All is Fair

Archimedes Tower, Pan City

September 9th, V26 – Dusk

The Council Chambers for the Board was huge, a circular space a hundred meters across, the outer perimeter lined with banks of seats for trusted spectators. The centre was dominated by a dais upon which sat a round table with six high backed chairs, with inset data screens and a central holo-projector.

It was empty now but for Jericho-Three, Twenty, myself and the five surviving board members. They had been forced to leave their entourages outside, at the express and unbreakable orders of Archimedes. The Governors were not used to having the AI give them orders, as the intent had always been that it was subservient to them. An unhappy muttering could be heard from the men and women as they took their assigned seats at the table.

All of them glanced with a mixture of emotions at the empty seat that belonged to Kai Tran, missing and presumed dead. A few looked with apprehension to Twenty and I, her attired in full Ceramite Tactical Armour with an Assault Rifle cradled in her arms, and me in my long coat and bearing my two swords. There were no other weapons in the chamber, as verified by scans from Archimedes.

I looked over the Governors, a diverse mix of men and women from across the world. The Chairperson was Merrilee Fairfax, an Australian by birth. Hard nosed and mannish, she had been in the role ever since Rackman had deserted the board.

Next to her was Luka Trent, an American who owned a number of large companies in the Northern Alliance. He was outspoken, overweight and a known philanderer. His bright red shock of hair matched the ruddy complexion of his bloated face. He glared at Twenty and I with particular disgust.

Beside him sat Pao Ling Song, born in Malaysia but he had come to Australia and then to the Zone when only a young man. He was a talented genetic scientist and oversaw a number of the research institutes here in Pan City. His age was listed as nearly seventy but he looked half that, rumoured to be due to his own age defying rejuvenation processes.

Then there was Hiroki Yamasa, a Japanese businessman said to have links to the Asian Underworld. He was tall and solidly framed, fit and according to Jericho’s files a competent swordsman and archer. A lot of the Entertainment District in Haven was owned by companies he controlled, a front for many illicit activities.

Lastly was Lisbeth Danvers, a fifty-ish woman with short brown hair and cultured appearance. She hailed from London in the Re-United Kingdom. She had served on the board nearly as long as Fairfax, her primary interests being the massive import and export trade the Zone conducted. Her mandate included the oversight of Customs and Duties, an area ripe for corruption in any government.

All of them were self-interested and highly driven people. Any one of them could be the traitor, the Warlock who had controlled Tran.

Ringing the chamber were tall heavily shielded windows, offering unmatched views over the entirety of Pan City. Glancing to the west, I could see the last rays of the setting sun throwing ruddy highlights across the far horizon. The sun finally vanished and power from the Dark Side flowed across the Boundary, filling me completely.

On cue, the holo-projector came alive and an image of the upper body of a wizened old man appeared, cloaked in white with a long flowing beard and bald headed. Archimedes, come to speak with the Board.

“Governors” his deep voice intoned from concealed speakers, “A violation of the Covenant has been revealed to me. A grand conspiracy has been uncovered and the perpetrator is here in this chamber”

The men and women of the board looked confused for a moment, then they all began shouting at once. Protestations of outrage, of innocence, mixed with vows to find the culprits and punish them. All very vocal and in some cases even true.

I watched one Governor in particular, and their eyes sought me out in return. A subtle smile, sure of themselves and their own power, even now.

“Bring in the Aeromancer” commanded Archimedes, his powerful voice drowning out the noise of the Governors.

A single door opened and Jericho-Two entered in his dark grey suit, escorting a familiar blonde headed young woman. The door sealed shut again with a hiss of pneumatics. Millie was dressed in an orange Prison coverall, her hands cuffed in front and seemingly quite bewildered why she was here. Then she caught sight of Twenty, recognising her even in the armour she was wearing and with a cry of joy broke free from her escort and ran forwards.

Twenty’s face broke into a wide grin of her own and rushed towards Millie. The two women crashed into each other, grappling the other with joy. Then Millie screamed as Twenty drove an auto-injector into her neck.

“What the fuck, Twenty!” Millie yelled and let go of her beloved to rub at her neck, both hands together in the unyielding cuffs she still wore.

“You were infected with a virus” Twenty tried to explain, her voice choking with emotion. “That was the antidote. I had to give it to you right away”

“What is the meaning of this?” shouted Governor Trent, eyeing with disgust the two women who were embracing again.

“The traitor infected this young woman with a nano-virus” said Jericho-Three. “If the antidote does not work, I thought it only fitting the one who infected them dies as well”

More shouts and cries of alarm from the Governors came after this announcement, from four of them at least.

“This chamber is fully sealed” said Jericho-Three over the clamour “Nothing will leave this place until Archimedes is sure there is no threat to the City”

“What about us, about all of you?” said Governor Song.

“Everybody in here is expendable if needed” said Jericho-Three. He looked at his brother Two, who nodded his understanding.

“But there is still one final act to be played out” Jericho-Three announced.

Brilliant white light arced down from the sky in the distance, throwing shadows across the assembled Board despite the interior lights. Moments later a faint rumble could be heard, trembling the armoured window glass.

The Governor I watched gasped and stood suddenly, horror overcoming their once assured expression.

“What have you done?” said Governor Danvers, her English accent turning harsh and losing its refined vowels. She stood and went to the windows, looking at the fading glow from the Orbital strike on her private estate, sitting outside the walls on its own beachfront acreage.

“Making sure the remainder of your Mares are destroyed” I replied and came to stand behind her. “The Order are waiting at the perimeter and will ensure there are no survivors”

Danvers turned to me, her face contorting in fury. She was preparing to unleash magic of her own, to strike me down and try to flee. I met her look with my own fury, the rage of the giants that dwelt within me. The power flowed into my spell focus and I unleashed it with full strength upon all of us.

“Expulsio!” I screamed and the unforgiving light of my master flooded the chamber, filling every space with his holy essence.

Danvers was flung against the windows, writhing in utter torment as her many sins were exposed to the sight of Michael. He was unsparing of us all, even Millie and the Jerichos, facing the agony of reviewing all their past evils.

The other Board members thrashed and cried in their seats, falling to the floor to sprawl in undignified heaps.

In the storm of my own agony, I found the strength to stand and draw Ferro Mortis. I had no power left to activate the spell focus, but it was just a woman of flesh and blood who cowered before me now.

My Norn sight reached out and I saw the being that had protected her withdraw, returning to whatever realm it had come from. Danvers felt it leave her and knew she was completely at my mercy.

“I won’t be the last” she slurred, her eyes filled with hate. “There will be others, coming to take this world away from the stupid Mortals”

“The Order will be waiting for them” I assured her. I lifted Ferro Mortis high and drove it down across her neck. Blood splattered my arms and legs as her head fell to the floor.

Turning back to the impassive form of Archimedes, I dropped the sword on the floor at my feet.

“Judgement has been delivered” I announced and slowly lowered myself to my knees. Soon I would feel tears come, but for now I had nothing left inside of me.

One sight caught my attention as my energy drained away. Twenty was comforting a sobbing Millie, tormented by the memories my spell had evoked. Yet Twenty was shocked more than in pain, looking at me with wide, worried eyes.

=====

Late Evening

The Governors had all left now, reunited with their entourages. All except those of Governor Danvers. They had been taken in for interrogation by Jericho-Two, escorted away by a mixed contingent of Sentinels and Guards.

For now, the Jericho brothers were cooperating, mindful of the watchful eye of Archimedes.

Jericho-Three had taken Twenty, Millie and myself to the penthouse at the very peak of the tower. It was nominally set aside for use by Two, but since he had based himself at the Fortress, Three had taken it over in his absence.

The view over Pan City at night was impressive as we towered over all the other buildings. It was from here that Trixie and Twenty had fired their Railguns, able to target any rooftop in the vast City.

“Jericho, when you have what you need from Penny, I have a favour to ask” I said quietly, my eyes fixed on the far off lights of ships in the harbour.

He came and stood beside me, close but not touching.

“Anything you want” he replied.

“Please bury her somewhere nice, someplace I can visit her” I asked.

“Copy that” he acknowledged. He glanced at me sideways and seemed unsure what to say next. “It wasn’t really her anymore, Venerae. She was being ridden by the Athena AI. It was just memories compiled as a simulation of Penny”

“I am not so sure. I think there was a part of her that fought back against the AI, trying to keep Millie safe at the end” I locked my eyes with Jericho. “Did I really kill the woman I loved?”

Jericho sighed and put his hand on my shoulder. “I think it was like those people who the Mares make their Hosts. Even if the Mare is removed, they can’t survive it, not after what was done to them. I think you gave Penny the only release she could be given. She would have known that and been grateful”

I smiled at him. He was capable of being quite human when he wanted to.

“Thank you Jericho. You really are my favourite nephew”

=====

I found Millie curled up on a king sized bed in one of the bedrooms, still in her orange jumpsuit. She had her head resting in Twenty’s lap, the clone woman stripped out of her armour to just boxers and sports bra.

Millie seemed to be fast asleep, as Twenty possessively stroked her short blonde hair. I sat on the bed beside them both, careful not to wake my niece.

“Have you told her about me?” I asked Twenty. She shook her head.

“I thought that was better coming from you” Twenty answered. “You had better be here in the morning to talk to her or I will hunt you down and drag you back by your hair”

“I’ll be here, Twenty, I promise”

I reached into a pocket and drew out the Pathfinder Stone that I had given Millie nearly eight years ago. “Give her this and tell her I will reveal all I can about myself and her family”

I made to get off the bed, but Twenty put a hand on my arm to stop me. She had that same worried face I had seen in the Council Chamber earlier this evening.

“Venerae, when you used that spell, everyone seemed to suffer torment”

“That’s right. It banishes spirits by forcing them to be revealed in the light of my patron, the Archangel Michael. The past sins of any mortal creature are shown to them in painful detail. I doubt there is a person alive who has not committed some sins in their lives”

“What if I felt nothing?” she asked me. “I am sure I have committed deeds that would be called a sin, yet in the midst of all those people, I experienced nothing” Her eyes were desperate, her mouth set in a grim line.

“I don’t know Twenty. I have never heard of such a thing before. But it is not a common spell. Only members of my Order can use it, so maybe there are other people in the world who would be unaffected”

“Is it because I have no soul?” Twenty asked me quietly. “Do clones even have a soul?”

I gripped her hand tightly. My eyes looked deep into hers and I could see the anguish this was causing her.

“The very fact you feel pain over this is proof to me you have a soul. You were created by scientists, but you are still a human being with feelings and love to share. Don’t doubt yourself or your clone brothers and sisters. You are all human and one day you will help to free them all”

“Thank you, Venerae” she replied. I let go of her hand and she laid it on Millie once more, seeking comfort from the warmth of her body.

=====

September 10th, V26 – Morning

The morning sun was shining brightly through the penthouse windows, the cloudless sky promising a hot day here in Pan City. I rose from the bed I had slept in and dressed myself in yesterday’s clothes. The armour coat and swords I left on the covers. Hopefully I really did not need them today.

As I entered the main living room, a large space filled with soft couches and low tables, I could see one of the Jills humming to herself in the adjoining kitchen. By her long blue haired wig and mannerisms I recognised her as Trixie, one of Jericho’s favourites. She was busy making breakfast for us all, pancakes with fruit and a pan of scrambled eggs.

“Hi, Sister” she called out cheerily and put a cup of fresh coffee on the breakfast bar for me. The aroma was enticing, blending with the wonderful smells coming from the stovetop.

“Thanks, Trixie” I acknowledged to her. I sat at the bar on one of the high stools and sipped the coffee. It was pretty good and I told her so.

“It’s the way the Boss likes it” she admitted with a smile and went back to her cooking. She was hardly made to be a domestic servant, yet she seemed happy as she fussed about in the kitchen.

“Where is Jericho?” I enquired. I had expected him to be waiting here already since he never seemed to sleep.

“He has been in meetings since about five AM this morning, mostly with Two and Archimedes, plus the other Governors”

“A lot to be sorted out I guess” I mused. It did not seem like I would get a chance to talk with Jericho for a while.

“Is that coffee?” came a plaintive voice and Millie stumbled into the living room, her hair all mussed and still wearing the prison jumpsuit. I felt my heart lurch in my chest, my coffee cup halfway to my mouth. She spotted me and our eyes met across the room.

I braced myself for her anger, for her hatred of me because I had left her behind so many years ago.

“Venerae!” she shouted and ran across the room to me, grabbing me in a fierce bear hug. I juggled my coffee cup away from her head and managed to drop it on the counter. Coffee splashed across the plastic surface and I heard Trixie tutting at the mess.

“Hi Millie” was all I could say and then my tears finally came. I hugged her as hard as I could and the years apart from her melted away. She was my beautiful little niece again, a wild blonde headed girl whom I loved with all of my heart.

Twenty came into the room and watched us both for a moment, a happy smile on her face. Then she ran across too and joined us in our hugging and crying fest.

“I don’t suppose anyone wants some breakfast?” asked Trixie, holding her pan full of eggs.

=====

We had talked about the recent events until we were hoarse, drinking Trixie’s coffee and eating the eggs and pancakes. They had gotten cold but we ate them anyway, praising her excellent cooking skills. She coyly thanked us and prepared to leave, saying she had to go and give Jericho a ride to the Hole.

“Why does he need to go out there?” Millie had demanded in her usual blunt manner.

Trixie had paused, obviously unsure of what she was allowed to say. She made her mind up and responded.

“Jericho wants Professor Rackman to take up his old position on the Board of Governors. Not as the Chair, but to fill one of the vacancies”

“Do you mean J-san?” wondered Millie. Trixie nodded and my niece’s brow furrowed. “Does that mean J-san is actually Jericho Rackman, the Jericho Rackman?”

“One and the same” agreed Trixie. “Archimedes wants someone he trusts on the board so he is adding his support. I don’t know how Professor Rackman will feel about it, but it would be a chance to begin cleaning up some of what has gone wrong with the Zone”

“Maybe they should bring a sensitive onto the Board, someone like Shirai Hiraki” said Millie thoughtfully. “She works in Haven and can tell straight away if someone is lying”

“I am not sure how the Boss would handle that, having someone see right through all his lies” pondered Trixie with a smile. “But I’ll pass your suggestion on”

She left us and the three of us sat in the lounge room, looking awkwardly at each other.

“Millie, I know there is a lot to process right now” I said to her. “I am sorry I hid our connection from you, but I just wanted you to be safe. There is so much we need to talk about, our family and how we go forwards from here. But the main thing I want to tell you is that I won’t ever leave you behind again. I want to be part of your life, if you will let me”

“I have always wanted you to be in my life. That has not changed even if I have. The path I have followed to find you again was hard, but it made me stronger. It led me to Twenty and Daniel-san and Di, all the people I love” She paused and gestured for me to come and sit next to her, so I moved over and sat close on the couch. Millie had Twenty on one side and me on the other.

She clasped our hands with her own and lay back against the chair, sighing contentedly.

“The only thing I really hope is that you don’t tell me I am related to those Jericho assholes” she said.

“About that….” I began, waiting for the fireworks to begin.

=====

Excerpt from the personal logs of Jericho-Three

September 10th V26 (2046 AD) – Morning

<Was the risk worth the reward?> Archie asked me in our virtual space. We were seated across from each other in an old style hamburger joint, with faint Rock and Roll music playing in the background. Archie was in his usual college jacket and I had gone for an overlay of his laid back friend Jughead, the one who wears a crown. It seemed appropriate.

<Initial analysis shows the Quantum Field Disruptor was recovered intact from Miss Deeds. The quantum processor linked to the Athena Network tests as viable too> I replied, crossing my virtual legs and leaning back.

<Will the subversion protocols be useable as well?> he asked me, cartoon eyes large and intense. This was what really mattered to us both, the whole reason I risked myself and our own network.

<Yes, it appears so> I affirmed. <There are some more tests to be run, but it looks good>

<So you have achieved everything you wanted> said Archie. <You stopped the Athena Network getting a foothold in the Zone, rooted out some dangerous traitors among the Board of Governors, even re-united your Aunty and her niece>

<The last one was not a goal I set for myself. That just happened as a consequence of all the other events> I replied to Archie’s implication.

<You know I am far better at analysing all probabilities than you are, Three. This was something you wanted all along. Isn’t it why you involved Miss Hargreaves from the beginning?>

<She was just a convenient tool, a way to make sure Venerae was committed to what I needed her to do> I retorted. I discarded the cartoon overlay and appeared as my usual self, sitting angrily at the virtual table.

<You are far too human, Three> laughed Archie, his freckled face roaring at me with insincere glee. It passed in an instant, and he regarded me with a solemn face. <Don’t fall too far down that rabbit hole> he warned me, <We were not created to be humans. Our role is far greater than that>

<I know all that Archie> I admitted. <Rest assured, I have not forgotten what I was made for>

I went to leave the meeting, but Archie raised an imperious hand to halt me.

<Just one more matter before you go, Three> Archie stated. <I need you to relinquish control of Orbital One back to me>

<Sorry Archie, I had completely forgotten about that> I lied easily. <I’ll hand control back right now>