Ghost Fleet (The Pike Chronicles Book 4) by G. P. Hudson Page A

looked skeptical.
    “Honestly, Doctor. The best thing for me right now is to get back to work.”
    “Alright, but I want you to come and see me the second you experience anything out of the ordinary.”
    “Yes, Doctor. I will.”
    Ellerbeck relented and retrieved Bast’s uniform, then left the room. He discarded the medical gown and got dressed. It improved his mood and reassured him that he was back in control of himself. He pulled on his boots, and accessed the ship’s computer to see how much time had elapsed. He had a lot of catching up to do. As he headed toward the door a memory flashed in his mind. It was his mother reaching up from the floor, gripping the man’s arm, pleading for him not to take her son. It played in his mind like a movie. The man turned and kicked her in the stomach.
    The door slid open and Colonel Bast walked out into the corridor. He saw the boy screaming for his mother, as the men carried him away. He saw the tears. The horror. The anguish. He needed to get to the bridge. He also needed to talk to Captain Pike. If the brain chips couldn’t be removed, they would need another solution. He heard the boy’s voice again, screaming for his mother. Approaching one of the ship’s lifts he stopped and waited for the doors to open. Pulling updates from the computer, he cycled through the various reports. The door to the lift slid open and he entered. The door closed and he stood erect, waiting for the lift to take to his destination. Looking down, he examined his uniform, making sure nothing was out of place. As he did, he noticed that his hands were balled together into tight fists.

Chapter 11
     
    Jon studied Colonel Bast from across the table, marveling at his recovery and speedy return to work. Lieutenant Jarvi, Kevin, and Jonas were seated around the briefing room table. After meeting Prime Minister Sallas, Jon had intended on calling a meeting, but surprisingly Bast had beat him to it.
    “Let’s begin,” said Bast. Having dispensed with all the welcome back greetings, Bast was all business. “Captain Pike, would you care to update us on your meeting with Prime Minister Sallas?”
    “Sure,” said Jon. “The Prime Minister has an interesting proposition.” Jon glanced around the table to make sure he had everyone’s attention. “He wants us to stay and fight for New Byzantium.”
    “Isn’t that what we just did?” said Bast.
    “Yes, but as we all know they are surrounded by enemies. On the one hand the corporations have shown that they will stop at nothing to end New Byzantium’s democracy experiment. On the other, this whole region faces an impending invasion from the Kemmar Empire.”
    “That is all very unfortunate, but we have already risked our lives for them, why should we do so again?” said Bast.
    “Aside from it being a worthy cause, the Prime Minister is willing to offer us political asylum.”
    “Political asylum? He has already offered citizenship and land in gratitude for our help against the coup. How is this any different?”
    “Well, he made a good point. With the discovery of the jump system, Space Force will eventually discover the colonies, as will the Diakans. When they do, the Diakans will demand that Hermes officers be extradited back to Sol to stand trial for our actions against Tallos and the rest of his motley crew. They might even accuse the crew of being complicit. Space Force may also demand your extradition to stand trial for war crimes. Either way, citizenship may not protect us from extradition, but asylum will.”
    “Captain,” said Bast. “All this is based on the assumption that we will still be here when Space Force and the Diakans show up. The reality is we’ll be far away when that happens.”
    “That’s exactly what I said.”
    “Then it seems we already have an answer for the Prime Minister.”
    “Let me ask you something. Do you ever plan on going home?”
    Bast leaned back in his chair, and a troubled expression clouded his