‘I don’t want to do that,’ Briz said simply. ‘We did what we had to do to save the ship, but if we go with the intent of making war, then it will be easier for that to be a solution.’
‘Then it’s incumbent on us to make sure that other solutions are available,’ Jolly said cheerfully. ‘Our provisions requisition for the next cruise suggests that we’ll only take on an additional twelve to fifteen crew, giving us just over fifty on board.’
Briz nodded. ‘That will be Cain and his people. I wonder what the first contact SOP will look like. If it says that we lead with the military, putting blasters to other people’s heads, I suspect we won’t be successful as explorers or diplomats.’
‘This is true, my friend. I believe that Cain wants peace more than the next person, surprising as he seems so ready to fight. Then again, a willingness to fight doesn’t mean a desire for it. What do you say we make this ship invincible and then we won’t have to send Cain and his people planet-side to encourage a more peaceful conversation?’ Jolly suggested.
‘As invincible as our extremely fragile ship can be anyway. I’m with you, Jolly. Now let’s get to work integrating those new power plants into our current system. We need a distribution router to prevent power surges or overflows. I see a manifold, with surge storage, condensers, capacitors…’ Briz disappeared into his technical conversation with Jolly, a place where they were far more comfortable than talking about human relations and universal politics. Briz left engineering, heading for the inner core where the tie-in points would be. He wanted to look at the structural changes the SES recommended for his ship, shaking his Rabbit head at what he considered to be their “nonsense.”
The captain returned to the ship in time to see Briz carry on a conversation with Jolly as he walked up the stairway. Rand knew that Briz was so engrossed he didn’t see the tall human as he pulled himself past. The captain liked seeing the crew own the ship as Briz did. They’d continue to take care of it to the best of their ability.
Briz was in his element. Rand wondered when Briz would next leave the ship. After this cruise, the next one? Never? They’d probably have to chase him off at some point, but that point was not today or tomorrow.
Rand continued to the command deck where he logged in and started running full system checks. He was a kindred spirit to the Rabbit in that he was one with the ship. Captain Rand set the system checks on automatic and left the bridge on his way to the garden level. He used the handholds to help him swim down the corridor, into the stairwell and downward. The hatch opened for him as he approached, and he threw himself inside. He bounced off the path, ricocheting above unbundled plants. The Rabbits had wrapped many of the plants that were less hearty in zero gravity.
The others, the small trees and bushes, seemed to survive, but not flourish. The captain found one that still had fruit on it and pulled the ripest one free. He bit into it and watched the excess juice float away. He swirled it back toward him, opening his mouth and snatching the juice out of the air. Complete freedom. The ship is life, he thought. He finished his fruit, throwing the core in the compost bin, and returned to the outermost ring where the command deck was located, along with billeting, sensors, systems, and soon, weapons control.
Two months ago, he would have sabotaged the ship before letting the SES arm it. Now, he was helping them do it. His new arm started to itch. “I know,” he told it. “It makes my skin crawl, too, but as the captain, maybe I can keep us from using it. Defense only. If someone brings a fight to us, they better look out.” His arm didn’t answer. He flexed his fingers and made a fist, punching the air for emphasis.
“Yes, they better watch out. We are not playing,” he said firmly, licking his fingers as he was leaving sticky handprints on the handholds. When the other crew returned, they wouldn’t be too pleased finding that. The captain found a rag in the galley, wet it, and retraced his route, cleaning as he went.
Pride in one’s ship. No matter what things were on his ship, the people would always make it what it was. He started to hum to himself as he looked over the system checks. Maybe he’d invite Briz to dinner and they could talk about the upgrades in depth.
Wolfoids and Hillcats
When the jumper, a boxy-looking vehicle with a wing that rotated to allow the ship to land vertically, arrived, it settled into an open field. Cain jogged through the grass followed by Lutheann and twenty Hillcats.
They climbed aboard and the yowling began as soon as the ramp closed. There was a person they called the crew chief in the back who looked perplexed over how to buckle the ‘cats in and secure them for the trip. Cain sat down and strapped in. He shrugged and shook his head when the crew chief asked him what he recommended.
The ‘cats helped themselves to the seats along both sides of the jumper. It took off and they squealed and yowled even louder.
‘This mob of refugees is going to help us build a squad of Marines?’ Cain asked Lutheann. She looked at him sharply.
‘They can all hear you, in case you were wondering. I swear, humans are stupid, but you take the water buffalo!’ she harrumphed. He wasn’t surprised as ‘cats didn’t eat cake.
‘Listen up, all of you. If Lutheann hasn’t told you how much it sucks to go into space, you better ask her. We are going to be miserable. Always. It is our way. This is nothing. You should probably think about sleeping, as these are the most comfortable seats you are going to have for some time to come. We are going to see the Wolfoids, then we are going to Space School where we will remain for the next three months as we bring our training program online. Why would you do this? Vii, the SES, personal honor, be a part of something bigger than yourself? Those all apply, but I expect ‘cats don’t care about any of that. You’ll probably get the chance to kill people. You will hunt the most challenging and heavily armed prey the universe has to offer. Is the suffering worth it? If that’s what it takes to bring peace, then yeah, it’s worth it,’ Cain told them. He closed his eyes and leaned back, not expecting any of the ‘cats to reply.
He felt a furry body jump into his lap and absentmindedly reached a hand down to pet Lutheann, but the short and rough hair told him it wasn’t who he expected. An orange tomcat, smaller almost by half compared to most of the others, was standing, front paws on Cain’s chest, looking into his eyes and studying him intently.
With a quick slap, the tom scratched a single claw down Cain’s cheek. He grabbed the ‘cat in both hands and held him at arm’s length. ‘Count me in,’ the ‘cat told him. ‘Now put me down or I’ll scratch you again!’
“What the hell? Why did you scratch me?”
‘That’s the blood bond, ass! What else do I have to train you on? Lutheann, what have you been doing for the past few months?’
Cain closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He carefully deposited the nameless tomcat into the empty seat next to him.
“What’s your name and what’s the blood bond?” Cain asked, clipping his words as he spoke out loud.
‘It is the bonding between two who were meant to pair. You are now mine, human. You can call me Brutus as you haven’t earned the right to know my real ‘cat name,’ Brutus said gruffly.
“Luthie, what just happened?” Cain wiped the blood from his face, feeling the sting of the scratch. Brutus’s claw was a bit jagged and left more of a tear then a clean cut. Cain refused to put numbweed on it. He’d let it go, let it scar, keep it as a reminder any time he looked in the mirror. Nothing easily obtained was worth having.
Like Aletha. She was the most difficult catch of all. His memories of her from that day would sustain him through the hard days ahead. He smiled inadvertently, thinking of her undressing.
‘You can stop that right there!’ Brutus interjected, ruining a perfectly good trip down memory lane. He heard Lutheann laughing in the background of his mind.
‘You and he are the bonded pair. Once he touched your mind, he decided that you are both misfits of your species, a perfect match. Have no fear, dumbass, I will
come along as well, provide oversight of these miscreants that you’ve surrounded yourself with,’ she said, yawning in the process as she closed her eyes and relaxed into her seat.
“That I’ve surrounded myself with?” Cain couldn’t believe it. From before he joined the SES until now, every day led to more confusion. Women befuddled him and now he could add ‘cats to the growing list of things he didn’t understand.
“Me and you against the universe, Brutus. I hope you don’t mind the smell of Wolfoids. It seems to be raining and they’re a bit pungent when they get wet. How about you? How do you smell when you’re wet?”
‘You surely cannot believe that I would willingly go out there with you?’ Brutus raised his hackles in defiance.
“No. I expected that you wouldn’t be willing.” Cain twisted to see out the small window behind him as the jumper descended, touching down with a jerk. The ramp opened and Cain unbuckled, waving to the crew chief, signing that he would not be gone long. Cain took a few steps toward the cockpit before turning and starting a run out the back. He reached out one hand as he passed and scooped Brutus up, who dug two claws into Cain’s arm. The uniform was woven in a way that kept the claws from penetrating. Cain laughed as he vaulted out the back and into a downpour. The ‘cat continued to squirm.
Cain held him at arm’s length until he stopped, completely soaked and glaring daggers at his human. Cain undid two buttons on his blouse and stuffed the ‘cat inside, out of the rain and next to the warmth of Cain’s body. One claw dug into his unprotected abdomen. ‘Point taken, little man,’ Cain conceded. The claw withdrew.
The leadership of Livestel, the Wolfoid community on the southern edge of the Amazon rainforest, waited outside of the sprawling town established by Braden and Micah for the sole use of the Wolfoids transferred from the RV Traveler to Vii. They’d learned to be shepherds, butchers, and farmers. They hunted the plentiful game found on the border of the rainforest. The Wolfoids were self-sustaining, but they were also well-established as traders, sometimes plying the routes themselves.
The water buffalo herd at Livestel was second to none. They provided meat to almost the entire south of Vii.
And Cain hoped they would also supply warriors who would bring peace to their small part of the universe. He neck-hugged each of the Elders, as was the way of the Wolfoids, showing vulnerability as a sign of trust. They knew why he was there, making his job easier.
“I’m glad that they’ve talked with you already. I need six volunteers for a life of misery, bad food, uncomfortable quarters, and glory. Any takers?” he asked, half-joking. He didn’t want anyone thinking that the route he planned would be easy.
“We have twelve volunteers, from which you will pick the best six,” the Elder said simply, his vocalization device reflecting a lack of emotion. Cain nodded and pointed to the jumper.
“Send them aboard. I don’t know when we’ll make our decision, so we could have them for up to three months,” he stated, glad to be able to pick in case someone’s personality didn’t mesh with the others.
The Elder waved to a group of Wolfoids hovering behind a building. They walked out slowly, waving to faces that peeked through windows.
“What are you doing!” Cain screamed. “Get on the jumper, NOW!” spittle flew from his face as it contorted in feigned rage. The group of freshly blooded youngsters clawed the ground as they raced for the jumper. No one wanted to be last so there was some harness pulling and tripping. Twelve Wolfoids ran up the ramp, directly into the middle of twenty waiting Hillcats. One by one, the Wolfoids shook their coats, spraying the ‘cats.
That was when the fight started.
Cain was outside, thanking the Elders one by one, when he heard the ‘cat screams, Wolfoid barks, and a yelling crew chief. Cain excused himself and jogged to the ramp. Inside, he saw ‘cats clawing their way into Wolfoid fur, who were lashing out with their spears which bounced off the equipment inside the jumper. There was howling, blood being spattered, and fur. Everywhere he looked, fur floated through the air. He waded into the melee, ripped a spear from one youngster’s hand, and punched another on the head.
“SIT. DOWN,” Cain yelled with all the force he was capable of mustering.
‘Sit down, my pretties,’ Lutheann said quietly. One over-exuberant Wolfoid reared back, pointing his spear at someone. Cain swung the spear he carried like a bat, nearly hitting two Wolfoids as it raced to crack against the foreleg of the offending creature. She dropped her spear and howled in pain. Cain looked. The bone appeared to be broken. He grabbed the Wolfoid by the throat.
“I said, sit down.” He emphasized his words by throwing the Wolfoid backwards into a seat. It looked at Cain with wide eyes, then held up her broken arm as if Cain hadn’t seen it.
Cain waved her off. He pointed to the ones still standing, then stabbed a finger at the seats. They didn’t all fit. The jumper was designed for a dozen people. There were a dozen Wolfoids and twenty-one total ‘cats, with Brutus relaxing as comfortably as a wet ‘cat could inside Cain’s blouse.
“Now listen up and I’m only going to say this one time. I would rather go alone than with a mob. I need twelve people to join me as we reestablish the Marines, become the Cygnus Marines and take back the freedom that other humans have lost. That’s right, you will fight for human freedom and you know what? You’re going to like it. Now everyone, shut up. We’re heading to Space School where we are all going to learn what it means to be Marines. I’ve heard there’s nothing like shared misery to make a group tight. Well, we’re going to see how tight you can become because I guarantee you that you will be miserable. You can call me Major Cain and if you aren’t afraid of me now, you will be soon.”
Cain looked for a seat. There wasn’t one. He pointed at the one next to his broken-armed Wolfoid. “Move,” he said. The Wolfoid jumped up and moved out of the way. Cain sat down and looked at the foreleg. He was sure the leg was broken. ‘Holly, have a med bot meet us at the Space School landing area. We’ve got a pup with a minor broken leg. I’ll need her patched up and back in action ten minutes after we arrive.’
Cain leaned toward the injured Wolfoid. “A med bot will meet us when we land. It’ll patch you up.” He slapped the creature on her shaggy silver coat. Cain looked at his hand, wet with Wolfoid fur sticking to it. He closed his eyes and tried to calm his breathing.
‘This looks like it could be fun,’ Brutus said from within Cain’s blouse.
‘That’s one word for it. Are any of the ‘cats injured, Luthie?’ Cain said over the mindlink.
‘Oh, please. Wolfoids? You can’t be serious,’ she replied tartly.
‘I think my head is going to explode. We have to learn to fight together, not against each other. Has a ‘cat ever bonded with a Wolfoid?’
Lutheann scoffed at the idea. Cain had to figure out how to make it work. Humans, Wolfoids, and Hillcats, working together as a single unit, or the three prongs of a trident. Cain wasn’t artistic, but he liked the idea of a trident and a Wolfoid spear, crossed with Cygnus VII behind, as it would be seen from space. He opened his neural implant and shared what he was thinking. For some reason, he fixated on the unique logo, wanting it as a rallying point for his team.
He looked at the menagerie filling the jumper as it lifted off for the short hop to Space School, located just to the south of New Sanctuary. The Wolfoids were mostly black and gray, while the ‘cats presented a rainbow of Hillcat colors. They were cramped between the Wolfoids, many found places under the seats, but others sat on Wolfoid laps, shamelessly looking for something more comfortable than the floor.
Killers all. The ‘cats killed their food and ate it raw. The Wolfoids had the blooding of the pups, an annual ritual where all pups coming of age made a kill on a live wild beast. Usually they were wild boars, but sometimes, if the number of pups was greater, they’d hunt down a water buffalo. Many times, the pups were injured, but that was the rite of passage.
Cain had killed, too. Was it still that m
orning?
Life was rushing past him, so much in such a short amount of time. He opened his neural implant again to coordinate quarters for his growing mob of recruits. He asked for the obstacle course schedule. He wanted it every moment that no one else was using it, until he figured out a better place to train.
He needed help, another person, committed to the cause of freedom, willing to sacrifice and suffer with the rest of them.
‘Major Cain, I think you’ll be pleased to know that both Ensigns Peekaless and Black Leaper are on the Traveler now and will be joining you at Space School. They request approval to join your team,’ Holly said serendipitously.
‘Granted,’ Cain said, smiling to himself.
“Listen up. Whenever I give you an order or tell you something, you will respond with a hearty ‘Aye, aye, sir!’ Do you understand?” Cain bellowed over the noise of the jumper.
The vocalization devices worked with varying degrees of efficiency and that was for the half who had them. The others yipped, but to Cain, it wasn’t the same. He shook his head. “Again,” he said. A little better. “Again,” he repeated. It was still a cacophony. He held up his hand for silence and that was how they arrived at Space School.
He expected them to wait until he exited the jumper, but as soon as the ramp was down, it was a free-for-fall as the ‘cats bolted for freedom with the Wolfoids not far behind. Cain waited with his injured recruit until they were the only two left on board. He nodded to the crew chief before walking down the ramp. He wondered how many arms he’d have to break before they all learned the level of discipline he needed from them.
Cygnus Expanding: Humanity Fights for Freedom (Cygnus Space Opera Book 2) Page 8