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

face. That’s not like him , thought Jon, but he pressed on. “Would you even say you have a home?”
    “No,” said Bast in a quiet voice.
    “We can leave here,” said Jon. “And Space Force would probably never find us. But where would we go? The corporations will soon be hunting us, so we can’t stay in the colonies. I can’t see myself living on an alien planet somewhere. So, will this ship become our permanent home?”
    “I don’t know,” said Bast. “I hadn’t thought much past the removal of our brain chips. Still, even if we decided to stay and help, we are just one ship.”
    “We are more than one ship. We have a jump system.”
    “I thought you didn’t want to share the technology?”
    “I don’t. Which brings me to the rest of the Prime Minister’s proposition. He wants us to create our own, independent fleet, loyal to New Byzantium, but separate from the military.”
    “That’s ridiculous. Who would we answer to?”
    “No one. Ourselves. But we would have access to New Byzantium’s resources. Money, ships, recruits. You name it.”
    “Why would the Prime Minister do that? Why would the planet allow it?”
    “Because they are desperate. New Byzantium is on the verge of being destroyed. If the corporations don’t do it, the Kemmar surely will. Sallas believes in us. He knows that with a few jump ships, New Byzantium stands a fighting chance.”
    “That is an interesting proposition. But how do you plan on building new jump ships?
    “Building them would take too long. We would have to retrofit existing ships.”
    “But we don’t have the experience to do that.”
    “Ah but we do. Chief Engineer Singh knows how.”
    “I’m sorry, Captain, but last I checked Singh was insane.”
    “And a traitor,” added Kevin.
    “Yes, he is all those things, but I think we can control him. I’m sure he’d do anything for his freedom right now. Besides, we’ll keep him on a short leash.”
    “I see. Is there anything else we need to know?”
    “There is. The Prime Minister wants us to release the Diakans.”
    “What? Why?”
    “If Space Force and the Diakans show up here one day, he won’t be able to defend us if we are holding Diakans prisoner.”
    “That makes sense. Is that the entire proposition?”
    “No there is one more thing. The Prime Minister has asked that I be put in command.”
    “Why is that?”
    “I don’t know. I guess he trusts me.”
    “I see. I suppose you are in favor of this proposal?”
    “I haven’t decided yet. I wanted to discuss it first.”
    “The Reivers vote to accept the offer,” said Jonas, surprising everyone at the table.
    “You do? But the offer of asylum doesn’t benefit you?”
    “The offer is irrelevant. We are fighters, and this is as good a place as any to call home.”
    “Duly noted,” said Jon. “Thank you.”
    Bast became quiet and his left eye began to twitch ever so slightly, revealing that he was communicating with others on the ship. Maybe Jarvi, maybe someone else. Jon decided it was best not to object to the private conversation, so he waited.
    When Bast’s eye stopped twitching he said, “I have consulted with the rest of the Chaanisar. We wish to accept the Prime Minister’s offer as well.”
    Jon nodded. “Okay, that helps me make up my mind. Who am I to argue with democracy. Let’s make it unanimous. I’m in too. I’ll let the Prime Minister know that we’ve accepted.”
    “If that matter is resolved, I’d like to discuss something else that is somewhat related. As you all know, the attempt to remove my brain chip did not succeed. Doctor Ellerbeck is going to go over the data, but it doesn’t seem likely that she’ll find a solution. Therefore, we have to accept the fact that our brain chips will remain for the foreseeable future.”
    “Unfortunately that seems to be the reality,” said Jon.
    “Yes, and the other reality is that the Prime Minister is probably correct. Space Force will eventually find the