DarkStar Running (Living on the Run Book 2) by Ben Patterson Read Free Book Online

this suddenly upside down
situation, Jessup shot a nervous glance at Troy.
    “Don’t look at him, Jess. You live or die on your own
merits. Given the chance, would you let us go our separate ways?”
    Unlike Troy, Jessup began to sweat. “If the situation was
reversed, Captain, would you?”
    Stan considered his Lieutenants. Had this been yesterday,
Jess might have been right. But this was a new day, a day full of revelation
and surprise.
    “It would seem that the only ones who want someone dead are
those that lack a heart.”
    “But they will—”
    “For starters, Coalfire,” Stan interrupted, “I’m not going
to argue with you about life and death issues.” Stan turned to Lilia. “How
about you? You want someone dead?”
    “Well, I—”
    “If you let these evil men go,” the voice insisted, “they
will hinder your work at every turn. They must die.”
    Stan studied his XO. “Make no mistake, Troy. I’m no
different than you. I taught you to kill, and the same blood— follower blood —is
as much on my hands as it is on yours. This voice, Coalfire’s voice, if we’re
to believe that’s who’s behind it, seems to have it in for you, but not for me.
Why do you suppose that is?”
    “Unlike you,” came the man’s voice, “their government is their
god. Their god has declared your life forfeit, and you will not be able to
return to the Confederation without great risk.”
    “Did you hear that, Troy?” Stan raised his pistol. “By Coalfire’s
reckoning, you have a god. That makes you religious, doesn’t it? Should I kill
you for that?”
    Troy shifted and glanced at Jessup with uncertainty in his
expression.
    Without looking back, Stan reached out a hand and helped Lilia
to her feet. “This very morning I was supposed to take this Trog’s life, Troy,
but I couldn’t see how doing so served justice. Now I’m supposed to take yours.
What am I to do with that?”
    Troy slowly shook his head with obvious disdain. “I would
rather have died than to see you like this, Captain . . . weak . . .
pathetic.”
    Stan’s unreadable eyes riveted Troy and gave him nowhere to
retreat.
    “Weak?” Stan mocked softly. “I have no fear of you, or her.
Does that make me weak, or do you see fear of an unarmed woman as a sign of
strength?”
    Mouth agape, Troy faced Stan in silence.
    Stan handed Lilia his gun, before stepping forward to stand
between Troy and Jessup. He draped an arm over each man.
    Lilia’s voice was cold as she aimed the gun at the men.
“While your changed outlook is interesting to see in an Enforcer, Mr. Archer,
it doesn’t seem well-timed.”
    “A Trog with a gun,” Stan whispered into Troy’s ear. “Who’s
scared now?”
    Stan’s helmet suddenly appeared between him and Lilia. At
seeing the hash marks, shame and grief instantly flooded his mind. Did the
woman know their meaning? Did she have any idea?
    Lilia’s tone was frank. “I see the high count, Stan, and
those around Troy’s neck, and I know what they mean.” She lowered the gun. “The
Immortal One forgives you, and so do I.”
    “The Immortal One forgives?” Troy spoke with clear contempt.
“Who are you to speak for this so-called deity?”
    Lilia looked squarely at Troy, her eyes smiling, her mouth
wanting to do the same. “You just acknowledged the existence of the Creator,
Lieutenant, and that is a good start. There may be hope for you yet. I believe the
Great Architect has spoken. I simply carry the message He has given to all of
those who belong to Him. And just so you know, the He has forgiven you two
Enforcers as well.”
    “This god you speak of,” Stan said. “ You may believe this
great and powerful immortal one lives and speaks, but don’t ask me to buy into
any of this religious nonsense.”
    “The one we call the One who cannot die , Captain, is
real despite your belief to the contrary.”
    “If that’s so,” Stan said, “I should think your god would
demand my life to pay for the years