“Sneak? You don’t know our story, Georgina. Might wanna listen.”

  “No. This ends today. You and Moon are a pestilence. You unleashed a black blood on this city.”

  The last time they saw Georgina, her group of Observants abstained from fighting in the corral while Heinrich’s allies lost their heads assaulting Royal and Moon.

  “OK. You’re pissed. Things have been rough. My partner and I ain’t exactly been living the dream. Well, in some respects, I guess we did, but you really ought to hear our side of the story. Oh, and those rifles? Seriously. You can’t hurt us, Georgina.”

  “We’re gods,” Moon interjected. “Stronger than the Creators.”

  “It’s true,” Ludmilla implored from behind. “We saw them destroy one in front of our eyes.”

  Georgina aimed her rifle at the Chief Guard.

  “You caused enough damage. Don’t make me do it, Ludmilla.”

  Royal sighed. This nuanced response wasn’t going anywhere.

  “Yeah, no. We won’t let you get away with that shit, Georgina. Lower the rifle, or Moon will turn you to ash before you say, ‘Please.’”

  “I just burned the last two survivors of an entire species,” Moon said. “You’re small compared to them.”

  Insults weren’t helpful. Royal brought down the temperature.

  “Tell us your story, and we’ll tell ours. A lot of shit happens in eighteen lifetimes. Am I right?”

  Georgina didn’t take on a leadership mantle through stupidity. She had to know it was a fair exchange, certainly preferable to testing the strength of gods.

  “Lower them,” she told her people, who wore similar uniforms.

  “Nice. Now, what is this business about unleashing black blood? Ludmilla said taking heads became commonplace.”

  “We were fine until you decided to cross the red line.” Georgina handed her rifle to a lieutenant. “When you entered the Fortress, we thought maybe it was all for the best. If you showed us a better future outside Bessios, a few dozen heads were worth it.”

  “But we never came back.”

  “We waited for years. Half a lifetime passed before we realized you were gone for good. That we’d been used, or perhaps you’d been used by the Overseer. Either way, it didn’t matter. We returned to the old ways, but with a difference. The corral opened, and this time the rules changed. Winners were allowed to take heads. That was the prize.

  “We thought no one would fight under those conditions. We were wrong. Someone lost a head every night. Killing an immortal for good wasn’t forbidden. You set the precedent. The rest was inevitable. Rivalries turned to hatreds turned to neighborhood wars. Bessians walked the streets with custom blades. They looked for fights. They solved disputes without negotiation.

  “You and Moon gave them permission to become savages. Twice the city turned against itself. Twice, we thought we achieved peace and understanding. Then the third war came. The latest peace has held for seven lifetimes. My people stay far from Felina’s.” She pointed to the Church group. “We ignore these morons. It’s not perfect, and no one here has been happy for as long as we can remember. But you were gone, and that counted for something. Take your pestilence and leave Bessios.”

  Royal and Moon shared an unfamiliar moment. Royal couldn’t remember the last time both receiving a thorough and justifiable trashing in public. They confined their silent responses to Quesh-n’o. Moon wanted to demonstrate their power. Make these assholes understand who’s now in charge. Royal countered with an inconvenient truth: We’re guilty as charged.

  “What did we think would happen, Moon? We broke a hundred lifetimes of tradition. We fucked these people up then we disappeared with broken promises.”

  To which he responded: “We weren’t their keepers, Royal. I’ll take the blame for everyone I kill, and I’ll be proud of it. But don’t drop somebody else’s bad choices on my lap.”

  Royal expected no less from Moon. He wasn’t wrong.

  “We need an army, Moon.”

  “OK then,” Royal told Georgina. “I get it. I see how one thing leads to another. Causality is a bitch. Now, if you’ll spare a few minutes, I’d like to share the highlights of what happened after Corvaan Das showed us inside the Fortress. At the very least, you’ll see why we were a little on the tardy side. Care to listen?”

  She set her hands to hips.

  “I haven’t ordered my people to fire. Be quick about it.”

  Royal definitely regretted not preparing a homecoming speech. How to summarize their journey?

  “First, you need to know: It’s hard being a god. You don’t wake up in the morning and decide who to lord over today. There’s a hell of a skillset involved. The training takes patience.”

  Moon pulled on his cigar and laughed.

  “Definitely, partner.”

  26

  The Actuarium

  Sinto, Esperanza

  T HEY MADE IT THROUGH THE NIGHT. That, Kara decided, was a hopeful win. She found sporadic sleep on a rollaway bed delivered after midnight, compliments of the Duma twins. She spent more time pacing the darkened room, hearing the echoes of street celebrations and the thunder of fireworks. The locals celebrated Festus Bonaire, oblivious to the high-stakes conflict taking place nearby.

  She woke at dawn and saw Yusef typing into the hand-comm Abby Duma confiscated from security. Henri slept soundly, while Rikard used the privy.

  “What are you doing?” She asked Yusef.

  “Backup plan.”

  “If things don’t go well?”

  He snickered. “The most likely outcome.”

  “We’re all still here. I assume everything’s quiet on Lightfoot?”

  “I spoke to X not long ago. Status Red. Enfante believes the move will happen simultaneous to the Council meeting.”

  She stood and stretched.

  “He could be wrong. He thought the Perons would move on us overnight. You said Harkness was armed and holed up in his office in case they tried to arrest him.”

  “He’s paranoid. Likely common to anyone planning a coup.”

  “I’ll second the motion,” Rikard said, emerging from the privy. “I spent years undermining Chancellors. Every morning, I woke up wondering when the other shoe would drop.”

  Yusef crinkled his lips into a gloomy smile.

  “I know it well. You ask yourself, ‘Is this my last day?’”

  “I had an advantage,” Rikard told them. “I was a small fish. No bigger than a sardine. They never saw me coming. Harkness lives in plain sight. He’s putting a lifetime of achievement on the line.”

  “It’s admirable.”

  Kara poured a glass of water.

  “Yusef, when you two were together, did Harkness tell you why he’s doing it? What’s driving him?”

  “Not in so many words. Honestly, I think the man is tired of sending Talons to die in order to square the Council’s ledger. What man of conscience would stand for it?”

  “About eighty percent of the Admirals, apparently.”

  Yusef never raged at being led into war without knowing the outcome was rigged.

  “They’re towing a line, Kara. Harkness believes most will come around when they see our proposal.”

  “It’s the ones who don’t that worry me.”

  A soft tone preceded the door flinging open. A member of the amenities staff in dark blue pushed a cart into the room. Café, juice, baked goods, and tiny sausages changed the mood at once.

  “If you require anything else,” the dark-skinned woman said, “please speak to the Lieutenant and we will provide.”

  Lt. Cambria waited until the server left.

  “Did you sleep well? The city was active last night.”

  “I’ve had better,” Kara said, “but I’m alive, and this café is what I need. Thank you. The Dumas?”

  Cambria nodded. “The Council will reconvene in one hour. We received word moments ago. The Perons say they’re anxious to hear the Admiral’s recommendation.”

  “An encouraging sign,” Henri said through a yawn.

  “Early risers.” Yusef chuckled. “Always first in the office, checking receipts from last night.”

  “They are famous for their long hours,” Cambria confirmed with a pensive stare. “The Admiral says their devotion to the Actuarium earned many friends and allies.”

  “Enough to make their voting bloc unshakeable?”

  “Therein lies the challenge, Adm. Matook.”

  “Anything else, Lieutenant?”

  “No, sir. I’ll retrieve you in fifty minutes. Enjoy your meal.”

  Cambria swung about with precise military posture.

  “I can’t read her,” Kara said. “She’s robotic.”

  Yusef grabbed the café pot and a cup.

  “Talons are taught never to betray emotions on duty. She takes it seriously. Harkness trusts Cambria. That’s good enough for me.”

  “What choice do we have?” Henri said. “I recommend we approach the Council with open hearts and minds. Oh! The sausages smell delightful.”

  They tasted even better. Kara filled her belly, washed her face, and brushed her hair. She said a quiet “I love you” to Cando and convinced herself this might turn out for the best.

  That changed the moment Cambria returned. The team headed for the Chamber House staring up from a very deep hole.

  * * *

  A cloud of smoke hovered above Exeter as he studied his options. Myles Enfante nursed a glass of the whiskey he came to love during this short visit. Exeter thought Enfante was too calm.

  “You agree with what Adm. Harkness is doing?”

  “I wouldn’t use agree, Captain. Support. I support his maneuver.”

  “Why? He sent his aides away. Isn’t he tipping his hand?”

  Enfante swirled his whiskey.

  “He wants to make sure they’re safely in the fleet with like-minded officers. They carry his message and the plans if he’s unable to finish the job himself.”

  “Will the fleet actually break away if he’s out of the picture?”

  The old man squirmed, but not for the reasons Exeter thought.

  “I forgot to tell you over breakfast. The bunk was delightful. Firm but flexible. I have a troublesome nerve near the spine. Flares up without warning.” He must have read Exeter’s impatience. “We won’t have the same numbers without Harkness, but they’ll be motivated. He made certain of it, Captain.”

  Exeter pulled on his pipe and inhaled.

  “What about the Questar?”

  The Orzed warship continued to hover two kilometers astern. If the Perons gave the order, Questar’s Captain would respond.

  “Your plan to deal with her is interesting. Might even work. I know Captain Huma. Jorge is a good man.”

  Exeter leaned across his desk.

  “What? You know him? Why didn’t you say so from the start?”

  “We haven’t talked in twenty years, give or take. You lose touch when you’re cast away with the other tired bones.”

  “You never thought he might hesitate to attack us if he knows you’re onboard?”

  Enfante shrugged. “I’m old but cobweb-free, Captain. Harkness ordered my silence.”

  “You’re on my ship. I’m countermanding his order.”

  “Not sure that’s within your power, Captain.”

  “I’m the final word on Lightfoot. Our team will be facing the Council in minutes. Harkness says the Perons will do whatever it takes to ensure they win. I need every advantage.”

  Enfante finished his whiskey and set down the glass. He stared away from Exeter and the smoke.

  “You’re a good man, Capt. Woolsey. We’re all good men. That’s the crux of it, you see. Good men make difficult choices. Like you, Capt. Huma will feel the weight of duty to his crew. If he is told Lightfoot threatens them, he will do what he must. He will choose them over a long-forgotten acquaintance.”

  “If I can plant even a second’s hesitation in him, I’ll do it.”

  “And when you send your Hornets to disable the Questar?”

  Enfante felt less like a liaison but more like an examiner who didn’t believe the young pup could handle the big moment.

  “If I have to give the order, we’re already enemies.”

  “Harsh words.”

  “As it is, I intend to violate a direct order if the vote doesn’t go our way. I expect you to do the same, Adm. Enfante.”

  “Very well.” Enfante jumped from his chair and straightened his uniform. “To the bridge we go. Open a channel to Questar. I’ll gauge Capt. Huma’s disposition.”

  “Thank you. Keep it brief if you can. We’re under quarantine.”

  Lightfoot only communicated with Questar at its arrival, per the negotiated terms. Questar kept a silent eye on the alien ship to report violations. Friendship wasn’t on the table. Yet.

  Exeter took his chair, with Enfante to his left.

  “Lex, open a channel to our minder.”

  “Captain, I thought we weren’t supposed to speak to them.”

  “We won’t.” He glanced at Enfante.

  “Will do, sir.”

  When Lex said the channel was open, Enfante took over.

  “Attention, Questar. This is retired Adm. Myles Enfante. I’m looking to have a word with an old shipmate. You may have heard of him. Capt. Jorge Huma.”

  The ensuing silence did not surprise Exeter. Enfante delivered his inquiry as if he were an old drinking buddy who sidled up to the bar. Even if Huma was on the bridge, he must have thought it a prank.

  “Yes, yes,” Enfante broke the quiet. “Your readings are correct. I’m calling from Lightfoot. Speak to me, Jorge, you old hound.”

  A man cleared his throat on the other end.

  “Adm. Enfante, sir. I wasn’t told you were the Council’s liaison.”

  “I’m not, Jorge. I work for Supreme Adm. Harkness.”

  “One and the same. As liaison, you know this communication is forbidden until the Council concludes its business.”

  “Details.”

  “Is Capt. Woolsey with you?”

  “He is. I pleaded with him to violate the rules.”

  Enfante winked.

  “I’m listening, Admiral,” Huma said deadpan. “What d’ya want?”

  The old man’s clever smile dissolved.

  “I thought I’d speak to an old friend. I’ve made many new ones here. They’re eager to learn more about their future allies.”

  “We were never friends, Enfante. You made it impossible.”

  Exeter glared at his guest. What else had he not divulged?

  “Men of principle can disagree,” Enfante said. “They should not hold grudges, Jorge.”

  “I don’t, sir. I do my duty. You cannot say the same. Huma out.”

  Lex shook his head.

  Enfante sighed. “That might have gone better.”

  “Right now,” Exeter said, “I don’t want to know what that was about. Sha, any change in Questar’s disposition?”

  Lt. Ran expanded the holo of the nearby ship.

  “Nothing, sir.”

  “That’s what she’ll look like ten seconds before she comes after us.” So much for gaining an advantage with Questar. Exeter opened an internal comm. “This is the Captain. Hornet commanders, load for operation Precheck.”

  Good men make difficult choices, Enfante told him.

  Exeter refused to wait. His people were likely inside the Chamber House by now.

  “All crew: Combat stations.”

  * * *

  A minute into the Admin Council meeting, with preliminaries out of the way, Abby interrupted Olivia Peron.

  “Duomo, before you turn the session over to Adm. Harkness, our guests would like to take the floor.”

  Peron rolled her eyes. “Council Duma, they’ll have ample time to speak after the Admiral concludes his presentation.”

  “Duomo, yesterday’s session ended abruptly. Please.”

  Peron faced the delegation.

  “We appreciate brevity.”

  The Collectorate team turned to Kara, who proposed this step. She gathered her thoughts like a bouquet of flowers and hoped her tone came across as beautifully.

  “Thank you, Duomo Peron. On behalf on my delegation, I want to offer my sincerest apology to every member of the Shunta Hia. In our arrogance, we allowed yesterday’s conversation to digress from the central issue which brought us here: A union of military forces to defeat our shared enemy.

  “We had no right to cast judgment upon or even imply a moral compass toward the way you do business. Every society builds a structure that best suits the needs and traditions of its people. The very idea that your people and ours would have followed the same path was at best a flawed assumption. At worst, we were reflecting our values onto you. We take full responsibility for our words, and we hope to move forward pursuing a common goal.”

  Kara didn’t know what might come of her verbal olive branch, but a cold shiver surprised her. Outside of Abby Duma’s tight grin, Kara saw no change in demeanor. Did they listen?”

  “Your words are entered into the transcript, Miss Aleksanyan,” Peron said. “If there are no other speakers, I’ll hand the floor to Adm. Harkness for his assessment.”

  “Thank you, Duomo. I entered my review of the material with skepticism. However, after hours of analysis with my team and dialogue with Adm. Matook to clarify certain logistical concerns, I am confident in rendering a decision. I recommend the Council vote unanimously to form an alliance with the United Naval Forces. This decision will come with one caveat which I’ll address later.

  “In short, their plan is exceptional. Their ships, weaponry, and unique strategy will enable the Confederation to take the fight to the Swarm like never before.”

  It was a promising start, with an enthusiasm the team more or less expected. Kara wasn’t concerned about the caveat Harkness mentioned. Rather, she wanted to anticipate through body language and tone. As Harkness deepened his presentation, Kara watched the Perons and their closest allies. Only one needed to flip.

  “I realize this is a bold statement,” Harkness continued. “Please indulge.” He raised a holo from his tablet. “I am sending the full proposal to your glass. I have compiled the three key points you must consider.” He read from the list verbatim.