Free Doom Star: Book 06 - Star Fortress by Vaughn Heppner Page B

Cone said.
    “Possibly?” asked Juba-Ryder. “How can you doubt it?”
    “I don’t so much doubt it as I don’t think it warrants any action at this time. Despite his SU birthplace, he has become a Jovian and he is their representative to us. This is the critical factor.”
    “I cannot agree,” Juba-Ryder said. “As my first order of business, I plan to make a clean sweep of traitors.”
    “Could you elaborate please on what you mean by: my first order of business?”
    Juba-Ryder eyed Marten and then the robot. “The Supreme Commander is gone.”
    “Gone,” Cone said, “but we both know he is alive.”
    The director shook her turbaned head. “That is inconsequential. You have read his resignation.”
    “He is tired and weary,” Cone said. “Give him several weeks rest and then he will—”
    “You think to honor him by this… loyalty ?” Juba-Ryder asked. “No. You are disobeying his last command. James Hawthorne has stepped down from power and—”
    “Hawthorne will lead the Human Fleet to the Neptune System,” Cone said.
    “You are incorrect on several counts,” Juba-Ryder said. “Firstly, it is Social Unity’s Fleet, not the Human Fleet. Secondly, he cannot lead. If the Highborn learn he is alive, they will annul our alliance or demand his death. Therefore, he must remain incognito. Frankly, in the interest of cementing our alliance, James Hawthorne should surrender himself to the Highborn.”
    “You are a political animal,” Cone said. “To cement your power, you would willingly give up a human to the genetic freaks. And not just any human, but the military genius who had kept us free from the Highborn. ”
    “Those ‘freaks’ you refer to will help us defeat the cyborgs and thus save humanity,” Juba-Ryder said. “This is a harsh world, Security Specialist. Or didn’t the planet-wrecker teach you anything?”
    Through the robot’s screen, Cone stared at the director. Then the floating machine rotated slightly so the screen aimed at Marten. “Why were you attempting to gain admittance to the Supreme Commander’s Mansion?”
    “I want to free Osadar,” Marten said.
    “He means the cyborg,” Juba-Ryder said.
    “I can arrange that,” Cone told Marten.
    “Didn’t you hear me earlier?” Juba-Ryder asked loudly. “This traitor will speak with no one, certainly not with a cyborg. He is coming with me.”
    “In case you’ve forgotten,” Marten said. “I have a gun pointed at you.”
    Juba-Ryder spread her hands in the robot’s direction. “His words betray him. He is a traitor, eager to shed our blood.”
    “You plan to shed his blood,” Cone said.
    “I am the new legal representative for Social Unity,” Juba-Ryder said. “In me resides the authority of billions of socially responsible people.” She faced Marten. “By what authority do you dare to threaten my life?”
    “The right of self-preservation,” Marten said.
    “In the face of billions of people?”
     A grin tightened Marten’s lips. “Your time is running out. If you believe in any deities, I suggest you make your peace with them now.”
    “If you kill me,” Juba-Ryder said, “my guards will kill you and your wife.”
    “The minute I drop my gun, I’m dead anyway,” Marten said.
    Juba-Ryder grew thoughtful. “I will bargain with you. Spare my life and she can walk away.”
    Marten stared into the director’s eyes. He couldn’t trust her. He knew that, and yet…
    “One moment,” Cone said. “I have a solution to our dilemma.”
    “Marten Kluge must surrender to me,” Juba-Ryder said.
    “We are not in Egyptian Sector,” Cone said. “By what authority do you make your arrest in New Baghdad?”
    “Were you not listening?” Juba-Ryder asked. “The directors took a vote. I am the new Chief Director for Social Unity, for all Inner Planets.”
    “Ah,” Cone said, nodding onscreen. “I see. I hadn’t fully understood the situation. A vote by the directors, you say? That was quick work,