Doom Star: Book 06 - Star Fortress Read Online Free PDF

scowl. “Our meeting will show the Ultraists that I consider premen—excuse me. That I consider humans as worthy allies.”
    “Before I could agree,” Hawthorne said, “I would need to speak with my people about this.”
    “Time is our enemy.”
    “I’m afraid your proposal will create a stir of distrust among my councilors. I will need to mollify the distrust.”
    Cassius sat back, showing surprise. “I offer this gesture in order to heighten trust among us. We are soon to begin the fateful journey, heading for the Neptune System. Our two fleets must learn to act as one. How can we achieve this unless the two supreme leaders act in concert?”
    “We lack unity of command, I agree with you there,” Hawthorne said.
    Cassius’s eyes narrowed. Then he showed his teeth in another predatory smile. “You have rare genius, Supreme Commander.”
    Hawthorne nodded, deciding he didn’t like such praise from a Highborn.
    “Hmm,” Cassius said, “this distrust you mentioned, how could I help you dampen it?”
    “I can think of several ways,” Hawthorne said. “Firstly, I would have to bring a security detail.”
    “Security against Highborn?” Cassius asked, attempting a rare jest.
    “We would ask you to bring a correspondingly smaller team.”
    “Done.”
    Hawthorne became thoughtful. The Grand Admiral was trying to be appealing. What lay behind it?
    “I would like to meet soon,” Cassius said.
    “I understand. You still have not said where.”
    “In Low Earth Orbit, on a station in sight of your Eurasian beams and my Doom Star.”
    Hawthorne drummed his fingers on the desk. The idea of meeting Cassius face-to-face… “Let me talk with my councilors.”
    “I would appreciate an answer in three hours.”
    “I’m sure it will not take us long to decide. I am curious about one thing, however. How will a meeting between us help you versus Admiral Sulla and the Ultraists?”
    “Ah,” Cassius said. “That is one of the subjects you and I must speak of alone.”
    Hawthorne’s heart rate quickened. “I understand. I will call the meeting at once.”
    “Excellent. I await your reply.”

-2-

    At 4:11 PM, a meeting began on Level Three of New Baghdad. It was held in the Supreme Commander’s quarters. Director Juba-Ryder of Egyptian Sector joined Security Specialist Cone and Force-Leader Marten Kluge, the Jovian Representative.
    ***
    From the Supreme Commander’s biocomp transcriptions, File #13:

    HAWTHORNE: That’s the situation. Now Cassius wants to meet me face-to-face in Low Earth Orbit. I would like your thoughts or observations concerning his proposal.
    CONE: I don’t like it, sir. Why does Cassius need to speak to you alone? He has an ulterior motive.
    JUBA-RYDER: His motive is clear. He wishes the Supreme Commander’s help in removing Sulla from command.
    CONE: I don’t believe that.
    JUBA-RYDER: Motives are not always complex or devious, Security Specialist. The Highborn are soldiers—
    CONE: They are genetic racists first and foremost.
    JUBA-RYDER: What bearing does their racism have on the situation? Sulla impedes the Grand Admiral. For that reason, Cassius wishes the commander’s removal. We can help him. Therefore, Cassius attempts to use us. That sounds like perfect Highborn reasoning to me.
    CONE: I’ll tell you my objection. The Highborn don’t know how to treat us as equals.
    JUBA-RYDER: Again, I must ask: What does that have to do—?
    CONE: Your logic implies that Cassius sees us as equals, or near-equals. That is contrary to everything we know about the Highborn. That being so, I question the Highborn’s motives.
    HAWTHORNE: You’re awfully quiet, Force-Leader Kluge. You’ve had more direct experience with the Highborn than any of us. Do you think Cassius needs our help eliminating Sulla?
    MARTEN: There’s only one way to speak with a Highborn—with a gun aimed at his belly. The minute the cyborgs are dead, the Highborn will turn on us.
    HAWTHORNE: How does that relate with