Frontiers Saga 10: Liberation Read Free Page B

through light years of space… all in a single instant.”
    Tony’s jaw was hanging open. “That’s unbelievable!”
    “That’s what I thought at first,” Josh admitted.
    “And it can jump a thousand light years?”
    “Actually, no,” Josh corrected. “It took us seventy-five jumps to get here. What with recharge layovers and all, it took us a few weeks.”
    “It’s still incredible.” Tony looked at Josh. “So what do you do around here?” Tony asked.
    “I’m a pilot,” Josh bragged. “I used to fly this ship, but lately, most of my flying has been in the Falcon.”
    “What’s that?”
    “The Falcon? It’s an old deep space interceptor we fixed up. We use it mostly for recon missions.”
    “Sounds exciting.”
    “It can be,” Josh said, “but most of the time it’s just boring, short jumps.”
    “The Falcon has a jump drive as well?”
    “Yeah. It used to have linear FTL, but they yanked it to make room for the jump drive instead.”
    “Does it have weapons?”
    “Of course,” Josh bragged. “It has a missile bay and a nasty-ass plasma turret in the nose. Unfortunately, we don’t get to use them very often.”
    “They don’t use it in combat?” Tony asked.
    “Sometimes, but mostly we just jump in, cold-coast through a system, collect information, and hope no one spots us.”
    “Is that how you got injured? Someone spotted you?”
    “Something like that, yeah.”
    Nathan came back into the room, interrupting the conversation. “Are you ready to return to duty, Josh?” he asked as he approached.
    “Hell yes… I mean, yes, sir,” Josh exclaimed. “I’ve been practically living in the simulators…”
    “Yeah, I know. I’ve seen your flight performance reports. They look pretty good.”
    “I’m not sure what the doc will say, though,” Josh admitted.
    “I’ve already spoken with Doctor Chen. Although she would prefer that you had another week or two, she gave you the green light.”
    A huge smile came across Josh’s face. “Just say when, Captain.”
    “Report to flight prep. Loki’s already there waiting for you.”
    “What’s the mission, sir?”
    “Lookout duty,” Nathan said. “Not very exciting, I know, but we need eyes on Earth to let us know if the Jung send any ships out our way. Loki’s got the mission parameters and flight plan.”
    “Sounds exciting enough for me, sir,” Josh said. “Anything to get back in the cockpit again.”
    “I had a feeling you’d say that.”
    “Thank you, sir,” Josh said as he rose. He looked at Tony. “Don’t worry; your friend will be all right. You’ll see.”
    Tony nodded his thanks at Josh as he departed. He looked at Nathan.
    “No word yet on your friend?” Nathan asked.
    “No, sir.”
    “Lieutenant Commander Nash will be up shortly to check on you. Meanwhile, I’ll see if I can’t get an update for you.” Nathan patted Tony on the shoulder as he turned to depart.
    “Thank you, sir,” Tony said, watching the captain as he departed.
    * * *
    Vladimir, his team of four technicians, and two Corinari security troops entered the compartment in the Celestia’s aft section where the data cores from the Ark had been stored for the last few months. Ensign Tillardi and Lieutenant Commander Kovacic followed closely behind. As they entered, two EDF marines stood, snapping to attention as the lieutenant commander entered the room.
    Vladimir looked them over briefly. They were wearing combat pants and T-shirts, both of which were fairly worn out after months of constant use. They still wore their sidearms, and their automatic weapons were slung over their shoulders, but they had long ago abandoned their body armor and headgear. “As you were,” Vladimir ordered as he approached the carefully secured carts containing the data cores. “Are these the data cores?” he inquired, already knowing the answer.
    “Yes, sir,” one of the marines answered smartly.
    “Is it true, sir?” the other marine asked, breaking