“I don’t appreciate the way you’ve been treating me. We’re supposed to be partners.”

  Royal was surprised Moon hadn’t spoken up sooner.

  “We can’t savage these people and expect loyalty, Moon. They’ll have to fight for decades, and most won’t survive. I’m just as eager to take some of these heads as you, but we got to seal the deal. Partner.”

  “You think I can’t control myself.”

  “On your own? No. You never have. It’s the same for me. We work best together. When it’s time for blood, we’ll claim our fair share. There are thirty million gods in the way of our blades. We’re gonna have a lifetime of fun. But for now, we’re generals.”

  Moon let go and apologized.

  “I’m not as patient as I thought I was, Royal. Don’t worry. I’ll stay away from Old Town.”

  “I trust you, partner. What do you think of Felina’s plan?”

  Moon tossed his spent cigar away.

  “She’s leading them to their death. They’re weak, Royal. They’re cowards. Maybe it’s what they deserve.”

  “You don’t think they’ll turn against her?”

  “I don’t care what they do.”

  “We have to give her credit, Moon. Sure looks like she’s the reason there wasn’t a fourth civil war.”

  Moon cursed. “I don’t give that cunt credit for anything, except for lying to us when we arrived.”

  “Like she said, we made choices. Ninety percent of Bessians died, and we started them down that road.”

  “Yeah, and the ones who survived are the best fighters. They wouldn’t have been without us. We deserve credit.”

  “Interesting point of view,” Royal mused. “Do me a solid: Don’t repeat that around Georgina. Might not go over well.”

  Moon snickered and reached for a fresh cigar.

  For the next several hours, the new gods spoke solely in Quesh-n’o as they laid out their timetable for launching an attack.

  30

  Sinto, Esperanza

  K ARA’S HEART BROKE AGAIN. Safety appeared within their grasp, but circumstance denied them the joy of escape into the cocoon of a wormhole. She backed into a still-seat as Argo prepared to leave the Actuarium dock, only to hear bad news from Lightfoot.

  “Three Orzed warships have us boxed in, and I’ll have to recall our mine drones,” Exeter told Yusef. “Even when the decks are cleared, you need to calculate a worm exit as close to us as possible. It’s for your safety and ours.”

  “How long?” Yusef asked.

  “At least three minutes, sir.”

  “Judging from the activity on the dock, we don’t have that long. We’ll leave here and clear the city. Advise when Lightfoot is ready to receive us.”

  “We’ll keep a channel lock on you, sir. Woolsey out.”

  The Nav circle active, Yusef turned over the holocontrols to Lt. Cambria, who knew how best to navigate the city. External cams showed the Argo surrounded by ground forces.

  “I make no guarantees,” Cambria said. “Capital Patrol has been alerted. Their pilots are seasoned and precise.”

  “Do your best, Lieutenant.”

  Yusef made sure Kara, Rikard, Henri, Abby Duma, and Sgt. Whitehall took secure positions in still-seats.

  “If we avoid trouble for three minutes,” he told them, “we’ll make a clean jump. Hang on.”

  They weren’t ten seconds off the dock before Cambria sounded the alarm.

  “Capital Police. Incoming.”

  External images did not show what Kara expected from local law enforcement. The beetle-shaped craft were made for war, with visible gun turrets and missile launchers. They pierced the cityscape of glass towers, leaving vapor trails in their wake.

  Gravity played havoc as Cambria banked Argo to avoid the first fighter, which buzzed them and performed a quick turn.

  “By order of the Shunta Hia,” a voice rang out, “you are hereby ordered to land at once. Do not attempt to create an aperture, or you will be destroyed.”

  “What’s our max terrestrial speed?” She asked Yusef, who scrolled through the holo. Cambria nodded. “That will do.”

  She punched the holo. Argo shuddered before it rifled across the city, pushing its Carbedyne fins to the limit.

  “Can we outrun them?” Yusef asked.

  “The ones behind us? Yes.” She pointed to a grid which showed four silhouettes approaching head-on. “Not them.”

  The warning to land Argo recycled on a loop as Cambria showed her considerable skills by dancing between Sinto’s towers, which appeared to stretch for many miles. In some ways, it resembled Pinchon. This did not set Kara at ease.

  Kara gazed at the others attached to still-seats. She recognized who had lived on the edge before and who had not. War veteran Rikard kept a stoic face, as if bracing for every eventuality. Sgt. Whitehall’s tiny grin suggested he enjoyed the thrill. Abby and Henri were aghast, unable to shield their terror.

  She wanted to comfort both, but Abby’s terror must have been the worst. There was no turning back after today. She played her hand, but it wasn’t strong enough. Was she more afraid of dying or living?

  Kara didn’t have the chance to ask.

  Cambria said, “Wait … no!”

  Argo jolted and banked violently. Lights flickered inside the Nav circle. After Cambria leveled the ship, it shuddered nonstop.

  “We’ve been hit,” Yusef said. “Carbedyne fin, port two.”

  “I don’t know Carbedyne,” Cambria replied. “Will the failure react the other ports?”

  “No, but we won’t be able to maintain this speed much longer.”

  The city’s towers diminished in size. A snow-capped mountain range dominated the field of vision. They were leaving Sinto.

  “I can help,” Abby shouted, breaking from her terror. “Stay on that heading. If we reach the Duma ranch, I’ll contact my security to raise the perimeter alarm.”

  Yusef said, “Will it stop those fighters?”

  “No. But by law, they’re not allowed on Council private land without household permission. I’m the designate. Trust me.”

  “It might not matter,” Cambria said, tapping a hand to her ear. “The Council has declared martial law. They say Swarm agents have infiltrated the city.”

  Abby seethed. “The Perons! They control the region’s security apparatus. They must have planned it overnight.”

  “It’s worse,” Cambria shot back. “They’re saying a military coup against the Actuarium is in progress. They’re blaming Harkness.”

  Martial law or not, the Argo’s crew had more immediate trouble. Kara wasn’t a trained pilot, but she studied enough Nav circles to recognize the Carbedyne fuel efficiency readings. They were falling off a cliff. If the ranch wasn’t seconds away, they were screwed.

  The pendulum swung again; she feared for the last time.

  * * *

  Exeter watched anxiously as the Lightfoot’s mine drones withdrew to their respective hangar decks, but the operation needed another two minutes to complete. He wanted to clear Argo for worm jump, take them onboard, and leave this disaster of a Confederation. They’d have to stand against the Swarm alone.

  The holographic image of Adm. Jameson Harkness interfered with his plans. The transmission beamed across the entire Orzed fleet inside the Esperanza system, as Enfante said it would. They had hoped to bring good news after the Council vote but were prepared to carry out their original plans given the worst.

  “This is your Supreme Admiral. I bring tragic news to the fleet. For generations, we have been lied to by the Admin Council. They have engaged in a conspiracy with the Swarm upper command – including the Empress Chastain herself – to create the illusion that we, the Orzed Confederation and loyal Talons, have been fighting to preserve the free worlds from Swarm Conversion.

  “The truth is this: The families who run the Council have reaped enormous wealth and control the economies of the free worlds while negotiating with the Swarm. They determine which worlds to Convert, and how many Talons and soldiers of the Swarm will be sacrificed to the war effort. The economy to support this ongoing effort rewards the Council, their families, and their associates in the military-industrial union.

  “Today, I say we reject this arrangement. Today, I command all Admirals and Captains to abandon their fealty to the Council. Today, I say we unite as a single force to attack the Swarm at their heart and bring this generational sacrifice of our sons and daughters to an end.

  “By happenstance, the warship that arrived yesterday from beyond the visible realm of our galaxy brings a proposal which may end this war within weeks. They represent a planetary alliance with resources which will enable us to double our capacity and take out our generational enemy. The Admirals who quietly supported my efforts have received the details of this alliance. They will now forward it to all ships along with the next steps.

  “Remember who we are. We are Talons. We are warriors. We are trained to kill the enemy, not sacrifice ourselves in a war created to suit the ledger of Esperanza’s Actuarium. I will speak to you again soon. Supreme Adm. Jameson Harkness out.”

  The Lightfoot sat in stunned silence.

  “That’s right,” Exeter said. “We arrived just in time to witness a military coup.” To Enfante, he added: “How will they respond?”

  “Like any coup, the will of one’s allies will determine its success. Moments like this challenge the soul, Captain. On the whole, I’m as excited as I am horrified to see it come to pass.”

  “Was that broadcast live?”

  “No. Harkness recorded it last night and sent the glass off-world with an aide. Esperanza’s Sub-Admiral likely cleared it. If Harkness can’t follow through, Rance Pope will have to hold the fleet together.”

  “Should I contact him? We might be able to help persuade Captains while we’re still here.”

  “Hold off, Capt. Woolsey. This choice belongs to our fleet. You might have served honorably in the black, but they’ll consider you an outsider. Give it time. We should hear from the lovely Captains outside very soon.”

  * * *

  To Abby’s shock, the pursuing fighters did not slow as Argo crossed the Duma ranch security perimeter. Abby grabbed her handheld and contacted her people on the ground.

  “Raise the alarm now,” she shouted to someone called Ignacio. “Tell them they are violating Proprietary Airspace Law and must turn back. We have the right to fire upon them.”

  Precious seconds passed before she received a response.

  “Mistress Duma, they claim to be pursuing Swarm agents. They say martial law overrides all airspace claims.”

  Yusef interrupted.

  “We’re losing velocity, Abby. We need to put down.”

  “Ignacio, I am not a Swarm agent. Target the CP fighters with a full battery. Do you understand?”

  “CP, Mistress? You want me to fire on CP?”

  “They’ll scatter, Ignacio. Don’t worry. You won’t kill them.”

  “I’ll do my best, Mistress.”

  Kara couldn’t believe what she heard.

  “Your ranch has surface to air missiles?”

  “There’s a long history,” Abby said, shifting her eyes away. “Too complicated to explain.”

  Whatever terror Abby felt moments ago appeared to vanish. She disengaged the still-seat and rushed to Nav to share landing coordinates. Kara heard “north range” and “secure facility.”

  Yusef, Abby, and Cambria reviewed the holos and discussed options in a feverish dialogue. Abby returned to the still-seat.

  “We’ll be on the ground in two minutes. When we land, we’ll need to run. The missiles worked for now. They scattered the CP fighters, but I’m sure they have a lock on Argo. They’ll fly through the western hills and over Lake Jude to reach us the back way. Once we’re inside, we’ll be able to regroup.”

  “How large is your ranch?” Rikard asked.

  “Seventy square kilometers.”

  “Nice chunk of land. Good thing we had you onboard.”

  “I wish we got you out of the city faster. We’ll have protection, but it won’t last long if the Perons are pulling out every stop.”

  Kara asked, “Abby, is it true what they’re saying about a coup? Did Adm. Harkness go through with his plan?”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised. If he wins the day, we’ll come through this safely. If not, I can’t make any promises.”

  “Ah, promises,” Sgt. Whitehall said with no apparent concern. “We can’t count on them. I say, never make them. Do your best, trust your friends, and life will serve you well.”

  If he meant those words to be comforting, they weren’t. He did, however, grab everyone’s attention.

  “Sergeant,” Abby said. “I appreciate your help. The first chance we have, I’ll make sure to send you on safely.”

  “No worries, Council Duma.” He slapped his holstered weapon. “As long as I have my J4, I’ll look after you and these fine people. Seems to me you lot have been treated poorly.”

  In the final seconds before Argo set down, Exeter called to say Lightfoot had cleared its mines.

  “Love to join you, Captain,” Yusef replied. “We were damaged in flight. Putting down now. I’ll assess the damage and determine if it’s safe to jump.”

  “Crazy things are happening up here, Admiral. I might be able to break us out of here soon. Should I come to you?”

  “Hold the thought.” Argo shuddered as it landed fast and hard. “Coup in progress?”

  “Appears so.”

  “Watch yourself, Captain. We’ll be in touch.”

  Yusef and Cambria whispered a few words. She raced to the door and pressed the printlock, which pixelated the bulwark. Yusef opened a starboard weapons cabinet. He holstered a blaster and pistol and shared one of each with Rikard. He handed a pistol to Kara and Henri. Abby waved off the suggestion but Yusef insisted.

  “It’s your ranch, but make no assumptions.”

  She conceded the point and accepted the weapon.

  “Follow me,” Abby said. “We need cover. The CP will return any minute. They’re relentless.”

  * * *

  Exeter wanted out of this nonsense.

  “Lex, do you have a fix on the team’s position?”

  The XO had been triangulating the Argo’s location since Yusef’s frustrating last call. He threw it up on a holo.

  “Here, Captain. They’re thirty-one kay northwest of the capital.”

  “Population density?”

  “Appears to be rural. A few scattered structures. Topography is high country. Hills.”

  Exeter made up his mind.

  “Yusef said the Argo’s not worm-viable. Fine. I’m not leaving them down there to be captured. We’ll send my shuttle.”

  “Crew?”

  “Col. Parish and a detachment.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  While Lex made arrangements, Exeter revisited the business closer at hand.

  “Sha, what’s happening out there?”

  She highlighted three sectors in the map detailing the entire Orzed fleet. Silhouettes moved.

  “These two battle groups have broken rank and gone to worm.”

  The wormhole tracker showed their route toward a position six hundred million kilometers from Esperanza.

  “They’re not coming for us,” Exeter said. “That’s a bonus.”

  Enfante pointed at the destination.

  “Those are the rendezvous coordinates. You’ll see more of the fleet breaking away.”

  “Some or most?”

  “I’d wager if I listened in to their conversations, I wouldn’t have an answer. Yet. This will take sorting. The Perons have considerable sway over many Captains. If they consider the breakaway ships to be traitors, fire will be exchanged.”

  Exeter glanced down at Enfante’s comm.

  “Still no word from Harkness?”

  “No. If he were able …” Enfante choked up, the first time Exeter saw the man crack. “He’s either in a cell or he’s dead.”

  “Did he not have a plan to escape?”

  “Yes. Just like the Perons had a plan to ensure he didn’t. If we fail, their family will hold the Council for decades.”

  Lex swiveled toward Exeter.

  “Col. Parish and his team are boarding the shuttle now.”

  “Put me through, Lex.”

  “Done.”

  “Van, sorry for the last-minute surprise,” he told Lightfoot’s other immortal.

  “No worries, Captain. We’ll bring them home.”

  “They’re being pursued. Things might get hot down there.”

  “Lt. Natoor linked us to the Admiral’s hand-comm. We’ll be in and out in a flash.”

  Lex said, “Jump is sixty-four seconds, Colonel. You’ll exit two hundred meters from the signal. Expect a one-second delay before you reacquire the ping.”

  “Perfect. All goes to form, we’ll be celebrating on Deck 3 in five, six minutes, give or take.”

  “I know you will, Van. All speed. Woolsey out.”

  He took another glance at the Orzed fleet movements.

  “Should I contact our neighbors out there?” He asked Enfante. “Get a sense of where they stand?”

  “Risky but reasonable, Captain.”

  “Good. Right after this.” He nodded to Lex. “Open the Admiral’s hand-comm.”

  Lex nodded. Exeter said, “Adm. Matook, what’s your status?”

  He heard a man breathing heavily.

  “Busy at the moment, Captain. Trying to evade a pair of nasty police fighters. I’ll contact you when …”

  “Admiral, my shuttle is on the way with Col. Parish and a detachment of warriors. They’ll acquire your signal on exit and …”

  “Exeter, no! Call them back. It’s too dangerous.”

  Exeter stared at the huge ULI and zeroed in on Deck 3. The shuttle passed through the cascade barrier.

  He opened a comm to Col. Parish .

  “Van, abort your mission. Repeat. Abort your miss …”