Read Polaris for Free Online Page A

him to the ground and put him in a merciless choke hold.
    He felt the man tapping his arm, trying to speak. He let the pressure off his throat just enough.
    â€œPete…” he gasped. “It’s me … Doc Haggerty.”
    The name was familiar enough that Pete let him go, but he threw him to the ground and stood up, still unsure if he was friend or foe. He felt the gun in his pocket and resolved to use it if necessary.
    â€œJesus,” he said, rubbing his throat. “You nearly killed me.” He started to get up, but thought better of it, and sat on the deck while Pete looked him over.
    â€œWho are you?” he said.
    The man chuckled at first, but then saw he was serious. “Jesus, Peter. I’m John Haggerty. Ship’s doctor. Your friend!”
    Vague memories went through Pete’s mind as he looked him over: the dark beard, the intelligent eyes, the professorial glasses. He seemed familiar enough that he reached down to help the doctor to his feet. The doctor warily took his hand.
    â€œI’m sorry,” he said.
    â€œNo, I’m sorry,” said Haggerty. “I didn’t know what else to do when the mutiny started, so I came back here to guard my little domain.”
    Pete nodded. “Trying to fix this,” he said, pointing to the gash on his head.
    The doctor looked at him quizzically, and then went to work, skillfully binding up his wound. He looked Pete closely in the eye as he worked. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”
    Pete decided that the time had come to trust someone. And this was the ship’s doctor apparently—maybe he could help. He took a deep breath.
    â€œI don’t remember anything,” he said. “I woke up in a stateroom with this cut on my head, and a gun in my hand.”
    â€œA gun?”
    Pete nodded, and hesitated. “I think I shot Ramirez.”
    The doctor took a moment to take this in, watching Pete carefully as he did.
    â€œYou really don’t remember anything?”
    Pete nodded.
    â€œYou could easily have some short-term amnesia—brought on by that blow to the head. Or, maybe, the trauma of killing your friend. Your memories will probably come back with time. And with rest.”
    â€œHow much of either of those am I likely to get?”
    He nodded. “Good point.” He looked Pete over hard as he finished, snipping the tape that held the gauze in place. “So you don’t remember our orders? Your mission?”
    â€œNothing,” said Hamlin.
    The doctor sighed and leaned heavily against the wall. “Where do I start? You came here a month ago, sealed orders in hand. When you showed the captain, he brought me in—thought I might be able to help, given the nature of the mission.”
    â€œWhich is?”
    â€œYou really don’t remember, do you?”
    â€œI wouldn’t be asking you if I did.”
    â€œYou carry the fate of the Alliance—and maybe the whole world—on your shoulders.”
    â€œAnd now I don’t remember a thing. Great.”
    The doctor nodded grimly, and seemed ready to speak, when loud footsteps came down the passageway. Frank Holmes appeared at the door.
    â€œYou’re needed forward,” he said to Pete. He ignored the doctor. “Captain Moody wants us both in the wardroom, now.”
    â€œWhat about me?” said the doctor.
    Frank smirked. “She didn’t say anything about you. You can stay here.”
    Without another word, he turned on his heel and walked away.
    Hamlin turned to Haggerty. “I guess I should go.”
    He nodded in agreement. Just as Pete walked out, he stopped him. “Pete…”
    â€œYes?”
    â€œDon’t tell anybody what you’ve told me. Trust no one.”
    Pete nodded at that, and followed the sound of Frank’s footsteps ahead of him. As he did, a thought crossed his mind. Why would the captain assign a doctor to help me?

 
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