“It’s a fair tradeoff, Specialist,” Celesta said. “Running into a dozen plasma lances would be bumpier yet.”

Chapter 19

“Pike! What the hell are you doing in here?” Marcum snarled as the CIS agent walked in like he owned the place.

“It’s Aston Lynch,” Pike said. “Actually, it’s Mr. Lynch, Admiral, and I speak with the authority of the President.”

“Listen here, Lieutenant Colonel, you and I both know that you’re—”

“What you think you know is irrelevant.” Pike sat down without being offered a seat. “Admiral, you better get used to the idea that Aston Lynch is not only a real, legal human being, but that he’s been imbued with a certain amount of authority by President Augustus Wellington. As a part of the civilian oversight I have no particular awe of rank, even for the Chief of Staff and a Fleet Admiral.”

“Wellington will not always be there to protect you, Lieutenant Colonel,” Marcum said, refusing to use Pike’s alias. “Now … what can I do for you?”

“I’m just curious as to why you haven’t made an appointment to fill Wellington in on the latest that’s come out of Project Prometheus,” Pike said, looking at his fingernails. “The point-to-point drone did arrive a full day ago, did it not?”

Marcum froze and looked like he was actually breathing a bit harder.

“What … where did you hear that name? I have no idea—”

“Save it,” Pike held up a hand. “I just came back from the Pontiac and had a nice tour with Director Jackson Wolfe … even had a short conversation with the Cube.”

“I should have you detained right now for even speaking about this out loud on this station,” Marcum said slowly.

“And I should kill you where you sit for not informing the President about this project and then, to double down on stupid, sitting on information that is vital given that we have a full battlegroup steaming towards an engagement under false pretense.” Pike leaned forward.

“I don’t think this is the place for this discussion.” Marcum swallowed.

“What the fuck were you thinking, Marcum?” Pike hissed, now very animated. “Keeping something like that a secret from the Chief Executive? You know Wellington, how well do you think you’ll fare when he finds out about this? Oh … and move your hand away from that security button or I will make good on my threat. Who do you think you’re dealing with, Admiral? If your security detains me or kills me there’s already a full brief automatically ready to be transmitted to Wellington’s personal inbox.