Traitor's Duty by Richard Tongue Read Free Book Online Page B

doing.”
     “It’s so useless, though. We’re in the right, dammit. Constitutionally, legally, morally…”
     “I’d question the latter,” she said. “I doubt the people of the Confederation will welcome a war of conquest.”
     “Interesting,” the Commandant said. “I appear to be getting a unique viewpoint into the decision-making processes at the highest levels of your government. I had no idea you were such a key figure, Lieutenant. Our intelligence division will need considerable instruction.”
     Looking across at him with a sneer, Tarrant said, “I wouldn’t worry, Commandant. You’ve got minutes left to live. Just another loose end to tie up.”
     “Is this morality, Tarrant? Killing people to tie up loose ends? Like you did on Carter Station?”
     “I have no compunction about killing enemies of the people, Maggie, and while you wear that uniform, neither should you.”
     Taking a step back, she said, “This uniform is not a license for murder. If that’s what you think it is, you have no business wearing it.”
     With a deep sigh, he replied, “All of this is rather academic. My guards are on the way down as soon as they’ve disabled your smoke bombs, and we’ll all be going into custody. You will he charged with the murder of the Commandant, and we have some very effective special effects people working on the footage now.”
     “And presumably I will be killed while attempting escape.”
     “Treason carries the death penalty.”
     “Another loose end for you to tie up, then.”
     “It doesn’t have to be that way, Maggie,” he said, gesturing at the Commandant. “He can be the one who dies while attempting escape. It works just as well either way.”
     She shook her head, and said, “That’s not how it’s going to be, Tarrant. You’re going to let the two of us walk out of here, without attempting to stop us.”
     “Why would I do that?”
     “Because those smoke bombs I planted are of a rather special design. They double as signal boosters, and right now every word we’ve said is being transmitted to a friend of mine in another location.” Smiling, she continued, “Unless you wa n t this conversation to be live on every news broadcast in the system, I suggest you reconsider your actions.”
     “You’re bluffing.”
     Shrugging, she said, “The collapse of the Confederation won’t affect me very much if I’m dead, and I suspect that the Commandant would be willing to die for his country.”
     “Speaking as one who has been on the receiving end of the Lieutenant’s remarkable talent for deception before,” the Commandant volunteered, “I would suggest that you do exactly as she says. I would like some fresh air, in any case.”
     “All of this to help an enemy prisoner escape.”
     “Look carefully at your own motives before questioning mine.” She gestured over at the Commandant, who rose to his feet in response and started to make his way over to her, standing by her side.
     “Last chance to change your mind about this, Maggie,” Tarrant said, his gun not wavering by a millimeter. “Don’t force me to do something I’d regret.”
     “Why do you care so damn much?” she asked.
     “Because, my dear Lieutenant ,” the Commandant said, “You are one of only two officers to have defeated Cabal forces in battle, and he isn’t quite sure of the rest of his brethren. From my own personal experience, military coups are generally not led by the top caliber of the officer corps; those are more interested in protecting their country than destroying it.”
     “We’re trying to save it, dammit!” he yelled, and his gun twitched across for a split second. Long enough for Orlova to fire, ducking to the ground as the echo reverberated through the corridor. He crumpled to the floor and she raced up to him taking his pulse.
     “Dead?” the Commandant asked.
     “Stunned. Taser charge. Something we’ve been working