Omega Force 7: Redemption Read Online Free PDF Page B

arranged for the prison break."
    "Unfortunately that contact is no longer viable," Crisstof said. "With the unsuccessful conclusion of your mission she has ceased responding to messages."
    "Don't put this back on us!" Jason said hotly, almost in a manic state. "This was a setup from the beginning. That body was dumped as a message to either you or her. Crusher was convinced to go into that hellhole to extract the package and he never came out. I need to know if he's still there or if they moved him as the delivery pilot seemed to think."
    "I still don't understand what you would have me do," Crisstof said.
    "Go through official channels," Jason said. "You must have contacts on this world. Talk to them."
    "And admit that I hired mercenaries to break a prisoner out of their maximum security detention facility?" Crisstof asked incredulously. "Do you really think they'd be inclined to cooperate after that?"
     
    "You and I both know there are ways you could probe around without asking directly," Jason said, struggling to control his temper. It had been six hours since the Phoenix had landed back aboard the Defiant and he was no closer to locating Crusher than he had been when he downed the fleeing shuttle.
    "Jason, De'Moltia isn't exclusively owned by the government of Faulli," Crisstof said, referring to the planet they were orbiting. "Not only that, we're right in the middle of a delicate negotiation. While that might not mean much to you—"
    "Try nothing."
    "—certain considerations have to be taken so as not to destroy years of work, both mine and many others. I'm not at all making light of the fact that Crusher is missing, but you can't expect me to upend the whole project over it." Jason's look plainly said he did, in fact, expect just that.
    "I hope you don't expect me not to try and get the information myself," Jason said, crossing his arms. It was mostly an idle threat since he had no idea where to even begin.
    "I most certainly do," Crisstof said, raising his voice. "Captain Burke, I hire you as a subcontractor because of your ability, and willingness, to assume risks that my organization cannot. I expect you to honor that arrangement." Jason just stared at the older man for a moment before standing up and walking to the door of the conference room. "We all have responsibilities and obligations," Crisstof said to his back.
    "I only have one responsibility right now," Jason said before walking out. He heard footsteps behind him and knew who it was.
    "I hope you can understand the position he's in, Jason," Kellea Colleren said, standing just behind him. "It's not that he doesn't care about the fact that Crusher is missing."
    "That's the difference between him and me," Jason said with a forced indifference. "To him, everybody is expendable to accomplish his goals."
    "If I could I would have Mazer take his Marines and storm the gates of De'Moltia," she said. "But—"
    "I know," Jason said bitterly. "We all have responsibilities. We'll talk about it later. I know you have to get back to the bridge and I have to talk to my crew and figure out what we're going to do."
    "Please don't do anything rash, Jason," she begged. "We don't know if he's still down there or if he's even still alive."
    "We won't make any moves until I've had a chance to talk to you again," Jason promised. "But we can't just sit in your hangar bay forever no matter what we decide."
    "I'll see you this evening?"
    "This evening," Jason said with a nod before continuing on his way. The Phoenix was once again out of sync with the Defiant since Jason ran his ship on a twenty-five hour day and Kellea operated with a thirty-two hour day, so her "evening" would be early morning for him. Years of being in space had conditioned him to adjust quickly to sudden time changes since they couldn't always predict when they'd reach whatever planet or space station they were going to.
    He'd been both surprised and disappointed that Kellea hadn't spoken up on his behalf in