Michael bit at his lip.

  “Well, I’ll be damned. All righty then.”

  Michael reached at his right side. In one flip of the wrist, he threw something side-armed at Angela, who fell back into the deep cushion, gurgling. She groped at the knife in her throat.

  The former leader of the vast Unification Guard lay dead when Michael yanked out the blood-soaked knife and faced Exeter.

  “Folks think I’m rusty. Folks are wrong.”

  “Minister, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t apologize, Colonel. It’s not your fault.”

  “Minister?”

  Michael walked past him to the doorway, which he filled.

  “I made mistakes with you, Exeter. I decided you were special, and I gave you preferential treatment. I damn sure promoted you too soon, but that fucking horse is out of the barn. Nobody’s ever been demoted here; I won’t start now. Just one question, Exeter.”

  “Yes, sir?”

  “Do you love Aeterna with all your heart?”

  “I do, Minister. It’s my home. It’s where I belong.”

  Michael tucked the blade in a side pocket. He pointed to Angela.

  “That one there, she didn’t have a home. Turned her back on Earth. No way she’d be welcomed by her fleet. It’s lonely when you don’t have a home. Ain’t it?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Home and family. There’s nothing else. Don’t you ever fucking forget it.”

  Michael did not stick around to hear Exeter’s response. Nor did he say another word to the newest Aeternan for weeks.

  Twenty days later, Exeter was passed over when the Crowfoot returned to Hokkaido to take part in the security rotation. He’d been looking forward to seeing his Talon brothers and sisters again. He learned Cando was marrying Kara onboard Scylla. Michael rejected his request to attend, passing word down through Admiral Kane.

  Caleb, ever a wellspring of optimism, told Exeter to be patient.

  “You defied Michael more than once,” he said between wet kisses in bed. “You disobeyed a direct order. AN code allows for a commanding officer to shoot an insubordinate on the spot. He let you off with a veiled threat. He’ll come around, X.”

  It was the first time anyone called him that since Ryllen, and it didn’t bother him. He and Caleb loved each other and shunned anyone who wanted to expand the relationship to three or four, as was common among the Aeternans.

  “I don’t understand why it eats at me. Michael knows my past. He knows I’ve been used and thrown out all my life. I stood up to him because I can’t be that man anymore.”

  “That’s why I love you, X. Others sense it, too. Michael’s been a strong leader for years, but new voices need to be heard. I know many Aeternans who admire your steel spine.”

  “Like who?”

  “Many. You’ll see. Spread the love around. It will come back to you.”

  Exeter didn’t know what ‘love’ meant in that context he and Caleb camped overnight on the south shore of Lake Nilsson. It was Caleb’s idea, a chance to “disconnect and refresh.” Though Promise and the AN defense fleet operated as normal during Michael’s absence, Exeter noticed a tonal shift in the city. Did Aeternans walk with an extra bounce in their step? Or was his overactive imagination kicking in?

  “Let’s take a walk,” Caleb said after sunset. “I see a few campfires down the way.”

  “I’d love to just sit here on the beach and watch the stars.”

  “We spend most of our lives out there. C’mon, X. Just a little way.”

  As if he’d ever refuse Caleb.

  A Lake Nilsson night offered serenity but for the occasional lapper frog, which croaked like a soprano. The breeze brought just enough chop for the waves to lap with a gentle rhythm.

  “I remember the first time I camped out here,” Caleb said. “I wanted to build a hut and live here instead of the city. Michael said everyone needed to stay close to Promise in case of emergencies. That was before Occip.”

  “I’ve heard people talk about wanting to build retreats. I’m very comfortable in the city.”

  “You’ve only lived here eight months. It’s still a novelty.”

  “Not to me. It’s home.”

  “I don’t disagree, X. There’s nothing more wonderful than sharing a bed with you. But we have Occip now. We have worm drive, the Walker system, and hundreds of rifters. We can respond to a crisis just as well, even if some of us don’t live in the city.”

  “Maybe, but Promise has everything we need.”

  “Yes, and we have Michael to thank for that, in large part. But he’s not the only one who built this paradise. In fact, the city was here long before he arrived. People want change. They want to spread out. We’re immortal, X. You think we’ll always confine ourselves to one city when we have a whole planet?”

  “I never thought of it like that.”

  Caleb wrapped an arm around Exeter and pulled him in close.

  “See what I mean? You haven’t lived here long enough.”

  They approached the first campfire. Caleb pointed out others spanning the lake.

  “If the city was all we needed, why do so many get away?”

  Silence. Peace.

  They made Exeter nervous. In his experience, they never lasted for long and often predicted the mirror opposite.

  “Hello, there!”

  A familiar voice greeted them at the campfire. Was Exeter seeing OK? What were the odds?

  “Admiral Kane, sir?”

  Exeter started to salute, but Rafael Kane shook his head.

  “No, no. None of that tonight, Exeter. We’re on shore leave.”

  “Yes, sir.” He forced a clumsy laugh. “Rafael.”

  “There we go. What a coincidence, meeting two of my Colonels way out here.”

  Exeter thought he misheard; Caleb’s devious grin said otherwise.

  “Wait. What?”

  “I notified Caleb of his promotion today. You didn’t tell him?”

  Caleb laughed. “I wanted to see the surprise on his face. I gotta tell you, X, it’s priceless.”

  “Congratulations. Who are you replacing?”

  “No one,” Rafael said. “I’m restructuring the navy. We need more divisions, and those divisions need commanders. Cap Silver was always first in line for the next elevation.”

  “And here’s the best part, X. I won’t have to address you as a superior officer. That was getting old.”

  “Please,” Rafael said. “Have a seat.”

  The Admiral unfolded two chairs, as if he expected guests. Exeter put enough pieces together so as not to appear clueless.

  “This isn’t a coincidence.”

  Caleb caressed Exeter on one cheek and kissed him on the other.

  “No, it’s not. I hope that’s OK.”

  “Depends.”

  “Yes, it does. C’mon. Let’s sit and talk. Rafael has some interesting things to say.”

  Were silence and peace about to betray him again? Exeter put on a smile. Why not? They were friends.

  “I’m surprised you’re here, Rafael. I didn’t think Michael would allow you to take leave while he’s away.”

  The Admiral chuckled. Caleb snickered.

  “I gave Col. Stannes the conn. He’s on the bridge of Lioness.”

  “I see. He’s a good man. The best.”

  Rafael stared deep into the fire, his eyes like tiny volcanoes.

  “I don’t want to play games, Exeter. It’s not fair. I’m curious about something, if you don’t mind my asking a personal question.”

  “What do you need to know?”

  “Are you happy here on Aeterna?”

  It sounded like a trick question.

  “I’ve never been happier in my life.”

  “If Aeterna came under threat, would you do anything you were asked to protect her?”

  “And more, if needed.”

  “Why?”

  Exeter shrugged. Wasn’t the answer obvious?

  “You’re my people. This is my home. I’ve been through too much shit in my life to ruin what I have now.”

  “And we’re so fortunate to have you, Exeter. I mean that. Your perspective has been refreshing.”

  “A long time coming,” Caleb added.

  “I contribute however I can.”

  “I’ve read the after-reports from Hokkaido. You altered our strategy mid-stream without consulting Michael.”

  “I improvised. It was a calculated gamble.”

  “No. It was based on what you knew would best serve our interests and save lives. We lost six immortals on the ground. Had you not altered the equation, many more would have been lost for good. Col. Aleksanyan said as much in his report. He credited the Aeternans’ ground engagement with shifting the momentum.”

  Exeter’s heart swelled with gratitude for being recognized.

  “I lost too many friends fighting the Swarm. I wasn’t going to let it happen again.”

  “You know what’s interesting, Exeter? I had no idea about it until I read the Colonel’s report. I saw nothing of special note in Michael’s assessment. Oh, he recommended you for commendations for valor, but he did so for everyone who fought. He focused most of his words on discussing how this battle validated his idea for aerial combat troops. Does that surprise you?”

  “It’s not my place to say.”

  Caleb’s eyes flickered in the fire’s reflection.

  “Speak your mind, X. We’re talking as friends.”

  “I’m not an Admiral at the moment,” Rafael said.

  “I don’t know what you expect me to say.”

  Rafael grunted. “I understand. Think about the memorial service for our fallen. Michael spoke of the battle and referred to everyone who fought as ‘heroes of Aeterna’ but singled out no warrior by name. Didn’t that bother you in the least?”

  “It wasn’t about me. Plus, I was not Michael’s favorite person. I was insubordinate.”

  “I know. He used it against you with Angela Poussard.”

  Exeter gasped. “He told you what he planned to do?”

  “No. I watched. He ordered me to disable the secure cams. I overlooked one. Somehow.” Rafael’s wry smile disappeared. “If you had fired your pistol, you would have answered to Michael the rest of your life. But you didn’t. You said you were tired of killing people who aren’t your enemy. Exeter, you’re not just a warrior, you’re an honorable man. In my experience, those qualities do not often go hand in hand.”

  “Thank you, Rafael. That means a lot coming from you. But I have to ask. Why are we talking about these things?”

  “You’re also a very smart man, Exeter. I think you know. Times are about to change across the galaxy. The incident on Hokkaido? Details about the Swarm? It’s sweeping across every planet. Aeterna will need to take an active role in what’s ahead. Don’t you agree?”

  “I do.”

  “But that doesn’t mean we abandon our core values or risk losing our paradise. Agree?”

  “Yes.”

  “So, I wonder.” Rafael glanced at Caleb. “My friends and I wonder. Can we count on our leader to guide us through these changes?”

  Any subtlety about this ‘coincidental’ meeting disappeared. Exeter spoke his next words with care.

  “Michael knows what’s best for Aeterna. He hasn’t failed us.”

  “Yet.”

  “He’s made mistakes, but he’s strong and he loves his people.”

  “All true. But can you honestly say he’s the same man you met months ago?”

  Exeter closed his eyes.

  “No. But … What are you proposing?”

  “I’m not proposing anything. I’m just here with two friends, sitting around a fire, talking about the world we love, and how we’d do anything at all to protect her. Right, Exeter?”

  “Yes. We’re just talking.”

  Caleb winked at Exeter. They talked deep into the night.

  39

  K ARA ALEKSANYAN. She thought it had a nice ring, although it took longer to fall off the lips. Cando was surprised she wanted to take his family name. It didn’t sound Hokki, and Kara had become a sensation among her people despite the baggage of Syung. Her first sit-down interview received two hundred million views on the Global Wave.

  “Defy tradition,” he told her the night before their wedding. “I think that’s the mood among your people now.”

  “I’m not going to be a trendsetter. That’s asking too much.”

  “True. But you’re a leader, whether you want the role or not.”

  “I’m a celebrity. They come and go. Once the shock of the past few months falls into the background, they’ll forget about me.”

  “Until then, I think they want to match a Hokki voice with a Hokki name. They don’t know a thing about us Turks.” He chuckled. “Especially the ones from another universe.”

  “We’ll fix that. Next time I agree to an interview, you’ll sit beside me, and I’ll make you do most of the talking.”

  They reached no decision about Kara’s public persona, but she took his surname in the documents. It was a small ceremony: Crew only in C&C, with Ham conducting the rites. Everyone said a few words, although Yusef told one of his melodramatic stories involving much hand motion and raucous cheers.

  Kara wondered if this was the final time they’d all stand together. The Talons remained committed to the security role for now. Indefinite service, however, appealed to no one. They were tired of death. The prospect of another war against the Swarm dimmed their morale.

  The three surviving Hokki crew concerned Kara the most. Jai Zaan struggled with having survived when Po and Chi did not. Shoan Gui and Myra Faun, who returned from Aeterna aboard Crowfoot, contemplated quiet lives in The Lagos. Kara encouraged the three to take their time with any decision.

  The intimacy of the wedding led to a formal reception on the landing bay, where dozens of invited (and self-invited) guests from across the Hokki spectrum arrived in Scrams and luxury sedans. Scylla hovered off the coast.

  Kara fought the idea of a reception, but Ham insisted. He wanted more Hokkis to meet the crew. His argument won her over, especially when she thought of Jai, Shoan, and Myra. They had been enemies of the people for too long. Much to her great surprise, the guests adhered to a rule she demanded: No wedding presents and no grand fashion statements. Simple business attire.

  The last guest to arrive made quite an entrance. The newlyweds were not shocked. Michael Cooper towered over the Hokkis. He said a few words in the receiving line then held court with guests who were mesmerized by the most famous immortal in the galaxy.

  “For the record,” Ham said in a private moment. “I did not invite him. He contacted C&C and asked what he was supposed to wear. I had a weak moment.”

  The threesome shared a quiet laugh.

  “We understand,” Cando said. “How could you tell him he wasn’t invited because he tried to take over Scylla and kill the crew? The last thing we need is Michael holding a vendetta.”

  “Plus, we’re going to need his good graces. He has tech the fleet will need. Every planet, for that matter. I’m thinking of the wormhole tracking system. Lots of shiny things for which he’ll demand a fortune, I’m certain.”

  “Leverage,” Kara said. “We’re back to playing the same old game. Who has the most, and how can we steal a slice of it?”

  She hated how Amayas escaped consequences for what took place on her world. Worse, she expected Bonju Taron’s confinement to end as soon as his scientific value went public.

  “Money, power, and politics,” Ham said. “What else is there?”

  “How about justice and fairness?”

  “Don’t ask me. I was a Chancellor.”

  Cando released a long, burden-filled sigh.

  “Why don’t we put aside the big concepts for now and have a little fun. What’s the word? Oh, yes. Mingle. We should mingle.”

  “Yes, Colonel,” Kara said with a mocking salute.

  She was excited to roam. She set her sights on two guests she invited personally. To no surprise, they struggled fitting in among the power players, but she gave each a giant hug.

  Geo Laan and Alli Parnish, her favorite engineers at Nantou Global, looked around in awe. She last saw them at High Cannon Collective on Mangum Island, where they pitched a new design for shimmer tunnels while she planted Ham’s security blockers around the building. She walked into her family’s trap soon thereafter.

  “For the record,” Geo said, “I never gave up on you. I didn’t believe those stories about Green Sun dumping you in the ocean.”

  “What did you think happened?” She asked.

  “I thought they deserted you on a remote island. You’d pop up eventually. And you did. Turns out it was remote planets.”

  “I’m sorry I never had a chance to explain what I was doing. I shouldn’t have brought you in on my crazy schemes.”

  Alli shrugged. “Actually, you did us a favor. We revised your designs for miniaturizing shimmer tunnels and it led us down some interesting paths. We’re close to an enormous breakthrough.” He lowered his voice and looked around for eavesdroppers. “We’re forming our own company. That’s why we weren’t in Nantou when the Swarm missile hit the building.”

  “What?”

  “We were looking at property south of the port. Kara, we’d love to have your input on our discoveries.”

  “A proper collaboration with engineers? I can’t wait.”

  “Brilliant. Any chance we could get a tour of this beautiful thing?”

  “For you two? Anything. Let me work the crowd a bit then I’ll circle back. Don’t leave early.”

  Kara recognized a few faces from the initial conference aboard Scylla weeks ago, but she saw no one from the elite houses of Haansu, which gave her comfort. True to Ham’s prediction, many Hokkis were enraptured with the crew. Each member – including Shoan, Myra, and Jai – conversed with someone.

  The most prominent Hokki attendee broke from his little group of admirers and approached Kara. He was a few inches taller than the typical Hokki, with thin eyeglasses beneath bushy brows and a salt-pepper beard. Regal was the word she was looking for.

  Prime Minister Jee Won of New Seoul Province took her hand, which he kissed.

  “Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Aleksanyan. I would not have missed this affair.”