordinary. You’ll have to make another model like him for me sometime, Vale.”
Cassius offered a curt nod and turned away. He reached down, grabbing the spherical recorder. His heart raced in a way it rarely did.
It had been many, many years since the device had made a sound on its own. All those times Caleb had contacted him flashed through his mind. Not nearly as many as he’d hoped. He wished he’d appreciated them more. Every moment.
His hands grew sweaty, and the device slipped from his grip, rolling along the floor. Cassius found himself on his hands and knees crawling after it. Crawling, like Caleb once did as a toddler getting into everything. Breaking every rule.
Oh, how Cassius would scold him when he was around and not busy being a Tribune. He even missed the yelling.
3
Chapter Three—Sage
Sage studied a dozen strange, thin face
s around the rusty galley of the Vergent ship known as the Monarch. They were paler than Ceresians and lankier, with curious eyes that never missed a thing, and mouths that rarely spoke.
It was a rare occasion that she’d ever crossed the path of anyone from the Verge in her service to the Tribune. They didn’t often travel as far inward in the Circuit as Mars, and when they did, they kept to conduit stations. Very private. Very untrusting.
The man sitting across the table from her was different than the others though. And not only because he aimed a rifle in her direction. He had the blue death worse than anyone she’d ever seen in person. So bad, it was impossible for her to tell where he was from because he was so frail looking.
He made the skinny Vergents seem bulky, and not even his messy beard could hide the brightly colored veins spreading over his temples like cracked glass. He also wore a mechanized exoskeletal suit, clinging to the backside of each of his limbs for support. From what she’d gathered in her short time on the Monarch, he was a surviving Keeper, like Talon.
“You don’t need to aim that thing at me, Keeper,” Sage said. “There’s nowhere for me to go.”
“It’s Tarsis, and sorry, Talon’s orders,” he replied.
Right…
Sage’s heart sank. She knew she couldn’t ever win back Talon’s trust, but she’d hoped saving them on Eureka might help. It wasn’t easy for her to fight so many of her own people. Usually she had an assignment to justify doing so, but the mission she was on was her own; it was different. And she still wore their blood all over her body. The Vergents wouldn’t let her out of their sight to wash off.
Talon was presently on the exit ramp with the Vergent captain, receiving thanks from Yara Lakura. Sage was shocked that the lie he told, about them having been working together all along, had kept her from being traded as a valuable prisoner of war.
Yara Lakura was infamous amongst the Tribunal Enclave, often described by intelligence as being as brutal as Hand Yavortha. She’d been a thorn in the Tribune’s side dating back to the Earth Reclaimer War, behind countless bombings and killings. Executors had been trying to eliminate her for decades, and by pure chance Sage wound up right next to her.
The Circuit: The Complete Saga Page 53