The Lost Starship by Vaughn Heppner Read Free Book Online Page A

Captain?”
    “I have done nothing. It’s what was done to me.”
    “Do you mean this latest attack?”
    “No. I mean—” His lips grew numb, and he found it impossible to utter the words.
    This is ridiculous. Why can’t I just come out and say it? Because I’m afraid , he realized. That’s funny. I’ve spent my entire life ignoring fear, showing others it is a foreign emotion to me. Yet, now I can’t tell the brigadier the truth because I’m afraid of what she’ll say .
    “If you’re quite through…” she said. “We have important matters to discuss.”
    “Ma’am, I have been compromised.”
    “You have?” she asked. “When?”
    He actually felt lightheaded. No. This wasn’t going to happen to him. With a scowl, he concentrated before speaking slowly. “I was compromised at my conception.”
    He expected her to make a soft snort of derision, to wave her hand in dismissal. Instead, her eyes seemed to light up. He wasn’t sure, but the corners of her mouth twitched as if she attempted to contain a smile. That didn’t make sense.
    “Can you be more precise?” she asked.
    “I was adopted, ma’am.”
    “Oh , I see.”
    “I don’t think you do. My mother barely made it to Earth on a Spacer liner.”
    “You’re adopted, you say. I’m assuming you searched for your real mother.”
    Maddox told O’Hara about his search, how it led to Brisbane in the Windsor League. There, his mother’s trail had dead-ended.
    “I wonder if I should inform you, ” the brigadier said, “but you’re not the only person with adopted parents.”
    “Right,” he said. “But I am the only one with a New Man for a father.”
    All humor, hidden or otherwise, evaporated from the brigadier’s face. The light in her eyes became hardened intensity. She sat forward, studying him.
    “Why do you say such a thing?” the brigadier asked.
    “Ma’am, you wondered yesterday how I could parry Caius Nerva’s viper stick stokes. I believe the answer lies in my heightened abilities.”
    “I see. You’re quite proud of yourself, are you?”
    “No, ma’am.”
    “You’re not a proud man, Captain Maddox?”
    He considered the question. “You are correct. I am proud to a degree. I think a good Star Watch officer should be.”
    “Do you believe—?”
    “Brigadier, I haven’t come here lightly. I might even say this is painful to me. I have found certain differences in myself. They are not startling, but they have given me an edge at times.”
    “Why tell me this, and why tell me now?” she asked.
    “It should be obvious ,” he said. “The New Men have infiltrated our domain. After Lieutenant Noonan’s report yesterday, someone with their blood will become suspect. Before intelligence runs me down like a dog, I thought to tell you my suspicions.”
    “Given your allegations to be true, ” the brigadier said, “we might lock you away.”
    “Yes,” he said. “I realize that.”
    O’Hara leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers as she studied him. “You ’re certain you’re a New Man? There are no doubts?”
    “ I’m not one hundred percent certain, no. It’s simply that, given the evidence, it seems like the most logical possibility.”
    “Yes, I suppose it might , at that.” O’Hara put her hands on the desk. “Sit back, if you would. You’re making me nervous perching on your chair like that.”
    Maddox slid back, placing his forearms on the rests as if he expected cuffs to appear and lock him down.
    “Captain Maddox, since you feel so inclined to share your suppositions with me, I will tell you a secret few know. It has weighed heavily on me and a few others for many years now.”
    She rocked slightly. “Starting t wenty-five years ago or so, certain events began to take place that troubled a few of those in the highest ranks of the Star Watch. How old do you think I am, Captain?”
    “I wouldn’t care to guess.”
    “Nevertheless, do so, please.”
    “ Hmm, you must be in your