The Fringe Series Omnibus

by Rachel Aukes

  They held a funeral for Gabriela Heid and the Arcadia’s crew the following day in the Rebus Station churchyard. The funeral had been planned before Heid’s tragic death to free both her and her crew from the Collective’s death warrants. The mission she’d taken to free her crew from the CUF’s shackles had been courageous, even though he’d later learned the mission had served the ulterior purpose of killing Corps General Ausyar.

  Despite his opinion on the latter part of the mission, he admitted there was a certain feeling of completion in having the Arcadia destroyed by its former armada. The loss of the Arcadia was a tremendous blow to the Campaign and a waste of a good ship. However, the CUF never would’ve stopped going after their stolen warship. Any peace negotiations would hinge on the ship being returned to the armada, and the three marshals had agreed that it was better for no one to have the warship than to give it back to the armada.

  As for Arcadia’s crew, all, except Heid and the six killed in the Terran mission, were now considered dead in the eyes of the Collective. With fake identifications, they could go on to live full, free lives after the Campaign, assuming the fringe could break free from the Collective. Otherwise, Reyne knew that at some point in the future, one of the “dead” crew members would get arrested and undergo a DNA scan. They’d deal with the aftermath if and when that time came.

  Right now, the crew was alive and free…except for Heid and the six, that was. He found it hard to stomach the irony of a fake funeral being held to allay any CUF suspicions, knowing that Heid’s body lay enshrouded within the large stack of wood. Her body couldn’t be seen, so any CUF spies watching would assume it was a symbolic funeral service since it was believed she was killed when the Arcadia was destroyed.

  Since the five remaining crewmembers from the Arcadia’s final mission were also believed to be dead, they were watching via comm screens, along with the remaining crew at Nova Colony. The five knew of Heid’s death, but Reyne wondered if someone had told the rest of her crew yet. He frowned. He should’ve checked.

  Even without any crew in attendance, the funeral was huge, with hundreds of Terran colonists and torrents present. Reyne stood in the front row alongside Critch and Seda. Sixx, Boden, Hari, and several from Critch’s crew stood behind them.

  Reyne cast a quick glance over the crowd and swallowed the discomforting thought that if the CUF chose to bomb them now, the entire Campaign—along with Rebus Station—would be decimated in a single blast. He kept the concern to himself, as no one needed to dwell on that thought.

  The funeral was conducted as a Terran service, despite Heid being Alluvian and having no religious affiliation. Heid lay, covered in dark muslin, disguised deeply within a pyre of traditional afromosia wood, the same wood used to make Terran whiskey barrels.

  The minister gave a nice sermon, though Reyne thought he droned on a bit long. Reyne knew Heid never would’ve asked for a service—she’d once told him she’d had enough rituals and procedures for one lifetime from her service in the CUF and serving the Founders. He found it more than a little ironic she was being forced to endure rituals even after her death.

  Reyne was growing stiff from standing by the time the minister gave his final words.

  “Gabriela Heid, marshal of the colonies, may you find the eversea.”

  The minister nodded in the trio’s direction, and Reyne lifted a torch, as did Seda and Critch. The minister’s apprentice carried a small torch over to them. The apprentice set alight each of the three larger torches, one by one, before hustling away.

  The three men shared a quick glance before they stepped up to the pyre.

  “May you find the eversea,” Critch said quietly. He touched the torch to the pyre, and flames flickered to life.

  Seda echoed the statement and touched his torch to another part of the pyre.

  Reyne then repeated the same.

  The pyre, lit at three places, erupted in flames.

  The men stepped back as the fire engulfed Heid’s body. Heat prickled Reyne’s face, but he stood watch as the fire grew, and blocked any view of the body becoming ash.

  He’d cared for Heid, but truthfully, he’d never had enough of a chance to know her. When they’d talked, it had almost always been about the Campaign and the colonies’ independence. He felt sorrow that he, Critch, and Seda stood in to represent her when none of them truly knew her. He knew her crew would greatly mourn her loss, and he wished they could’ve been there in person for the funeral.

  As it’d been for her, Reyne’s crew was his real family, and as their captain and father figure, he hoped he never had to see off any of his crew on their journey to the eversea. Especially Throttle. His greatest fear—the fear that woke him every night with a cold sweat—was that Throttle would die before him. Anguish squeezed his heart.

  Seda glanced down at his wrist comm, and then looked to Critch and Reyne. He nodded for them to follow. Reyne gave one final parting look toward Heid. He turned to Boden and Sixx. “I’ll meet you back at the ship,” he whispered, before following Seda from the churchyard.

  When they reached the sidewalk, Seda spoke. “The CUF has a new corps general, and he’s on his way down here right now to negotiate a peace treaty. He’ll be here within the hour.”

  Twenty

  Renegotiations

  Rebus Station, Terra

  Seda

  Seda had a feeling of déjà vu as he waited in his chambers for the new corps general to arrive. Critch sat in the same chair as he had last time. The only difference was, this time, Reyne sat in a chair next to him.

  “Thanks for staying,” Seda said to Reyne.

  Reyne gave him a look. “When this is done, I’m still leaving. What happened last night doesn’t change my mind.”

  Seda gave a tight nod. He couldn’t blame Reyne. Where Critch was vengeance and Heid had been determination, Reyne was conscience. Seda was the negotiator, a neutral hand to lead the colonies to freedom. It was his failure that they’d hid the blight from Reyne. And Seda feared that failure would come to haunt him. Seda had resources and understood politics, but Critch and Reyne understood military strategy. They needed each other if the colonies were to achieve a true independence. And what Seda saw today was that they were falling apart. First, Heid’s death. Now, Reyne’s imminent departure. Without strong, united leadership, how could they maintain a unified fringe?

  Feeling the weight upon his shoulders, he took a seat at his desk to monitor the CUF envoy. They’d pulled up outside the stationhouse and were now entering the building. Seda turned on the video for recording in case this new leader was even worse than Ausyar. Seda nearly chortled. Someone worse than Ausyar? Couldn’t be possible…could it?

  He stood as the CUF officer entered the room with his entourage. The man was easily twenty years younger than Ausyar, and an Alluvian where Ausyar was a Myrad. That distinction alone gave Seda hope. Alluvians were much easier to talk to.

  “Hello, Stationmaster Faulk. I’m Corps General Barrett Anders.” The man held out his hand.

  Seda gripped his forearm. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Corps General. I recognize you from when you accompanied your predecessor here to discuss negotiations.” He motioned to the two empty chairs, and they each sat.

  “Yes,” Anders said. “It was unfortunate more progress could not have been made that day.”

  “I agree,” Seda said.

  “Before we begin,” Anders began. “I’d like to offer you my condolences for Gabriela Heid. Gabi and I studied at the academy together, and I was shocked to learn of her choosing the colonies over the Collective.” He paused. “In the Forces, it’s considered an honor to go down with one’s ship. At least she had that.”

  “Yes, she had.” Seda’s eye twitched when Critch muttered something behind him. “She was an admirable marshal and respected captain. Her death was a waste and completely unnecessary.”

  “The Collective Unified Forces code of conduct would have me disagree.” He sighed.
“But I’m only human, and I mourn her death, nonetheless.”

  “As do we all,” Seda concurred. “Let me offer my condolences for the death of Corps General Michel Ausyar and the crew of the Unity. What happened was truly tragic.”

  “It was,” Anders said, leaning in. “It took me some time to convince myself that something as truly evil as the blight not only still existed, but that there were those who still found value in its application.”

  Seda forced himself to not glance in Critch or Reyne’s direction. He focused on the corps general who sat before him. “As I said. I found the event to be a tragedy of the highest order.”

  Anders eyes narrowed. “I’ve found myself in a dilemma when it comes to you and to what happened about Rebus Station on that fateful day. If you didn’t condone the use of the blight, then I can only assume that you have no control over the torrents, and negotiations with you are then null and void.” He lifted a finger. “However, if you did condone the use of the deadly fungus, then I can only assume you find no value in the life of your enemy, and I worry how many innocents could die in your quest for independence.”

  Inside, Seda raged. He hated the concept of the blight. Worse, the knowledge of his role in its latest application sickened him. If there had been any other way to level the field, he’d have taken it. But there hadn’t been another way.

  Seda eyed Anders. “I can assure you that any negotiations mutually agreed upon in this room will be adhered to by the colonists. And, I can also assure you that I treasure life very, very much. After all, my respect for life is why I’ve dedicated my life—and finances—to ensuring colonists can live as fully and freely as citizens.”

  Anders rubbed his hands together. “I believe that brings us to the matter at hand. I have notified Parliament of my intentions to negotiate with you a peace treaty that mutually benefits citizens and colonists. Parliament has not authorized these negotiations, but I’m here. I believe if we reach a fair and equitable solution, Parliament must consider it.”

  “I would like to think they would as well,” Seda said, though he doubted it.

  “I have given great thought to what you discussed during the first meeting, and wish to begin with your original proposal. I’m much younger than my predecessor, so forgive my lack of experience. However, my entire life, I have seen turmoil between Myr and Alluvia and the colonies. If there’s something I can do to end that turmoil, I will do it.” He paused for the briefest of moments. “You want Parliament to accept your declaration of independence as a legal document. You demand that all the colonies be recognized as free and independent from the Collective, with trade opportunities.”

  Seda nodded. “That is correct.”

  “However, you must understand that Parliament’s hands are tied to some extent. If the colonies all broke from the Collective, the economy would collapse. The Collective stands on the shoulders of all six worlds. I’m sure you can imagine the impact that suddenly losing four of those worlds would have. The loss in taxes alone would drop the Collective into a full-blown depression.”

  “I understand,” Seda replied. “Conversely, the colonies have been asking for equality for decades, and rather than listen, Parliament has only instituted more restrictions. We’ve reached an impasse. I see no alternative.”

  Anders raised a finger. “Try this option. What if all colonies without space docks were to become independent? Colonies with space docks would remain within the Collective, with each having the ability to propose their own path to independence to Parliament after ten years.”

  Seda laughed. “Give us the fringe, and you take the fringe stations. Without space dock capabilities, you’d be effectively isolating every colony from each other. No. The only way the Collective will keep the fringe stations from becoming independent is by finishing what they started—by bombing them or blighting them.”

  “Planets with no stations would certainly serve no good to either the Collective or the fringe.” Anders lips curled upward the smallest degree. “If the colonies are to be free, then the Collective must have assurances the space docks will welcome Collective traders. The fringe stations must maintain open trade with Myrad and Alluvian traders alike, with guaranteed annual minimum quantities and negotiated fair rates for each planet, along with an option to reevaluate trade agreements after an established duration.”

  Seda watched him for a moment as he tried to determine if Anders was playing him or truly looking out for everyone’s best interests, which he found impossibly hard to believe. “Your proposal sounds fair, assuming the trade quantities and rates are agreed upon by both parties. Likewise, I’d like to see Myr and Alluvia retain certain trading with colonists.”

  “That is assumed. You see, my family owns a fishing business on Alluvia. It’s a small business, but we get by. Most of our stock is catfish, which isn’t highly prized by Alluvians. Exports to the colonies have kept my family’s business alive, so I understand the value of trading going both ways.”

  “Fried catfish is a personal favorite of mine,” Seda said.

  “I’ll be sure to bring you some the next time I’m on Terra,” Anders said. “Speaking of Terra, I also assume any Terran trade agreements are inclusive of Faulk Industries. As you get new fuel production facilities up and running, the Collective would receive a percentage of production units at a fair rate.”

  If Seda’s group of companies was being singled out during peace treaty negotiations, taking the juice from the Collective had proved to have a greater and faster impact than he’d expected. He felt no need to hide his smile. “Absolutely.”

  Anders leaned back like he’d just finished a large meal. “I believe we could come to a fair and equitable arrangement, one that negates the use of any continued physical force on either side. However, I’m sure certain concessions will need to be made.”

  “As long as those concessions don’t derail the integrity of the treaty, they are open for discussion. All colonies must be independent. That is a non-negotiable truth.”

  Anders nodded. “I will personally deliver this proposal to Parliament. Now, in regard to the stolen CUF property, the Arcadia is clearly no longer an issue, but the Matador remains.”

  “Unfortunately, I’m afraid the Matador had mechanical issues. Without the needed expertise, the ship’s caretakers chose to disassemble her for parts. By the time I learned of her demise, there was nothing I could do.”

  “I see. That’s unfortunate.” He pushed to his feet. “I believe we’ve covered what we need to for one day. My final proposal is, we have a cease-fire until this verbal understanding can be discussed with Parliament. And, I need your assurance that biological warfare will never be used again. The blight is abhorrent, something that never should’ve been created in the first place.”

  Seda stood. “I will do everything in my power to prevent the use of biological warfare. You have my word we will not be the aggressors, but should there be any actions taken against any colonist, we will do what is needed to protect the colonies’ interests.”

  “Understood, and I give you my word the CUF will not show aggression during this time of cease-fire. However,” He raised a finger. “You should know that I intend to launch a full investigation into the murder of the Unity’s crew. I will bring the perpetrators to justice.”

  Seda prayed that Critch was betraying no emotion on his face. “Agreed. I would expect nothing else.”

  The pair clasped forearms.

  Seda walked the corps general to the door. “I can only hope the progress we’ve made today will not be quashed by those who don’t have the Collective’s or the colonies’ best interests in mind.”

  “As do I,” Anders responded.

  Before Anders left, Seda paused. “A moment, Corps General.”

  Anders motioned for his staff to leave the room, and Seda turned to Critch and Reyne. The two marshals didn’t look pleased, but they exited the room.

  When only the pair remained in the room, Seda eyed Anders.
“This went exactly as you intended, didn’t it?”

  Anders glanced around the room. “Is this on the record or off the record?”

  Seda walked over to his desk and turned off the recording. “Off the record.”

  Anders gave a look like he didn’t know whether to believe Seda or not. “I believe it’s the inherent nature of any colony to become independent once it reaches a level of self-sustainment. However, I am also aware we are all currently interdependent upon one another. I’d much rather be exploring new solar systems than policing systems that don’t want me there. Perhaps, if the colonies were free, we could all move forward, citizens and colonists alike, into new endeavors and discover something innovative and exciting.” Anders tilted his head toward Seda. “Until we meet again.”

  Anders departed, leaving Seda staring as the door closed behind the military officer.

  Hari returned first. “So, is he on our side?”

  Seda thought for a long moment. “I have no idea.”

  Twenty-One

  Crew Changes

  Torrent Headquarters, Terra

  Reyne

  Corps General Anders led the fleet from Terra that same day. The Unity remained in orbit, a ghost ship filled with the dead. Until the CUF sent disinfectant teams with the fungicide, the ship would continue to linger above Terra.

  Reyne had waited all day for the CUF fleet to depart Terra’s orbit to safely make his own departure. By then, it was well into the night, and he, Sixx, and Boden decided to wait until morning to leave. He slept restlessly throughout the night, anxious to get out and search for Throttle. By sunrise, he was running through pre-flight sequences.

  “How’s she look?” Sixx asked as he entered the bridge.

  “Everything’s in the green,” Reyne said. “Once Boden gets here and runs through engine checks, we’re good for departure.”