by Chris Hechtl
“Yes ma'am.” Lieutenant Queen shot Chaing a look. He just picked up his coffee cup and took a sip as if to say, what am I supposed to do about it? She shrugged mentally and returned her attention to her superior officer.
“Good. I am glad that is settled. Now, about the training …”
“Gunny McClintock is the best we've got, ma'am. I know that from personal experience. But he's …”
“Out and about. Yes I know,” Moira sighed softly. “I was playing matchmaker against my better judgment. I don't know if it will work out or not.”
“Ma'am?”
“Never mind. He'll be back in three weeks if the weather is as bad as I think it will be.”
“We're working on forecast models now, ma'am, but we don't have the computer support,” Lieutenant Chiang stated.
“I know. But let's focus on the training. We'll do what we can with what we've got.”
“Aye aye, ma'am.”
<(>~^~<(>
They spent three long weeks zig zagging across continents meeting everyone willing to come to their trucks. Jethro got to know many of his travel companions, though Shanti kept herself aloof and mysterious.
Many they encountered were impressed with his rank and uniform. Others not so much, but he felt they were excited by the idea of the restored Federation. Some were hostile to him and that left him confused.
He endeared himself to the others in their small troop by helping out with the cooking, cleaning, and other camp chores while also not shirking in helping in shifting cargo about or when all hands on deck were called for immunizations. Twice he helped Shanti collar someone she had been after. The suspects had been transported to the nearest airfield where a bush plane had come in to transport them to the nearest big town for trial.
Whenever he could he helped Toby and Scotty hand out some of the gear they had brought along. The village elders or blacksmiths took charge of most of it. Most of the tools were amusing to them, they immediately pointed out that once they broke down they'd be back to square one anyway. Though many refused to return them when Toby got tired of their looking a gift horse in the mouth and tried to take them back.
Both Neodogs loved the tool kit and multitool. The multitool was a tool that could change itself into many different tools. But the tool kit took that a bit further. It had several power tools that were modular. The user could swap the heads out to do different tasks or even plug them into the tool kit and turn it into a work station. “Now, if they made a welder version of this I'd be set,” Toby said, admiring the table saw. Scotty snorted.
All of the kits and of course the computers were electric so they required power, which was why they also handed out small solar panels. They also handed out radios and tablets. “You know they don't have enough power to run everything, right?”
“Something is better than nothing,” Jethro said with a shrug. “They can take turns charging stuff. And having that radio will be nice when there is an emergency. And it can tie into the WiFi network so they can get updates on news and weather.”
“Ah.”
At a distant village they arrived in time for a potlatch. The crew was happy; they were weary of their long circuit and ready to unwind. Jethro used his experience on Agnosta to help. The village elders were surprised and gratified when he handed out small token gifts.
The gifts were from their stores, but it helped him get in to meet them.
Many of the elders were wary of him; some were not happy about losing young blood to the thrill of adventure. “We fear of more war. The young know only of the thrill; they aren't smart enough to know of the danger.”
“True. It takes time to learn caution,” Jethro said simply. It was also why the military got a majority of their recruits from the young. They had no fear of war. They were as some said, “young and dumb.” Not that he was going to say or admit that to them.
“But many want a chance to strike out and prove themselves. To be more than just in the village, to see more. Many are interested in money or in fighting yes, but in helping others.” He had run into many people seemingly interested in his profession. He had a list of names to forward to follow-up teams. He was curious how many were just curious and how many would actually sign on. And how much training it would take to bring them up to par. Many of the villages were barely educated. Less than a third of them actually had people who could read and write.
“Why are you here?” an elder asked.
“I am here to show myself. To be seen, to help, and to see what is around. To meet people. To answer their questions should they have them.” He paused for a moment to let them digest that. He nodded when they grew restless and decided to continue. “Part of what we do is to educate. To show you what we're up against. If we don't have the support, people, machines, everything … eventually the Horathians will come back to this world.”
He had shown them a video of the recent battle as well as clips of the other battles on the book bus's small vid screen. He'd figured out it would be a good thing to have, to show people instead of just telling them. A picture was indeed worth a thousand words.
“Then don't fail,” a bear grunted.
“Easier said than done. And remember, he's a Marine not a sailor Pyotr,” a female black bear scolded.
“As I said, we need more help to do that,” Jethro said, ears flattening slightly. “I have no intention of failing, but I can't be everywhere.”
“With machines more can be done here with less people,” the female black bear said. “And many won't lose themselves in the bottle out of boredom,” she said, eying the elderly grizzly.
“The machines will fail. In the winter they will stop. What then?” the bear retorted, ignoring the jibe.
“There are winter machines. And there are ways to make them work. To repair them like Toby does,” Jethro submitted smoothly.
“He's not here all the time,” the bear retorted.
“Then some of you have to learn how,” Jethro said simply. “And they can be employed doing that.”
“Such is not easy,” the black bear said cautiously. “Though I see your point. It is better to be as self-reliant as we can be. But we must be ever aware of the outside world and trade with them,” she said. “But again … not easy.”
“I know. But we have to try,” Jethro pointed to the cubs and kids at play nearby, “for their sake.” He saw Shanti out of the corner of his eye. She stiffened and looked at him.
Wise eyes turned to the young and then back to the panther. The elders nodded slowly. “You speak truth.”
“I learned it from my elders,” Jethro said with a slight head bow and ear flick.
“Again, truth. My thanks for your respect.”
Jethro cocked his head. “And thank you for respecting me and those like me. We will do our best to help you when we can.”
Chapter 17
When they returned to the capital, everyone was heartily glad and thoroughly sick of the jolting vehicles and miserable spring weather. It had rained nearly every other day it seemed. Jethro checked on what had been going on in his absence. Apparently a lot, the capital was undergoing a new round of renovation. Everyone was out working on some sort of project it seemed. Many of the projects were basic infrastructure like improving the buildings, utilities, or roads. He approved of that. And of course since the capital was adjacent to the scrap yard as well as the space port and had nearly half of the remaining industry on the planet localized in factories and small shops in the city, they were the first to see restored machinery on the streets and in the fields in the area.
He definitely approved of the repairs to the security fencing around the spaceport as well as the improvised fencing around the warehouses and motel. The motel was slowly evolving into a barracks he realized. He didn't like where it was situated, but he knew he had no choice. He was fairly certain the lieutenants weren't thrilled either but were most likely too busy to do something about it. And most likely wise enough not to complain either
. There were always worse places a Marine chose to bunk Jethro thought.
The restoration projects were employing people he noted with satisfaction. The infrastructure projects were employing people. Their wages were going out to pay for goods and other services which was a major part of the economy. They also employed people in the spaceport, people like mechanics and such. Then there was the fuel and food going into orbit to the waiting ships. Jethro wasn't sure how they paid for it all, but apparently some economist somewhere had it handled. At least he hoped so for their sakes.
Jethro was surprised by the changes in the capital, and the changes in the motel barracks. The roads were clear and more vehicles were on them for one. The recruits were kept busy on KP inside and outside the motel. The natives may not have the robots to help out, but they had enough muscle to scrub some of the harder areas clean and repair storm damage.
He'd kept in touch with the Marines daily, giving his reports and listening to the daily SITREP Bast downloaded. He hadn't been comfortable about being out with the convoy when they were attempting to train the boots, but he hadn't received any recall orders or been allowed to take one of the infrequent bush planes they met up with. He'd had to stick it out, stubborn stuck-up female snow leopard and all.
Once he was back in the capital, he dropped his kit off in his quarters and then reported for duty. He was glad to get back into what he considered normal. Lieutenant Chaing immediately put him to work with the latest class of recruits.
It took all day before orders to report to Captain White Wolf caught up with him. She amended the orders for him to report to her first thing in the morning.
<(>~^~<(>
Jethro reported in to Captain White Wolf as ordered the following morning. She listened to his verbal report; it was only slightly colored with perceptions and minor details that the gunny hadn't put down in writing. It was a dry factual account though. She was privately disappointed that he and Shanti hadn't hit it off. She'd had high hopes for the two of them. She owed Shanti some measure of happiness. Besides, both of them could use a good roll in the hay to get their pipes cleaned. Shanti especially since she was getting a little too bitchy for her own good.
“Gunny, we're going to take the recruits further than the orders from Agnosta specify. Since many may be tapped to go into combat here or in Protodon, I want them to be ready.”
“Yes, ma'am,” the panther stated.
“We unfortunately don't have the facilities here however. So you're going to have to make do. I also understand you don't have the personnel to train them, nor do they have implants or the proper background. So, I'm essentially asking you to make bricks without straw,” she said with a flick of her ears.
Jethro's tail flicked in reply before he caught and stilled it. “Yes, ma'am. You forgot we don't have some of the equipment, nor can we spare ammunition to train them with,” he stated after a moment.
Her ears went flat for a moment and then she exhaled slowly. “You would remind me of that. We have a small armory here; it's been recently added to.”
“Ma'am?”
“The hardware we acquired from the Horathians,” Moira stated. She picked up her cup of tea and sipped it for a moment before setting it down carefully. Jethro absently noted it was porcelain, a cream color with a flower decoration. Pretty. “I think we can put some clock time on the energy weapons. Sims will help a bit. Not much I'm afraid. It will do something for their hand eye coordination and hopefully their aim.”
“I can work on their eye dominance issues. Try to work on any bad habits before they become ingrained, ma'am,” Jethro said.
“See? You're already thinking ahead. Good.”
“I had a bit of time to think on the trip, ma'am,” Jethro admitted. During the driving he'd been a passenger most of the time. When he hadn't been dozing, he'd worked on a training syllabus, mainly out of boredom. He'd used the recruits he'd known about as a basis.
“The first class will be made up largely of Ranger personnel. Most of them I've run through the wringer a few times. They are also reservists. There are a few familiar faces. The lieutenants are helping me out with some projects so I'm leaving most of the training in your capable hands. Don't disappoint me, Gunny.”
“No, ma'am. I'll do my best.”
“Good.” The wolf's ears flicked then she seemed to look over his shoulder to a teenager in the doorway. “Ah, Cali, in from patrol?”
A blond teenager came into the room. She sized Jethro up for a moment then stood at what she most likely thought of as at attention next to him. She had a rifle slung behind her. “The hills are clear elder. The snows are sticking still due to the night temperatures. Blizzard is working with Moreta to check the last known locations and sightings of the suspects, but we haven't found any more.”
“I see. Well, you would have radioed in had you found them I suppose,” the wolf said.
“Ma'am? Found them?” Jethro asked, cocking an ear to her and the other to Cali.
Cali looked at him out of the corner of her eye and then sniffed slightly.
“Lieutenant Chaing will lend you what help he can. Go speak with him after you've gotten some chow. He's going over the latest reports.”
“Yes ma'am,” Cali said, stiffening to full attention.
“Dismissed. Get some downtime,” Moira said.
“I'll rest when the last of the bastards are dead, ma'am,” Cali growled as she about-faced and took herself out.
Bast frowned on Jethro's HUD, ears slightly back.
“If you're wondering what that was about, and no, I'm not a mind reader, it's obvious,” the white canine said flicking her ears. “We've had sighting reports of pirates from time to time. They are like phantoms. People insist they were there, so we have to follow up and track them down. It's good training for the Rangers, but it ties up our assets and burns through our resources.”
Jethro nodded slightly.
“I'd like to put it to rest for good, but I know that's wistful thinking. We've got a hard count on the pirates. Ten are still unaccounted for. They could be holed up somewhere or dead due to whatever circumstances. Even a run-in with a mammoth or one of them getting killed by a Neo pack and not reported,” she said, ears back. She shrugged under her shawl. “I don't honestly know, and that's the problem. I hate that. I hate not knowing. And no matter how much we reassure people, they still fear that unknown.”
“The stories will go on for years. Possibly decades, ma'am,” Jethro said quietly.
The wolf looked at him and then looked away to the window overlooking the courtyard. “Yes. I know. But for my people's peace of mind we have to keep looking, and show that we're looking. But that very act will keep some on edge.”
“It will also make them aware of the threat. It will, yes keep them vigilant but also aware of the greater threat out there,” Jethro said slowly.
The wolf looked at him out of the corner of her eye and then smiled ever so slightly. “Very good, Gunny.”
“Something you want and are planning on.”
“The price of freedom is ever vigilance and the blood of patriots,” Moira stated. “Not a direct quote, it's been used and misused over the centuries. But keeping our people aware of the threat is good for them. And that will eventually make its way to other worlds through the media when they finally get in here,” she said with a grimace of distaste. “I heard about your brush with pirates on Agnosta. Read about it I mean.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“So this should dovetail with that experience and with others. Hopefully, people will step up and won't grow complacent.”
“They need an enemy. Even when he's a ghost. I understand, ma'am.”
“Good. Get me that syllabus. I'll go over it when I get a chance. Until I do consider it approved and move on it as if it was. Keep it light initially until you have a good handle on their abilities.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
“Dismissed.”
<(>~^~<(>
Wh
en they returned Shanti had bunked out for the evening. The next morning she ate a quick breakfast and then asked Rah where Sabu was. “With the Marines,” Rah told her passively, getting her gear together. That made Shanti freeze. She turned her head slowly to her sister. Rah smiled at her, happy and excited. “Yeah. He signed up while you were gone.”
“He did what?” she demanded, eyes slitted in rage.
“He's an adult. He's doing it,” Rah stated defensively, shrugging off her sister's ire.
“And you?”
Rah sniffed. “He finally caved and let me take the Mountie tests. I aced them of course.”
“You what?” Shanti thought her eyes were going to bug out of her socket.
“Hey, I'm not that young. Besides, from what I've found out recently, I'm actually older than you were when you signed on. So don't get your fur up on it. It's done, sis.”
“You …,” Shanti sputtered as her sister finished gearing up.
“I'm covering for Sabu's shift. Now that you're back, we can work out the details of the schedule later,” Rah said, checking her pistol carefully before she holstered it. She turned to her sister. “I'm not a tagalong anymore, I'm growing up. I have grown up. It's time you let me,” she stated, picking up her wide brimmed hat. She checked it over carefully and then put it on. Shanti noted the deputy stripe on her sister's uniform. She was no longer wearing an apprentice observer badge either. “I'm taking the jeep now that you've brought it back. That way I can cover more ground. The other truck still needs work; the check engine light keeps coming on. I'll let Toby know on my way out. I'll try to be back for lunch,” she stated as she walked out.
Shanti stared after her, wondering how her world could change so quickly while she'd been gone. Her thoughts abruptly changed to who was to blame for it. That damn black cat! She knew he was bad luck! Ever since he'd come into her life …. She snarled, ears flat until the radio squawked.
“Dispatch to HQ, we've got a problem on the East side. Domestic dispute. A nasty one from the call-in. Rah?”