“I imagine he’s under tremendous stress.”

  “Yes. Fortunately, he has Samantha and his sons to keep him in check. And yes, he’s trying to balance Aeterna’s interstellar role with protecting our people. But he’s also a narcissist. He wants to hear yes. He needs affirmation at every turn. His public persona – the vulgar, blunt-talking man who drives home his points with strange analogies – is a mask. Only a few of us know him with the mask off.”

  “Rafael, why are you telling me this?”

  “Because I can. Finally. I certainly can’t tell my officers. Michael is the only one above me in the chain of command. I have no close friends or lovers, and I wouldn’t tell them anyway. They’d accuse me of being disloyal.”

  Cando only now realized how boxed in Rafael was.

  “Every Aeternan is trained to fight. Yes?”

  “No exceptions.”

  “So anyone you talk to fits somewhere into the chain of command.”

  “The only ones who aren’t right now are Daniel and Harrison Pynn-Cooper. Michael hasn’t decided when they’ll be eligible.”

  “Hmm. Damned if you do. Damned if you don’t. Leadership can be lonely, Rafael.”

  “It’s strange, Cando. This ship has been my life for eleven years. This bridge? It’s been through many changes. I’ve learned from the best and I’ve stood next to the worst. I was here when the Collectorate called us terrorists.” He pointed toward the bow. “There used to be three seats up there. They held the Triumvirate. The self-anointed God, his wife, and his brother. They gave orders while we raided, stole, and killed our way across the galaxy. I wasn’t an Admiral then, but the one who was? He was the only man I’ve ever known with proper military training. And in truth, the only reason Salvation’s fleet survived three years before we settled Aeterna.”

  “What happened to the Admiral?”

  Rafael flexed a quizzical brow. Cando understood his faux pas.

  “Sorry. I’m not familiar with your history. A year ago, I didn’t know this universe existed.”

  “Of course. The Admiral was Valentin Bouchet. He was raised for the Guard. He was the only true military mind in our fleet. The only other man I’ve ever known with any measure of training is Michael, but his was informal and brief. Valentin understood the military sciences. He passed on everything he could to me. He and Michael never had that kind of relationship.”

  “Now I see. You’re worried because Valentin has reemerged as Amayas Knight. You wonder what might happen if they cross paths or if Valentin returns to the fold.”

  Rafael confirmed the answer with a silent stare. He drank the last of his sangret and set down the bottle.

  “We don’t know why he left. Michael claims to know nothing.”

  “You think he’s lying?”

  “To himself, perhaps. They struggled with the division of power. By the time he disappeared, Valentin was a shadow of himself. Michael had all but pushed him out. He’s never said it directly, but I think Michael saw Valentin as dangerous competition for our people’s hearts and minds. Valentin was James’s younger brother, and Michael killed James. I don’t think they ever reconciled what happened that day. Over the years, Michael made alterations to our historical records and our indoctrination course. Valentin is a minor player in our history. Three-fourths of our people never knew him.”

  “What about those who did?”

  “For most of us – myself included – he was like an older brother. For the youngest, he was a father. The hybrids were turning against us at the end. We didn’t know, but Valentin did. He was planning to push back, even kill them if necessary. Michael and the Last Day’s War took care of it for him. I often wonder about our trajectory under Valentin. Would we have come as far? I doubt we’d have as many tools – as I say, Michael has been generous – but I think we’d be more adept as a true fighting force under Admiral Valentin.” He sighed for a beat and added, “You understand, of course. I never said that.”

  “Said what?”

  Cando finished his liquor.

  “Were the aerial assault teams his idea?”

  “Yes.”

  “They’re innovative, Rafael. No doubt very effective in the right context. I read the reports about Arakaat Shipyards. That operation worked well, although resistance was limited. I see it as a strategy best reserved for small strike teams to set the table for a larger attack force. But this notion of throwing an entire brigade at a heavily armed target is problematic at best. The casualty rate is unacceptable, regardless of how fast immortals regenerate. Ham could have twisted the playbook ever so slightly and wiped out your entire attack force today. The surrender was a sham.”

  “No doubt, Cando. I’m sure Michael gave up something in return. He wants no one to question his military genius.”

  “We’ve been wanting a summit with Michael to plot our future relationship, especially with regards to the Inventor and his Alliance.”

  “I’d love to sit in. He’s yet to tell me anything.”

  “If you’re not on the list, I’ll make a personal request.”

  “Thank you, and good luck with that.”

  Cando had many conversations with Aeternans since their arrival, but none strayed far from the party line. Until now.

  “I’ll be forty in a few months, Rafael. I’ve been a military man for the past fifteen. Like you, I stood next to the best and the worst. To be honest, I’d like to put it all behind me. I want a wife, children, a farm. When it happens, I’m sending you an invitation.”

  “I’ve never seen a farm.”

  “I grew up on one. Worst mistake I ever made was leaving it. Hmm. I don’t want to keep you, Rafael. You should join your officers and eat. I’ll contact Scylla. They’ll worm the Scramjet over.”

  Rafael grabbed his empty bottle. He extended a hand. They shook with a firm grip.

  “Thank you, Cando. It’s nice to be heard.”

  “Any time. Actually, before I go, there was one question I forgot to ask. About Exeter. Col. Woolsey. I love the kid. He’s a great soldier. But I’m curious: His promotion was rather dramatic. Your decision or Michael’s?”

  Rafael tightened his grip.

  “Remember what I said before about the other five percent?”

  “Ah. I thought so.”

  “Exeter is easily a Platoon Cap. I want him to succeed, but a quarter of our forces report to him now. I hope today’s defeat – and it was, despite Scylla’s surrender – will teach him a valuable lesson.”

  “Defeat is the best teacher. I’ll always root for him.”

  Later, when Cando shared the conversation with Scylla command staff, they reacted with the expected caution.

  “At least,” Ham said, “we’ll have a moderate voice on our side if things don’t work out with Michael.”

  “Don’t be so sure,” Kara said. “He’s an immortal. He won’t take sides against his own. The same goes for Exeter.”

  Cando agreed.

  “I don’t think we’ll reach that point, but we should be prepared for every outcome.”

  Ham rapped his office table.

  “Then it’s time we got to work. The summit begins tomorrow.”

  5

  Day 3, SY 5367

  H AM CORTEZ AVOIDED SHORE leave during his first tours with the Unification Guard. Encounters with the ethnic locals often turned ugly, and the designated drops rarely offered worthwhile amusement. Like ninety-nine percent of comrades, he preferred to stay on his Ark Carrier and carouse among his own kind. He took a different tack with Scylla.

  Late the next day, Scramjet Horn landed in Promise to release Chi Baek, Po Wynn, Jai Zaan, and Hiro Parke for their first overnight visit. A welcoming committee of four immortals – Ham suspected they were minders – laid out guidelines. The hosts’ enthusiasm infected Chi and Po, but Jai and Hiro gave away nothing. Ham wasn’t surprised. The crew either took a fancy to the Aeternans or remained standoffish.

  “Number one,” he told them before they exited. “Enjoy yourselves. Promise is unique, and we don’t know how much longer we’ll be here. Number two: Don’t step out of bounds. We’re the first outsiders who’ve been allowed to spend the night in Promise. Return their trust in kind.”

  “Yes, Captain,” Chi said with an aggressive salute and a hunger for fun twinkling in her eyes.

  Hiro, who spent most of the mission in Scylla C&C, spoke under his breath.

  “Captain, are you sure about this? We’ll only have six up there.”

  “And those six could take Scylla into war and win. Paul has the conn. They’ll be good. Allow yourself to let go tonight.”

  “Hmm. I’m not familiar with the concept.”

  Ham heard many Talons express a similar sentiment. As much as they valued life apart from fighting the Swarm, they struggled with how to survive a day with no life-or-death responsibility. Ham understood. He spent three years living among the Hokkis before he felt free to be someone other than a Chancellor.

  When the four departed, Ham waited at the egress for the Aeternans he was picking up. They did not show. In their place, Information Minister Rikhi Syed arrived with a message.

  “Minister Cooper sends his apologies. He intends to join your party at the summit tomorrow. He hopes all three of you enjoy a relaxing night under the stars.”

  Ham threw up his hands and turned to Kara and Cando.

  “We’re off to a wonderful start. Yes?” He rolled his eyes. “Mr. Syed, tomorrow is a vague commitment. Do you have a timeline?”

  Like any loyal mouthpiece, Rikhi gave away nothing.

  “The Minister’s calendar is clear tomorrow. That’s all I can tell you. Please. The camp modules has been installed, and they are outstanding. You’ll love Lake Profundus. Farewell.”

  Ham gave Lin Soogan the signal. The navigator pixelated the egress and launched Horn.

  “What’s he playing at?” Ham said.

  Cando chuckled.

  “I’d guess he’s still pouting about yesterday. He’s not going to make this easy for us.”

  “I wonder if he pulled these antics with the Zwahilis. I begin to see why they never negotiated trade deals with him.”

  “On the other hand,” Kara said, “He opened Promise to us. At first, he refused. We’d be staying in … what do they call it?”

  “Share.”

  “Oh, yes. The city for diplomats and trade reps. Aeternans have done business with seventeen or eighteen other planets for years, and not one of those off-worlders has been allowed into Promise. I think they’d be jealous if they knew about our access.”

  They took their seats in the nav circle.

  “I’m sure they have no idea we exist,” Ham said. “Share is three hundred kay northwest. As I understand it, off-worlders shuttle between home and Share on Aeternan ships. The only time they leave the city is for tourist flyovers or remote journeys to examine whatever commodities they’re trading for. The local diplomatic corps portals back and forth with Promise. All very tidy.”

  “They do put a price on trust.”

  “On the other hand, we have one of the three most deadly warships in the Collectorate. If I had friends with such a treasure, I’d prefer to keep them close as well.”

  Cando joined hands with Kara.

  “We’ve been nothing but fair with Michael’s people from day one,” he said. “If he holds yesterday against us, then he’s being a child. Ham, you showed him the flaw in his military strategy. He wasn’t being lectured to by a Chancellor. You showed him a painful weakness.”

  “His record against Scylla is zero and two. We crippled his ship over Euphrates. I doubt he’s forgotten that one, either.”

  “We should give him the benefit of the doubt,” Kara said. “We have a common interest. Amayas Knight. We start from there and work outward. In fact, I think we should take the Information Minister’s advice and enjoy a relaxing night under the stars. Plus, we’ll have friends there. I’m anxious to hear their reports.”

  Lin interrupted.

  “Captain, we’ve cleared the city. Are you ready to jump?”

  “Eleven seconds to Lake Profundus?”

  “Barely a hop and a skip.”

  “Hold off for a moment. I have a thought.” He turned to Cando. “It’s possible Michael opened an unexpected door. We’re going to meet his planetary surveyor tonight. Aldo Cabrise. I’ve never spoken to the man, but he does have a unique perspective on all things Aeterna. He was a Chancellor fleet admiral in orbit above this planet on arguably the most important day in its history, almost fifty years ago. It was then known as Hiebimini.

  “His downfall afterward became something of a cautionary tale whispered throughout the Guard. He returned here with Michael before the Last Day’s War. How he did it … that part is a bit foggy. Michael kept him on, allowed him to catalog the planet’s ecostems and share his findings. One Chancellor allowed to remain when all others were forbidden. Without Michael hovering, perhaps I can draw him out.”

  Cando crinkled a smile.

  “Chancellor to Chancellor? Maybe. After we agreed to the volunteer exchange program, I spoke with Admiral Kane. He said Aldo is peculiar on a good day. Cares only about the science. Kane said, ‘Aeterna is his child. Humans are an afterthought.’”

  Ham recognized the description.

  “He went native. He’s also too old to do this work on his own anymore. That’s why he always has a small team at camp. Give me a chance. Worst case? We wait for Michael. Lin, jump us.”

  Kara added: “I guess that means Cando and I grease the way by asking him about nothing but the planet.”

  “Use open-ended questions. Demonstrate scientific curiosity, and he’ll be our friend.”

  Soon after, they landed on a sandy beach. The passengers grabbed their overnight bags.

  “Lin,” Ham said before jumping out. “Encourage the crew to have some fun. I know the routine up there can be a trifle dull.”

  “We’ll try not to make a mess of it, Captain.”

  Ham jumped onto a cushion of blood-red sand, which crunched beneath his feet. The beach transitioned into a wide-open vista with low scrub brush and knotted, flowering ground cover. A cloud of insects appeared to hover above the flowers. Ham spied the campsite fifty meters away, where a half dozen modules waited.

  Kara and Cando stood transfixed in the opposite direction, craning their necks. Horn’s launch cleared the way for Ham to witness the same spectacle. He had traveled to many worlds but never encountered anything like this.

  Lake Profundus extended at least a mile across, but it might have been a black hole drilled into the planet. Its surface appeared crystalline, like perfectly honed onyx. The air was still; the water did not move. The sunlight did not reflect off the surface. Ham chalked it up to an optical illusion.

  On the far side, snow-capped mountains with sheer faces rose like monstrous claws. The late afternoon sun dipped behind them, casting long orange beams between the peaks.

  “Now that is worth the price of admission,” Cando said.

  “How tall are they?” She asked.

  “Have to be at least two thousand meters.”

  Ham did not study the region beforehand, but the diversity of these ecostems helped him understand Aeterna’s unique status. The mountains – a collection of malformed sentinels – abutted about a third of the lake, roughly the same as the wide-open prairie surrounding the camp. The other third rose tall and green: A forest of giant conifers so thick their giant trunks appeared to form a wall. If the reports held true, he'd soon learn none of these ecostems originated on the same world. Unnatural terraforming made them unlikely neighbors.

  The sand crackled beneath running feet.

  Two familiar Hokki faces raced to greet the new arrivals.

  Shoan Gui and Myra Faun, one-time fighters for Green Sun, had jumped at the opportunity to volunteer. They’d been working with the surveyor for eight days. Much to Ham’s surprise, neither showed regret or asked for reassignment to Scylla.

  Kara dropped her bag and hugged both.

  “I’ve missed my jogging buddy,” she told Shoan, who used to run twenty laps daily with her from bow to stern.

  “I haven’t done any running, but I’m always on my feet. He puts us through a workout every day.”

  “Exhausting,” Myra said, “but the most fun I’ve ever had.”

  Shoan looked around.

  “Captain, where’s everybody else?”

  “Delayed, apparently. Minister Cooper and whoever he chooses will arrive tomorrow.”

  “Might be just as well,” Myra said. “Aldo’s not in the best mood.”

  Shoan cast a sheepish grin.

  “Yeah. He’s not happy with your summit being here. You should have seen him this morning. Twenty Aeternans showed up to install the extra modules and the power clusters. He was fuming. I thought he might have a stroke.”

  “Interesting. The Minister said Aldo would welcome the company. Apparently, he was being ironic.”

  “Aldo is a smart man, and he’s taught us so much already. But if you’re not here to study, you’re slowing him down. A piece of advice for everybody: If he looks at you cross-eyed, don’t take it personally. Let him start the conversation. If he doesn’t, ask him about his greatest discoveries. Don’t waste your time talking about Promise, or the immortals, or especially Michael Cooper.”

  “Why not Michael? The Minister made it possible for him to survey the planet.”

  “We don’t know,” Myra said. “We asked the Aeternans, but they don’t know anything. Or so they claim.”

  “Helpful advice. Thank you both.”

  Ham held his sigh within. Michael’s open door might have closed.

  “All this is truly spectacular,” Kara said. “You’ll have to tell us all you’ve learned.”

  “I don’t know if you have that much time, but we’ll try.”

  Ham caught those young Hokki eyes, which shared a fleeting but meaningful glance with each other. Perhaps he misread the moment.