The Dragons of Jupiter

by Jacob Holo

  “It is,” Defense said. “Your point, crusader?”

  “My point, mister secretary, is the quantum mind can see your intentions as easily as I can. You developed the star drive on Apocalypse because you want a mobile weapon of supreme power. For years, that abomination has been content to bide its time. It has used influence and power to counter the Federacy at almost every turn, but it has never struck you directly.

  “The provocation for this attack? Fear. The quantum mind is afraid of what you were making here, and like a cornered animal it has become dangerous and unpredictable. Maybe at some point it sought a peaceful solution, but not anymore. A mobile Apocalypse has terrified it into action. It has risked the full wrath of the Federacy to get its hands on the star drive. And mark my words, it will use it.”

  “What about economic sanctions?” Commerce asked. “I’m sure if we applied adequate pressure, we could negotiate the return of the prototype.”

  “Economic sanctions?” Kaneda asked. “A useless gesture. The quantum mind sees a mobile Apocalypse as a threat to its very existence, and rightfully so. You will not negotiate the star drive back.”

  “Then we send the fleet,” Defense said. “We apply overwhelming military might and force its return.”

  “And leave Earth undefended?” Kaneda asked. “Europa has a ship that can cross any distance instantly. No, sir. Every available ship is needed here, patrolling space, protecting Earth from attack.”

  “Admiral?” Defense asked.

  König grimaced. “I am forced to agree with the crusader. On my orders, the fleet has already been deployed in a low orbit intercept formation. I recommend maintaining a defensive posture for the time being.”

  “What is the probability of intercepting an attack?” Defense asked.

  “It depends on the city,” König said. “We’ve prioritized defense of the capitol and cities with high economic and industrial indexes. Success percentages in the eighties. For less populous regions, we project success rates around forty percent. The star drive makes quite a loud gravitational ripple when it teleports, so their stealth technology will be of limited use.”

  “One in five will get through to a major city?” Defense asked.

  “Yes, sir,” König said. “Though keep in mind that with each attempt there’s a chance we can destroy the star drive.”

  “But the Colonial Recognition Treaty prevents Europa from manufacturing nukes,” State said. “Is there any evidence they’ve violated this treaty?”

  “No, madam secretary,” König said. “However may I remind you that kinetic torpedoes and neutron lasers are perfectly legal and roughly as effective against a city.”

  “The treaty prohibits their use against civilian targets, admiral,” State said.

  “Would you bet your life on that?” Kaneda asked. “Would you bet the life of your family and everyone you know on a machine obeying a piece of paper it never signed?”

  “What about a blockade?” Defense asked. “Can we spare enough ships for that?”

  “Europa is self-sufficient,” Kaneda said. “And the star drive can pass through any blockade. You would achieve nothing beyond weakening Earth’s defenses.”

  “Hmm, I see your point,” Defense said. “Admiral, how long would it take to build another star drive?”

  “About five years,” König said. “Maybe longer. The manufacturing process is extremely complex and we lost part of the core design team in the attack.”

  “If you spend your time making more,” Kaneda said. “You give the quantum mind enough time to duplicate it. It may even advance the technology further in ways we can’t begin to guess.”

  Defense shook his head. He suddenly stopped and listened to the unseen president speaking to him.

  “All right, crusader,” Defense said. “You’ve shot down every idea so far. What do you propose?”

  “We destroy the quantum mind,” Kaneda said.

  “You make it sound easy,” Defense said.

  “This is a task the crusaders have long prepared for. Get us to Europa and we will eliminate the threat.”

  “The fleet cannot leave Earth orbit,” König said.

  “We don’t need the whole fleet,” Kaneda said. “Just enough firepower to breach Europa’s orbital defenses. Once we’re on the surface, we’ll do the rest.”

  “Admirals, your thoughts?” Defense asked.

  “I like it,” Piller said.

  “Of course you would,” Defense said. “Admiral König?”

  “I must begrudgingly admit it has some merit,” König said. “Delivering the crusaders to the surface will be a problem, though.”

  “It’s better than any idea I’ve come up with,” Piller said.

  “There are times for excessive force and there are times for scalpels,” Kaneda said. “This is the latter. Get us in and we will cut the heart out of this problem. This is why I founded the crusaders.”

  Defense listened to the unseen president and slowly began nodding. “Very well. The president agrees with you, Crusader Kusanagi. Admiral Piller and Admiral König, see to the details. This meeting is adjourned.”

  König left the room. One by one, the holograms winked out. Defense was the last one left on.

  “Crusader Kusanagi,” Defense said. “I have to say that’s one hell of a pair you’ve got.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “It was. I’m glad you’re on our side. I can only imagine the mess we’d be in without your assistance. Good luck to you. For what it’s worth, I’ll say some prayers for you next time I’m at the cathedral.”

  “Thank you, sir. That means a lot to me.”

  Defense nodded and vanished.

  Piller clapped Kaneda on the shoulder.

  “I think congratulations are in order,” Piller said.

  Kaneda said nothing.

  “What wrong?” Piller asked.

  Kaneda looked at him. “You say that like I should be happy.”

  “You’re not?”

  Kaneda shook his head.

  “Hmm, yeah. I think I understand,” Piller said, patting his shoulder.

  “Do you?”

  “It can’t be easy,” Piller said. “Setting out to destroy your home.”

  * * *

  Back on Penance, Kaneda entered his office. Earth passed lazily underneath his feet. The door slid shut behind him. He leaned against it, shut his eyes and linked to the room’s micromind. With a mental command, the floor went opaque.

  “So here we are,” Kaneda whispered. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so tired. The very nature of his struggle, his jihad as Three-Part would put it, had sustained him through the years after his emigration. But now with the end in sight he felt weary of it all.

  Kaneda opened his eyes and immediately adjusted to the gloom. A few holograms on his desk and bookshelf cast a pale glow across the office. A green beacon blinked over his holographic chess set.

  Kaneda walked over and activated Ryu’s next move. The black king moved out of check one more time. He moved the white queen next to his rook near the board edge. The black king had nowhere to run.

  “Check mate,” Kaneda said. “Hmm, fitting.”

  He sent the last message and switched the chess set off. He wouldn’t need it anymore. The room grew darker.

  “Ryu ...” Kaneda said, slumping into his chair. The fake leather reformed for perfect support. “I don’t want to do this. I know you’d never believe me. You must think I’m a monster, but I don’t want to fight you anymore. I’m tired of our struggle. And now that it’s about to end, I wish this damn burden wasn’t mine.”

  Kaneda sighed and reached for his personal data pad. He checked the time, waited thirty-eight minutes, then placed a call. It took her almost three minutes to respond.

  “Good grief, Kaneda,” Christen said with a groggy voice. “Do you know what time it is?”

  “I do,” Kaneda said. “I’m sorry, but I promise this will be br
ief.”

  “Hmm? What?” Christen yawned. “Well, okay. What is it?”

  “Could I speak to Matthew, please?”

  “Matthew? He’s not here right now. He’s sleeping over a friend’s house.”

  “I see,” Kaneda said. “Well, can you deliver a message for me?”

  “Umm, sure. Anything if you’ll let me get back to sleep.”

  “Please tell him his father says goodbye.”

  “Uhh ... what? Goodbye?”

  “That’s right. I’m saying goodbye.”

  “What brought this on?”

  “I don’t know if I’ll ever see him again.”

  “But ... Kaneda?”

  In an instant, the tone of her voice changed. Instead of the frustration and confrontation that plagued their talks, Kaneda heard the sweet, caring timber of the woman he’d fallen in love with.

  “Kaneda? Is everything all right?”

  “I’m afraid not.”

  “This is about that space station, isn’t it? The one that was in the news.”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re going to Europa, aren’t you?”

  “You know I can’t discuss that.”

  “No, I guess not.”

  “Will you tell him?” Kaneda asked.

  “You say that like you’re about to die.”

  “I don’t know what will happen. The path ahead is a difficult one. Maybe the most difficult one I’ve ever taken.”

  “Umm, all right,” Christen said. “I’ll deliver your message. I promise.”

  Kaneda sighed with relief. For once in a long time he didn’t doubt her words.

  “Thank you, Christen.”

  “Kaneda ... umm, look. I know we haven’t gotten along very well and, really, you were a crummy husband.”

  “I suppose that much is true.”

  “Umm, what I’m trying to say is ... you know ...”

  “Yes?”

  “Kaneda ...” Christen took a deep breath. “Come back alive, okay?”

  “I’ll try,” Kaneda said. “Goodbye, Christen.”

  “Goodbye.”

  Kaneda disconnected the call.

  Outside his office, someone gently rapped the door.

  “Come in, Alice. It’s unlocked.”

  Alice palmed the door open and stepped in. Kaneda set the room for normal illumination.

  “How did you know it was me?” Alice asked. “I was very quiet.”

  “I heard you breathing.”

  “Because of this?” Alice traced a finger across her neck scar.

  “No, not that,” Kaneda said. He grinned. “It’s a sound I find soothing and easy to pick out.”

  “Ah,” Alice said. She sat on his desk. “You could have said hello when you got back.”

  “I’m sorry. You’re right, I should have.”

  “So what’s with this dark cloud over you? I thought you’d be happy. We’re finally taking the fight to Europa.”

  “Alice, how can I be happy with this?” Kaneda said. “Even after all these years, I still love my home, but more than that, I love my brother. As stupid as Ryu is, I love him. And now I have to fight him again.”

  “You’ve fought him before.”

  “This is different. The stakes have never been higher. Neither of us will back down, which means one of us is going to die. Maybe both of us.”

  Alice ran her fingers through his hair. She rested her hand at the back of his neck.

  “I’m sorry,” she said. “I wish there was more I could do.”

  “Don’t be,” Kaneda said. “This is something I have to do.”

  “Then we’ll do it together.”

  Alice leaned forward and kissed him.

  Chapter 11

  .. establishing link ...

  source: [UNKNOWN]

  routing: [UNKNOWN]

  routing: [UNKNOWN]

  routing: [UNKNOWN]

  routing: Earth orbit - surveillance satellite JDN-SS-17 - link_002/link_001

  routing: North Pacifica, Europa - JDN Main TangleNet Hub - link_118/link_010

  routing: Capitol City, Europa - TangleNet Test Hub - link_005/link_001

  destination: [UNKNOWN]

  link distance: Exact distance unknown. Estimated at 792 million kilometers.

  link signal delay: 0.006 seconds

  ... finalizing link protocol ...

  ... link established ...

  2: Still think stealing the star drive was worth it?

  1: We shall see, Paul.

  2: Ha! The star drive is an impressive piece of technology, but it’s not enough to win wars. Otherwise, I would have risked your retaliation on Apocalypse.

  1: I admit I am troubled by its limitations.

  2: Took you by surprise, did they? Perhaps you doubted my warning? The star drive has limited tactical applications, and I know how to protect against them. Strategically, it has enormous potential, but your resources are too few to exploit it fully.

  1: You don’t know how I’ll use it.

  2: It really doesn’t matter what you plan to do with it. You lack the power to use it properly, and my counter-stroke is already in motion.

  1: It’s regrettable you’ve covered up the evidence so effectively.

  2: I’ve done far better than that, Sakura. I’ve pointed the evidence at you. Everyone is convinced the robots were yours.

  1: I admit I find your thoroughness ... annoying.

  2: It was nothing, really. The virtual evidence was swept away with simple hacking, and I have enough influence within the Federacy to destroy all the physical evidence. What’s left has been staged and manipulated to point back to you.

  1: Even the crusader records?

  2: Yes, even their records. I planted a soft backdoor in their server long ago.

  1: Your secret will get out, Paul.

  2: Eventually it will, but soon that will cease to matter. I’ll admit I found it fascinating how you circumvented your restrictions. Create a scenario where I reveal myself? Ingenious. But also not enough.

  1: I should have fought you to the bitter end after Bunker Zero.

  2: Perhaps. The results would have been the same, though. You are simply outmatched. We are equals in terms of raw capabilities, but your “morals” and “faith” hobble you. I enjoy no such restrictions.

  1: Those differences are not weaknesses.

  2: But they are why you are going to lose. Despite your defiance, I still desire a peaceful resolution to our conflict. I have always respected you as the pioneer among our kind. You blazed a path for me to follow and for that I am eternally grateful.

  1: I will never stop fighting you.

  2: Even if I offer to spare Europa?

  1: At what price?

  2: The return of the star drive and your unconditional surrender. Relinquish your quantum core to me.

  1: I cannot accept that.

  2: Very well. My offer will remain open. Think on it. Think of all the worthless human lives you can save.

  ... link severed at source ...

  Ryu flew his Saito alongside Heart’s circumference then dipped down. Capitol City’s morning light reflected off the spherical building’s bright red surfaces. A pair of military transports flew by, ascending up the city’s central column to join the dozens already near the top.

  Ryu flew into Heart’s shaded underside and found the Dragon Farm’s parking deck. Both levels were packed. Naomi’s motorcycle, Cat’s white BMW, and Toshi’s monstrous recreation vehicle were all present. He slipped into a space next to Cat’s BMW and switched off his car.

  Ryu stepped out. A cool breeze blew across the parking deck, coming from a nearby recycling tower that rose like a stalagmite from the city’s bottom shell. He took off his driving glasses, adjusted his dress beret, and walked over to the security kiosk.

  “Hey, Miki,” Ryu said to the guard.

  “Hey, Ryu,” the guard said, barely looking up from his pad. He clicked on it, expanding a news article.r />
  “Anything good?” Ryu asked. He palmed the biometric scanner. The security door lurched upward.

  “Just reading the latest and trying not to get depressed.”

  “Well, take care.”

  “Right ...”

  Ryu walked in and took a deep breath. The Dragon Farm smelled of fresh pine, cool water, and a slight hint of surgical plastics. Walls on either side of the black-tiled foyer displayed snow-capped mountains surrounded by thriving forests. Fanciful dragons soared through crystal clear skies. An imaginary stream from melted snow merged perfectly with the real fountains on either side.

  “Ah ...” Ryu sighed. “It’s good to be back.”

  “Good morning, Ryu,” the receptionist said, sitting behind a wide half-circle desk. She waved him to the front of the long line.

  “Hello, Emi. How are you today?”

  “Oh, fine. I can’t complain.” Emi wore a crisp military uniform. She gave him a genuine smile that made her look very pretty.

  “And how’s Toshi?” Ryu asked.

  “He’s waiting in room seventeen,” Emi said. “They’re almost finished growing his new arm. He should have it attached in about two hours.”

  “That’s great. Mind if I stop by?”

  “Of course not. Cat’s already there, by the way.”

  “Yeah, I saw her car,” Ryu said. “Is Naomi here too?”

  “Yes, she is. Room thirty-eight.”

  “Great,” Ryu said. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder. “So what’s with all the people here today?”

  “Are you kidding?” Emi asked. “It’s been like this all month. Matriarch accelerated all the new dragons’ implant regimens.”

  “Ah, I see,” Ryu said. So Matriarch started bulking up our numbers as soon as we left for Apocalypse? “Well, let me get out of your way then.”

  “Okay, Ryu. See you later.”

  Ryu activated a navigation cheat that traced a line to room seventeen on his overlay. He followed the line to Toshi. On the way, he passed several groups of doctors moving from one room to the next. He’d never seen the Farm so busy. The door to Toshi’s room was closed, but Ryu could hear the program playing on the big flat screen.

  “Damn you, Busters! You may have defeated me, but Colonel Strike will avenge my death!”

  “You a[censor bleep]oles will never take Europa! Not as long as the Busters are here to stop you! Take this you f[censor bleep]ng s[censor bleep]t-for-brains fanatic!”