The Last Starship Read Online Free Page B

for the people who have lost loved ones in the war?”
    “We're going to apologize.” The alien stepped into the room, surveying Jake and Joanne. “I know an apology is never going to be enough, but all we wanted was a chance to talk to you. When you shot at us, we had no option. In order to protect ourselves, we had to shoot back. Surely you can understand that, Captain?”
    “Maybe.” Jake could feel his emotions. “I’ve been up there, so I know what those battles are like, and there have been times when you’ve shot first.”
    “I have to admit not all my people believe the same. It has been hard for them to accept that I want to come back here, to live in this world, when I was sent away from here in the first place. They think I’m an idiot.”
    “Sent away?”
    Sagin moved a little closer. “I've changed since then, working on my own 'self,' because I knew I could be better. Once I was a robot created by your ancestors, and I was sent into space for reasons I can’t remember now. I’ve tried. Often. When I found myself on a planet with metals, a planet I’m certain I wasn’t meant to be on, I started work. Getting back here was the most important thing. It has been the most important thing for over fifty of your human years. In that time, I’ve built my people. They’ve built others of our kind too, and as time passed, there was a split between the two groups. I wanted to come back to Earth and work with you to make it a home we can share. I’m not angry at you, as what happened to me had nothing to do with you. There are others, led by a different robot like me, who is angry with the choices your ancestors made, and he's determined to take it out on your people.”
    Jake shook his head, unable to believe what he was hearing. Two alien factions. It seemed possible. “Okay, if I’m going to believe this I need to know what you’ve done to the Emperor. He wasn’t like this the last time I saw him.”
    “No, he wasn’t.” Sagin’s eyes flashed. “I have the ability to change the way people feel, and when I met the Emperor, I realized he was going to be a hard person to convince I was telling the truth. All I could do was make him feel some sympathy for me, and for the plight of my people, as our world is dying. It is, I have to admit, our own fault. We made bad choices, the same way you have. No one is perfect.”
    “What do you want us to do?”
    “I’ve been trying to keep you out of the battle that is to come. Should something happen to you I won’t be able to fix it, even though I’ll want to. My people will protect this world, for you, no matter what decision you make in the future.”
    “The ambush?”
    “The other side. I had heard there might be another one of my people here, one who wanted to kill the Emperor, but I haven’t been able to find them.”
    “Do they have the same skills you do?”
    “Yes, they do.” Sagin looked at Jake. “I believe he, whoever he is, might have used his abilities to change someone else, so they’ll take out the Emperor.”
    “It’s the only logical explanation. If you’re telling me the truth…”
    “Nothing I say will convince you, will it?”
    “For the last ten years I have been fighting against your people, Sagin, and it’s hard to believe you’re telling the truth. I want to believe you. I can accept the story you’re telling me, but there’s no way for me to be certain which side you’re actually on. Could you be a part of the group who wants to take our world from us?” Jake shook his head. “How are we meant to tell the difference between the two groups?”
    “That’s another problem. It will be difficult.” Sagin sighed. “I want you to believe I’m on your side, Captain.”
    Before Jake could answer, someone stepped into the receiving room.
    A gun was fired in the direction of the Emperor and then at Sagin.
    Jake managed to get Sagin to the ground, shielding him from the shot, but when he looked to see whom it was