“For all the rings. What was it? A suicide pact?”

  “At first, we thought so. However, we discovered a note in Mr. Doon’s cell. He said he did not want his family to suffer a life of shame due to his actions. He confessed to having them killed.”

  At first, the three Talons showed no response to Doon’s suicide. They never knew the man. But the final revelation proved too much.

  “Fucking monster,” Paul mumbled.

  “I’m speechless, Mr. Kloon,” Kara said. “Is there some reason you thought I should know this before it went public?”

  “Mr. Doon was President of Hotai before his arrest, and a figure of some note. I thought you might want to break the news to the delegation. More to the point, Mr. Doon’s death brings an end to the investigation. He was the last living link to that sordid conspiracy, given his father’s heart failure last month. You might have been called as a witness at his trial. You’ll no longer be needed.”

  If Kloon meant for Kara for feel relieved, he failed. The worst episode of her life had turned its final page, but Doon’s cowardice meant the last of those assholes got to go out on his own terms.

  “Thank you for letting me know, Mr. Kloon. Anything else?”

  “I think that’s enough for one day. I wish you and the delegation all the very best at Tranteum. Two billion Hokkis are pulling for you.”

  “Goodbye, Mr. Kloon.”

  She waited until Hiro disconnected the comm. Cando wrapped her close.

  “Are you OK?”

  “I’m pissed.” The truth hit her in a flash of clarity. “He didn’t have to make that call. The news could’ve waited.”

  “Then why did he?”

  “Honestly? I think he’s putting it to bed. They all are.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Remember how I told you about a month ago that I never thought Doon would go to trial? It was too messy. Too embarrassing for too many households.”

  Paul sighed.

  “Wait. You think the KumTaan did this.”

  “KumTaan, or contractors they hired. This wasn’t murder-suicide. This was straight-up murder. Makes me wonder about Park’s father. Was it really heart failure?”

  “That’s a serious accusation, hon.”

  “You wouldn’t say that if you’d grown up with the Haansu elite. I think they wanted all this to go away. The government, the KumTaan, the seamasters. The Swarm attack changed everything. Hokkis are focused on the future now. Park’s trial would have been a public reminder of a very nasty legacy.”

  “Are you going to tell the delegation?”

  “Not a chance. They have important work ahead.”

  “And I assume you have no intention of pursuing your theory at a later time?”

  She stared at him cross-eyed.

  “I’ve had my fill resisting Pinchon’s elite. I’ll gladly pass the honor.”

  “That’s my girl. Time to go resist the whole damn galaxy’s elite.”

  “Thanks for that, darling. You’re the best.”

  An hour later, Kara stood at the end of a long table in a meeting room amidships and spoke to the assembled delegation of Hokkis.

  “Are you ready for the hard part?” She challenged them, to which they responded with enthusiastic cheers.

  “Good. Starting today, we are going to make history.”

  2

  Promise, Aeterna

  E XETER WOOLSEY FOLLOWED his lover’s advice. Speak with a calm demeanor and don’t interrupt. “Remember,” Caleb Silver said, “his only reason for holding you back is pure spite. You earned this, X.”

  Exeter had a winning case. Hell, he had an invitation. Convincing Michael Cooper to accept his request was another matter.

  When Exeter entered the Minister’s office in Central Command for only the second time in five months, Michael appeared to be napping. He leaned back in a tall, padded chair, eyes closed and arms crossed. Exeter heard rumors that Michael often retreated to his office and remained out of communication for lengthy periods. The behavior defied logic for a man once known to sleep little and adhere to a manic work schedule.

  Exeter waited before the Minister’s desk in a military stance, hands cupped behind his back. He knew better than to speak. He wouldn’t have been admitted without Michael’s permission.

  “Fuck. I’m old.”

  Michael opened his eyes, which locked onto Exeter. They were wide and bright. The man had not been napping.

  “I turned thirty yesterday, Colonel.”

  “Congratulations, Minister. That makes you the first of us.”

  “It’s not a badge of honor. I don’t measure it by Collectorate standard years because I’d be older. I was a few weeks shy of my eighteenth when I crossed the divide. Far as I’m concerned, a year has three hundred sixty-five days. I’m old school.”

  “Beg your pardon, sir?”

  “Never mind, Colonel.”

  “Do you intend to announce your birthday, Minister? I haven’t seen it on Occip.”

  “And you won’t. Nor are you gonna tell a fucking soul when you walk out of here.”

  Exeter didn’t understand why a birthday needed to be classified. He chalked it up to another of Michael’s unpredictable turns. The list grew long in the months after Aeternan forces returned from Hokkaido.

  “All the same, Minister, you might be older than the rest of us, but you’re immortal. Do years really matter?”

  Michael shaded his eyes.

  “They shouldn’t. But enough of that shit. I know why you’re here, and my answer is the same.”

  “Will you allow me to make my case one last time?”

  “It’s your funeral.”

  What is that supposed to mean?

  “Minister, I believe you deserve to have the best representation at the Tranteum Conference. I have given all of myself to Aeterna for the past year. I love my home. I love my brothers and sisters. I love you, Minister. I am not just one of your Colonels. I am a war veteran who knows more about the Swarm than almost anyone at Tranteum. I know Amayas Knight’s true nature. I spent time with the rogue Chancellors. I will be invaluable as a check against them and anyone who questions the Swarm threat. I will protect our interests, Minister.”

  Michael tapped his pipe and inhaled.

  “Sounds like your last pitch but without the vinegar. Col. Silver told you to come at me minus the attitude, did he? Smart guy, Caleb. Never thought you two would make it last.”

  “No attitude, Minister. I’m sincere.”

  “I’m surprised you didn’t bring up the invitation. Everybody wants to see the Hero of Pinchon, don’t they? Col. Aleksanyan. The Hokki delegation. Amayas Knight. Even my ol’ buddy Rikard from Earth heard about your exploits. They believe your perspective is unique.”

  “My story is different, Minister. And I had nothing to do with any propaganda about the Hokkaido operation.”

  Michael pushed streams of white smoke out his nostrils.

  “Either you’re the humblest man I ever knew, or you’re the best fucking actor.”

  “If I might add, Minister, our delegation has been hamstrung by poor timing and circumstance. Without Admiral Kane and Lady Samantha in attendance, two of your strongest voices for military counsel and diplomacy will be lost. I’m not a great communicator like them, but we can use my recent notoriety to our advantage. People will want to hear what I have to say.”

  “Huh. Maybe you can sign autographs, too. We’ll set up a table.”

  “What are autographs, sir?”

  “Never mind, Colonel. For what it’s worth, your points about Kane and my wife are valid.”

  The Earth unity government barred any Aeternan who served as an officer for Salvation. Admiral Rafael Kane was number four in the pecking order when Salvation terrorized the Collectorate and destroyed Ark Carriers, killing millions of Chancellors a decade ago. Earth feared old resentments might boil over into violence.

  “I haven’t seen Lady Samantha since she gave birth. I hope she and your daughter Grace are doing well.”

  “They are, Colonel. We’d counted on the conference to kick off before the baby came, but that shit just dragged on. My wife can’t play diplomat and mother a three-week-old girl. Not fair.”

  “No, sir. She’s a familiar face to all our trade partners. She’ll be missed. But they represent less than half the delegations. The others don’t know us as well.”

  “You mean, they don’t trust me as far as they can throw me.”

  “We’re a mystery to them. They hear stories, many of which I’m sure are fantasies. We need to set the record straight, show them who we really are. I was an outsider until a year ago. I can present Aeterna through a unique lens. As long as we earn their respect, they’ll deal fairly with us. That’s Lady Samantha’s philosophy.”

  Michael waved his pipe at Exeter.

  “Don’t be a patronizing smartass. I know what my wife believes.”

  “I meant no disrespect. I …”

  “Colonel, I don’t give a flying fuck about earning their respect. I’m more interested in keeping their sticky fingers off our stuff. That’s the reason I agreed to participate. First, they’ll want our singularity bomb tech, then they’ll come for Occip, the worm drive tracker, and the Walkers. Those assholes will use the Swarm emergency as cover. They’ll demand we commercialize all our shiny new tools.”

  “The contracts would make us wealthy beyond imagination.”

  “Yeah, right. Two problems, Colonel. What do we need with wealth? We got everything we’ll ever want. I made sure of it. Second? Those contracts won’t pay squat. They’ll ask us to donate our tech for the good of the human race. Level the playing field, and all that bullshit.”

  “We might have to give something to earn their favor. Yes. But wouldn’t you rather live in a galaxy where the others are friends?”

  “Eh. A little fear works wonders. It kept those fucking Chancellors out of our hair for years.”

  “People fear the Swarm, as they should. That’s the enemy. Not us. We can lead, Minister. Our years of isolation ended at Hokkaido.”

  Michael’s rigid jaw appeared to relax, or maybe it was wishful thinking. The Minister closed his eyes and massaged his forehead. Was he having another of his much-rumored headaches? Exeter’s inside sources said they’d become more frequent in recent weeks. Michael denied ever feeling ill, of course.

  “Did you see the roster?” Michael said.

  “Yes, sir. Great Aeternans, all.”

  “But they lack the secret sauce.”

  “Yes, Minister.”

  Michael sniffed as if he were snorting something up his nose then leapt from his chair. He rapped his desk with his knuckles as he rounded it.

  “You got a steel spine, Colonel.”

  Exeter knew what those words meant. He awaited confirmation with a nervous tingle.

  “You’ll add me to the roster, sir?”

  “Shit. I had you penciled in a month ago. I wanted to see how far you’d take it if I turned you down. Sam said I was being cruel, but I reminded her who’s at the top of the food chain. And the guy at the top? He don’t like insubordinate officers.”

  Exeter felt a rush of shame and anger as Michael approached with a twisted grin. Why didn’t he see through the game sooner?

  “I know we haven’t always agreed, sir. I’m learning to …”

  “Shut the fuck up, Colonel. Listen really careful now.” Michael draped a generous hand on each of Exeter’s shoulders. His breath smelled of lunch, heavy on garlic. “You defied me three times. Twice in public. I can put up with a lot of shit, but when you make me look like an asshole, I draw the line. Let’s be clear. You’re going to Tranteum, but you’ll do exactly what I say, and no more. You see, when I give an order, you goddamn well obey. That’s how we get shit done on Aeterna. Feel me?”

  “Yes, Minister.”

  “There’s a fine line between loyalty and treason. The next time you disobey my order, I’ll cut off your head and stick it on a pike in the middle of the fucking amphitheater.”

  Exeter knew the game was over. Michael meant every word.

  “Yes, Minister. I will work hard to regain your trust and respect.”

  “Good luck with that. See Rikhi on the way out. He’ll transfer your duty protocols to Occip. We leave tomorrow.”

  “Yes, Minister.”

  Exeter saluted and turned for the door. He couldn’t leave fast enough. Naturally, Michael had the last word.

  “Oh, and read carefully. This gig is formal attire. You’ll need to tie back your braids and wash out the orange. The color’s fine here, but I don’t want those assholes thinking we’re a bunch of clowns.”

  Now, he steamed.

  “What about the tattoo, sir?”

  “You’re good. We’re not the only ones with those. You ought to see the G’hladis. Now fuck off.”

  Exeter kept his cool during a debrief with Information Minister Rikhi Syed, who Michael chose to replace Samantha at Tranteum. He listened to the ultimate loyalist blather on about the conference’s special protocols and security arrangements. As he prepared to leave, Exeter zeroed in on Rikhi’s sky blue hair.

  “So, I suppose you’ll be washing out your color tonight?”

  Rikhi winced.

  “Why would I ever want to do that?”

  Fuck. He’s testing me.

  “No reason, Rikhi. I’ll see you tomorrow on the pad.”

  “And you, Col. Woolsey. Enjoy your last night of freedom for the next few weeks.”

  Exeter thought of nothing else the rest of the day and vented when Caleb returned home from duty.

  “He’s getting worse, Caleb. Anybody who’s paying attention can see it. He wasn’t joking when he said he’d cut off my head.”

  “The Minister doesn’t have a sense of humor anymore. I remember a time when he’d keep us in stitches with his stories. You didn’t understand half his references, but you got the punch line.”

  “If I don’t wash out the orange, he’ll go ballistic. He’ll say it’s my fourth act of insubordination.”

  Caleb enveloped Exeter and rubbed his back.

  “I doubt you’ll lose your head because of what’s on it.”

  “Probably not, but he’ll use it as an excuse to leave me behind. I have to be at that conference, Caleb. I’m worried.”

  “You think he’ll cause trouble?”

  “If Michael believes the delegations are ganging up on Aeterna, he’ll walk away. I think he’d rather we go it on our own than join forces with the others.”

  “He’d risk losing all our diplomatic partners. It would blow up the conference. No, he’s not that stupid.”

  “Sure about that? Don’t forget: He tried to capture Scylla.”

  “Fair point.”

  Exeter pulled away. He needed a drink.

  “Michael should be the happiest man on Aeterna. He had a daughter three weeks ago. Instead, he sits around bitching about turning thirty.” Exeter laughed as he grabbed a bottle of sanque. “Oops. I guess that’s my fourth violation. He ordered me not to tell a fucking soul.”

  Caleb shared in the laughter as Exeter poured the drinks.

  “You see the absurdity, X? He’s pushing buttons because he can, but I don’t think Michael will cross the red line.”

  Exeter threw back his sanque, which went down as hot as he already felt.

  “I want to meet with the group tonight. I won’t have another chance for weeks, and I think we need to be ready for anything.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yes. I saw something in his eyes, Caleb. I think the danger is real this time.”

  “OK. I’ll speak to Rosa. She’ll bring in her side of the cohort, but Rafael might be more difficult on short notice.”

  “Work around his duty protocols. The Admiral needs to be there.”

  Exeter never called the silent cohort together before today. The group first formed around a campfire months ago when Caleb and Rafael Kane revealed their shared concern about Michael’s leadership. The three talked into the night, allowing Exeter to form a clear picture of how the Minister had evolved since the first year of his reign. They set no particular goals and vowed only to observe and listen. As long as Michael’s choices did not threaten Aeterna’s well-being, they’d take no action.

  “We’re not traitors and we have no interest in a coup,” Rafael insisted that night. “We love Aeterna. We’ll protect her however we must. Let’s hope our concerns are misguided.”

  The long, confusing runup to the Tranteum Conference suggested otherwise. Word spread: Michael made unreasonable demands and threatened to pull out if even one Chancellor took part. A combination of Lady Samantha and their longtime friend, Earth Vice-Premier Rikard Bryznewieski, talked Michael off the edge. Yet word leaked of Michael launching into spontaneous rants about enemies, perceived or otherwise. He refused to speak with Amayas Knight. He skipped two of Promise’s most popular social events for the first time.

  Then there were the headaches he claimed did not exist. All those who worked closely with him, including Kane, saw Michael under duress. He shot down every attempt to address the issue.

  In the meantime, three more members joined the cohort. Rosa Marteen, who for years had an on-again, off-again with Rikhi Syed, heard enough from Michael’s inner circle to tie her stomach in knots. She made a passing comment to Caleb, who saw a chance to grow the group. Together, they devised a communication system to help the six stay in touch and circumvent Occip.

  The system allowed them to come together, more or less, late that night in an isolated segment of bush halfway between Promise and Lake Nilsson. Exeter laid out his confrontation with Michael and his concerns about Tranteum. They listened in silence; Rafael appeared via holo from orbit. When he finished, Exeter tapped his pipe and pulled on the sweet leaf inside.

  “What do you think?” He asked the cohort. “Am I overreacting?”

  “We should hope,” Rafael said. “As long as I’ve known him, Michael has made threats, veiled or otherwise. It’s usually his testosterone speaking. But starting tomorrow, you and Rosa will be the only ones in his orbit. If he goes off the rails, you won’t be able to consult the four of us. External comm chatter from Tranteum will be limited to emergency transmissions only.”