Aurora Renegades

by G. S. Jennsen

  and I shall move the world.”

  — Archimedes

  Portal: Aurora

  (Milky Way)

  47

  ROMANE

  Independent Colony

  * * *

  Noah stared at the hand. His hand, he supposed, but his brain wasn’t quite ready to accept it yet.

  His brow furrowed in concentration…and the fingers curled in toward the palm. Directing the movement hadn’t actually been hard. His focus shifted, and he slowly bent the arm in at the elbow. It seemed heavy, but he knew it was his imagination.

  The skin tone was a tad pale, but the doctors promised it would tan and soon be indistinguishable from the rest of his skin. Because it was his skin, cloned from his other forearm and grafted onto the biosynthetic limb beneath—a limb constructed using his own bone, grown and shaped on a self-dissolving lattice.

  Still, while partially organic, the prosthetic arm stretching from fingertip to a few centimeters below his shoulder was more synthetic than—

  —he stopped himself. What the hell was he being angsty and melodramatic about? He loved tech, and this was cool, dammit.

  It was going to be stronger than his real arm had been once he got used to controlling it. He bet it packed a helluva punch. And he’d been in enough scrapes to recognize there were times when what you most needed in the world was a helluva punch.

  His spirits lifted considerably, and he was beaming when Kennedy walked into the hospital room with his father in tow. Even the sight of Lionel didn’t dampen his mood. If pushed, he’d be forced to admit he was almost—almost—glad to see his father.

  He lifted his fake arm in the air and gave it an experimental wave. “Hi.”

  His father appeared positively concerned as he hurried over to the bed. “How are you feeling? You’re lucky to be alive, you know. I spoke to all the doctors. They say if a few more minutes had passed without medical intervention, your eVi would not have been able to prevent your brain from stroking.”

  Noah shot Kennedy a questioning grimace, but she shrugged helplessly. He rolled his eyes in his father’s direction. “Good to see you too, Dad.”

  Lionel blinked. “Yes. Right. I’m happy to see you awake and in positive spirits.” He reached out, grasped the prosthetic arm and twisted it back and forth, inspecting it like it wasn’t attached to Noah’s body.

  “Ow!”

  Lionel set the arm down and patted the hand perfunctorily. “So the nerves were properly reattached. Good. Looks as though they did a fair job. I made certain no expense was spared, so the limb should function perfectly for you. If it doesn’t, inform me and I’ll take care of it.”

  Noah started to bristle. He opened his mouth to protest that he didn’t want or need his father’s charity. But his father’s charity meant he had a state of the art prosthetic arm all but indistinguishable from his own—better than his own—and not a clunky synthesized polymer one. He looked at his father, really looked, and for the first time found genuine kindness in the man’s eyes.

  “I’ll keep that in mind. It feels fine. A little weird, but I bet I’ll forget it’s not mine—not my original arm—in no time. So…thanks.”

  Kennedy moved to the other side of the bed and placed a far more gentle hand on his shoulder. “Are you in pain? The docs have great drugs if you need any.”

  “Let’s make sure and swipe some on our way out, then. It’s…sore I guess, at my shoulder where they connected all the pieces on the inside. But a dash of pain reminds me I’m alive and nearly wasn’t.”

  A distressed frown darkened her features, and he reached over using his real arm to place a hand on hers. “It’s okay. No, it’s better than okay.”

  The frown blossomed into a smile in response, lovely as a cloudless sunrise, and he thought he probably shouldn’t leave her ever.

  Lionel cleared his throat, ending the weighty, emotional moment with a typical absence of grace. “Ms. Rossi, please inform the appropriate representatives that Pandora will be joining the IDCC. Have the necessary records sent to my attention, and I’ll ensure they’re executed and returned.”

  Kennedy didn’t seem surprised. “I’m glad to hear it. And please, you can call me Kennedy. I think we’re well past honorifics now.”

  His father regarded her with a rather perplexed expression, one most unlike his characteristic scowl of disdain. “Very well, if you insist…Kennedy.”

  Noah gave Lionel a vaguely accusatory look. “So you really do wield a lot of authority for Pandora, then?”

  Ah, there was the scowl. Back to normal. “Yes, I do. And that’s all I intend to say on the matter, so don’t bother to press it.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  Kennedy tilted her head in question. “May I ask why you decided to join?”

  “Criminals hurt my son. IDCC forces saved him, then punished those responsible. The Consortium has proved its worth to me.”

  Noah was too shocked to figure out how to retort. He gazed at Kennedy instead, eyes a bit wide. She squeezed his hand.

  Huh. Just like that it became his hand.

  She looked back to his father. “I know they’ll be pleased to hear the news. You should receive documentation in the next hour.”

  “Yes, well.” His father straightened up. “I have a comm to take, and I want to speak at greater length to the doctors overseeing your care. I’ll return later to check on you.” He pivoted and left the room.

  Noah sank against the pillow. “Well, he’s not getting any more charming.”

  “But?”

  “But I suppose it’s…nice, what he’s doing. For me, for the IDCC.”

  “You’re damn right it is.”

  He may have relaxed, but she was twitching beside the hospital bed. He tilted his head curiously. “What’s up?”

  She chewed on her lower lip. “So…the Alliance issued an arrest warrant for me over the adiamene dispute.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  She shook her head. “I’m a fugitive!” She started giggling as the words spilled out, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Can you believe it? I feel so naughty.”

  He laughed, relieved she was taking the news so well. He’d expected horror at best, panic at less best, if something like this happened. He must be rubbing off on her. “Imagine how naughty I’m going to feel when I make love to a fugitive from justice. I can’t wait.”

  “Neither can I.” Her lips quirked mischievously and she placed a soft kiss on his mouth. “But you need to concentrate on healing for now.”

  He scoffed. “Seriously, though, you don’t think they’ll send law enforcement after you, do you? Or…crap, doesn’t Romane have an extradition treaty with the Alliance?”

  “You haven’t checked the news lately, have you? What am I saying, obviously you haven’t checked the news. You’ve had more important things to worry about. But no—not any longer.”

  48

  EARTH

  Vancouver, EASC Headquarters

  * * *

  “Everything is ready to go on this end. We are operational and awaiting the stream.”

  Miriam eyed the security cam footage of the lobby, noting the new arrivals. “Okay, Christopher. I’m out of time. Initiating transfer.”

  “Good luck, Miriam.”

  “Luck is not a factor. I’ll see you soon.”

  She killed the holocomm and opened a new screen, then carefully input a string of commands, passwords, authorizations and more commands.

  The hesitation before she hit ‘Proceed’ was hardly long enough to be measurable.

  The line between patriot and traitor was a fine one indeed. It was also one drawn by the victors, so her placement relative to it remained to be seen.

  She was sitting patiently at her desk when they arrived, but stood when the door opened to admit Pamela Winslow and four members of the woman’s security retinue.

  “Prime Minister, what can I do for you? To warrant a personal visit when you have s
o many pressing matters to handle, it must be quite important.”

  “You have refused to implement Assembly Resolution SGR 2323-4761. Do you confirm this?”

  “Is that the one ordering the military to act against Alliance citizens, rounding them up and imprisoning them while lacking probable cause then denying them a timely hearing?”

  “The Alliance military is sworn to protect its citizens from threats without and within.”

  “Yes. It is.” She didn’t flinch, and Winslow folded under the weight of her stare.

  “I’ll ask you once more, Admiral. Are you refusing to enforce a valid Assembly Directive?”

  “I take exception to the term ‘valid.’ ”

  “Are you refusing to enforce an Assembly Directive?”

  “I am.”

  Winslow tried to mask the malicious smile but did not entirely succeed. Miriam wasn’t surprised; this was what the woman wanted, after all. “Then you will suffer the consequences. As Prime Minister, I am exercising my authority under Article 31.3 of the Second Earth Alliance Constitution of 2146 to relieve you of the rank of Fleet Admiral, effective immediately.”

  “Oh, dear. I suppose I’m forced to return to being a simple Admiral—a rank you do not have the authority to divest me of.”

  “No, but an Ethics Council tribunal does, and I will ensure you’re brought in front of one inside a week.”

  “You’d best get to work on that, then.” Miriam brushed past Winslow to exit the office.

  “Agent Treston, detain Admiral Solovy on suspicion of conspiracy to commit treason.”

  She stopped in the open doorway. Hearing the word pronounced aloud chilled her to the marrow in her bones, but she would never let it show.

  She looked behind her to the man Winslow had directed the order at. The agent appeared unsure of what to do, and the warning in Miriam’s eyes couldn’t be helping his resolve.

  “Prime Minister, I’m not certain we have the—”

  “She is suspected of being a clear and present threat to state security. Detain her now.”

  “Y-yes, ma’am.” The agent took a hesitant step toward her.

  Miriam leaned into the atrium and secured the attention of the security officer on duty. “Captain Fletcher, these agents are attempting to illegally restrain a superior military officer.”

  “Ma’am!” He leapt up and barked orders into his comm. In seconds six additional MPs had arrived in the atrium.

  “Agent Treston.”

  Treston drew his service Daemon. She had to admire his audacity. The next second everyone’s weapons were drawn. Except hers, of course. No need to be unseemly.

  The Prime Minister’s security team was outnumbered and literally outgunned. Winslow vibrated with rage.

  Had she honestly believed Miriam’s people would not follow her orders without question, would not defend her even if the Prime Minister’s actions were not illegal—which they were?

  Miriam met Winslow’s gaze in a cold, steeled and utterly composed manner. “Let’s not create a bloodbath in EASC Headquarters. I’m confident you don’t want to start your term in office under the cloud of such an unfortunate scandal.”

  She paused to give Winslow the opportunity to argue; the woman did not.

  “I’m leaving now. Once I’ve departed, Captain Fletcher will see you and your men off the Island.”

  “You are making such a mistake, Admiral.”

  “We will see, won’t we?” She pivoted to Fletcher. “Two men with me. They’ll inform you when I’ve authorized the Prime Minister and her people to depart. Until then, keep them here.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” His chin notched up. “Godspeed, Admiral.”

  That of all things caught her off guard. She blinked. “Thank you, Captain. And thank you for your exemplary service.”

  “It’s my honor, ma’am.”

  A sharp salute and she headed for the lift, turning her back on what had become her favorite office ever. If things went her way, perhaps she’d see it again.

  Her MP escorts were stoic and silent during the ride down the lift. On reaching the lobby they respectfully motioned for her to remain while they cleared the way to the exit. It was unlikely Winslow had kept any security in reserve, much less a force worthy of concern. But the MPs’ job was not to assume.

  Once outside she did not head for the spaceport, but rather the courtyard.

  Right on time, an EA military shuttle descended from above. It was an unusual place to land, but the shuttle apparently had all the required clearances, for no one was attempting to shoot it down.

  She pivoted to the MPs. “Thank you for the escort, officers. My ride’s here, so I’ll be going. Delay one minute after I’ve boarded the shuttle, then inform Captain Fletcher that Prime Minister Winslow and her security detail can be taken to the spaceport and placed aboard their transport.

  “Do not share any details about my departure until the Prime Minister has left the premises, and then only with Captain Fletcher or Major Lange.”

  “Understood, Admiral.”

  She returned their salutes before traversing the half-step up and into the waiting shuttle. The door closed behind her as the late-morning sun reflected off the Headquarters façade.

  She exhaled deeply, trying to leave it all here…then moved into the small cockpit and perched on the seat next to Richard. “Thanks for the pickup. Encounter any problems?”

  He shot her a quick, reassuring smile as he banked above the Strait. “Plenty, but I wasn’t an intelligence officer for nothing.”

  “No, you weren’t.” She reached over and squeezed his shoulder. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome. Are you all right?”

  “I am. I must be.” She nodded firmly. “I’m just grateful Alex isn’t here to see the fallout from all this.”

  “On the other hand, the stream of obscenities she’d level at Winslow might be entertaining, and possibly unmatched in history.”

  She wanted to laugh aloud, but she worried it would trigger an avalanche. So instead she merely huffed a breath in response.

  When the ensuing silence lingered a bit long, Richard cracked his neck. “I’ve got one of the new scout ships waiting on the EAO Orbital. We’ll be at Messium by the morning.”

  Messium. The tense encounter had caused her to momentarily forget the most important part. She immediately opened a holocomm.

  “Christopher, I’m in the air but don’t want to access the system until I’m beyond Earth space. Did you receive everything?”

  “The Artificial is reporting receipt and integration of all records, protocols and security encryptions. The connection was cut twenty-three seconds ago on your end, for what it’s worth, but not before we gained all necessary access.”

  “We have control of the EASC network?”

  “No, Miriam. We have control of the entire Earth Alliance Armed Forces network.”

  49

  PANDORA

  Independent Colony

  * * *

  The news feed played in Devon’s head as he unlocked the obscenely encrypted door to his apartment.

  “In the wake of the new legislation passed by the Earth Alliance Assembly, government officials have announced a ban on quantum component imports from any colony which has legalized the private ownership of Artificials or the use of what the Assembly termed ‘Prevo technology.’

  “This currently includes all colonies who have joined the IDCC, and depending on the outcome of the vote expected soon in its Parliament, may extend to the entire Senecan Federation as well.

  “In addition, Alliance officials have put those governments on notice that they will expect existing extradition treaties to be honored, including with respect to any Earth Alliance citizens located on those worlds who violate the laws passed today.”

  If the Federation extended legal protection to Prevos, it would be a huge win. There had been a flurry of activity on this front during the last week in the halls of government on Senec
a. He’d been busy working to keep the Prevos there—and everywhere—safe, but he and the others had peeked in from time to time to monitor developments.

  Still, even if the legislation passed it didn’t guarantee their safety. On the contrary, an enraged OTS would mean greater risk for Prevos on Federation soil. But at least they’d finally have law enforcement backing them up.

  “A Federation spokesperson has issued a statement expressing concern over the Alliance legislation and indicating they will need to review it in some detail before addressing the matter. The IDCC, however, responded by requesting that their constituent colonies nullify all extradition treaties with the Alliance, in effect severing high-level diplomatic relations. Romane has already done so, and others are expected to follow suit in coming days.

  “In other news, the Prime Minister’s office has announced Miriam Solovy’s removal from the post of Fleet Admiral in light of accusations of sedition, dereliction of duty and conspiracy to commit treason. Admiral Solovy’s whereabouts are not being made public at this time.

  “We’ll have additional updates regarding the alleged death of criminal mastermind Olivia Montegreu at the top of the hour, but for now we return you to coverage of the bombing of the Astral Materials headquarters on Scythia. The organization OTS is claiming credit for the incident….”

  The reporter had left out ‘terrorist,’ a pejorative they’d been happy to bestow on OTS before today. He wouldn’t be surprised if the news organizations had been warned against using the term by the new administration.

  Devon huffed a laugh to himself. ‘Not being made public’ meant ‘we don’t have a clue’ in government-speak. Was Miriam Solovy now as much a fugitive as he’d been when he ran, if not more so? It looked as though it was rather more so.

  He wondered what she’d done to piss off the new Prime Minister…be a decent human being, most likely.

  Which she was. He knew it, and Annie knew it. They each knew it separately; knowing it together, it became irrefutable. He felt as though he were far closer to the woman than he was, thanks to all the leakage from Annie and from Alex before she’d left.