Mac smiled grimly. “You didn’t think we could learn zero g vacuum work nearly this fast, did you? They know what they’re in for, what’s at risk. We blow this and it could be their families who get roasted when that Sassan fleet hits.”
“But the odds, MacRuder, how do you keep their morale up when they know that nine chances out of ten they’ll be dead within a week?”
“Because they’ve been there before, Commander.” Mac rubbed the stubble on his chin. “They’re betting on themselves, that they’re good enough to do the job, and get out alive. They trust me ... and you ... but most of all, they trust themselves.”
“Sounds like a fool’s trust to me.”
“Maybe. On the other hand, we’ve pulled it off each time we’ve had to. Decker Mine, Vespa, your attack, Makarta Mountain. Yes, they know they were winning when you ordered us out. Each time they’re beaten, they reach down inside and pull up the raw courage, or someone gets an idea. That’s what keeps us alive. “
“It’s chaos.”
“Think so? Sink calls it command flexibility. Let’s say something goes real wrong when we hit Sassa. Say I’m killed when we take that freighter. Sergeant
First Boyz will continue the operation. I’ve seen her work. She was with me when we took Henck in Kaspa. She’s got a good head on her shoulders and she thinks on her feet.
“In the dark, in the vacuum of space, is a whole different thing. And making an open assault at lightspeed has to be experienced to be believed. I’ve seen a lot of good spacers break, paralyzed with fear.”
“We’ll manage. Just like being buried in Makarta Mountain. Boyz kept her cool then, too. Thought up mindless things to keep people busy so they didn’t dwell on where they were. She’s adaptable and she’ll probably take over the First Targan one of these days. “
Rysta growled something uncomplimentary to herself. Mac turned his attention back to the training exercise. He changed his comm access. “Boyz?”
“Here, Mac. “
“Kill their battle comm. Let’s see how they do in the dark vacuum if they can’t communicate. “Affirmative. “
Rysta started and glared at Mac. “What are you doing? There’s nothing like that in the training manual. I don’t think that’s ever happened in a combat situation. “
“Maybe not. But it could.
“You’re a real bastard, aren’t you?”
Mac squinted as the Groups moving through the inky blackness began to hesitate and bunch up. “Yeah, and they’d better figure it out right now ... before they have to do it when Sassans are shooting at them.
Mykroft paced up and down the center of the room. For a prison, it could have been worse; but a prison, to him, remained a prison. A gravcouch, gravchair, and comm system lined one wall. A dispenser allowed him to order whatever he wanted to eat or drink. He had the wall holo programmed for the Regan skyline at dawn. Morning sun slanted down over the shining buildings, and a lilac odor perfumed the air. In the rear, the door led to a sleeping platform, lavatory, and toilet. His personal possessions had all been delivered by polite, efficient young men who had carefully removed his weapons in the process.
As always, he wore his dress uniform, a gleaming scarlet jacket with a snow-white sash and his insignia of office. Perfectly tailored trousers led down to slim black boots that accented his*small feet.
He pulled himself upright, clasping his hands behind his back. He had been born more than a century ago, the patrician son of a Regan industrialist, a true member of the aristocracy, and he carried himself as such, tall, straight -shouldered, and lean. His thin mustache was kept immaculate and curled. Had he had a choice in quarters, he’d have asked for more opulent surroundings. Nevertheless, for a prison, this wasn’t bad.
“But it’s still a prison!” He walked over and slammed an angry fist into the door. Despite his many attempts, he couldn’t make the lock plate work. The comm would allow him to access Henck, Arnson, and Adam-prisoners in similar quarters to these. Together, they cursed Sinklar Fist.
Mykroft growled to himself and resumed his pacing. What was the purpose? Where did all of this lead? Had Minister Takka wanted to execute him, she’d had more than ample opportunity. So what was scheming Ily up to? Keeping them on ice for public humiliation before she tried him?
He heard the door snick and whirled, the object of his thoughts striding into the room.
“First Mykroft! How good to see you again,” Ily greeted, smiling warmly. Behind her, the door snicked shut again.
“Minister Takka,” Mykroft inclined his head slightly.
Ily glanced around. “I trust the rooms are to your satisfaction?”
“It’s still a prison.”
Ily lifted an eyebrow. “Hardly. But then I can understand how you could think that. No, my dear First. It’s nothing of the sort. Had I wanted you imprisoned,
I would have simply placed you in a facility—or in the collar. “
“Then why am I and my colleagues being held?” Careful, don’t antagonize her. You’re dealing with the most powerful woman in the Empire.
Ily gave him a wry smile, turning to walk over to the comm. She ran her fingers lightly across the monitor. “You-and your associates-are here for your own protection. And, in the end, perhaps that of the Empire.”
“Oh, really?”
She shot him a measuring glance. “Indeed, really.” She came to stand before him, her gaze piercing. “You don’t think I want to see all we’ve built fall to the likes of Sinklar Fist, do you?”
“I thought he was your tool.”
Her expression reflected amusement. “For the moment, he’s serving a purpose. What I came here to find out is, will you serve one, too? I meant it when I said I didn’t want the Empire to fall to him and his egalitarian ideas. You have a stake in maintaining the status, don’t you? You stand to lose all that the aristocracy has gained over the centuries.”
Mykroft frowned. “Then why not simply assassinate him and get it over with?”
“Because he’s still serving a purpose, and I’ll keep him so long as he does. I’ll keep anyone who serves me. Those who don’t, well.... Let’s not talk about that. I’m sure you understand.”
A blade of ice passed through Mykroft’s soul.
Ily reached into her belt pouch and produced a data crystal. “Sinklar is conducting military exercises at Tarcee Estate. Yesterday, he demolished Dion Axel’s Division. This morning, his Targans are doing the same to Lute and DeGamba’s Divisions. This is the record of yesterday’s Regan rout. I’ll forward the records of today’s as soon as I have them.”
mykroft took the crystal. “And what do you wish me to do with it?”
Ily’s smile went glacial. “Study it, Mykroft. Copies are being delivered to your comrades for similar study. Learn everything you can about Sinklar’s tactics. I want you and your colleagues to be able to think like Sinklar, command like Sinklar.” She paused. “Win like Sinklar. His tactics work and you know it . . . all of you do. You’ve been on the receiving end. It’s a new way, Mykroft, and, like it or not, your life depends on how well you can learn to use it. “
With that, she turned and walked to the door, slapping the lock plate with her hand. As she stood in the open doorway, she added, “You have a lot to gain by mastering his tactics.”
After she’d left, Mykroft slapped the plate. The door remained firmly in place.
He clutched the cube in his hand, tendons knotting. I’m no fool, Ily. Sinklar’s as dangerous to you as he was to me. Very well, I understand the game. Yes, I’ll study., and learn to fight on Sinklar’s new battleground. And when you’re ready to replace him, I’ll be ready to step into his shoes.
“Look, I know you’re having problems,” Vet said, spreading his palms as he leaned forward over the wreckage of his lunch. “’Marka and I would like to help. You know, just loan you some credits. Rot it all, you can’t spend your life in the women’s restroom.”
Anatolia laughed and rolled her h
alf-empty stassa cup back and forth in her hands. They sat in the second floor cafeteria. Around them a constant chatter of conversation rose and fell as the lunch crowd ebbed and flowed amidst a clatter of trays and a scraping of chairs. Beyond the tactite windows, rain slicked the fire-gutted building across the street.
“I know.” She smiled wearily. “Vet, I can’t take your money. You and Marka are just barely making ends meet now. No, don’t interrupt. I know what you make, and what you need to survive. Loaning me anything would wipe out that little bit you keep in case of emergency. “
“But you can’t-“
“Vet! I’m fine! I’m also broke. The medical charge cleaned out my account. Then I got socked for the damage to my apartment. That comes right off the top of the allotment each month. It’s either this, or I’m out of the program. I’ve spent too many years of hard work to throw it all away. If it means sleeping on a restroom bench, by the Blessed Gods, I’ll pay that price. “
Vet slapped the table and leaned back. “Look at you. You’re half-starved. Your clothes are wearing out. What are you going to do when those holes get bigger?”
“Steal something from the specimens in the vaults. The older ones came in those funny blue smocks. I’ll strip a couple of bodies-they won’t mind-and sew something together.”
“And what about eating? You gonna cut up a corpse for that, too?”
“Don’t be a fool. They’re full of preservatives.” She tried to keep her face deadpan but broke into sputtering laughter at his expression.
He finally chuckled, too, then sobered. “All right, last offer. Marka and I thought you wouldn’t take a loan. Look, it’s a small place, only two rooms. You’d be out front on the fold out couch, but it would beat-“
“No way.”
“No way? You haven’t even heard me out. Look, I have to drive it every day anyway, you wouldn’t be any burden. That’s what friends are for. Someday the tables may be turned. Maybe I’ll be the one in trouble and you’ll be there when I need you. Honest, I talked it over with Marka and we’re agreed that you staying there for a couple of months wouldn’t be anything at all.”
“The answer is no. It’s a wonderfully kind offer, Vet, but I know how much strain you’re under. Even a good relationship like you and Marka have gets pulled pretty thin with a baby. And you’ve got year-end exams coming up. I’m doing fine. I’ve got heat, lights, running water, a comfortable place to sleep, and full-time security. What more do I need?”
“You’re. . . .” Vet shook his head. “Where’d you get the guts, Ana? You’re not the woman I once knew.”
She stared vacantly into her stassa cup. “No, I’m not. Things changed when I was in the street. I saw what life can be like. 1. - - .” She stopped herself and tossed down the last of her cold stassa. “Can we talk about something else?”
He eyed her uncertainly. “I’d give a year’s credit to know what happened to you out there.” “SeriouslyTI could buy a ticket home and leave this place behind. Maybe the life of a farmer wouldn’t be so bad after all.”
“Knock it off. Every time someone asks you something serious, you’ve got a smart remark to shut them down. Whoa! Don’t get that look. Just tell me one more thing and we’ll change the subject, all right? Good. Here goes: Why can’t you just talk to people like you used to? You’ve ... well, kind of withdrawn. Locked yourself inside when you used to be the life of the party.”
She tilted her head, trying to order feelings and experiences into a string of words he’d understand. ‘Vet, it’s because well, there’s no common ground now. My reality changed out there. The people in the lab, you yourself. You’ve never been threatened, never been hungry or scared. You’ve never had it.... I mean, you’ve never been out there, without anything. Without. . . .”
He frowned at her, thumping the table with his thumb. “You call starving through school easy? Blessed Gods, Ana, we have to study for ten hours a day ... and then there’s the lab work. On top of that, I’ve got to do my share at the house. Take care of the baby. If I wanted it easy, I could take a job with one of the utilities splicing comm lead, or tuning receivers, and come home at night and relax.”
She nodded and smiled. “Yes, I guess you do have it pretty tough. And that’s why I can’t take your offer to move in. Now, let’s change the subject.” Because you’re my last friend and I don’t want to lose you over your own stupidity.
“Okay, Ana. So like ... well.... What’s the project you’ve got locked up in your drawer?”
She gave him what she hoped was a disarming smile. “I’m mapping DNA sequences from a specimen. “
He gave her a wooden look. “Right. And that’s why the only person in the complex who can access the file besides yourself is Adam. Why are you being so secretive?”
“It’s my research, that’s why. And, Vet, I’m not sure what I’ve got. If it turns out to be something simple and boring, I don’t want to look like an idiot in front of everyone. I do my idiot act well enough without adding to my repertoire.” And if you knew half of what I’ve found-and about who-you’d crap your guts.
“Adam hasn’t told you you’re being an idiot with this line of research?”
She shook her head, lying with a guile that shocked her. “Not yet, but when I showed him the preliminary results, he gave me that down-the-nose look, like he’d seen me for the first time. You know that look. It means something significant-like you’re either about to be given a permanent position with the Lab ... or handed reassignment papers informing you that your next job will be with the sanitation engineers measuring water ph in the sewage plants.”
Vet pursed his lips. “You haven’t been dropped from the program yet and it’s been weeks. Maybe you’ve got your project after all. Do it right, and you could really get that appointment to the lab.”
“I think the results will be very interesting.” But what in pus-Rotted hell do I do with them? Anatolia gave Vet a silly distracting smile while shivers tugged at her nerves.
“One of the constants of physics is that energy can never be destroyed. We accept that mass and energy are interrelated, or else null singularity drives would not be possible. If energy cannot be destroyed, it is the one eternal, even beyond time, for the entire universe can be collapsed into a gravitational singularity. When the universe undergoes the final phase change, and that energy is collected, all that will remain is God.
“This has implications for all of us, for with every observation we make, for every thought in our brains, the quantum state of energy is changed. Since the processes our brains follow are those of quantum physics, we can share God Mind with the rest of the universe. Being part of God, we all share a common reality. Knowing this has implications about the nature of God-not as a benign Creator, but as a consciousness striving to understand just as each of us do.
“ Think of the origin of the universe as the birth of God Mind in this phase of reality. Just as we are born, observe, and learn, so does God. The quanta are the modalities of Its observation. Not only do we share God Mind in our individual existences, we also share God’s quest to understand the reality around us.
“Thinking in such terms, our lives become more meaningful. Each of us has a purpose, and that is to learn, to understand the worlds around us. Our goal is to discover what it means to exist, for with each life, with each beating heart, hope, and dream, we are changing forever the consciousness of God. In doing so, the meaning of morality is changed forever. “
· Excerpt from Kaylla Dawn’s Itreatic broadcasts
CHAPTER 14
The Tarcee Estate had once belonged to Defense Minister Tedor Mathaiison, so Sinklar hadn’t minded taking it over as a military training ground, and if Tedor’s heirs filed a petition, they could have it back when he’d finished. The big room in the sprawling manor house had been very tastefully decorated with shimmering fabrics that hung over alcoves containing elegant serving ware, beverage dispensers, comm centers, and, here and there- ‘arching tactite
windows. The windows opened onto the manicured grounds beyond, now cluttered with LCs, tactical support vehicles, and lounging troops in laser-charred battle armor. Sinklar battled to order his thoughts. Images of Ily dominated his mind, distracting him from the work at hand. Her smile haunted him, promising more of the physical rapture she’d given him last night.
“ Sorry, Sink. There’s no update to give you. We slapped their defenses aside, surrounded their positions, and took the objective in jack-time.” Kap had filled him in on the disaster suffered by the two Regan Divisions which had already fallen to Sinklar’s troops that morning.
Right, so get Ily out of your mind and deal with this. This is what you know.
He crossed his arms and stared at the Division Firsts who sat uneasily around the banquet table in the large dining room of the Tarcee mansion. Ayms, Mayz, Kap, and Shiksta stood in the rear of the room with some of their Section Firsts in attendance.
“Yesterday,” Sinklar began, “the Fourth Targan Assault Division chewed through the Nineteenth Regan.
This morning, Kap’s Third Targan decimated the Ninth Vermilion and the second Ashtan in a little less than two hours. We’ve got a great deal of hard work ahead of us to make this military combat capable.”
Dion Axel cleared her throat.
“Yes?” He studied the haggard looking woman. With rejuvenation, she might have been around thirty, but he’d scanned her bio. Axel was nearly ninety, with fifty years in the military and combat experience in every major campaign Rega had fought. She had her shoulder-length brown hair pulled back in a ponytail, and her face had an angular look.
“My people and I studied the records made of yesterday’s action. It defies every military maxim known to the science of war. Lord Fist, just what is your agenda? Is it really your policy to throw the military into total confusion? You can’t simply toss out hundreds of years of military tradition---especially not if the reports are true that Sassa is mounting a strike against us. “
A murmur of agreement and discontent rose.