“We came dressed as ordered. I don’t appreciate being called a cheater.” He looked across at Cando. “She’s your lover. You two sort it. I’m going to stand over there.”

  “Someone’s grumpy this morning,” Cando mumbled after Leto left earshot. “He’s not wrong, Kara. You should take better care with your word choice.”

  “What? I never accused you of …”

  “Cheating. No. Not directly. But you implied we’re lesser men without the black. We fight on terms necessary to survive combat. The enemy does no less.”

  “Cando, the orbital team can be here in seconds if there’s trouble. You might not wear the armor, but they do. Their rifles can wipe out Zwahilis by the dozens. Having them in reserve is not cheating. It’s smart. Cando, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

  He pulled her close and kissed her forehead.

  “But you did, and it’s OK. This won’t be the last time. Talons have a sensitive nerve on many topics. Questioning how we fight is chief among them. We would have died hundreds of times over if not for the armor. We saw countless thousands who died wearing it. The black is not a guarantee. It’s a desire to see tomorrow.”

  “I understand. I’ll apologize to Leto.”

  “Best to hold off. You might stumble into another minefield of semantics. I’ll talk to him later.”

  She conceded the point and stared back down the gorge.

  “It’s an amazing sight, nonetheless. For my second planet ever, I think I could do worse. What do you think?”

  “Not bad. But it’s nothing compared to the falls at …”

  Leto shouted. “Look there!” He pointed west, upriver.

  Three compact flying vehicles raced along the gorge, hugging the water. Kara thought of typical Pinchon hoppers but with a significant twist. Rather than flying on Carbedyne nacelles, four sets of propellers spun inside round horizontal mounts.

  “I saw those in the air traffic analysis, but I can’t remember their name,” Cando said.

  The vehicles surged as if lifted by a sudden wind.

  Leto rushed to their side.

  “Phantops. Four-seaters.”

  “Shit,” Cando said. “I remember. They’re used for security and law enforcement. A drone design scaled for passengers.”

  “Are they doing what I think?” Kara said.

  The phantops gained elevation. Midway up the gorge, they turned as one and began a long, steady turn.

  Cando said what Kara was thinking:

  “This is going to be a problem.”

  11

  T HE PHANTOPS SHOT OUT OF the gorge like monsters released from the deep and pushed toward the main house. They hit Kara, Cando, and Leto with a strong downdraft as they soared overhead. Two vehicles broke for the ranch house, but the third slowed then swooped about-face as if performing an elegant dance move and hovered.

  “Maybe these belong to Joseph,” Kara said.

  Cando grabbed her hand.

  “The giant A on the side suggests not.”

  “What is he doing?”

  Dark figures inside the hovering phantop wore helmets with visors and did not move.

  “I see a gunport on the chin,” Leto said.

  “Please,” she said. “Keep your weapons stowed. We can’t afford a misunderstanding.”

  Cando reached. “That gunport will shred us.”

  “If that was the plan, wouldn’t we already be dead?”

  Cando said nothing, but he didn’t aim the laser pistol either. Leto held back as well.

  The other vehicles made a gentle landing outside the main house, their forward propeller fans retracting up and away. Four men hopped out of each, engendering immediate commotion as Joseph raced from the house along with Ham, family, and staff. The new arrivals formed a phalanx while words were exchanged.

  Yet Kara’s attention focused on the third phantop, which continued to hover. A passenger in the right-hand seat removed his helmet. The tinted glass revealed little about him, but he was demonstrative. He waved both hands and followed with a double thumbs-up. It felt like Joseph greeting them again but this time behind a gunport.

  He sat still, as if awaiting a response.

  “What are we supposed to do?” Kara said.

  “He’s taunting us,” Leto said.

  Now the man pointed downward with both index fingers. On cue, the phantop descended. After the blades retracted, he jumped out alone and advanced to the threesome.

  This man was no rancher. A smart golden jacket dazzled in the sunlight. His floral shirt, pristine white slacks and polished black shoes said he was better suited for a high office in Mumbassa City. He had no hair save a closely-shaven goatee.

  “Who are you?” Cando shouted, keeping his pistol to his side.

  The man flailed his arms as if to say, “How could you not know?” He smiled with the same generous spirit Joseph gave upon his welcome, yet this felt all wrong.

  “That’s close enough,” Cando said.

  “Please, oh please,” the man said. “Why the histrionics? I was here to see Joseph, but then I looked down and well … I had to be sure I was right. The reports were true: Joseph is entertaining off-worlders. I can guess where you might hail from, but I would not presume. I have only visited a few colonies. Hello, my friends. My name is Francois Adobo. I mean you absolutely no harm.”

  The commotion grew louder outside the main house. Joseph’s voice was undeniable as he shouted over eight men.

  “I arrived uninvited,” Francois said. “Joseph is much put-out.” He spoke into a wristband. “Allow Joseph to pass.”

  Kara tried to process what was happening. How did he find out? His timing couldn’t have been a coincidence. He was a weapons manufacturer, Hemric told them. Much wealthier than Joseph and someone who might want to use the warships as more than a security force for the Alliance. Hemric believed Francois wanted the best for the Kingdom, but Joseph did not trust the man’s motives.

  “Maybe Joseph wouldn’t be put out,” Cando said, “if you had asked for an invitation like we did. Why are you here?”

  Francois ignored the question and turned to Kara.

  “You are Hokki. I have visited Mangum Island. Do you know it?”

  “Yes. I do.”

  “My host was a man named Sho Parke. He was a good man, but I have been told he was murdered recently. Very sad.”

  “Yes. I heard.”

  Kara was afraid where this was headed. Did Francois know the details about the wedding massacre? Did he know her role? He must have attended some of the weekly Daselin meetings of Alliance leaders at High Cannon Collective.

  “Might I have the honor of knowing your name?” Francois asked.

  Joseph halted introductions. His nostrils flared as he barked.

  “Francois Adobo, you are a despicable man. How dare you arrive at my home in violation of the law. You cannot land on my property without warrant or advance permission. You know this!”

  “Please, please, Joseph. Settle down. I am here on a mission of peace and security. I was told you might be in danger from off-worlders. So far, these two men have shown great restraint with their weapons. Perhaps I was mistaken. Are you in danger?”

  “Of course not, you ass. I demand you and your grubs leave my ranch. If you wish to visit, you will do it through the proper means.”

  Francois, the same height as Joseph but in Kara’s mind much more imposing, feigned being hurt by the demand.

  “Joseph, Joseph, my old and dear friend. You have not allowed me to set foot on this property in years. Since I am now here, I think we should convene in your home and catch up.”

  “After this insult? Absolutely not. Leave, Francois. Now.”

  Kara sensed the answer before the bald man delivered it.

  “I cannot oblige.” He spoke into his wristband. “Join us.”

  Two men and a woman, all sporting bright, floral attire, leaped from the closest phantop, rifles slung over their shoulders. Francois waved them forward.

  “Gentlemen,” he said to Cando and Leto, “I do not wish you to take this the wrong way, but I ask you to hand over your weapons.”

  Leto grabbed his pistol and aimed. Cando followed suit. When Francois’s people did the same, their boss waved them off.

  “Please, my friends. This can be avoided. What would it come to but blood? You will kill me, and my friends will return the favor. Joseph’s children will no longer have a father, and this beautiful young Hokki woman will have no future.”

  “That’s a bold assumption,” Cando said.

  “Oh, I can see the truth in your eyes. You are both soldiers. Killers. And I do not believe you are alone. But I pose a simple question. If my loyal friends at Joseph’s house were to see me fall, do you think they would be upset enough to seek immediate revenge on the women and children close by?”

  The Talons said nothing.

  “They have such love for me. Their rage would be most furious.”

  “Stop.”

  Kara said the word three times and turned to Cando.

  “It’s not just about us anymore.” To Leto: “Please don’t.”

  “Do not worry, gentlemen,” Francois said. “When our business is concluded, I will return your weapons.”

  The Talons complied, tossing their pistols at his feet.

  “Oh, and I do hope if your allies are listening, they understand the futility of an intervention. Zwahilis have not died by the hands of off-worlders since the Chancellors ruled the skies. It will not resume today. But enough of this. My reports said there were four of you sleeping at this ranch. Joseph, where is the other?”

  “At the house, Francois. You will pay for this mischief. My dear friends,” the told the ground team, “I cannot apologize enough for this man’s incivility.”

  “Hmmph. You have always exuded a humble face, Joseph, but it is becoming a bore. Even many of your family do not believe it. Now, all of you, proceed to the house. I must address a matter of great concern while we walk.”

  “Be ready.”

  Cando mumbled the words while leaning into Kara, never letting go of her hand. What was he planning? The idea of Scramjet Horn materializing between them and the house terrified Kara more than the bald man leading them there.

  She thought of Chi-Qua. Her first duty as a Talon, and now this.

  “I will not tolerate this behavior,” Joseph said. “You have disgraced yourself, Francois. I will make this incident known to the First Council and the Alliance Triad. You will not recover.”

  “Oh, my dear friend. Your threats reveal your desperation, but I am here to set you right. I am here to save you from yourself.”

  “You lost your faculties.”

  “On the contrary. I have taken bold action to ensure a future of promise for our people. Joseph, you have been deceived.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “These people you invited into your home are thieves and murderers. They belong to a collection of agitators from many worlds who wish to destroy the Splinter Alliance before it begins.”

  “You’re mad, Francois. You cannot bel …”

  “I have firm intelligence to support my position. It was their crew – not rogue Chancellors – who stole Scylla during her shakedown. Shortly thereafter, they killed many Alliance leaders on Hokkaido. They destroyed the Inventor’s home base on Y-14 when they failed to find him there. They are trying to infiltrate our leadership so we will lose faith in the Alliance.”

  Francois made the accusations with the indifference of a court clerk reading off a list of charges for the record. He did not face the accused.

  “None of that is true!”

  Kara spit her rebuttal, despite knowing one part wasn’t far from accurate. The man she married, Ya-Li Taron, did in fact order the massacre to cull Alliance leadership.

  “You will have a chance to defend yourself,” Francois said.

  “I am right now, thank you. The Chancellors did steal Scylla. They attacked us on Y-14. Who told you these lies?”

  “All that matters is the truth, and I possess it. Ah, I see the fourth member of your crew. If one must look up, you must have a Chancellor caught in your eye. Two in your home at once, Joseph? This is very concerning, indeed.”

  Ham broke through the phalanx of weapon-strapped guards to meet his team, host, and accuser. His tone did not match Kara’s expectation.

  “Mr. Adobo, if you wanted to meet, I would have gladly accepted an invitation to your office.” He was civil, even passive. “I am Captain Hamilton Cortez of the Scylla.”

  Ham extended his hand, which seemed to surprise Francois.

  “My apologies, Captain, but I find it inappropriate to shake the hand of a murderer and a thief.”

  “I see. That’s the accusation? I have stolen things in my life, and I have killed people, some on this very planet. But I doubt I’m guilty of the particular crimes you reference.”

  “Chancellors. Always confident and direct. You fought for the Unification Guard?”

  “I did. I spent my first tour based on the Ark Carrier Cheyenne. My battalion intervened in five civil conflicts at the behest of your First Council. To my best recollection, I killed between seventy and one hundred Zwahilis. Most of them were young men, likely the ages of your own sons.”

  Ham stunned Kara. What madness beset him to unveil a past which might only enrage Francois and his armed contingent?

  Francois stared up at Ham with a bemused glare and nodded.

  “Twice, I tagged along with my father when he had business aboard the Cheyenne. I remember seeing the hangars where the UG stored their red terrors. I dreamed of one day doing to the Cheyenne what the Hiebim rebels did to the Nephesian.”

  “You got your wish, more or less. Salvation took it out with a singularity weapon nine years ago.”

  “They did indeed, Captain.”

  Francois extended his hand, and they shook.

  “We are not enemies, Mr. Adobo. Whatever your accusations, they are not true. We have no wish to undermine the Alliance, but we do need help in another matter. That is why we’re here. Given the timing of your arrival, I think you already know.”

  Francois laughed.

  “My father always said of Chancellors: ‘You can try to keep up.’” He turned to the threesome. “Kara Syung of Hokkaido. Cando Aleksanyan of Yaniff. Leto Ahmed of Mauritania. You and your Captain came here to strike a deal of some concern regarding the warship Scylla, which you possess illegally. How you acquired it is of no consequence, though I know the fabricated story you have told Joseph.

  “What will happen today is simple. You will negotiate the turnover of Scylla to its rightful owners. After we raise the flag of the Kingdom aboard Scylla, you and your crew will be allowed to return to your homes. This is assuming you are deemed to have committed no crimes against the Zwahili people.”

  Ham signaled silence from his team with fingers upon lips.

  “Mr. Adobo, we will be happy to discuss the future, but I believe you lack the political or military power to enforce such a turnover.”

  “Captain, my friends and enemies call me Francois. To your claim? Yes. I lack final authority on this matter. However, my allies in the First Council do not. They are not vengeful men, but they are Zwahili patriots. Be careful you do not press too hard.”

  “I wouldn’t think of it, Francois. However, Joseph has been a gracious host, and I find gracious men can work through their differences in a reasoned and disciplined manner. Might you and I have the same opportunity?”

  Francois pivoted to Joseph.

  “It is your ranch. Would you permit your gracious guests to converse on these sensitive matters?”

  “My ranch? The one you have invaded, Francois. What choice do you give me?”

  Francois shrugged. “You could send us away with Hamilton and his team. I can speak with him confidentially in my penthouse. But I do not think this will be to your benefit. I believe we have the ingredients for success right here in your home.”

  He snapped his fingers, and the woman from his phantop handed Francois a tablet.

  “You have been looking for your grandson. Yes?”

  Joseph made an aggressive move.

  “Maxwell. What have you …?”

  “No, no, no, Joseph. Maxwell is fine. He is with his friends in the city. His friends are also my friends, you see.”

  He displayed the tablet, which appeared to show a secure cam image from inside a room. A circle of young men Maxwell’s age held notebooks. One was reading aloud.

  “These are the leaders of our future. The children of the Splinter. They are discussing what they have learned from their counterparts. They are becoming stronger Zwahili. They believe the return of the Scylla is providence delivered by the hand of God.”

  Kara filled out the puzzle without hearing another word: It was Maxwell. He observed, listened, and reported the visit. He must have known what was coming, so he warned Kara. Perhaps he took a shine to her … or he knew what might happen after Francois arrived.

  We never had a chance.

  It all made sense, until it didn’t.

  “I do not wish harm upon any of these boys,” Francois said. “But I know each one is willing to give his life to preserve a future promised to the Kingdom.”

  Joseph shaded his eyes, but Kara saw unbridled rage building.

  “You threaten my grandson?”

  “Not at all. He is happy and safe, but I do believe he would like to spend a few days in the city. He grows tired of this ranch.”

  Ham intervened.

  “Francois, I’m certain we can resolve all our concerns without the specter of threats or hostages. Not even Joseph has heard our formal proposal regarding the Scylla. I think you will be fascinated by what we have to say. Might I suggest we stand down?”

  “I am always fascinated by a good proposal, Captain. Why do you think I made such a dramatic entrance?”

  Ham grinned. “I thought as much. You knew our timetable.”

  “Indeed.”

  “Only six people did, and five are here. It wasn’t Maxwell.”

  “No. Espionage is not his strong suit. Here comes our man now.”