Chapter 14
Princess, Tiny and Keyop looked at him, startled. He rushed to explain.
"In the first building we entered, I ordered one of the goons to give me the records concerning the raid at Traitor's Pass. These records contained evidence that someone at ISO was feeding Zoltar information. The evidence also contained enough clues to let us suspect Jason, even if we would not be able to convict him. Remember, the point for them was to hold Jason prisoner and convince us he was a defector, in order to taint the reputation of G-Force and sow discord in the ISO".
He paused for a moment.
"However, after we rescued Jason, I found another set of records, when we took over the command centre of the base. According to these records, Zoltar hatched the plan to make us believe Jason had defected after the idiot now sleeping it off in sick bay" – he smiled at that – "was captured. The Spectrans knew that we would be wondering whether they knew in advance about the data transfer and ambushed us at Traitor's Pass. They also knew I had ordered Jason back, and he had disobeyed".
The other members of G-Force looked at each other. Princess was the first one to speak.
"Mark, I think it's obvious what you should do".
She took a deep breath.
"I think you should destroy the first set of evidence, and hand in to Anderson the second one, which, as we all know, is the genuine one".
Mark tried to hide his shock. Looking around, he saw Tiny and Keyop nodding in agreement with Princess.
"Princess, I can't do that! I have to deliver all the evidence I found. It's up to Anderson and the Federation to decide. Of course I believe Jason is innocent, of course I believe the second set of evidence is the genuine one, but I cannot and will not suppress the first one!"
Princess's eyes were flashing. She looked ready to jump off her seat.
"But, Mark, how can you be sure Anderson and the your precious Federation will not use this opportunity to actually cause trouble for Jason? You know he's not been in the best of their books for a long time. You have to mention that he disobeyed you, and you know that to do that in the middle of a battle is not the best thing he could've done! Why add to his problems?"
Mark felt his temper rising.
"Princess, I resent this! I'm not adding anything to Jason's problems, as you say! The fact that he disobeyed a direct order cannot be disregarded, but it's got nothing to do with the suspicions about whether he defected. We've got the genuine evidence, I'm sure the Federation will be able to see the difference between the two sets. Give them some credit here guys! Or do you think they are not capable of doing even this?"
Tiny opened his mouth to answer.
"Well, Mark, to tell you the truth..."
"Save it, Tiny!" snapped Mark. "I'm handing over the records and that's that!"
He sat back, angry with all of them. Their loyalty to Jason was admirable – in fact, he shared it. But he could not see himself as a responsible leader if he chose what to hand over to his superiors and what not.
"Centre Neptune coming up", said Tiny, breaking the silence. "We're almost there".
"I'll go wake Jason up", murmured Princess. She went over to the sick bay, gently poking Jason in the shoulder.
"Wake up, gunner. We're home".
Jason, groggy and disoriented, looked up. In a flash, he made to jump off the cot, immediately feeling a wave of nausea. He leaned back.
"Hey, take it easy. No need to rush".
Princess was deliberately speaking in a calm and measured voice, in order to soothe Jason.
"Mark told you guys what happened? How I was framed?"
"Yes, don't worry, it's okay. We don't doubt you for a minute".
"Thanks, Princess, but is this the way Anderson and the others will see it?" he asked bitterly.
"We asked Mark not to hand in the first set of evidence", said Princess. "But he refused".
Jason remained silent for a moment.
"Of course he would. Princess, he was right to refuse. It's his duty. Don't think this is not hurting him as well", he continued, more softly.
"Anyway, we are ready to tell everyone in the Federation that you are innocent. If anything, you should get a medal!"
"Thanks, Princess", said Jason simply, not wanting to show how moved he was. "Now help me back to my seat?"
"Sure".
With the help of Princess, he moved to front of the Phoenix, and sat down.
"You okay, mate?" asked Tiny.
"Fine. Don't worry about me".
Tiny dove into the ocean and soon the Phoenix was docking at Centre Neptune. When they opened the hatch, they saw Anderson waiting for them. Jason was relieved to see that at least he did not have any armed security guards with him.
Mark jumped out.
"Chief, we've got him!"
"Well done, Commander".
Anderson turned to Jason, who was standing beside Mark, still in civvies, the familiar scowl finding its way on his tired face.
"Jason, good to have you back. Let's get you to the infirmary and have you checked out".
"I'm fine, Chief".
No thanks to you, he wanted to add, but then changed his mind. What was the point? At least Anderson had authorised a rescue mission. What would happen from now on would not be only up to him, but to the Federation Council as well.
"In any case, we need to check whether you picked up any Spectran viruses, or something, and you need to get these cuts dressed", Anderson said firmly, leading the way down to the infirmary, with G-Force trailing behind him. When Jason was safely inside and in the hands of the ISO doctors, Anderson turned to Mark.
"Commander, my office. Now".
To be continued.
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