The Great Betrayal Read Free

destructive activity showing up on the scanners. Spartan used the long-range targeting cameras to examine the area in more detail before the glowing entrance moved into view. It instantly brought his attention back to their current predicament.
    “Remember the Biomech fleet, Khan, how many ships were there?”
    Khan lifted his shoulders slightly.
    “Who knows…a lot I would think.”
    “Hang on,” said Spartan; shifting slightly in his seat, “that’s not a cruiser, look.”
    He turned the scanning unit toward the ship guarding the entrance to the Rift and activated the passive scanning equipment. They had made that assumption based on the size of the vessel. The shape was different though, and as they watched, it became clear that it was something else.
    “You’re right, look at the configuration. A control station,” said Khan.
    Spartan altered the settings to show an even closer view of the station. It looked in poor shape, but even from that distance, they could make out the outlines of a substantial powerplant that was attached via a series of reinforced gantries.
    “Exactly. This must be one of the entrances to more enemy space. Why else have a station to monitor and control it?”
    Khan placed his chin in his hand and considered their problem.
    “In that case, how the hell will we get through without them stopping us?”
    Spartan had already returned to the small tactical map shown on a computer display to his left. It showed the dead worlds and the debris field, as well as this destination.
    “We can’t stay here. Look, the carrier that followed us here is moving up out of orbit. I’d say three, maybe four hours, and they’ll catch up with us.”
    “Unless we make for the Rift?” he asked rhetorically, “But if we do, that station will just shoot us down as we enter the place.”
    Neither seemed to have much of an idea. Instead, Spartan made the final adjustments to leave the higher layers of debris prior to breaking out to the Rift. Khan watched the station and scratched his forehead.
    “It’s not right, Spartan. We can’t make it this far, kill so many, only to be stopped by that thing.” He pointed at the image of the station on the screen. Spartan twisted his head around and smiled at him.
    “I have a plan.”
    He said it with a firm tone and familiar look that brought a grin to Khan’s tired and scarred face.
    “Does it involve doing some serious killing?”
    Spartan nodded, his smile wide.
    “Have my plans ever been anything else?”
    Khan wasn’t particular bothered by what the plan might be, just as long as there was one, and if it involved violence, then that was even better. He watched Spartan and noticed him checking the escape sequences for the bomber. It could mean only one thing.
    He means to jump ship. Sounds just like one of Spartan’s plans.

    * * *

    Jack lifted the glass of port and threw back yet another mouthful of the reddish liquid. No sooner had he swallowed it, he grabbed the bottle and poured out the last drops into his glass. He dropped the bottle back down on the unit at the side of his desk and drank back the last of the fortified wine. Unthinkingly, he had not bothered to filter the wine, or even to decant it prior to drinking. A small amount of sediment dripped into his mouth and snapped him out of his daze. He almost choked as the dry pieces clung to his throat, and he was forced to grab the bottle of tepid water nearby and gulp down mouthfuls. The water ran down his cheeks and mouth, covering his stained marine tunic and even his pants. The door swung open, and a bright yellow light filled the room like a blazing sun.
    “What the hell!” he muttered, knocking the water over.
    His eyes could barely adjust to the light conditions, and the levels of alcohol in his body blurred and slowed everything into a dreamlike state. He tried to stand but staggered and fell to the ground, directly in front of whoever had just entered his bunk space.
    “Private Morato,