The Mercenary
Page 24
“Yeah. We’ve worked together a long time.” Falkenberg looked wistfully around the cabin. Once he’d thought this would be the high point of his life, to be captain of a CD warship. Now he might never see one again.
Then he shrugged. “There’s worse places to be, Johnny,” Falkenberg said. “Do me a favor, will you? When you get back to Luna Base, ask the admiral to see that all copies of that New Washington mineral survey are destroyed. I’d hate for somebody to learn there really is something here worth grabbing.”
“O.K. You’re a long way from anything, John.”
“I know. But if things break up around Earth, this may be the best place to be. Look, Johnny, if you need a safe base some day, we’ll be here. Tell the Old Man that.”
“Sure.” Grant gave Falkenberg a twisted grin. “Can’t get over it. Going to marry the girl, are you? I’m glad for both of you.”
“Thanks.”
“King John I. What kind of government will you set up, anyway?”
“Hadn’t thought. Myths change. Maybe people are ready for monarchy again at that. We’ll think of something, Glenda Ruth and I.”
“I just bet you will. She must be one hell of a girl.”
“She is that.”
“A toast to the bride, then.” They drank, and Grant refilled their glasses. Then he stood. “One last, eh? To the CoDominium.”
Falkenberg stood and raised his glass. They drank the toast while below them New Washington turned, and a. hundred parsecs away Earth armed for her last battle.