Read Online Gestapo Mars by Victor Gischler - Free Book Online Page A

or when something might be dropping on our heads next. We’ll render any aid we can, naturally, but as you can see we’re neck deep in the shit. I have to get the carrier group off to guard the colonies in this sector. The battle hulk stays here to guard the wormhole. We’re spread way too fucking thin, let me tell you.”
    When I’d sent the top priority action code, they’d checked with Gestapo headquarters back on Mars. All the admiral knew was that he was to help me any way possible, and not ask too many questions. The downside was that my cover was blown. Everyone on board knew there was an undercover Reich agent on the ship, and even though the admiral had ordered everyone to shut up about it, the crew couldn’t help but wonder who the spy was, and what he might be up to.
    “I suppose we’d have more resources for the war if we weren’t constantly putting down resistance-spurred uprisings on distant frontier worlds.” The admiral tossed an accusing glance at Meredith. He wasn’t stupid—at least not completely. He’d run her name through the computer as soon as the zip ship had taken us in tow and brought us into the hangar bay.
    “I’m a law-abiding citizen of Luna,” Meredith said flatly. “My political views are not illegal.”
    “They’re not
helpful
either,” the admiral replied. “But please don’t worry yourself, Miss Capulet. We’ll make you as comfortable aboard ship as possible, after Mr. Sloan leaves to complete his mission.”
    “Ah, yes.” Meredith shifted her cold smile to me. “On top of everything else, Carter…
Mister
Sloan intends to steal my ship. Insult to injury.”
    “I’m
borrowing
it,” I insisted. “And if I don’t bring it back, it’s because I’m dead, so that should give you some satisfaction.”
    Her smile tightened. “Heaven forbid.”
    We walked onto the bridge, where a dozen crewmen bent over monitors and coordinated various activities, hopping from station to station. Through the front viewports I could see the frigates forming up to screen the carrier. It looked as if they were preparing to depart. The heavy cruiser was already on its way, its engines firing white-hot as it built up enough momentum to hit translight.
    The admiral saw me watching the ships and said, “We’re on our own now, but don’t worry. The War Demon class battle hulk is the biggest thing this side of a hollowed-out assault asteroid.”
    “I’m not worried about saving my own hide,” I said. “I’m worried about repairs to Miss Capulet’s yacht, and getting away in time to complete my mission.”
    “Long-range scanners don’t show anything,” the admiral said. “I don’t think anything’s going to happen very—”
    We all winced as a flash of white light flooded the bridge through all of the viewports. The carrier and its escorts had all jumped to translight. That left the system empty save for the battle hulk and the glowing wormhole in the distance.
    “They’re off,” the admiral said. “God speed.”
    “I know this is a busy time for you, Admiral,” Meredith said, “but is there a place I can freshen up?”
    Meredith didn’t look like she needed freshening at all. She’d changed out of her goo-covered clothes into a form-fitting red jumpsuit, the front unzipped just enough to offer the suggestion her breasts might burst free and make a break for it. But I suppose it had been a long day. She probably wanted some rest.
    My tuxedo had been ruined when I’d exploded the Coriandon guard, and I hadn’t brought a change of clothes. The admiral’s people had kindly provided me with a black jumpsuit. They’d removed the rank insignia, but there was still a modest swastika over the left pocket to remind everyone I was a member of the club.
    “I’ll have a steward take you to your cabin,” the admiral said. “You are both, of course, invited to the admiral’s table for dinner tonight. Chef does an exceptional turtle soup, and for dessert—”
    A young