Star Crusades Nexus: Book 06 - Call to Arms by Michael G. Thomas Page B

haven't already. I can promise you that City One will fall and will become a Biomech forward base in a matter of weeks. You need to open up the Rift and contact Terra Nova for help. They can have a rescue team at Mars in less than a day.”
    Some of the civilian staff in the room murmured in agreement, but the look on the Governor’s face turned from that of calm and patience to anger. The lines of his face tightened, and his jaw twitted. The dark skinned man approached and stepped alongside Spartan to face him.
    “Governor, I don’t completely agree with our guests, but my officers think a rapid search and rescue operation on Mars should be conducted as a matter of urgency. We can move in, contain this threat, and put things back the way they were.”
    He then leaned in so that only the Governor could hear him. They spoke for a few more seconds before standing back. The tightness of his face softened just a little, and he then moved back to Spartan.
    “No, we will not risk opening the Rift.”
    Khan burst out laughing from further back inside the room.
    “Then Mars is gone, and you will be next. Three hundred thousand foot soldiers, all modified, butchered, and one hundred percent loyal to them. Earth won't stand a chance.”
    This time the Governor did give the nod to his guards, and a group of four closed in, each trying to look calm and relaxed as they approached the two visitors. Spartan faced off against one side while Khan looked to the other two, without even moving his body.
    “You really don’t want to do this,” Spartan said.
    The nearest man stopped in front of Spartan and then saluted; to Spartan’s surprise it was his old comrade Lieutenant Jenkins.
    “You keep showing up, old timer.”
    The man remained impassive and waited for the Governor to speak first.
    “As Governor, I have already put plans in motion for a full-scale operation to retake Mars. I would very much appreciate it if both of you would travel along with the team, in an advisory capacity.”
    Khan looked at Spartan and grinned.
    “They want us along, to advise?”
    Spartan was less than amused at the suggestion though.
    “Governor, you’ve just shown us a feed of your refinery operation. I promise you, these machines are just the lowest of their war machines. There will be at least one machine in overall command, perhaps more.”
    “Yeah,” Khan added, “and those machines are something else.”
    Governor Trelleck indicated for them to move to his side so that he could see the rest of his people. Khan dutifully did as asked, but Spartan wouldn’t easily do so. It took an additional request from Lieutenant Jenkins for him to agree.
    “As you can see, our friends from the Alliance are experienced in fighting these machines. As experts in this field, I think we would all value their contribution to our rescue party.”
    Three men and a woman stood up and began clapping in appreciation. More followed, and it was very quickly clear it had been planned right from the beginning. It wasn’t a particularly sophisticated plan, but it had put Spartan into a rather difficult position. He looked to the Governor, who gave no indication other than a courteous nod.
    “Thank you, Spartan. Your skills will be very much appreciated by our combat team.”
    Lieutenant Jenkins extended out his hand for Spartan to shake, and he felt obliged to return the favor. In that one moment, he knew he had just sealed his and Khan’s fates. It didn’t make him feel bad though. As he looked back at the group of people, many of whom wore their Earthsec uniforms, he realized he had absolutely nothing in common with them. They were isolated, and it seemed they liked it. He looked to Khan who’d tilted his head a little, as if to question him.
    We’ll help them, all right. And when the colony is secure, I’m getting that Rift open, if I have to use my bare hands.
    Khan couldn’t hear his thoughts, but as Spartan looked at his bruised friend, he was convinced