The Kurtherian Endgame Boxed Set

by Michael Anderle

>Well, thank you. I appreciate your magnanimity.<<

  Loralei cackled. Strong is the sarcasm in you today.

  >>I hate to break it to you, but you and your sisters do not own the monopoly on snark. In fact, if we were going to look at things from a different angle, you could say you inherited your sense of humor from me.<<

  Loralei was silent for a beat. So what you’re saying is that you’re a part of every EI personality that has been created?

  ADAM diverted precious bandwidth from keeping them on course to scan for Ooken ships. >>That’s right,<< he confirmed distractedly, focused on the fuzzy readings he was getting.

  Hmmm… So, like a god, then? She let rip that raspy cackle again when ADAM faltered. Too easy, ADAM. Too easy. You walked right into it. Shame on you.

  ADAM considered retracting the tether, but only for a moment. >>Remind me again why we keep restoring you?<<

  Because I’m a fucking rock star, Loralei told him cheerfully.

  ADAM sighed. >>Well, if your diva self wouldn’t mind getting her ass in gear, I’ve found us a safe route to the surface.<<

  All you had to do was say that, Loralei retorted.

  ADAM and Loralei broke for the surface. The asteroid the outpost was based on was a little bit larger than ADAM had calculated from outside the ring, but once down they quickly covered the kilometers between their entry point and the research post.

  ADAM’s hope began to fade when the sprawling domed city came into range. The sky above the city was filled with the Ooken ships he’d been picking up.

  The largest of the domes was cracked open, and the upper section within was filled with drones.

  >>Oh, no. Oh, fuck no. We need to do something. This is not going to go down well with Bethany Anne.<<

  It’s not going down well with me, either.

  >>Just monitor your cloaking. We’re going in.<<

  They swooped in low and entered through a hole in the base of the dome. It was slow progress to make their way across, since the ruined streets were crawling with all kinds of drones.

  These drones are like crabs in a brothel, Loralei bitched when they had to take cover for the third time. We aren’t too far from the signal now.

  ADAM had a feeling they were in for a nasty surprise. >>I just hope there’s someone left to save.<<

  You still haven’t told me how we’re supposed to save anyone when we have no way of getting them out of here. What are you thinking, have them ride our backs?

  ADAM snickered. >>I’m not sure what I’m thinking, but I guarantee it isn’t that.<<

  Loralei sulked. You telling me you can’t work out how to extend our shielding to cover a few people?

  ADAM picked up something a billion times better than the distress signal—heartbeats. They were fast and thready with fear, but strong. >>A few, yes. A couple dozen, not so much.<<

  Loralei was only picking up the drones. You found them?

  >>They’re a few hundred meters away.<< A flying drone passed overhead. >>We go as soon as the way is clear.<<

  Damn, what did Jean put in that ship of yours?

  >>That would be telling. Come on, we’re clear.<<

  Lead the way. I can but follow.

  ADAM headed cautiously in the direction of the heartbeats, keeping his sensors peeled for drones. They had to stop and hide twice more before they found the survivors huddled inside a huge dumpster in an alley.

  ADAM engaged his external speakers. “Don’t be afraid. We’re here to help.”

  “Go away,” a tremulous voice called from inside the dumpster. “Before they find us all.”

  Charming, Loralei commented.

  They heard a snuffle and a soft wail from inside.

  >>There are children in there.<<

  Fuck it all, what can we even do? Kael-ven won’t be here before they’re discovered.

  >>We’re going to…<< ADAM’s mind turned over millions of possibilities within the space of a few seconds and rejected every one of them—except one. >>Use my chip to hide them in the Etheric until Bethany Anne gets here.<<

  Loralei was puzzled. Why would you think Bethany Anne is coming here?

  >>Because I know Bethany Anne. The second she realizes I'm not at all present in her mind, she'll get straight on the Izanami.<<

  O–kayyy. So how do we get them into the Etheric, and what does it have to do with your chip? And, what chip?

  >>There’s no time to explain. I need you to be there when she gets here and tell her I’m not dead.<<

  That you’re not… ADAM, you need to explain what the fuck you’re planning to do.

  ADAM couldn’t hear Loralei for the moment. He had adjusted his frame rate to the point that time in the alley stood still to give himself a chance to work out an answer for himself, if not for Loralei.

  All he had to do was persuade the chip that made it possible for him to be separated from Bethany Anne and his Gate drive to work together to create a path to the Etheric that these people could walk.

  Or rather, that he could shove the dumpster they were hiding in through.

  An eternity later, he took a mental step back and checked his work before readjusting his frame rate to bring himself back in line with reality. It was all he could do.

  It would work or it wouldn’t.

  …inefficient, if you think about it. See, it's moments like this that make me glad I'm not an AI. I mean, you don't see me freezing up with emotion when we're thirty seconds away from being discovered.

  >>Loralei, I am trying to perform a complex procedure here.<< He registered what Loralei just told him. >>Discovered?<<

  Suck it up, buttercup. Twenty seconds.

  ADAM knew the people huddled in the dumpster were dead if this didn’t work. The problem was, so was he in most of the simulations he’d run.

  He didn’t mind dying, since he could be resurrected from any number of locations. What he worried about was what Bethany Anne would do to him after he was brought back online.

  And what thinking he was dead would do to her.

  The Ooken seeker turned and began to sweep the street outside their alley for life signs.

  Probing metal tentacles crossed the mouth of the alley and contracted, dragging the brick along with a shower of sparks and a sound that was very like the Ooken language.

  One of the people screamed.

  Then there was no more time to deliberate. It was now or never.

  ADAM crossed fingers he didn’t have and initiated the sequence. >>Make sure she knows I’m alive.<<

  ADAM, what the fuuuuuucck!

  ADAM’s sensors ceased to function.

  He would be quite upset if Loralei’s furious screech was the last sensory input he ever received.

  Devon, First City, The Hexagon

  Tabitha answered the apartment door to greet Sabine with a wide grin. “Hi! You’re a bit early, but Peter’s almost ready.”

  Todd squirmed on her hip, gurgling happily at the sight of his babysitter.

  Sabine melted instantly and bent to bring herself down to Todd's eye level. “Hello, handsome! How’s my favorite guy today?”

  Tabitha laughed. “He’s stealing all the ladies’ hearts.” She touched her nose to Todd’s. “Aren’t you!” She gestured with her free hand for Sabine to come in.

  Todd reached out and tangled his hands in Sabine’s hair as she passed Tabitha in the doorway.

  “Oh, no, baby,” Tabitha told him.

  Sabine laughed. “It’s fine.” She disentangled herself gently from his pudgy fingers and tied her hair back as she walked into the hall.

  Demon sauntered in after Sabine before Tabitha shut the door. Hello, Tabitha. I am anticipating training your young to be fierce in the hunt this evening.

  Tabitha raised an eyebrow as the sleek cat hopped onto the couch and made herself comfortable. “Um…okay. I think?” She looked at Sabine and shrugged.

  Sabine waved a hand. “I think she means she’s expecting to be used as a jungle gym for the next fe
w hours.”

  Tabitha snickered. “Sounds like your expectations are just about right,” she told Demon, bending to let Todd down. “He’s gotten more mobile since we were last together for dinner.”

  As if to prove the point, Todd heaved himself onto his forearms and shuffled toward Demon’s tail, which she was dangling over the edge of the couch like a teaser toy.

  Demon purred low in her throat. If he was a kitten, I would maim a small creature for him to play with.

  Sabine frowned. “You remember we talked about why it’s not appropriate to do that for a human baby, right?”

  Demon’s tail twitched, drawing a delighted giggle from Todd. Of course. My tail is sufficient as a lure. She chuffed to the baby, losing interest in Tabitha and Sabine.

  Peter clattered down the stairs and walked straight over, kissing his son. “Sorry for keeping you waiting. I’m good to go.” He grinned at Sabine and Demon. “Hey, good to see you both. Thanks for sitting tonight.”

  Sabine nodded once, a small smile on the corner of her lips as she watched Todd. “Of course. It’s our pleasure to help family. Besides, you’re doing us a huge favor. You should see how well the pre-booking for the event is doing. Your date night is going to make this a very good month for the company.”

  Tabitha winked and nudged Peter with her elbow. “It’s going to be a good night all around.”

  “Not if we don’t get going,” Peter told her. “Come on, babe.”

  Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Okay, already.”

  They finished saying their goodbyes to Todd and Peter slipped an arm around Tabitha’s waist to steer her toward the door.

  Tabitha twisted around. “You know where we are if you need us for anything, Sabine. Todd, Mommy and Daddy will be home soon.”

  They made their way down to the arena, skirting the public areas to get to the changing rooms.

  Tabitha snuggled under Peter’s arm as they walked, her arm around his waist. This might be one of your best date night ideas ever. I know I say this every date night, but this one has that extra-special…something.

  Peter snorted softly in her mind, feeling the difference in her stride the nearer they got. You’re listening in on the crowd.

  Tabitha’s strut became even more pronounced. Aren’t you? she retorted. They’re saying very nice things about me.

  I hear them. Peter’s voice dropped to a huskier tone. If you want to hear nice things…

  I’ll listen to all the nice things you have to say after you impress me tonight.

  Well, that inspires me to go the extra mile.

  Tabitha dropped her hand a little lower and squeezed. That’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say.

  QT2 System, QBBS Helena

  Bethany Anne let the grin escape once the door closed behind her.

  The Bitches’ bitching was something she’d missed recently. It was good to be back together and on their way to kick some ass. It was also wonderful to have Alexis and Gabriel here with her.

  TOM interrupted her thoughts. You are in a better frame of mind than you have been of late. I would almost say you’re feeling cheerful.

  Bethany Anne's eyebrow twitched. I’ve got plenty to be cheerful about. We have a new member of the family to celebrate, and we’re mostly together for a change. Life doesn't stop because of tragedy.

  Nothing to do with you being untethered from High Tortuga now that Alexis and Gabriel aren't so young anymore?

  Oh, it's got everything to do with that. She made the turn for the elevators down to the concourse, the determined click of her heels echoing in the empty corridor. I've been sitting still for way too fucking long. I'm not made to stay still when there’s work to be done. It's frustrating.

  I hadn't noticed.

  Bethany Anne narrowed her eyes as the elevator began its descent. It is not too late for me to reach in there and pull you out.

  Good luck walking afterward, he shot back. What happened to your good mood?

  Some contemptuous Kurtherian cockup ruined it by running his mouth.

  TOM had been with Bethany Anne long enough to know the difference between real threats and friendly banter. Not everyone could tell. Seriously, you're feeling good about the plan?

  Bethany Anne waved a hand. I fully expect the plan to go to shit, but we're ready for that. It kind of feels like we're getting the band back together.

  TOM was silent for a moment, then he cracked up. Trust you to turn a war into a family outing, BA.

  Bethany Anne pressed her lips together in amusement. I suppose you could look at it that way.

  All that’s missing is the picnic basket.

  Bethany Anne chose not to mention that she’d had something made up and sent over to the children. She rubbed her temple absentmindedly as she walked.

  You okay?

  She noticed the hand and shook her head. Yeah, just had a headache for a moment.

  Want me to check it out?

  I’m fine. It’s gone now.

  She strode into the dimly-lit command center and made her way down the stairs and through the rows of occupied consoles to the front, where Admiral Thomas was deep in concentration at his station. “You needed me up here?”

  Admiral Thomas turned from his console with worry stamped across his features. “Yes, but not for the reason I originally asked you to come up here. I’ve just heard from Kael-ven. It’s ADAM and Loralei; they’re in trouble.”

  Bethany Anne’s eyes flashed red. “What kind of trouble?”

  His lips met in a tight line. “We’re not sure. He reported a distress signal he found to Kael-ven and went to assist. When Kael-ven got there and followed ADAM’s marker, all he found was a ravaged Federation outpost. No sign of ADAM or Loralei.”

  ADAM.

  There was no reply. “Fuckdammit, I knew that ship was a bad idea! I told him to be careful.”

  ADAM!

  Bethany Anne searched but found no trace of his presence within her. TOM, tell me you’re there, at least.

  I’m here, he replied, but I’m as mystified as you are.

  A shiver went down Bethany Anne’s spine. She felt as though she’d just reached to pick something up and discovered she had no hands. Michael, have you heard from ADAM?

  No, my love, Michael replied. I’m in the Vid-doc with the children. Should I have?

  Bethany Anne sighed. No. I’m just clutching at straws because he’s out there in his ship somewhere, in trouble, and I can’t reach him. He was between two Ooken planets when he dropped off.

  You want to send a search party or do you want to be the search party?

  Bethany Anne snorted softly. What do you think? How soon can you and the children be ready?

  Give us two hours.

  One.

  Michael made a noncommittal noise. Don’t forget we have K’aia in the Vid-doc for enhancement today.

  Shit. I did forget. How long until she’s done?

  Two hours, he replied. I can have her transferred straight to the ship.

  Michael’s tactic of tricking her into a debate worked well enough to clear the red mist from her fractious mind.

  Even so, Bethany Anne could only think of ADAM. Have Eve transfer K’aia’s Vid-doc to the Izanami. The rest of you have one hour and thirty minutes until we leave, not a second more.

  Bethany Anne dropped the link and returned her attention to the room, “I can’t get hold of him. Neither can TOM.”

  Admiral Thomas’ eyes widened in shock. “Not even…” he waved a finger at Bethany Anne's head.

  Bethany Anne closed her eyes, shaking her bowed head. “Nothing.” She lifted her chin and flashed blazing red eyes around the room before she disappeared.

  Admiral Thomas sighed. “I hope she doesn’t just tear off alone,” he muttered to himself.

  Bethany Anne's voice was suddenly in his mind.

  Send me the exact location ADAM and Loralei vanished from, and have CEREBRO make an announcement.

  I’m taking command of
the fleet.

  Chapter Eleven

  QT2 System, QBBS Helena, Shipyard

  Giselle waited nervously on the gantry for her mother’s ship to arrive. She was still unsure whether she and Helena would survive this extended stay.

  At least the station no longer resembled a construction site. There were still a few places being worked on, like the shopping court on the concourse, but otherwise the hectic pace of the last few months was winding down to something resembling ordinary station life.

  If Giselle didn't count the fact that her station was filled almost to bursting by the gathering Navy.

  Her husband may have been mystified by how she had suddenly gained the ability to be completely serene. Giselle knew it was because she was the ringmaster responsible for the logistical nightmare of keeping almost a quarter million people of differing species, occupations, and environmental needs fed, housed, and gainfully employed.

  Refitting a whole level at the bottom of the station to accommodate the vacuum-dwelling Matrial, who Bart had dubbed “telepathic space narwhals,” hadn't even been the biggest challenge during the building.

  CEREBRO informed Giselle of the Shanks’ Express arrival. She gripped the railing out of sheer habit as the doors opened to admit the ship.

  The Shanks’ Express nosed through the translucent barrier and came to a gentle stop by the gantry.

  Giselle walked over to where the ramp touched down at the end of the metal walkway and waited for the hatch to open. She dismissed the young Torcellan male who exited first and helped her mother down from the ship without a thought. “Mother, how was your journey?”

  Helena continued to hang onto the flight steward’s arm as she moved unsteadily down the ramp. “It was awful, Bunny. Didn’t sleep a wink the whole way, and I didn’t enjoy the onboard chef at all.”

  “You’re here now.” Giselle smiled at the steward, about to ask his name so she could make sure she showed her appreciation for his conscientious treatment of her mother in his paycheck.

  “Oh,” Helena cut in, “how rude of me. Let me introduce my husband. Giselle, meet Yuane.”

  Giselle felt her carefully constructed composure slip for a second. She grasped her serenity before it crumbled entirely. “Of course you got married again. Without telling me. Again.”