John Schettler - Stormtide Rising

“I intended to go back and kill Sergei Kirov,” said Fedorov. “Look how that turned out.”

“Do you know why?” Karpov folded his arms. “Because I intended that you should not kill him. I didn’t agree, and I’m not just anybody. But together, if we reach one mind on this, then I don’t think anything will stop us. Throw in Admiral Volsky on our side of this and the power of our intention gets even stronger. That’s what I believe. If we decide this, then we throw our own fates to the wind. We plunge that control rod into our little slice of infinity within the ship’s reactor core, and Time has to make a choice. Where does she send us—back to 1940 so she gets another massive paradox to sort through? I don’t think so. No, I think she’ll see that we get exactly where we intend to go—and that goes for Kazan as well. You and I stand here aboard Kirov , and we’ll get back to 1908. Volsky stands aboard Kazan , and Gromyko with his mandate from Kamenski, and something tells me they will get back too. Why would Time want us anywhere else—anywhere but the one place where we can really deal with this madness?”

“Astounding,” said Fedorov. “I’m starting to think you may have something here. It all accords with Dorland’s Time theory. I’ve read that book over an over since we got caught up in this web. Do you know what the very first entry in his time glossary is? Absolute Certainty. It’s a condition brought about by willful determination—not just by anyone, but by people who matter—Prime Movers, according to Dorland. That’s what you’re saying about us when you say we matter, that our will has pull and power. We’re Prime Movers, the both of us—Volsky too, and possibly even Gromyko, since he’s been cooked into the same borscht here with all the rest of us. The concept of Absolute Certainty serves to restrict or limit possible variations in the outcome of things—it serves to mitigate unintended consequences, and force events into accord with the will of the Prime Mover.”

“Just what I was suggesting,” said Karpov. “I should read this book!”

“Yes,” said Fedorov. “We’ve already seen a good number of things in it happen here. We’ve faced Paradox, saw the real effect of a Dual Heisenberg Wave that gave rise to your brother—a living Doppelganger. We’ve moved from one Nexus Point and Meridian to another, each with its own outcomes and consequences. We’ve seen the real manifestation of a time loop, and one that could even repeat again if we aren’t careful. Hell, I’ve listened to Elena Fairchild talking about a Grand Finality when things become so convoluted that they are insoluble, and no clear future can arise. Now here we are, two Prime Movers, talking about going back to the Point of Origin, the point of first divergence in 1908. Damnit Karpov. You’re right!”

Karpov smiled.

“Yes,” Fedorov continued. “There’s another concept that Dorland talks about in that book. He calls it ‘Quantum Karma.’ The notion of one’s karma is an old metaphysical concept from the eastern traditions. The things a person does in one state of existence have an effect in deciding their future fate. Dorland says that there’s a physical analogue for that—and on a quantum level. He suggests that Prime Movers can accumulate an aura of Quantum Karma around them that also has profound effects on the configuration of future moments in Time. Think of it like the way a ship’s hull concentrates the magnetic field of the earth. In this war, they introduced degaussing techniques to reduce that and lower the risk that a ship might set off a magnetic mine. We still routinely degauss ships in normal maintenance cycles. Well, what Dorland says is that Prime Movers collect quantum karma, and while it may not set off mines, it does have a profound effect on the outcome of events—particularly when their own volition is involved in those outcomes.”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Karpov put all Fedorov’s logic into one simple phrase.

“Exactly,” Fedorov smiled.

“Well then, is there a will, Fedorov? Are we of one mind on this? If so, then we need to bring in Volsky and Gromyko, and all put our hands on the haft of the same sword.”

“I don’t see any other way,” said Fedorov. “It’s clear that we can’t do what we originally intended here, but in 1908, our will has terrible and all changing power to work its way on the world and future time.”

“And we’ll get there,” said Karpov. “Mark my words, if we all set our minds on the same course together, we’ll get there.”

He got up, walked to the bar and reached for a bottle of Vodka. “Let’s drink on it,” which was something Russians enjoyed morning, noon or night. He poured out two shot glasses, extending one to Fedorov.

“To 1908,” he said with a new light in his eyes.

“To 1908,” said Fedorov, “and all that must be done….”

Fedorov and Karpov arrange a meeting with Volsky and Gromyko to discuss their new plan to target the Prime Meridian of fate and time in 1908, but the Japanese fleet has other ideas, and the ships must soon fight for their survival against warriors from both the present and future time.

The war continues in 1943, with Guderian driving south towards Basra and Erwin Rommel unleashing a classic envelopment attack towards Damascus. As the German 11th and 17th Armies slowly grind down the last of Soviet resistance in the Taman Peninsula, tensions reach a breaking point when they meet Volkov’s forces dug in west of Maykop. The Führer has ordered his legions to take and occupy that place, and Ivan Volkov chooses to stand his ground. The war in the east now threatens to spiral out of control, with new fighting erupting on every frontier in the deeply fractured hinterland of Mother Russia.

Meanwhile, Elena Fairchild finally learns the fate of the men she sent into the hidden passage beneath St. Michael’s Cave, and also makes a surprising discovery that will give her the means to find and retrieve the key that was lost on the Battleship Rodney .

Kirov — Kirov Series — Volume 1

Cauldron of Fire — Kirov Series — Volume 2

Pacific Storm — Kirov Series — Volume 3

Men of War — Kirov Series — Volume 4

Nine Days Falling — Kirov Series — Volume 5

Fallen Angels — Kirov Series — Volume 6

Devil’s Garden — Kirov Series — Volume 7

Armageddon – Kirov Series – Volume 8

Altered States – Kirov Series – Volume 9

Darkest Hour – Kirov Series – Volume 10

Hinge of Fate – Kirov Series – Volume 11

Three Kings – Kirov Series – Volume 12

Grand Alliance – Kirov Series – Volume 13

Hammer of God – Kirov Series – Volume 14

Crescendo of Doom – Kirov Series – Volume 15

Paradox Hour – Kirov Series – Volume 16

Doppelganger – Kirov Series – Volume 17

Nemesis – Kirov Series – Volume 18

Winter Storm – Kirov Series – Volume 19

Tide of Fortune – Kirov Series – Volume 20

Knight’s Move – Kirov Series – Volume 21

Turning Point – Kirov Series – Volume 22