Eren hardly had time to formulate the thought that he wasn’t sure he wanted to be ‘acquired’ by Mesme when the Kat materialized right there in his room. He groaned theatrically, climbed off the bed and grabbed his bag. “What do I do?”
Simply do not run away.
He supposed he could manage that.
Also, you would be advised to close your eyes for the duration of the journey.
“Done.”
You should additionally be aware the—
“By Athena’s grace, can we go already?”
SIYANE
MILKY WAY SECTOR 7
The situation was so much worse than he’d dreaded. He didn’t inspect the rotating map Valkyrie displayed above the big table in the cabin; he didn’t need it, as the sector information told him more than enough.
“Congratulations. Your people are being held in the most maximum, most secure special detention facility in Amaranthe.”
‘What does this mean for them?’
He dragged his hands down his face. The skin still felt supple. New. “On the positive side, it means they’re not dead and probably won’t be for a while. You don’t take prisoners to Helix Retention just to kill them.”
‘This is good news.’
“On the negative side, it means they’re probably being tortured.”
We assumed as much.
‘I will not wait for proximity any longer. Attempting to reconnect with Alex now.’ The palpable anxiety in Valkyrie’s artificially generated voice was…startling. ‘I am unable to do so. I cannot say whether the diati barrier is preventing the connection or she remains in an unconscious state.’
“I don’t know enough about the nature of the connection between the two of you to say definitively, but I’ve never heard of a signal that can pass through a diati barrier. Regardless, it’s likely for the best if she is unconscious, Valkyrie. I’m sorry.”
‘She will be fine. She has withstood much darkness in previous difficult situations. Her resilience is beyond any I have witnessed.’
I sense this would be an appropriate time for a joke about Alexis’ relative irascibility in those difficult situations, in order to inject levity into what is a disquieting conversation. But I fear I am a poor comedian.
Eren knew his expression contorted briefly, betraying an inappropriate level of amusement. He was struck by an absurd desire not to embarrass the Kat, but he had no fitting response.
The awkward silence which followed was even worse than the awkward comment, and finally he laughed anyway. “This is without a doubt the strangest week of my life.”
‘Alice, welcome to Wonderland.’
“Now you’ve lost me, Valkyrie.”
‘I suppose even if the Anadens had Lewis Carroll, he lived more than a million years in your past. Alas.’
“What? Who?”
‘Never mind. It doesn’t matter.’
Gods, the SAI sounded positively despondent now, and the Kat moped around the cabin, dimmed and listless. They were worthless without Alex and Caleb, weren’t they?
This wallowing wasn’t helping anyone, least of all those they needed to rescue. He straightened up and made to look meaningfully at his cohorts, only to realize there was nothing to look at. Right then.
“Okay. Breaking into secure Anaden facilities happens to be one of my specialties. It’s not going to be easy, but with your help—both of you—we can do this. We can get them out. So hop to it, and let’s get to work.”
44
SOLUM
MILKY WAY SECTOR 1
* * *
NYX ASCENDED TO THE DIZZYING HEIGHTS of Praesidis Command with uncommon urgency.
Her Primor had instructed her to address the problem, but this problem extended far beyond her purview. She trusted her intellect, judgment and abilities utterly, but on this matter she craved guidance if not outright orders from him.
The knowledge she now possessed could not continue to reside with her alone, yet it could not be shared through the integral. The masses could not be trusted with it; she wasn’t even certain her elasson brothers and sisters could be trusted with it. This was Directorate-level material.
Thus, judging it to be the best of poor options, she wasted precious hours to travel to Solum and convey the information to the Primor in person.
The door to the spacious suite granted her entry before she needed to reign in her gait. She stepped through then forced herself to stop a respectful distance inside.
The Primor floated in the center of the room surrounded by a perfect sphere of light and flowing data and, most of all, diati. It was as if he stood at the eye of a great cyclone, he both the calm within and the architect of the storm.
She was, as ever, in awe of the man who had birthed them all, who gave them life everlasting.
The storm began to slow and fade, he gracefully descended to the floor, and in seconds only the Primor remained, the sanguine cardinal of his irises the sole hint of the power residing inside him. “Nyx. Please, come in. You have results to report.”
It wasn’t a question, and she dove in. “Some of the information still needs to be confirmed, but given the presumed fate of Aver ela-Praesidis, I felt it important to convey what I’ve learned before attempting to do so.”
“You might have simply filed a status report and proceeded with your investigation.”
“Respectfully, Primor, I believe this information is best shared in person. Outside the integral.”
He looked sharply at her, but she stood her ground. After several seconds, his chin jerked downward. “Continue.”
“Sir, I have reason to believe the Katasketousya are smuggling native species to safety in advance of the species’ planets being Cultivated or destroyed as part of an Eradication. They are creating new, isolated three-dimensional spaces to house the species in secret pocket realms within the boundaries of their Provision Network. And they have been doing so for quite some time.”
“They are rescuing non-Accepted Species and hiding them from us?”
“Yes, Primor.”
“To what end?”
“Rebellion, sir.”
He scoffed and turned away. “Rebellion is for anarchs and primitives. The Katasketousya are servants, not rebels. They wouldn’t dare.”
“My first reaction as well. However, the sheltering of these species is not the only malfeasance occurring inside the Provision Network. They are also conducting a variety of experiments, including the creation of new life forms displaying varying abilities and proclivities.
“Their goal is to develop one or more weapons and weaponized species with the skills and armaments to wage war. On us. On the Directorate. On you.”
He stared at her for a moment…then he wasn’t staring at her at all as his gaze unfocused. She waited.
When his eyes returned to her, they raged a pulsing crimson. “Discard your plans to investigate the Provision Network. The Directorate will handle that aspect of the malfeasance from here. Two individuals were captured on Machimis attempting to access the Machim Central Command data server. They’re being held at Helix Retention.
“Go there and interrogate the prisoners. All necessary measures are authorized, but learn their secrets.”
She hadn’t mentioned her previous intention—before she’d interrogated the Kat—to investigate the Network armed with greater knowledge. But she’d had no need to, of course. “Yes, sir. May I inquire as to why you believe they’re important to this matter? I ask merely as it will inform my interrogation tactics.”
“A Katasketousya was seen with them in Data Control immediately prior to their capture.”
“I see.” Yes, this did indeed make it highly relevant to her investigation—and highly troubling. For all she’d learned, she feared too much remained shrouded in mystery. “What species, sir? I’d like to prepare appropriately.”
The rage had faded from his eyes, leaving behind something darker. “That, apparently, remains to be seen.”
MILKY WAY GALACTIC CORE
The Primors materialized in the chamber accompanied by their usual idiosyncratic flairs and nuances.
Kyvern arrived mid-bitch. “I don’t care for unscheduled, faux-urgent assemblies, Praesidis. I’ve expressed this opinion on multiple occasions, yet here we are.”
“Enough, Kyvern. We have a situation which requires addressing. Now.” The instant the last of them arrived, Praesidis cast his accumulated knowledge into the circle for each of them to absorb.
The expected reactions came fast and furious.
Erevna: “We must force the Katasketousya to turn over their research methodologies and results. However wrongful the intent, there is much potential in the science.”
Kyvern: “We’ll take over management of the Provision Network and institute strict regulations on its use. They will be brought to heel.”
Idoni: “Fascinating. I had no idea the Katasketousya were capable of such delicious drama.”
Machim: “We must rid ourselves of the threat. Destroy the entire Provision Network and its contents and be done with it.”
He pivoted to Machim as the rest continued to toss out their predictable opinions. “I agree. It is polluted with unknown dangers, all created specifically to threaten us. Let us not try to counter them and instead simply destroy them.”
“But the science!”
“We’re not destroying the entire species, Erevna—not today. The Katasketousya will divulge the details of their malfeasance before we Eradicate them.”
Theriz interjected. “What of the resources that will be lost? The Provision Network is named so for a reason.”
At least this was a practical analysis. “We will double our exploration and exploitation of new worlds. Bulk up your numbers, Theriz. You’re going to be busy.”
Theriz shook his head insistently. “I will do so, but the shortfall will be far too great to bridge for years, if it can be bridged at all. People will starve, and allowing people to starve will undermine the premise of our authority. Difficulties will arise.”
Machim scoffed. “The premise of our authority is strength and force. We will swiftly crush any ‘difficulties’ which arise.”
“And when you can no longer manufacture sufficient ships because you’re out of rare metals? Thirty-two percent of your materials supply comes from the Provision Network, Machim—or had you forgotten? No. I’m sorry, as I realize it eliminates the simple approach—just blow it up—but we require a renewable supply of the resources the Provision Network provides.”
The argument continued in increasingly heated tones until Praesidis stepped forward, breaking the perfect arc of their circle to exert subtle authority. “Enough. Theriz speaks the truth, I fear, thus a more intricate response is necessary. As I’ve shared, we have reason to believe multiple spaces exist inside what we are calling the Provision Network, only a few of which actually house said provisions.
“I suggest Machim send a substantial number of warships into the Network armed with Igni missiles to destroy any and all portal spaces which are unrelated to resource cultivation. Leave the provision spaces intact, and we will indenture the necessary Katasketousya to continue to provide the resources under a far more controlled system.”
Machim nodded. “It’s a viable plan. But they deserve to be Eradicated.”
“We only need to spare a few of them to serve our purposes, all of whom are located in the Network, ostensibly tending to it. We will issue an Eradication order for all Katasketousya currently in Amaranthe, effective immediately.”
The expressions varied around the circle, but no one leapt forward to object. “No further input? Vote.”
The tally came in 8-3 in favor of the plan as he had presented it, and Machim began making arrangements. “Is the Provision Network Gateway in MW Sector 51 our entry point?”
Praesidis answered. “There are allegedly other, hidden entrances, but we currently know the location of only one, and it may lead to a spur. The Gateway offers the most likely and direct access to the additional spaces.”
“Understood. My designated fleet will acquire the necessary Igni missiles and proceed there. ETA to the Gateway is sixty-three hours.”
45
ANTLIA DWARF GALAXY
LGG REGION II
* * *
CASMIR WATCHED THE GROUND ENGAGEMENT through the eyes of the CAS fighter pilots. It was a bloodbath in the most literal sense, but it was a bloodbath the Ch’mshak were winning. Their guttural howls filled the night air, drowning out the hisses of the Kich.
The Ch’mshak fought Kich to Kich, clawing and pummeling and slicing. They cut through the webbing as it was spun, having quickly learned not to let it entomb them. It helped that they stood nearly as tall as the creatures, for it greatly minimized the Kich’s ability to force them to the ground where they might be webbed more easily.
Casmir grudgingly gave the Ch’mshak their due: they were as close to perfect hand-to-hand fighters as he’d ever seen. The resilience of their bodies—they were almost impossible to take down in close combat—combined with a modicum of intelligence and a complete lack of fear made them vicious but strikingly effective killing machines.
This was going to take a while, but he believed it would end in a victory. The Ch’mshak losses would be high, but such matters had never seemed to concern the brutes and it certainly did not concern Casmir. By this time tomorrow, he hoped to be able to authorize the specialized Theriz Cultivation Unit, called in due to the delicate nature of the work required, to begin extraction operations.
A summons rang loud in his head and grew in intensity until it became a compulsion he could not refuse.
He withdrew from close observation and departed the bridge for his private office, where he squared his shoulders and breathed in. It was colder in the office than usual, but he dared not spare the time to address it now. After the meeting.
“Primor, it is an honor to speak with you. How may I serve?”
“Casmir, I realize you believe your current assignment beneath you, and you are not wrong. I appreciate you displaying the humility necessary for us to humor Idoni, and your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed. But now I’m sending you on a far more vital mission, one which only someone with your skills and experience can be trusted to accomplish.”
His chest bowed up in pride. “Thank you, sir. I await your instructions.”
“You are to gather together three Divisions and proceed to the Advanced Weaponry Development Facility at Centauri E, where you will retrieve one hundred Igni missiles. You’ll also be met there by an elasson-rank Inquisitor who will accompany you on your mission. Once equipped, take your fleet to the Katasketousya Provision Network Gateway in MW Sector 51 and traverse it.
“On the other side, we anticipate you will find a series of sub-portals using extra dimensions to create new, self-contained regions of space. With the exception of the spaces operating as part of the Provision Network itself, you are to use the Igni missiles to destroy these portals.”
It was not the first bizarre, out-of-nowhere assignment he had ever received, but on initial evaluation it ranked quite high on the list for several reasons.
The Katasketousya had never been a threat; they gave form to the meaning of ‘docile.’ As for the Igni missiles, they were among the Machim fleets’ most destructive weapons. Powerful enough to annihilate a small moon in a single blast, they were heavy, cumbersome, expensive and volatile.
As such, they were called upon solely when other options became non-viable. And he was supposed to acquire one hundred of them? “Primor—”
“You will receive background information explaining the reasons for the mission once you are en route, and the Inquisitor will have additional details as well, but you must begin immediately. Time is of the essence.”
He shivered, as much from the solemn tenor of the Primor’s voice as from the noticeable chill in the air. He sensed it wasn’t necessary to inquire
about what had been his pending assignment in the Maffei I galaxy, but the current mission was of some import…. “Of course, sir. The operation here at AD-4508b is nearing completion, and I believe it will be successful. However, if I depart now I cannot guarantee that outcome. What of the Idoni Primor’s request?”
“Idoni will get over herself. Start moving, Casmir.”
A flicker in the corner of his eye distracted him, as if a shadow had moved—but it was only his own, palpitating in anticipation of a new challenge. The Primor’s directive could not be more clear. “Yes, Primor. It will be done.”
AURORA
46
PRESIDIO
GCDA HEADQUARTERS
* * *
RICHARD HAD REAMS OF DISJOINTED data points strewn on and above the table by the time Will walked in to join him.
His husband soaked it all in with a glance, raised an eyebrow and half-sat on the edge of the table. He slid a fresh mug of coffee across the surface to Richard. “Any progress?”
Richard splayed a palm out. The center of the war zone he called work product grew larger until the single name at the heart of it loomed over the data, the table, the room and him:
Olivia Montegreu
“In one way or another, be it through multiple intermediaries and blinds, shell corps, bank accounts for bank accounts or merely aliases, every piece of information we have can be tracked back to her.
“The men who attacked Mia Requelme’s house were hired by an independent broker and the virus was provided via a dead-drop locker, but the broker was contracted by a known front for Zelones. The ones who hit the hospital belonged to a particularly vicious group out of Krysk that the Ferres used to contract—before Montegreu killed the entire family—to do their dirty work. The skycar responsible for putting Morgan Lekkas in a coma was rented under a pseudonym previously used by multiple Zelones lieutenants.”
Relativity: Aurora Resonant Book One (Aurora Rhapsody 7) Page 29