Hell Fighters from Earth

by William C. Seigler

“Your man recruited Smith,” responded an admiral who seemed more cadaver than a living man.

  “That’s what I was sent for sir.”

  “Commander, that’s enough.” Captain Johnson quieted him. “Gentlemen, what the devil is going on?”

  “Smith, the Grey in question, and three rescued medical personnel from the Dark World One mission just showed up at the base hospital,” intoned the senior officer on the board. He was a two-star admiral and a good one by all accounts. He was known for being tough and thorough but fair.

  Fitz and his boss exchanged astonished looks. “Sir, I don’t know anything about this,” Fitz told his boss.

  Admiral Blanchard gave it a moment to sink in. He continued, “It seems one of the prisoners they rescued was badly wounded, but they were able to put her in stasis using the arctic fish blood extract technique our people perfected while working on suspended animation prior to our meeting the Greys.”

  “Will she make it, sir?” questioned Fitz.

  “We don’t know yet. That is not the problem. A Grey speedster just popping in is going to raise questions. If they had just dropped Smith off where they picked him up, we might be able to keep a lid on this, but I’m afraid the damage is already done.”

  “Damage sir?” asked Fitz.

  “We have been very careful to keep the Greys and the down-earthers apart. We don’t even let our people mix with them, and they seem to like it that way. We have our own people trained to interact with the Greys. Now we don’t know what crazy ideas Smith has put in their fat little round heads.”

  Everyone at the table chuckled at this.

  Fitz spoke up, “Sir what about this rescue?”

  “Our attack on Dark World One was beaten back. An advanced field hospital was overrun. We know there were people unaccounted for, and now they’re back, all but one. We don’t have details yet, but one of the prisoners was killed. Then there is the one badly injured, a second in good shape, and lastly a young female medic who, from what I understand, has been considered a potential mate for Smith.”

  “Mate sir?” asked Fitz.

  The men at the table looked around at each other. Blanchard continued, “There has been some talk of our breeding our own army from the offspring of the legion for any future contingents.”

  “I was unaware of that,” responded Fitz.

  “Well it’s not a done deal. There has been considerable debate about this whole affair concerning the down-earthers.”

  One of the other admirals piped up, “Maybe we can just get them killed off.” He said this with an evil grin that made Fitz’s skin crawl.

  “Sir,” Fitz was fighting down an old rage, “these people are good people. We got rid of the dead wood. Mentally, physically, and genetically they are excellent choices. Perhaps it would be beneficial to just bring them into our society.”

  “I don’t think so!” boomed another of the men. “We can’t take these monkeys and turn them loose on society.”

  Fitz did not know whether to be angry of nauseous. “Sir, permission to speak freely?”

  “Denied,” interjected Captain Johnson. He continued, “Where is Smith now?”

  “We’ll ask the questions. What we are trying to discern now is who authorized this rescue mission. It was none of us. Is there anything either of you can tell us?”

  They answered in unison, “No sir.”

  * * * *

  “Well, thanks for saving us,” Argie said with an almost shy grin.

  She had been taken in for examination but seemed in good shape. After a shower and fresh legion scrubs, she was back to her old self.

  “How much longer you going to hang out here?” she asked.

  “I just want to make sure Sasha is going to make it. You and Farouk okay?”

  “Never better thanks to you.”

  “The Greys helped, and you’re not too bad with one of those vehicles they had. I wonder if we can make our own with 50’s or a 120 mm Gatling gun.”

  “We probably should report to our unit,” she said. “You should too.”

  “Yeah.”

  “What are you going to tell them?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe I can just walk in and nobody will notice I’ve been gone.”

  “Fat chance.”

  “I don’t know,” he added. “I’ve got a feeling I’m going to get my butt chewed.”

  “Why?” She was incredulous.

  “I don’t know. Something was just not right.”

  “Maybe because none of the navy guys were with us,” she mused.

  “You’re right. That’s the first time I’ve done much of anything without them standing over me, but why now and on such an important mission?”

  “They give me the creeps. They all look like, I don’t know, like they’re dead, you know, starved to death and pasty white.”

  “Yeah, they are pretty scrawny,” he laughed.

  “And they seem to have an attitude problem.”

  “You’ve noticed.”

  “Everyone has,” she added.

  “I don’t have to deal with them directly so much, but I guess over on the medical side you guys get to deal with them a lot.”

  “Yes, and they are more than a little annoying. Yeah their medicine is advanced an all, but we can learn to run everything and do our jobs without the constant little remarks. They seem really fixated on whether or not we are clean.”

  “Yes, I had a run in with them myself.”

  “I heard about that; a bunch of them jumped you.”

  “They tried. My guys handled them.”

  “I think they’re afraid of us.”

  “You mean in a fight or what the legion might do?”

  “Both I guess. Well, see you around,” she said and reached up to give him a peck on the cheek.

  “Sure.”

  She turned and headed off toward the medical unit leaving him alone. He knew she was right; he had better get back. He headed off.

  * * * *

  “Corporal Smith reporting,” he said to the First Sergeant. The man looked up from his desk, and Smith could not make out the meaning behind his expression.

  He pressed a button on his desk, “Sir, Smith is here to see you.”

  The CO was livid; he almost had color in his face. “Smith what have you done; the whole place has gone crazy.”

  Smith held the salute waiting for the screaming man to return it. “I followed your orders to the letter, sir.”

  “I didn’t order you to land a Grey ship at the base hospital.”

  “I wasn’t flying sir.”

  “Don’t get smart with me.”

  “I wasn’t sir; I was just stating fact.”

  “What were you doing on a Grey ship in the first place?”

  Smith was incredulous. He stood ramrod straight and stared at the wall. “I went to the location where you sent me and waited in the dark and cold till the Grey ship showed up, and I was ordered aboard.”

  “By who?”

  “A Grey.”

  “What Grey?”

  “How should I know sir; as I’ve heard you say, ‘they all look the same’?”

  “Smith!”

  “The one who accompanied us on the mission to rescue the Greys.”

  For a moment, the company commander stood silent.

  “Who was in command of the mission?”

  “The Grey.”

  “Who else was there?”

  “There was a flight crew of two, that’s it.”

  “What was the mission?”

  “We were to …”

  The com lying on the desk chimed and blinked red. The CO answered it and came to attention himself.

  “Yes sir, I’ve got Smith in front of me right now. That’s exactly what I’m try
ing to find out.”

  Smith could hear the man on the other end yelling.

  “Yes sir, right away.”

  “That’s the battalion commander. He wants to see you, now. Come with me.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The CO marched Smith over to the head shed. Anyone who was around stopped and stared.

  They marched into the battalion commander’s plush office and saluted smartly. The battalion commander was another of the Separatists only he was better fed. These guys really need to get out in the sun and maybe get some exercise, Denver thought. Smith did not know how these people were supposed to lead an army of Earth’s castoffs.

  “Smith, I’m busting you back to private and confining you to barracks until such time as we determine a proper course of action in your case.”

  Case, what case, Denver thought to himself? He said nothing.

  “I might have gone easier if you had not landed at the base hospital. We might have kept a lid on it. What have you got to say for yourself?”

  “Sir, I was not in command of the mission Captain Worthington sent me on, and we had an injured legionnaire in stasis aboard the spacecraft. She needed immediate medical attention. Once her situation was stabilized, I reported for duty.”

  “What mission Captain?”

  “Sir, I had written orders to have Smith dropped off at a remote location on the base. I carried out those orders. The next thing I know he’s at the base hospital with several legionnaires and in a Grey’s ship.”

  There was a knock at the door. “We’re busy!”

  Then the battalion commander saw an admiral and another officer behind him with a security detachment at the door.

  The battalion commander rose to his feet and saluted. The admiral entered the room and returned the salute.

  “Sorry to intrude like this. What has he told either of you?”

  “Nothing sir,” replied the battalion commander.

  “And you captain?”

  “Only that he went to where he was ordered to be dropped off and the next time anyone saw him he was at the hospital.”

  “Corporal Smith, what have you told them?”

  “Nothing sir and it’s Private. I’ve been busted.”

  “What for?” the admiral asked.

  “For obeying orders and rescuing …”

  “That will be enough Smith. We’ll see about the demotion.

  “Gentlemen, it’s good for your own sakes that this legionnaire has told you nothing. I’m taking Corporal Smith with me. He is being transferred; here are his orders.”

  The admiral handed them to the battalion commander. The company commander looked relieved.

  “Commander Fitzpatrick, take Corporal Smith to his barracks. I want all his kit in the back of the ground transport in fifteen minutes. And Smith, not a word to anyone.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Come with me Corporal,” said Commander Fitzpatrick.

  Smith ceremoniously saluted both his commanders and the admiral, and then looked around for someone else to salute. He then followed Fitz with the security contingent in tow.

  The admiral turned back to the two officers. “Gentlemen, the less that’s said about this, the better.”

  “Sir what’s going on?” asked the battalion commander.

  “Don’t know, and I’m not sure I want to know. I might want to get my second star one of these days. This has gone all the way to the Integrated Human Grey High Command. Whatever it is, I’m doing you gentlemen a favor, good day.”

  Once they were loaded up Smith asked, “What’s going on Commander?”

  “I don’t exactly know. I’m not sure I want you to tell me what you’ve done.”

  “We rescued three members of the med team and gave the lizards a serious black eye.”

  “Let’s not talk about it here,” Fitz said, glancing around at the security detail.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Over to Intel, we’ve been reassigned. You will probably have a report to write.”

  “Sorry if I’ve caused you any trouble.”

  “Oh, that’s all right. I didn’t like naval procurement anyway, too boring.”

  “What about the others?”

  “They are being picked up as well.”

  “Why such a big deal?”

  He leaned close to Smith. “They limit who can have direct contact with the Greys.”

  “I assume, that means it’s limited to you guys.”

  “I’m afraid so. Now you’ve gone around them, and the system is not happy. But that’s only part of the problem.”

  He leaned toward Smith again, “We can’t determine who ordered you out on this mission in the first place.”

  “Oh.”

  The truck wound around for far longer than it should have. Then Smith saw out the back of the truck that they had entered the navy side of the base.

  “We’re going to the navy side of the base?” he asked.

  “Yes, you’ve been assigned to naval intelligence.”

  “Don’t we have our own?”

  “Not really, not as a separate command. Besides, they want to keep you on a short leash.”

  “Great, more attitude from the navy. Sir, can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.”

  “Sir you don’t look like the others.”

  “How so?”

  “They all look pale and cadaverous.”

  Fitz thought for what seemed too long. “No, you can’t ask me a question.”

  Smith dropped it.

  The vehicle came to a stop, and the security detail got off first. The building was nice, grandiose by legion standards. He read the sign.

  “You are quartering me at the visiting officer’s quarters?”

  “Others had wanted to quarter you in the brig. Will these quarters do?”

  “They’ll do just fine sir.”

  “Oh, yes. Take off your epaulettes.”

  Smith set down his kit and did as he was told.

  “Here, put these on.” He handed another set of epaulettes to Smith.

  “Captain?”

  “Yes, you’ve been promoted, congratulations.”

  “Thank you, sir. Is this some sort of cover, or is it for real.”

  “You’ll know on payday.”

  “Fair enough.”

  Fitz turned to the commander of the security detail. “You and your men wait out here.”

  They took the stairs which Denver had never seen one of these people do. Fitz then unlocked the door at the top of the landing. It opened into a large common area with a hall leading off to the individual quarters.

  “Ten-hut.” The loud command came from the right side of the common area.

  Smith looked around and to his surprise Argie and Farouk were standing at attention.

  “At ease,” commanded Fitzpatrick.

  “Yours is the third on the right. Store your gear and come back out here.”

  “Yes, sir.” He hurried off.

  “Okay, let’s get something to eat; then we will go over to ops for your debriefing. I want you down by the truck in five minutes.”

  “Yes sir,” they both replied.

  Smith soon joined them. “Lieutenant is it?” he said as he saw Argie’s epaulettes.

  He glanced at Farouk. He too had been promoted. “How you doing Farouk?”

  “Beats lizard prison.”

  “How did you rate captain?” asked Argie feigning incredulity as she fingered his epaulettes.

  “Some cats is got it and some cats ain’t.”

  She gently poked him in the ribs with her fingers. “Are we in trouble or what?” she asked turning serious.

  “I guess. I don’t really know. There seems to be two problem
s. First, we nasty “down-earthers” are not supposed to be in direct contact with the Greys. Might get them dirty. Secondly, the navy doesn’t know who authorized the mission.”

  “That’s all the wankers care about, not getting us out,” intoned Farouk.

  “Perhaps, I guess we should be getting down to the truck,” responded Smith.

  “Is that an order Captain?” teased Argie.

  They all laughed as they headed for the door. It was locked from the outside.

  “We forgot about that,” said Argie.

  “A gilded cage,” added Farouk.

  “I guess we knock,” said Smith. He knocked, and an armed navy enlisted man opened the door and came to attention.

  Dinner at the naval officer’s mess was quite the affair though it quickly became obvious the other diners had not seen many legion officers. Fitz tried to make small talk, and Denver played along with it. Argie and Farouk kept their mouths full so as not to have to make conversation.

  It was dark by the time they got to the base intelligence operations center. Conversation had come to a complete halt, and everyone knew whatever was going to happen was going to go down now.

  Argie and Farouk were left alone in a room Smith figured was bugged. No matter, they had nothing to hide. Fitz escorted Smith to a small room, which was comfortable and faced what he was sure was a wall with a camera in it.

  A naval officer was already seated at the desk scribbling at an electronic form of some paperwork. “Come on in gentlemen, sit down. I’ll be with you in just a second. You know how it is with red ribbons.”

  ‘Ribbons,’ he needs to pay more attention to his own briefing. Fitz and Smith set there for a few minutes as the officer, a naval captain, fiddled with his red tape. So they are going to try soft techniques, no thumb screws, at least not yet. That’s always good.

  “Sorry about the delay,” he said putting down his pad. “I understand that we are in your debt again Captain Smith,” he began.

  Smith glanced quickly at Fitz. “I just followed my orders and did my job as best I could, sir.”

  “Yes yes, I understand, but the funniest thing is we can’t seem to find those orders.”

  “Sir, I’m not making it up.”

  “Oh, I know that. We have a copy of your former company commander’s orders and a statement from him.

  “Tell me,” he began, as he got comfortable in his plush chair and made a steeple of his fingers, “what did the Greys on the ship tell you?”