“No. They were outlawed decades ago. I only knew their pattern because it’s standard medical training. Doctors are mandated to report evidence of illegal bot tech.”

  “How long was it in his system before it attacked?”

  Dr. Harrold shrugged. “I can’t be precise. Anywhere from a few minutes to two hours. And that’s speculation.”

  “So, we can rule out the possibility he was infected before he stepped onboard?”

  “Correct.”

  “Fortunately,” Dunston said, “Leandro says we’re not dealing with a contagion. It only affects the person it attacks. Unfortunately, we don’t know who transferred the virus or why. Or to the greater danger: Do they have more targets in mind?”

  Cando laid his head against Kara.

  “Are you doing OK, hon?”

  She was pissed but did hold onto one point of relief.

  “He didn’t feel pain. I’m glad there was no pain.”

  “Me, too.”

  “So,” Kara said, her voice raised. “You’re going to investigate now? We need to know everyone who shook his hand or close enough to have touched him there.”

  Philbin and Dunston glanced at each other, the Captain swallowing hard. Kara didn’t like their vibe.

  “I promised we would take the necessary action,” Dunston said. “We will. Peter?”

  The Security Chief jumped in.

  “My team will begin studying shipwide vids. We’ll narrow down the possibilities. But we have to be careful. Capt. Cortez no doubt shook many hands at those receptions. We cannot simply start bringing every suspect in for questioning. We don’t have the manpower or experience to handle an investigation of this scope.”

  “Why?”

  “Kara,” Dunston said. “Some of the most powerful people in the Collectorate are onboard this ship. I don’t think I need to explain the political implications after word spreads. Not to mention the real possibility we’ll panic the killer if we don’t handle this properly.”

  “And while you’re handling this properly, Captain, someone else might be killed. We don’t know if Ham was the only target.”

  “No, we don’t.”

  Cando said: “Captain, I’m curious. Have you spoken to VP Bryznewieski? He’s number two in the Earth government.”

  “Not yet, but I have to advise him of what’s happened.”

  “He’ll be distressed to know it was Ham, but he’ll put politics first. Earth has too much invested in this conference to see it collapse. Does he have the power to shut down the investigation?”

  “No. As Captain, I have broad authority over everyone on my vessel. You’re a military man. You know how this works.”

  “We’re on a civilian starship. Let me put it this way, Captain. I trust your judgment, but I’d like to be in the room when you discuss this with the VP.”

  “I’ll consider your request, Colonel. Now, Mr. Philbin. Explain the rest, please.”

  The Security Chief dissolved the doctor’s holo.

  “For now, this will be low-key. I intend to be thorough, but I will not disrupt the conference or drag attendees away from their sessions. The Hokki delegation has permission to announce Capt. Cortez’s identity, or we can distribute it through shipwide channels. I recommend you consider proper rites for the deceased. If you decide to conduct a burial in space, we’ll set it up at a time that doesn’t interrupt the conference but allows the delegates to pay their respects.”

  Kara was stunned. Dunston and Philbin had already set their plan in place. Had they known the results for hours?

  Burial in space. She hadn’t thought about such matters.

  “Question,” Cando said. “Don’t you need his body for further study?”

  “Not after today,” Dr. Harrold replied. “I’ll have everything properly secured to send back to Earth for a detailed analysis.”

  Kara thought it was too tidy, but what was she to do? Blast the truth to everyone and undermine the conference? As long as the killer remained onboard and unaware of the investigation, maybe there’d yet be justice for Ham.

  “In the meantime, you want us to go about our business like usual?”

  “We’ll keep you informed,” Dunston said. “But yes. I would ask that you put on a brave face and keep this information to yourselves.”

  Moments later, outside the medical center, hugging her husband, Kara felt a new level of rage.

  “Keep it to ourselves,” she whispered. “Not a chance.”

  20

  E XETER ENJOYED A TALL GLASS of sanque and a quiet smoke that evening as he absorbed the news. Rosa Marteen’s update about Michael was disturbing, but the public announcement about Ham Cortez hit him like a brick to the face. He felt an unexpected sadness.

  “How well did you know him?” Rosa asked.

  “Not well enough. We had a complicated relationship. I’m glad we settled our differences.”

  “They say it was a brain aneurysm. What do you think?”

  He finished off his drink and set the glass aside. They’d been talking in his quarters for half an hour.

  “I don’t know. It seems impossible for a man like that to …” He sighed. “Ever since I learned I was immortal, I stopped worrying about all the things that could kill me. I can take a point-blank from a Force Drum and know I’ll be OK in the end. Death is so …”

  “Unfair,” she said. “I hate seeing the good ones die early.”

  “While the assholes keep on rolling.”

  “A century from now, everybody on this ship except Aeternans will be memories. Not fair.”

  Exeter pushed himself out of his comfy chair. He was pissed.

  “We owe them, Rosa.”

  “What do we owe?”

  “They deserve to have the best opportunities. If we can help, we have an obligation to do so. The technology Michael’s hoarding can change the galaxy.”

  “Depending upon how it’s used. Yes.”

  “I cannot believe he’s playing down the wormhole tech. Every Aeternan knows about the tracking system. Most of Scylla’s crew was there. Is he actually saying we shouldn’t believe our own eyes?”

  She grabbed his pipe and inhaled.

  “Today was the first blow. Michael knew he’d be asked. He’ll shape his answers in the coming days until no one brings it up anymore.”

  “Rikhi Syed told you this?”

  “In so many words.” She took a second, nervous puff. “I’m concerned about Rikhi. He was an introvert when I first met him.”

  “Weren’t you two together a few years?”

  “Until he started working in Central Command,” she said with a fading smile. “At first, he had a schoolboy crush on Michael. Now, it’s something else. He’s a fanatic. He parrots Michael’s words and helps him craft public language to put a fairytale spin on everything.”

  “His job, in other words.”

  “Except he doesn’t make a distinction anymore. I asked him at dinner about the report I heard from the technologists meeting.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Kara Aleksanyan was combative. He suspected she was aligning herself with other delegates who are trying to steal our technology.”

  Exeter didn’t try to stifle his laugh.

  “He said this with a straight face?”

  “A straight, earnest face. Michael’s truth is Rikhi’s truth. And Rikhi’s not alone.”

  “But we are. Do you think I should speak to the Aleksanyans?”

  “It’s dangerous. If you pass along intel to them, and it blows back on Michael, he’ll know it was you. He’ll accuse you of treason.”

  Exeter regained his pipe and held it to his mouth.

  “He already told me what he’d do to me if I fucked him over.”

  “You’re walking a thin line, Exeter. If Michael suspects you’re a traitor, he’ll assume you’re not alone. Eventually, he’ll sniff out the entire cohort.”

  He blew a long stream of smoke as he reached for a tall bottle and poured another glass of sanque.

  “Some days, I’m at a loss, Rosa. Michael was tough on me when I arrived last year, and for good reason. But we became close for a while. He respected what I’d been through. He was the first person who believed I could be a leader.”

  “You proved him right.”

  “I don’t know where it went wrong. He knows I’d sacrifice everything for Aeterna. What am I missing? What are we missing?”

  “I wish I knew, Exeter. He’s not the same man. That much is for sure. I used to adore him. Now, most days I fear him.”

  He nodded. His own emotions swung on a daily basis.

  “I’m not giving up hope. Maybe this will turn around.”

  He had more to say, but Exeter switched to pleasant chatter when the door slid open. Col. Llewyn Stannes, who had planned to spend the evening at a nightclub with other delegates, froze when he saw these two.

  “Secret rendezvous?” Stannes said.

  Both laughed.

  “Sorry, Llewyn,” Rosa said. “We’re not each other’s type.”

  Stannes didn’t play along. Instead, he turned sour-faced.

  “Why are you smoking in here, Exeter? I told you I hate it. Look at the cloud.”

  Exeter tapped off his pipe and demonstrated tucking it away.

  “Thanks for dropping by, Rosa. I don’t think my roommate is much in the mood for company.”

  Stannes scoffed. “Don’t blame it on me, Exeter.”

  “Good night,” she said. “Another big day tomorrow.”

  “Yes.” He kissed her on the cheek and hoped their fleeting stare said more than any words. “Much work ahead.”

  Stannes yawned after Rosa left. Exeter laughed.

  “I thought you were going to hit the clubs tonight.”

  “Eh. Clubs weren’t the problem. The company was. All I heard was chatter about today’s meetings and tomorrow’s agenda. Then the news about Capt. Cortez broke.”

  “Very sad news. Yes. Must say, I’m surprised, Colonel. I thought you’d enjoy all that business talk during leisure time.”

  “You think I’m a stick in the mud, Exeter. You don’t know me.”

  “Apparently not.”

  “For what it’s worth, I thought you gave a powerful presentation today on Swarm ground combat. I was impressed.”

  “Thank you, Colonel. It’s not a time in my life I like to recount.”

  Stannes headed toward the privy.

  “I passed along my thoughts to the Minister.”

  “Oh? What did he say?”

  “Nothing. He changed the subject.”

  * * *

  Michael reviewed Rikhi’s draft. He liked Aeterna’s official tribute to Ham Cortez.

  “I enjoyed this one part especially. ‘Captain Cortez knew how to move between different worlds and cultures with an abiding respect for their many differences.’”

  Rikhi puffed out his chest.

  “Thank you, Minister. Is there anything more I should add?”

  Should I do it? Hell, yes.

  “It lacks a personal touch. I want people to know it’s coming straight from the horse’s mouth.”

  “Great idea, sir. What would you like me to add?”

  “Make it the big finish. I’ll let you polish my language. Here goes.” He dictated into the tablet. “I had the honor of speaking to Capt. Cortez before he died. The last thing he told me was, ‘I hope we accomplish great things at this conference. But we must not forget an important principle. There are forty sovereign planets. Sovereign means you make decisions in the best interests of your own people. Home comes before empire.’”

  Rikhi studied the language and scratched a spot above his lips.

  “I like it, Minister. Maybe two changes. Instead of ‘accomplish great things,’ why don’t we go with ‘make history’?”

  “Nice.”

  “The ending could be a problem. Some people don’t like the word empire. Reminds them of the Chancellors, and the Captain used to be one. How about ‘Home comes first.’?”

  Michael pinched Rikhi’s cheek.

  “Damn, you’re good.”

  “Only the best for you, Minister.”

  Michael wrapped a giant arm around Rikhi and pulled him close. The kid wanted much more, of course. He had for years. Michael wasn’t about to fulfill his aide’s desires, but a little tenderness on occasion went a long way.

  “OK then. Run your little spellcheck and kick that puppy upstairs. Everybody can read it with their morning café.”

  “Absolutely, Minister.” Rikhi started to leave Michael’s quarters, but looked over the text then swung about. “It’s tragic about the Captain’s death, but his message works well for us. It will give pause to anyone who tries to take advantage of our assets.”

  “It sure will, Rikhi. Have a good night.”

  “Good night, Minister.”

  When the door slid shut, Michael reached for his pipe. He blew smoke rings sitting on the edge of his bed.

  “I appreciate the final words, Ham. They did me a solid. I doubt anybody’s gonna give a shit if you actually said them.”

  Michael set his eye on a bottle of brown liquor. He wanted a drink but knew better. He threw back too much at the receptions the night before in hopes they’d settle him for a long sleep without headaches. Instead, they exacerbated the problem, which had been a noticeable trend the past two months.

  Why not a quick shot in Ham’s honor? He should toast the man’s convenient passing.

  “You were a smart fucker. I’ll give you that much. But you didn’t have the last laugh. I’m not throwing away my legacy.”

  Instead of liquor, he opened his plate and threw up vids from home. Michael scrolled through them until finding the right one.

  There she was. Samantha held their daughter Grace in a rocker. The boys played in the background. He turned up the volume.

  “I think everyone’s right,” she said. “Grace has your eyes.” Sam held up the girl, whose tan skin and curly hair resembled her brothers.

  “You do understand, Michael. This means you’re still running behind, two to one. Unless I have twins next time, the best you can hope for is a draw. I’m only going to do this one more time.”

  They made a bet before Daniel was born. They’d poll everyone they knew and see who did the best job passing along eyes. They knew it was silly but didn’t care. When Sam won the first comparison in a landslide, she soothed Michael’s hurt feelings by agreeing to make it a best of three. When Grace arrived to unanimous acclaim in Michael’s favor, Sam decided to extend the contest.

  He stopped the video and stretched his arm inside the holo. His hand caressed Sam.

  “I don’t care about a stupid bet,” he said. “If I’m there to see number four, I’ll be the happiest man in the goddamn universes.”

  If.

  Since when did that word enter his vocabulary? They said he was unstuck in time. They said he was the impossible future – killed and revived in a second of reversed time – and was incapable of dying. Ever. They said the same of Samantha.

  What changed? What brought on the headaches? Why did he experience them far more often than his wife?

  If.

  Twice he sought an answer. Michael dived to the bottom of Lake Profundus on Aeterna and consulted with the Jewels of Eternity. The first time, they conversed in symbology and light but said enough for Michael to conclude:

  “I’m dying?”

  The planet’s terraformers, glowing in blue light, haunted him with a reply:

  “Time dies. You are time.”

  Again, he asked: “Am I dying?”

  “When there is no more time.”

  “How do I stop this from happening?”

  “Fight.”

  “Can I win?”

  “He knows how to find you.”

  They disappeared deep into the planet without explanation. Days later, he led Aeternan forces to Hokkaido. For a time, the headaches quieted. The mystery of their message seemed irrelevant. Within weeks, the pain resumed to greater effect. Six days before Tranteum, Michael returned to the lake. The Jewels repeated their answers but added a caveat.

  “He found you. He sees your fate. He sees through time.”

  “Who is he?”

  “Predecessor.”

  They said no more and retreated into the planet, leaving Michael alone in the darkness at the bottom of the lake.

  When he resurfaced, Michael swam to shore and contemplated the only possible answer. It was too easy. Too damned obvious.

  And impossible.

  Who sees through time? Not a fraud like Valentin Bouchet.

  He went back and forth for days, unable to discuss it with anyone. Why would the Jewels be so precise without being precise at all? What was he meant to do with the information?

  They said he should fight.

  How?

  The day before Tranteum, minutes before Exeter entered his office to plead for a slot at the conference, Michael realized what should have been an obvious connection from the start.

  The Splinters. Perhaps there was a way to see through time with the Splinters. That’s how the fraud does it.

  Still, he had no proof.

  Only a name and a target.

  Amayas Knight. A man who did not return to Aeterna after his one brief, urgent visit. A man who was now on the same starship.

  Michael had to be careful.

  If he sees through time, he knows I’m coming for him.

  “I won’t die,” Michael said, reaching for his daughter inside the holo. “I won’t lose my fucking legacy.”

  * * *

  Amayas didn’t care about conference rules limiting comm chatter outside the Aston James. He brought his portable setup from The Hold and tested it early. It bypassed the starship’s sensors.

  Shin Wain appeared from the bridge of Charybdis, hovering alongside Scylla five hundred kilometers from the Aston James. Amayas didn’t like the lack of color in Shin’s features.

  “Are you eating well, my friend?” Amayas asked.

  “Eating is not my issue.” The Hokki forced his familiar half-smile. “I’m waiting for Royal to return from the dead and fulfill his promise.”