The nomad Chancellor fleet’s delegation represented people who tried twice to steal warships, who had invested most of their wealth with the Inventor and, until recently, had their eye on Aeterna as a new home world. Ham believed Michael would’ve launched an attack on their fleet if he knew their location.

  Ham’s eyes connected with their leader, Joakim Barter, but Ham wanted no part of this. He made a beeline for Kara and Cando and hoped security was stationed close by.

  “Play nice, Michael,” he said under his breath. “Play nice.”

  13

  M AY I JOIN YOU?” Joseph Mogandi approached the booth where Kara, Cando, and Ham had been relaxing for a while. Kara was excited to spend a little time with her Zwahili friend.

  “Please,” she said, and the threesome slid over to make room. “Where have you been all night, Joseph?”

  He raised his hands as if he were being arrested.

  “Mauri Ambassador N’wadi is a lovely woman, but is incapable of silence. Unfortunately, I have a weakness. I do not interrupt a woman in mid-sentence, as my wife can attest.”

  “Was she interesting, at least?”

  “Kara, I do not remember a single thing she said. I am a terrible diplomat. And you? What of your evening?”

  Kara shared a sly smile with her Scylla companions. She allowed Ham to take the answer.

  “We enjoyed a spontaneous theatrical production,” he said.

  “Oh?”

  “It ended moments ago. Most of the actors have moved on. A mild scuffle between Aeternans and Chancellors from the rogue fleet. Nothing security couldn’t handle, but words were exchanged. They’ll be watched closely going forward.”

  “I see. Michael Cooper was involved?” Three nods were enough for Joseph. “I am not surprised. You know my instincts about him.”

  “We spent a month in his orbit,” Kara said. “We’re right there with you. He and the Chancellors have a very contentious history. I hope it doesn’t undermine our work here.”

  “It will not, Kara. Combined, they represent sixty thousand people. The rest of us represent thirty-five billion. Their voices will be whispers amid the greater consensus.”

  “I pray you’re right, Joseph.”

  Cando squeezed her hand.

  “We all do, but we have to be careful. Oftentimes, he who cries the loudest drowns out the majority.”

  “Well said, Cando. I have experienced this in the Federated Union more than I care to admit.”

  “And history,” Ham said, “teaches us to be wary of small but potent groups. Before the Chancellors ascended to control of human destiny, they were a tiny faction of Northern European conspirators with visions of conquest. No one challenged them for three thousand years. Who ended their empire? Less than a thousand children. Who finished the job on Earth? The most overlooked caste: The workers.”

  “Now,” Kara added, “those children have grown up and rule a planet of their own. And those workers run a planet where eight cities were flattened by nuclear bombs.”

  Joseph clapped the table.

  “Yes. Tread with care. The outcome is not guaranteed.”

  “The speeches today were amazing, Joseph. Your words moved many people to tears. But I do fear they’ll be forgotten.”

  “Like me with Ambassador N’wadi.” Joseph stifled a laugh. “She is a nice woman. I must be respectful. I will wear ear plugs next time.”

  To that, everyone clinked their glasses. Kara felt light-headed from all the wine. If she wasn’t drunk yet, she would be soon.

  “Have you endured all four receptions?”

  “I have, Kara.”

  “What is the general mood? Upbeat?”

  “I believe it so. However, I have heard the occasional words of caution. Much as you said, Cando. Loud voices on the edge. A robust skepticism among a few delegates.”

  “There won’t be many unanimous votes,” Cando said. “That won’t by itself pose a problem. My concern is the parameters we’ll be working under.”

  “Such as?”

  “The rules may box us into some difficult corners. A resolution cannot pass if one entire delegation votes against it. That’s where the Chancellors or the Aeternans can speak with oversized voices.”

  Joseph swirled his drink.

  “I encouraged the advisory council to remove that piece. Three planets said they would not attend without it. I was outvoted.”

  Ham cupped his hands around his glass and stared long inside.

  “Tyranny of the majority,” he mumbled. “That’s what they fear. If we create what amounts to a new empire, will every world still be able to chart its own destiny? Or will it fall under the dictates of a bureaucracy light-years away?”

  Joseph groaned with a sense of recognition.

  “Old masters replaced by new masters. I have heard variations on this theme.”

  “Some groups are small but loud; others may resort to violence.”

  All eyes turned to Ham. Joseph wagged a finger.

  “I have heard no such threats, Hamilton.”

  Ham appeared to snap out of his hypnotic stare.

  “I wasn’t referring to the delegates, but dangerous groups are massing far from here. You know of them, Joseph. Yes?”

  The Zwahili looked like a man who’d been reminded of something he’d rather have forgotten.

  “Be specific, Hamilton.”

  “Fine. I made a discovery on a recent mission, and I’ve spent the aftermath in research. I’m curious about the fringe groups forming on Zwahili Kingdom. Your government’s own intelligence division says they are growing rapidly, and some of their messages are bizarre. Others, quite ominous.”

  Joseph nodded. “Disgruntled men. They believe we were cheated out of our role as protectors in the Splinter Alliance. Some tribes never appreciated a centralized government.”

  “You don’t sound concerned.”

  “Zwahilis are a passionate people.”

  “In the past week, three demonstrations drew thousands of people. One turned into a riot.”

  “I know of these. The outer provinces. They are often unsettled.”

  “The problem lies in what appears to be driving these groups.” He turned to Kara and Cando. “They rose after the mass distribution of Splinters. Their political messages vary, but they fall back upon a common name: God of All Universes. I compared this against Kara’s report following the tragedy last year in the capital. Your grandson’s group used that term as well, Joseph.”

  Joseph buried his head in his hands.

  “Hamilton, I will not say these concerns are without warrant. I myself expressed misgivings to Amayas Knight when he arrived months ago to distribute the Splinters. He said people would respond differently to them, but the greater population would expand their wisdom. My voice was not strong enough to halt his plan, but the government has planted agents inside these groups. We will always be several steps ahead of them.”

  Kara thought back to that day in Mumbassa City. Joseph’s grandson, Maxwell, lost control of the Circle. Two of his friends died soon after. Kara patted his grandfather’s hand.

  “I know this is personal to you, Joseph. I’m sure your allies are doing their best to stay on top of it.”

  “I saw Amayas at another reception. He avoided me, but I heard him telling others about his plans for a second round of distribution, possibly on non-Alliance worlds. He is convinced the benefits justify the Splinters. He is passionate. He draws a crowd.”

  “Interesting,” Ham said. “I checked with security this evening, and he had yet to board the Aston James. Huh. He arrived in time to attend the receptions.”

  “Wine and liquor are flowing,” Cando said. “Everyone’s guard is down. What better opportunity to make his case?”

  “His role is limited here, and he has no voting power.”

  “You don’t believe he’ll be satisfied with that?”

  “No, Cando. Not at all. I’m sure he intends to hold informal discussions with the Alliance worlds. He’ll want to pull strings. But Joseph … back to the matter of these fringe groups. I believe it might be incumbent on your government to do more than plant agents inside them.”

  “What are you suggesting, Hamilton?”

  “The Kingdom has anti-sedition laws. Yes?”

  “We do.”

  “The enforcement powers are considerable.”

  “They are.”

  “I am an outsider, but I might advise your government to consider the full use of those powers.”

  “Silence the free expression of the tribes?”

  “Containment, Joseph. Cut out a cancer before it spreads. I rarely invoke Chancellor philosophy, but I believe there’s reason to worry.”

  Joseph slid out from the booth and grabbed his drink.

  “I appreciate your worry, Hamilton. But as you aptly noted, you are an outsider. Do not misunderstand. I value your opinion. I believe we will have to …”

  Kara’s eyes shifted toward the nightclub’s entrance, as did Cando and Ham. Joseph turned about-face.

  “Speaking of the great salesman,” Ham said.

  Amayas Knight arrived with a small entourage, and other delegates descended upon him like a celebrity might expect. The Inventor smiled and reached out his hand to the greeters.

  “Look at the effect he has,” Joseph said. “Bolivans, Damascenes, G’hladis, Brahmans, Mauris. All begging for his time. Is it any wonder he avoids me? Not tonight.” He nodded to the threesome in the booth. “I thank you for an enlightening conversation. We must do it again.”

  “Good luck, Joseph,” Kara said.

  The Zwahili rancher started toward the growing cohort.

  “More theater,” Ham said. “I doubt he’ll have much luck.”

  “So, Ham, why don’t you tell Cando and I what that was about?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “The talk about fringe groups in the Kingdom. You know his grandson ran off and joined one. You said the government should shut them down.”

  “If they know what’s good for them. Yes.”

  “I don’t understand. Joseph says they’re handling it. You see it another way?”

  “I see a problem with small, potent groups who did not exist months ago. They’re not limited to the Kingdom. With all eyes turned to this conference, certain elements on the ground might take advantage.”

  “Why?” Cando said. “What aren’t you telling us?”

  “I worry about blind spots.”

  “It’s more than that, Ham. You’ve been distracted since you found the Inventor’s base. Your report was thin. I think there’s a connection.”

  “Hmm.”

  Ham stared out at Amayas, who engaged his court with laughter and waved for the servers to provide more wine.

  “I made a promise,” Ham said. “I thought it for the greater good. Now, I’m not so certain. Hmm. I think I should sleep on it. What do you say we speak early in the morning?”

  “We have a full agenda tomorrow.”

  “I don’t want you walking into that first session armed with anything less than the full picture.”

  Ham’s tone felt worrisome. Kara’s stomach tightened.

  “Your quarters?” She asked, to which he nodded. Ham studied the Aleksanyans as if seeing them for the first time.

  “You’ve both come so far. Your instincts complement each other. As a team, you are going to be ferocious.” Ham laughed. “Hmm. That sounds like a toast I should have given at your wedding. Oh, well. I see Joseph is making no progress pushing through the Inventor’s adoring acolytes. I’ll give him a nudge.”

  He slid from the booth.

  “Until the morning.”

  They raised their glasses.

  “Until then,” Kara said.

  They watched the next few moments unfold.

  “I have a feeling he’s going to put us in an awkward position,” said Cando, to which his wife laughed.

  “I met him in a bar in Zozo. I was dressed like a doll. He wore an ancient Sak’ne suit. Everything with Ham is awkward.”

  * * *

  Ham made progress without saying a word. He sat at the bar close to the Inventor’s fan club and waited until Amayas saw him. The rich, ebullient smile faded, even as Amayas carried on an electric conversation about his plans to expand humanity’s reach through the Splinters. Ham did not hear a word of dissent but there were many questions. The most frequent: How many? When can we expect them?

  It was as if they’d never heard of the madness that beset Pinchon or the fringe groups spouting dangerous ideas. Perhaps their own worlds had not yet been infected. More likely, Ham reasoned, the delegates’ most influential constituents clamored for more cubes.

  How can you do it? He thought. You know the danger, and you’re doubling down. It’s all you have left to play, Amayas, isn’t it?

  The Inventor had to know his Splinter Alliance would fade into history if the forty worlds agreed to a union. Here I am, allowing you to sell these people on a fantasy.

  If he went public with what he learned at The Hold, Ham might undermine any future union and a strong, common defense. Yet the danger of delay seemed equally precarious. To his disappointment, Ham received no help from Joseph. The Zwahili could have intervened right then and told the story of what was happening in the Kingdom. Instead, he offered no more than a feeble effort at pleading for a moment of the Inventor’s time.

  “Excuse me.”

  At first, Ham didn’t pay attention to the voice. He assumed it was for someone else. When a hand tugged at his shirt, Ham swung about on his bar stool.

  “Yes? May I help you?”

  A brown-skinned woman in a floral dress wore a beaded necklace shaded in the colors of the rainbow. She was short and stout yet also elegant. Ham narrowed down her ethnicity to two possibilities.

  “You’re him,” she said.

  “Who?”

  “Cortez. I could never forget your face. I saw you at the general assembly. I knew it was you.”

  Her accent narrowed the options further. She was Bolivan.

  “Have we met?” He said.

  “You don’t recognize me?”

  She didn’t seem hurt. Her eyes twinkled, and her smile was beatific.

  “I apologize, madam. Perhaps you can enlighten me.”

  “We met over a year ago.”

  “Really. Where?”

  “Mangum Island on Hokkaido. The landing port outside High Cannon Collective. Remember?”

  A cold shiver passed through Ham. Could it be?

  The memory of that night never faded. Everything changed in a few insane moments at HCC. His team had taken a submarine to the island and intercepted a prototype of a ship called Invictus. Outside, two dozen men and women from many worlds stood around as if in a daze. Ryllen ran into the ship, thinking he might find Shin Wain and exact revenge. Instead, he discovered the Splinter that sent all their lives into a frenzy.

  That’s where this woman claimed to have met Ham. He looked closely. Maybe. How would she know unless she was there?

  “I believe you have me confused with someone else,” he said. “I’ve never been to Mangum Island.”

  She picked at his shirt in a flirtatious manner, although this woman appeared a bit too regal in her posture for such games.

  “You brought a team of assassins. You threatened our host, Sho Parke. You demanded he tell you about the prototype. Remember, Mr. Cortez?”

  Cudfrucker. She was there. It can’t be the one I’m …

  She continued.

  “You ordered us to our knees and said, ‘If you plan to survive the night, do not fight back and do not hold your lip when I ask you a question.’ I have an excellent memory, Mr. Cortez.”

  “What is your name, if I might ask?”

  “I am Ola Osteen, Advisor to Queen Marta Leevo of Bolivar.” She squeezed his right hand rather than shake. “We’ve never met in an official capacity. When I introduced myself at HCC, I went by a different name.”

  “Oh?”

  “Sho Parke responded to your questions with threats. You decided to kill one of us to make a point to Mr. Parke.”

  He remembered. The two dozen hostages appeared hypnotized or brainwashed. Their eyes were shallow, and they showed no fear. No tears. No whines. No pleas for mercy.

  “At one point,” she said, “you recognized my ethnicity. You were surprised to see Bolivans. You said, ‘How did the poorest colony in the Collectorate get mixed up in this madness?’”

  He recognized her, but dare he give himself away? What could he say to dissuade this woman? She showed no anger, no sense of fulfillment for finding Ham. She spoke in a moderate tone, not competing against the many voices nearby. She did not point and shout. What was she trying to accomplish?

  “You told me to stand,” Ola said. “You asked my name. I said Issa Norales. Do you know why?”

  Ham never felt so boxed in, not even on his worst day.

  “I’m afraid you’ve lost me, madam. If you don’t mind …”

  “Issa is my most precious counterpart. I have shared my life with her in the three years since I saw through the Splinter. If I had died, I would have gone out as her. You see, I was never really there.”

  He remembered the confounding phrase: I was never here.

  “You did not like the answers to my questions, so you ordered a man close to me to be shot. And he was. Do you remember Laot? He was my brother, but he too was content in the glow of his counterpart.”

  Ham chose the man because he saw the family resemblance. Mei Durin took the shot. It made no difference among the hostages. Moments later, chaos erupted.

  Ryllen emerged from Invictus with the Splinter. The hostages surged toward him, a sudden fury overcoming them. He killed at least ten and ran. Two Scramjets emerged, firing on HCC. Only later would Ham realize they belonged to the Talons and a version of Ryllen six years older. Sho Parke survived the slaughter only to meet his fate at Kara’s wedding.