Chapter 50
"Wangjanim, there you are,” Mom said to me with a tentative smile. I could not read her intent wherever she was, but I could read my mother’s face better than anyone else’s. She was anxious about my response.
“You left,” I said. “You left us thinking you were dead.”
She nodded solemnly. “I did, Craig-a. It was absolutely vital that everyone, you most of all, thought I was dead.”
“Why, Mother? Why would you stab me in the heart like that?”
“Because to do anything else would result in your death,” she said. “Your real death.”
“How, who, and why?” I asked.
“By overwhelming numbers of Shenn’s men,” she said, answering two questions at once. “And to get the rubies, of course.”
“The rubies he wasn’t sure we even had?” I asked, incredulous.
“Oh, he knew of them. He had no doubt. And with them and with you as hostage, he could force me to open a portal to Earth.”
“Mom, you can’t open portals.”
“Ah, but I can, Craig-a. I have learned much since my time at Arcane. I am sorry you had to leave it, but I believe you will return soon.”
“I don’t understand any of this,” I said.
“If I may interpose on this lovely reunion, I believe your mother found knowledge from the Adversary,” Omega interjected.
“Knowledge that helped create your tattoos and helped her learn to open portals. With enough rubies and an advanced technique, she could have facilitated the first weapon sale to Earth. But her premature death would stop that possibility, leaving you momentarily safe.”
“Excellent, young one,” Mother said to Omega. “However, reaching the age of eighteen would allow you to leave Greenacres, and Shenn would not take that chance. But the sudden death of your father would trigger the will clause to send you to Earth early.”
“So you killed Dad? Your husband?”
“I did not. Snim did. I lack the will to do something that harsh, no matter the necessity,” she said.
“I do not expect forgiveness. I saw what was coming and did what I needed to for your protection, like I did when you were born. Everything I do is for you, Craig-a, and if humanity gets to live a while longer too, than that is just butter on the cake.”
“Icing, Mom. It’s icing on the cake.”
“You are certain, Craig-a?” she asked, frowning.
“Yes, Mom.”
“Ah, look at your beautiful bride,” Mom said, looking at a stunned Vesta. “Even I did not foresee this. You and the Steward’s Heir, matched by the universe.”
“Hello, Mrs. Blackmore,” Vesta said in a quiet voice.
“Da-Ni eomoni, Vesta Maeve. You should call me Da-Ni eomoni, or, if you feel forgiving, you could call me… Mom. ”
Vesta just nodded and I could feel how overwhelmed she was through our bond.
“Mother, what is going on?” I asked.
“I had visions, Craig-a. Many visions. And the only ones that allowed you to live were the ones where I sought out Snim and made an alliance. Mankind will always revolt against overlords whether they be human, alien, or computer. Plans to rebuild nuclear weapons began the moment Omega came online and seized the existing worldwide armory.”
“But you helped them get this weapons-grade uranium to Earth?”
“Of course. Keep your enemy closest. I knew Omega would detect it and I knew you would be involved. Starting a fight with you, Vesta, and the Steward was all part of the administration’s plan.
A distraction. Just as using this shipment to make contact with you and Omega was ours.
Now, time grows short. I must say goodbye for now.
Keep the little one and we will contact you again.
Goodby, Craig-a,” she said with a little wave.
The hologram disappeared and the tiny drone fell to the bottom of the bigger drone’s containment area.
“Did that really just happen?” Vesta asked.
“It did,” Omega confirmed. “And I am a little humbled by it.”
“What is Snim?” Vesta asked me.
“It means Master. Like master carpenter or swordsman,” I said.
“It would seem appropriate,” Omega said.