by D. M. Pruden
What had he been thinking when he opened his big mouth?
He didn’t think, that was the problem.
The captain’s words had stunned the crew into silence. Nobody was going to be the first to volunteer, so he jumped up first, without thought. Caught up in his role as first officer, he had acted without considering the personal cost.
He chuckled. What would his father say if he were here?
Would he be praised as a leader or berated for throwing away a chance to fulfill his destiny? Probably the latter, he decided.
The plotting and planning of three generations of Kaines was now a pile of smouldering ash. He would die at the farthest reaches of the empire, and nobody would know. Everything he was meant to be, all that he had been pushed to become, was now moot.
Hayden never gave consideration to the idea his life might end up any other way. He took everything for granted, scoffed at it, and petulantly acted out against it, knowing in the back of his mind that he would eventually arrive wherever his family had steered him.
Had he volunteered to spite them? He didn’t know.
All he knew was that his feet were now firmly set upon a path he never intended to take.
His life was over; he was dead, even before the battle.
He was unable to hold back tears any longer.
He didn’t even know who he wept for.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Hayden’s Choice
HAYDEN SAT ON the end of his bed, head in his hands, when the door buzzer roused him from his thoughts.
“Come in.”
He looked up at Stella, standing in the doorway, concern etched on her face.
“What’s wrong?”
Inhaling deeply, he stretched his arms over his head. “Nothing. I was just reflecting on what we’re about to attempt.”
As he stood, a holo-photo fell from his lap to the floor. She picked it up. The picture was of a young boy and a man, laughing and enjoying a day of fishing.
“Is this your father?”
He joined her in examining it. “I was eight. He thought it was time I learned how to fish. I don’t know why it was so vital to him that I learn. He never fished, and we never did it again. I think it was traditional; his father did the same with him.”
She handed it back to him. “Is tradition important in your family?”
He guffawed. “It is family, as far as Dad is concerned.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Every Kaine has their life planned and mapped out. There is a predefined purpose for each of us. It probably begins at birth, but it wouldn’t surprise me to learn that he has plans for any children I sire.”
“And what is your intended destiny?”
“I was supposed to be the first of my family to achieve the presidency of the Confederation.”
Stella’s eyebrows rose. “Really?”
“Yeah. It sounds arrogant, doesn’t it?”
“Maybe a little presumptuous; prematurely optimistic, perhaps. Possibly...”
“Delusional?”
“I wasn’t going to say that.”
“That’s how I’ve referred to it in the past. I am deluded. Now it is about to become impossible.”
“You’re disappointed.”
“It would be foolish of me to deny that to you.” He smiled.
She took his hand and sat beside him.
He said, “For my entire life, everything I did, every school I attended or friendship I cultivated, was for a purpose. My life path was plainly laid out. I was to complete my academy training, serve in some safe posting in the diplomatic corps, and then graduate into politics with a respectable military career behind me. Being posted in space, becoming a fleet officer, going to war—none of it was in the plan.”
“I don’t know too many people who live their lives according to a schedule.”
“You haven’t met my family. My grandfather plotted Dad’s life with the goal to get me into the academy. This objective has been my family’s sole focus for four generations.”
“That’s a heavy burden to carry,” she said.
“Yeah, especially when everything is about to blow up. I’m facing choices that nobody ever dreamed of.”
“But that’s the way life works, Hayden.”
“Not for the Kaines.”
“You’re afraid you’re going to be a disappointment to your father?”
“Hell, no. I already did that. But there was always the chance that I could fight my way back; redeem myself.”
“And now?”
“Now I’m about to partake in a mission that will destroy the empire they wanted me to govern.”
“But it’s for the greater good. You said so yourself.”
“Yes, the alternative of billions of deaths and an unwinnable conflict is far worse.”
“But...?”
He looked into her questioning eyes, searching for a safe place to land. “I can’t help but think there is a way for me to salvage something of the family plan. I could take the Glenatat offer and return to Earth. Even cut off from the rest of the Confederacy, there will be the opportunity to work myself into a political career path.”
“You want to please your father, don’t you?”
He looked at the photo, still in his hand. “I don’t think that’s possible. This is one of the few times I recall him being happy or seeming to be.”
“Then what do you want?”
“I want the guilt to go away. If we succeed, we will become the most vilified group in human history. Destroying the jump network will alter humankind’s destiny. Nobody will remember that we saved them from an overwhelming threat. We’re the only ones who’ve seen them. The Malliac will only be an idea to everyone else.”
“Well, you have a decision to make. The plan can be carried out without you. You can work your way to the presidency and salvage your family’s dream. You might even be able to repatriate everyone’s reputation.”
“Are you saying I should go?”
She held his hand. “I’m telling you to go where your conscience tells you to. I won’t think poorly of you if you return to Earth.”
“You wouldn’t come with me?”
Stella shook her head, sadness in her eyes. “No, my love, I know what my destiny is; what my gift is meant for. I cannot go with you.”
“I can’t begin to imagine what Pavlovich would say. I was the first to jump up and support him.”
“Why does his opinion matter? Or mine? The Hayden Kaine I first met didn’t care about any of that sort of affirmation. Your goal has always been to get back to your old life—your real life, as you call it.”
“That was...”
The mirror Stella held up for him hid nothing and starkly showed him what she saw. A self-absorbed jerk. He didn’t need her empathic ability to see she was hurt and disappointed by him.
What had changed? A few short weeks ago, he would happily have hitched a ride back to Earth without giving Scimitar or anyone here a second thought. Returning would not be an act of cowardice. It would be patriotic; loyal. Faithful to his father’s dream.
He looked into Stella’s eyes. Instead of resentment or anger, he saw only compassion.
It had never really been his ambition. He realized that he never truly had one of his own, until now. Looking at her, he understood where his place was and what he must do.
“My life is here. My destiny hasn’t been written.”
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Going Back
THE BRIDGE WAS abuzz with preparations to depart the Glenatat protective sphere. Pavlovich ruled over it all from his command chair. He was no micromanager. He trusted his people to perform their duties without unnecessary nagging. His imposing presence was intimidating enough. Hayden realized it was one of the things that endeared the big man to him.
“Mister Kaine, what is the status of our modifications?”
“Main engines are upgraded as per the new specs. Our top subluminal speed
is 0.9c. Corresponding inertial compensation fields are integrated into our gravity plating.”
“What about the weapons?”
Hayden glanced to Gunney’s empty alcove. “Dark energy cannons are installed and complement our rail gun arrays. The hull is reinforced with a layer of the material that composes the Dyson sphere. Our sensors are enhanced to detect dark matter.”
“So, we’ll be able to see the bastards coming? Good. Anything else?”
“The Glenatat provided us with one of their sentinels to assist with tactical analysis and emergency repairs. I stationed it in engineering.”
“Cora will be happy to have her pet again.”
The captain made an admiring survey of his bridge crew then picked up a data pad and handed it to Hayden. “Take a look at that, Kaine. Not a single person wanted to return home. We had to draw lots to select who would go to the key systems and inform them of what is going on. We don’t want to turn out the lights without giving them an explanation of why it happened.”
Hayden swallowed the lump in his throat and returned the pad to Pavlovich. “They are an admirable crew, sir. You should be pleased.”
“I’m very proud of this bunch. But you, Kaine, surprised me. I’ve never had an XO whom I can say was worthy of the position, until now.”
“Thank you, Captain. It has been an honour to serve with you.” Surprising himself, he realized he meant every word.
The hatch swung open, and the gunnery officer clanked his way into the bridge. He nodded to Hayden and Pavlovich and took his place in his alcove.
“What do you think of your new arsenal, Gunney?” asked the captain.
The cyborg grunted. “It all sounds impressive until something fails. The rail guns are all up to spec. I have no doubts about them, but these new weapons... I’ll want to run a full test of ’em before I’m satisfied.”
“I’m sure we can find an asteroid or two for you to shoot at.” The captain lowered his voice and addressed Hayden. “What about your girlfriend? Is she up for the task, or do I need to leave her here with her father?”
“Stella is ready.”
Cora entered the bridge and assumed her place at the engineering station.
“Well, Chief Engineer?” asked Pavlovich. “How is my ship?”
“Scimitar hasn’t been this good since she came off the assembly line, Cap’n.”
“Any problem with the Glenatat modifications?”
“Not one, sir. Alcon has done a great job of integrating our technologies.”
“Don’t get too attached to that thing, Cora. It is not one of the crew, and I won’t treat it as one.”
“No need to worry. I’ll keep him out of your beard. You won’t even know he’s aboard.”
“Make sure of that.” Pavlovich looked about the bridge. “It’s time, Mister Kaine.”
“Aye-aye, sir.”
Hayden gave the order to release the mooring clamps. A Glenatat vessel waiting nearby remotely took control of the helm to escort them out.
“No tractor beams this time, Ensign Kwok. Be prepared to take over after we clear the entrance,” said Kaine.
Scimitar, as if on its own, followed the alien ship through the opening and into the larger Dyson sphere. The bright red sun, millions of kilometres away at the centre of the enormous structure, shone brightly, bathing everything in a gentle, ruddy glow.
“I find it almost unimaginable that a race capable of this kind of engineering miracle found themselves helpless against the Malliac,” said Pavlovich. “There is no way humanity would survive an encounter with them. We are doing the right thing.”
Assuming we can succeed, thought Hayden. Their plan to destroy the jump-gate and collapse the transdimensional network was almost impossible. In the hundreds of simulations he ran, only a fraction of the scenarios resulted in a successful completion of the mission. Most of the runs predicted Scimitar’s failure and destruction. The chances of success were ridiculously tiny. This was shaping up to be a one-way trip, no matter how he looked at it; if they failed, he would die. If they succeeded, he could still perish. His career plans and his future would be gone. Everyone who survived the ordeal would be marooned forever in the Mu Arae system.
He regretted his decision, not sure being a hero was worth the price asked of him.
The hatchway opened, and Stella stepped into the bridge. Pavlovich glanced in her direction and acknowledged her with a curt nod. She saw Hayden and smiled at him from across the room. His mouth curled upward, and his gaze lingered.
He didn’t know from where she got her courage. She had survived all those years, running from an invisible enemy, growing up isolated from society. How could she turn out to have her shit together better than he?
Their lives couldn’t be more different. He was raised in the lap of privilege. With every advantage going for him, he ended up as an arrogant, self-absorbed asshole who believed the universe owed him a guaranteed future. And yet, despite all his shortcomings, she seemed to genuinely care for him.
He turned from her and pretended to examine the readout at his station. A moment later, he felt her warmth as she sidled up and peeked over his shoulder at what commanded his attention.
Switching the display off, he faced her. “How is the crew holding up?”
“Difficult to tell when they are all experiencing the same thing. Anxious and maybe a little excited. How are you feeling?”
“You can’t tell?”
“I’m trying not to read you—it’s challenging.”
He lowered his voice. “It would be a lie if I told you I didn’t have doubts.” He discreetly intertwined his fingers with hers. “I’m okay and ready to see this thing through.”
She raised a questioning eyebrow before standing on her toes and kissing him on the cheek.
“I am assigned to Medical until you need me. I just came up to say good luck.”
He squeezed her hand and then watched as she departed the bridge.
“A good companion in life can give us the strength we otherwise lack, Kaine,” Pavlovich said quietly.
Hayden felt his face grow warm. “Have you ever had anyone like that in your life, Captain?”
Pavlovich raised his hands to indicate the surroundings. “Scimitar. She has yet to fail me and never ceases to astound me with her strength.”
Hayden smiled. “I meant a person, sir.”
“A long time ago.” The captain placed a large, meaty hand on Hayden’s shoulder. “She’s a good one, Kaine. Remember that.”
The next half hour passed in relative silence as Scimitar journeyed through the Dyson sphere.
When the ship exited the structure, their escort relinquished control of the helm. As the vessel departed, the Glenatat spoke to Hayden one final time.
Farewell, and may your mission find success.
Reflexively, he glanced about to see if anyone else had heard the message, but everyone seemed preoccupied with their assigned tasks.
It was all well and good for their hosts to arm Scimitar and send her off to her likely doom. He didn’t understand how such a powerful race could be so ambivalent about the fate of the rest of the galaxy.
From his diplomacy training, he understood that negotiation always revolved around a common understanding or value. He had no clue what the Glenatat valued. Did they simply view humanity as a blunt instrument to take care of their problem?
As he reflected, he realized that their approach was not dissimilar to how he had used those around him to his ends.
Perhaps he had more in common with them than he wanted to admit.
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
Flexing Their Muscles
“REPORT,” SAID PAVLOVICH. “Navigation, get me a location fix. Where are we?”
His call to routine snapped the bridge crew out of their torpor. Hayden shook his head to clear away the disorientating effects of the passage through the wormhole. A glance at the captain, who massaged his temples with both hands, confirmed that he to
o had been affected.
Suddenly recalling the Malliac, he rushed to the science station and initiated a scan with their enhanced instruments.
“I have a star chart match,” said Kwok. “We are 70,000 kilometres from our last recorded position in the Mu Arae system.”
“Practically a bull’s-eye,” muttered Pavlovich. “Are the bugs deployed yet?”
“They’re working, Captain,” Hayden said. “Initial midrange scans show no Malliac engine signatures in the area, sir.” He attempted to hide the relief in his voice.
“I thought you reported two of their ships destroyed by us near here?”
Frowning, Hayden returned his attention to the instruments. “That’s correct, Captain.”
“Well, there should be some wreckage, shouldn’t there?”
“It’s possible their inertia carried—wait, I found something.”
He felt every eye on him while he adjusted the readout.
“I can’t understand the data on the Glenatat dark matter band, but we’re picking up something odd on conventional scans.”
“I need something actionable, Kaine,” said Pavlovich, scowling.
“This is weird. I’m getting fluctuating graviton emissions. I can’t get a fix on the mass of whatever it is.”
“Cora,” growled the captain, “I thought you told me our instruments were up to snuff.”
“They are, Cap’n,” she said. “I tested them myself.”
She moved to the science station and took over the analysis. After a few tense minutes, she said, “Everything is working perfectly, sir.”
“Then how do you explain the gravity anomalies?”
“Whatever that thing is, its mass is flickering on and off, like it can’t decide if it exists or not.”
“Cora, that’s impossible,” said Hayden.
“Yeah, I know, relativity and all that. But that is what the instruments tell me, and I believe them.”
“Can you give me a visual?”
Cora’s hands played over the terminal and the image on the forward viewer switched to a familiar field of stars. In the middle of the hologram drifted something Hayden had seen once before. “It’s a Malliac ship,” he said. “It looks dead.”