Patterns of Chaos: Book One - The First War
Chapter 11

Calixta returned to her office, determined to prove her dedication to the Emperor. Calling up the most recent intelligence reports, she scanned them furiously; looking for something, anything that could be turned to their advantage. The headache she had developed was intensifying, forcing her eyes shut…

-a shipment of arms had been seized from Northern Korea, delivered to the American government. The President was making a speech in front of the crate about how America was dedicated to fighting terrorism since the start of this century, and as the shipping container was opened, a fireball erupted over him and the crowd…

Calixta’s eyes snapped open. “What the…” She murmured. That had been so real, not like any dream she had ever experienced. Glancing at the clock, less than a minute had passed since she had closed her eyes.

Moreover, the headache was gone.

She realized how easy it would be to rig one of their cargo containers to explode on demand, how utterly simple arranging it to be captured was, and knew that this would please her Emperor.

Within the day, the arrangements had been made with their agents on Earth. The incendiary devices were built into the sides of the container, rigged with a camera so that they could verify the appropriate target before detonation; she did not want to annihilate some minor functionary, after all.

When everything was prepared, she approached the Emperor to present him with the triggering command.

“How amazingly devious of you, Calixta.” He grinned as they watched the camera uplink.

“Thank you, sir.” She blushed.

“However did you come up with such a brilliant scheme?” He was genuinely curious.

She explained the vision she had had, and felt the intensity of his gaze on her. On the screen facing them, the container began to open. “Sir?”

“Of course.” He murmured. Glancing away from her, he saw the crowd, the President. He tapped out a command, and the feed cut out as the flames belched over the people.

“Beautifully masterminded.” He smiled again. “Of course, you know what happened, don’t you?”

“Sir?”

He stroked her face gently. “The plan was destined to work, because you had already seen it work. You saw an outcome and worked backwards from that.”

“I still don’t know how I saw it happen, though.” She admitted.

“Simply another gift you have received from me. First I gave you back your life, then I gave you purpose. Now, you can see things as I can see them. All of you aboard this vessel are growing powers like mine. The children are strongest, but before long, with practice, your powers will grow strong too.”

Calixta stared at him in shock. To be free of disease and age was one thing, but to be able to do what he was capable of…

“I can’t say precisely how strong your gift will be, unfortunately.” He continued, gleaning the gist of her thoughts. “But precognition? That in itself is an amazing ability. You should be very proud.”

“I am, sir.” She gazed at him adoringly.

Stragdoc knew what she wanted, and took her in his arms.

Later, he gave her a special assignment. She was to return to Earth to supervise a special project, as well as secure several intelligence assets.

She pouted slightly, not wanting to be separate from her savior for long, but he assured her it would be for no more than two weeks. Even that seemed an eternity to her, but she acquiesced. After she left for her quarters to prepare, Stragdoc brooded. He had had other lovers before, but none who’d essentially worshipped him. Or who were gifted with precognitive visions, for that matter.

He did care for her, in his own way; but it amounted to the way a gamesman would care for a valuable piece on the chessboard. Not a pawn, but not yet a queen. He shook his head; his metaphor was getting away from him. The mission she was on was relatively minor - low risk to herself - but if something went wrong, he would miss her.

For a time.

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