Swan Song (Book Three of the Icarus Trilogy) (34 page)

“Oh, God,” Carver started, but Jenkins laughed and then shook his head after taking a couple breaths.

“You’ll have to work on that,” he said with tears in his eyes.  He looked over at Carver and felt a great affection for his new father figure.  Ryan could tell him almost anything; there was only one barrier left between them. 

However, after all of that, there was no way that he could tell Carver about his dreams of transformation.  He couldn’t tell the old man that in his sleep he became a twisted Icarus.  It was far too close to home.

-

Goldstein was more than just wary.  He had chosen this spot for a number of purposes.  He knew every nook and cranny of the station; he knew every exit and every possible maneuver that could be made in the tiny space.  EFI members were everywhere, watching troop movements and finding any potential threats.  From all standpoints, Zachary Goldstein had done everything he could.

It still didn’t feel like enough.

As much as he wanted this deal, as much as he knew it would be in the best interest of the EFI and although he
knew
that Garrison was on their side, Goldstein couldn’t shake the feeling that he had made a mistake.  He looked over at Atlas standing to his left and hugged the rifle close to his midsection.  Thomas was just standing there; it was a serene moment for the father of the revolution.

When he looked to his other side, Zachary felt a small bit of relief.  Eric Jones was nervous as he held his automatic.  Goldstein didn’t know if he could trust the celebrity to use his weapon well, but that wasn’t Eric’s role in any case.  The formerly-pretty man was just a symbol.  It would really fall to Zachary and Thomas to find the best possible route through negotiations.

Luckily they were the most clever men in the resistance.

Goldstein heard steps coming down the hallway and his heart caught in his throat.  As much as he told himself that he was ready, he could never convince his body or its instinctual reactions.  When Oliver rounded the corner, Zachary let out the breath and shook his head.  He needed to be ready for anything, but he also needed to not look like a nervous idiot.

“You need to calm down, Zachary,” he heard from his side.  He looked over to see Thomas giving him a thoughtful look.  Goldstein breathed out deeply and shrugged.

“I know.  I’m doing what I can to be in control.  It’s just, well, some of us get a little nervous sometimes,” Zachary said, turning back towards the entrance of the abandoned subway station.  There was only one route that a man like Garrison could use.  Not only were the blueprints of the station a twisted labyrinth, but Gerrig and what was left of his Mastodons were guarding the rear.  Zachary only had to look forward, but he heard the older man chuckling at his side.

“I can understand,” Thomas said, causing Goldstein to look at him and raise an eyebrow.

“Can you, Tom?  I’ve never seen you nervous.  Not sure it’s even something that your brain can experience,” Goldstein said with a scoff.

“Oh, Zachary, I’m older than you.  I just got that business over and done with.  And I’m telling you this right now in confidence, but I’m terrified,” he said, leaning over to the architect of these negotiations.  Goldstein turned to him and bit his cheek.

“Really?”

“Oh, yeah, totally.  I’m this close to getting nauseous and going to the restroom,” Thomas said with a casual smile.  Goldstein looked at him in confusion.  “How am I looking like this?” Thomas asked, which caused Zachary to nod.

“Well,” Atlas said before laughing and looking at the entrance.  “I know I’m going to die.”

“You are a source of confidence, Tom,” Goldstein said as he turned back towards the entrance.

“Hear me out.  I’ve been doing this for decades.  I always convince myself that I’m going to die and that my sacrifice will help the cause.  It helps me maintain my composure, manage the fear.  And when I don’t die, when I make it through.... well, it’s a bonus,” Thomas said with that same casual smile.  Goldstein had to laugh at that.  It certainly was a helpful philosophy for the situation.

“You do that every time?” Eric asked from Goldstein’s other side.  Zachary laughed and pointed at the celebrity with his thumb.

“What he said,” he said before giving a sly smile.  Thomas just shook his head and sighed.

“Well, I might be getting rusty at it.  Haven’t had a public appearance for a few years.  But don’t worry,” he said before turning to the other two revolutionaries.  “This time it might be true.”

“Your sense of humor, Thomas.  You need to stop that,” Zachary said as he laughed and looked forward.  He didn’t notice it, but a good deal of his anxiety had faded away.  The teacher had taught his lesson, even if his students didn’t notice it.  When Garrison finally appeared around the corner, Zachary gave the bureaucrat a friendly smile.

“Well, well, Mr. Garrison.  We meet again,” Zachary said as he stood there with the two revolutionaries, confident that Oliver, Urlov and the other Lions would protect them.

“Yes, Zachary,” Maxwell said as he walked up to the three men.  He was flanked by two intimidating EOSF guards and Goldstein could tell that they had grown up on Osmos or Demeter.  They were almost three meters tall.  “Eric?”

“Hey, Max,” the celebrity said, cradling the automatic awkwardly.  “Been a while,” he said before Zachary looked at him from his periphery.  Eric Jones shrugged and motioned towards the aging bureaucrat.  “Uh, I met him on a
War World
special.

“Oh, Eric,” Maxwell said, hurting from the guilt.  The three men in front of them had no idea what was about to happen and he knew what part he had played in that.  Maxwell turned to Zachary and then to Thomas, maintaining eye contact for just a moment before turning back to Goldstein.

“Well, what’s your offer?” Zachary asked as his finger traced the outline of the trigger.  It was only meant to intimidate a little bit, but Garrison gulped in air and breathed out deeply.

“The offer only stands if a Mr. Thomas Xavier is present, or, as you like to call him, Atlas,” Maxwell said as he folded his hands in front of him.  He had to maintain his poise for now, but there was almost too much happening in his head.  He wanted to scream out at his fellow revolutionaries.  He wanted to warn them.  But he couldn’t bear any thoughts about what might happen to Christine.

“That would be me, Mr. Garrison,” Atlas said as he stepped forward, claiming his leadership of the Earth Freedom Initiative.  Thomas extended his arm for a handshake, but almost immediately the man’s head snapped back and Atlas fell to the floor.  Goldstein saw and almost couldn’t believe it, he hadn’t seen any threat; the two EOSF guards hadn’t moved at all.  He brought up his rifle before hearing the body falling to his right.  Again, he was confused to see where the attack was coming from, but then he felt the blow to the back of his head.

"Ruddy fucking bastar-!" a booming voice shouted as Goldstein fell, but before he hit the ground Zachary heard the gunfire end the man's life.

Goldstein’s vision swam in front of him, but he was able to maintain enough strength of will to see Maxwell in front of him, misery contorting every feature.

“I am so sorry, Zachary.  They made me do it.

-

Maxwell was sick with himself.  He had entered into the Earth Freedom Initiative in order to take back the planet from his sick and demented boss.  He had gained their trust, he had delivered Orbit Space because that was the right thing to do and he was going to take vengeance for his lost family.  Maxwell Garrison wanted to help the world instead of being part of the problem.

Instead he had given in and become an even bigger part of the problem.

However, as guilty as he felt, as horrible as he knew he was, there was a part of him that was completely relieved.  Christina was safe; Garrison had done his job as a father.  He had given the world over to a tyrant and had led three innocent men to their deaths, but his daughter would be able to live her life.  Christina would be able to go to college; Garrison wouldn’t have to see her tortured and killed.

Maxwell was walking through the spaceport when he saw Jasper Montgomery waiting for him.  The massive complex was almost entirely empty except for the swarm of EOSF officers keeping guard over the head of the Trade Union.  Garrison broke into a nervous sweat and realized that he might die here, a traitor and a failure.  It was entirely possible and he couldn’t tell what Jasper was thinking.

All that Maxwell could see was that malicious smile twisting the executive’s features.

“Maxwell, my friend, you were wonderful down there,” Jasper said as he walked forward, his step lighter and the expression on his face one of pure joy.  “We have Atlas
and
Eric Jones.  And when Atlas falls, the EFI will fall with him.  My, my, Maxwell, we have turned you into quite the asset,” Montgomery said before stopping just a meter in front of the aging bureaucrat.  Garrison was breathing heavily, but he brought out his handkerchief and wiped the sweat that was already forming on his brow.

“Mr.... Mr. Montgomery.  As much as I want to speak about how .... grateful I am that you have spared my daughter,” Maxwell said as he felt a pit in his stomach.  He wondered if he would ever be able to look his daughter in the eye again; he wondered if he would ever be able to look in the mirror again.  “It has only been a few days since I was against your Trade Union.”  He expected the tyrant to fly into a rage at that, possibly order an officer to shoot Garrison, but he thought that might have been a nice way to go.  Now that his daughter was safe, Maxwell didn’t much care what happened to him.

Instead Montgomery just continued smiling and shook his head.

“That’s what makes this so
delicious
, Max.  I turned you in an instant.  And I have no doubt that you feel absolutely horrible.  I bet you’re thinking your wife and son hate you from whatever afterlife you believe in.  But your daughter is safe, Max, and, because I’m feeling gracious,
so are you
.  I'll even pay your way!  I want you to live the rest of your life in my empire spanning all these worlds.  I want you to see the worlds that you saved from anarchy and the worlds that will continue to live under my control.  I want you to see,” he said as he extended his hand and showed his teeth, “what you were trying to betray.”

“Best wishes, Maxwell.  I just wanted to see you off,” Jasper said as he held out his hand.  Garrison debated on what he could do in that instant.  He briefly thought about tackling Montgomery and trying to squeeze the life from the puppet master; he would have died in the attempt, but he knew that he would have felt better about himself.  As he thought about it, Maxwell realized that Jasper could turn right around and threaten his daughter again.  At any point, Jasper Montgomery could change his mind and kill the rest of Garrison’s family.  With those thoughts in mind, Maxwell Garrison surrendered, took hold of the puppet master’s hand and shook it.  He withdrew his hand after an awkward moment and could see the old man’s piercing gray eyes.  Malice and joy were playing through the folds of the executive’s skin.

“Do return some time, Maxwell.  Bring Christine.  I could see to the two of you having
quite
the night on the town.”

-

Zachary woke to find himself on his knees.  He was in darkness and it was terribly difficult to breathe, which caused all kinds of disorientation.  It was easy to forget how he got here, and only after the scratchy material was lifted off of his face did Goldstein remember what happened.

They had been betrayed.

Goldstein looked up from his position and saw Gerrig’s dour face.  The Mastodon was a huge man and Goldstein had never seen the former criminal smile.  It was something that Zachary used to tease the massive slave soldier about for all of these months.  As he looked at the giant in the modified power armor, Zachary felt an undercurrent of rage.

“You feel proud of yourself, stabbing us in the back?” Zachary asked, spitting at the traitor’s armored boot.  The Mastodon leaned down and grabbed Goldstein’s face before sighing.

“You’re on the wrong side of this war, Goldstein.  All of us were.  And I’m too goddamned tired of living underground and seeing all my men die.  There’s only three of us left,
Odysseus
.  Believe it or not, I’m actually looking out for someone,” Gerrig said as he threw the Crow’s face backwards and stood to his full height.

“Yeah, yourself.  How much they paying you, Cal?  What’s it feel like to be a traitor to the only goddamned people that ever gave a damn about you?” Zachary snarled, but Gerrig finally smiled at that before shaking his head.

“They’re paying me in years, Crow.  I get to live beyond our foolish little resistance.  Whatever you say, whatever you and Atlas and Jenkins thought about our chances, this was the inevitable turn.  Montgomery’s going to win; the Trade Union is going to win.  We never had a chance against an entire society based on debt and power.  You’re lucky we stayed with you as long as we did,” Gerrig said before crossing his arms and shrugging.