After Moses: Wormwood

by Michael F Kane

  “Last thing on my mind right now, Yvonne.”

  “I’m aware of that. I was pointing out the silver lining.”

  There was a gentle bump as the magnetic clamps gripped the hull firmly into place.

  “Sorry you had to sit this one out,” he said.

  “I’m hardly disappointed that I wasn’t required to take myself and the Sparrow into danger when there were capable allies available to do so.” She smiled a crooked smile at him. “Although you might apologize to Grace. She was strapped into the thumper, ready to go.”

  Matthew grimaced, as he helped Yvonne with the shutdown procedures. “I don’t like the thought of her stacking up a body count. She’s just a kid.”

  “I’m sure she’s broken more than a few necks with those miracles of hers.”

  “Don’t remind me.” He flipped the comm switch. “Abigail, we’re here.”

  “About time. We’re tired of waiting for you.” She cut the call short.

  “What’s with her,” Matthew said, frowning at the speaker.

  “I don’t think she likes being left on the sidelines.”

  “And I could have used her on the surface.”

  “She’s the one that needs to hear that, not me,”

  He turned to leave.

  “Matthew.” He paused and she let the moment hang. “Have you considered the timing of this attack?”

  “I have. And I don’t like it. The Sparrow hasn’t been through Gilgamesh since you guys joined. Either it’s a coincidence of cosmic scale...”

  “Or he waited till we were in town,” Yvonne completed the thought. She let out a long sigh. “We both know the answer.”

  “I wonder...” he said, an idea coming to him. It was a long shot, but then there wasn’t anything to lose. He fumbled with his comm for a moment and ignored the puzzled look on Yvonne’s face. Jackpot. The call connected and the recipient was in range for real-time communication.

  A familiar voice with its stiff British accent crackled out of the speakers. One they hadn’t heard since Marion Park in Port Jacobson. “I’ve been expecting to hear from you and hoping I wouldn’t have to be the one to take the initiative. I kept this number active just for you, after all.”

  Yvonne covered her mouth with her hand and watched Matthew carefully.

  “What’s the game, Logan?” he said. “Why did you involve us in this?”

  “I want you to pass on a message for me. Five production lines at the Gilgamesh factory, one sabotaged years ago by Moses himself when the engineers tried to reverse engineer the Taciturn Assemblers. I attacked two, giving you a fair shot at saving one, which to your credit you did. Though I’m a little sour over the lost grav plate shipment.”

  Matthew didn’t answer. He wasn’t in the mood to banter with a terrorist.

  “Which gets to your part, of course. I need you to pass a message on to the President of Arizona. Tell him I’m coming for the grav plate factory on Mars. Since you saved one of these lines, I’ll have to take out three at that factory instead of the two I had planned on.”

  “I’m not interested in being a part of your schemes.”

  “Nor am I particularly interested in yours. This little guild joke of yours is fun and games, I suppose, but you can’t seriously expect it to accomplish anything. Humanity is too far gone for that. Be a candle in the wind for all I care, Cole. The ending has already been written.”

  The transmission ended. “I think you’ve gotten under his skin,” Yvonne said dryly. “He’s trapped us, you know.”

  Matthew thought he knew what she was getting at it but was too tired to acknowledge it. “How is that?”

  “We have to play the game. He’s directly made a threat to the Kyoto factory after hitting Gilgamesh’s. But there’s the trick. Why does he want us to pass the message to President Barclay rather than the Prime Minister of Kyoto? It doesn’t make sense. He has an angle, and we’re going to fall into it.”

  Matthew closed his eyes. “We go to the Prime Minister first. Give him the warning, and then go to President Barclay a few days later. Logan made a direct threat and we can’t in good conscience ignore it. We’ll leave for Mars first thing in the morning.” He left the cockpit and wished that, for just once, life could be simple.

  Chapter 4: Harbor of Disquiet

  The attack on the Gilgamesh factory changed that colony forever. Where once its residents lived quiet lives in relative freedom, suddenly, they were the center of intense scrutiny. The secure zone became heavily militarized for fear of future incursions. Status of forces agreements were signed with other Ganymedean colonies, and by the end of the month, the meager security teams became a multinational defense force capable of fighting off any invasion.

  Anyone that had to step foot in the secure zone went through countless background checks and invasive interviews to ensure no one with abrogationist sympathies slipped through the cracks. Its citizens were closely monitored, their communications spied on, their lives intruded upon.

  It was the ancient struggle between freedom and security. In the name of the greater good, the individual was crushed beneath the boots of necessity. Perhaps they were right, the eleventh hour of humanity was nigh with its impending stroke set to end all their struggles.

  Or else they were wrong, and the colonists of Gilgamesh would learn like so many others that fear brings the death of freedom.

  Marvin Faust

  Political Philosopher

  Died 120 AM

  “YOU MAY AS WELL GET it over with,” Yvonne said. “We’ve got a few minutes till we’re in position to deorbit to Kyoto.”

  Matthew groaned. Beneath them stretched the comfortable red horizon of Mars, the planet of his birth. It always felt a bit like home, even if he’d spent most of the last twenty years in the Jupiter neighborhood. Of course, an angry broker was going to make things feel a bit less homelike. “Hopefully, he won’t answer.”

  “Matthew Cole. You wouldn’t be nervous about talking to Benny, would you?”

  “He might be justified in his anger. This time. And just this time, mind you. You want to give me a moment of privacy?”

  “And miss this?” She shook her head. “No, I’m good.”

  He stared at her, incredulous, and then sighed. “I used to be the captain of my own ship.” He placed the call, silently praying that Benny wouldn’t answer. No such luck.

  “It’s about time I got more than a quick message,” Benny said, his voice dull. “I’m so glad to know that after four years of working together, you would care enough to agree to a very public hair-brained scheme without even asking my advice.”

  Yvonne gestured to the comm.

  Matthew sighed again. “Hey, Benny. Sorry, it’s been a busy few weeks. I thought it would be better to wait until I got to Mars before—”

  “Can it, Cole. Let me talk. No. Let me take you on a little journey of anger and eventual acceptance of your irresponsibility.”

  Matthew bristled at the insult but took a deep breath. “Okay. Go ahead then. Get it over with.”

  Benny cleared his throat. “I got the news of your new little guild when my, uh, business partner came in to show me the headlines. Imagine my surprise seeing my star client involved in a massive new undertaking that I had never heard about.”

  “Hey, did you hear that, Yvonne? I’m his star client.”

  She pursed her lips. “Don’t get me involved in this.”

  “And don’t let it go to your head,” Benny said. “Because I was livid. Furious even. I was this close to dropping you right then and there like every other broker you ever had. You have no idea how many brokers warned me away from the dead weight roadkill that was Matthew Cole.”

  Matthew glanced at Yvonne and couldn’t keep the smile away. She rolled her eyes. “Don’t look so proud. And stop trying to involve me.”

  “You were the one that wanted to witness this shipwreck.” He glanced back at the comm. “I’m waiting for the turn around here.”


  Benny drew the pause out for an excruciatingly long time. “But,” he finally said, “within the hour requests started coming across the boards for you, or your Lanterns. Which, by the way, I’m not sure I can take that name seriously, Cole.”

  “Too late. It’s done. Job requests are good, though, right?”

  “Dozens of them. More than you could do in a year.”

  Okay. Better than expected. And a little unsettling. “Are they the right kind of jobs? The kind I take?”

  “Of course. After that little press conference, everyone is looking for a Good Samaritan.”

  “They still have to pay us, Benny.”

  “Yeah, and next year you’ll be canceling that as well.”

  “No he won’t,” Yvonne said. “I get a say there.”

  “And at least I know you’re reliable. Unlike some people. While you’re at it, Yvonne, make sure he doesn’t make any more major changes to the business model without asking me first.”

  “Will do. I’ll have to schedule some time to talk to you about this, Benny. There are still a few questions we need to sort out, and we may need to put you in touch with Julia of Venus and a few of the other brokers.”

  The comm was silent for nearly ten seconds before Benny continued. “What have you roped me into?”

  “Something good, hopefully,” Matthew said. “Look, we’ll be on Mars for a couple of weeks. If you can scrounge up some low-key jobs, that would be great. Nothing too intense.”

  “Great. I’ve got thirty you can choose from.”

  “Give us a couple days. We have to make a few appointments with some politicians and then we’ll be free.”

  “I haven’t forgiven you yet, Cole. And remember I’m this close to dropping you.”

  “No you’re not. Talk to you soon Benny.” He cut the transmission and grinned at Yvonne. “See. I told you that wouldn’t be too bad.” She stared at him with a raised eyebrow until a chime on the console announced their window had come up. “Next stop, Kyoto,” he said as he spun the Sparrow to burn retrograde.

  KYOTO HAD ONCE BEEN part of Abigail’s territory when she was just the Shield Maiden of Mars, so it was her turn to lead as they weaved through the dense downtown district toward the government complex. She hadn’t actually been back to Kyoto since that fateful day she’d laid Matthew out on the street. This trip wasn’t going to have an equally positive effect on her life. But today they were on the same side. Outside of a quick stop at the capitol complex, they weren’t planning on sticking around, which was a pity. Kyoto was one of her favorite colonies.

  Unfortunately, the afternoon turned out to be a total bust. As luck would have it, they arrived during a public holiday, and other than an annoying number of tourists crowding the park in front of the Colonial Diet building, the complex was more or less empty. The Prime Minister they’d hoped to see was long gone. Eventually, they got word of a single councilor that was still in his office, but security caught them and escorted them, grumbling, out of the building. Abigail thought about brushing them off. It wasn’t like they could stop her. Sadly, Matthew must have known what she was thinking. He patted her arm. “We’re here to make friends, not enemies.”

  Defeated, they regrouped under a grove of Yoshino cherry trees. Sadly, they had missed the pale pink blossoms by only a couple of weeks. Piles of dirty petals still littered corners protected from the wind. “So what now?” she asked. “It’ll be a couple of days before the government is back in office.”

  “We can’t wait that long,” Matthew said. “There’s no telling how quickly the Abrogationists are going to act.”

  “We could go right to the factory, I suppose.”

  “That may be the play in the end.” Matthew grimaced and leaned his back against the trunk of the tree. “Are you sure you don’t know anyone in authority?”

  She laughed. “Look, Matthew. I didn’t run in the circles of the high and mighty before you came along. The criminal groups knew me. I’m sure all the yakuza clans kept tabs on me. But I didn’t exactly rub shoulders with bishops and emperors like you do.”

  “Okay, fine. How about we go a little lower. Police maybe? Surely you worked with law enforcement.”

  She snapped her fingers. “I met the old commissioner-general once. He retired a couple of years back, but I guarantee you he still knows people.” She dug out her comm. “I should still have his contact information.”

  Her number led to a secretary. It took several minutes of begging and pleading, as well as a few threats as to the nature of their news before the secretary took them seriously and contacted the ex-commissioner-general on their behalf. To their surprise, he invited them to his home to explain the situation to him.

  By the time they reached his estate some distance outside of Kyoto, the sun had set beneath the horizon, and the sky faded to a starry expanse. The grounds of the walled estate were immaculate. A servant led them down the paths to a softly lit outdoor pergola where an older Japanese couple sat reading under the light. They stood at their approach.

  Abigail bowed slightly at the waist to each of them. “Konbanwa. Konbanwa.”

  Ex Commissioner-General Kagurazaka and his wife returned the gesture, if somewhat shallower. He extended a polite greeting in Japanese. She only got about three-quarters of it. Apparently, she was a little rusty. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Matthew stiffen. He knew a smattering of several languages, including the dead ones that only academics learned, but she doubted Japanese was on that list. Thankfully, he got with the program and emulated the bow Abigail had given. It was only a little late.

  Then Kagurazaka switched to perfect English. “It’s been some time, Ms. Sharon. Four years, I believe, since you retrieved my deep cover agent from the Onozuwa Yakuza. I believe I have heard your name of late, in relation to the crew of this Mr. Cole.” He offered Matthew his hand. Matthew hesitated for just the briefest of seconds and Kagurazaka laughed. “Relax, Mr. Cole. I’m offering a western handshake because I’m meeting with an Arizonan whom I respect.”

  Matthew took the hand. “Sorry to act like a fish out of water. I’ve only periodically passed through Kyoto.” He paused. “And I wish we were here with better news.”

  Kagurazaka scratched his graying goatee. “Yes, well, Ms. Sharon managed to scare my secretary, something I’ve not yet managed to accomplish. Dear, if you don’t mind...”

  His wife nodded. “I’ll go prepare some tea for our guests. If it would make you even more uncomfortable, Mr. Cole, I could prepare a full tea ceremony.” The corner of her mouth turned up in the barest of a smile.

  “Oh please, don’t,” Abigail said. “He might not survive that.”

  “Just something for refreshment then,” she said and disappeared into the night toward the house.

  “Now then,” Kagurazaka said. “What is so important that it could not wait for the proper officials?”

  Matthew told him. All of it, including their past association with Logan and the most recent call that Abigail had missed out on. “We’re not sure why the message was directed at the Arizonan government rather than that of Kyoto. Given Logan’s propensity for deception, we thought it best to warn you first.”

  The ex-commissioner-general was silent for a long moment. “I see. Since the attack on the Gilgamesh factory last week, we have been increasing security at our own factory. Quietly, so as not to frighten the public. But this is alarming news, indeed. If Logan is so arrogant as to taunt us, perhaps he means a different target entirely so that we misallocate resources.”

  “That’s what I’ve been saying,” Abigail said. “Smoke and mirrors. Feint and counter feint.”

  “Or else the real target is flexible depending on how we react,” Kagurazaka said. “These will be questions for intelligence agencies to sort out and not ones we can answer tonight. I will speak with the Prime Minister in the morning.”

  “We’re heading for Arizona tomorrow,” Matthew said. “Do we need to hold off on informing President Barcla
y and give Kyoto time to prepare a response?”

  In the distance, Kagurazaka’s wife reappeared with a tray. “No,” he said. “The sooner counterintelligence operations begin, the better, and Arizona’s Office of Colonial Intelligence is better situated for that task. We appreciate the warning. Now, I believe my wife takes her duties as hostess seriously and will insist on that tea before you leave.”

  It wasn’t an actual tea ceremony, but somehow she made it into an abbreviated cultural experience for Matthew anyway, one in which he convincingly feigned interest. Abigail wondered if, as the wife of a government official, she was used to entertaining foreign guests and had grown accustomed to sharing her culture or if she was actually trying to make Matthew miserable.

  She hoped it was the latter. She liked sharing the finer things in life.

  Half an hour later, as they left the grounds, she turned and smirked at him. “How was the tea?”

  He curled his lip. “I’ll stick to coffee, thanks.”

  WHEN THE SPARROW SET down in the colony of Arizona on a farm outside the city of Flagstaff, it was always a race to the ramps to get off the ship. Matthew always lost that race since he had to finish shutdown procedures. By the time he and Yvonne stepped out the portside airlock into the bright Martian afternoon, the other three had already walked halfway down the lane between the fields of wheat to the farmhouse.

  “I think they’re more excited to see my mother than I am,” Matthew said as his boots hit the soil.

  “The Sparrow has three nests,” Yvonne said. “One on Venus in the lap of luxury. One at Antioch, with the meek and needy. But the last, well, the Cole family farm is as special as it gets to those kids.”

  “Maybe so.” Matthew wondered for the briefest of moments at the life he’d missed out on by leaving at eighteen for the seminary on Ganymede. The chance to have his own family and stay in one place for longer than a week. “We’ll have to stop referring to Davey as a kid. He’s close to twenty, you know.”