Timeless (The Cartographer Book 3) (3 page)

Sam frowned. “I can't discuss it so I will neither confirm nor deny your statement.”

Frustration settled in and I was ready to explode on Sam before I realized the truth in his words. He couldn't risk me changing my decisions based on the information. The time line had been getting screwed with enough lately. It didn't need my help in making it worse. I decided to drop the subject. Sam wasn't going to tell and I wasn't completely convinced I wanted to know.

“So what am I supposed to do in the meantime? Am I like the equivalent of the school janitor now?” I asked with a hint of irritation.

Before Sam could reply, a knock came from the door. Sergeant Cantrell popped his head in the door with a sour look on his face. “Grillick wants to see you, Nathan.”

“For what?” I asked.

Cantrell's face soured more, if that was even possible. “Do I look like a messenger boy?”

“Yeah, you kinda do since you came down here to deliver a message,” Sam quipped.

Cantrell's face turned a bright red and for a brief moment, I thought he would burst into the room and throttle Sam. He managed to maintain his cool, however, and the scarlet flush faded. “The meeting is in the lab,” he growled and slammed the door.

“It seems the always pleasant Cantrell demands your presence in the laboratory,” Sam chuckled. “I suppose we can pick up where we left off another time.”

I stood up and approached the door. My hand was on the handle when Sam called out.

“Nathan, wait a minute.”

When I turned, Sam stood and placed his palms on the table. “Going forward, no matter what happens, always follow your heart.”

I walked out the door and hesitated before heading to the lab. The door closed behind me and I realized Sam was attempting to convey a message about my future without actually telling me.

Follow your heart
.

Reunion

When the announcement came over the loudspeaker I rushed to the observation room. In the distance, the Stellar Horizon approached us carefully, preparing to dock. I recognized the angular design of the vessel and realized the ship had been one of the Defense Fleet vessels that Embeth confiscated during his defection. I felt a little safer knowing I would be travelling inside a fully armed battleship.

I accompanied Grillick to Docking Bay 7. Grillick insisted on greeting his guests personally. “My projects have been backing up on me,” he explained on the way. “However, I always strive to greet one of the Timeless. To do otherwise would be considered rude, especially when it comes to Vigil. He is the cantankerous sort, ya know.”

The door to the docking bay lifted, and we stepped inside where Kedge and Lianne were waiting. Kedge dropped a hand on my shoulder and smiled. Lianne grabbed me and hugged me tightly. After the initial shock wore off, I returned the hug.

“It's good to see you again,” Lianne beamed.

“You look like you gained some weight. What have they been feeding you in this place?” Kedge quipped. “And the second question is: where can I get some? I'm starving.”

“It's nice to see you with your own ship again.” I smiled at Lianne.

“I can't say I enjoyed the company,” She tossed a sour glance toward Kedge. “But yes, it's nice to have my own command again.”

It appeared Lianne still did not forgive Kedge for her father's murder. I believed her anger was misplaced, but it wasn't my place to argue the point. I hoped that over time she would find it in her heart to forgive him.

“Vigil is aboard conducting diagnostics on Gard,” Kedge said. “He is infuriatingly impatient.” He glanced at Grillick. “I'm sorry we have to cut this reunion short.”

Grillick held up a single hand in understanding. You forget I have had to put up with Vigil for centuries.” He turned and handed me the voltaic chain gloves. “I'm sure you won't need these, but it never hurts to be safe.”

I slipped the glove on and tightened the bracelet. “Thanks. The best defense is a good offense I suppose.” I already had two mini-turrets attached to my belt and a hand cannon strapped to my waist, but I recalled the power of the chains from the battle on Vaire, and I had to admit I felt a tad relieved to have it by my side again.

Grillick was staring at me through wide eyes, like a puppy longing for its master. “I guess this is goodbye for now,” he said. “I'd be remiss if I didn't let you know how much I have enjoyed your company. For far too long, I have had to deal with grumpy mercenaries, cantankerous sundry clerks, and emotionless robots. You are welcome back any time.”

“Thanks, that means a lot. I have enjoyed my time here.” There were solemn times as well, such as Deena's funeral, but I kept those to myself. That was a personal pain I stored for future use against my enemies. There was no sense in rehashing them here. I turned to Kedge and Lianne. “Okay, I'm ready.”

We boarded the ship and Lianne made her way to the bridge. Kedge accompanied me to the guest rooms that were located in the barracks wing. Kedge explained that the ship came equipped with a crew of fifty. Only a handful of them were science officers and engineers while the rest were soldiers. The Stellar Horizon was a ship designed for one purpose—battle.

Once we entered my room, I parked myself at a desk situated in the corner. I dropped my weapons in the drawer. I removed a thin book, no bigger than a spiral notebook, from my backpack, as well as a stylus, and set them on the table. Kedge seated himself across from me and focused his bionic eye on the items.

“What's that?” he inquired.

I cracked a smile. “It's a digital journal Grillick gave me. He had it lying around his lab and he had no use for it,” I explained. “He assumed I would get more use out of it.”

Kedge let out a dry chuckle. With the mechanical cover across his throat, the sound reminded me of marbles rolling around inside a tin can. “Journalizing your exploits, young adventurer?”

I shrugged coolly. “I guess you could say that.” I tapped the book lightly with my index finger. “But I believe it's more than that. I feel this is an important point in the history of the universe, and I wanted to capture as much as I can. My hope is that one day my journal would be added to the Archives.”

Kedge frowned. “Since the Archives are located on Caelum, I guess the realization of your dream would depend on whoever emerges on the winning side.”

“I know,” I said softly. My voice barely carried across the table and Kedge had to crane his head forward to hear me. “Meta will never voluntarily add anything of mine to the Archives.”

For a long time he studied me in silence. Unease filled his good eye and he squirmed in his seat. Either he had to use the bathroom or something bothered him. I hoped for my sake it was the latter because from what I could see, the room didn't come equipped with a bathroom.

“What's the matter?”

“I'm afraid I come bearing some bits of bad news. I know you have been through much lately. I also understand you have been busy and may have missed the news regarding some recent events,” he replied. “Meta is dead.”

“What?” I matched Kedge's frown with one of my own. “How?”

The news should have shocked me, but it only piqued my curiosity. I looked at it as a situation which required a potential change in strategic decision.
In battle, unexpected news is soon followed by defeat. Expect the unexpected
, Vanth's voice whispered from the shadows.

“He was assassinated by Hark-Kalech in a bid for power. If you believe the rumors, that is,” Kedge replied.

“But you don't?” The sentence was more of a statement than a question.

“I've been around a long time. The Consortium had been an enemy of mine for centuries. Despite our…shall I say…disagreements, they always conducted themselves in an honorable manner. Backstabbing is extremely unlike them. In all the years of our animosity towards each other, there has never been an assassination among their ranks. Some of them died on the battlefield, others passed of old age, but not once has one been murdered for something as trivial as a 'power grab'.”

“So what do you think happened?”

“I'm not sure,” he admitted. “But we may find out soon enough. Varooq and Hark-Kalech took over leadership duties in the interim. This is the first time since the early days of the Consortium that one who is not of Meta's bloodline has ruled the Consortium.”

“Is there another to take over?” I inquired. “In the bloodline, I mean.” During my days among the Consortium, Satou spoke of the bloodlines and ranks of ascension. Only those who descended from the Civet bloodline could reign over the Consortium.

“Meta did not have children,” he admitted. “Rumors swirled that his wife was barren. Others stated he impregnated a Caelumite chamber girl.”

“What do you think the Council will do?”

“Good question,” he responded with a thoughtful rub of his chin. “Perhaps golden eagles will descend from the sky and deliver an heir from the heavens, where he will be crowned by one of the gods.”

“I take it from your snarky comment that you have no idea.” I grumbled.

“I believe in being pragmatic.” He winced and rubbed his chest, as if he had a sudden onset of indigestion. “Whoever was behind the assassination had a great deal to gain, which means I'm sure an answer will present itself soon.”

It was my turn to rub my chin. “Well a lot of people have a lot to gain with the destabilization of the Consortium. Come to think of it, everybody involved in this conflict stands to gain from Meta's death.”

“True—” Kedge clutched his chest suddenly and fell out of his chair.

Alarmed, I burst out of my chair and rushed to his side. By the time I reached him, he was already propped up on one knee. I didn't know what to do so I just stood by his side with my arms outstretched, ready to catch him if he fell again. He stood and waved me off.

“What the hell was that?” I exclaimed.

He let out a couple dry, hacking coughs before easing himself in the chair. “I said earlier that I had come with some
bits
of bad news. Meta's death was only part of it.”

“So what's the other part?”

Kedge smacked his lips together as if he had just eaten something sour. He looked at the floor and rubbed his hands together briskly. Even though I couldn't see it, I heard the bionic whirring of his false eye focusing on the ground while he hesitated.

“What is it?” I prodded.

After picking at the metal plate in his throat for a few minutes, he looked up slowly. “I'm afraid the cybernetic implant surrounding my heart is nearing the end of its life cycle.”

“So replace it,” I responded, as if the answer had been so simple. The sullen look on Kedge's face caused me to rethink my statement.

“I can't. If I remove the implant, what's left of my organic heart will die which means it wouldn't take long for the rest of me to follow.”

“You have been around so long you are practically a god,” I stated, as if just saying it certified him as a deity.

Kedge grunted and shook his head. “I'm no god, Nathan. I'm just an old man with a grudge.” Despite being centuries old, he didn't appear older than fifty Earth years. However, the more he spoke about the subject, the more he seemed to age right before my eyes. Wrinkles filled his face and his hair grew lighter, going from a pewter gray to polished silver. “I'm afraid to be the bearer of bad news, but I'm not the immortal you believe me to be.”

I waved my hand dismissively, thinking he was messing with me. That was until I realized he wasn't smiling. His lips formed a tight, straight line and he focused his serious look on me. I didn't even realize I had been sweating until I ran my hand through my hair. I winced at my damp palm. “What are you trying to say?”

He drew in a deep breath and his chest rattled. It sounded like an angry rattlesnake ready to strike at prey. He let it out slowly before answering.

“Nathan, I'm dying.”

I opened my mouth several times, but the words wouldn't come, so I simply sat there stunned. The man who I viewed as ancient, one of the few survivors of Mars was dying.
What do you say to that
? With all the cybernetic implanted technology, I thought he would live forever.

“Isn't there anything we can do?” I surprised myself with the level of concern in my voice. There used to be a time when I considered this man an enemy. I blamed him for the deaths of Madoc and Crag'Dughai on Xajax, but eventually, I realized my anger had been misguided. His impending death shouldn't have concerned me as much as it did.

He moved toward the door and coughed dryly. “Yeah, perhaps you should pray to that God of yours.” He stepped through the door and it slid shut behind him.

I stared at the door for several minutes wondering what life would be like without Kedge. It had to have been a shining example of irony. One day I hated him for his actions, the next day I was trying to figure out how to move forward without him. Life seemed to be funny like that.

I was interrupted from my silent brooding by a beeping noise coming from the wall. I looked around to see a digital panel flashing next to the window. It was no bigger than an iPad screen, but I could find no visible buttons to use to switch it off. I tapped the screen like a spaz before it finally stopped beeping, and an image of Lianne appeared.