He put the bottle to his lips and took a small sip. Immediately he felt the whiskey heating his throat, the aroma clearing his nose. His chest felt like it was being warmed from within, and he couldn’t help but cough.
‘Nice and slow,’ Derward laughed.
Wynn offered him the bottle.
As Derward drank from it, Wynn felt the uncomfortable weight of sadness returning to him. ‘Do you have to leave?’
Derward put down the bottle. ‘You know I do.’ For a moment he seemed to share in Wynn’s sorrow, then he straightened, smiling. ‘What did you want to talk about?’
Wynn hesitated, feeling foolish. ‘You spent a lot of time with the Church . . .’
Derward said nothing, staring at the hanger bay floor.
‘Tanis told me you were a Reader once.’
Immediately, Derward tensed, his lips squeezed together. He glanced sideways at Wynn. ‘He told you that?’
Wynn nodded.
‘Well, it was a long time ago,’ Derward admitted. ‘I’m not that man any more.’
‘Do you still believe?’
‘In what?’ Derward laughed.
‘In the Infinite Gods?’
Wynn waited. Derward seemed to be trying to find the right answer.
‘That’s a big question, Wynn,’ he said at last. ‘If you’re looking for answers, you’re asking the wrong person.’
‘I saw something,’ Wynn confessed, his voice soft. ‘When we fell into The Infinite, something happened to me. I . . . I can’t explain it, not really. But I had a sort of vision. And someone spoke to me. They showed me things.’
‘They?’ Derward asked. ‘You think you spoke to the Gods?’
Wynn raised his eyebrows and sighed. ‘I don’t know. It felt so real when it was happening. Now, it’s become vague, like a dream.’
‘Tell me about it.’
‘I saw pieces of my life, tiny moments from when I was a boy, growing up on the Obsidian . . .’
‘Sometimes, when people are under stress, they can relive old memories,’ Derward said.
‘No, it was more than that. I saw the future too.’
‘The future?’
‘I think so. I was older, much older. Derward, I had a son. I . . . I saw him as a baby, then later as a young man. We were arguing . . .’
Derward shrugged it off. ‘Dreams, that’s all.’
‘No! This wasn’t a dream. I saw myself dying. I felt it! I saw my entire life. It was as if everything I’m going to do has already happened.’
Derward looked at him. ‘You think this was some sort of vision from the Gods?’
‘Maybe . . . possibly . . . I don’t know,’ Wynn replied. ‘But even if the rest was a hallucination, they told me where to find Bara. They told me I had to be there. I had to save her.’
‘Do you believe in the Gods, Wynn?’
‘I didn’t before . . . now, I’m not so sure. Something happened to me, I just don’t know what.’
Derward glanced down at the bottle, picked it up and gave it to Wynn. ‘Keep that with you. In time, you might grow to like it.’
Wynn stared at the glass, his reflection appearing against the golden liquid. ‘What do you think, Derward? Did I speak to one of the Gods?’
‘I told you, I’m not a Reader any more.’ He made to stand, but Wynn’s hand gripped Derward’s arm.
‘Please,’ Wynn said. ‘I’m not asking a Reader. I’m asking a friend for his advice.’
Derward settled back onto the pad floor and sighed. ‘Wynn . . . the Church believes that the Gods are real, and The Infinite is a sort of gateway . . . a link between us and them. They’ve tried for years to make contact, but they’ve never succeeded, as far as I know. But I did hear a rumor or two, about people claiming to have had similar visions to yours. Of course, a lot of those people were mad . . .’
Derward grinned at him. Wynn laughed, realizing how stupid it all sounded, and his tension eased.
‘. . .But who’s to say it wasn’t real?’ Derward continued. ‘Whatever happened, it was only you that experienced it, so it’s only you that can know what it means. I’m sorry, Wynn, but as far as your visions go, I think you’re on your own.’
‘You are not on your own.’
Startled, Wynn looked behind him: there was Gofal, crossing the pad towards them.
‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘I was coming to see you and overheard your discussion. When I realized what you were saying, I had to listen. I apologize for my intrusion of your privacy, but I felt it was warranted. You see, Wynn, I had a vision as well.’
‘You?’ Derward said, standing to face him.
‘Yes,’ Gofal replied, looking between Derward and Wynn.
Wynn stared at the red cape that Gofal wore, a statement of his new rank as Lord Chamberlain, focusing on the detail of the broach that clasped it around his shoulders. The metalwork had the crest of the royal House of Kenric carved into its surface. The detail was exquisite, beautifully made. As he studied the design he realized he had seen this moment before.
‘Reflection . . .’ Wynn muttered.
‘What?’ Derward asked, breaking Wynn’s attention on the broach.
‘You are a reflection of me,’ Wynn told Gofal. ‘I saw this moment.’
‘As did I,’ Gofal replied. ‘We have both shared in the visions from the Infinite Gods.’
‘What did you see?’ Derward asked.
‘My visions came to me in the form of data compiled into my cerebral matrix. Unlike Wynn’s, mine are comprehensive and clear, and include many pertinent details of my own – and other people’s – future. As such, it would be inappropriate to discuss it.’
Derward stared at him, his eyes wide, a mix of astonishment and rage on his face. ‘Inappropriate?’
‘Yes.’
‘Inappropriate? You claim you have information about the future–’
‘I do.’
‘–but you’re going to keep it to yourself?’
‘Exactly. It is the safest way.’
Derward paced, shaking his head. ‘Gofal, you’re saying you have proof of the existence of the Infinite Gods!’
‘That is correct, I do.’
‘But you can’t keep that to yourself. Think of the benefit of that future knowledge, presuming it’s genuine.’
‘It is genuine. I have used our time since the encounter to test the validity of the information. The short-term future has played out exactly as my visions proclaimed they would: the battle with the Fenrir, my promotion to Lord Chamberlain. I have no reason to doubt that events further in the future will prove to be equally as accurate. I have also given careful consideration to the responsibility for the knowledge. While there are many benefits by sharing this information, there are also many disadvantages.’
‘Sol! Gofal, you’re talking about human lives! Your knowledge could save millions of lives.’
‘Or kill billions. I have made my decision. I will keep this information to myself. And besides, the Gods do not wish me to share it.’
‘The Gods do not wish it?’ Derward seemed enraged. Wynn listened, thinking. Finally, he touched him on the arm, halting his outburst.
‘Gofal’s right,’ Wynn said. ‘We should respect his decision.’
Derward stared at him. ‘You’re as bad as each other! Don’t you see how important this is?’
‘Yes!’ Wynn replied, raising his voice. ‘Don’t you? Can’t you see how tempting it would be if we knew the future?’
‘You already know the future!’
‘Not like Gofal, not in any detail. My visions are wrapped up with my hopes and aspirations. They’re vague and imprecise. Gofal’s are not. That sort of power would corrupt any of us, no matter how well-meaning our intentions. You must see that?’
Derward looked as if he was about to argue further, then he let out a heavy breath, and threw up his hands. ‘I don’t agree with it . . . but I can see why you might want to keep it secret.’
‘It is n
ot just the information that must be secret,’ Gofal said. ‘Only you two know of my experience. We must keep it that way.’
‘Agreed,’ Wynn said.
Derward blustered. ‘You’re impossible.’
‘You must agree to this, Derward, even though you will break that promise.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Please,’ Gofal said, ‘swear to this.’
‘But you’re saying I’ll break my promise?’ Derward checked.
‘Yes.’
‘You know that for certain?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then what is the point of me making the promise in the first place?’
‘Because you will mean it at the time. Your intentions are righteous, but future events will convince you that disclosure to another is the right thing to do . . . a decision you will later regret, I might add.’
‘This is insane!’ Derward muttered.
‘I agree. Now do you see the futility of me sharing my knowledge with you?’
Derward began to laugh. ‘Very well! I swear, Gofal.’
‘Thank you,’ Gofal replied, shaking his hand.
‘But I will not break my promise,’ Derward said.
Gofal didn’t reply.
‘I won’t!’ Derward insisted, but the Lord Chamberlain would not be drawn further.
‘Wait.’ Wynn ordered, a thought occurring to him. ‘You knew Tanis would die?’
‘Please, Wynn, do not trouble yourself with such questions.’
‘You knew, and yet you did nothing?’
Gofal turned away. ‘We must conclude this discussion. Bara is on her way, and Derward must prepare for his departure.’
Wynn couldn’t take in the scope of it all. He needed time to understand the implications of what Gofal had told them.
‘So, if you knew I was going to leave here and my engines were going to explode, you wouldn’t tell me?’ Derward asked.
‘I’m sure your engines are fine,’ Gofal replied.
‘Is that one of your visions?’
‘No: simple reasoning based upon observation and interpretation of known facts. The Lupaus might look worn out, but I can tell that her systems are in excellent condition. And you are a man who likes to be thorough. You would not leave the health of your ship’s systems to chance. I would be very surprised if your engines exploded.’
Derward shook his head. ‘Very surprised? Well, that’s reassuring.’
‘We are in agreement, then. We three shall keep this to ourselves,’ Gofal said. ‘Wynn, I would suggest you do the same with your encounter.’
Reluctantly, Wynn nodded.
‘Very good. Bara is almost here. Let us discuss your destination, Derward.’
‘My destination?’ Derward replied, still angry.
‘Yes. Where will you go?’
‘Don’t you know?’
Gofal lowered his head. ‘Really, this is not helping.’
Derward turned away, walking towards the entrance ramp of the Lupaus. He festered there, muttering to himself, then walked back towards them.
‘I’m going back to Icarus,’ Derward said. ‘I have some business to deal with.’
Wynn saw Bara coming their way along the docking platform. She smiled as he caught her eye, and Wynn felt reassured.
‘Am I late?’ Bara asked, joining them. She embraced Wynn, wrapping her arm around his waist. ‘What did I miss?’
‘Nothing,’ Derward said abruptly.
Bara frowned, looking between Wynn and Gofal for answers.
‘We were just talking about Derward’s destination,’ Gofal said. ‘He is going back to the Icarus station.’
‘Because of Reader Mallory?’ Bara asked Derward.
He nodded, his face barely moving.
‘Do you know what happened to her?’
Derward inhaled sharply. ‘She disappeared during the battle.’
‘We have searched the Vengeance,’ Gofal added. ‘She is not here.’
‘Look . . . I think I should get going,’ Derward said.
‘Will you come back?’ Bara asked, touching his hand.
‘Of course! I’ll be back soon.’
‘Make sure you do.’ She hugged him, kissing his cheek as they broke apart.
Derward turned to Wynn and they shared and embrace.
‘Thank you, for everything,’ Wynn said.
‘Go easy on that whiskey,’ Derward joked. He looked at Gofal, taking him in. ‘Good luck,’ he said, holding his hand out to the Lord Chamberlain.
Gofal shook it. ‘And to you. I look forward to seeing you again soon.’
Derward stepped back, glancing at each of them, a regretful smile on his weary features, then he walked up the ramp of his ship.
Wynn, Bara and Gofal retreated, watching from a safe distance as the Lupaus took off from its pad and ascended towards the hanger bay entrance. It cleared the threshold and accelerated into the gaseous wastes of space.
‘See,’ Gofal said. ‘I told him his engines wouldn’t explode.’
REASSIGNMENT
The Gargan drifted towards the hydrogen mining station, adjusting its position as it slowed. Its docking umbilical was already extended, inching closer to find its counterpart on the exterior of the station.
‘Contact light,’ one of the flight deck officers called.
Admiral Valine acknowledged the successful docking, standing to take in the striking view out of the windows. The station was built out of an asteroid, with docking spires protruding from its surface reaching out into space, keeping the ships clear of the potentially volatile gasses stored on the surface of the station. Around it, the Draig fleet had rendezvoused. A cluster of arkships shared docking space with smaller craft: dreadnoughts, frigates, corvettes, gas scoops, cruisers, argo farms, cargo carriers, wind feeders and fighters. They were all here, every last Draig affiliated vessel. There was the Hestr, the Melrakki and the Ormr, docked beside stolen arkships like the Tephrite and the Braal Castle. She made a mental note to rename them. They needed more Draig-like names, names that would help to integrate them into the fleet.
It was rare to see the entire fleet in one place, an impressive sight that she hoped would send the right message: Orcades may be dead but we are still strong. Morale was important, especially at such a critical juncture. She had to show them that she was in charge now, and that they could trust her. Already, she had increased rations, improving the living standards of those at the far end of their society. Dissent always has its roots at the bottom, she reminded herself.
There was much to do. She had scheduled personal visits to every major ship. She wanted them to know her, to find reassurance in her presence. Then, once she was sure her position was secure, she would split the fleet up, sending the arkships out across the Cluster. They could not easily conspire against her if they were apart.
But most of all, she wanted to show them that the old way was over. They were no longer conquerors. They would grow by commerce and persuasion. Other ships would want to join with them for protection, for a better way of life. But that required security, and she had a plan for that. She would discuss it over dinner with the arkship commodores, here on the new flagship, knowing that she would get their approval for her plan. She already had three of them in her pocket. They would lead the chorus of approval that would drag the weaker commodores in line. From now on, with Orcades gone, everything would proceed as she expected.
An officer came to stand beside her, speaking quietly. ‘Admiral, your guest has boarded and is waiting for you in Briefing Room Three.’
Valine nodded, and the officer left her alone. She leaned against the window, admiring the view for a little longer, deliberately making her visitor wait. Eventually, she left the flight deck and made her way to the briefing room.
‘Wait outside,’ Valine told the two guards who had escorted her, then she opened the doors.
Reader Mallory stood as she entered, a relieved look on the younger woman’s face.
/> ‘Admiral Valine, it is good to see you safe,’ Mallory said quickly.
Valine smiled, gesturing for her to sit. ‘I’m glad you got here, Keres. May I call you Keres?’
Mallory seemed taken aback by her informality. She smiled nervously. ‘Of course. I don’t suppose I’m a Reader any more.’ There was remorse on her face, a sadness that seemed to linger in her eyes.
‘You are still a Reader,’ Valine said. ‘I have spoken with the Church and–’
‘They know I’m here? You told them where I was?’
‘Calm yourself, Keres,’ Valine said, sitting next to her. She took her hand, holding it firmly, controlling Mallory’s nervous motion. ‘I have spoken to the Church and told them of the death of Orcades Draig. They were keen to re-establish a dialogue with us, as I expected they would. So, they have agreed with my suggestion that you be their representative here, on the Gargan, under my guidance.’
Mallory blinked rapidly, her eyes fixed on Valine. ‘They . . . they have pardoned me?’
‘Pardoned you? Whatever for?’
‘For . . . for . . .’
‘You have done nothing wrong. You have merely been . . . reassigned. You were on the Vengeance, now you are here.’
Mallory broke down, tears falling from her face. ‘Thank you.’
‘You served the House of Draig well,’ Valine replied. ‘Service will always be rewarded.’
She stood, preparing to leave. She had much to do. ‘Compose yourself, Keres. You are Reader Mallory, the assigned representative of the Church of the Infinite. You are an example to those who believe. When Orcades severed links with the Church he created much resentment amongst his people. Together, we will work to repair that damage. I have assigned you quarters here, and a space will be found for you to hold worship.’
‘Thank you,’ Mallory repeated.
Valine smiled, then left the briefing room, the first phase of her plan complete. She would need the Church in the coming weeks, and Mallory would be a pliable link. Yes, everything was going according to plan. The road ahead would not be easy, but she was certain it would be better with her in charge. Conquest did not have to go hand-in-hand with destruction. Orcades never understood that. He was never subtle.
Orcades Draig was dead. Long live Admiral of the fleet Jacque Valine, daughter of Draig.
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