“So what is it
exactly you are doing here Colonel?” asked Louise.
Colonel Mahon took a
long deep breath before proceeding slowly.
“You've probably
gathered that I do not like the position I am in. Not so much
defending the Empire, but the manner the Empire operates. I've been a
soldier most of my life, and soldiers do not play the part of
bullies.
“In your group I
see the possibility that this can be changed. No one has stopped the
Empire as you have. There are many in the court who have noticed this
and, despite the Emperor's efforts to keep it quiet, word is getting
out.”
“And if this gets
out,” replied Jason, “there will be rebellion.”
“Yes. Probably.
And the Emperor fears that.”
“So again I ask,”
said Louise, “what are you doing here?”
“With or without
your group, Commander, there will eventually be a rebellion. When
that time happens, I intend to oppose the Emperor openly, with as
many of my men as possible. I would like you to assist us.”
Jason's jaw dropped,
and then he turned to Ka'tel.
“Were you aware
that there was so much dissent in the Empire?”
“No, friend Jason.
But we know little about the Empire.”
“Okay Colonel, if
I believe you, and that's a very big if, why us?”
“Your weapons, and
your reputation of defeating the Empire.”
Jason looked at
Ka'tel and Louise, mind racing frantically.
“Jason,” Louise
started, “we have no way of knowing if that's true or not.”
Colonel Mahon held
up his hand.
“Other than ask
for your assistance, I have not asked for anything. But I have given
you much information about the Empire. So far, it has been a very
one-sided exchange.
“I didn't come
here to find your weaknesses. I came to build an alliance.”
“I detect no
dishonesty in his statements, friend Jason,” commented Ka'tel.
“Still, Louise is
right. We need to verify this on our own.
“Colonel, if
you'll excuse us, we have a lot to talk about.”
The Colonel stood.
“It has been a
long day, and your accommodations are most inviting. In the morning
then.”
“Yes,” replied
Jason as the Colonel moved to his tent.
“Sean!” Jason
called.
A few moments later
Sean stood with the group.
“Sean, go get some
rest. You'll do the second shift tonight. No matter what happens,
don't go near their tent. In addition to being our guests, I don't
want them to think we're spying on them. I don't they'll need
anything, but if they ask, be as accommodating as we can.”
“Sure thing,
Boss.”
"Do you trust
him?" Louise asked while looking at Jason.
"I'm not sure.
This could all be a front to get info out us. Or it could be he
really does want to change sides. I just don't know enough to know
for sure."
"How did you
feel when he spoke?" asked Ka'tel.
"What do you
mean?"
"How did your
stomach feel while you were listening to him?"
"I don't
know... I don't think I felt anything."
"Take a couple
of moments now and relax, and focus on what you are feeling about the
Colonel."
Jason closed his
eyes and took a couple of deep breaths, becoming noticeably calmer.
"I really don't
feel anything."
"Let us try
something," said Ka'tel. "Imaging you are standing at the
fort of two paths. The fork to the right is Colonel Mahon lying to
us. The fork to the left, he is telling us the truth.
"Which fork
appears brighter or feels more right?"
"The right
one,"said Jason slowly.
"Then you have
your answer. And it agrees with my feelings."
"So he's
telling the truth?"
"Probably, but
not necessarily. But that is not important. What is best for us is
that we act on the belief that he is telling us the truth."
"Huh?"
questioned Louise.
"For our
highest path, it is not important if he is telling us the truth or
not. If we believe he is telling us the truth and we act accordingly,
then that is the best path for us, for what our higher selves want."
"Let me get
this clear," said Jason. "Even if everything he's told us
is a pack of lies, it is better for us to believe it's true?"
"Yes."
"Because our
guts tell us it's the right thing to do?"
"Exactly!"
"Lou. What do
you think?"
"My gut's in
agreement with yours, but my head urges caution. I trust what you're
saying Ka'tel, and Colonel Mahon didn't lie to us when we were in
Mazatlan. My impression of him, both then and now, is that he is
honorable. But there may be other things going on here we know
nothing about and they could come back to bite us in the ass."
"Yep,"
said Jason slowly. "We need more information.”
“So how do we get
it?” asked Louise.
“We ask the
Colonel, and, probably, we need to go on another recon.”
Jason took a deep
breath.
“But there's
nothing we can do tonight, so get some sleep. I have some thinking to
do so I'll take the first watch.”
With that, Louise
and Ka'tel moved off to their tent. Jason looked over to Colonel
Mahon's tent.
I wish I knew
what was really going on here, he thought. What is your real
game plan?