“And you’re certain that Apophis won’t be commanding the Mesek-tet instead of remaining in his throne room?” Krantz asked.

  This element was crucial to the entire operation. The Admiral had repeatedly voiced this concern for good reason. If Apophis chose to command his sun ship and seek revenge upon the Galatine in person, Carter and Monique would portal into the city below New Aternus and find the throne room empty.

  “We can’t be certain,” Carina admitted. As much as she wanted to reassure her aunt, she had to be honest. “It all hinges on which side of Apophis is dominant. Markus Aternus would love nothing more than to see the Galatine burning in space, but Nathan Clynes isn’t a soldier. At his core, he’s a coward who would rather send his vassal, Cyrus Duvall, to do his dirty work instead of risk his neck.”

  “But how do we know which personality is dominant?” Krantz asked.

  “Because Carter and I have been inside the God-King’s mind, and we’ve felt his fear,” Carina replied. “I know it sounds like magic or hocus pocus, but you must trust us. Nathan is the dominant force behind Apophis. Nathan poured his soul into Markus Aternus’ neuromorphic brain, but all that remained of Markus was an echo of the dead king. Nathan’s cowardice and obsession with ruling and being loved will temper the old God-King’s thirst for battle.”

  Krantz listened attentively, as she had done on the other occasions Carina had tried to convince her aunt that warp visions and ‘feelings’ were an adequate basis for a military operation.

  “I hope you’re right,” Krantz replied, still plagued by doubt but willing to trust her niece. “We’re betting everything on that assumption.”

  “I know, but this is our best shot,” Carina replied. “It’s our only shot. If we do nothing, Apophis will attack Terra Prime in less than a day. And he will break through. Even with Lyra’s reversion cure spreading quickly through our ranks, we’re still not strong enough to repel a direct assault. The God-King only needs to infiltrate one of the planet’s dozens of major power stations, and it’s game over. Earth vanishes into a black hole, and the other Union worlds will follow.”

  The Admiral’s comp-slate chimed an alert. She read the message carefully, then glanced at Major Lockwood, who was already waiting for her, having received a similar alert. Carina’s comp-slate then chimed, but she already knew the message’s contents. She’d seen the report on her aunt’s device as she’d raised it to her eyes.

  “The fleet has amassed at the staging point, and it awaits its flagship,” Admiral Krantz said.

  “Then I’d better get moving,” Carina replied, nodding. “I need to be there before the Old Aterniens arrive and scare the living crap out of our fleet.”

  Krantz laughed weakly. “It would have been simpler to combine our forces above Terra Two, but Cody was nervous about the ‘optics’ of having the Aterniens warp into orbit over our military training world.”

  “Politics…” Carina hissed. “I’m glad that’s your job, not mine.”

  Carina and her aunt headed back along the embankment toward the HQ building. It wasn’t long before they had stepped into the long shadow cast by the Galatine. Krantz peered up at the two-hundred-and-sixty-meter-long warship, perched above the tall building like a giant bird of prey surveying its surroundings.

  “Couldn’t you have parked that somewhere a little less conspicuous?” the Admiral commented.

  Carina laughed. “I wanted it to be conspicuous. I want all of Mega London to see the Galatine and know she’s back and fighting for their freedom.”

  “Very poetical,” Krantz replied, a touch cynically.

  “I remember what Carter said the first time I saw the Galatine, half buried on a muddy rock, deep inside the Piazzi asteroid field,” Carina said. She stretched out her arm and closed her fist as if grasping the handle of an imaginary sword, just as Carter had done then. “Two-hundred and sixty meters long, it’s sleek, fast, and the deadliest weapon ever devised by human minds,” Carina continued, mimicking Carter’s gruff accent and assertive tone. “If I stood half a kilometer tall, I could reach down and draw the Galatine from this mudhole like unsheathing a blade. That’s how they got the name because in the grasp of a titan, it would look like a longsword…”

  “I see now where you get your poeticalness from,” the Admiral replied.

  “Is that even a word?” Carina scowled, but her aunt shrugged. She was a woman who cared about actions, not words.

  “The General wasn’t wrong, though,” Krantz admitted, again peering at the mighty Longsword. “The Galatine is much more than a warship and a weapon. She’s a powerful symbol of hope. And people need hope now more than ever.”

  “Admiral…” Major Lockwood said, speaking the word in a hushed tone almost carried away in the wind washing across the Thames.

  Krantz sighed again and nodded to the officer before facing her niece.

  “I have to go,” Krantz said wearily.

  The Admiral pulled Carina toward her and embraced her tightly. Carina wrapped her arms around her aunt, and they remained that way for several seconds, long enough to wonder if she would ever let go. Finally, she did, drawing back but still gripping Carina’s shoulders.

  “I know I’m supposed to say ‘good hunting’ or ‘give them hell’ or something encouraging and bombastic like that, but I’m done speaking as your admiral,” Krantz said. “Instead, I only want to say that I love you.”

  Carina smiled. “I love you too, Aunt Klara.” Then, her wistful expression morphed into something impish. “But, I’m also going to give them hell!”

  Krantz managed a weak laugh, then finally released Carina and stepped back. Carina saluted sharply, and her aunt returned the salute.

  “Take care of her, Major,” Carina said, speaking now to Lockwood. “I leave her in your charge.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I will,” Major Lockwood replied.

  Carina waited for the Admiral and her bodyguard to leave, wondering when she’d next see her again. Then she hurried inside the HQ building through the courtyard at the rear and took the express elevator to the top floor. The command center was humming with activity, and Carina struggled to remember another occasion when so many staff had been packed inside the building.

  Skirting around the edges to avoid drawing attention to herself, Carina found the stairwell leading to the roof and climbed outside. The shadow from the Galatine made it feel like she’d stepped through a time portal into the dead of night, but the city beyond was still bright, sunlight sparkling off the rain-soaked streets and buildings.

  Carina hopped onto the lowered rear ramp and climbed inside the Galatine. The long, lonely walk through the central corridor of the sword-shaped vessel seemed to take forever. It provided far too much opportunity for her mind to wander and dwell upon all the ways their mission could fail.

  Doubts gnawed at her. Was she ready? Did she deserve to be in command of the Galatine, a ship that had never failed in its duty, unlike her? She remembered what Carter had told her, that he trusted her with his life. It wasn’t just words. If he could believe in her, she would somehow have to find the strength to believe in herself.

  Carina entered the bridge, and the officers on deck all snapped to attention. Brodie Kaur was at tactical, reunited with his gopher, TAYLOR. Cai Cooper was at ops, his argumentative bot, TOBY, hovering next to the half-moon console. Amaya Reid was at navigation. ADA was docked to the console, ready to assist the genius pilot. Lyra was seated at the auxiliary station to the left of the captain’s chair. She was somber and severe, her battle uniform laden with nano-stims. A medical kit lay at her feet.

  Carina then looked for their engineering officer and found HARPER at the bank of stations aft of the bridge. The machine’s cast-metal face could not smile, frown, or express emotion of any kind, but HARPER’s eyes were alive. Carina could sense the sentient robot’s determination and anxiety, too, but fear was nothing to be afraid of. Fear is what kept them alive and sharp. Fearing the terrible consequences of failure would drive them all to succeed.

  Finally, there was her new XO. The Royal Overseer stood waiting for Carina beside her command chair. The warrior had remained in his ceremonial battle uniform, complete with a lavish Tyrian purple cloak. His War Spear was propped up against the tactical console. It was sensible to bring the weapon, but Carina knew that their circumstances would be dire if the Overseer were forced to use it.

  “The ship reports ready, ma’am,” the Overseer said, forgoing the informal use of ‘Nefer Carina’ on account of his new position.

  “Thank you, XO,” Carina replied, stepping into the bridge’s center.

  KACEY warbled a greeting, and Carina winked at her gopher. She was docked into the cubby next to her command chair, a shimmering tactical battle map emanating from her holo emitter.

  The Overseer then noticed the blade that Carina had attached to her armor at the small of her back, between her pistol and heavy cavalry sword. It was the Aternien-alloy dagger that the Overseer had earned when he’d attained the rank of Warden, and had later given to Carina.

  “You still have it?” the Overseer queried, pointing to the weapon.

  “I thought it might be useful for close-quarters encounters,” Carina replied. Then she realized the weapon was not hers to wield, and she removed it from her armor. “But you should have it back,” she added, offering the blade to the Overseer.

  “It belongs to you now,” the Overseer said, bowing his head low and taking his eyes off her. “May it serve you well.”

  Carina replaced the weapon, hoping she wouldn’t have cause to use it, and then faced the viewscreen. It displayed the Mega London skyline, though an inset image showed the assault fleet waiting for their arrival. She checked the time. The Old Aterniens would be there in less than forty minutes, which meant she was already running late.

  “What are your orders, Master Commander?” the Overseer asked.

  Carina exhaled, trying to expel as many doubts, anxieties, and pent-up frustrations as she could in one breath.

  “Assume your post, XO,” Carina said, her voice suddenly hard like iron. “And take us to Battle Stations.”

  TWENTY

  TRUST IN ME

  The healing rains had reached Egypt by the time Carter was airborne in the Orla Raeb. He watched the nano-infused water stream across the cockpit glass and shook his head in wonder. Less than an hour ago, he’d been touring an ancient mortuary temple beneath sun-bleached skies. Seeing the heavens open above him made it hard to believe he was in the same country.

  Carter pursued the Queen’s Griffin-class interceptor as it weaved a circuitous course back to the Dune City, his gaze ever watchful for threats on the horizon. Gunships patrolled the desert around the major settlements, but each craft had responded to his ID challenge and showed no signs of aggression.

  Similarly, the anti-aircraft batteries that only days ago would have tracked his ship and tried to shoot it down were silent. The reversion therapy was working. Life on the planet was steadily returning to normal, rain in the desert notwithstanding. Apophis had managed to fracture the Union and deliver death and destruction on a scale previously unimaginable, but although chaos was rising, the tide could still turn. Everything hinged on this last mission.

  The hidden door leading into the Dune City opened, and Carter landed the Orla Raeb beside the Griffin. The Royal Overseer had already departed for Mega London in his Khepri fighter. While the Queen had chosen the scenic route back to the Dune City, the Overseer had made a rapid, low-orbit transition to Mega London. The officer was likely already in the city and perhaps even already on board the Galatine.

  Carter stepped outside with JACAB hovering at his side, his red eye dipped forlornly. The gopher knew he would not accompany Carter on the New Aternus mission. The bot could achieve nothing that Monique and her Aternien technology could not, and Carter saw no reason to risk his friend’s life. JACAB’s melancholy was partly due to this knowledge but also because he was worried about Carina and KACEY.

  Carter understood how JACAB felt. It was difficult to watch others charge into battle and be powerless to influence the outcome. He pulled the bot closer and hugged him, hoping to comfort the sentient machine. At the same time, he knew no tonic could ease the pain JACAB was experiencing.

  As Master General and Commandant of the Longsword Academy, Carter had accepted the burden of command. He’d come to terms with giving up his spot on the bridge of a warship to train the next generation of Master Officers and that they would replace him on the battlefield. As seemed to have happened so often during his long life, his plans had not worked out as intended.

  Perhaps this is for the best, Carter thought as he approached Monique in the hangar bay. I was never intended to sit on the sidelines and command others in battle. A simple soldier, that’s what I am. That’s what I do best. So, I will fight, perhaps for the last time.

  Monique took Carter’s arm, and the Queen guided them into the depths of the Dune City, where the portal device that would transport them two thousand light years to New Aternus lay waiting. Entering the basement level, Carter noticed the Ushabti statues arranged around the portal device.

  He remembered what each of the Ushabti represented. The tiny houses provided a home for the souls of the dead in the afterlife. The golden lions protected them against malevolent forces, such as the forces of chaos Apophis embodied. The figurines were designed in the image of the soon-to-be dead to house their Ka - their vital essence - as their life force journeyed to the afterlife. Finally, two gold stelae detailed their titles and accomplishments and contained spells to ensure safe passage into the nether realm.

  The two Aterniens who would sacrifice their lives so that Monique and Carter could be transported to Apophis’ underground palace were not yet present, and Carter was glad of this. Perhaps that was cowardly, but he didn’t want to see their faces, at least not yet. It was a bitter pill that people had to die for their mission even to begin. He knew there was no other way. And he knew the two Aterniens, scarred beyond healing by the loss of Old Aternus and all those they held dear, had willingly chosen death, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

  That only two stelae were present around the portal device was also a chilling reminder that their mission was a one-way trip. Whether they succeeded or failed in stopping Apophis, there was no coming back, at least not via the portal. If he and Monique were victorious, Apophis would be de-throned, and a new Queen would rule over the Aternien people. If they were thwarted in that goal, Carter and Monique would die in the Serpent King’s throne room.

  Oddly, this bleak fact did not concern Carter. If the mission failed, it would mean the end of the Union and the extinction of the human race. There was no return from a catastrophe of that magnitude, and no future that would be worth his living in. He would rather die, giving every last drop of his augmented blood to the fight, than retreat and live on with the disgrace of defeat.

  In addition to the portal device and the tributes and offerings surrounding it, Khemhotep and Amenmose were also waiting for them. The Aternien artisans and bladesmiths had set up shop in the basement and worked non-stop to create the weapons and armor that Carter and Monique would carry into battle.

  Two shop mannequins stood beside a pair of gilded changing screens. One mannequin wore a new set of armor explicitly crafted for the Queen, while the second contained additional components designed to augment Carter’s battle uniform and provide greater protection.

  Carter studied the Queen’s new armor and immediately disliked it. Its elegance and artistry were undeniable, and the craftsmanship unrivaled, but the armor was too light for Carter’s liking. The base was a dark jumpsuit with bare arms and a plunging neckline, almost like a bodice.

  Carter felt the material and was not reassured. It was a heavy Aternien nano-fiber that sparkled with flecks of malachite and lapis lazuli. Gold Aternien alloy was woven into the material like chainmail, but many areas were still exposed. A bird-wing cape was draped over the suit’s armored shoulders like a shawl, and the armor was complemented by a winged golden helm, both references to Maat, Monique’s Goddess persona.

  “Are you certain about this armor?” Carter said as the Queen approached, ready to don the suit in place of her regal dress. “It’s beautiful, but we’ll be facing Montu, Immortals, and Medjay, not to mention Apophis himself. I’d prefer it if you wore something heavier.”

  “Do not be concerned, Nefer Carter. This will serve me well,” Monique said as Khemhotep removed the items from the mannequin and placed them behind the changing screen. With this, and with you by my side, I have everything I need.” She nodded toward the second mannequin. Now you should dress also. Then I have a gift for you.”

  Monique disappeared behind the changing screen before Carter could protest. He grumbled under his breath and strode to the second mannequin. The thick cuirass, grieves, and vambraces were precisely the sort of heavier armor that Carter had wanted Monique to wear.

  “Please step behind the screen, General,” Amenmose said, bowing his head to Carter.

  “There’s no need,” Carter grunted, still sore about the disparity between his and the Queen’s armor. “You can strap it on here.”

  “As you wish, General,” Amenmose replied, showing deference to Carter.

  The artisan offered the breastplate section to Carter’s chest, and the armor snapped into place as if it were alive and knew instinctively where it should fit. His battle uniform adapted to the extra pieces, and despite the added bulk, the enhanced armor didn’t feel particularly heavy.

  While he was flexing his arms and shoulders and getting used to his new components, Monique reappeared, wearing her new armor. Amenmose dropped to his knees and bowed his head, awed by the sight of the warrior Queen dressed for battle. Carter couldn’t blame the artisan for his reaction. Monique looked breathtaking. She was beautiful but dangerous, like a storm on the horizon, its gathering clouds and flashes of lightning mesmerizing and ominous.