Infinitys end, p.26
Infinity's End, page 26
“If we can change your mind, maybe it’s not too late for all the other Athru out there,” Evie said. She was finding it harder and harder to breathe. “But I’ll leave that…in more capable hands.”
I think you have done right by all those you’ve lost. All of them would be proud of you.
Evie nodded, her breathing becoming heavier as the wind picked up and the ship shuddered again. At any moment they’d lose artificial gravity and she’d be sucked out into nothingness. But by then she’d already be gone. That was okay, she thought. Not a terrible way to go. At least she got to see the stars one more time.
Her eyelids became heavy and she could feel consciousness fading. “Here…we…go,” she finally managed to say before slipping away.
39
Cas held his head in his hands. Just after launching the missile they’d managed to ride the edge of the system before the effects caught up with them, thanks only to Zenfor’s technology. He almost wanted to fire three more into the system, just to give the Athru that many more creatures to deal with. But the good news was many of their ships had been focused around the city-ship, and thus would be caught in the creature’s pull, just like Tempest had been back at the Excel Nebula. One thing was for sure, it was the end of intergalactic space travel for the Athru in that system. An end to their planet and star-killing weapons and an end to all the death they’d brought. He just hoped Saturina had made it safely.
“Sir,” Zaal said. Cas looked up. “Long-range scanners report Earth has just been destroyed.”
Cas shot up in his seat. “What? How?”
“Seems to be a blast from the primary ship, before it succumbed to its damage.”
“Goddammit,” Cas said. “She’s still alive. We have to go back.”
“We can’t, sir,” Hank said. “Even if there was a possibility she was still alive, we’re stuck outside the system, a hundred light-year radius. There’s no way we could get to her.”
“Also,” Zaal said, though he was hesitant. “I’m showing the interdimensional tear has consumed the Athru city-ship. If she was on it—"
Cas slumped back down in his chair. They’d escaped virtually unscathed, destroying their enemies in the process. And all it had cost him was three people he cared about. Perhaps that was the true meaning of being captain—being willing to take the losses so no one else would have to. But still it didn’t make him feel any better.
“And, sir?”
Cas looked up. The rest of the bridge crew were sneaking glances at him. Probably trying to figure out how much stress he could take before he cracked. Samiya’s eyes were full of pity, which part of him was grateful for and another part of him hated. “Go ahead.”
“We’re receiving a transmission from the Sanctuary.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Cas said.
“I am not,” Zaal replied.
“Where are our allied ships?” he asked.
“Still with us, nineteen made it out of the system.” Cas furrowed his brow then made a motion with his hand to allow the transmission.
On the screen ahead of them the image of Dracsal appeared again. “Captain,” he said.
“I thought we weren’t to have any more contact,” Cas growled.
“The evidence suggests you have not only stopped the Athru threat—but you also destroyed the Athru’s ability to counteract interdimensional weapons. It was not a feat we thought possible.”
“What?” Cas asked. “What ability?”
“When our ships entered your system, they scanned the third planet, the terraformed one.”
“We called it Earth,” Cas said.
“Our intel indicates the Athru have been busy. They had converted the planet into a lens that could close all of the interdimensional tears at once. Those tears are so deep, it would take the entire force of a planet to focus that much energy back into repairing the space-time continuum. It is the reason none of our ships used any trans-dimensional weapons in the battle. We knew they would be ineffective.”
“She did it,” Cas whispered. He hadn’t even realized the Athru could have countered them, but he should have figured. Especially since Tempest had already used those weapons on them once before. Somehow Evie had finished the mission anyway, saving them all.
“It also seems your situation has caused something of a…split among my people.”
“You mean the ships that stayed to help, regardless of your orders,” Cas replied.
“Yes,” Dracsal said. “My people have some discussions ahead of us. The loss of sixty ships, almost two thousand souls—though many escaped into the space beneath before it was too late—and the defection of another twenty-five was not something we anticipated.”
“Will they be judged?” Cas asked.
“Undecided. But I should tell you we destroyed the other Coalition ship, once the Sargan deception was discovered. There were no survivors.”
Cas couldn’t blame them for it, and he didn’t suspect there were any other humans on the ship anyway. Rutledge had been the only one he’d ever seen, the rest being species from all over the Sargan Commonwealth. “I’m sorry for your losses,” Cas said. “Had your ships just listened...”
He made a dismissive noise. “Given these developments, and the fact your species has shown promise, I’ve been authorized to open a formal dialogue with your people,” Dracsal said. “However, you are not to re-enter Sil territory. We consider our space sovereign.”
Cas couldn’t tell if that was good news or not. At least he could be reasonably sure they wouldn’t be fighting another war on a second front. “But perhaps, in time, that will change.” Dracsal added.
“I hope so.”
“Then we will speak again soon,” he replied. The comm ended and the viewscreen went back to normal.
“The Sil ships following us have changed course,” Zaal said. “Back toward Thislea.”
“What the hell was that?” Cas asked.
“An invitation?” Samiya offered.
“Or maybe just a first step,” Hank said.
Cas shook his head. “If only they’d stepped up sooner maybe we wouldn’t have had to pay such a high price.”
“There’s an old Untuburu saying,” Zaal said. “Best not to dwell on what could have been, but rather what is.”
Cas cut his eyes to him. “Are you telling me to shut up and take whatever wins come my way?”
“Perhaps not so crudely,” Zaal replied.
Cas rubbed the back of his neck. If they weren’t headed back for Sil space they needed to figure out their next move. “Keep us on course for—hell, I don’t even know. Just keep us on course. I’m going to get some rest.” He stood, walking over to the hypervator. He wasn’t even sure what they should be doing. He should be celebrating—they’d just beaten their worst enemy. So why did he feel like a complete shit?
The hypervator doors opened, and Cas had to do a double take. Standing before him, with her hand on her head was Saturina, a grimace on her face. “What—?” Cas asked, his eyes going wide.
“That son of a bitch jumped me,” she said. “It took them ten minutes to wake me back up. I’m going to have a huge lump—” Her words were cut off by Cas’s lips on hers. He’d never felt so glad to see a friendly face in his life. She returned the kiss, pressing herself into him as if she hadn’t seen him in months. He finally pulled away, gasping for breath.
“I can’t believe you’re still here,” he said. “I thought—”
“I thought I was going too,” she said. “Even though I really didn’t want to. But he said I deserved happiness, as well.”
“Wait,” Cas said, his heart falling into his stomach. “Who jumped you?”
***
Zenfor blinked, her eyes fluttering. She felt a quick rush of adrenaline as soon as she realized she wasn’t in sickbay anymore. Instead, her eyes had focused on the ceiling of a shuttle. The pain in her chest had subsided, but she could tell she still wasn’t a hundred percent yet. She pushed that to the side for a moment and instead tried to sit up.
“Easy.” Xax’s face came into view. She held one of her hands out to help guide Zenfor up.
“Doctor?” Zenfor asked.
“Just give yourself a minute,” she replied. “You’re going to be a little groggy.”
Zenfor rubbed her head. A cool breeze blew through the end of the shuttle, teasing her fine hair. “Are we on—Claxia Prime?”
Xax nodded. “The shuttle barely made it down before everything went to hell.”
“The Athru—” she began.
“Have been taken care of, don’t worry. There were only a few on this planet when the tide turned, and they succumbed to the hidden human resistance groups here. I’d be surprised if there is an Athru alive anywhere on the planet.”
“Why am I here?” she asked, glancing around. Dusk was just beginning to fall outside. The wind had a bit of a chill to it, even against her normally impervious skin. Beyond the shuttle, an orange sun’s light had disappeared behind some distant clouds and a bluish-purple mountain range in the distance. In a way it reminded her of Thislea. “I’ve never seen this place before.”
“It’s a beautiful planet, to be sure. The Claxians take care of their home, and they have some of the most expansive libraries anywhere in the Coalition. I’ve spent most of my time here in one,” Xax said. “As to why you’re here, you’d have to ask Caspian. He was the one who insisted.”
“Caspian?” she asked. “Wanted me here?” She stood on shaky legs. “I never asked—”
Zenfor.
“Sesster,” she whispered. A smile had formed on Xax’s small lips, but as soon as she saw Zenfor had noticed, she wiped it from her face.
“He’s out there, waiting for you,” she replied.
Zenfor took a few steps and emerged in the cool, clean air, taking a deep breath. There was an aroma on the air she couldn’t place, but she wouldn’t call it unpleasant. It wasn’t unlike the dosi fields of Rustak Province. She caught sight of him at once and couldn’t help but feel joy spread through her limbs. He was really here; he was still alive. After all this time. She walked forward, approaching Sesster and the person she presumed had piloted the shuttle down, who stood just off to the side, gazing at the sunset.
“I suppose I should thank you,” she said.
“Oh, yeah,” Dorsey Ryant said. “No problem. I’ve always wanted to see this place.” He sighed. “My new home.”
“Home? Why not just return to Tempest?” she asked.
Because, Sesster said. Undercurrent travel is no longer possible in this system. In order to defeat the Athru they used a trans-dimensional weapon. It was the only way.
Zenfor couldn’t get over hearing his voice again. We have a lot of catching up to do, she replied. But looking at Ryant, she was surprised he would sacrifice his future for her. “You and Xax, you’re stuck here.”
He nodded and shrugged at the same time. “There are other humans here, so it’s not so bad. Beautiful place to live. After a life of flying in the void of space, it’s nice to have sunsets to look forward to. And these guys are the best intellectuals in the galaxy!” He gestured to Sesster. For the first time, Zenfor noticed other Claxians standing behind him, huddled in small groups, apparently conversing.
Xax had come out of the shuttle as well and stood off to the side. “And what of you, doctor? Do you not wish to return to the ship?”
“I left it in good hands,” Xax said, crossing her top arms. “Plus, I’ve had enough war. I hadn’t exactly planned for this, but I find when life offers you an opportunity, you take it. Yax-Inax are naturally curious people, and there’s a whole world’s worth of information to discover here. I just need to find a translator.”
“I’m sure we can work that out, doc. One of these humans has to be receptive to them,” Ryant said, clapping Xax on the back. She forced a smile and inched away from the jubilant human.
Zenfor turned her attention back to Sesster. You came to me in a dream.
I did. I hope that wasn’t too forward of me, he replied.
I am grateful you are alive. And that we have this time together.
He drew closer to her. So am I. When you’re ready, I can show you a place where you will find absolute solitude, free from the burdens of others.
Zenfor glanced around. It seemed like a beautiful place to live the rest of her life. That will be nice for a while. But…perhaps not all the time. Sesster didn’t need a face for her to know he was pleased. She could feel it.
You have other things in mind? he asked.
Perhaps, she replied. But there is no rush. For now, let us enjoy our time.
40
“Not too long ago,” Cas said, standing on the dais in front of eighty percent of the crew of the Tempest, “Someone told me when they died, they wanted to be returned home. At the time I didn’t think anything of it—because I never considered any one place my home. I may have been born on Earth, but I’ve spent most of my life on one side of an imaginary border in space or another.” He shot a glance to Saturina, smiling from the front row, Box right beside her. He’d performed a quick check to make sure she hadn’t sustained any permanent damage from when Ryant had stolen the shuttle from her. Apparently, the man had literally jumped into the shuttle, knocked her out and then tossed her into Box’s arms as the door was closing. There hadn’t been time for anyone to do anything about it.
“But today I think about that conversation differently. We all do. Most of us in this room had descendants that originated from Earth, and now we must face the fact that it is gone.” He paused, looking at the casket situated beside the airlock. The last time he’d been in this room he’d been unable to speak—unable to articulate what loss meant to him.
“Captain Cordell Greene was the best the Coalition had to offer. He was what we all aspire to be: a model Coalition citizen. But he never knew the truth: that the planet he called home wasn’t the place where our people originated. That it was a lifeboat—a saving grace gifted by the Claxians over three thousand years ago. And when I think back to his request, I can only hope he’ll forgive me for committing him to the stars instead. Out there somewhere is a world that birthed the human race—a world long lost to history. So, it seems fitting that in returning him to the stars, in a way, we are returning him back home—to a place none of us have, or will ever see.”
There were a few nods among the audience, and some tears from some of the crew that had been with the ship from the beginning. Tyler looked especially misty-eyed.
“We do this in the hope that he will find his way home, one day.” The entire congregation stood, performing the Coalition salute all at the same time. Box’s metal hand on his chest clanged through the cavernous room. “Captain Cordell Greene, may your journey beyond be helmed with a steady hand, a vigorous heart, and a sharp mind.” Cas nodded to the color guard who guided the casket to the launcher, and ushered it through, pulling a tattered Coalition flag from the top as they did. They folded the flag gingerly, then returned to their original positions. Out the window, the casket floated in the vacuum of space a moment, then took off with a flash, having been outfitted with a miniature undercurrent generator courtesy of the Engineering team. It wouldn’t last forever, but it was one hell of a last ride.
Everyone lowered their hands and faced Cas again.
“For the first time in our known history, we have to stand on our own two feet. No longer do we have the safety net of the Claxians, and our allies are scattered and afraid. But we’re not going to give up. The Athru tried to take something essential from us, and they failed. It is up to us to rebuild our Coalition and avoid the mistakes of the past.” He glanced across the room, staring into the faces of these people who had become his friends, his family, sensing that it was their diversity that gave them their strength. Untuburu, Bulaq, Dorsai, Robot, Human—they all complimented each other. “Knowing our future is in your hands, the hands of this incredible crew that has withstood and persevered through so much, I have to believe Captain Greene would be proud. Thank you all for coming.”
Everyone began to file out, but the senior staff stayed behind. “Zaal,” Cas said, heading over to the Untuburu who stood beside Samiya and Hank, speaking in low tones.
“I enjoyed your speech,” he replied. “It was very…optimistic.”
“Did you get in contact with the High Priestess?”
Zaal nodded. “And I sent the evidence you requested. She’s ready to speak with us and has agreed not to fire on the ship when we return. I believe in time Untu and its colonies will be receptive to reconciliation.”
“I agree,” Cas said. Pulling the Coalition worlds back together after having been cut off from each other for so long would be a difficult task, but he didn’t think it would be impossible.
“And I received a message from Oxical. They have re-opened their trade route with Takar, which will alleviate some pressure on both those systems.”
“Already?” Cas asked. “They must have been desperate.”
“Yes,” Zaal replied. “But the message is being received well throughout most of what used to be Coalition territory.”
“How many more Athru ships do you think are still out there?” Hank asked.
“I don’t know, but considering it’s been five days and we haven’t seen any blowback yet, I’d say they’re probably laying low, trying to figure out how to respond.”
“And if they come out fighting?” he asked.
“We have the weapons to defeat them, especially now they’ve lost their primary advantage. Once everyone realizes their planets are no longer in danger of being destroyed, they’ll fight back.” Cas turned to Samiya. “What of Yax-Inax?”
“They’re sending an envoy ship to meet us, to escort us back to their system for the time being,” she replied.
“Good. I want to get these weapons on as many allied ships as we can as fast as possible. As soon as the Sargans realize what’s happened…”
“…they’ll want to take advantage of the situation,” Hank replied. “Don’t worry. Even with those weapons we’ll be ready for them. Tempest is still the fastest ship in existence, we can run circles around them.”
