Jethro Goes to War (Wandering Engineer Jethro's tale)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “Great, more meddling,” Mayweather teased.

  “His team was the primary anyway. Well, one of them. He's good. Very good. He's what the corps will mold itself to become in time if we can keep him straight. Sending him to Agnosta will give him some ground experience and detach him from this.”

  “Out of sight, out of mind you mean?” Firefly asked. “It has worked before. It should work here. There has been some competition for the slots however.”

  “My people will do as they're told. I was planning on tapping Ensign Valenko as one of the officers. Since I am booting Pendeckle up to captain jg, he should have a good team to back him up. One with experience.”

  “Which he has.”

  “But not on a planet. Valenko is one of the few people who has experience on a planet. He's also the only officer other than myself who has such experience. We need to pass that experience on to as many people as possible.”

  “Oh,” Mayweather blinked. “Your department.” She looked thoughtful. “Okay, one more piece of meddling. Send the gunny along as well. And his two friends.”

  “Okay...”

  “Another side benefit is that the ensign was the Lance Corporal's platoon leader. He will no doubt request him,” Firefly interjected.

  “Since they worked so well together, I have no doubt,” the Major said. “I just need to keep a straight face when he does.”

  “And keeping one when they find out Schultz is going along for the ride will be even more fun,” the captain said with a grin. “Enjoy.” She left without a backwards glance.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  The gunny tried not to sigh as he packed his gear. He had a feeling something like this would happen. Then again, maybe it was a good thing. He was getting a little cabin fever. Running around on the ground might be fun.

  “Gunny.” He turned to see the panther behind him.

  “Yes Lance corporal?”

  “I, ah, need to mention something. To someone. An officer.”

  “About what?” The gunny asked, turning back to pack.

  “About what happened.”

  “Tough.”

  “It's about...”

  “I don't want to hear it,” The gunny said firmly. “Don't mention it.”

  “Sir. It's about Destiny.”

  “What about Destiny?” Firefly asked as the gunny turned. Jethro came to attention just as the gunny did.

  “Sir. I ah, am not sure how to continue.”

  “Start at the beginning, end at the end,” Firefly said dryly.

  “I was told not to mention it. But I ah... think it is important.”

  “What?”

  “Before the bar fight I recorded the persons of interest speaking in the bar. They mentioned sabotaging the freighter Destiny to kill the Admiral.”

  “Oh. Lovely,” the gunny muttered.

  “They did?” Firefly asked.

  “Yes sir.”

  “Did they mention how?”

  “A virus sir. They also mentioned that the people who did the job were now dead.”

  “Interesting. Shoot me the file. I will inform intelligence and those who need to know.”

  “Thank you sir,” Jethro said giving a choppy nod. He accessed the file and sent it to the AI's e-mail address.

  “Now I understand your other reason for doing what you did. I had wondered.”

  “Yes sir,” Jethro growled softly.

  “Don't mention it. Ever.”

  “Sir yes sir,” he stiffened at the bite of command in the AI's voice.

  “Carry on.” The holo flickered out.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “What the hell do we do now?” Logan said throwing the tablet he had been holding down onto his desk in disgust. He rubbed his forehead, trying to clear his mind.

  “It's not all doom and gloom sir,” Firefly reported.

  “Oh?” He looked over to the avatar. “Where is the silver lining in that mess?” he demanded pushing the offending device on the desk.

  “Fleet Admiral Irons isn't one to be taken down so easily sir,” Fuentes said next to Firefly. “And with Sprite his chances of survival are above eighty nine point four five percent.”

  “That's if the virus didn't do enough damage to the ship's critical systems before they found it.”

  “That is debatable sir. We unfortunately lack data on that. However, even if the ship's systems did take a hit, I don't doubt that the Admiral could repair the damage.”

  “Only if he had the tools to do it with. Which he doesn't,” Firefly reported. Fuentes looked over to the other AI. “I believe intel has found some of the replicators and parts meant for Destiny. Which means they were not on board. Extending that line of logic...”

  “And he may have been left high and dry,” Logan finished.

  “Possible,” Fuentes said nodding.

  “But I wouldn't count the Fleet Admiral and his trio out just yet,” the Major said with a head shake. “The man's too good to die. We've just got to have faith.”

  “And we need to get that back up ship to Agnosta yesterday. We need to see if he got there. Then we'll have answers,” Shelby growled.

  “Agreed,” Mayweather said with a nod. She looked at the Commander.

  “Agreed agreed. Expedite the expedition,” he said. “They are supposed to leave in three and a half months? Let's cut that down to a month. Dismissed,” he waved.

  Act III

  Chapter 22

  “They look nervous. Don't they look nervous to you?” Captain jg, now honorary Major Pendeckle said giving the lounging troops a nervous look. The first Agnosta Marine expeditionary recon force. Quite a mouthful some smuck had dreamed up. Three squads of Marines and a dozen or so diplomats. Since it was his first field command he was nervous about things going off without a hitch.

  “Actually sir, they look bored,” gunny Schultz said as the troops sprang to attention. “Of course we can't have that can we?” he asked.

  “No, no, we'll figure something out. It is after all, a two month trip to Agnosta,” the junior grade captain, now frocked Major said giving the troops a long look.

  “Six weeks actually sir. In Alpha band. For some reason the engineers can't figure out how to get this tub up to Beta. I think they said they can get to the sweet band in Alpha what ever that is.”

  “Not our problem,” the acting major said with a shake of his head. He cleared his throat. The bay quieted and turned it's attention on him.

  “Welcome to the First Agnosta Marine expeditionary recon force. For those of you who don't know me, my name is Captain jg Pendeckle. Right now I have been temporarily frocked to Major while on ship.” He looked around. “To my right is first Lieutenant Dana Harely. To my left is Ensign Valenko Kodiak.” He turned slightly to look at the bear. “Behind me is gunny Schultz and Petty officers Lewis, Rogers, and Gusterson.”

  He came further into the bay and then turned. “We're breaking down into three teams. I've got HQ squad which will be third.” He nodded to Lieutenant Harley. “Harley has second and Ensign Valenko has first. Your team assignments should be on your HUD. Check them out in a moment.”

  “We are a diplomatic fact finding mission ladies and gentlemen. We are the face, the new face of the corps. First impressions count so let’s make it a good one. That's all carry on.”

  He walked to the door then paused. “Oh, third squad report to my ready room in an hour. Dismissed.” He turned and left.

  “Interesting,” Sergei said as the squads broke from standing at attention. Jethro had a faraway look. “Let me guess we're on different squads?” he asked.

  “No,” Hurranna said. “More's the pity. I still gotta put up with your fat ass. At least I can hide behind it if the shit falls in the pot.”

  “Cute,” the Liger growled. Hurranna grinned and then licked her shoulder.

  “I try to be.”

  “I requested you three,” the gunny said coming over. They stiffened. “At ease. Bracing is for boots a
nd when officers are around,” Schultz said. “I'm backstopping Valenko here since he's a cherry like the rest of you. But it's hands off unless he goes down.”

  “Ah,” Hurranna glanced at the others and then nodded for them. Behind her the sniper leopard Letanga, Veraxin Chirby, Tauren Ox, and greyhound petty officer Gusterson came over.

  “This it?” Chirby asked. “Band of merry men?” He glanced at Hurranna. “Oh sorry. And women?”

  “Not quite.” Valenko said coming over with the heavy worlders Miles and Asazi in tow. “Now we're it,” he nodded.

  “Ah.” Miles looked around and then shrugged. He smiled at the bear. “Congrats by the way,” he said sketching a salute to the bear. The grizzly nodded.

  “We're the recon team. We're going out to first test the equipment, and second to recon sites command thinks may make great training bases. Second is going to show the flag in port, test the vehicles, and help with the natives. They'll also be our back up in case we need it,” the bear said.

  “Um, quick question, ah, what are the chances of combat?” Chirby asked raising a pincered primary hand claw.

  “No idea,” Valenko said with a shrug. “But we're going to carry just in case. I'd rather be tired and sore than full of holes.”

  “Point.”

  “Third squad is headquarters squad. They'll go with the Major and provide him and the delegation with security where ever he goes.”

  “Your orders sir?” Jethro asked, having a hard time not smiling at his boot camp friend.

  “Check to make sure the gear is stowed. I'll see if I can get my hands on a couple sets of VR glasses so we can train in sims. It's going to be a long flight folks.”

  “Someone break out the spade deck!” Sergei called out smiling.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  The captain came into the squad bay. He paused, looking around. The gunny was in a rack, motioning into the air. His head turned side to side occasionally. “What the?” the captain asked. He came over to the rack. He looked around the bay. His own troops were either lounging around or sleeping. Second and third squad were using VR goggles.

  “Gunny,” he said tapping the noncom on the arm.

  “Sir?” Schultz cleared the VR and took them off. He rubbed his temple and then opened his eyes to see the Captain.

  “Major sir.” He shot out of the rack and then teetered before coming to attention.

  “You okay gunny?”

  “I will be sir. VR shock.”

  “Oh,” the captain nodded. “Training or personal?” he asked.

  “Training sir. Grudge match, first against second.”

  “Oh?” the captain asked hands behind his back.

  “Yes sir. Lieutenant Harley insisted after first won the last three sets.”

  “Huh.” The captain rubbed his chin. “Valenko's that good?”

  “First is sir,” the gunny smiled. “Of course I put a hell of a lot of effort to make sure they get that way. Lance Corporal Jethro is one heck of an asset as well. It also helps that first has two heavy weapons and two snipers. Second only has one each.”

  “Ah.” The captain nodded. “You've been doing this daily?”

  “Six to eight hours a day. Hot wash on the exercise. Then off duty a shift then we start all over. We do this six out of seven days a week. We try to alternate squads to allow everyone a chance to use them. Also I'd like to get the squads going in the gym. They are getting...” He sniffed disdainfully. “Flabby in my opinion.”

  Pendeckle hid a smirk. “Well, we can't have that. I'll see if we can get some time in the ship's gym. It's heavily scheduled however so you may need to improvise.” He'd actually been trying to get gym time for the past three weeks they'd been in transit.

  “Yes sir. I'll set up some additional calisthenics and see if one of the team can rig some weights to lift. Perhaps someone from engineering could come by and set up some bars for us to do pull ups on sir? They could tack weld them over there sir.” He pointed to a corner of the bay.

  “Huh? Oh right.” The captain nodded touching his own waist. “You do calisthenics already?”

  “Yes sir. Twenty minute warm up and a four kilometer jog. Every morning.”

  “Ah.” The captain nodded. “Where may I ask? I haven't seen you in the ship.”

  “Around the bay sir.” The gunny pointed to the outer edge of the bay. There was a narrow strip going around the bay. “We've got three people to a rack in some areas so that gives us a little extra room. Though Ensign Valenko and corporals Sergei and Ox tend to eat those savings up.”

  “Oh? Oh yes.” The captain nodded looking around the bay. A few more troopers were coming out of VR. Some looked annoyed. One or two were looking sheepish. It took him a moment to realize most were second squad.

  “They won again?” the captain asked. The nearest trooper had a sour look. He nodded and got to his feet. “Officer on the deck!” The other troopers out of VR came to attention. A few of third squad woke and shoot to their feet.

  “At ease,” the captain said. He shook his head. “Gunny a word.” He led the gunny off to one side. “I was wondering about the VR goggles.”

  “Sir?”

  “There have been complaints about the troops having them.”

  “Sir. We can't use the gym, and rec deck. The purser made it clear we should remain in the bay at all times. We're doing that.”

  “I know that,” the captain sighed.

  “The VR gear is military issue sir. You signed off on it.”

  “I did?” the captain asked surprised.

  “Yes sir. Last minute requisition by the Lieutenants and myself.”

  “Ah,” the captain nodded suddenly understanding. “Still the power and computer time...”

  “Negligible sir. Power demand is for recharging only. There isn't any computer use sir. Not the ship's mainframe. We've got an independent server right there.” The gunny pointed to a small box.

  “Huh. That wasn't what I was told. All right. Thank you gunny for an informative discussion. Carry on.”

  The gunny popped to attention and saluted. The captain returned the salute.

  “Oh and gunny...”

  “Next time third is up I want in. Don't leave me out from now on.”

  “Sir?” the gunny asked.

  “You heard me. You’re not the only one going stir crazy doing make work. We're two and a half weeks out and we've got another four to go. I've had it with the bar and officers club. Count me in.”

  The gunny nodded. “Yes sir. It'll be a pleasure sir. Third is playing the winner after lunch.”

  “All right. I'll see you then.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “You notice that the humans stuck with mammals right?” Jethro said patiently. They were in a bull session, off duty and relaxing with beers and time to spare.

  “Yes,” Zebo replied. “I was curious about that as well.”

  “Prejudice,” the Naga Ris'ha hissed.

  “No. Well, maybe a little,” Valenko shrugged. “They did try to uplift parrots but it didn't work. Most us are a mix of uplifts and gene grafts.”

  “I don't understand,” Zebo said scratching at a scale.

  “It's complicated,” the heavy worlder Miles sighed. “See, we, that is normals...”

  “Like you're normal,” Jethro laughed. Miles snorted. “Seriously, heavy worlder right?”

  Miles nodded. “Bingo furball.” He shook his head. “See some of the Neo's are uplifts. But others were grafts or super soldiers.”

  “Again I do not understand,” Zebo said shaking his body. His arms wrapped around and crossed under his massive mouth. “Explain. The changing of one's sonotype to another form is illogical.”

  “Heh, tell that the Ynari,” Jethro said swishing his tail and flicking his ears.

  “You don't have this sort of thing? Or didn't before the Xeno war I take it?” Hurranna asked.

  The Gashg and Naga looked at her. She shrugged and spread her hands.
One had a beer in it. “What?” she asked. “I take it that's a no?”

  “No. Only a few races were into this stuff. Terrans went all out. Ynari did as well, but in a different direction,” Miles said with a smile.

  “Explain,” the Naga said impatiently. You'd think he would be used to walking around in the dark at this rate.

  “Well, some humans were desperate to be different than others. Than mainstream society that is. They liked to stand out, to be different. Nonconformists. Others liked fur a little too much.” Miles grimaced, jerking a thumb to Hurranna. She gave him a one finger salute.

  “It was during the early days of gene engineering. Long before star flight and first contact. When humans had learned how to gene splice code from various species into Frankenstein monsters,” Valenko rumbled. “A few people with more money than sense changed themselves. That started it a little.”

  “But didn't end it,” Jethro replied taking up the tale in turn. “See governments were trying to come up with the perfect super soldier program years before. They tried gene grafting animal traits into humans, but it didn't work out as well.” He grimaced a smile. “To have an animal's senses you need some of the traits of that species. And changes to the brain. If you want to be able to smell like a dog you have to have the same brain structure... Something they weren't happy about tinkering with too much. They wanted their subjects to still be able to blend in with society at large.”

  “That changed during the AI war. Or just prior to it actually,” Valenko rumbled picking up the thread of the story. “Desperate people tried desperate things. They grafted human traits onto us. Uplift. Much faster than what they did to change dolphins and others.” He shrugged.

  “We were uplifted before the war. They didn't have far to go with us though, a few cosmetic changes so we can walk upright, use our thumbs easier, and changes to our vocal cords and frontal lobes,” Betty said, holding up her simian hand and buffing her nails smugly.

  “That's because you're kissing cousins with the pink skinned humans,” Jethro retorted. “By the time the AI wars ended our ancestors were given full rights of sentient life. It was part of the deal the governments at the time struck with the AI.”