Beyond Those Distant Stars by John B. Rosenman

Author:John B. Rosenman
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Publisher: Mundania Press LLC
Published: 2010-12-15T07:09:44.605000+00:00

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN

The “debriefing” started badly and got worse. Sitting in the stiff-backed chair, Stella quickly reached the conclusion that while everyone else at Loran Base might love her, this group of officers most definitely did not. They seemed harsh, devious, and above all, suspicious, seeing alien treachery in her slightest word or gesture.

There was another quality too, one which took longer for her to identify. She saw it in subtle things, in shared whispers and mutual glances. Her questioners seemed to have ulterior motives, to be playing some kind of game in which she was an important piece. The only trouble was, she was a passive one.

Major Chong, an Intelligence specialist whom Powers had chosen to lead the questioning, sat at a table before Stella, flanked by Colonel Powers and another officer. Chong had flat eyes that never blinked and a soft voice that struck like a cobra. It occurred to Stella that Lee Song might look like him in thirty years if he lost his soul one piece at a time.

“How did you know how to pilot the enemy ship?”

“I already told you.”

“Be so kind as to tell us again.”

“During the mind meld with the Slug, a sharing of memories and knowledge occurred. After he died, it ebbed and flowed, but basically it grew stronger, until I was able to interface my mind with the ship's complex drive system.”

“Just like that. Poof.”

“Yes.”

“And you were able to do this even though you're human?”

“Also yes.”

“I see. And therefore you would be able to teach the method to someone else?”

She shook her head. “No.”

Even though he was sitting still, Chong seemed to eel his way closer. “I don't understand. If it gave you its—”

“He, not it.”

“Ah, yes. If he were able to pass this talent on to you, why can't you do the same with one of us?”

“Because I'm not an alien.” She considered saying more because there was more to it, but their hostile stares kept her silent. Despite herself, she felt her frustration and rage rise. Why didn't they want to believe her and take what she had to offer? Instead of pats on the back and a hearty “Well done,” there was only Major Chong's unblinking face.

“Is that true, Commander McMasters? You're not alien in addition to being ‘cyber-enhanced'? Your loyalties and identity haven't been subverted and compromised by another allegiance?”

“No, they have not.”

“But if you're not alien, why did you fire at the base and almost ram it? Such behavior indicates that you're a terrible risk to this base and to our beloved Emperor, who is soon to arrive.”

“As I told you before, the ship malfunctioned. It was an accident. I remain as loyal to the Emperor as you are, Major Chong.”

At that moment, Major Lovejoy, standing against the back wall, played his trump. “That's odd, Commander. According to some of your officers, you claimed to be ‘half Slug’ during one of your conversations.”

She could have bitten off her tongue-or Lovejoy's head. “It was just a figure of speech.

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