Metal Swarm - Kevin J. Anderson [40]
When they had a few moments alone, Conrad announced that they should all leave. 'We have to get out of here before they impound my ship and place us in custody.'
'Shizz, what are you talking about?'
'But why, Dad? We're here. The King is here. We've done what we were required to do.'
'I'm not satisfied with the explanations they gave.' Conrad looked furtively around, as if someone might be eavesdropping. 'I want to hear General Lanyan's side of the story. I can read through the spin as well as anyone else. On Earth, I bet they're telling a different tale.'
'What's wrong with the explanations?' Robb was genuinely confused.
'No other EDF soldiers are here. That alone speaks volumes. Look around at this ragtag assemblage - a bunch of Therons, independent colonists, and Roamers! It can't be the real Hansa.'
'Oh? Just a bunch of Therons and Roamers?' Tasia flushed. 'You mean like my brother Jess, who saved us all? Like the people who sent verdani treeships to fight the drogues? You heard my uncles. This is the new government.'
Robb took a deep breath and thought for a long moment. After seeing what we've seen, you know there's a lot more to it than the official Hansa press releases. I don't think we ever got the whole truth.'
Tasia said, 'And you already know that what the EDF did to the Roamers was wrong.'
Conrad refused to believe, though. Peter's accusations are preposterous. As far as I'm concerned, if General Lanyan refuses to follow the King's orders, maybe there's something wrong with the King's orders. Maybe Peter is the rebel with a handful of insurgents who refuse to follow the legitimate orders of the Hansa.' He looked at them sternly. 'You're both officers in the Earth Defence Forces. You know the chain of command. Returning to Earth is our only option at this point.'
'Shizz, not on your life! I joined the Eddies to fight the drogues, and instead I found myself persecuting my own people.' Tasia withdrew a small utility knife from her belt and began to snip the threads on her shoulder insignia. 'I belong among the Roamers. Period. If that puts me on the opposite side from the EDF, I'd say now's as good a time as any to resign my commission.'
Conrad glowered. That makes you a deserter in my book, Captain.'
'I outrank you, Lieutenant Commander. I should order you to follow the King.'
The older man looked down his nose at her. 'You just forfeited the right to issue any orders, ma'am, when you cut off your insignia.'
Robb was distressed. 'Are you two crazy? What are you doing?'
Tasia trembled with the effort to contain her anger. 'I no longer owe anything to the EDF, Robb. I know what the Eddies did to Rendezvous, an independent centre of government. If the Roamers claim Theroc is where I'm supposed to be, and the King says this is where I'm supposed to be, then this is where I'm staying.'
Conrad shook his head sadly, already writing her off. 'It's obvious I can't change your mind, ma'am. Let's go, Robb. Your mother will be very glad to see you again.'
Robb, though, looked torn. 'I was captured by the drogues years ago. By all rights I should be dead, but Roamers and wentals - and Theron treeships - rescued me from that.' He reached out and took Tasia's hand, embarrassing her. 'I belong with Tasia more than I belong in uniform.'
Conrad's face was stormy. 'Not you, too! Your mother and I thought you were lost for a long time. We just got you back. Please don't do this.'
'I have to do what's right. And so do you, Dad. Why not stay a while and gather more information before making a hasty decision? We'll send a message to Mom.'
His father's face was full of anguish. 'I see that… that you're not the same Robb, after all. I'm taking the ship and returning to Earth. This is your last chance to change your mind.'
'Why should King Peter let you just fly off?' Tasia asked.
'I'd like to see him try to stop me.' Shoulders slumped by a great weight of disappointment, Conrad stalked alone toward his ship.
'Wait!' Robb called after him. He almost let go of Tasia's hand.
She let him make his own decision, but