The Phoenix Requiem (The Phoenix Conspiracy Series Book 7)

by Richard Sanders

  “Sounds both risky and unreliable.”

  “It is easy to condemn a mistake in hindsight,” said the queen. “But, to me, I had to act. Not to do so would mean watching the collapse of my great-great grandfather’s legacy.”

  “So they made you grand promises, the exact ones you were hoping for; I’m sure they asked for something grandiose in return.”

  “Among other intelligence, they wanted warship specifications. Including those of some of our alpha-class dreadnoughts, such as the Andromeda and the Black Swan. I admit I arranged this.”

  “And that didn’t seem treasonous to you?” asked Calvin. “Isn’t spying for the enemy a capital offense?”

  “I suppose that is for you to decide,” she said, glancing once more at the handgun Calvin held trained upon her. “But, for whatever it is worth, I was not spying for the enemy; I was negotiating a trade, one we both desperately needed.”

  “Did they? Did they desperately need those ships?”

  “Perhaps not,” admitted the queen. “But their needs are immaterial. The fact was, I made the exchange out of, what I understood to be, our own best interests. Obviously that particular deal, like many with ENIGMA, proved to be a mistake. Since they used those designs not just to build replica starships, but to use one to frame me—of all people—for the very crisis that …” her words trailed off suddenly.

  “Go ahead, say it,” said Calvin. “Admit it.”

  The queen remained silent.

  “The very crisis that…” he said, waiting. Then, when it was clear she would not finish her sentence, he did so for her. “The very crisis that you arranged to occur! All the blood of Renora is on your hands, whether it was your ship that caused the destruction or not!”

  “I was not told what form the crisis would take,” said the queen.

  “But, essentially, with that and other deals, ENIGMA asked you to sow the seeds of civil war inside the Empire, and you complied?”

  “I did not believe it would lead to civil war—I only wanted there to be some minimal and controllable civil unrest. It also seemed a chance to eliminate some dangerous political enemies, while, simultaneously, creating a justification for the monarchy to extend its powers.”

  “And by political enemies, you mean the Martels, don’t you?” asked Calvin.

  “Yes. I arranged for Brinton to move away to Thetican System, knowing he was the voice of reason in the family—this I accomplished by making it lucrative for him to do so. He never knew where the money and other luxuries came from; he was made to believe they were the fruits of his business enterprises. Without their father’s oversight, this allowed Zane and Caerwyn the freedom, and resources, to take action their father never would have allowed. I spread information and rumors, which were designed to push them into action, and then left the brothers alone. I did not know that ENIGMA would take those seeds and so nourish them that the Phoenix Ring would grow, neither that dreaded evil nor the unnecessary, bloody civil war.”

  “Then you recruited me as Executor to hunt after a group you knew existed, and even knew who was behind it, and set me up to fail from the beginning?” asked Calvin, astonished.

  “Not exactly. At the time, I did not know ENIGMA had so assisted either of the Martel brothers, and so I did not know it was either of them behind what was going on. And, as a matter of fact, you were supposed to succeed!”

  “None of this is making you sound very good,” said Calvin.

  “I did what I had to do, whether you are capable of understanding it or not.”

  Calvin did not reply, other than to stare at her with eyes of contempt.

  “To counter this new threat, I encouraged the rise of a group, diametrically opposed to the Phoenix Ring, which would become the Organization. Although I originally incepted the idea of such a group, and instated White Rook—who was to be my eyes and ears—I had very little control of the Organization as it rapidly grew into becoming a serious player in the game.”

  “You were behind the Organization too?” asked Calvin. He then thought back to what Ozumire had admitted to him, and denied. “I thought ENIGMA—as you call them—had nothing to do with the Organization?”

  “Only initially,” said Kalila. “My version of White Rook was soon replaced by a stronger leader—one without any ties to me. And yes, I incepted the Organization. But I lost any control I had nearly straightaway, and I did this without ENIGMA’s knowledge, as a means of…insurance…in case thing with the Martels went too wrong—as they did.”

  Calvin shook his head. “Unbelievable.”

  “The truth is what it is.”

  “What about the replicants?” asked Calvin. “Did you know about them?”

  “No,” said Kalila. “ENIGMA never told me about them, nor used them in any of our bargaining. Your information about them was the first I ever had regarding them, but it explained much of the strange things I had observed—particularly with the Fifth Fleet.”

  “I’ve heard enough,” said Calvin. “In the name of the Empire, the spilled blood of Hisato Akira, and—”

  “So, that’s it then?” asked the queen.

  “Yes,” said Calvin. “You did what you claim you thought was best, but you still did it alone, taking on a great risk for the safety of the Empire—which ultimately was compromised because of you—and you committed treason,” said Calvin. “Give me one good reason why you should be allowed to live?”

  “If you wish to kill me, I will not stop you. Neither will I scream nor call for my guards,” said the queen. “If it is my life you require, in order to satisfy some notion of justice, then you may take it. But first, make certain you understand the full consequences of doing so.”

  “What consequences?” asked Calvin. “That your people will hunt me, and, eventually, probably kill me?” He thought of Miles, Rain, Nimoux, and everyone else who had been lost. “I think I’m ready.”

  “Ready to die?” asked the queen. “Perhaps. But what of your mother?”

  “I knew you had her,” said Calvin. “Where is she? Release her, immediately!”

  “I cannot release her immediately. I will release her; I promise you that much, but I can only do so if I am alive,” said Kalila. “You should also understand that, unlike what happened to my father and siblings, I have held your mother in the most luxurious form of captivity imaginable—her every need has been catered to. Which was supposed to be what happened to my family!”

  Calvin wasn’t sure whether or not he believed her, on either count. That his mother was in luxury or that the queen hadn’t given the order to execute her father and siblings. He closed his eyes for a moment, clenched his teeth, then said the most difficult words he had ever had to say, knowing that it was what Olivia would want. “No matter what happens to me, no matter what happens to my mother, justice must be fulfilled.”

  “And you think spilling my blood will accomplish this justice?” asked the queen.

  “It’s a start,” said Calvin, readying himself to squeeze the trigger.

  “And the consequences, are you sure you have considered them all?”

  “I will die. My mother will die. Yes, I know,” he said. “But I cannot allow a tyrant to sit upon the throne.”

  “I am no tyrant,” said the queen. “But even if I were, better for the Empire that a tyrant sit upon its throne than the chair remain vacant. If you would not have me rule as monarch, who do you suppose will take my place, once you squeeze that trigger?”

  “I don’t know,” said Calvin, having thought very little about this. “You have no heirs. So…I suppose whomever the Assembly chooses. I’m sure they will find someone to do the job.”

  “Will they?” asked the queen. “You have seen how inept the Assembly is, and what that ineptitude can lead to; are you so sure that it is worth it, your justice, to end my life, in order to fracture a fragile Empire that, only just barely, has managed to achieve peace and unity after so much suffering? Yes, you may kill me. But would you plunge the Emp
ire into the chaos and mayhem that would follow?”

  Calvin truly had not considered this. It made him waver, at least for a moment, and he was not so sure what the right course of action was. Still…surely this queen could not be allowed to retain the throne, could she? But, if he did eliminate her, with no one standing by to ascend to the monarchy, would his shot be the first in another blood-filled civil war, one that, perhaps this time, would fracture the Empire permanently?

  “You claim mayhem and chaos and civil war would follow in your absence,” said Calvin. “And maybe they would. But what about the alternative, your presence, what would follow from that?” His eyes met hers when he asked; she did not seem afraid. “A corrupt leader, like a corrupt tree, must only bear corrupt fruit, is that not so?”

  “It is not so,” said the queen. “History has been built on the backs of the corrupt. The strongest leaders are often those most willing to make the vilest of deals with the darkest of elements in order to procure the peace and prosperity they wish for their people.”

  “Even if that were true,” said Calvin. “It is hardly any justification for—”

  “You are in a unique position, Calvin Cross,” said the queen. “For my life, I am willing to bargain with you. From this bargain, I am certain, we can both emerge satisfied. But, should you take my life, as I admit is your right, you would not only be killing us both, you would be killing millions, perhaps billions, as chaos re-erupted throughout the Empire. Make your decision, but do try to make it wisely. There is far more at stake than perhaps you realize.”

  Her words, the last ones, about what was at stake, made Calvin think of the warning Summers had given him. Perhaps I have not thought this through, he wondered inwardly.

  “What sort of bargain?” asked Calvin, unsure if he could actually trust her to live up to her end, should he lower his handgun.

  “For starters, I shall immediately order the release of your mother from my custody,” said the queen.

  “Okay,” said Calvin. “What else?”

  “I will elevate you to a high position, and, from there, you can oversee my actions, and defend the Empire from any future corruption that concerns you.”

  Calvin did not wish to hold such a position, neither did he want the responsibility of supervising the queen, or holding a position where he was fooled into believing he could even do so when, for all he knew, that too was an empty lie.

  “What position?” he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

  “The Chief Director of Intel Wing,” said the queen. “From there, you shall know everything about everything; you will be able to discover anything you wish about anything. Does this appeal to you?”

  “No,” said Calvin honestly. “But I know just who I would choose for such a position.”

  “Give me the name and I promise to see it done,” said the queen.

  “Okay,” said Calvin. “And I want more than just that. I want to name the top Fleet Admiral over the entire Fleet.”

  “Done,” said the queen. “Just give me the name.”

  Calvin nodded. Thinking, the right people, trustworthy, committed to the empire, incorruptible, and with attention to detail, and also cautious, such people could, perhaps, keep a sufficient eye on Kalila that she would be limited in her ability to engage in any future corruption…He knew exactly whom he would nominate, too.

  “And I want a ship,” said Calvin. “Another phantom-class ship, exactly like the Nighthawk. If you don’t have one, then one must be constructed, as quickly as possible.”

  The queen nodded. “One more exists. The original. The IWS Phantom, currently mothballed, but it could easily be made ready for action—for you. Captain Calvin Cross. That’s right,” said the queen. “A promotion would come with it.”

  He had to admit, it was a tempting offer. Provided the queen actually could be trusted to deliver on her terms. But then some other part of himself rebelled. No, I did not come here to be bought, he reminded himself. I came here to deliver justice!

  “So, Mister Cross,” said the queen. “What is your decision? These generous terms I have offered you, along with the assurance of a unified Empire without any more chaos, civil war, or bloodshed? Or do you choose death, destruction, and despair—and not only for you and me, but for billions of others, throughout the Empire?”

  He had to think about it. His arm, now tired, began to feel shaky as he kept the handgun trained on the queen. He tried to weigh it all, tried to calculate the probability that the queen was right—that her death would cause more harm for the Empire, along with the probability that the queen could even be trusted to honor any of the promises she had just made him…It was a difficult calculus.

  Eventually though, uncertain if it was the right thing to do or not, Calvin lowered his handgun and holstered it. Unsure if, by so doing, he had signed his own death warrant.

  “You have chosen wisely,” said the queen, pleased.

  Calvin merely nodded, feeling uncertain what would happen next. And wondering whether or not he should have chosen differently.

  CHAPTER 25

  His reunion with his mother had been brief, but, at least now, Calvin knew for a fact that Olivia Cross was safe and unharmed. He would continue his loyal service as an investigator for the Empire, both because it was the only thing he was good at—it called to him like nothing before, but also because he knew, so long as he remained useful, Olivia would be safe.

  Calvin still had mixed feelings regarding his encounter with Kalila. Had he done the right thing for the Empire? Had he done the right thing for himself? Had done the right thing at all? He had always believed that the corrupt, ultimately, enjoyed their just desserts in the end. But Kaila, as near as he could tell, was going to have everything she wanted, and without consequence. Perhaps that was part of the unfairness of life, he supposed. Yet still, he had had the power to end her. To make her pay for her actions and misdeeds, for all the blood her dealings and orders had led to, under false pretense after false pretense. But he had stayed his hand. Allowed her to live, and rule, and now he had to deal with the reality of that choice. Because, one thing was certain, Kalila would never give him such an opportunity again.

  She knew that he knew her darkest secrets—that meant he could never be fully trusted again, not completely. For that matter, Calvin had probably put his own life in jeopardy by confronting Kalila at all. Still, he had felt it necessary. At the time, he believed he was going to end her, no matter what the personal cost to himself was; he wanted her to experience justice for the blood that was on her hands. It had never occurred to him what kind of destabilizing effect that action might have on the Empire itself. And, in turn, would that mean future blood, a civil war re-erupted, would be on Calvin’s hands? He just didn’t know. He would make the same decision again, he knew, so he didn’t regret it. But neither did he feel comfortable about it.

  Now Calvin stood in the starport orbiting Capital World, awaiting his new ship, the IWS Phantom, to be docked and ready for boarding. But, before he took the reins of his new starship, he had one more item of business to handle.

  Like clockwork, they arrived, Summers a minute or two early, and Rafael on the dot. Calvin led them to the privacy of a vacant office and then sealed the door.

  “Awfully nice of you to say goodbye to us once more, before departing,” said Rafael. Something in his expression gave away the fact that he knew this meeting, which Calvin had discreetly called, was about more than simply that.

  “So, why did you bring us, really?” asked Summers. Her eyes probed his and, for a moment, it brought him back to the first time he had ever gazed into them. So perfect. So green. Such a long time ago…

  “I’ll get right to the point,” said Calvin. “Very soon, each of you is going to be offered a very high-ranking, important position within either the military or Intel Wing.”

  They both began to speak, but he cut them off abruptly.

  “I am urging you, here and now, to acce
pt those positions. No matter what else you want to do, no matter whatever other plans you have, you must take those positions. For the good of the Empire, and…it will help me to sleep easier at night,” he admitted.

  “What positions?” asked Summers.

  “For you,” said Calvin, “You will be the senior Fleet Admiral of the navy.”

  “What?”

  “You heard me right,” said Calvin. “It was part of the deal I made. The…uh deal I made when I…uh…refused to…you know…”

  “Commit regicide,” said Rafael.

  Calvin nodded.

  “I can’t accept such a lofty assignment,” said Summers.

  “You can and you will,” said Calvin. “I beg you.”

  “Why is it so important to you that I do?” asked Summers.

  “Because I trust you,” said Calvin, looking at her then shifting his eyes to Rafael. “I trust both of you.”

  “You want us to keep an eye on the queen; that’s it, isn’t it?” asked Rafael perceptively.

  “In a word, yes,” said Calvin. “I know you will be limited; I understand that, but it will also be very, very hard for her to keep major secrets from getting discovered by either one or the other of you. If she uses the military, Summers will know, if she uses Intel Wing, Rafael will know.”

  “Oh, I will, will I?” asked Rafael, sounding intrigued.

  “Yes,” said Calvin. “You will be asked to take upon yourself the responsibility of the Chief Director of Intel Wing.”

  “You mean Jack’s old job?” asked Rafael.

  “Yes,” said Calvin, “Except higher and more expansive.”

  “Wow, you really did do some bargaining on our behalf didn’t you?” asked Rafael, sounding unbelieving.

  “Turns out, Kalila values her life quite a bit,” said Calvin.