by M. R. Forbes
“I don’t understand. How?”
“In whatever way his corrupted mind determined. He’s already influenced millions, manipulating them to his way of thinking. If he had the Covenant, he would be able to convince them he had irrefutable proof of his words, whether they were truth or not.”
Abbey still didn’t get what the original Covenant was, or how it could do that. The only part of the Nephilim Covenant she had seen suggested it was filled with details on how to use the Gift for war. But she also knew what Thraven believed in. The Promise and the Great Return. That had to come from somewhere. Another part of the same source that she hadn’t seen?
“Dangerous or not, I need to know. If it can help Thraven turn the other species against us, it may be able to help us turn the Nephilim against him.”
“That isn’t possible,” Sylvan said. “We have to think of another way.”
“Damn it,” Abbey cursed, bringing her fist down on the desk. It crumpled beneath the force of the blow, leaving a large depression on the surface. Abbey turned to Charmeine again. “You left us to fight the Nephilim. You helped make me into what I’ve become.” She held up her hands, facing back so Charmeine could see the ridges. “You fragging owe me!”
“Abigail!” Sylvan shouted. “Enough. Nobody speaks to my wife like that.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Abbey asked. “Give me a break. The Seraphim made a mess of this whole thing, and now they won’t help me clean it up? Uriel was right. He said you were a shadow. A dying, useless race.”
She started for the door.
“Where are you going?” Sylvan asked.
“I’m taking my Rejects and whoever else around her who’s loyal to me, and I’m going to find Thraven.”
“He’ll kill you,” Charmeine said.
“Most likely. But at least I’ll die trying.”
She kept walking. She was angrier than she had ever been before. How could the two of them stand there and let Thraven destroy everything, just to keep the Covenant safe? What good was the fragging Covenant anyway, if they were all dead?
“Abbey, wait,” Charmeine said behind her.
She didn’t listen. She kept walking. She would have to kill Thraven now when she was certain she couldn’t. She was going to die. And she still didn’t know if Hayley was safe.
“Abbey,” Charmeine repeated. “I’ll tell you where to find him.”
“Charlie, you can’t,” Sylvan said.
Abbey stopped, turning slowly.
“Don’t tell me what I can do,” Charmeine replied. “You brought me back for a reason. Now I believe this is the reason.”
“I didn’t bring you back for this,” Sylvan replied. “I need your tactical feedback. You always said-”
“Forget what I always said. That was before Abbey came along. That was before the Shard chose her.”
“Whoa. Hold on,” Abbey said. “I’m not some Chosen One. This isn’t fragging destiny. I was available, that’s it. The Shard said so himself.”
“It doesn’t matter. You know about the Keeper. That does matter. And you’re right. The Seraphim are responsible for this. We didn’t do enough to stop the Nephilim when we had the chance, and in the end, we only made things worse. The Seraphim didn’t grow the way they did because of the infections. Jubilation and Deminoss are only two of dozens that had to be cleansed.”
“Dozens?” Sylvan said. “How many did you lose?”
Charmeine was hesitant to say it. She looked from Abbey to Kett and back. “Eight billion,” she said at last. “The bunkers were one thing. But when the naniates turned on us? We lost entire cities. Entire planets. We left them uninhabitable to keep our failure from being discovered.”
Abbey paled at the number. Eight billion? That was more than the current population of Earth. It was so many; she could barely imagine it.
“We rebuilt an entire civilization after we used the Focus on the Nephilim,” Charmeine said. “And then we destroyed it. I won’t do the same thing to all of these species that the Shard brought us here to raise. I will leave the coordinates embedded in your synth’s permanent memory banks, so it won’t be lost when I am wiped. She’ll lead you to the Keeper, but know this: there are defenses in place to keep anyone from reaching him. Defenses we can’t control or disable. You’ll have to fight your way in.”
Abbey nodded. “That’s fine with me.”
“The defenses were designed to prevent Venerants from entry. Don’t underestimate them.”
“We’re Hell’s Rejects, Charlie. We don’t back down from a fight.”
“Charlie,” Sylvan said. “This isn’t a good idea, and I don’t want to lose you again.”
“Then find another synth and bring me back. The Queen of Demons has need of this one. Your Queen and mine, Syl.”
General Kett looked at Abbey. Then he bowed his head. “If this is what Charlie wants, then this is what we’ll do. I’ll follow whatever orders you give me, Abigail.”
“Please, General. Call me Queenie.”
29
“Geez, Queenie,” Pik said as Abbey emerged from Kett’s office. “You were in there for hours. I was about to start getting rambunctious.”
Abbey was amused by the word her translator selected. “Everything’s fine. The General and I came to an understanding.”
“As in, now Kett understands your fist in his face?” Benhil asked.
“No, but he does recognize what needs to be done, and who’s in charge of this army.”
“Reeejects!” Pik shouted. “What about Ruby?”
“I’m here, Pik,” Ruby said, emerging from the suite behind Abbey.
“Ruby!” the Rejects said, almost all at once.
“It’s good to see you again,” Bastion said.
“Welcome back,” Benhil said.
“Are you okay?” Pik asked.
“No,” Ruby replied. “You are.” She smiled.
“You tell jokes now?” Bastion said.
“A minor upgrade,” Ruby said. “For more accurate emoting.”
“Uh. Yeah. Sure.”
“So are we going to go kick Thraven’s ass or what?” Bastion asked.
“Not yet,” Abbey replied. “We have some other work to do first. Cherub, your father wants to speak to you.”
“I’m not interested,” Jequn replied angrily.
“I think you should.”
“For what purpose, Queenie? He made his decision. I made mine. There’s nothing to discuss.”
“I think there is,” Abbey replied. “Trust me?”
Jequn’s face softened slightly. “Fine,” she said. “But only for you.”
She moved past them and into Kett’s quarters. The door closed behind her.
“Do we need to be worried?” Bastion asked, motioning to the door.
“No. Sylvan is an asshole, but not as much of an asshole as we thought.”
“Joker, go to the bridge and tap Nerd. I want him with us for this one. Imp, Gant, head back to the Faust and get her ready for action. I don’t just mean travel; I mean serious action.”
“Uh, okay, Queenie,” Bastion said. “Do you mind telling us where we’re going?”
“Not yet. Okay, find Dak and get him to help you put together a supply inventory. Make sure you bring extra rations, I’m probably going to eat most of them.”
Pik laughed. “Aye, Queenie.”
“Void, I don’t know how it works, and I don’t think I want to, but if you need a refuel now’s the time.”
“Thank you, Queenie,” Trin replied. “Can you get me access to the reactor?”
“Ruby?” Abbey said.
“It will be done, Queenie.”
Trin turned and headed away, the guards behind them hurriedly splitting to make a path for her, obviously still afraid.
“Ruby, we need to try to sync up with Olus. I need his help.”
“It might be difficult to communicate. The Milnet is down, and our Galnet backchannel would require tha
t he is actively monitoring for us to make a connection. With the current state of affairs in the Republic, that isn’t likely to be occurring.”
“Then we’ll leave him a message. Thraven went after Hayley. I don’t think she’s dead, but she may be a prisoner, or she may be running scared. I don’t know.”
She closed her eyes, struggling to fight through the worry she had been doing her best to bury. She wanted more than anything to abandon this mission and go back to Earth, but she also knew if she did she’d be doing exactly what Thraven wanted her to. He couldn’t accelerate her change, not anymore. But he could distract her if she let him.
“I need a terminal to make the connection,” Ruby said.
“I’m sure we can find one,” Abbey replied.
They checked a few of the rooms, finding an empty one not far from Kett’s suite. Ruby activated the terminal, quickly logging in.
“I am connecting to the backchannel now,” Ruby said. “Standby.”
Abbey found herself pacing as she waited for the connection to be made. Hayley was in trouble, and she was going to be heading off the frag knew where to find the Keeper of the Covenant, whoever or whatever that was.
“Connection established. Captain Mann is not online.”
“Damn it,” Abbey said. “It figures. Can you record me?”
Ruby swiveled away from the terminal. Her eye changed, illuminating and capturing Abbey. “Go ahead.”
“Olus. I don’t know where you are, or everything that’s happening back on Earth. I do know that Thraven threatened me with Hayley, and she may be in trouble. Whatever you’re doing, you need to drop it and find her. You need to keep her safe from the Gloritant.” She could feel her emotions fighting their way up, trying to get the best of her. She fought against them, but a tear still found its way to her eye. “I wish I could do it myself, but you know the situation we’re in. I have a plan to help stop him, but it’s taking me further away from you, not closer. All I want.” She paused to keep herself from losing it, waiting a moment and drawing in a few calming breaths. “All I want is for Hayley to be safe. She’s a strong girl, but even the strongest are going to suffer these days, and I.” She paused again. She had never felt so weak. “I can’t bear the thought of losing her. I know if anyone back there can help her, if anyone can take care of her, it’s you. When you find her, tell her that I’m sorry I’m not there. That I’m doing my best to be the hero she thinks I am and to save everyone in the galaxy from this asshole. That I’m thinking about her all of the time, every time I think I can’t do it anymore. Tell her-”
“Abbey?”
Olus voice was crisp as Ruby’s other eye illuminated, casting a projection between them. Olus was standing in what looked like a small but well-appointed officer’s quarters.
Hayley was standing beside him.
“Hayley?” Abbey said, unable to contain herself anymore. Both of her eyes began to gush, the tears running freely down her face. “Oh, Hayley.”
“Mom,” Hayley said, waving to her. “I’m here.”
Abbey found herself on her knees, reaching out even though they couldn’t touch. “Are you okay? I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’m okay. Those assholes tried to take me, but Captain Mann saved me.”
Abbey looked up at Olus. “Thank you,” she said. “Olus. Thank you.”
“You know I would never let Thraven hurt a Cage,” Olus said. “You’re welcome, Abbey.”
“Mom, you should know.” Hayley paused, hesitant.
“What is it?” she asked.
“Dad is dead. They killed him.”
Hayley started to tear up. Abbey could feel her gut wrench at the sight of her daughter’s pain, at at the truth of their loss. “I’m sorry, Hal. I’m so sorry.”
Hayley nodded. “It isn’t your fault. I know you’re out there trying to stop this.”
“I should be there with you.”
“No. You should be where you are. Mom, I’m safe, and the Republic needs you. Everything is falling apart. Earth is falling apart.” She wiped at her eyes. “I’ll be okay. I’m sad, but I’ll be okay.”
“I love you,” Abbey said.
“I love you, too,” Hayley replied. “And I’m proud that you’re my mom.”
Abbey smiled. “I’m proud that you’re my daughter.”
“What happened to your hair?”
The simplicity of the question made Abbey laugh. She reached up and took a chunk of it, careful not to cut herself.
“I’ve changed a bit,” she said. “It’s a long story. Do you like it?”
“I think it’s cool.”
“It is pretty cool.”
“Abbey, I don’t mean to interrupt,” Olus said. “The Rejects got you off Azure. Where are you now?”
“With Kett’s fleet, but not for long. I have a plan to help us fight Thraven. I don’t want to divulge too much, just in case.”
“Understood,” Olus said. “We’re on a Crescent Hauler freighter, headed to a meeting with Don Pallimo. Apparently, he owes you a favor?”
“Another long story,” Abbey replied. “I outed Thraven to him. He knows it was the Gloritant’s fault the crew of the Devastator was slaughtered. Fragging Coli. I’m sure you can imagine, he’s not very happy about that.”
Olus smiled. “Hayley is officially under the Don’s protection, so try not to worry too much about her. She’s as safe as anyone can be these days.”
“That’s good to know,” Abbey said, looking at Hayley again. “Gant is setting up a secondary comm link to connect the assets that are still loyal to the Republic. I’ll make sure he passes you the intel you need to connect to it. I recommend keeping it close until you’re sure Pallimo can be trusted.”
“Roger. I was hoping Gant would have some ideas on how to reorganize the Republic. With the Milnet down every fleet and battlegroup is on their own.”
“I know. How are you holding up, Olus?”
“Better now that I know you’re still fighting.” He smiled. “I’m like you now, you know. The Watchers slipped me the Gift. It’s going to kill me eventually, but that’s okay. I’m an old man.”
“You aren’t that old,” Hayley said.
“I’m older than you think,” Olus replied. “How are you feeling, Abbey? Do you have the situation under control?”
Abbey knew what he was referring to. “It isn’t an issue anymore.” She adjusted her shardsuit, revealing the Hell brand and the Light of the Shard within it. “I’ve got a new benefactor.”
Olus’ eyebrows went up, and he smiled. “Excellent. Does Thraven know?”
“He might. We ran into one another near Avalon. Olus, the Gate is finished. All he needs is a power supply, and he’ll be able to turn it on and go back to Elysium.”
“He has to raise an army first, or there will be no point. That will still take years.”
“I’m not completely sure about that. I’ve learned a lot since the last time we spoke. I think the rest of the Nephilim are just waiting for their so-called Prophet to deliver, and once he does, they’ll be joining him in this mess. Since you’re getting a direct audience with the head of the Crescent Haulers, you have to do whatever you can to convince him to commit his assets to this war. Every freighter, every cargo ship, every mercenary on his payroll. Have them rendezvous with Kett’s fleet and get them ready for a counteroffensive.”
“It will be done,” Olus said. “Though I think you may wind up owing the Don a favor by the end.”
“If it saves the Republic, that’s fine with me.”
She shifted again, reaching out toward Hayley’s projection once more. Hayley raised her hand, bringing it right up to hers as though they were making contact.
“I have to go,” Abbey said.
“I know,” Hayley replied. “Be careful out there.”
“Thanks, kiddo. You be safe, too. Follow Captain Mann’s orders. He’s a certified badass.”
“Aye, mom.”
“I’l
l be in touch as soon as I can. I love you.”
“I love you too, mom.”
Abbey glanced up at Ruby. She cut the link, both of her eyes fading back to normal. Abbey felt a momentary emptiness in her chest when Hayley’s projection vanished, replaced a moment later by a renewed sense of hope and purpose. Her daughter was alive and safe and away from the fighting. It was the best news she could have hoped for.
As for Thraven?
He had no idea how fragged he was.
30
“Your Eminence,” Honorant Bashir said, entering the Font Room and falling to his knees. “We have word from Earth.”
Gloritant Thraven heard the words despite the fact that his head was submerged in the Blood of the Font. He lifted it from the liquid, letting it run down his head and face as he opened his eyes to look at his Honorant.
“Good word, I hope,” he said.
Bashir placed the projector on the floor and activated it.
“Your Eminence,” Evolent Carsyn said, bowing her head. “I have news.”
Thraven stared at the woman. Shapely, with dark hair and large, blue eyes. She was barely qualified for the role she had been pushed into, but Olus had killed Ruche, and Abbey had killed Elivee. She had killed his Immolent as well. He felt his teeth grind together. He was losing Gifted Nephilim faster than he could produce them.
“Go ahead,” he said, waving to Bashir to bring him his robes.
The Honorant ran to where they hung against the wall of the room, next to his remaining Immolent, a neophyte who was also barely ready for the role he had been given.
“Gloritant, Captain Mann and Hayley Cage were identified outside of a Crescent Hauler launch site in California. Honoring Devaille sent me and three dropships to engage but met with heavy resistance from Republic loyalists. They prevented us from reaching them before they made it to a waiting freighter. We gave chase, your Eminence, but were unable to prevent the freighter from entering FTL within Earth’s atmosphere.” She looked at him, her expression surprisingly calm. It gave him a new respect for her. “Captain Mann and Hayley Cage escaped.”