“No dust,” Moon said. “Somebody’s been around to clean.”

  The beds were made, as if the Overseer might bring new guests to the First Gate anytime now. The privies sparkled and smelled of lemon; the pantry’s shelves were stocked, including the liquor cases and humidor against the back wall. The refrigerator cooled, though it contained no food.

  “You think maybe she still comes around?” Moon asked.

  “Felina? She didn’t set foot here our last few hundred cycles. Why would she bother, unless she …”

  “Moved in. If no one was gonna claim it, why not?”

  “Nah. You know what she was like near the end. She didn’t have a role because of us. No one’s coming through the gate again.”

  Moon winked. “Ah, hah. You’re wrong, my friend.”

  He grabbed a book from the coffee table. The binding was old and frayed, but Royal recognized it.

  “That belongs to Fee. I remember the morning we woke from our first sleep. She was sitting out here waiting for us. She was reading from that book. How the hell do I remember a detail like that? It’s been four or five decades at least.”

  “If we knew what a decade was.”

  Moon handed over the book. Royal winced at the title.

  “The Tragedy of Time.” He saw no author’s name and flipped inside. The title page offered the same four words but no more.

  “Hell of a title, don’t you think? Wonder why Fee would be reading a book like this.”

  “Does it say what it’s about?”

  “Not that I can tell.” He thumbed through. “Fuck me. I’d need a magnifying glass to read this crap. How did she …?”

  He tossed the book on the table.

  “Better question is, why she did leave it here?”

  “We should stick around until she comes back. We can ask.”

  “Nah. She ain’t coming back. She don’t live here. You see any women’s clothes in the bedrooms?”

  “Good point.”

  Royal felt a sudden streak of melancholy. Did he miss this place? He remembered every party, every meal, every argument, every bonding moment, every tear and cheer. He recalled the room filled with clouds of cigar smoke but also with Felina’s aroma of raspberries and roses. This was their home base while they learned how to navigate life as legends in the making.

  “I’d like a stiff drink, partner. How about you?”

  “What’s your pleasure?”

  “Surprise me. You’re the expert, Moon.”

  Moon chose well. The liquor was as bitter as it was golden.

  “Sathian whiskey?” Royal asked from a comfy place on the couch.

  “Good job. Remember what universe Sathia was in?”

  “Too easy. Beta. One of the free worlds. I learned a thing or two about exogeography while I was fighting Swarm.”

  “Damn. That war was the biggest part of our lives for so many years, and now it’s …”

  Royal sipped his whiskey while Moon lit one cigar and offered another to Royal. The tobacco was black but pillow soft and smelled of nuts.

  “I don’t know the last time I thought about the war,” Royal said. “I guess if you prompted me, I’d recall a few names or see flashes of battles. Maybe some faces. I remember everything I’ve done inside the Origin, but that shit is crowding out my first life.”

  “Same here. I used to wonder what happened to my family. Not now. It’s like they aren’t part of me anymore.”

  Royal lit the cigar and savored the first puff.

  “It’s because they aren’t, Moon. You died back there. And you’ve died a few hundred times since. You ain’t the man they knew. You’re something else now. We both are.”

  “Used to make me sad, Royal. Not anymore. I love what I am. If I went back, I wouldn’t change one damn thing.”

  “I wouldn’t give you a chance, asshole.”

  Moon laughed as the whiskey went down the wrong way.

  “W-why’s that?”

  “Because I’d be alone in this fucking prison. And that’s what it is. Some of these immortals overlook that little detail. Anyplace with walls you can’t cross? I’d call it a prison.”

  “Nice accommodations, though.”

  “Not if you’re alone. I spent years depending on nobody but myself. Thought I was living the high life. When it’s day to day, it’s got an edge. You feel a rush. But the road to eternity? Shit. A man can’t walk it alone. Feel me?”

  Moon tapped his glass to Royal’s.

  “I do. The real reason I stopped thinking about my old family is because now I got all I need.”

  “Damn right. You and me, wherever this shit takes us. Don’t matter how nasty things get, we stand together. We’re brothers.”

  “We live together, we die together.”

  And that, Royal concluded, trumped everything.

  “When we’re done with Bessios and the Overseer, the universes are gonna fear Royal and Moon.”

  Moon shaped a greedy smile.

  “We’re gonna be gods.”

  “What did Corvaan say? Only gods can defeat gods. To us!”

  They toasted again and threw back the rest of their whiskeys. It was the first real moment of sentiment Royal allowed in eons. His heart said the words, even if his mouth could not: He loved Moon like no one before. It wasn’t romantic and it ran deeper than family.

  Unlike all the others who passed through Royal’s chaotic life, Moon was bonded to Royal and vice versa. They crafted themselves into unique creatures who couldn’t breathe without the other. Was that why the Riders choose them? Did they see this outcome toward the end of the Continuum? Was it the only way their quest might end in victory?

  Royal hoped to ask those questions and a few thousand more when the Riders revealed themselves. They’d have to emerge for Prelude.

  They drank and smoked deep into the day and reminisced.

  “Now I get why Corvaan wanted us to reflect,” Royal said when they returned to the square.

  “Why’s that?”

  “We can’t fully appreciate what we’ve become unless we remember how it all started. I’m still not sold a hundred percent on the asshole, but I’d say he came up aces on this one. Come what may, partner, you and I are ready.”

  “I vote for tonight, but I know we’ve gotta set up some wildcards.”

  “And I’d really like to say goodbye to Fee and Mulkey.” Royal had to laugh. “They’re the real reason we came back here. Now, if I knew where the hell they lived.”

  They looked around the square, certain the Gatekeeper and her Observant must be nearby.

  “Did we ever visit them?”

  “Never set foot in their place. We were selfish pricks back then.”

  “Maybe that guy knows.” Moon pointed to an old man who watched them from beneath the stone archway. “Is that you, Ciaran? C’mon over. Let’s have a word.”

  Ciaran, forever stuck in his eighties but with a pep in his gait, mismanaged his country’s finances, leading to an economic collapse and civil war which turned nuclear. He lived seventy lifetimes and established the barter rules which most Bessians adhered to. The Riders considered him the most forgettable human they ever met. He sidled over.

  “So,” he said, with a disinterested monotone. “You’re back.”

  “For old times’ sake.” Moon extended his hand, which Ciaran accepted with a limp wrist.

  “Not staying then?”

  “No, sir. We’re busy men. You might’ve heard a few tales.”

  Ciaran shrugged. “I got nothing to do but listen to the wags.”

  “You can come visit us anytime. Tell him, Royal.”

  “If you can keep up? Sure. How many still live in old town?”

  “Eh. I’m not a census taker.”

  The man’s words already washed by Royal. After all those good memories, now this guy shows up.

  “OK. Let’s try this another way. Can you point us to Felina and Mulkey?”

  “Oh. Them. The Gatekeeper and her Idiot.”

  “They’re the ones. Where do they live?”

  “It’s a big city.” He pointed through the archway. “Head on out and start searching.”

  “Wait. They don’t live in old town anymore?”

  “Eh. Been gone forever. Half a lifetime, best I figure.”

  “That don’t make a lot of sense. The city’s not that big. We would’ve heard something by now. Hell, we’d have run into them by accident.”

  Ciaran scratched his neck and glanced around the square.

  “I could write an algorithm to calculate the odds. Eh. That’s all I do when I’m not eating or shitting. Algorithms. I-I … uh … I don’t sleep anymore. Gave it up. Don’t know why.”

  “Yeah, great stuff there, Ciaran,” Moon said, seeing Royal’s ire. “Can you be a little more specific about when they left? And is there anybody else around here we could talk to? Maybe one of those wags?”

  “Can’t help. Truth is, I was supposed to be Gatekeeper. It was promised to me. Then that little whore comes along in her negligee. One day they tell me I’m not a good fit.”

  In a flash, it all came back. Not a single conversation with this wasted old man went by without his claim to Gatekeeper.

  “Yeah, no,” Royal said. “Time to fuck off to your cave, old man. We’ll find them ourselves.”

  “Eh.” He shuffled off. “I thought you pissants were all-powerful. Why you talking to me?”

  Royal hopped on the rifter, but Moon hesitated.

  “Sure you don’t wanna check these buildings?”

  “No. Ciaran’s a waste of space, but he knows old town. They’re gone. It don’t much make sense, partner. Fee was pissed. We cost her a job, and we treated her like crap. I could see why she’d avoid us.”

  Moon agreed. “But Mulkey did his own thing. He’s a halfwit, but he did business all over Bessios. He loved going to the Blue District.”

  “Dropped by the house a few times while we were building.”

  “Shit. Now it’s like he’s … you don’t think?”

  “Dunno. Something’s off. I think we need to have a word with Corvaan. Hop on.”

  29

  The Aston James

  O LA OSTEEN LEFT DAY FOUR’S second session with a full heart. She came to Tranteum and completed her duty to the Risen Church. Whether she remained until the moment of justice or escaped before the fire did not matter. Either way, she earned her reward from the God of All Universes.

  She had not contacted Issa Norales for hours. The Priestess trusted Ola to finish the mission without further guidance. Issa promised to pass along news of any developments from the Admiralty or the Empress herself.

  Ola hoped to hear news of a different kind when she returned to her quarters. Had her friends fulfilled their duty and taken the imperial palace? Had they followed instructions regarding Queen Leevo?

  The punishment would be just.

  She took the lift down three levels, engaged in chit-chat with other delegates, and politely parted company. She felt sorry for idealists who were blinded by wild expectation. The ones who took a pragmatic view understood this conference to be little more than political theater. Humanity was far too fractured to unite in common cause.

  It must be shown the way. The Church will light the path.

  These thoughts gave her comfort in the final hours. She entered the Inventor’s quarters at peace with whatever decision he reached.

  “You’re glowing,” Amayas said while seating her. “Not the look I would expect after a long day of meetings, Ambassador.”

  “Am I?” Ola allowed the flattery to take hold. “I’m honored to be in your presence.”

  “Others have said the same, but I sense you mean those words.”

  “You’re God’s Messenger, the man who delivered His Word through the Splinters.”

  Amayas poured her a glass of wine.

  “Have you spoken to your friends?”

  She lifted the glass with hesitation. Amayas followed. Were they about to make a toast? Would he deliver the answer she craved?

  “I have,” Ola said. “Many are suspicious of your motives, but they agreed to meet.”

  “How many?”

  “All nine will be present, Inventor.”

  He sighed with evident relief.

  “I’m pleased, Ambassador. If they are amenable, I will provide you with passage home.”

  Her heart lifted.

  “They will be excited to hear the news. We don’t wish to stand in the way of the conference, but we can’t in good conscience remain.”

  “I understand. Your faith precludes you from supporting the creation of a war machine.”

  “The God of All Universes forbids it.”

  Amayas chuckled.

  “It’s my understanding He forbids opposing war machines.”

  “True,” she conceded. “God could not cleanse the Disbelievers without his many soldiers.”

  They clinked glasses.

  “I am all too aware, Ambassador.”

  “Might you call me Ola? I have no need of the title any longer.”

  “Very good, Ola. I wish to meet everyone in landing bay five. Tell them to arrive in one standard hour.”

  Is this actually happening?

  “The landing bays are off-limits for delegates except for emergency evacuation. How will we have access?”

  “You’ll enter Port B. I’ll text the details to your hand-comm.”

  “No one will stop us?”

  “You’ll have clearance. You might be aware, Ola. I have built considerable influence over the years.”

  She blushed. “I shouldn’t have doubted you.”

  “Nor will any of your friends. When they see what’s inside my ship, all suspicion will be erased. I have made my choice, Ola.”

  “Thank you, Amayas, for this wonderful gift. God will reward you.”

  * * *

  Kara felt helpless. She’d gone about business as usual, leaving the fate of this ship to a man she and her husband once hunted. Cando ate little of his dinner. The reports Capt. Dunston texted throughout the day offered little news on the Inventor’s plan. Amayas did not attend the sessions and spent most of his time in his own quarters.

  Cando bypassed Dunston when they returned to their quarters and checked in first with Paul Ochoba on Scylla.

  “Anything?” He asked.

  Capt. Ochoba shook his head in evident frustration.

  “Still no word from Charybdis.”

  Adding to the day’s tension, the warship under Shin Wain’s authority had not responded to recall orders. Amayas told Paul not to worry. Charybdis was engaged in a “necessary mission” and would report for duty soon. Paul ordered Hermes to leave Hokkaido security rotation.

  “I don’t like it,” Paul said. “Amayas won’t even say where he sent Charybdis.”

  Cando cursed under his breath.

  “After today, this divided leadership ends. We need one man who knows where the entire fleet is at all times.”

  “You know my position, Cando.”

  “I do, Paul. We’ll sort it at first opportunity. What do you hear from Capt. Sangoon?”

  One of the Talons, Lin Sangoon, took command of Hermes a month after the attack on Hokkaido. He was tasked with training the few Splinter Vanguards on Hermes into a viable leadership team. While Mehta Jarrod did a fine job holding things together during the attack, he was far from Captain material. Hermes also took on several KumTaan agents and continental paramilitary officers who wanted a more active role in defending their planet.

  “Lin appreciates the change of venue,” Paul said.

  “I hope it’s not for long. I hate removing so much firepower from Hokkaido.”

  “He’s confident the two Aeternan Captains will hold the line if the worst should occur.”

  “Let’s hope they don’t get jittery and send word to Michael Cooper. He only agreed to the rotation when we promised to keep one warship there at all times.”

  Paul shrugged. “You’d think with all his boasting, the Minister would love to show everyone what his people can do without us.”

  “I make no assumptions about that man. I’ll check in again soon, Paul. Goodbye, Captain.”

  “Admiral.”

  Paul winked before he cut the transmission.

  Cando turned to his wife.

  “He fits that chair well.”

  “Yes,” she said. “But he sees who really needs to be in charge.”

  “I don’t know if I ever told you, but Yusef and I met Paul two days after we started basic training with Orzed. We’ve been through it all together. He never believed he was a leader. I did.”

  “I’m glad there’s a Talon in charge of both warships. Makes me feel a little more comfortable.”

  Cando hugged her tight.

  “I’d like to say I agree, hon, but none of this feels right. I think we made a dangerous bargain we’re going to regret.”

  “Then let’s stop it before it goes any further.”

  He released the hug.

  “Are you sure? This morning, you said we had to trust Amayas. You even said his story made sense.”

  “That was eleven hours ago. If he was right, we’re running out of time. We still don’t know what these fanatics are planning or how he intends to stop it. At the very least, I thought he would have drawn them out by now.”

  “We’ll have to speak to Dunston and Philbin.”

  Kara’s feelings were knotted. The Captain and Security Chief would not have gone along with the Inventor’s scheme without her support. They knew him only by reputation and what their investigation uncovered. For Kara, it was personal. The man brought her family and the Tarons into a dark alliance years earlier which further cemented their fall.

  “Fine,” she said. “Let’s do it.”

  Cando opened his plate and punched in the direct comm-link Dunston provided after the search for Ham’s killer began. The Captain responded from her seat on the bridge.

  “Col. Aleksanyan,” she said. “Ambassador.”

  “Captain, we need to discuss this plan. It’s …”

  “I’m glad to hear from you. I was about to contact you both.”