by Chris Hechtl
She debated bringing the subject to Jethro's attention before she decided there wasn't enough evidence of his involvement to worry him.
That still didn't stop her from creating fresh bots to monitor the situation around them. And to devise a way to keep a backup recording so she could access files that might turn up as destroyed or missing in the future.
<)>^<)>/
The Saturday of the barbeque dawned a bit foggy and overcast with a threat of possible rain in the near future. It took time for the fog to burn off, keeping the island cool and gloomy. Jethro was a bit concerned that the weather would threaten the outdoor event. Just as he started to make calls to find out if they could move it indoors, the weather cleared. It wouldn't be a perfect cloudless sky, but he'd take it he thought as he looked up to the blue around him.
He was drafted to help put up the banners and decorations. Amused, he'd accepted the job. It was fun and a good distraction … even if his ladder got bumped a few times by passing people. It beat setting up the tables and chairs he thought.
When he went over to help, he was chased off by Pinash and Asazi who didn't want any meddling men interfering with their plans. He was allowed to hang out with some of the men folk around the smokers and roasters that had been set up the evening before. They sipped beer and swapped stories about how things had been going as they watched the meat cook.
He looked around during a lull and noted a few people had set up pictures of loved ones who had been lost or weren't able to attend. Miles was one, as was Chirby. They were clustered under a sign remembering the fallen. Ox's picture was clustered with those who were off somewhere else. He knew they were all there in spirit.
He also knew they'd probably watch the videos the robots that were buzzing around and recording for them. Probably more than once he thought cheerfully. It would make them a bit homesick and it wasn't the same, but it was the best they could do for those that couldn't attend.
Valenko nailed him down to interrogate him about his family. Asazi and some of the ladies were on hand as well. He told them about Shanti and the kittens and dutifully showed off images of them for them and then the crowd.
When they got tired of swapping stories, someone broke out a football and started to toss it around. Jethro tried to hold out from playing but was eventually dragged into it. Contact football with beered-up Marines wasn't his cup of tea, but he took it as a good sport and gave as many bruises as he got. He knew once they got more beer into them, they wouldn't feel any pain.
The barbeque was most definitely a hit he thought as the smells started to perfume the area. His stomach growled, which seemed to wake other stomachs around him. They weren't allowed to get any of the meat just yet, but there were plenty of chips, dip, and appetizers to poach from the ladies before they chased the men off again.
As he picked at his plate, he noted some people were in and out. Some could only stay for an hour or so, duty or family called. It felt like a revolving door, exhausting but exhilarating too. He gave up trying to keep track of all the names of new family he was introduced to. Hopefully, Bast would be able to keep them all straight he thought before he was poked for not being attentive enough to Asazi.
She relegated a group of friends and family about a couple of training incidents that got the better of Jethro and some pratfalls to embarrass him and Valenko. Valenko wasn't in earshot, but Jethro retaliated to get even with her, telling them about a slippery fall on her ass and getting mud up her nose while crawling through the wire.
Some guests who dropped in where not part of F Platoon but were welcome anyway. Gunny Schultz was one, as was Colonel Harley and some of her people, along with civilians like Clive Bret and his wife and kids. Even General Forth put in a brief appearance. He managed to snag a steak Jethro had earmarked, but the master sergeant wasn't going to begrudge the general the meal.
The general's theft seemed to kick off the serving of the meat, which got the ladies into high gear. They brought out the side dishes including potato salad and a Veraxin sweet salad to go with all the protein. Jethro shook his head when he saw the feast. There were different kinds of meat, fish, and poultry … the works. Plenty for the hungry crowd he thought in appreciation.
<)>^<)>/
Ted M'beki saluted Jethro with a beer, then went back to talking with a group around him. He appreciated the party. It let everyone unwind in a relaxed atmosphere … even if there was a bit concern about mixing enlisted and officers. After his second beer, he didn't give a rat's ass anymore and settled in to enjoy himself.
<)>^<)>/
“Don't gorge yourself. Remember, we've got dessert, not to mention some contests in the future,” Asazi warned the group. “That does not include a drinking contest,” she said eying some of the heavy drinkers in the audience.
Valenko patted his belly. “No problem for me, I've got plenty of room,” he drawled, sparking a polite chuckle around him.
The black maned Kovu opened his mouth to say something, then closed it firmly when the bear glanced his way. He merely shook his head. “Wise, very wise,” the bear said with a gleam in his eye. That earned another fresh chuckle.
<)>^<)>/
Jethro was pleased to run into Pamplona and Shiku almost purely by chance. The two foxes were staff sergeants he found out through talking with them. Both were also destined to go to Antigua with him, Letanga, and the others, though apparently Major Valenko wasn't entirely too enthused about losing their services.
Shiku told him that Zebo was off with Major Pendeckle and Sergei. The Naga Ris'ha was now a sergeant in Colonel Harley's division and her personal driver. Shiku waved to the alert-looking Sergeant Shep. “Always on duty,” he said.
Shep's erect ears caught the comment directed at him. “Ain't that the truth,” he texted back before the NeoAlsatian went back to scanning the group. The foxes chuckled.
“Betty Paige is in Antigua I believe. You can look her up when you get there,” Pamplona said. Jethro nodded. “Harley Quinn went mustang if you can believe it,” she said. Jethro turned to stare at the arctic fox in shock. She grinned and nodded. “Yup, she's matured or so they say.”
“Hard to believe,” Jethro said slowly.
“She's a lieutenant somewhere. Last I heard she was in the northern part of the sector, possibly Triang or Senka. I haven't heard from her in a while,” the fox said.
“It's hard for all of us to keep in touch,” Shiku agreed. “We should agree to set up a website or drop box. Put in where we're at. Something to let us keep in touch,” he suggested.
“Yeah,” Jethro drawled slowly. He wasn't too keen about letting his location be known.
“So, what's up with you?” Pamplona asked. “Now that we've heard you've won the medal I mean,” she teased.
“Yeah, how did you get that?” Shiku demanded.
Jethro squirmed uncomfortably and then settled in to tell them and others who turned to listen with keen interest what had happened all over again.
<)>^<)>/
Senjix looked around, pleased at the sight of all his old friends, especially considering he was shipping out soon with Colonel Harley. His recent transfer had been confirmed. He flicked his ears at Shep and then turned to Brutus. The Neogorilla had matured a great deal in the past several years. He'd taken some anger management courses and seemed more relaxed.
Some would have said it was due to his settling down and joining a family group, but Speedy had seen how scatterbrained the brat pack had made Cheetahra so he'd had his doubts. Could it be all the sex had tranquilized the big Belukha he thought maliciously? Still, it was a nice change. And Brutus was turning into a good silverback sergeant.
“Damn good food,” the gorilla mumbled as he chewed. His nearest mate poked him. “What?” he asked, looking up to her.
“Don't talk with your mouth full. And don't say damn,” she scolded mildly as she handed him a napkin. She shook her head as she looked at one of her partners. “Manners,” she sighed in exasperati
on.
Brutus took it sheepishly, then snorted as he caught Senjix looking his way. He rolled his eyes as he wiped at his mouth. Senjix snorted and then looked away.
<)>^<)>/
“You didn't see Orange George on Kathy's World, did you?” Valenko asked.
“Orange George?” Jethro echoed; brows knit as he tried to think about it. Bast shook her head so he did as well. “Can't say I did.”
“Pity. He's there now, I think. Yeah,” he said as he played with his lower lip. “Come to think of it, he did just ship out a few weeks before you arrived.”
“How's he doing?”
“Well, he's still up to the usual pranks. It's why he's still just a corporal; he can't keep his shits and giggles from spilling over and pissing people off around him. Some of it is funny, damn funny, but his timing can be atrocious,” the grizzly said.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, he screwed up a couple of SIMS with Dana and paid for it. Plus …”
<)>^<)>/
“We should do this more often,” Pinash said as she took a saddle near Asazi. She wasn't looking forward to the cleanup, but at least there were plenty of hands to help out, or at least, she hoped so. Some people tended to duck and slink off when dirty work presented itself to be done she knew.
“Yeah, as long as everyone chips in and we do it Dutch, it's manageable,” Asazi replied as she flicked out a napkin.
“Oh, hush,” the Veraxin scolded. “Try the corn on the cob. I understand they barbequed that with lemon pepper and butter,” she said. “It's sweet.”
“Ohhh,” the heavy-worlder said in appreciation. “Nice,” she said as she took a juicy bite. Her broad smile made a few around her chuckle or smile. “How do you eat it?” she asked, curious.
“With a fork and knife,” the Veraxin said. She demonstrated by using a fork and knife to strip the cob of its kernels.
“Hey! That's cheating!” someone laughingly protested behind the Veraxin.
Pinash swiveled an eyestalk to the corporal. “I understand if you aren't cheating you aren't trying hard enough,” she quoted with as much dignity as she could muster. “Besides,” she said as she finished the job and set the knife down. “My species do not have teeth,” she said as she picked up her first fork load. She sucked it down and then indicated first-degree appreciation.
Asazi snorted and then went back to crunching away at the cob.
Chapter 9
After the barbeque, Jethro found himself bounced around a lot more, not sitting in a cubicle shining his ass with a seat while he did other people's make-work. He sometimes didn't know what he was going to do until the evening before the change. He'd get an email as he went to bed … or find it in his inbox the following morning when he woke.
He took on a guest lecture post for the intro to RECON and sniper training, which was fun. Just playing the guy who was hiding in the room with the trainees and scaring the bejeezers out of them was a riot.
Playing ghost with them was even better. The occasional tail flick, moving something with his tail or hands when no one was looking … he even goosed Letanga once, making the cat's ears go flat. Letanga couldn't find him either. He liked picking on the two Navy SEALs in the group.
When that was over, he was stuck running maintenance on some of the powered armor for a day or two before someone grabbed him to ride shotgun on a convoy running supplies to the Army base. That sucked. On the weekend, he cooled his heels in the base.
The following Monday, he was tapped to do bush work. He stepped in as a substitute instructor to hone the skills of the proto-snipers. They had their basic instruction in boot to draw on, but sniper school was about perfecting the art of camouflage. Typical soldiers were taught to camo and wait in place for brief periods of time. Snipers had to build hides and sit for days and sometimes weeks before a target came up. Not that he had ever done that for real.
He put his two cents worth in with the other sniper instructors when the powers that be asked them for their opinion on extending the curriculum to train the snipers to hunt in a space station or moon base. Outside the hull was rough; he wasn't certain a sniper would be viable there, though it could happen he knew. But inside a hull, the sight lines were too short. After some discussion, they wrote up that conclusion and submitted it to the brass to work up the food chain from there.
All of the work with the trainees and instructors helped him to keep in practice and to continue with his black cat reputation. He even managed to get Bast into the action from time to time.
<)>^<)>/
Jethro was granted a three-day holiday pass the weekend before he shipped out. Instead of barhopping and checking the locals out around the base, he decided to visit Cheetahra. Before he did, he made certain to go shopping. It wouldn't be polite to just show up unannounced and empty handed, though he knew Cheetahra wouldn't begrudge him.
Some of the kits were interested in the Marine when he pulled up in the beat-up truck. He looked around and noted with approving eyes that the place looked much, much better. She had invested and created a motel for transit people. It was open to all species, but most humans couldn't hack the fur and smells from the Neos. Most of the furniture was rough due to the weight of the clientele and use. A few of the pieces on the porch looked like they had been hacked together … which given, she still had the bear who was a carpenter on hand. That might very well be so, he reminded himself.
He grinned as the cubs looked at him with avid eyes. He shut the door of the truck, then went to the back and started pulling bundles out. One of the cheetah cubs edged closer. “Are you just going to stand there, or are you going to help unload?” he demanded as he slung his duffel over his shoulder and then pulled out a plastic cooler out.
“I'll help,” one of the cubs said. He grunted when Jethro handed him a big load. “It's not heavy, just bulky,” the cub muttered. One of his siblings came over and quietly took an end. The duo ended up in an almost wrestling match as they moved the food into the house.
“Jethro!” a familiar voice said as Jethro was bent over handing another parcel out. He looked up to see Cheetahra on the porch. She waved at him and then came over at a fast trot. The trot got faster and faster until she ended up in a run.
He chuffed in amusement and had just managed to stand upright when she practically threw herself into his arms. He heard her purring and wrapped his arm around her while grabbing the truck behind him to steady himself. She rubbed cheeks with him then stared into his eyes. Then she rubbed cheeks again. “Damn, I missed you, cousin,” she said quietly.
“I missed you too,” Jethro said, patting her shoulder awkwardly.
“I get regular visitors from the Marines. Speedy comes by from time to time,” she said as she broke the embrace. She still kept her tail and one arm wrapped around his waist though. “You are always welcome; you know that, right?”
“I haven't been on the planet long. And I won't be for much longer. But I knew you'd be upset with me if I didn't at least try to stop in and say hi,” he said. He caught a cub on his leg. He looked down to the grass-green playful eyes and then stroked the cub and tweaked a black and white ear before he gathered her up and tucked her under his free arm. She squealed in amusement, thrashing her legs and tail.
“Someone also missed you,” Cheetahra laughed. She ran soft fingers over the cub's head and face. “Do me a favor and wear them out, will you?”
“I'll try but I … think,” he continued to wrestle with the squirming brat, “they'll wear me out first,” he gasped.
Cheetahra chuckled. “Some Marine you are,” she teased.
She helped him unload and seemed to react in dismay to everything he brought. “I didn't want to turn up empty handed,” he said.
“You are always welcome,” she said poking him. He chuffed and sidled away from her.
He nodded to the motel and then to the furniture. “Not bad,” he said.
She looked around as she got the screen door open, then propped
it open with one ankle. “I'm glad someone created riggers tape. We've got a couple Neos working here who are geniuses with the stuff,” she laughed. “But they've got some spots where they've lost fur in the process,” she said.
“Funny,” Jethro said with a smile and ear flick as they went inside.
“I'm surprised the motel is still running,” he said. “You still have a lot of visitors?” he asked as he stepped around the minefield of toys and such. The door to the clinic was closed. “Or do you put some of your patients up there?” he asked.
“We still get some people who leave Pyrax but not nearly as many as before. Any who wanted out, got out. And it's better there now, or so I heard,” she said over her shoulder as she unloaded the bags onto a counter. She wiped her hands on her shorts and then went to work digging through, organizing, and then putting away the stuff he'd brought.
Jethro noted a male smell. He turned to see a male cheetah in the open doorway to the dining room. “Hello,” he said with a wary nod.
Cheetahra looked up at his tone and then over to the intruder. She sniffed as the cheetah took a beer and popped the top off. “Amure, come in here and say hello to Jethro McClintock. Jethro, Amure. Amure is also from Pyrax. He was a cub when we left I believe,” she said.
“Something like that,” Amure said. “Not so much cub as I was a juvenile. I'm only what, two years younger than you are?” he asked.
Cheetahra smirked at him. He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, and you'll never let me live it down,” Amure said as she opened her mouth. “You cougar you,” he teased. Her eyes glittered but she didn't rise to his bait.
“I … don't remember you,” Jethro said as he searched his memory. He shook his head. “Sorry,” he said.
“Well, I remember you,” Amure said, saluting the black cat with his beer bottle. “I wasn't on Anvil after I started to walk. My parents moved to Vesta, then bounced around to some of the colonies looking for work for a while,” he said.
“Oh,” Jethro said as Cheetahra handed him a beer.