"Can I eat first."
Harris chuckled. "Always."
As Harris stood, Tawn remarked. "You lose a couple more kilos?"
"Three to be exact. I'm almost down to fighting weight."
Tawn shook her head. "Fighting weight? For us that's supposed to be about a hundred ten kilos. You aren't close to that yet."
"I'm over half way there."
"Yeah, but this half coming up is the hard half. Time for those twice a day five kilometer jogs. I just mapped out a course here on the island if you're interested."
Harris nodded. "I'm game for that."
"I have two courses actually. The flat one is currently taking me twenty minutes. We should be hitting that in fourteen."
Harris chuckled, "Neither of us have done fourteen in the last ten years. Sixteen would be more like it."
"You set the bar low..."
"... and it's too easy to climb over. Yeah, I know. How about we shoot for fifteen?"
"I guess that would do," Tawn replied. "I had a slug in one of my squads once, Brianna St. James. She would routinely finish a 5K in twelve. Even left the stumps in the dust."
Harris nodded. "I knew a few stumps who could turn that number. Was never me."
"You up for a run in a bit?"
"I could be. Give me a half hour to digest some of this bogler?"
"Sure."
Harris took his last bite. "Twenty minute run you said?"
"Yep."
"I can beat it."
Tawn laughed. "I can beat it to. But not if I want to run it again that day."
Harris waved a hand. "Piece of cake. Had a brigade commander who required 8K twice a day when we weren't in combat. I will say all that extra conditioning probably helped out a time or two. Remember me talking about that mountain pass we had to block? I think we had two kilometers from one end to the other. Must have run that thing ten times a day for a month."
Tawn slowly shook her head. "You won't break twenty minutes out there today while in your shape. Get ready for some pain."
Harris wiped his fingers and his chin just before taking a big gulp of a beverage. "Sounds like we have a bet forming."
Tawn chuckled. "OK. How about you break twenty minutes and I'll give you a million credits?"
Harris laughed. "Wow. Can you imagine the response that would have brought about ten years ago? In our current situation that's just fun money. You know, if we ever have to go back to normal wages we're gonna be miserable."
Tawn nodded. "There is a freedom that comes with having too much. Of course if we don't win this war against the Denzee or against the Earthers after that, it won't much matter."
"That reminds me," Harris said. "We need to pay another visit to Bax. She owes us another nine hundred million for disabling those Ratoons."
"We can go hit her up after our run."
"Sounds like a plan."
Harris got in his half hour for digestion before joining Tawn as she stretched and warmed up on the grass outside the hut.
"You might want to loosen up first."
Harris shielded his eyes as he glanced up toward the warm sun. "Don't need it. Body temperature is good. Doubt I'll even break a sweat."
Tawn sighed. "Suit yourself."
The run began three minutes later. Harris kept up for the first kilometer before starting to fall behind. His heavy breaths told of his lack of conditioning. By the second kilometer he had found his second wind, catching and passing his business partner who kept an even pace.
At kilometer three, the sweat was dripping down a face that had rarely seen sweat. Harris pushed ahead, keeping a fifty meter lead over his partner. A lead that was taking every ounce of energy and stamina he could muster to maintain. After struggling for the final two hundred meters, he collapsed on the grass in front of the supply hut, tapping the stop-watch on his bracelet.
Tawn came to a stop, standing just above him, her breathing heavy but even. "Twenty minutes, twenty-two seconds."
Harris glanced at the timer on bracelet. "Nineteen... fifty... six. I... win... pay... up."
Tawn chuckled. "Only thing you won was a possible heat stroke. You didn't start that timer for at least five seconds into that run."
Harris took a deep breath. "Forgot... how about... we call it even."
Tawn held out a hand. Let's move you to the shade where we can get you cooled off.
— Chapter 18 —
* * *
Harris eschewed the trip to see Bax, claiming his legs weren't properly working. The following morning he slowly rolled out of his bunk, wincing as he attempted to stand. The lactic acid in his muscles keeping them stiff and in pain.
Tawn hopped up through the hatch. "Look who's finally up. The stump who missed breakfast."
Harris took several steps while bracing himself with a hand against the cabin wall. "I suppose I couldn't talk you into getting me an MRE and a beverage could I? I'll happily admit that you were right and I was a fool out there yesterday."
Tawn chuckled. "Don't even care about being right. I'm just enjoying the spectacle."
"Please?"
"OK, Sport. You want your regular? Eggs and ribs?"
"If you could. And I think I'll just sit over here to eat it. You can pilot us out to see Bax for our payment."
"Will be back in a couple." Tawn stopped in the hatch and looked back. "You sure you can make that bench?"
Harris shook his head. "No. But if I can't I'll just eat on the floor."
Tawn returned with the food. "The others are off playing with their bots. Trish and Gandy are taking on regular warfare training while Sharvie is working a combination of that and cyber-warfare. She hopes to combine what Alex has in the archives on that subject with her own experience and that of her team. She was able to record much of what they did. Alex has been analyzing it."
Harris sat back on a bench. "Mmm. This tastes so good right now. Can't believe I'm that far out of shape."
"You pushed it too hard. Drop it back to about twenty-four minutes for a couple weeks and twenty will come much easier then."
"Twenty-four minutes for 5K? That's almost embarrassing, no, that is embarrassing for a Biomarine. That means I could be the slowest Biomarine alive."
Tawn laughed. "In more ways than one."
Harris chuckled. "Good one. If the others are well occupied I'd say let's get this rig moving."
A run up through the atmosphere and into free space was followed by a jump to Eden. Ten minutes later, just after Harris finished his meal, the Bangor landed on the tarmac at Fireburg.
The usual five minute walk to Bax's office took fifteen. If not for the constant chuckling about her partner, the slow walk would have irritated the normally patient slug.
Bax was sitting in her office, going over reports. "Goober? What happened to you? Didn't think either of you were injured."
Tawn replied, "He took a jog yesterday and kind of overdid it. He'll be back at 'em in a day or two."
Harris pointed with his thumb. "What she said. And I guess you know why we're here?"
Bax scowled. "Hold up your store."
A transfer of nine hundred million credits was made.
Harris nodded. "Excellent."
"Just so you know. While grateful for your work, the emperor has decided it may be time to change the terms. Going forward he's willing to pay the same hundred million credits, but it will now be twenty-five million when disabled and seventy-five million when permanently destroyed. Doesn't matter who does the destruction, he just doesn't think disabling alone is worth that much."
Tawn asked, "This because we have yet to locate their damaged ships?"
Bax nodded. "Exactly. You help us go in for the kill and you get the full hundred million."
Harris crossed his arms. "Not much for changing a deal during the middle of it, but I can see where that's not an unreasonable request."
"It's not a request. It's the current offer. You fully bag a Ratoon or at least be responsible for t
hat happening by disabling that weapon and you get the full hundred."
"Any further sign of Denzee scouts?" Tawn asked.
"The Demilo colony this morning. Two others yesterday."
"No other visits here?"
Bax shook her head. "Just the one. We're hoping we chased them off before they got in a full scan."
Harris asked, "That why you have those picket ships out there?"
"It is. We're trying the same on a number of our colonies. We hope the lack of knowledge of what's there will leave them to pick from the ones they know about."
"The Earthers do realize the Denzee sensors are slightly better than ours, right? They may not need to be as close to get a good scan of a planet."
"I'll pass that info on. Don't think they were aware of that."
Tawn said, "You can let the emperor know, we won't be able to offer help again for close to three weeks. We have extensive repairs going on after our fight at Jellon. And we did lose a dozen of our people."
Bax sat forward in her chair, tapping her fingers on her desk in thought. "If I'm not mistaken, you brought some other ship with you this last time. That where you had your loses?"
"No. It was on our big ship. What you are talking about is nothing more than a throw-away shield. Something to absorb a shot from that big gun. Plating, eight or ten bulkheads and a drive system. We sync it up to our nav computer and head in. If we can survive that first firing we can usually get close enough to disable that weapon."
Bax sat back. "A shield. I wonder why the Earther morons haven't thought of that?"
"Low tech. Easy to build."
Bax sighed. "Their response has been to empty all personnel for the first eight sections. Has saved a few lives, but the ship is usually so torn up it can't make it out of the fight. This shield concept is interesting. Stack up two or three in front of a cruiser and we could make it all the way up to one of those Ratoons. Maybe shove aboard a boarding party from there."
Harris said, "You'll have to get past their missiles first. I've seen up close what they can do to one of your cruisers."
"They can work that out. Getting past the beam weapon is the current stumbling block. I suppose you'll want credit for bringing this idea to the emperor's attention?"
Harris waved a hand. "Have at it."
Tawn glanced around the office. "What are all the chairs for?"
I have my staff meetings in here now. The general has returned to service."
"So you're running this place by yourself?"
"I am. And not as difficult as I thought it would be. You give an order and it's carried out. There are no grumblings from unhappy workers. No managers scheming to take your job. And now that I have the general out, I've increased efficiency by 8 percent and production by 12."
"You have to be turning out some serious titanium now."
"I can't say how much, but it is more than projections. In fact, the factories are starting to stockpile it because they can't build the ships fast enough. During my last meeting with the emperor he floated the idea of me taking over both operations. I wasn't prepared to even think about it at that moment, so I don't know if that offer will ever materialize."
Tawn chuckled. "Look at you. Baxter Rumford, the Earther queen."
Bax sighed. "I'll have to agree. I may have gotten myself in a bit deep on this one. There's a lot to be said for only being responsible for yourself."
Harris winced as he slowly stood. "Well, we'd love to stay and chat, but we have other things to do."
Tawn remained. "No we don't."
Harris glared for several seconds before easing himself back into his chair."
Tawn stood. "You know what? You're right. We've got too much to do."
Harris scowled. "You do that just so I'd have to stand up twice?"
Tawn grinned. "Yep."
"You two are warped," Bax said. "I still don't know what lucky charm you're carrying around with you, but I'd like to have it." Her gaze turned to focus on the robotic pet standing beside her guests.
Harris patted his leg. "Come on, boy. Let's get home."
Harris hobbled down the hallway, wincing with each step. "I don't like the way she looked at Farker with that last statement. I could see the little wheels turning in her head."
Tawn replied, "This may be our last visit where we bring him inside. One of us will have to stay on the ship with him next time."
"Agreed."
The Bangor was soon settling on the grass just outside the bunker on Midelon.
Trish came out of the supply hut with her bot close behind. "Anything new?"
"We got paid," Harris said. "Deal has changed though. The emperor wants to keep 75 percent back until the Ratoon is destroyed. Can hardly blame him for that. The previous offer was generous."
Tawn added, "And we suspect that Bax suspects Farker may be the key to getting to Midelon. So on any future visits he stays on the ship with someone."
Trish's shoulders shook. "I shudder at the thought of her having access to this place. She'd place a tax on all wormhole travel or threaten to shut it down."
Harris shook his head. "Wouldn't happen. If she shut down the boson field she'd be trapping herself here. I don't think she has any interest in living out the rest of her life by herself. She enjoys manipulating and controlling others too much. How's your war training coming?"
Trish sighed. "All watching of videos so far. That and a few questions thrown in by Alex to make sure I'm paying attention. You sure this is necessary?"
"You want to be out there where the fighting is? Or at least have a chance at survival if the war comes to you?"
"I guess."
Harris chuckled. "Then I guess you'll want to learn the skills you'll need for that."
"You don't seem to use any of that stuff out there."
Tawn shook her head. "You don't see it, but every decision we make is based on our training and experience. Sometimes they may seem haphazard, and sometimes they are, but usually we are either taking action to a plan or reacting due to prior experience. Stick to it for a while. You may find some of it useful."
Harris asked, "Much interaction with your bot?"
"Yes. She's a chatterbox and won't shut up. Always interrupting with a question."
"Are you learning from those questions?"
"I guess. Would rather just be changing the oil on a recycler unit though. Never considered that fun before, but it's looking more so the deeper I go into this."
Tawn replied, "You'll be thankful the first time it saves your life or the life of someone you know."
Harris' bot came into the supply hut, sitting on a chair beside him with as dejected a look as it could have.
"What's wrong with my Idiot?"
"You're ignoring me. I have no one to talk to."
Harris stood. "OK. Come on."
Tawn said, "You heading into the bunker?"
"No. Going for a walk. These legs aren't gonna loosen up if I'm sitting in a chair all day. I need to be moving."
The bot perked up. "I can go for a walk with you?"
"Yep, let's go. Before I change my mind."
Tawn asked, "So you leaving me here with Gabbi?"
"I thought it was Dar, or Junior?"
"I changed it after I found out Dar and Junior talked too much. Gabbi was a better fit."
Harris smiled. "Well, enjoy your private time with Gabbi."
A half kilometer into the walk the stiffness in his legs began to loosen.
Idiot asked, "Why do you dislike me?"
"I don't dislike you, you're just a program. You don't command the respect of a Human relationship."
"You respect Alex."
"Alex is different. He commands this facility. He created you. And before you say anything further, trust and respect are things that are earned. At the moment I trust and respect Alex, to a certain degree, because I know what to expect from him, to a certain degree."
"So in time you could respect me?"
"I guess that's possible. First though, you need to stop acting like a needy dweeb. Show some command, some confidence. You're Idiot. Don't let anyone else put you down or control you. Except me of course because I'm your master."
Harris stopped for a moment as he looked at the bot. "When you first came out of the bunker my original thought was 'weak'. You're a robot. You should be built strong and fast. Bring a commanding presence to a conversation and you'll gain some respect just from that. And lets change that voice. Make it slightly deeper. Give it a manly tone."
"You mean like this?"
Harris chuckled. "Not that low. Give me something halfway between that and your original voice."
"This is halfway. Is it adequate?"
"That's good. Now let's work on that walk. You need a little manly swagger. Right now your walk is a little too... disinfected."
"I don't understand."
"You're stiff and precise. Add a little sway from side to side as you walk."
"Like this?"
Harris again chuckled. "You look like an orangutan. Dial that way back to maybe a third of that."
Harris stopped and watched. "That's good. Looks more natural for a biped."
"So do I appear to be Human now?"
"Hardly. Next we need to work on those facial expressions. You look like a kid whose about to be handed icecream. Always in wonderment. Search the archives for images of stoic expressions. Make that your normal with the occasional polite smile mixed in. And if you hear a good joke, smile and nod. But don't overdo it because then you just look disingenuous and weird."
"Thank you for doing this, Harris. I hope this will gain me respect."
Harris shook his head. "Now see, all that progress shattered with a comment like that. It shows weakness. It shows you are needy. Try to keep those thoughts internal."
"So if I am to work on my appearance, what traits should I focus on?"
"Men are generally wye-shaped. Broad shoulders and big chest. Six-pack abs. Decently sized arms and thighs. And a thick neck. And I'd add about ten centimeters to your height. Look in the archives and study the physique of body-builders. But don't go that far. Maybe halfway between Gandy and an average bodybuilder."
ARMS Eden Lost: (Book 4) Page 16