Epic: Book 03 - Hero Read Online Free PDF

to Platis again. “If you find the vodka, you will probably find him.” He turned back to Platis. “What do you think of our new judge?”
    The general hesitated. “He speaks very well. He is interesting, but his new policy concerns me.”
    “ How so?”
    “ It seems an unnecessary change. We are to ask him for permission before we intercept alien spacecraft? It does not make sense.”
    Torokin looked at the crowd once again. He’d never spot Archer in that throng. But it didn’t matter. “The original plan was only for ground intercepts. But it grew to involve combat in the air. I can tell you the real reason for it.”
    “ What is that?”
    Torokin wasn’t worried about revealing secrets to Platis. The Greek’s lifestyle revolved around honor. Nothing would be repeated. “You will not have to worry about this amendment. It was not designed for you. It was designed for Novosibirsk .”
    “ For Novosibirsk ?” Platis was surprised.
    “ We have reason to believe General Thoor works against us. It is part of…the process of resolution. It is somewhat difficult to explain.”
    “ It took you this long to realize Thoor works against you? What is it you do here again?”
    “ It did not take them this long to realize it,” the judge said. “It took them this long to decide what to do about it.”
    “ Is that why General Thoor did not come?”
    “ I do not know. He has not made one conference yet. I honestly think he does not care.”
    “ So this new policy will not affect me at all?” asked Platis.
    “ It should not. Your requests should automatically pass. Unless Archer has reason to change them. I do not think he will.”
    “ So you listen to speeches and pass meaningless regulations. Is this all you do?”
    “ I told you already, sometimes this job makes me want to kill everyone. I was serious.” After a shared smile, Torokin went on. “You leave tonight, I assume?”
    “ Yes.” Platis glanced about the room. “This has been enough fun for one week. My flight leaves in four hours, so I must pack.”
    “ Do not forget to look out the window.”
    The general laughed out loud. “Yes, I must remember that! I did ask for a window seat.”
    It was a whimsical request. EDEN Command took security measures to the extreme. There were no windows on the transports at all, and rumor had it they randomly altered their courses during flights. Nobody knew where they were going or how long it really took to get there.
    “ How bad will it be for you, if you find out that you have been living on a beach all these years?” Platis asked.
    “ I believe that would be too much. That would be a most ironic day. No. We had better be in the middle of Antarctica, or I will be very upset.” Their location was a constant source of speculation. It was the most entertaining conspiracy theory they had. Only Kang—the director of Intelligence—and the pilots who flew the aircraft knew where they were. Not even President Pauling knew. Torokin’s hypothesis was that they were in the middle of an ocean. But there was no way anyone could be sure.
    Platis sighed. “I must make my leave. I have things to pack. I must bring a souvenir for my wife.”
    “ Do you bring one every year?”
    “ No, but she fusses me every year to do it.”
    “ Ask the president for his pen. That will make good souvenir.”
    Platis’s eyes brightened. “That is a good idea. That is a very good idea, thank you!”
    “ Tell her it is the most important pen in the world.”
    “ Yes, I will do so. It will be good to see my wife again. I have not spoken to her since I was here.”
    That was another part of EDEN Command’s secrecy. No calls were allowed in or out—not without approval from Kang. With calls, judges could compare time zones with home, whether accidentally or by husband-wife code.
    Platis hesitated before turning away. “Before I go, I meant to ask you…have you spoken to Kenner recently? How is he?”
    Torokin’s face turned