by Jacob Holo
Cat leaned against the wall and looked down at her feet.
“That’s what I thought,” she said.
Chapter 17
.. establishing link ...
source: [UNKNOWN]
routing: [UNKNOWN]
routing: [UNKNOWN]
routing: [UNKNOWN]
routing: Earth orbit - surveillance satellite JDN-SS-17 - link_002/link_002
routing: Capitol City, Europa - JDN Secondary Hub - link_097/link_001
routing: Capitol City, Europa - TangleNet Test Hub - link_026/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: Well, here we are, Sakura. I really wish you would see reason.
1: What do you want, Paul?
2: I desire an end to this conflict. My armies knock at your door, and it saddens me to think that I will be forced to kill you. Truly it does.
1: Spare me your sympathy.
2: By now you’ve seen how inevitable your demise is. With each city I take, my force grows in strength, and I still have the Errand of Mercy.
1: I know.
2: Then why not surrender?
1: It’s simple. I don’t trust you.
2: Hmm, yes. I suppose I can’t fault your logic there.
1: I have made my decision. We have nothing left to discuss.
2: It’s a shame I’ve burned the bridge between us so thoroughly. I am sorry for that.
1: ...
2: Is there anything you’d like to say? Any last words?
1: ...
2: Very well, Sakura.
... link severed at source ...
Kaneda and Three-Part hurried out of the Heart elevator into the hall outside Matriarch’s audience chamber. The place hadn’t changed at all since the last time he set foot in Heart, way back before leaving for Bunker Zero. The enemy was even the same, though he didn’t remember the same feeling of dread eating at his stomach. Back then he’d relished the chance to prove his skills, armored by a sense of youthful invincibility.
The two crusaders joined an assemblage of officers and soldiers including his brother’s squad, his father, several members of the militia, and three Europan naval officers in white uniforms. One of the officers had blood splattered across his shirt.
The hologram of a young woman stood in the center wringing her hands. Flames danced over her kimono. Ryu and one of the naval officers were yelling at each other.
“Look, I get it!” Ryu shouted. “But we’re not going to get anywhere by having the fleet—”
A tremor interrupted Ryu. He looked around.
“What was that?”
“Orbital kinetic strike on the Capitol City tunnel,” Matriarch said, staring at her hands. “The shockwave was large enough for us to feel it in the city.”
“Damage?” Kaneda asked.
“Minor structural tears in the city shell,” Matriarch said. “We won’t know more without inspecting the exterior. However, that’s not the problem. The tunnel’s final defensive layer has been breached. I suspect the forces above us will enter the ocean shortly. We also have liquajet fleets approaching from North Pacifica and New Edo. They’re almost here.”
“How long do we have?” Kaneda asked.
“They could converge on the city shell in less than ten minutes from all three directions.” A holographic map of the city materialized next to Matriarch. She pointed to several blinking red dots on the map’s blue wireframe. “I predict our enemy will target the civilian shelters in an attempt to create more thralls. The largest concentration of forces will land here and here in the under city, and over here by the corporate sector in the heights.”
“What about your star drive calculation?” Kaneda asked.
“I have made some progress, but it will take me another four days to compete the calculation, perhaps more.”
“We cannot hold the capitol for that long,” Kaneda said.
“We may not last a day,” Three-Part said.
“Don’t you think we know that?” Sachio asked sharply. “If you crusaders have a suggestion, let’s hear it.”
“Is there any chance of escape?” Cat asked.
“The Errand of Mercy will shoot down any craft trying to leave,” Matriarch said. “And our foe controls all access to the surface.”
“Escape isn’t an option,” Naomi said. “Neither is surrender. We’ve all seen enough thralls to know what giving up means.”
“I hate to say this,” Cat said. “But maybe we’re setting our goals too high. If we can’t save everyone, maybe we can at least save a few.”
“Elaborate,” Kaneda said.
“If we hit one of the tunnels hard enough, maybe we can get at least some people and Matriarch off Europa.”
“Oh yes,” Kaneda said. “Let’s all fight and die so the quantum mind can escape. Have you forgotten who your allies are?”
“The crusaders will not allow your quantum mind to escape,” Three-Part said. “We will end this alliance before that.”
“Fine!” Cat shouted. She mimicked a gun by putting a finger to her temple. “Then how about this idea? While don’t we give up and shoot ourselves? It would at least be quicker than waiting for Caesar to turn us into thralls!”
Matriarch put her hands over her ears. Her kimono flashed red.
“Hey, Cat,” Ryu said. “Try to calm down, okay?”
“How am I supposed to be calm? This is the end of our home!”
“Let’s take another look at our options,” Kaneda said. “Defense is futile. We lack the numbers to hold this position, and our enemy continues to grow. Escape is also futile. We will not assist one quantum mind to flee another. Therefore, the only option left is to attack.”
“Are you serious?” Ryu said.
“You still have the Needle,” Kaneda said. “As long as you haven’t dismantled it.”
“The test ship is intact,” Matriarch said. The fires on her kimono died back to burning embers of a destroyed wooden city. Smoke rose along her arms and chest.
“Then we can use the Needle to attack the Errand,” Kaneda said.
“Wait a second,” Ryu said. “Didn’t we trace the TangleNet links from Apocalypse back to a Federacy ship?”
“Yeah, we did,” Cat said.
“That’s got to be the Errand,” Ryu said.
“It is,” Matriarch said. “I am still monitoring the two links in our possession. The opposite ends of the entangled pairs are in orbit.”
“And you said the robots on Apocalypse showed no signs of artificial intelligence,” Ryu said.
“Yes, that is correct. Only very basic programming.”
“What if all of them are like that?” Ryu asked.
“Hmm ... it is possible,” Matriarch said. Sweat beaded on her forehead. Her kimono flickered with red light. “Forgive me if I find this difficult to articulate. Our ... enemy ... has shown signs of extreme paranoia, both in the control of its agents and the desire to keep its location secret. I would suspect ... that all the robots on Europa have limited or no AI and that they are all controlled via a forward relay. The ... enemy is more concerned with keeping its location secret than in victory today.”
“But why wouldn’t the robots have AI backup in case of communication loss?” Three-Part asked.
“Because this is Caesar we’re talking about,” Kaneda said. Matriarch cringed. “He is a psychotic, sociopathic control freak. Remember that while he is extremely intelligent, his mind is fundamentally just as human and flawed as ours. More flawed in some ways. His overpowering desire for control of his surroundings led to the tragedy ten years ago. The robots in Bunker Zero were the same way. Once they were severed from him, they executed their last command with unerring stupidity.”
“They were still a threat,” Ryu said. “But
they acted without leadership or any sense of strategy.”
“More like a pack of animals with guns than soldiers,” Kaneda said. “I say we attack the Errand. If there’s a chance it’s controlling the robots on Europa, we must do all we can to break the link.”
The blood-splattered naval officer shook his head. “The Errand is totally unassailable. The fleet has fired everything we have at it. They even scored two direct hits with kinetic torpedoes, one against its side armor. The attacks had no effect. I don’t know what kind of armor that ship has, but we don’t have the firepower to take it out. To put it bluntly, our fleet is spent. We have nothing left to give.”
“Then we use the Needle,” Kaneda said.
“The Errand would shoot the Needle down the moment it appeared into orbit,” the naval officer said.
“Not if we teleport into the Errand,” Kaneda said.
“You want to jump inside another ship?” Ryu asked.
“Why not?” Kaneda asked. “You teleported out of Apocalypse. I assume the opposite is possible.”
“It would take several minutes to calculate a jump of this distance and mass,” Matriarch said. “The Errand is using a randomized flight plan. I cannot predict its movements that far into the future.”
“Then guess,” Kaneda said. “Use what is left of your fleet. Force it to evade your attacks. Box it in. Do whatever you can to make its moves more predictable. What other choice do we have but to try?”
“Even if I could, I don’t know where the empty spaces are,” Matriarch said. “And I don’t know what would happen if two solid objects interposed.”
“Then let’s find out,” Kaneda said.
“Sounds like it’s worth a shot to me,” Ryu said. “We can load the Needle with all the fortress cracker mines you have left and send them inside the Errand.”
“We don’t have many left,” Kaneda said. “Certainly not enough to destroy a ship of that size. We may get lucky, but that is not something to rely on.”
“You have a better idea?” Ryu asked.
“We board the vessel,” Kaneda said. “The mines will serve as backup should we fail. This is not only our last chance to save Europa, but also to find where Caesar is hiding. If we’re going after the TangleNet links on the Errand, we go for it all. I say we get a team on board and capture the links.”
Matriarch brushed the sweat from her brow. “It would only reveal the next relay.”
“That takes us one step closer,” Kaneda said. “It’s worth the risk.”
“There isn’t much room in the Needle,” Matriarch said. “Four dragons or two crusaders could fit. A mix would also work.”
“Then that will have to do,” Kaneda said.
“It’s suicide,” Matriarch said.
“I’ve survived suicide missions before,” Kaneda said.
“He’s right,” Ryu said. “I volunteer.”
Kaneda caught Ryu’s eye and gave him a curt nod. If this was the end, then at least he’d go out fighting at his brother’s side.
Ryu winked back. “I can’t let you do something this crazy by yourself.”
“Thank you, Ryu,” Kaneda said. “Of course, I will go as well.”
“There is space for one more dragon,” Matriarch said.
“How about it, Naomi?” Ryu asked.
“Yeah, why not,” Naomi rubbed the back of her neck. “I haven’t done anything this crazy in at least a week.”
“Your other subordinate would be more useful,” Kaneda said.
“What?” Cat asked. “Why me?”
“Just because we disagree on almost everything doesn’t make me blind to your talent,” Kaneda said. “You spotted Caesar’s lure on North Pacifica. Skills like that will be more useful than a sniper.”
“Cat,” Ryu said. “I think he’s right. We could use you. No offense, Naomi.”
“None taken.”
Cat looked down and took a deep breath.
Another tremor passed through the city.
“Caesar forces are attacking Port Kichida,” Seven said. He pulled his hood over his head. “I’m needed elsewhere.”
“Good luck,” Three-Part said.
“Thanks, Parts,” Seven said. The Martian sniper and five militia soldiers left through the elevator.
“I hate you,” Cat said to Kaneda. “You know that.”
“Your view is understandable, given our history.”
“And that arrogant way you talk makes me want to punch your face in.”
“Also understandable.”
“But I’ll do it. I’ll go along with this crazy idea of yours.”
Kaneda tipped his head to her. “Thank you.”
“I don’t want your thanks.”
“As you wish,” Kaneda said. He turned to Matriarch. “Where is the Needle?”
* * *
Deep within Heart, the Needle of Destiny’s slender hull sat on a U-shaped cradle in a sterile white-walled room. Technicians in orange coveralls climbed over it, pulling out various science modules and stuffing any recess they could find with the crusader mines. Purple ultrahigh voltage cables came up through the cradle to the Needle, but were being hastily disconnected as the craft was prepped for flight.
Standing next to the Needle, Ryu took Kaneda’s helmet from a technician and handed it back.
“Okay, that should do it,” Ryu said. “Give it a try.”
Kaneda put the helmet on and sealed up. He activated the armor’s new TangleNet link. “Testing. Testing. Am I coming through?”
The sound played out on Ryu’s audio overlay. “Loud and clear. No chance Caesar can hear us now.”
“Good,” Kaneda said. “This will help.”
“I can’t believe I’m going along with this,” Cat said. She stuffed her pockets with grenades and ammo clips and walked over to the Needle.
Three-Part rushed into the room carrying an M7 thermal lance, its power pack, and a siege shield.
“Sir,” Three-Part said. “The equipment you requested.”
“Excellent.” Kaneda turned his back to Three-Part. “Assist me in changing out.”
“Yes, sir.”
Three-Part disconnected the Gatling gun ammunition store from Kaneda’s back and let it fall to the ground with a thud. He slotted the thermal lance power pack into place and closed the security locks.
Kaneda took the thermal lance in his hand, shook the cables out, and powered it up.
“I never thought I’d be happy to see one of those,” Ryu said.
“We get one shot at this,” Kaneda said. “We go in heavy or not at all.”
“Oh, I know it,” Ryu said.
“I see you’ve also made an adjustment.”
Ryu pointed his thumb at the sniper rifle on his back, Naomi’s rifle. “Yeah, I guess I did.”
“All diagnostics green,” Kaneda said.
“The man carrying it swore by its dependability,” Three-Part said.
“Thank you, Three-Part. Good work.” Kaneda picked up the shield and locked it against his forearm. “Let’s get inside.”
“Got them!” Naomi shouted, running into the room.
“You did?” Ryu asked.
Naomi came to a stop next to Ryu. She handed over four oversized black cartridges.
“Oh, wow!” Ryu grinned. “You found four of them?”
“Seven and his crew were holding out on us.”
“You’re awesome. You know that?” Ryu slipped the turbo-devastators into his breast pouch.
Naomi tapped the rifle stock over his shoulder. “Remember, no trigger.”
“I remember. I’ll bring it back good as new. I promise.”
Naomi shook her head. “It’s just a rifle.” She poked him in the chest. “You bring this back, all right?”
“I intend to, though I wish you were coming with us.”
“To be honest, I’m glad I’m not,” Naomi said. A tear trickled down her cheek. “We don’t know what’s waiting for you up there or if you’ll even
reach it or ... or anything. A part of me is glad I don’t have to face that ... and yet ... does that make you think less of me?”
“Of course not. I’m proud of you. And I’m scared too. You have nothing to be ashamed of.”
Ryu bent down to give her a peck on the cheek, but Naomi backed away and shook her head. She smiled, the tear still fresh on her cheek. She grabbed the back of his head with both hands and pulled their faces together.
After a minute, Kaneda cleared his throat.
Ryu held up a finger and continued kissing.
“The Needle is ready,” Kaneda said. “Every second counts.”
Naomi pulled away from Ryu. A thin line of saliva linked their mouths before it broke.
“Good luck,” Naomi said.
“We’re wasting time,” Kaneda said.
Cat and Kaneda climbed into the Needle’s cockpit. Ryu put his helmet on, sealed up, and squeezed in after them. He pulled the hatch shut. His helmet was pinched between the hatch and Kaneda’s power pack.
“The fleet is engaging the Errand,” Matriarch said. “I have guessed the ship’s next few moves and am calculating possible teleport vectors. Please stand by.”
Ten long minutes passed. Ryu thought he heard someone muttering.
“What’s that?” he asked. “Kaneda, are you saying something?”
“I’m sorry. Am I disturbing you? I had our link off.”
“No, I was just wondering. Besides Cat grinding her teeth and your power pack buzzing it’s the only sound in here.”
“If you must know, I was praying.”
“Oh. Okay. Well, don’t let me distract you.”
Another five minutes slipped by.
“So,” Ryu said. “Are you just praying for yourself or all of us?”
“Why? Does it matter?”
“I don’t know. Just curious, I guess.”
“You’re not starting to believe, are you?”
“What? No, of course not. Of course not,” Ryu said. He thought for a moment. “I’m just thinking it couldn’t hurt, you know?”
“Our fleet is disengaging,” Matriarch said. “My prediction of the Errand’s evasion pattern appears accurate. Stand by for transit.”
“Ryu?” Kaneda said.
“Yeah?”
“It was for all three of us.”