“You don’t know God,” she said. “He’ll show me all Creation when I stand at his side.”

  “Shit. I handed you a cube with a quantum singularity in the middle. I showed you more of Creation than He ever has. Met anyone interesting in there yet?”

  “Not since you took it away.”

  “You don’t need the Splinter anymore. They’re all in your head.”

  The rifter approached a large, closed portal in an otherwise empty corridor. Royal pulled back on the arms. He tapped the red jewel on Chastain’s comm.

  “What the hell, Admiral? Is Hangar 19 on the other side?”

  “It is.”

  “What’s the holdup?”

  “We are clearing the hangar of all distractions, so you will know we are acting in good faith.”

  “Either that, or you’re sending an ops team to come up my ass and hope to hell they don’t take down the holy prize.”

  “You will find a lone shuttle on the other side of that door. It will be positioned meters from the cascade barrier. Once you and your friends are onboard, you will be able to leave without delay.”

  “Me, my friends, and the most holy of holies.”

  “You have assurance of safe passage. All we ask is you free Empress Chastain before departure.”

  The man was an idiot or thought Royal was.

  “Right, Admiral. We’ll fly out the hangar and hope the flagship of the biggest armada in the history of time doesn’t incinerate us.”

  “The ship’s worm drive has been set to activate immediately. You will be able to form an aperture before you enter weapons range.”

  Royal disconnected the comm.

  “You believe that shit?”

  The SVs shook their heads in unison.

  “They will never allow us to escape without her,” Book said.

  “I fought these assholes for six years. They don’t surrender and damn well don’t admit defeat.”

  “We have never lost,” Chastain said.

  “Wars? No. You fuckers got a perfect record. I’ll give you that. But you do lose battles, and you leave just as many bodies on the field. I walked on their corpses.”

  “The righteous die for their God.”

  His moan turned into a laugh.

  “The righteous? How many planets did you convert in your seventy-two years?”

  “Nine. Hokkaido will be my tenth. And they will let you escape without me, Royal.”

  “Why?”

  “Incinerating savages won’t do. They’ll track you.”

  “I assumed as much.”

  “You won’t be killed. You’ll be made into God’s justice. The things they’ll do to those children … nothing like you’ve ever seen.”

  “I believe you, but they’ll never have a chance. You don’t know what I can do. I’m a magic man, and I know what justice looks like. If the bodies in my rearview could talk, they’d tell you no different.”

  Royal almost threw off his helmet so she might sense the cold blood running through him. Had she ever seen a soldier’s body? Ever witnessed the burn pits in action?

  Lucian tapped him.

  “General …”

  The portal lifted.

  “Now we’re in business. You two, stay sharp. I don’t rule out an ambush. These assholes are arrogant enough to try.”

  Hangar 19 was much smaller than he expected. It couldn’t have housed more than six or eight private shuttles or small transports. The deck was free of all but two drone loaders and a cigar-like shuttle facing the cascade barrier. The ship sported the insignia of the Holy Risen Church on its port bulwark.

  “This hanger belongs to the Church,” Chastain said. “Only our vessels are allowed here.”

  Men in white and red Church robes manned a walkway wrapping around the hangar’s mezzanine. Royal didn’t see rifles, but he doubted they were acolytes.

  “Where are they? Where are the Tarons?”

  “General, I think I see them. Look starboard.”

  Royal felt a sudden calm when he spotted feet on the far side of the shuttle’s undercarriage. He altered the rifter’s course.

  The kids huddled close, their mother Dyna standing behind. Royal recognized the second brother, 15-year-old Yong, who had wanted to join the fight before Moon sent him away with his siblings. The children stood shoulder to shoulder, aligned from tallest to shortest. They did not move.

  How much had they been told? Royal suspected as little as possible. A few meters behind them, a group of four F-grounders, armored in the familiar lizard green, waited at attention, rifles against their chest.

  Chastain’s comm flashed green. Royal enabled the connection.

  The Admiral said, “We have met your demands.”

  “I didn’t say shit about an armed escort.”

  “They will ensure Chastain’s safety when you release her.”

  Royal stopped the rifter at the shuttle’s stern.

  “Keep those assholes where they are, and even God won’t save her. If I like the setup after we’re all onboard, I’ll consider dumping the old crone on the deck. Otherwise, she’s going on a long trip.”

  “Unacceptable.”

  “Make it acceptable. I don’t move until they’re gone.”

  He tapped off the comm and took stock. The phony acolytes along the catwalk did not move or reveal their hidden rifles. The contingent of FGs resembled stone monoliths more than humans. The Tarons waited in terrified silence, a perfect bait.

  These theatrics made no sense. The Admiralty had to know they couldn’t intimidate Royal into surrender, and they saw his armor in action. Why compromise Chastain’s safety?

  What am I missing? These assholes have a backup. They …

  Shit.

  “It’s a distraction,” he told his men. “They’ll call off the FG’s. We’ll board with the Tarons. We’ll verify the worm drive is active. They know I won’t give her up until we’re long gone. They’re OK with that. Lucian, Book: Adjust your sensory nodes to tracker range. Focus on the ship. Stern to nose. Tell me what you see.”

  Royal did the same. The tracker searched for body heat. Royal wasn’t sure it could cut through the shuttle’s armor with accuracy, but he needed evidence, not precision.

  As predicted, the contingent of F-grounders holstered their rifles and retreated single file, leaving the hangar through the closest portal. Chastain’s comm flashed green, but Royal didn’t respond.

  “Three,” Lucian said. “I count three near the stern.”

  “Me, too,” Book confirmed. “Undercarriage.”

  Royal had seen enough gift horses to know this one had to come with a catch.

  “They planted men onboard, Empress. They were gonna wait until we let down our guard. Is the beacon under your skin, or in your blood? The second you’re not in the line of fire, they’ll charge to the rescue. Not a bad plan, if you’re dealing with idiots.”

  “You stupid man,” she said. “This will not be the last surprise.”

  “I’m sure the Admirals have been running hostage drills longer than you’ve sat on the hot seat.”

  “There’s nothing you’ll do they haven’t thought of.”

  “The guy with the Splinter says you’re wrong. These fools are going to get you killed.”

  Royal brought the rifter to a gentle stop close to the Tarons and activated the comm.

  “Smart move, Admiral. We’re going to board. Any of your dandies on the walkway decide to take a shot, you know how this ends.”

  “You can leave without the Empress. Your path is clear.”

  “We’ll see.”

  He tapped off the comm and faced the Tarons. Yong steeled himself, his eyes defiant. The five-year-old twins Liu and Lin held hands with Sela, the youngest, in between. The middle girls – Meena, Muna, and Nan – didn’t say much during Royal’s stint as a dinner guest, but he remembered each by name.

  “We’re taking you to see your father and big brother. I need everybody to do exactly what I say.”

  “Who are you?” Dyna said.

  “It’s Royal. Remember? The guy with the wolf on his head.”

  “How did you …?”

  “Doesn’t matter. You and the kids get onboard and find seats.”

  Their lack of an emotional response surprised Royal. They showed him kindness when he was their guest.

  Lucian leaned forward.

  “General, what are we doing? Their soldiers are onboard.”

  “Play along.”

  Dyna Taron entered last. She glanced over her shoulder, slitting her eyes. She didn’t trust him on Hokkaido; why start now?

  “Your turn, Empress. We’re going for a ride.”

  Chastain protested when Lucian lifted her up like a forty-pound sack of sand and cradled her against his chest.

  “Don’t let her down, even after you’re inside.”

  Royal grabbed the comm and followed Book into the egress. He tapped the red jewel.

  “Nice work, Admiral. We’re going to run a systems diagnostic. If she’s clean, we’ll be off.”

  “Our Empress?”

  “She’s had a good run. Billions dead. Billions converted.”

  He shut the egress.

  Dyna strapped in her youngest children. The long, narrow cabin featured ten rows of high-backed chairs, two per side with a wide, carpeted avenue down the center.

  Royal studied the rear compartment from which the FGs would attack. They’d wait until Royal’s company moved forward to the early-model nav consoles, leaving Chastain in a seat of her own. They’d expect the men in gold to lower their helmets, making them vulnerable to head shots. Even if all factors fell into place, and the Swarm advanced like mice, they’d fail more often than not.

  Royal dismissed that plan. It didn’t feel right. Chastain said this would not be the last surprise. Did she know how they’d come at it? Royal wished she could see his smile while she squirmed.

  “Tell this creature to put me down,” she said.

  “Enjoy the moment, Empress. It might be the last time you’ll ever be held in a man’s arms.”

  The antique shuttle didn’t use common navigation circle tech. Royal opened a console plate with a holo modification and told Book to run a systems diagnostic.

  “While you’re at it, find the emergency decompression kits.”

  “Not a problem, General.”

  Royal approached the Tarons. The children stared at him as if they dared to hope but anticipated the worst.

  “OK, everyone. It’s really important you listen and don’t say a word. I know you’re scared. We’re going to make it, but I need you to follow my instructions. I’m going to remove my helmet so you know it’s really me. But don’t say a word. Nod if you understand.”

  When everyone complied, Royal wiped away his helmet and slapped the gold pack against his chest armor. Their smiles widened. The twins looked ready to scream with delight. Royal lifted a finger over his lips and shook his head.

  “Good job. Now, I’m serious about what I said. I’m gonna get you back with your father and Moon. But it’s gonna be tricky. When I tell you to do something, you have to do it without any questions. If you’re having trouble, I can help, and so can your mother.”

  He glanced at Dyna, who seemed to know Royal was improvising. He bent down to eye level and whispered to her.

  “I’m going to need your help when we jump, and you need to do it with a big-ass smile on your face. Do not let them ask questions.”

  “What is happening?”

  Royal pointed downward then held up three fingers.

  “Trust me, Dyna. I know what I’m doing.”

  Book waved him forward.

  “What have you got?”

  “She’s ready for flight. We can jump any time.” He pulled up a holo with illuminated squares in a rendering of the main cabin. “Each seat has an overhead release. It will drop down a vacuum helmet, regulator pad, and two hours oxygen.”

  “That wouldn’t be worth shit in a real accident. Good thing we’re playing a different game today.” Royal scrolled through the systems array and found the wormhole drivers. “I’m surprised they didn’t pre-program our course. Guess they don’t have to. The transponder will do the work for them, and we can’t override it.”

  “What does that mean for us?”

  “Once we drop out of worm, we’d better be ready to move straightaway to the final jump.” Royal raced his fingers through menu options until he found the first suitable destination. He threw the coordinates into the catalyst driver. “We jump on my signal.”

  “Yes, General.”

  He opened Chastain’s comm.

  “What is your delay?” The Admiral said.

  “Making sure you don’t try to shove a little Swarm justice up my ass. We’re leaving.”

  Royal silenced the comm. Did he suspect?

  “Trigger the engines, Book. It’s time.”

  He told Lucian: “Tuck her in. Front row.” He pointed to a seat without a companion. “You keep your mouth shut, old woman. I’m every bit the cunt you think I am, and more.”

  He restored a smile for the children.

  “This is a pretty old ship. That vibration is just the engine. A little warning: When we jump into a wormhole, you might feel like throwing up, or worse. Just hang in there, and the feeling will pass. I promise. No matter how bad you feel …”

  He finished his sentence by pressing a finger over his lips.

  “Are we good?”

  They nodded.

  “Catalyze the drivers, Book, and take us to the edge of the cascade barrier. Then open her up.”

  Royal no longer felt the scrambled-egg effect of entering a wormhole, but he thought the children handled the brief agony well.

  Satisfied, he tapped a button on a compartment above three-year-old Sela, who gasped when a narrow tube descended. A dome-shaped helmet, upper-body pad and oxygen valve awaited.

  Royal didn’t know if his latest improv would work, but one given ruled all others: He had to work fast.

  20

  Pinchon

  B ONJU COULDN’T HELP HIMSELF. He doubled-down on the likelihood of his impending death by stacking on piles of regret. On the short flight from the roof of Hotai Counsel to the Ajax, he recounted all the times he might have fled Beta universe with his family. Instead, he dug deeper into his collaboration with Division LM. Why didn’t he put his family before billions of strangers? Who would have blamed him?

  Hoija, for one.

  He gave his aunt the benefit of the doubt right to the end, though his heart told Bonju she was irredeemable. A true Swarm loyalist. The tough but compromising woman he knew as a child had morphed into an opportunist before the invasion and later grabbed at ultimate power, the consequences be damned.

  But maybe, he had reckoned, she’d see through them before the end. When the moment of clarity arrived, she’d say no to the Swarm and stand with her people.

  I’m an idiot.

  It wasn’t that she killed those two assistants in Park Doon’s office, but how she did it. No hesitation, no consideration of their pleas for life. One cool, clean blast between the eyes. Repeat.

  What if he made a sudden move and grabbed her weapon? She’d never see it coming. If he put her down, would Chinois care? At this point, what function did she perform? She knew nothing of the science, and her title meant little in the Swarm chain of command.

  At least Moon would be proud of his father. A stroke of courage in the final hour. Someone would rule Hokkaido after Conversion, but it wouldn’t be Hoija Taron.

  He had a chance when they stepped off the shuttle on Hangar 4. All he had to do was reach.

  His fingers quivered.

  Bonju would never know whether he might have finished the move. Before he committed, two Ajax officers approached the landing party.

  “Gen. Taron,” a woman said. “The Captain requests your presence on the bridge. Mr. Taron, you will remain here.”

  If Hoija felt apprehension, she didn’t show it. She departed with an empty side glance at Bonju. The officers stayed with him. The speaker opened a holo from his tablet.

  Explanation wasn’t necessary. Bonju saw an external view of the battle group’s right flank, the cruiser Cromartie. He heard the countdown from Cromartie’s bridge overlaid.

  “Ten seconds,” the ship’s Chief of the Nav announced. “Worm drivers have confirmed INP coordinates and locked on to the original beacon. They see the graviton anchor. Five seconds.”

  Nothing good was about to happen. He and Moon tried to buy time for Royal, but Bonju doubted they’d ever know if he succeeded.

  “Two, one, jump to worm.”

  Sometimes, an aperture took as long as three seconds to open. In that awkward pause, Bonju decided which way he hoped this might go. The lesser nightmare.

  His wish came true.

  Cromartie did not move.

  “Aperture disconnected,” the Chief continued. “We have lost INP lock. All systems are nominal, Captain, but the tether effect has failed.”

  “Prepare to reinitiate the drivers,” Cromartie’s captain said.

  “We’ll need two minutes to restore the graviton settings.”

  “Proceed, Chief.”

  Chinois’s familiar voice intervened.

  “Capt. Felixx, please advise your Chief of the Nav to forward all system logs to Ajax for analysis.”

  The second officer with Bonju opened another holo from his tablet. Bonju felt dizzy. Someone grabbed him before he collapsed.

  Moon stood on the edge of a precipice, the city of Pinchon beneath him. FGs held the boy’s arms out to his side. Only his heels rested on solid ground.

  “If they let go,” Chinois said over the holo, “he’ll fall forward.”

  “Please. Don’t. Captain, I beg you. He’s a boy. He’s not part of this.”

  “But he is. You made him so. We both know the Cromartie is not going to succeed. When it fails a second time, following your instructions to the letter, we’ll know we’ve been misled from the start. I warned you of the consequences.”

  “I never misled you, Captain. The tether works. I’ve seen proof.”

  “Oh? I don’t recall you providing such evidence.”

  “I don’t have it. That was Dr. Noor’s work. His team was killed by one of your people in DLM. Please, Captain. I can fix this.”