“I want to thank you for showing me such a good time this evening,” Morning Grass said as the lift started moving.
Russo giggled as the sudden movement of the lift forced her to grab onto the railing with both hands. “Think nothing of it. We were both due for a good time.” When Russo was steady enough to release the railing with one hand, she moved it to the small of Morning Grass’ back and rubbed. “Teacher will be back to see you, soon enough.”
Morning Grass pulled Russo to her. Russo’s arms went instinctively around Morning Grass’ waist. Morning Grass sniffled but didn’t bawl, even though she wanted to.
“I know you miss him,” Russo said. “I’d be disappointed, too.”
“Thank you, Dawn Marie,” Morning Grass said as the lift stopped at her deck and the doors slid apart. “I love you.”
Part VII—Conduct, Unbecoming
Chapter 56
10-August-2210
Teacher opened the hyper-mail from Morning Grass and skimmed through it to be sure there was nothing inside that demanded his immediate attention. He was pleased to learn all was going well with Morning Grass and the new hospital was almost ready to open.
Teacher was looking forward to having Morning Grass permanently stationed in New Phoenix. It would be much easier to get there than to find transportation to the Armstrong whenever he could finally wrangle a pass.
It had been months since the separatists shelled the base and drone flights over the foothills showed they’d pulled back into the higher mountains. Teacher and every other feline on the base, both male and female hoped it meant weekend passes would be reinstated soon. Most had been without the company of a surrogate since the shelling started and some even longer.
Teacher had never been away from Morning Grass for so long. He tried to tell himself just seeing her would be enough after such a long absence, but the desire to find a willing surrogate as soon as they were together refused to go away.
Teacher had just closed the hyper-mail when Leland appeared at the door of the barracks. “Where are the other three ‘horsemen of the apocalypse’?”
“They’re at the Rec Hall,” Teacher said without looking in Leland’s direction. He checked his chronometer. “The poker tournament should be starting right about now.”
“You didn’t want to play,” Leland asked.
“I don’t play very well,” Teacher replied, still with his back to Leland. “They tell me I don’t have a ‘poker face’. I assume they mean I have trouble hiding my emotions completely.”
Teacher began to perspire. After being away from Morning Grass for so long he was finding it more difficult to ignore Leland’s advances; even though, he had taken an uncharacteristic dislike to her.
“What are you feeling now, Captain,” Leland asked.
Teacher didn’t answer and he didn’t turn to face her.
Leland smiled. “Do you mind if I come in and sit? Colonel Hayes had something he wanted me to pass along to you. Besides, I don’t like poker either and I could use some company.”
“Have a seat,” Teacher said. He turned from the desk, grabbed and empty rolling chair and pushed it in Leland’s direction. “I assume you’d sit anyway, even if I asked you to leave.”
“You’re right about that,” Leland answered as she sat. “You’re also correct about not being able to hide your feelings. I never have any problem figuring out how you feel about me or, at least, how you want me to believe you feel about me.”
“No deception is involved, Captain,” Teacher said. “I told you, I tend to wear my feelings outwardly and have a great deal of trouble disguising them.”
“We’re the same rank now, so you can call me Claire if you like. In fact, I’d prefer it.”
“I don’t know if I’m comfortable with that.”
Leland stood up so she was looking down at Teacher. “Give it a try you sanctimonious son of a bitch.”
“I’ll try, Captain.” Teacher didn’t know why, but he wanted to smile. “I’m sorry. I meant Claire. Oh, another thing. I don’t have a mother, but if I did, she’d most likely not be canine.”
“What is it with you,” Leland asked. “Why is it you can get along with everyone else here, including that insufferable bore, Eagle Chaser, but you can’t stand to be in the same room with me?”
“You have plenty friends already, Claire,” Teacher replied. “Why is getting along with me so damned important?”
“I don’t know,” Leland shouted at the top of her lungs. She calmed down and added quietly, “It just is.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Please tell me what it is about me that makes you run in the other direction.”
Teacher jumped at the chance to be open and honest with Leland. “You’re much too aggressive for my tastes, Claire.”
“I don’t understand. Feline females and surrogates won’t usually take no for an answer.”
“Because that is how felines were created to be,” Teacher replied. “I find such behavior in human females to be repellent, however.”
“Why is that? It doesn’t make sense.”
Teacher’s overwhelming desire to make Leland back away once and for all allowed his subconscious mind to gain control of his tongue. “It doesn’t really make much sense to me, either. All I can say is the human female I admire most is not overtly aggressive. I always wonder what she is thinking from moment to moment. In fact, I have an inkling she may be attracted to me, but it’s quite possible I only imagine it. If I ever pursue the matter, it will be because she planted the seed in my mind and left it to grow on its own.”
“I think I understand, now,” Leland said. “I’ll give you your space.”
“Then, I promise I’ll make an effort to be more pleasant,” Teacher said.
Leland wiped her eyes and turned to leave.
“Claire?”
“What is it, Teacher?”
“You mentioned the colonel gave you a message for me. May I ask what it was?”
“You’re a major, now,” Leland said as she walked out. “Congratulations.”
Chapter 57
17-August-2210
New Phoenix, Feline Sector, Terra Nova.
Morning Grass and Russo made their way hurriedly toward the open market.
“I’m happy that shift is over,” Russo said. “I hope I’m a much better doctor than I am an administrator. We’re a week late getting the hospital open and I can’t help but believe the Forward Command thinks it’s my fault.”
“You don’t control the supply shuttle schedule,” Morning Grass told Russo as she rushed along.
“I’m pretty sure Teacher will stick around if we’re not there when he shows up,” Russo replied. With her much shorter legs, she was almost in a trot trying to keep up. “I didn’t know I was going to be doing PT this evening or I would have dressed for it.”
“I’m sorry, Dawn Marie,” Morning Grass said as her gait slowed considerably. “I’m just so excited to see him.”
“No harm, no foul. I understand.”
“I’m sure you’re excited to see him as well,” Morning Grass said.
“Have I been that obvious,” Russo asked herself. She had been thinking of Teacher almost constantly of late and was mortified to think that Morning Grass might have sensed it. She tried to come up with an answer that was polite, yet non-committal. “Well, yes. Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?” She looked over at Morning Grass, who was wearing a large grin. “What?”
Morning Grass only kept smiling and walking.
“No,” Russo said. “Tell me. What were you going to say?”
“I think you’re very excited to see him,” Morning Grass replied.
“I am excited. I know how much you’ve missed him.”
Morning Grass fought the urge to laugh. “Yes. I’m sure that’s why. No one could ever accuse me of hiding the fact I miss him terribly.”
When they reached the pub where they were to meet with Teacher, Morning Grass pulled the door open and walked in first. Russo
stepped in behind her and remained on Morning Grass’ heels.
The confidence Russo normally exhibited vanished the moment she entered the pub. She was used to being the most diminutive person in any crowd of adult humans, but this pub full of felines made her feel as if she had wandered into a roomful of giants.
The room was noisy and filled with tobacco and marijuana smoke. Russo’s attention was immediately drawn to a boisterous group of felines at a table in the center of the room. There was a mixed group of half a dozen in feline army uniforms talking loudly while a male and female at the end of the table were trading embraces and passionate kisses with a surrogate.
Morning Grass stopped just inside the pub door and the distracted Russo ran into her. Morning Grass turned to see that Russo was uncomfortable.
“It looks like Teacher hasn’t made it here, yet,” Morning Grass said. “We could go back outside and wait for him.”
“No,” Russo replied. “Let’s just find a table and sit.”
“Sure. Would you like to get some ale before we sit down? I’ll buy the first round.”
“I believe I would,” Russo said. Her eyes found their way back to the table where the male, female and surrogate had gone from kissing to petting. Russo fought to keep from staring. “Get a room,” she thought.
Morning Grass walked to the bar with Russo close behind her. Russo was starting to attract the attention of the other patrons and that made her even more jumpy.
“I would like two ales, please,” Morning Grass told the bartender.
The bartender, looked at Morning Grass and then down at Russo. She grinned obnoxiously. “Are you sure your child wouldn’t prefer a root beer?”
Morning Grass was not amused by the jab. She glared at the bartender and asked, “Do you have any root beer?”
The smile left the bartender’s face. “No. We don’t. We only have Zunnuki ale.”
“Then Zunnuki ale will have to do,” Morning Grass replied. “Two of them, if you please.”
Morning Grass handed Russo one of the ales and pointed to an empty table along the wall. “That looks like the only table left. We better grab it quickly.”
The walk to the table took Morning Grass and Russo through the center of the pub. They pushed through small groups of standing patrons and around others sitting at crowded tables. Russo tried to avoid making eye contact with anyone as she walked, but it was difficult. She was attracting a lot of attention.
When the pair made it to the table, they could see it wasn’t empty. There was a male in fatigues sitting there. “I’m sorry,” Morning Grass said as she bumped into him, “I thought this table was free.”
The soldier turned and said, “Hello, Morning Grass. It’s good to see you.”
“Wolf Tamer,” Morning Grass said with a start. “This is a surprise. It’s been forever. I thought Teacher said you were serving with him in the CEF?”
“I am.” Wolf Tamer pointed out the insignia on his uniform. “Since the CEF and the separatists have been exchanging fire, we don’t get to wear our dress blues or service khakis. Battle dress at all times, even in the moderate zones. That way we don’t draw any unwanted attention.” He motioned for Morning Grass and Russo to sit. “Teacher should be back soon.”
“He’s here, then,” Morning Grass asked.
“Yes,” Wolf Tamer said. “I’m holding the table until he and the others get back.”
“Others,” Morning Grass asked. “How many? This is a small table.”
“Just a couple,” Wolf Tamer said. “We’ll make room. Sit. Both of you.”
Just as Morning Grass and Russo seated themselves, Teacher, Eagle Chaser and Bear Killer appeared from the back of the pub. Morning Grass stood and ran to Teacher the moment she saw him. He put his arms around her and lifted her from the floor, placing an impassioned kiss on her willing lips.
“I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you, Captain Teacher,” Morning Grass said.
“I don’t think you could have missed me more than I’ve missed you,” Teacher said as he gave Morning Grass another kiss. “It isn’t ‘Captain’ anymore, by the way.” He pulled his military ID from a pocket in his trousers and showed it to her.
“Major,” Morning Grass exclaimed. “You’re a major now?”
“They made it official just before I left to come here.”
Morning Grass pointed to the table. “Look who else is here to see you.”
Russo waved feebly when she saw Teacher look in her direction.
“Major Russo,” Teacher said. “What the hell is she doing here?”
“That’s very impolite,” Morning Grass said. “She came here with me. I invited her.”
“That’s not what I meant.” Teacher took a deep breath and tried to get a handle on his frustration before speaking again. “I’m sorry. I just thought that since we haven’t seen each other for a while, we’d—”
“We’d what,” Morning Grass asked.
“Don’t trifle with me, Morning Grass,” Teacher said. “It’s been almost one-hundred days since we last saw each other. You know what I had in mind.”
“Well,” Morning Grass replied. “I must have misunderstood what you meant when you told me that you couldn’t wait to get me alone. And, you must have misinterpreted what I meant when I asked you if we could spend the night in our old dwelling. Please come and sit. We’ll talk later.”
Morning Grass pulled Teacher to the table. Eagle Chaser and Bear Killer had already introduced themselves to Russo and the three, along with Wolf Tamer were having an animated conversation. Russo was laughing as Teacher and Morning Grass sat.
“I hope these three haven’t been annoying you, Major,” Teacher said to Russo.
“Quite the contrary,” Russo replied. “Captain Eagle Chaser has been recounting your heroic exploits for my entertainment.”
“I don’t understand,” Morning Grass said.
Teacher flashed an unhappy look at Eagle Chaser. “The captain is prone to embellish. I can’t think of anything I’ve done that would be considered over and above my duty to my fellow soldier.”
“Don’t be modest, Major,” Eagle Chaser said. “I’m sure Captain Leland is of the opinion she’s forever in your debt.”
At hearing Eagle Chaser, Wolf Tamer and Bear Killer both chuckled.
“Am I missing something, here,” Morning Grass asked.
“Teacher hasn’t told you about how he saved the life of our company clerk,” Eagle Chaser asked. “I’m not surprised. He has a habit of understating his achievements. Captain Leland seems to have found him quite impressive, however.”
“Probably no more so than any of the other officer trainees,” Teacher said.
“I would hope not, anyway,” Bear Killer said. Everyone at the table turned to look at him. “Just thinking out loud.”
“Perhaps we need to catch up,” Morning Grass told Teacher in an angry whisper.
A surrogate barmaid was walking around the room with a tray full of Zunnuki ales. Wolf Tamer raised his hand and yelled, “Six over here.”
As she sat them down on the table, there was a commotion toward the front door. When Eagle Chaser, Teacher and Bear Killer tried to stand to see what was going on, a group of felines from the tables around them put hands on their shoulders and pushed them back down in their chairs.
Eagle Chaser and Bear Killer remained seated and didn’t try to get up again. Teacher fought against the hands holding him to his chair.
“What the hell are you doing,” Teacher asked.
The feline holding Teacher down in his chair said, “Please sit there and be still. I’ll explain later.”
Toward the front of the tavern, angry voices could be heard.
“So, it looks as if the human infection has spread in my absence,” one voice shouted. “I blame myself. I should have known this would happen.”
“You should have stayed away, Night Hunter,” another angry feline yelled.
“Your youngsters feel oth
erwise, Elk Herder,” Night Hunter replied. “They tell me they’ve been waiting for my return to power.”
“Those you’ve been talking to are blissful in their youthful ignorance,” Elk Herder replied. “They don’t represent those of us who have lived long enough to know better.”
“I find that remark quite amusing,” Night Hunter said. “It’s those of us old enough to remember the creators who should be teaching the young to live without the help of the humans. We should be encouraging them to take their rightful place as the dominant species on this planet, but instead we’ve let the humans move into our territory and build storehouses to tempt us with trinkets and a so-called hospital where they can resume experimenting and determine how best to exterminate us once and for all.”
“Take your bigotry and pessimism elsewhere, Night Hunter,” Elk Herder said. “If anything, these humans have bent over backward to win our trust.”
“Spoken like a traitorous collaborator,” Night Hunter said. “I see Calf Stealer’s example has stuck with you. Every day I see more of our people donning the uniforms of their military. They will be made to pay for their treason.”
Teacher again fought to gain his feet.
The feline who struggled to keep Teacher seated spoke again, angrily. “This is our fight, Marine. Not yours.” He looked at the rest of the table. “Don’t make a sound. If need be, some of us will escort Night Hunter and his men out, once they’ve had their say. Unnecessary violence between the separatists and the CEF is the last thing we want right now. Understood?”
Teacher frowned, but said, “Yes.” The rest of the group just sat silently.
A few felines at the front of the tavern fell in behind Elk Herder, looking determined but remaining silent as he continued to speak.
“I think we’ve heard enough from you for one evening, Night Hunter,” Elk Herder said. “The rest of us came here to have a few ales and relax, not to fight. We will, if we need to, however. You and your men are free to have some ale with us, but we won’t allow you to incite any more unrest.”
War Orphans (The Terra Nova Chronicles) Page 25