A lone figure was waiting under a nearby carport when he rounded the corner. Short, slender, and clearly human, the woman was elegantly dressed in a hooded satin cape that touched the ankles of her uniform, and wide-lens sunglasses, which covered much of her bronze-skinned complexion.
So much for facial recognition protocols. Taylor folded his arms. “Let me guess. The future’s so bright, you’ve gotta wear shades.”
The woman pulled back the hood, removed the sunglasses, and pulled something from the inside of her cheeks.
Didn’t see that comin’. Taylor pocketed his hands in his jeans. “Sansar Enkh. Of all the surprise guests I might’ve expected to meet at Happy Hour, I’ll admit, you’re a bit further down the list than most.”
“I have not come to drink with you, Chief Van Zant,” the venerable Asian merc commander said. “My apologies for the disguise. Sadly, your country has declared me persona non grata inside your borders so certain precautions had to be taken.”
“Call me Taylor, please.” He smiled. “And I suspect that might have something to do with the fact that you melted down most of the nation’s computer systems in your last encounter with us.”
Sansar shrugged. “I wasn’t responsible for the virus—it was the Science Guild’s AI—and I tried to give your government the solution before their computers ate themselves. They weren’t interested in talking to me.”
“Something to do with all the other things you’ve done to them, I suspect.”
“Perhaps.” The woman’s thin lips formed a wry grin.
“So,” Taylor said, “what can I do for the Golden Horde?”
“We’ll get to that,” Sansar said. “First, you said you weren’t expecting me. I presume by your tone that you were looking for someone…bigger?”
Okay, so she’s connected me to Japhara. “Him or someone like him, yeah.”
“Can I ask why?”
Taylor proceeded with caution. “My crew and I brought a person of interest to him a few weeks ago. Someone who’d been disappearing other Sumatozou, along with various members of numerous other races.”
“You’re referring to Master Akoya Vello,” Sansar said.
Taylor arched an eyebrow.
“Who do you think interrogated your renegade Sumatozou after Japhara removed him from your custody?” Sansar pointed to herself. “I must confess, I’ve wondered for quite some time how someone of your, shall we say, ‘status,’ would come to be in league with a grand latura. Now I have my answer.”
Taylor wrinkled his nose. “You know about the Latura Corps?”
“It’s my job to know as much as possible about as many things as possible,” Sansar said. “As it happens, the Golden Horde just did a mission against the Science Guild, also at the behest of a Sumatozou.”
Now Taylor was truly intrigued. “Do tell.”
“Some of our people got involved with a Sumatozou gate master after the Science Guild wiped out a stargate control station.”
“They did what?”
“Oh, it gets better.” Sansar raised a finger. “Not only did they terminate the entire stargate crew, they also killed a Vergola who was onboard.”
Taylor’s gaze widened as the woman continued her tale.
“Coincidentally, the gate master’s brother happens to be a Peacemaker, which involved them, as well as some Sumatozou mercs, some other beings a little more local, and all the Horsemen. To make a long story short, we destroyed the Science Guild’s facility in Morgoth.” Sansar’s eye dropped to the ground. “Unfortunately, the guild master got away.”
“Did you at least see him to find out who it was?” Taylor asked. “The guild head, I mean.”
“It’s not a ‘him.’” Sansar looked up. “It’s an AI.”
Taylor was genuinely speechless.
“Yes, that’s what we thought, too,” Sansar admitted. “They’re illegal, right? Well, as it turns out, all the guild masters are probably AIs—or actually ‘Synthetic Intelligences,’ as they like to be called.”
“I didn’t know there was a difference,” Taylor said.
“A little,” Sansar said. “An AI is a program that merely simulates sentience, whereas a synthetic intelligence is a functioning intellect capable of learning and creating solutions to problems it wasn’t programmed for. SIs are similar in intellect to biological beings, although considerably more powerful.”
“And that’s what’s runnin’ the guilds?” Taylor asked.
Sansar nodded. “What’s worse is that at least one of them—the SI running the Science Guild—has decided Humans are bad for the long-term wellbeing of the galaxy.”
“That doesn’t sound good.” Taylor frowned.
“Trust me, it’s not,” Sansar said. “The SI has decided our species needs to be eliminated. Worse yet, it has the resources to do so. This brings me to the reason for my visit. We need Swamp Eagle Security to join our fight against the SIs.”
Taylor scratched his chin whiskers. “I’m flattered at the gesture, ma’am, but what could a company the size of ours possibly have to offer you against a threat like that?”
“It’s not as if you’d be working alone,” Sansar added. “We have other allies who would assist you.”
“Who exactly are we talkin’ about?”
“With respect, Chief Van Zant, I’m not prepared to reveal that information at this time. What I will say is the Sumatozou are definitely on our side, especially after what they witnessed in the Science Guild’s facility, and what the Science Guild did to the gate control station.”
Taylor chewed his lip. “I take it that’s when you met our mutual friend? In the aftermath of the assault?”
“That’s correct,” Sansar said. “When my crew returned to Earth following the conflict on Morgoth, the Peacemaker, Keromnal, introduced me to Japhara. It appears the destinies of Humans and Sumatozou are linked, as you were already out on a mission for them.”
Taylor grumbled under his breath, “It wasn’t really for them…”
“If you were performing a mission for someone as influential as a member of the Latura Corps, let’s just assume it was for the Sumatozou. Maybe not exactly, but your success will predispose a lot of Sumatozou favorably to you.”
“I don’t know if I’d go that far,” Taylor said.
“I would,” Sansar said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing here, providing you with the sort of intelligence most mercs I know would kill for.”
Taylor figured she had a point. “Fair enough.”
“With regard to Japhara,” Sansar said, “you should know that he speaks most highly of you. He called you, and I quote, ‘a noble man,’ and said you can be trusted. He also told me about what happened on Droxis.”
“Did he now?” Taylor frowned.
“He did,” Sansar agreed. “You stirred up quite the hornet’s nest there, my friend.” She paused. “Or, wasp’s nest, as it were. Akoya confirmed what we suspected, by the way…that the Merchant Guild was behind the diamond mine operation. I’d imagine they’re quite displeased with you right now.”
Taylor waved off the comment. “If what you say is true, I’m sure the Merchant Guild has way bigger fish to fry than me. Besides, Japhara would’ve told me if I was in some kind of imminent danger.”
“Maybe he would have…if he’d known.”
“Known what?”
Sansar took in a breath then let it out again. “We have intel that the Merchant Guild issued a death warrant for you and the entire Swamp Eagle Security roster.”
Taylor felt the color vanish from his cheeks. “Come again?”
“It’s true,” Sansar said. “The order was issued 10 days ago. That’s one of the reasons I came here when I did. Someone needed to warn you.”
Taylor turned aside and stared out into the rain, scrambling with everything in his addled mind to make sense of what was happening.
“I know this is a lot to take in,” Sansar said. “Nevertheless, you need to understand the grander picture of what’s h
appening around the galaxy. Much has happened in the last few years while you’ve been busy getting your company’s affairs in order.”
“Like what?” Taylor asked.
“The Morgoth assault, for starters,” Sansar said. “The bottom line is the Galactic Union as we know it is falling apart. Up until recently, the Mercenary Guild kept everyone in line. When their organization stood down in the wake of the Omega War, that influence went with them. And, as you Americans say, when the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
Taylor couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“We stand on the precipice of a new era, Chief Van Zant,” Sansar said. “Each of the guilds see this as their chance to redress old arguments and grab as much power for themselves as possible. Yes, SIs argue. Yes, SIs fight for prominence and superiority. Don’t ask me why; I don’t know. Suffice it to say that I have this information on extremely good authority.”
Taylor turned back to face her. “I get why the Merchant Guild is pissed with me after Droxis. That still doesn’t explain how Swamp Eagle Security fits into this grand conflict of yours.”
“Examine the details,” Sansar said. “The Merchant Guild wants to seize control of the Trade Guild, whom they’ve said for hundreds—maybe thousands—of years should reside under their purview. The Merchant Guild can’t do that without assistance from some of the other guilds. As for the operation you wrecked on Droxis?” She shifted. “That’s how the Merchant Guild SI meant to finance its takeover of the Trade Guild. Furthermore, by flooding the market with red diamonds, they sought to wreck the influence of the Finance Guild.”
“How does hurting the Finance Guild help the Merchant Guild with their takeover of the Trade Guild?” Taylor was starting to get dizzy.
“The Finance Guild just split from the Info Guild,” Sansar said. “If the former were to fall apart and be subsumed back into the latter entity by a Merchant Guild operation…”
Taylor assembled the pieces in his mind. “Then the Info Guild would back the Merchant Guild in the Trade Guild dispute.”
“Precisely,” Sansar said. “Now you begin to see the ramifications of your exploits on Droxis. There was far more at stake in that mine than a KzSha slave operation.”
Taylor nodded. “Destroying the mine disrupted the Merchant Guild’s plans, so now they’re pissed at me.”
“And when the Science Guild SI tells the Merchant Guild SI that it is working on killing Humans, then asks for the Merchant Guild’s assistance…”
Taylor felt a chill. “It opens the door for the Merchant Guild to gain support from the Science Guild, thereby putting the Eagles—and me—squarely in the crosshairs of the Human/SI vendetta.”
Sansar gave a slow nod of acknowledgement.
What in the hell have I gotten us into? Taylor blew out a sigh, then ran a nervous palm through his ponytail. “Something tells me you didn’t come all this way just to recruit a few extra guns to your cause, or tip me off that a giant, evil computer is comin’ to slaughter my crew.”
“No, I didn’t,” Sansar said. “I came to make you a proposal.”
“What kind of proposal?”
“The kind that will show you how to kill the Merchant Guild SI before it can beat you to the punch.” Sansar tilted her head. “Interested?”
* * * * *
About Chris Kennedy
A Webster Award winner and three-time Dragon Award finalist, Chris Kennedy is a Science Fiction/Fantasy author, speaker, and small-press publisher who has written over 30 books and published more than 200 others. Get his free book, “Shattered Crucible,” at his website, https://chriskennedypublishing.com.
Called “fantastic” and “a great speaker,” he has coached hundreds of beginning authors and budding novelists on how to self-publish their stories at a variety of conferences, conventions, and writing guild presentations. He is the author of the award-winning #1 bestseller, “Self-Publishing for Profit: How to Get Your Book Out of Your Head and Into the Stores.”
Chris lives in Coinjock, North Carolina, with his wife, and is the holder of a doctorate in educational leadership and master’s degrees in both business and public administration. Follow Chris on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ckpublishing/.
* * * * *
About Ian J. Malone
Sci-fi author Ian J. Malone has written in a variety of arenas over the years, ranging from public health to news and sports. When it comes to his fictional work, he’s a firm believer that nothing shapes a person’s writing like experience. That’s why he credits his tenures in radio, law enforcement, and military contracting for much of his inspiration, plus the legion of family and friends who’ve stood with him along the way.
Beyond writing, Malone serves as co-host of “The Dudes in Hyperspace Podcast” and is an avid fan of audiobooks (he’s legally blind). It’s also not uncommon to find him at a ballgame, a concert, or somewhere out by a grill.
Malone is an active member of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America and a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina—but he’ll always be a “Florida boy” at heart.
For more on Ian J. Malone and his books, visit him online at https://ianjmalone.net. You can also follow him on Facebook or Twitter (@ianjmalone).
* * * * *
Connect with Chris Kennedy Online
Website: http://chriskennedypublishing.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ckpublishing/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Chris-Kennedy/e/B00E4MIJA8/
* * * * *
Connect with Ian J. Malone Online
Website: https://ianjmalone.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ianjmalone
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ianjmalone
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The following is an
Excerpt from Book One of the Chimera Company:
The Fall of Rho-Torkis
___________________
Tim C. Taylor
Now Available from Theogony Books
eBook, Paperback, and (soon) Audio
Excerpt from “The Fall of Rho-Torkis:”
“Relax, Sybutu.”
Osu didn’t fall for the man steepling his fingers behind his desk. When a lieutenant colonel told you to relax, you knew your life had just taken a seriously wrong turn.
“So what if we’re ruffling a few feathers?” said Malix. “We have a job to do, and you’re going to make it happen. You will take five men with you and travel unobserved to a location in the capital where you will deliver a coded phrase to this contact.”
He pushed across a photograph showing a human male dressed in smuggler chic. Even from the static image, the man oozed charm, but he revealed something else too: purple eyes. The man was a mutant.
“His name is Captain Tavistock Fitzwilliam, and he’s a free trader of flexible legitimacy. Let’s call him a smuggler for simplicity’s sake. You deliver the message and then return here without incident, after which no one will speak of this again.”
Osu kept his demeanor blank, but the questions were raging inside him. His officers in the 27th gave the appearance of having waved through the colonel’s bizarre orders, but the squadron sergeant major would not let this drop easily. He’d be lodged in an ambush point close to the colonel’s office where he’d be waiting to pounce on Osu and interrogate him. Vyborg would suspect him of conspiracy in this affront to proper conduct. His sappers as undercover spies? Osu would rather face a crusading army of newts than the sergeant major on the warpath.
“Make sure one of the men you pick is Hines Zy Pel.”
Osu’s mask must have slipped because Malix added, “If there is a problem, I expect you to speak.”
“Is Zy Pel a Special Missions operative, sir?” There. He’d said it.
“You’ll have to ask Colonel Lantosh. Even after they bumped up my rank, I still don’t have clearance to see Zy Pel’
s full personnel record. Make of that what you will.”
“But you must have put feelers out…”
Malix gave him a cold stare.
You’re trying to decide whether to hang me from a whipping post or answer my question. Well, it was your decision to have me lead an undercover team, Colonel. Let’s see whether you trust your own judgement.
The colonel seemed to decide on the latter option and softened half a degree. “There was a Hines Zy Pel who died in the Defense of Station 11. Or so the official records tell us. I have reason to think that our Hines Zy Pel is the same man.”
“But…Station 11 was twelve years ago. According to the personnel record I’ve seen, my Zy Pel is in his mid-20s.”
Malix put his hands up in surrender. “I know, I know. The other Hines Zy Pel was 42 when he was KIA.”
“He’s 54? Can’t be the same man. Impossible.”
“For you and I, Sybutu, that is true. But away from the core worlds, I’ve encountered mysteries that defy explanation. Don’t discount the possibility. Keep an eye on him. For the moment, he is a vital asset, especially given the nature of what I have tasked you with. However, if you ever suspect him of an agenda that undermines his duty to the Legion, then I am ordering you to kill him before he realizes you suspect him.”
Kill Zy Pel in cold blood? That wouldn’t come easily.
“Acknowledge,” the colonel demanded.
“Yes, sir. If Zy Pel appears to be turning, I will kill him.”
“Do you remember Colonel Lantosh’s words when she was arrested on Irisur?”
Talk about a sucker punch to the gut! Osu remembered everything about the incident when the Militia arrested the CO for standing up to the corruption endemic on that world.
The Street Survivors (The Guild Wars Book 12) Page 22