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  “With respect, Ichi, your father turned ours down because he was proud and shortsighted. You can’t afford to be,” Europa stated.

  “The only practical difference between us and AI is that they can out-compete us in every category at an exponential rate. The Confederation will be vanquished unless we embrace the same qualities to even the playing field. The Gemini System is the only equalizer we have.” LeRoux gave him a pointed look.

  His mouth was dry, though whether from the heat or Baron LeRoux’s words, he could not tell. His vision blurred and came back into focus, and waves of nausea pervaded his body.

  “You need an army. Taiumikai is devastated, and as I understand it, your rather impressive ship is under-crewed.”

  He shuddered but managed to suppress his shock before it reached his face. How did LeRoux know that? The twins, of course. He met Europa’s gaze as he realized they must have reported everything to him, including how they got here.

  “I call this beautiful machine the Vita-Ex Machina. Spend a week here and it will give you a crew and an army that will be unquenchable.”

  “And what would the price be? My humanity? The humanity of my people?” He felt queasy. LeRoux’s argument made sense, but this was an abomination, a machine that rendered that which made life worth fighting for obsolete.

  “I believe we’ve already discussed the price. I am a man of my word. The price is forty-five-percent of Shiragawa. Do we have a deal?”

  Ichiro stared over at the Vita-Ex, watching it lay down more muscle tissue over the organs and gray, carbon-nanotube reinforced bones of what would soon be Enéas’ rib-cage. It was horrible to behold, and yet an undeniable wonder of science. Could he afford to consider the moral implications of this machine when it could save his House, his barony, and his people?

  He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. The air drained from his lungs in a long, slow whisper.

  “I can’t afford to sell my people out like this. Your machine would turn us into drones.”

  LeRoux’s expression soured. “That is a great pity. I thought you would be wiser than your father, but I’m a practical man. Your half-sister was much more open to a deal.”

  Shock hit him like an icy wave. He looked at Europa as he felt her mood shift from joy to a deep concern. It was so strong that he almost missed the presences approaching behind him. He thought it might be LeRoux’s servants at first, but when he focused on them his eyes shot open in alarm and he spun around with a hand on Hoshinagi.

  LeRoux moved like lightning and struck his temple. His vision blurred as he landed in a heap at the man’s feet. The nausea in his stomach spiked, and he just managed to prevent himself from vomiting as men burst into the room bearing the helix of EpiGenome on their chests. An even bigger shock hit him when he saw Tanaka entering with them. In confusion he looked up at LeRoux.

  “You should have accepted my offer,” the baron said. “I could have protected you from this. However, just like every other short-lived bug calling itself human, you can’t see the forest from the trees.”

  “Ichi—” Europa started for him but her father pointed a finger at her.

  “Don’t you dare try it. This deal is done.” The baron knelt down next to him with cold eyes. His voice seemed to grow distant with every word. “Your uncle arrived here days before you. He told the President all about the ship you blew up, the SS Provenience. President Johnson issued a warrant for your arrest yesterday, though officially you are your own impostor. I shall be dealing with your sister from now on.”

  “Sophi, no.” Ichiro could barely talk around the lump in his throat. His eyes were not coming back into focus. His UI said he was all right but it couldn’t be correct.

  “Ah, yes, your sister.” LeRoux leaned in close, whispering into his ear. “I believe Einaga stated that they were in touch for some time. She’ll likely kill him later, I assume, but he’s too dumb to realize it. Either way, my VEMs will now spread through the Confederation with your fleet. I will save us from the digital monster your parents stupidly unleashed on the galaxy. I will make sure you receive regular updates in your cell, of course—”

  LeRoux abruptly stood up with a frown. He looked puzzled for a moment, then shook his head. “You poisoned him?”

  “Nanomech toxin,” he heard Europa say.

  “I told you he was not to be harmed! Our deal with Sophiathena hinged on him being brought to her alive. You stupid child! I never should’ve given you and your brother free will. You’ve ruined everything!”

  “It seems you won’t be around after all. No matter. In a way, this makes things easier. My foolish creation thinks she’s outwitted me, but she hasn’t. I will deal with your sister. She will still get your special ship and most of what she wanted at least. Since your father was a good friend to me in his own way, I’ll make sure your crew is well treated as long as they don’t resist arrest. Consider it a final courtesy. Farewell, Baron Mitsugawa.”

  With that LeRoux turned on his heel and headed for the door.

  Tanaka moved to his side and knelt down. With a swift, smooth notion he seized Hoshinagi and pulled the blade and scabbard from his obi. He gasped, feeling ice close in around his heart.

  “When it becomes clear a ruler is not qualified to rule it is only logical to remove that ruler in favor of one who is. I told you not to make this deal. Your sister is now the rightful ruler and has promised never to sell Shiragawa or its people. I hope she has more honor and sense than you.” With a final look Tanaka stood and headed for the door.

  Wheezing as his body shut down, Ichiro closed his eyes, feeling them sting with regret as darkness closed in around him.

  Chapter Seven

  Ikuzlu City, Kosfanter

  The Venus Club

  J2400:3230

  The last time Cygni was breathing the same air with so many barons was at the party where they beat Baron Keltan half to death. The room had a thick carpet displaying a complex pattern and a wood-paneled wall with some of Earth and Venus’ most revered paintings hanging between its glow-orbs. It was glass on three sides which let her see both the city and the swimming pool area dominating most of the roof. Dorsky insisted the other bodyguards stay outside among the guests of the club while she and Giselle were in the room to protect, listen, and record.

  The six barons were arranged on the cushioned chairs, love seats, and divans in a rough circle on the red and gold carpet. Dorsky opened the meeting with the usual pleasantries and signaled for her to move by the double-doors leading out to the roof. From there she could make sure no one overrode the lock while watching the room’s only other exit; a nondescript door leading to a short hallway and a staircase.

  “I would like to begin—”

  “You have to end this travel ban.” Baroness Zhào filled the air with her voice. She wore a high-collared green dress with gold dragons that seemed to undulate and swim just below its surface. Her skin was flawless and pale, and looked like it was probably as engineered as the golden skull-cap she wore on her head.

  “Baroness?” Dorsky said with narrowed eyes.

  “The travel ban is killing business,” she said in a striking tone. “The longer those ships sit up there the less they travel—”

  “And the less money you make because they aren’t burning neutronium. Yes, I know, but—”

  “And they aren’t delivering cargo or supplying the capital with goods from around the Spur, either. Prices in the Bazaar are up almost three-hundred percent. Shops around the city are closing their doors two days a week to make their stock last longer. This cannot stand.”

  “I didn’t know you were such a lady of the people,” he responded.

  “She’s right, you know,” Baroness Sophiathena Cronus stated. It took effort for Cygni not to sneer. The baroness had her hood back, and the cold features of her pale face were on display.

  “Are you taking her side, too? It is customary for new members to remain silent for their first meeting.” Dorsky frowned.


  “This isn’t a social club, Caspian,” Zhào stated. “And she is the first new member we have. There is no precedent either way.”

  “Except the one I just set,” Baroness Cronus said with half a smile. “The point stands, Caspian. The ban must be lifted.”

  “Why do you care?” He scanned the faces of his remaining guests, finding no solace in either Baron Xitar’s three yellow eyes, or Baroness Vargas’ brooding countenance, or in Baroness LeRoux’s stern gaze.

  “My personnel cannot reach their off-world assignments. That costs me money,” Baroness Cronus said.

  “And according to you, those responsible for the murders of my father and brother have been found.” Baroness Vargas straightened in her chair. Looking at her, Cygni could almost see her brother’s face. They shared the same red-brown eyes, pronounced nose, and dark-caramel skin. She could only imagine how the woman was suffering with the loss of her two closest kin within months of each other.

  “The Gaians were responsible,” Dorsky said. “They have been punished.”

  “Yes, the Gaians.” Baroness Vargas shot him an acid look. “Would that the Praetor had caught them all so that we could be sure. The High Scion is eager for justice. Perhaps the Praetor could take the last ones alive for questioning. The rest are too dead to confess.”

  “Who among us can control the Abyssian Praetors?” Dorsky asked. “Until the rest of the Gaian terrorists are caught the travel ban must remain in place. We cannot risk the killers getting away. I’m sure Praetor-Prime Augusta will have the matter wrapped up soon. We have much to discuss tonight, and I would like to get to it.”

  “Let’s discuss the recent incident involving the Shiragawa home world and the Mitsugawa succession,” Zhào said. “A terrible tragedy, though it was, the succession has further reaching implications than the death of a single world.”

  Cygni cocked an eyebrow. The woman was out of her mind, and apparently she wasn’t alone in thinking so. Most of the barons in the room displayed shocked expressions.

  “How could the next Mitsugawa possibly overshadow the deaths of so many?” Dorsky asked with a pale face.

  Zhào scowled. “There is nothing we can do about the dead, but Shiragawa had developed a new drive system before their world was destroyed. The one who controls its secrets will be able to—”

  “This is not relevant to what I called you here to discuss,” Dorsky boomed.

  “I disagree, Premier Dorsky. Aside from those secrets, the weakened position of Shiragawa has created options that are best exercised by someone in this room rather than our enemies.”

  “Someone like you?” Dorsky asked with a sneer.

  “Why not? Shiragawa was in the space business and so am I.” She gave him a sharp look.

  “Was?” Baron Xitar buzzed. “They still exist.”

  “But for how long?” she asked the tall Cleebian. “Right now their value is so low it’s clearly only a matter of time before they collapse and are absorbed by someone with the proper vision to see this as an opportunity.”

  Cygni almost missed the secretive smile on Sophi’s face. She had no chance to puzzle what it meant as Dorsky’s voice thundered through the air.

  “We are not here to discuss this. Baron Keltan has asked me to sign over the Treasury to him.”

  “Stop trying to hide your interest. We both know your barony will be one of the bidders once the next session starts,” Zhào shot back.

  “What are you talking about?” Dorsky frowned.

  “Shiragawa has had its heart ripped out by someone with a relativity cannon—”

  “It was the Broghites,” he said.

  “Keep telling us that if you want, but we know the truth.” Zhào fixed him with a withering gaze. “The Brogh would find it inconvenient to attack the Mitsugawa’s stronghold. It is too far from their supply lines. The attackers left the colony worlds in the system intact, and have mysteriously vanished. The Brogh are occupiers, not marauders, so that leads to the conclusion that they were not responsible.”

  “So who was?” His eyes were on fire.

  “It is curious how someone with access to a relativity cannon was involved in the attack on Taiumikai,” the baroness said.

  “And how do you know that?” He glared at her, breathing hard.

  “It is the only weapon that could cause that much devastation without having a whole fleet to bombard the planet. Once again, there is no fleet of such a size in or near Taiumikai at last report, so—”

  “So?” He frowned.

  “Relativity cannons are the ultimate weapons of the military. Someone with the authority to order the secret destruction of an entire planet must be at fault. You are the only one with such an authority. I presume you did it to seize the Shiragawa Zaibatsu for yourself in order to strengthen your position against both Baron Revenant and Baron Keltan. Perhaps you even hoped it would keep me in line.”

  “How dare you!” Dorsky shouted.

  Cygni whistled, drawing all eyes in the room to herself. Realizing what she did, she gritted her teeth and looked to the side until the awkward moment passed. The barons looked annoyed but went back to their conversation.

  Do you think Dorsky’s capable of such a cold-blooded move? She thought.

  “Doubtful,” Giselle responded. “Watch this conversation, he’s barely in control of this meeting. A man who doesn’t have the forethought to choose his conspirators wisely wouldn’t be able to plan the scheme the baroness proposed let alone get away with it. I think Dorsky is smart enough to realize that. Sophi’s been watching his communications for months now. No such order went out.”

  Cygni nodded to herself. If not him, then who?

  “Unless it really was the Brogh changing tactics,” she responded. “But I think Zhào is on to something. She is correct about the ordinance involved and the impracticality to the Brogh fleet to attack a world so deep in Confederate space.”

  “Your accusation is as offensive as it is wrong. Do you really believe I would order the deaths of so many of my own citizens?” Dorsky raised his voice. “Ridiculous! I’ve ordered a full investigation and intend to make whoever was responsible pay for what they’ve done. If I don’t find the culprit I’m sure Shiragawa will. Isn’t that right, Baroness Cronus?”

  Sophi shrugged and the amused look spread across her face. “I’ve appointed Baron Einaga my representative in this matter. I can assure you, Baroness Zhào, that Shiragawa’s future is safe in my hands.”

  “What?” the baroness responded.

  “You know I am Baron Mitsugawa’s sister,” Sophi said.

  Zhào nodded. “Yes, but—”

  “And as the reigning baroness of Shiragawa, I have decided to incorporate Elthroa into the Shiragawa Zaibatsu. Elthroa’s holdings are enough to bolster its value until we have recovered from this disaster. Sorry to ruin your plans, but there will be no bidding on my family’s property. I have every intention of strengthening Shiragawa and turning it into one of the Big Four once more. You’ll have to find another means of eking out a living once the new drive system becomes widely available.”

  Zhào’s lips pressed into a tight line.

  “And I’ll have back that prototype that Einaga gave you without authorization.” Sophi beamed like a cat with a kill. “When Einaga gets back he’ll contact you to make the arrangements.”

  “So, Einaga has resurfaced?” Baron Xitar interrupted before things got heated. The stare between the two women could melt steel.

  Baroness Sophiathena Cronus folded her hands in her lap and stared into the central eye of the Cleebian baron. “He only hid after a dangerous man claiming to be my brother temporarily took control of Shiragawa. Since the impostor vanished into the ether, Einaga was free to re-emerge as my representative.”

  A few moments of silence followed her words as she gave Zhào a cold, hard stare which the other baroness returned in kind.

  She wouldn’t have done all this to take control of Shiragawa, right?
I mean… Billions died… Cygni thought as a terrible hypothesis came to mind.

  “She might,” Giselle responded. “And there’s more to this. Zhào is feeling betrayed.”

  Before she could respond, Baroness LeRoux shifted in her seat. “House Cronus has our full support in this matter.”

  “What?” Zhào’s beautiful face contorted in anger. “What do you have to do with it?”

  “Hose LeRoux is assisting the Shiragawa Zaibatsu in several areas,” she said in a casual tone. She leaned over on her divan, ruffling her blond locks as she shifted her weight towards the armrest. “It is in our barony’s best interest. Shiragawa and EpiGenome have long been allies. Are your plans ruined, Baroness? Maybe you had a hand in Taiumikai’s destruction, or perhaps those were your ships who attacked the system in the wake of the disaster? Do those criminals work for you?”

  Zhào bristled. “What are you talking about? What criminals? How dare you!”

  Once again, the air fell silent for several long moments as the three women exchanged bladed gazes. After a time, Dorsky spoke.

  “We can discuss this later. We must get to the matter at hand. Cylus Keltan has managed to disrupt Zalor’s plans and stands ready to take control of the treasury.”

  “What are you complaining about?” Baroness Vargas asked. “Doesn’t that suit you?”

  “It suits me not at all,” the Premier responded. “If he controls the treasury and continues to run for Premier—”

  “Who cares?” Zhào muttered.

  “We do,” LeRoux responded with an entertained look.

  “This is a disaster. I can’t have Cylus holding the government’s purse strings when he’s running for Premier—and I can’t get rid of him either,” Dorsky said.

  “You were planning on killing him?” Baroness Sophiathena Cronus asked with raised eyebrows.

  “How else was I going to get this stupid idea of ‘Premier Keltan’ out of Zalor’s head? You know how stubborn your father is. However, now that path is closed to us. We need a new plan, and we need to enact it before he arrives.”