Frontiers 07 - The Expanse by Ryk Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

not its people. That regime no longer exists.”
    “An enlightened attitude, to be sure,” the lieutenant stated. “However, I served that regime willingly.”
    “Did you kill any of my countrymen?” Major Prechitt asked plainly.
    “No, sir. I am a scientist, not a combatant. My rank is only for the purpose of leading others.” The lieutenant looked at Major Prechitt with as honest an expression as he could muster. “However, had I been ordered to do so, I would have complied.”
    “Because you wanted to kill Corinairans, or because you were afraid of the consequences should you refuse that order?”
    “Because it was my duty, sir. Those that kill out of desire are not honorable men; they are savages.”
    Major Prechitt looked at the lieutenant, studying him for a moment. “You don’t sound like any of the nobles I met during my forced service to the empire.”
    “Not all of us believed in the babble that spewed forth from the mouth of our former emperor.”
    “Then what is it that the nobles are loyal to?” Major Prechitt asked. “Other than wealth and power, that is.”
    “I am not about to defend the nobles whose interests were focused on such concerns. I can only speak for the loyalties of myself and my house, which were to our society. Upholding it was the duty of every nobleman.”
    “One might call that a flawed system,” Major Prechitt said. “However, I appreciate your honesty, Lieutenant, and I respect your sense of duty and honor as well.” The major took a bite of his salad. “I suspect we have more in common than you might think.”
    “I might add, Major, that I am quite happy that the leader I currently serve is unlikely to ever give such an order.”
    Major Prechitt looked at the lieutenant, who was smiling. “As am I, Lieutenant. As am I.”

    * * *

    “We have completed the analysis of jump eight,” a Takaran scientist reported as he handed the data pad to Doctor Sorenson.
    Abby looked at the information displayed on the data pad, mentally sifting through the numbers as her trained eye searched for the relevant data. The Takarans were technologically more advanced than the people from Earth, but at times, their methodology for presenting data left something to be desired. “This is very promising,” she noted as she continued to study the information.
    “It appears that the new emitters and energy banks are more efficient than originally expected,” the young man reported with obvious pride. “I’m sure it is safe to begin practical test jumps of at least fifteen light years.”
    “Perhaps.” Abby looked at the young man. “I apologize. I am very bad with names.”
    “Rinne,” the man responded eagerly, “Pyotor Rinne, and I am not at all insulted, Doctor. In fact, I am honored to be working with you.”
    “Thank you, Mister Rinne.”
    “What you have created is beyond description,” the man began, stumbling with his words as he elaborated. “The possible applications for instantaneous interstellar transportation are staggering to say the least…”
    “Thank you again, Mister Rinne, but I am not its creator. It was my father’s vision, not mine, that brought the jump drive into existence. I was merely a facilitator.”
    “I did not mean to detract from your father’s accomplishments, good doctor. He was a brilliant man. But do not discount your own contributions. I have read all of the project reports and journals. He may have had vision, but I believe that it was your guiding hand that led to his eventual success, as did your father.”
    “Pardon me?”
    The young Takaran scientist noticed the Terran physicist’s reaction. “I am sorry. I just assumed that it was permissible to read all of the documentation, including your father’s journals.” The young man was becoming more defensive as he continued. “There were no locks on his files, so I just assumed…”
    “It’s quite all right, Mister Rinne,” Abby assured him, sensing his discomfort.
    After an