Labyrinth of Night by Allen Steele Read Free Book Online

UN treaty about placing weapons in space?’
    ‘The UN’s a long way from here, man,’ D’Agostino murmured without looking up from his file.
    Aldiss cast a stern look at the captain, but nodded his head. ‘There’s no proof that the Russkies have any such intentions…’
    ‘Yeah, but two Bushies and a CAS make a pretty strong argument,’ D’Agostino commented. ‘The Russians have been getting pretty cocky lately.’
    ‘Yeah, well, maybe that’s because the yahoo we just put in the White House has been getting pretty cocky himself,’ Cassidy said.
    ‘Let’s not get political about this, shall we?’ Jessup said quietly. ‘In any case, Colonel Aldiss’ RDF squad…’
    ‘Falcon Team,’ Spike said pointedly. ‘Call us by name.’
    ‘Or don’t call us at all,’ Goober added.
    ‘Right. Falcon Team is here as an ace in the hole. Look, Ben, there was a science team assembled for Cydonia that was supposed to be on this flight, but it was bumped back to make way for Steeple Chase…um, as this operation has been code-named.’
    ‘That’s right, buddy.’ Lieutenant William ‘Goober’ Hoffman—a tall, lean Alabama boy with a shaved head—slapped his hand with condescending comfort on Cassidy’s shoulder. ‘Just think of us as your guardian angels.’
    ‘“Death From Above,”’ D’Agostino murmured from behind his folder. ‘Just kicking ass and writing down names.’
    ‘Terrific’ Cassidy’s eyes rolled up. ‘Jessup, are these characters going down there with us? If they are, you don’t mind if I just wait up here until they’re finished shooting up the place, do you?’
    Aldiss shook his head. ‘We won’t be on the lander with you, Mr Cassidy. The team will remain here for the time being.’
    ‘For the…?’
    ‘Yes, sir,’ Aldiss said in a tone which suggested that he would answer no further questions. ‘All we expect you to do is keep your mouth shut about our presence here once you arrive at Cydonia Base.’
    Cassidy squinted at the colonel. It didn’t make sense. If the Marines were here as a counterforce to the Russian armor on Mars, then what purpose was served by the Rapid Deployment Force remaining on the Shinseiki ? He opened his mouth to venture another question, but Jessup seemed to read his thoughts. Slowly standing up from his chair—apparently he, too, was getting used to the Coriolis effect—he cleared his throat and picked up his clipboard.
    ‘Colonel, I’m sure that you want to complete this briefing alone with your men and captain Omori.’ Aldiss nodded and Jessup looked over at Cassidy. ‘Ben, if you’ll come along, I’ll reintroduce you to an old friend.’
    ‘Great.’ Cassidy stood up and watched his chair fold itself back underneath the table. ‘Then maybe after that you’ll gimme back my guitar.’
    He followed Jessup down a ladder into the storage compartment below the wardroom. Jessup reached up to close the hatch-cover above them. ‘They’re probably the best the First Space has to offer,’ he said quietly. ‘You could have been a little more civil to them.’
    ‘I volunteered to be part of a scientific experiment, not a USO show…though “drafted” is probably the better term.’
    ‘Maybe it’s better if you think of yourself as a volunteer, regardless of the circumstances.’ The bulkheads of the narrow compartment were lined with recessed lockers. Jessup pushed past Cassidy and traced his finger along the numbered cabinets until he located one in particular. ‘But I’ll offer you some advice.’
    Cassidy walked over and watched as Jessup unlatched the cabinet. ‘What’s that?’
    Jessup pulled out a long bundle wrapped in opaque silver Mylar and gently handed it to Cassidy. ‘When we get down there, do exactly what I tell you, but don’t head for the habitat. I’ll arrange for you to be taken to a safer place…’
    ‘Why?’
    Jessup gazed expressionlessly at him. ‘There’s some shit that’s about to hit the fan.’ He