Peacekeepers Read Online Free Page B

withholding information or lying to federal agents constitutes obstruction of justice, and is a felony,” warned Agent Morrison. “Do not try our patience.”
    “There are national security issues involved,” I argued. “Lives could be at risk.”
    “Substantial wagers were placed on the California Kingdom Angels to beat the New York Yankees, and there is evidence the game was fixed,” stated Agent Smith, slamming his fist on my desk. “That constitutes criminal conspiracy at the highest level, not national security. Did you bet on the Yankees-Angels game, too?”
    “Gambling information is kept confidential here on New Colorado,” I replied.
    “Do you want to go to jail for obstruction of justice?” threatened Agent Morrison. “We have information indicating you have made a lot of large financial transactions recently.”
    “You have been snooping into my finances?” I asked. “Did you get a search warrant?”
    “A certain ATM tipped us off,” answered Agent Smith. “We don’t need a search warrant. ATMs are duty-bound to report suspicious criminal activity. We have probable cause to arrest you right now, but we have much bigger fish to fry. Come clean, or you will go to jail for years!”
    “Are you offering me a deal?” I asked.
    “Do you need a deal?” asked Agent Morrison. “Are you feeling guilty about something in particular? What do you know of wagering on fixed sporting events? How many times has this happened?”
    “I think I should talk to an attorney before continuing this conversation.”
    “You do not need a lawyer,” advised Agent Morrison. “All we want you to do is to tell us your side of the story. This is your opportunity to say what you are going to tell the judge anyway. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to arrest you, based on the statements of the others in the conspiracy.”
    “Judge?” I asked. “Others? You are not hauling me before any judge. I want to exercise my right to remain silent.”
    “You are under arrest for obstruction of justice,” advised Agent Morrison, reaching for handcuffs.
    “I don’t think so,” I responded, pressing a button under my desk. Corporal Wayne and a squad of armed legionnaires burst into the room, pointing assault rifles.
    “Arrest these two for being undesirables on New Colorado,” I ordered, “and for disturbing my peace. Lock them up in the dungeon downstairs!”
    “What if they resist arrest?” asked Corporal Wayne.
    “Shoot them if they so much as twitch in the wrong direction.”
    “You can’t do this!” yelled Agent Morrison. “How dare you obstruct a federal investigation? I will see you prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law!”
    “You have no authority to arrest us,” added Agent Smith. “This is an outrage. You don’t know who you are dealing with!”
    “I have the authority as Regional Commander of Peacekeepers to arrest anyone who is a menace to local, world, or galactic peace,” I said. “That means you.”
    “You are violating the Constitution!” said Agent Morrison. “Separation of powers!” “Now you are lawyers?” I scoffed. “You know colonial law rules here on New Colorado.” “Federal law preempts colonial law,” argued Agent Morrison, as Corporal Wayne gave him a shove. “You will not get away with this!” “Scorpion City is a semi autonomous region,” I added. “But you can talk to the judge about the intricacies of local law when he gets back from vacation.”
    “When will that be?” demanded Agent Morrison.
    “I don’t know,” I replied. “He hasn’t left yet.”
    “You all are in big trouble!” exclaimed Agent Morrison, as Corporal Wayne led them downstairs. “I hope you know you can be prosecuted for following illegal orders. Captain Czerinski must be insane to think he can get away with this.”
    “Captain Czerinski is a paragon of sanity in an insane galaxy,” advised Corporal Wayne. “And he has release papers to prove it.”
    “If that’s true,