Free Never Surrender (The Empire's Corps Book 10) by Christopher Nuttall Page B

well.  The Marine Corps had built up the determination never to let someone remain in enemy hands through a grim awareness that any prisoner was likely to be brutally tortured, then murdered.  Insurgents throughout the Empire had known, after all, what was likely to happen to any of them who fell into enemy hands and they’d been happy to return the favour.
     
    And Admiral Singh tortured you , her own thoughts reminded her.  You’ve been very lucky this time around .
     
    “Probably,” the doctor said.  She paused.  “On a different note, you don’t seem to have been stung with any tracking bugs, but the gear I have isn't too advanced.  I may be wrong.”
     
    “I know,” Jasmine said.  She thought they hadn’t been stung, but there was no way to be sure without mil-grade scanners and some luck.  A bug could be so tiny it could only be seen with a microscope...  “We’ll just have to take our chances.”
     
    “And so you will,” the doctor said.  She turned towards the door, then stopped.  “I’ll have some clothes sent in for you, then assign you to one of the huts.  I assume you want to stay together?”
     
    “Yes, please,” Jasmine said.
     
    “Then you shall,” the doctor said.  “I’d recommend a day of rest, but if you’re anything like Old Hans, you won’t want to stay still for a moment.”
     
    She walked out of the door.  Moments later, Darrin walked in, accompanied by a heavyset man who looked as if he was running to fat.  Jasmine eyed him carefully and noted that, despite his girth, he was definitely surprisingly quick and strong.  And he had a stance that suggested he knew he was both liked and respected.  In some ways, he reminded her of Colonel Stalker.
     
    “Jasmine, this is Scoutmaster Clarence,” Darrin said.  “He’s in charge of the local section of the resistance.”
     
    Jasmine rose to her feet, then held out a hand.  “Pleased to meet you,” she said.  Clarence took it and shook her hand firmly.  “It’s always a pleasure to meet a scout.”
     
    Clarence smiled.  “And were you ever a scout?”
     
    “Many Marines have been scouts,” Jasmine said.  She’d never been one herself, but her homeworld hadn't really liked the creed of the Imperial Boy Scouts.  “I was a Survivor myself.”
     
    “Ah, our dread rivals,” Clarence said.  He gave her a smile that suggested he hadn't taken offense, then motioned for her to sit down.  “As interesting as it would be to compare notes, I don’t think we have time.  We need to talk, instead, about just how you wound up on this world - and why.”
     
    Jasmine nodded.  “It’s a long story,” she said, “but I will do my best.”
     
    She hesitated, then started by outlining how the company had been exiled to Avalon - and how they’d started to build the Commonwealth to take the Empire’s place, now it was dead and gone.  Clarence listened carefully, without interrupting, as she talked about the peace talks that had ended in failure, then the war on Thule.  When she finished, he leaned forward and looked her in the eye.
     
    “Your Commonwealth,” he said.  “Can it liberate our world?”
     
    “I think so,” Jasmine said, although in truth she knew it would be hard to be sure of anything now.  Perhaps, once the POW camp was liberated, she would sit down with Stubbins and Paula and try to work out some hard numbers for Wolfbane.  How many ships had been in the sector when Governor Brown had taken control?  “But it may take years.”
     
    Clarence’s eyes narrowed.  “How long?”
     
    “I don’t know,” Jasmine said.  “The war was just starting when we were captured, sir.  I don't think the Commonwealth will win or lose quickly; it may take years before one side gains a decisive advantage.  The front will probably surge backwards and forwards hundreds of times before then.”
     
    She sighed.  “I wish I could give you a timetable for the liberation of your