Interstellar War (The Pike Chronicles Book 5) Read Online Free

these cells?”
    “I think you’ve got more to worry about than what we’ve done with your friend,” said the Marine Colonel, without turning to look at Jon.
    “I’ll take that as a yes,” said Jon.
    They stopped. The security door on the right slid open to reveal a stark jail cell containing just a cot, a tiny sink, and a toilet. “You’re in here, Pike,” said the Colonel. The Marines in front had all turned to face their prisoners, weapons pointing at their heads. “Don’t try anything stupid.”
    “You’re the only one doing anything stupid from what I can see, Colonel,” said Jon.
    “Listen to me, you fucking traitor,” said the Colonel, taking a step toward Jon. “Either you get in that goddamn cell, or we can end this right here and now. Your choice.”
    If Jon had learned anything in his career, it was not to ever question a Marine’s resolve. He knew the Colonel meant what he said, and he didn’t blame him. For some reason, they thought Jon was responsible for what happened to Earth. If they believed that, then each and every one of these Marines would gladly shoot him.
    “Don’t worry, Colonel. I’m going in,” said Jon, as he walked through the door into the cell.
    “Close door six,” said the Colonel, and the door shut behind Jon.
    Jon sat down on the cot and stared at the metal wall. They could’ve at least removed the security restraints , he thought, his hands still bound uncomfortably behind his back. I can’t believe they think I’m responsible for this atrocity. That I would do this to my own kind .
    They are no longer your kind , said the symbiont.
    Who asked you , Jon replied.
    As he stared at the wall, contemplating his predicament, he was surprised to see it flicker and come to life. A section of the wall transformed into a display, showing a table where President Lewis sat, flanked by Space Force Admirals. Jon broke into a fit of laughter at the absurdity of it all.
    “Is there something funny, Captain?” said President Lewis.
    “Yeah, there’s plenty funny, but I doubt you’d get the joke,” said Jon. “Why have you had me and my men arrested?”
    “Treason is still a crime on Earth, at least what’s left of it,” said Lewis.
    “What the hell are you talking about, Lewis?”
    “What I’m talking about is the nuclear bombardment of Earth,” Lewis said angrily.
    “I had nothing to do with that. In fact, my people are doing everything they can to help the survivors.”
    “Captain Pike,” said one of the Admirals. Jon recognized him as Admiral Krasnik, Space Force Supreme Commander. “You left Sol commanding the Hermes. After being gone for some time, you return with a Juttari escort. Then, for some reason, the Juttari ships occupying the Sol System, the same ones that bombed Earth back to the stone age, do not fire on you. Why is that?”
    “My escort was Chaanisar, not Juttari,” said Jon
    “I don’t see a difference,” said Krasnik.
    “They’ve been liberated,” said Jon. “That’s the difference. The Juttari do not control those men anymore.”
    “You do realize how ridiculous that sounds, don’t you?”
    “I don’t know, Admiral. I can’t imagine anything sounding more ridiculous than your accusations.”
    “What happened to you, Captain? Why did you betray your own people?” said President Lewis.
    Jon laughed bitterly. “Listen to the Diakan lapdog talking about betraying his own.”
    “You’re out of line, Captain,” said Lewis.
    “I’m an Admiral now, or has nobody told you?”
    “Space Force doesn’t recognize Juttari ranks,” said Admiral Krasnik, contempt in his voice.
    “Let me tell you something, Admiral,” said Jon, rising to his feet. “I’ve spent my whole life fighting the Juttari. I grew up in the resistance, like my father, and his father before him. Nobody hates the Juttari more than I do. My rank is not a Juttari rank. It is a colonial rank. I succeeded in my mission, Admiral. I found the lost