Free Sullivan Saga 2: Sullivan's Wrath by Michael K. Rose

hand as he glanced at Miller. “General, I take it you don’t have urgent business to discuss?”
    “This is urgent.”
    Hall nodded. “Come into my office, then.”
    Sullivan had barely waited for the door to close before speaking. “It’s simple, Steve. A ship belonging to Miss Alexander was salvaged by your government. We want that ship back.”
    Sullivan watched Hall’s face as he processed the request. Sullivan smiled. Hall was a good politician. He didn’t betray that he knew what Sullivan was talking about.
    “A ship?”
    “Yes. It’s one of the specially equipped hyper-hyperspace ships that were used to bring the invasion force to Edaline.”
    “They were all destroyed, Rick.”
    “Not this one. It was damaged but still salvageable.”
    Hall shook his head. “There was a lot of confusion just after the war. There were several paramilitary factions who tried to take control of the city, loyalists plotting against the new government. It was nothing short of chaos. I don’t know who took the ship.”
    Sullivan lowered his voice. “This isn’t a time for games, Steve. We’re not here to give you grief about taking the ship. But it is crucial that you tell us where it is.”
    “Why?”
    “It’s a complicated matter. Please, Steve. We need the ship.”
    “I don’t have it, Rick.”
    Kate stepped forward and put her hand on Hall’s shoulder. “Prime Minister Hall… Steve. My name is Kate Alexander. My father was Benjamin Alexander. Have you heard of him?”
    “Of course.”
    “You know that he was—that I am—very wealthy. I have more resources at my disposal than some planets. Those resources could either help you or hurt you. I could invest in the future of Edaline and make you look quite good, or I could invest in the political campaigns of your opponents. It’s really your choice.”
    “You’re blackmailing me, Miss Alexander?”
    Kate smiled. “Rick has told me a bit about you. Do you want to know what he said?”
    “Of course.”
    “He said that you are a self-serving man.”
    Hall’s face tightened.
    “But he also said that when it matters, you can be counted on to make the right decision. Will you make the right decision now?”
    Hall licked his lips then smiled thinly. “Like I said, I don’t know anything about the ship, but I’ll find it for you.”
    “Good,” said Sullivan. “When will you let us know that you’ve found it?”
    “Tomorrow morning.”
    “You’re confident you’ll find it by then?”
    Hall smiled. “For the hero of Edaline, I’ll move mountains. You’ll have you ship, Rick.”
     
    ALLEN FELT THE chill. Before he could turn around to look for her, Liz spoke. “Now, Frank. You have to move fast. Call Sullivan.”
    “You have the number?”
    “Yes.”
    Allen spoke the number into his earpiece as Liz gave it to him.
    “Hello?”
    Allen smiled at the sound of his friend’s voice. “Hello, Rick.”
    “Frank? Where are you?”
    “I’ll tell you in a minute. But there are some other things I need to tell you first.”
    Liz moved to stand in front of Allen. She fixed his gaze. Behind the smile, Allen sensed displeasure.
    “Rick, I’m sorry.”
    “For what? What have you done?”
    “I’m sorry for lying to you and Kate.”
    “It’s all right, Frank. We just want you to come back with us. Whatever you’re going through, we can help you. We’re here for you, Frank.”
    Allen swallowed hard and fought back tears. “I know, Rick. But I can’t leave just yet. I have to take care of some things.”
    “I know about the ship, Frank. You want to get back into hyper-hyperspace, don’t you?”
    Allen glanced at Liz. She nodded.
    “Yes. I want to be with Liz.”
    “That’s not Liz. You can’t trust her, Frank. Look at the way she’s been manipulating you.”
    “No, it’s not like that. Everything I’ve done, I’ve done voluntarily. I’ve done it because I wanted to do it.”
    “You wanted to betray your friends?”
    “No,