Point of Origin (War Eternal Book 4) Read Online Free Page B

sighed. "Me, too."
    They passed a few techs in the corridor leading out to the large, open chamber that served as a false outside area, where most of Asimov's inhabitants lived. It had done poorly in the attack, over seventy percent of the buildings destroyed by the mech Watson had taken control over, and a few more damaged in the fighting that followed. Tio's large home near the center had remained relatively unscathed, as Watson had wanted to take him unharmed.
    Steven let a few silent moments pass before bringing up the next topic.
    "So, Mitch, we just had this whole meeting, and we talked about a lot of stuff. You mentioned Katherine and the Construct. Why didn't you say anything about the information you were given there?"
    "What's the point of adding yet another variable?" Mitchell said. "Right now we need to find Tio's brother before Watson does, or whatever Origin left might not help. Besides, even though I'm not in favor of trying to out Tetron, it isn't because I don't think there may be more of them hiding among us. Can we be sure everyone in the meeting room was human?"
    "You're saying you don't want it to be common knowledge?"
    "Not at the moment. We have a mission already. Without Goliath, we have almost no chance of taking out the Tetron. Not unless the Knife's brother did create them, and unless he can do something to shut them down. Talking about it is only going to open us up to getting screwed by it."
    "How do you know I'm not a Tetron?"
    Mitchell glanced over at him. "How the frig would a Tetron know about Dawn Cabriella?"
    Steven laughed at that. "Good point. I can see where you're coming from."
    "But?"
    "But I don't think we're going about this the right way. There may be something out there that will help us get Goliath back, or at the very least help us fight the Tetron without it."
    "You think we should send a team to check it out?"
    "Yes."
    "And you're volunteering because you know I trust you."
    "Or you could go yourself while I take care of things here."
    "I can't leave," Mitchell said. "Tio's people trust me because Tio supported me. They don't know you and they might not follow you. You saw what happened during the fight against the Tetron."
    "So I'll go. I can take a jumpship and see what's out there."
    Mitchell thought about it for a minute. The idea had an appeal to it. At the same time, he didn't want to break up his forces again.
    "We can't stay on Asimov. As soon as we get a lead on Pulin we're going to evacuate and be on our way. What happens when you come back, and we're gone? How are you going to share whatever it is you find when you won't know where we are?"
    Steven rubbed at his beard, thinking. "How about this? Give me the coordinates and I'll find out how far it is to make the jump. If it's close and I can be there and back before you might leave, we're good. If it's further out, we can see if we can work out something that sits well with both of us."
    "You've always been a good negotiator," Mitchell said.
    "And you haven't," Steven replied. "You can't stop me anyway, you know. I'm the Admiral here."
    "I know. I appreciate that you're following me on this."
    "It doesn't help anybody for me to be shaking the starship over rank. Tio's men follow you, and they outnumber Alliance ten to one. Besides, you made sure to brag about your scores to me. I know you've always been capable. The only question was whether or not you would rise to the occasion."
    "You were always happy enough that I didn't."
    "I've always been jealous. You're better looking, too."
    "I won't argue with that. I love the beard by the way. It suits you, especially when you wear your Admiral's hat."
    "You've never seen me wearing the hat."
    "I can picture it in my mind."
    Mitchell and Steven shared a laugh. Mitchell was grateful to have Steven with him. It didn't matter that they had drifted apart over the years. When the shit hit the repulser, he knew where Steven's loyalty was.
    "In all seriousness," Mitchell said a