Broken Gods by B.R. Keid

Author:B.R. Keid [Keid, B.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harmony Publishing
Published: 2024-08-12T00:00:00+00:00

Commander Redbrooke sat at the end of the briefing table. The holoproj buzzed, painting the air with rotating schematics of the God Forge’s colossal superstructure. Its surface was dominated by clusters of geometric shapes—recursive patterns that seared the eyes with their complexity. Beneath the sprawling shapes, the commander looked small, surrounded by stacks of datapads and quiet worry.

He looked up from his work and waved them in. “Ensign Jene, Sevvers, come in. Take a seat.”

Sev sank into the nearest chair, the cool metal pressing against his back. His gaze locked onto the rotating holograms, their soft light dancing across the thick fibrosteel bulkheads. The assault force’s path wound through the God Forge’s vast exterior, a thin, pulsing thread of blue amidst a sea of pale green.

Lacing his fingers together, Redbrooke leaned forward. “The councilman and the sect have spoken highly of your actions since your disappearance from CDF custody, Sevvers. It seems you’ve made quite an impression.”

That was an understatement.

Sev cleared his throat. “Thank you, sir.”

“I’ll be frank. Under any other circumstances, what you did at Aegia Prime would be unforgivable. Architects Jacobe and Lambren acted well within their remit to stop a rogue combat programmer and his unsanctioned AI.”

“Until Six saved all of you.” Sev jabbed a finger at the tabletop. “Without her, the Concordat would’ve won.”

“You’re incorrect.” The commander gestured to the holoproj, summoning dozens of battle simulation reports. “We would have destroyed them, eventually. Though, admittedly with far greater losses. Too many to take advantage of this opportunity to find and destroy San Diego.”

“Like I said, they would’ve won.”

“But we’re here now. And the sooner we get you reinstated, the sooner Lambren and the others will stand down. I don’t need an incident with Section Delta hours before we make contact with the archenemy.”

Hours. The word hit like a railgun slug.

Sev tugged at his jumpsuit collar. “Skain said⁠—”

“I am aware of your arrangement with the councilman.” Redbrooke retrieved a datapad from the stack, his fingers scrolling through the text with practiced efficiency. “Six will serve out the remainder of your enlistment as a technical consultant for Division R&D. That will give our architects ample time to determine if it poses any further threat to colonial infrastructure or personnel.”

“That wasn’t part of the deal. Skain said no more Division. Six would be free. She’s earned that much.”

“The Founding Council and colonial governorship are understandably apprehensive about allowing an unrestricted AI designed for autonomous warfare access to the colony nets. In this case, the councilman believes that the ends justify the means.” The man made his case like a mathematical proof. “He is confident that you will come to understand the necessity of this arrangement.”

Sev clenched his jaw. “And if I say no?”

“If you say no, you’ll both remain fugitives regardless of the outcome of Operation God Breaker.” Redbrooke set the datapad down and rubbed his temples. He looked up at Sev, contempt darkening his typically thoughtful features. “If you manage to survive, you'll spend the rest of your short lives on the run.

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