The Tabit Genesis (31 page)

Vespa watched the senators’ expressions. Hedrick’s matter-of-fact delivery infuriated everyone.

‘Where is this fleet now?’ Senator Roddick growled.

‘The Belt, approximately.’

‘“Approximately”,’ Senator Brusceau repeated, shaking her head. ‘When were you planning to tell us?’

‘I never planned to inform you.’

Vespa was pleased to observe the bipartisan outrage at his answer.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Senator Brusceau snapped. But Admiral Hedricks remained inscrutable.

‘There are skirmishes with Ceti warships every day,’ he said. ‘This is no different.’

That was the last straw for Senator Brandon Tice.

‘No
different
?’ he exclaimed. ‘With their entire fleet bearing down on us?’

‘That is correct, with the exception of the outcome,’ Admiral Hedricks said. ‘This is our chance to decisively end the war, eliminate the largest criminal organisation in human history, and reclaim Brotherhood.’

‘Your arrogance is appalling,’ Senator Tice snarled. ‘What about public safety? How dare you withhold information like that from us?’

‘There is no danger to public safety,’ Admiral Hedricks said, ‘and I have withheld nothing from you.’

‘The attempt to obscure news of an invasion is criminal conduct,’ Senator Roddick pointed out.

‘I never used the word “invasion”,’ Admiral Hedricks said. ‘I choose my words with more care, lest people misconstrue meaning, or, as tends to be the case in politics, sensationalise reality.’

‘Drop the cavalier attitude right now,’ Senator Brusceau warned, drawing stares from everyone. ‘I’m weighing whether or not to charge you with dereliction of duty. You’re under oath. Explain to us exactly what is happening.’

‘There are times when the most effective means to crush an enemy is to let them in close,’ Admiral Hedricks said. ‘The defences at Corinth alone could pulverise their fleet, but with the
Archangel
, Ceti may as well fly into the sun.’

‘Do you really need to be reminded of your
obligation
to keep us informed?’ Senator Tice said. ‘This is a major engagement that puts Ceti weapons in range of civilian targets inside the Belt.’

‘I provide this committee with a report that details enemy engagements every week, thus fulfilling my obligation.’

‘
After
the fact,’ Senator Brusceau fumed. ‘
After
you’ve taken the welfare of Orionis into your own hands.’

‘The loss of Brotherhood illustrates what happens when politics dictate tactics,’ Admiral Hedricks said. ‘Had I used your vernacular to describe Ceti’s present activity, the politics would have compelled a rush to meet them in the open, which would result in disaster. I swore an oath to protect Orionis, and that includes protecting it from itself.’

‘Admiral, your assessment is wrong,’ Senator Roddick said. ‘Brotherhood was lost because we weren’t prepared. This time we are, and your efforts undermine our ability to respond intelligently and with minimal loss of life.’

‘Senator,’ Admiral Hedricks said, straightening his posture. ‘You seem disappointed that Ceti’s days are numbered. Then again, twenty-five per cent of the Orionis economy is military expenditure. I suppose I can’t blame you.’

Senator Roddick’s eyes narrowed.

‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’

‘Your constituents build the weapons that your political sponsors sell to the Navy. The relationship has made you a wealthy man. So when you undermine me, you just end up hurting yourself.’

Vespa had heard enough. The case for prosecuting Admiral Hedricks had never been stronger. Now it was time for the hard work.

‘Thank you so much for meeting with us, Admiral,’ she said. ‘I realise the defence of Orionis is a tremendous responsibility. I appreciate you taking the time to answer our questions.’

‘The honour is mine, Chancellor Vespa.’

‘I have no doubt that you’ll crush our Ceti foes,’ she continued. ‘However, I am disappointed about Captain Lyons’s arrest. I would never have known about your future heroics if not for him.’

‘Captain Lyons is well, Chancellor.’

‘I hope you don’t mind my prying,’ Vespa continued, somewhat enjoying herself. ‘After all, I need to have medals minted in advance of your triumph. You’re far too modest about your achievements, planned or otherwise. Much as I loathe the idea of spoiling your glory, I’m going to propose something radical, something perhaps no one on this committee would have suggested, even had we known an invasion was imminent. Admiral Lao, I could use your assistance here.’

The officer was surprised to have been brought into the conversation.

‘Chancellor?’ he asked.

‘Let’s say I wanted to communicate with the Ceti fleet,’ Vespa said. ‘How would I go about doing that?’

Admiral Lao blinked.

‘Without a hard fix on their location, secure comms is impossible,’ he answered.

‘Who said anything about secure?’ Vespa asked. ‘I don’t care who hears this.’

Lao glanced towards Admiral Hedricks before answering.

‘They can’t respond without giving away their position,’ Admiral Lao said.

‘I don’t give a damn if they answer,’ Vespa snapped. ‘I hate to ruin the joy of zapping Ceti corvettes, but slaughtering millions just because you
can
doesn’t mean that you
should
. Now, that fleet would still hear a general broadcast on the freight channels, correct?’

Admiral Hedricks moved ever so slightly.

‘Think carefully upon what you are doing, Chancellor,’ he warned.

Vespa smiled.

‘Admiral Lao,’ she said. ‘Ready a general broadcast.’

‘You’ll be routed through our search and rescue frequencies,’ the officer muttered, typing away on his corelink. ‘Every receiver from here to the Hades Terminus will hear it. Is that what you want?’

The committee members appeared either aghast or perplexed. Senator Tice was the former.

‘Now hold on a minute,’ he blurted. ‘What happened to trying to avert a panic?’

Vespa looked right at him.

‘The more people that hear this, the better.’

Admiral Lao had a resigned look on his face.

‘Just a moment,’ he said, manipulating the device one last time. ‘And … you’re live.’

Vespa glanced at the flashing icon on her corelink for a moment, then picked it up.

‘Vladric Mors,’ she said, ‘this is Chancellor Vespa Jade. I know you’re listening. I know your fleet is approaching. And I know that your goals may be achieved without violence. Surely a man charged with the welfare of so many has the courage to try dialogue. For the sake of those under your command, I challenge you to take the higher ground.’

Vespa terminated the connection.

‘We’ll adjourn for now,’ she said. ‘Admiral Hedricks, if he hasn’t answered by the time he’s in range of your guns, then by all means, defend Orionis.’

‘Thank you, Chancellor. Senators.’

The moment his image vanished, Senator Roddick slammed his fist.

‘I want that son of a bitch thrown in jail.’

Senator Brusceau was shaking her head.

‘Chancellor, I wish we had discussed this beforehand,’ she said.

Vespa nodded.

‘I know how it looks,’ she said, ‘but this government has a moral obligation to reveal what the Admiral was hiding. Better to pre-empt this on our own terms before someone spots their fleet. Liza is about to release a statement that puts the danger in perspective. She’ll answer questions until I can address the nation.’

Vespa breathed deeply.

‘I accept full responsibility for Hedricks’s insubordination,’ She admitted. ‘I should have reined him in sooner. It will be dealt with once this invasion mess is sorted.’

Admiral Lao suddenly cursed. All heads turned towards him.

‘It’s
him
,’ he said. ‘Vladric Mors. We’re tracing it.’

Vespa was shocked.

She picked up her corelink again.

‘Vladric?’

There was no video. Only a deep, scratchy voice.

‘Chancellor.’

‘You heard my offer?’ she asked.

‘I heard a plea for mercy,’ Vladric said.

‘On behalf of your own people,’ she said.

‘My conscience is clear, Vespa. How is yours?’

‘You can’t win,’ she said. ‘Not without my help.’

‘I’ve already won,’ he said. ‘Orionis knows the truth about you now.’

‘And what truth is that?’ Vespa asked.

‘That you believe in ghosts.’

‘Don’t talk in semantics. I’m trying to save people’s lives.’

‘Heritage destroyed more lives than I ever could,’ Vladric said. ‘I’ve taken every unwanted synthetic foetus of highborn society and raised them as my own. What have you raised?’

‘Humankind, in a sensible, sustainable way,’ Vespa snapped. ‘You know why that policy exists. Years of breathing recycled air should have made the point. There is a solution, and Ceti can be part of it, but it will take time to get there and
war
will put the destination out of reach. Please, Vladric. I’m willing to compromise here. Let me help you.’

‘Time, you say?’ Vladric said. ‘For the longest
time
you refused to acknowledge us. Now that we’re at your gates, you’ll make the
time
for a ghost? Alright, Chancellor. One more chance. Abolish the Heritage Act, here and now, before all of humanity. Say the words, and the ghosts you care about so much will suffer no harm.’

The fires on
Tabit
were raging in Vespa’s mind.

‘Abolishing Heritage with the snap of my fingers is impossible,’ she said. ‘But we can find a way. Walk with me, Vladric. Please.’

For a time, there was silence. Then, he answered.

‘Very well, Chancellor. Let us take our first step together by dispelling a myth.’

‘What’s that?’

‘The myth that ghosts can’t hurt you.’

21 May 2809

Dear Amaryllis,

I have a wonderful vision of you doing something
human
right now.

I picture you brushing your hair, perfectly arranging every detail of your appearance just before meeting a friend for tea, and perhaps a stroll among the shops of Tabit Prime. I imagine your thoughts are consumed by the day’s chores and work or family. You have aspirations and dreams, goals to strive for and achievements to celebrate. I hope that you have found love, and that a lifetime of beautiful moments awaits. To me, you will be young for ever.

Those thoughts would make me smile, if only I could.

I am writing from the cabin of a Raothri spacecraft travelling at one-quarter of the speed of light. For unspecified reasons, Ceitus is sending us to the Ch1 Orionis AB system. We will learn our mission after setting orbit around its second planet. There are twelve of us, and for a change we are all sporting vaguely humanoid forms, with a pair of burly arms and legs, elongated heads resembling a horseshoe crab’s carapace, complete with fangs and claws for battling and consuming the native mammal species found on the surface of the human-habitable ice world we’re visiting.

For nostalgia’s sake, I hope we can land there, just so I can breathe the air.

Our ship is travelling to a Lagrange point, at which time it will engage a smaller version of the same ‘abaryon drive’ that the
Archangel
has. In an instant we’ll be vaulted across some immeasurable distance of spacetime; we’ll pause to allow the drive to recover from the jump, and then continue our journey across the stars.

As I gaze through a portal at the black veil of nothingness beyond, I see no movement in the stars. The universe taunts my utter insignificance; I am travelling ‘fast’ yet going nowhere, living a thousand lifetimes while fixating only on the one I shared so briefly with you.

Wherever you are right now, take inventory of your surroundings, and pick a solitary object to focus on. Your stability is an illusion; you and everything around you are moving at dizzying speeds, with no control of the direction or destination. As infants we get our bearings in a world full of stationary objects. Later on we grasp the relativity of existence; that our home is a spinning sphere orbiting a moving sun among countless stars all hurtling towards some ‘Great Attractor’ of incomprehensible magnitude, an orderly chaos set in motion by the colossal event ingloriously named the ‘Big Bang’ by humans.

You would be surprised at the reverence other alien species have for that moment. All the good and misery that ever happened to any life form, anywhere and at any time, was born in that instant. Some attribute existence to divinity, others just the pure luck of nature. But the fact is this: in the beginning, we were all dealt the same hand. You and I, the Raothri, the Shadows,
all of us
; we’re all different shades of the same life force, made from the exact same stuff.

The twenty-first-century version of humanity was the intellectual equivalent of a delusional teenager convinced he knows everything. Astronomers spotted a few exoplanets in the cosmos and remained unconvinced that alien intelligence existed. Some even postulated that no civilisation could be more advanced than ours, given the amount of time it took for complex life forms to develop from the Big Bang.

Such presumption assumed every intelligent species was just as fallible as our own.

The Raothri didn’t make the same mistakes humans did. Their ‘Library at Alexandria’ never burned. They suffered no Dark Ages. There were no religions threatened by the discovery of truth in the cosmos. Theirs was a relentless, unimpeded advance towards a super intelligence.

From the beginning, they knew their days were numbered. The parent star that gave birth to intelligent life on their homeworld was a red giant in the final stages of its life. The Raothri rose from a world that was a dark and frigid hell for millennia, thawed only when its solar system literally began to die. Urgency is in their DNA. By the time
Homo sapiens
took their first steps, the Raothri had colonised their own solar system, retreating from a world about to be consumed by the sun. By the time humans learned how to cast bronze, the Raothri had learned to travel between the stars.

Dark energy was born with the Big Bang, and like all the energy released in that moment, it still surges throughout the universe like the waters of a delta. These ‘waters’ are teeming with Planck-scale wormholes that appear and disappear at random. But some become stable, and part of what humans infer from observable space as the presence of ‘dark matter’ is in fact a sea of pathways connecting remote locations of the universe.

As masters of femtotechnology, the Raothri manufacture exotic matter that can expand these wormholes large enough for ships to travel through – and can keep them open indefinitely. For millennia, they have sent starships staggering distances to trawl the cosmos for sites to build these ‘abaryonic gates’: non-baryonic conduits of baryonic matter that any starship with adequate shielding can use.

Ceitus tells us that in several years, the dark matter “tides” of our galaxy will shift, engulfing Sol. When that happens, the birthplace of humankind will become the Orion Arm waypoint of an interstellar transportation network that spans the Milky Way. If this is true, then you should take heart, Amaryllis. There are other worlds, and they are within reach.

We don’t miss Earth because it’s home. We miss it because it’s all we know.

As we approached the final jump in our journey, I learned that Vladric Mors and his entire fleet have slipped undetected into the Inner Rim. They will be within strike range of Corinth in hours. Against my judgement, I asked Ceitus if we could intervene. She said there are too many forces at work to make any difference.

I am scared for you, Amaryllis.

Please, don’t end. Not like this.

- A