Loyalty to the Cause (TCOTU, Book 4) (This Corner of the Universe) Read Online Free PDF Page B

datapad to pay for something.  We’ll be alerted when
that happens.  We also have agents pouring through the surveillance records at Duresin’s
star port on the night of the escape.  Lastly, and most importantly, we have a
solid lead.”  Jennings looked optimistically to Heskan.
    Heskan
manipulated his datapad and the conference table console blinked briefly to
replace the list of ships with an electronic message.  “I received correspondence
from Jack Truesworth, sir.  Agent Jennings analyzed the message trail and it
originated from Pallene.”
    Brewer
sat up immediately.  “This would confirm that he fled to the capital city then,
yes?”
    Heskan
nodded.  “Yes.  This message was most likely sent from his datapad and Jennings
says the transmission trail shows it passed through several Pallene relays on
its way to me.  It appears to have been sent on a delivery delay, but Agent
Jennings’ people insist that the datapad that sent this is on the planet’s
surface.”
    “This
is fact,” Jennings attested.  “I believe the time delay was meant to cast doubt
on whether they are still on the surface but a delayed message sends out two
pulses.  The first, at the moment the message is entered into the buffer and a
second when the message is actually sent. Both pulses occurred on Pallene.”
    “In
other words,” Heskan simplified, “Truesworth’s datapad was on Pallene the night
of the escape and on Pallene when I received this message three hours ago.”
    “We
must double our efforts on Pallene then,” Brewer concluded.
    Heskan held up a hand
and then motioned to the table.  “Please consider the message first, Mr.
Secretary.”  Brewer cast his eyes down and read:
    Commander
Heskan,
    I
have no doubt been branded a traitor and deserter but I promise you that I am neither. 
I simply could not sit idly by and watch the woman I love be wrongfully detained. 
Diane is a Brevic loyalist and to say otherwise is to cast doubt on what
loyalty truly means.  I can’t help but feel a great hatred toward the Hollarans
because, quite simply, Diane would never have been thrown into this situation
without their interference.  I understand why you, sir, were forced to work
with them; Kite’s survival depended upon the Hollies.  But to think that our
hated enemy would deal such a blow to not only Diane’s career but also her very
freedom is beyond belief. 
    Then
there are the pilots!  Denise Gables was one of the Navy’s best, most loyal
sailors, and the Republic would throw her life away.  Think of how much your
crew has bonded during the war.  Now understand that Denise, Andrew, Diane and
I have known each other far longer than even that.  We all go back to Anelace. 
How could we allow people we love, comrades we know to be faithful citizens of
the Republic, to endure this travesty?
    We
have been devoted to the Republic, many of our shipmates giving their lives in
defense of it.  And what has the Republic offered in return?  Imprisonment? 
Worse?  I now look sadly at a Republic that is no longer my own.  Perhaps she
died in this war, just another casualty among millions.  All that remains now
is a bloated corpse of a government willing to throw its faithful citizens into
the abyss.  Bree has turned against us.  They are as much the enemy now as the
Hollarans.  Both are responsible for this injustice and both will suffer the
consequences.
    Escape
was never our intention.  Enlightenment is.  It is my hope that our next
actions will remove the mask from this dead thing and show all loyal citizens
that the Republic must be refreshed.  If you doubt our loyalty, Commander,
perhaps our heroic rebellion, in service to the TRUE Republic, will remove any
doubt.
    You
deserved some warning to be careful in this system.  We owe our captain that
much.  You are a loyal and true citizen and perhaps you will feel it is your
duty to report this message.  Before you do so, reflect on the comrades we