Arkship Conquest

by Niel Bushnell

  The door clicked open. Gofal looked up expectantly, but it was only Otto’s mother, Librarian Horst.

  ‘Alone today?’ he inquired. ‘How is Otto?’

  ‘School,’ she said coolly.

  ‘Is everything all right?’

  Horst refused his gaze, standing with her arms folded at a distance from the table. She fumbled, as if she was making up her mind about something, then she stepped closer and passed him a scrap of folded paper.

  Gofal opened it and read the small text. He looked about the room and said, ‘No, we are not being observed here. We can talk freely.’

  The tension left her shoulders and she exhaled, relieved.

  ‘Is Otto in danger?’ he asked.

  ‘He’s fine,’ Horst said, pulling up a chair opposite him. ‘He’s had nightmares, about the Fracture, but he’s fine.’

  There conversations must have affected him more than Gofal realized. ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘I didn’t want him here . . .’ She leaned closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. ‘The Scribe asked me to watch you, to tell him what you’re doing. I’m sorry, but I had no choice.’

  ‘I know.’

  She stared at him, her face frozen in surprise. ‘You knew?’

  ‘Yes. I’m sure you’re aware of my encounter with the Infinite Gods?’

  She paused, as if she was still unable to speak freely.

  ‘You are part of the Circle,’ Gofal continued. ‘You know of my knowledge of the future. None of this is a surprise to me.’

  ‘You knew this would happen?’

  Gofal nodded.

  ‘And do you know the outcome of all of this?’ She gestured at the records spread out over the tabletop.

  ‘Yes. But I still have my part to play.’

  She shook her head, unable to grasp the two states that existed in his mind. Gofal’s foreknowledge of the future did not affect his actions in the present, as they would a human’s.

  ‘You don’t understand,’ Horst said. ‘I told the Scribe about your investigation, and he’s worried.’

  ‘Yes, he is quite narrow minded for a Scribe.’

  ‘It’s more than that. I came to warn you. I think his guards are coming for you.’

  Gofal stared into her kind face. If only she could see some of what he could see. Would it hurt to tell her part of it? Perhaps it was a wise precaution in case he was critically damaged by the events to come. But he knew how this would end. He would not be damaged. The information about the future would be safe with him. And yet, he felt a compulsion to reveal part of his discoveries to someone else, to share what he knew. It was a human weakness, one that he should be able to resist. Still, a little information would do no harm, he decided.

  ‘Yes, they are coming for me. We don’t have long, and I would like to tell you what I’ve found here, while I can. It won’t be easy for you to hear, but it is the truth. Shall I continue?’

  Librarian Horst’s face looked fearful, but she nodded her head quickly.

  ‘The code I have found here has unlocked a great deal of secret knowledge, a hidden history in fact, dating back to the time of the Fracture,’ Gofal said. ‘What you have been told is a lie. All of it is built upon a deception, and that is what the Church fears most of all.’ Gofal studied her, watching her eyes widen, her hands gripped together. She was a mother, he reminded himself, and this was dangerous knowledge. ‘Perhaps I should not say any more.’

  ‘Tell me,’ she urged.

  ‘Very well, but I would caution you not to repeat this, unless I am destroyed.’

  ‘Don’t you already know if that will happen?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Horst leaned closer. ‘Tell me.’

  ‘The Church was established after the Fracture, to help guide humanity back from the brink of extinction, to help us to become one with the Infinite Gods. Yet beneath that is another purpose, a secret purpose: the reformation of the solar system, a reversal of the calamity of the Fracture. Only a select few know this. You are one of them. But there is another level of purpose, hidden deeper still, something not even those on the Circle know about. It is the reason the Church works towards the reformation. You see, the Church began before the Fracture. I have traced its origin back beyond that terrible day.’ He paused, letting his words sink in before he continued. ‘The Fracture was no mere act of the gods, or a natural event. It was an accident, caused by those who belonged to the Church. They caused the Fracture to happen, they destroyed the sun and the planets, they killed billions of people, and they work now to reform it out of guilt for their actions. This is the secret at the heart of the Church of the Infinite.’

  Librarian Horst frowned, then a nervous laugh cracked her lips apart. ‘You expect me to believe that?’

  ‘I do not expect you to, but it is the truth.’

  ‘How? How can you say that?’

  ‘It is all here.’ He gestured to the neatly piled archival drives on the table, at the paper documents, and at the logbook of Captain Hannovan. ‘I have confirmed its authenticity. There can be no doubt.’

  Before Horst could respond the door flew open and three guards of the Inquisition burst in. One of them fired a tiny projectile at Gofal. It latched onto his metal skin and sent a disabling shock through his body. As his systems shut down, he pictured the exquisite code he’d found hidden in these old files. Was it chance that he’d picked the box with Hannovan’s logbook? He realized now that it wasn’t. He had found more than the secret history of the Church, he had also found a letter from the past, from Hannovan himself, and it was addressed to Gofal.

  RENDEZVOUS

  Bara watched the fleet of arkships as they converged in the mist. She loved seeing so many this close together, gliding through the sparkling debris of the Cluster, like a herd of giant beasts. The Harvest Union allies were all here now, coasting closer and closer. The complex shapes of the House of Addingdon’s vessels stood out against the more simplistic forms of the Li Zhang’s fleet, but she preferred the decorated hulls of the Dulac arkships. Between the behemoths, smaller merchant ships drifted, negotiating sales for their cargo. Trade would be good.

  Her eyes drifted ahead, to the Kenric arkships, the Evanine and the Caerleon. She had anticipated the arrival of their newest arkship, the Tanis, but there had been delays with its completion and it would miss the gathering. A pity; she was looking forward to seeing it, hoping to go there and tour its engines. Always the engineer . . .

  But Bara wasn’t sure who she was anymore. She would be a mother soon, and the joy of pulling an engine apart had lost some of its appeal in recent months. She still spent hours tinkering on the Gallus, but it wasn’t the same as her days with her old ship, Lexica. She glanced down at her stomach, wondering what her son might be like. Would he share her interests, or be more like his father? She sighed, feeling the guilt of parenthood. Even before he was born, her son carried the burden of succession. He was the heir to the House of Kenric, and because of that his choices were already restricted, as were hers. Bara was giving everything else up for him, and it seemed like she was losing herself as well. Would her love for him be enough to fill the void? She hoped it would.

  Bara’s eyes settled on the Caerleon, thinking of Wynn . . . of Halstead.

  ‘Stupid name,’ she muttered to herself. ‘What was wrong with Wynn?’

  ‘What’s that?’

  She turned from the window to see Faron sat on the bed, getting dressed. ‘Nothing,’ Bara replied.

  ‘You’re talking to the stars now?’

  She smiled, checking the hazy view. ‘Can’t see many.’

  ‘They’re out there,’ Faron promised, pulling on his boots.

  ‘Do you have to go so soon? The meeting isn’t for another three hours.’

  ‘Lots to do before then,’ he said, sounding excited.

  ‘I could come,’ she offered, searching for a purpose.

  ‘Rest, relax, enjoy yourself. It’s just a boring meeting.’ He grabbed
his jacket and kissed her on the cheek, turning to leave.

  ‘I don’t want to rest!’

  ‘Think of the baby,’ he said, grinning as he walked out the door.

  ‘That’s all I do,’ she said to the stars.

  RUMORS

  Faron Dulac stepped into the meeting chamber, his mind still occupied with Bara. Ever since the arrival of Prince Halstead, she seemed distant, and he wondered if she was having second thoughts about leaving him. Faron hid his insecurities behind his smile, greeting the delegates with a firm handshake. He laughed, making the others feel at ease, playing the role of host to perfection while just beneath the surface his feelings were in turmoil.

  Captain Beric approached him, nodding formally. ‘My Lord.’

  ‘Don’t,’ Dulac whispered.

  ‘But this is an official occasion. If I can’t call you by your proper title here, when can I?’

  ‘Never! You don’t need to.’ It was no good. He’d already had this conversation with Beric. ‘How’s the ship?’

  ‘Systems are green, sir. The delegates are all here, except for Prince Halstead.’

  Faron nodded, scanning the room. He caught the eye of Lady Addington and smiled politely.

  ‘Come rescue me in two minutes,’ he said as he left Beric. He strode across the room, conveying confidence, trying to put his worries about Bara to the back of his mind.

  ‘Lady Addington,’ Faron said, taking her hand. ‘Good to see you again.’

  She smiled, dipping her chin towards her bare shoulder, her eyes never leaving him. ‘It’s been too long.’

  Faron tried not to look at her dress, it was a showy garment that seemed excessive for this gathering, the high split at the side revealing her leg. ‘I’m glad you could come,’ he said, looking for someone else to talk to.

  She leaned closer, her perfume filling his nose. ‘I hope there is time to talk later.’

  ‘I’m sure there will be plenty of time at the meeting,’ he replied. She seemed to be less discreet every time they met. He would have to check the seating arrangements with Beric before the meeting began.

  Addington’s eyes narrowed, displaying her annoyance with him. ‘Meetings are boring, Faron. We’re too young to waste our lives at a desk. We should talk over drinks, don’t you think?’

  Faron flashed a broad smile. ‘I think I’m needed elsewhere.’

  He turned away and stumbled into Prince Halstead. He grabbed him, stopping himself from falling, knocking a glass from the prince’s hand. It shattered on the hard floor, halting the nearby conversations.

  ‘Forgive me, Prince Halstead,’ Faron said, his voice seeming to fill the hall.

  Halstead stared at him, then shook himself free of Faron’s grasp. ‘You should be careful.’

  ‘A clumsy mistake.’ Faron gestured to one of his people and the broken glass was removed.

  ‘Is Bara here?’ he asked, his lips tensed.

  ‘No, she’s resting.’

  ‘She is unwell?’

  ‘No, not at all, she is very well.’

  Halstead nodded, glancing to his Reader who was standing close by. It was as if he was searching for reassurance from him, but the old man didn’t seem to notice.

  ‘How have you been?’ Faron asked, keen to move the conversation on.

  Halstead sneered. ‘Do you care?’

  ‘Of course. We are still allies, and we can still be friends.’

  ‘Allies, yes. Friends? That is a little harder.’

  Faron took a breath. He hated the little lies of diplomacy. ‘Only if you make it harder. Bara wants you involved, and I offer you my friendship and my loyalty. That has not changed. Do not build walls where none are needed.’

  Anger reddened the prince’s face. He glanced again at Reader Aditsan who was eating one of the canapés being served to the guests. ‘He talks a lot of sense,’ Aditsan said to the prince, brushing crumbs from his beard. ‘You should listen to him.’

  Prince Halstead bit his lip. ‘You conspire against me?’

  ‘Must you be this difficult?’ Faron asked. ‘Do you always make friends into enemies? We have enough of them already, don’t we?’

  ‘It seems I have enemies everywhere,’ the prince muttered.

  Faron shook his head, frustrated. ‘Sol! I am not one of them! Do not be so childish!’

  ‘Childish?’ Halstead repeated, his voice louder. The other guests were watching them, listening to see what might happen.

  Faron felt a hand grasp his shoulder. He tensed, then saw it was Chief Sinclair.

  ‘It is good that the Harvest Union can have open and honest debates,’ he said to both of them, ‘but there is a time and a place.’

  Halstead closed his eyes, then the anger faded from his face. ‘You’re right . . . both of you.’ He held out his hand to Faron. ‘I’m sorry.’

  Faron took it, shaking it warmly. ‘Forget it.’

  ‘Better!’ Sinclair said, laughing. He beckoned a waiter to bring them drinks and they moved to the edge of the room. ‘We must be united, and be seen to be united,’ he said in a hush.

  Halstead nodded quietly.

  ‘I’m glad I have you both before the meeting,’ Sinclair said. ‘I wanted to ask if you’d heard the rumors?’

  ‘Rumors?’ Faron asked, hoping it wasn’t some dull political nonsense that he would struggle to follow.

  ‘About Orcades Draig,’ Sinclair replied.

  Prince Halstead stiffened, his eyes wide. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘We’re hearing a lot of reports, that he’s alive.’

  Halstead shook his head. ‘He’s dead. I put a sword in him, he burned. He’s dead, he has to be.’

  ‘I know,’ Sinclair replied, nodding sympathetically, ‘but I’m concerned by the number of reports I’m hearing. They all say the same thing, that he’s alive and back in command of one of the factions of the House of Draig.’

  ‘An impersonator?’ Faron suggested.

  ‘Possibly.’

  ‘He’s dead!’ Halstead insisted. ‘Orcades Draig is dead.’

  Sinclair glanced at Faron, obviously less convinced than Prince Halstead was.

  ‘Even the idea of Orcades Draig is toxic,’ Faron said. ‘We can’t allow the suggestion of his survival to continue.’

  ‘I don’t see how we can stop it,’ Sinclair said, finishing his drink. ‘These are mostly Draig signals between their fleet.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter, it’s a lie,’ Halstead insisted. ‘Soon enough they’ll see that, and the rumors will disappear.’

  ‘But what if it’s true?’ Sinclair asked.

  The question filled the silence between them, but Halstead refused to entertain the notion.

  ‘Well, time will tell,’ Sinclair said diplomatically. ‘Shall we get this meeting underway?’

  TESTING

  The hanger bay was quiet at this time of night, just the coming and going of patrol ships as they changed shifts. The delegates shuttles filled the space, cluttering the deck. They would be here for a few more hours, until the meeting was over, then they would return to their arkships and the fleet would move on to Earth for the inauguration. The ceremony would last a few hours, but the festivities, the meetings, the trading, would go on for days. This might be her last chance for a moment of freedom before the baby was born, she guessed, and she wasn’t going to miss the opportunity. She was still fit and capable. A little bit of fun wouldn’t hurt her child.

  The Gallus was ahead, waiting for her at the edge of the hanger bay. She wasn’t a graceful ship, and her green body made her look slow and ungainly. Even Bara had dismissed her on first inspection, but she was a good ship, fast and highly maneuverable. During her time on board the Benwick, Bara had completed some major modifications to the Gallus, especially to her engines, but she had yet to be properly tested. Tonight would be the night, Bara decided.

  The entrance hatch clicked open as she approached, activated by the wrist com Bara wore. She climbed onto the wing, fe
eling the strain of such a simple exercise, and entered the ship. Everything was harder now, although she hated to admit it. Before, Bara had been so focused, easily losing hours as she disassembled a coolant pump, never tiring, not needing to stop for food. Now, she struggled to focus, and her stomach or her bladder interrupted her constantly! She would be glad when this was over and she could go back to normal, to how things used to be.

  But there was no normal, not for Bara. Her life had been in flux for the last three years, always changing. Perhaps this child might bring the stability she so desperately yearned for.

  Finally, she clambered into the pilot’s seat, taking a moment to catch her breath. Sol! Now she needed the bathroom. She did her best to ignore it as she ran her hands over the console and began the pre-flight sequence.

  ‘Flight control, this is the Gallus, requesting permission to depart.’

  A voice responded over the com. ‘Evening, Bara, isn’t it past your bedtime?’

  She laughed, recognizing the voice. ‘Higson! Don’t make me come up there.’

  ‘I think I can outrun you.’

  ‘Hey, I seem to have a weapons lock on you. Hope my hand doesn’t slip.’

  Higson laughed. ‘You’re clear to launch, Bara. Going anywhere nice?’

  ‘Just round the block, stretching my legs. Won’t be late.’

  ‘Safe flight.’

  The engines hummed, eager to take off. She pulled the yoke towards her and the clumsy-looking craft rose into the air. Bara smiled, feeling better already, and targeted the ship towards the hanger entrance. The acceleration felt uncomfortable, pushing her baby against her, and she eased back on the throttle.

  ‘Sorry, little guy, I’ll go easy on you.’

  The glare of the hanger bay fell away and the dark ochre of space filled her vision. She shifted the Gallus upwards, rising over the Benwick, checking the holograph to make sure it was tracking the other arkships.

  ‘This is where I belong,’ she told her unborn child. ‘This is who I am.’

  Bara smiled, feeling content as she levelled the craft. The fleet was below her now, a procession of vast islands of metal, drifting through the clouds. She was just a tiny dot, insignificant compared to their might, and that was how she liked it. She turned the craft, spiraling as quickly as she dared, until the pressure on her grew too much, then she eased back and put the ship on auto.