{Enki}

“But… And I’m sorry to ask this way, but what does that mean, Tumu?” John asked after shaking off the shock.

The entire hospital room went speechless at the news of Eminent Wiw’s passing. The Officer of the Third arrived seconds ago to inform them. John liked the old Tritan. He treated everyone with respect and fondness. Para and Karter exchanged knowing looks. Chris and Jack ducked their eyes as if shocked beyond bewilderment. This was awful.

“He was so nice…” The King Regent of Earth faced Tumu with genuine grief in his hazel eyes.

The Tritan softly agreed, “He was. And John, it’s left quite a dangerous imbalance within the Tribunal. A power vacuum until they find his replacement.”

“You could do that.” Chris gestured at the Tritan. “You have our vote.”

The ancient alien—former Primary—shook his head. “I don’t qualify. Remember, they’re like saints to your people. They accomplish so many good deeds—miracles if you must—before they’re elected.”

“You helped us organize a resistance against Nox’s forces.” Karter jumped on the bandwagon.

Para followed soon after, “You restored Earth with the Progeny and helped establish the migration efforts. You’re overseeing Rayne’s sentence…”

Before John opened his mouth to add more, Tumu held up a hand to stop them. “Once demoted from Eminent, it’s nearly impossible to regain that status. And I’m fine with that. But I actually came here for you, Karter.”

The black and green of the woman’s eyes widened. “Me?”

“The Icari could use representation, and I can’t think of anyone more qualified than you. You’ve survived the main eras of this race. You saw the expansion of Li. And all the while you fought for the betterment of your people.” Tumu made an excellent case.

The Osage human in the room considered the history of Cinder. Of all the men and women mentioned throughout, Karter’s name recurs with mostly positive mentions. The only exception was the Tritan-backed coup. But no one should know about it since Nox’s Verse was illegal.

Chris took Karter’s hand. “I support whatever you want to do.”

Para took the other one. “We’ll get a place in Enki. All of us as a family.”

Mostly distracted by the warm spectacle happening right in front of him, John barely noticed the shift in Tumu’s countenance. But he caught it. The Tritan looked desperate. The Educator asked, “What’s this really about—”

“It should be my sister.”

They all turned and stared at Jack. Chris sighed. Karter, Para, and Tumu looked more sympathetic. John’s eyebrows tried to reach his hairline.

But the King Regent set his jaw in determination. There was fire in his eyes when he faced Tumu. “It should be Rayne. She’s given everything for the people of both worlds. She is a miracle. What’s it take to exonerate her? Tell me, Tumu. What miracles did Wiw or Lance accomplish to gain that status? I don’t care to hear about Abresson or Celindria. We know how they rigged their elections.”

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“Be. Quiet.”

John’s eyes widened so much that tears fell from them. Terrified, his heart raced. The Officer of Third’s voice came from inside his own head. The Tritan never moved his mouth. Could they read minds? Or only communicate with telepathy? Was it only Tumu? Cause Abresson would have said something by now if he could hear what they really thought of him. Could he hear John’s thoughts right now?

Chris and Para hopped out of their seats and assumed a fighter’s stance. Karter unsheathed a concealed knife from who the fuck knew where within the resurrection casket.

But Jack was a Callahan through and through. He faced Tumu, unafraid. Notably, with his mouth shut.

Again came that eerie disembodied bass in their heads. “Be careful what you say. Enki has eyes and ears as well as an unfair sense of judgment. No Tritan will understand your ire in the face of their loss.” And in a shock so vacuous it made their ears pop, Tumu spoke aloud, “Wiw was a good friend and a great man. He made discoveries that prolonged the life of our species to continue our research. But he also established the true integration of the test planets into a Collective of people. Initially, the humanoid, intelligent populace of the planets we seeded were only considered experiments. Clinically and inhumanely treated. Wiw is the reason any of you have rights. That you exist as free peoples. Mourn his loss, for that’s truly what it is. Our loss.”

John searched the faces around the room to gauge their level of impress. Each of them looked properly affected.

The Tritan rotated his neck as if working out the tension in his shoulders. “That said, under normal circumstances, your sister qualifies as a spectacular candidate. But she is not a person from whom one seeks council. She is the person for whom one seeks execution.”

Jack conceded with a duck of his head.

Tumu squeezed his shoulder with genuine warmth and consolation. “This brings me to my next concern. The remaining Eminents will bring the Progeny before the Tribunal. There is evidence as to their complicity in the matter. Obviously, not King Rayne. All of you must lie low until after this formality is observed.”

John brought Jack back out of the way with him and patted the younger Callahan on the back. Why couldn’t their lives be simple?

The Officer stepped around the group and held out his hand to Karter. Softly, the Tritan smiled with a lipless mouth, and helped the Valkyrie out of the casket. “Please consider my offer. It’s much to consider, but I mean it genuinely. You make an excellent candidate.”

Chris and Para both stood at the taller Icarean female’s side. She gazed at Tumu as if measuring his sincerity. Strong and sure, Karter acknowledged, “You came to this decision based on what I told you about my child. You’re arranging us into a stratagem.” She held up a hand to stop the incoming protest. He nodded for her to continue. “I accept your proposal for candidacy as the first Icarean Eminent and the first Icarus of the Tribunal.”

Tumu closed his eyes and sagged with relief. John swore he deflated and blew out a black cloud of stress.

Chris’ chest puffed out as he beamed at her. Para looked less happy and more resolute, as if she knew better what lay ahead for them.

“I have conditions before I combat the current Tribunal for this honor. You said you knew what happened to my baby. Before I take this position, you’ll tell me. I don’t care what fate they met. I want to know.” The powerful woman never wavered.

Jack walked over and whispered in her ear. John overheard Ross’ name.

“We also want Ross returned. Safely—”

Tumu interrupted her to explain, “I just heard word. Iuo set Ross another step closer to finding her sister. From here, it gets a little dark. But I’m positive that she’ll find Bethany.”

“Without harm?” John needed to clarify that.

The Tritan hesitated and chose his next words carefully. “It’s a dangerous mission. She agreed to face potential risks. I can’t promise unharmed. But I can promise alive.” He stopped and turned toward the door. Placing a finger to his lips, he asked them for quiet.

The room held a collective breath.

After a few seconds passed in silence, Tumu looked back to Karter. “You’re free to return to Tameka’s apartment. It’s getting crowded in there. I’ll arrange another—”

“We want the entire wing,” the taller Valkyrie demanded. Chris barely concealed a proud chuckle. Para beamed.

“Yes. Of course. I’ll head that way when I finish my rounds. Thank you, Karter.” The Tritan left a little lighter in his step than when he arrived.

They all turned and looked at John, who shuffled on his prosthetic and brushed his ear. “Did you get all that, Caedes?”

“Yea. We did. Fury wants everyone back. Now. She has a plan.”