Chapter 96: Charity

“Permission to come aboard, Admiral?”

Andreï, accompanied by Pallas, had just passed through the Intricated Gate that had been installed for the occasion on the Alké’s command deck. Tohil and Ravzan greeted him gravely, as did all the officers standing at attention.

Admiral Tohil nearly took him into his arms and settled for placing a hand on his shoulder.

“You are welcome. Quite a journey, old friend.” “Did you discover anything at the end of the world?” Ravzan asked with curiosity.

Andreï offered a somewhat weak smile to all the officers, greeting them with a slight inclination of his head.

“I would appreciate giving you a privileged debriefing, to you two first, Admirals, in order to respect the chain of command.”

Tohil led the group through the Endymion’s corridors. When they passed sailors and officers, the latter displayed a stunned expression at the sight of Andreï, who kept his eyes fixed on the floor.

“Have you charted a geographical route to Earth?” Andreï asked out loud in the corridor.

“Yes,” Ravzan replied.

“We are currently around a system we named Monte Cristo. An ideal planet for cultivation, so pleasant that we actually had to consider the possibility that some might mutiny in order to stay here forever. We used the two Alexandrites still in our possession, our computational Xeno, and a scientific team to chart an optimal route.”

“How long until we reach our objective?”

They passed through the door of a communications room formerly used for relations with high command. Andreï made sure to close it carefully to secure their conversation. As they were taking their seats around the table, while Rav was explaining that, with the Derive choke points, it would take two to three weeks, Andreï cast a look at Pallas. She drew from her jacket a black contraband automag and swiftly aimed it at Ravzan—though not swiftly enough, alas: Tohil hurled himself in front of the Admiral and drew a weapon of his own, a clearly transient sidearm that wrapped around his hand and glowed with light.

“Lower your weapon, officer. Unless you aim for the head or the heart—and since none of us is equipped with a transient shield—we can survive your shot. I guarantee that if I pull the trigger on my side, you’ll be vaporized.”

“Tohil,” Andreï explained, “Ravzan works for the Aleph. Step aside so we can finish this.”

“That’s absurd!” Rav exploded.

“For heaven’s sake...” “Andreï, have you got water sloshing around in your skull, by the Blind Gods! Ravzan is the founder of our entire resistance effort! You know what? He defended you tooth and nail while I thought you were the last of the idiots! It pains me to say it, but he’s done far more for our resistance against the Aleph than I have ... starting with putting up with me. Good grief, what did you encounter at the end of the world for them to turn your head inside out!”