by Jim Laughter
“I see you’re starting to catch my drift,” the judge replied. “The liaison officer, his doctor, and I want him to be well established in the community before he has to face the letdown of medical release.”
“I guess I can speak for the neighbors and say they’re accepted all right,” Agnes replied. “But what about Delmar? It’s his farm now.”
“That’s why I’m waiting to hear from Delmar and his DI,” answered the judge. “In my letter I asked Delmar his intentions.”
∞∞∞
“Trooper Trainee Eagleman reporting, sir!” Delmar stood at attention in the office doorway.
“Come in and shut the door, Eagleman,” D.I. Buckner said. “Have a seat and relax. We’re going to be here a while.”
Delmar sat down and waited nervously in spite of the admonition to relax. One wasn’t ordered to report to the duty office without it being something serious.
“What I need to see you about is a legal matter back on your home planet,” Buckner began. “I received a letter from the judge overseeing your guardianship. It includes the legal papers concerning the property title of your farm, and a personal set of questions he wants me to go over with you.” He handed the legal papers to Delmar first. Delmar read them and looked back at his DI.
“Sir, if I understand these correctly, they need my signature, witnessed by you, to affect the transfer of Dorn’s half of the property into my name.”
“That’s the essence of it.”
Delmar thought about it for a minute. “But sir,” he began. “I don’t want the farm. I always figured Dorn would have it.”
“That’s the other issue the judge wrote about,” Buckner said. “He wants to know your intentions.”
Delmar thought about it for another minute. “What would you do?”
“I can’t tell you what to do, but I could offer you some possible options.” Delmar didn’t reply but instead looked at his DI expectantly, so Buckner went on.
“You’ve been in training now for two months. I’ve watched you, and you’re doing very well. I saw how you helped Shane, and how you and the other guys covered for him.”
Delmar blushed to find out they hadn’t fooled the drill instructors.
“That’s what we try to teach our trainees,” Buckner continued, “to help each other and work as a team. I think you’re going to make a good trooper by the time you graduate. At that time, you’ll go to a technical training school or out on assignment with one of the fleets. Either way, you’ll receive assignments all over the Axia for years before you have an opportunity to settle down. That can be rough on a man, especially if he has established a home somewhere.”
“Then you think I should give up the farm?”
“No, not exactly,” Buckner responded. “I think you should first sign the documents so you have control of the property. Then after the change is recorded, come see me again.”
“Yes sir,” replied Delmar. He took the pen and signed the papers after which Buckner signed as witness.
“I’ll dispatch these to the judge tomorrow,” Buckner said. He folded the sheets and stuffed them in a return envelope.
“Thank you, sir,” Delmar said as he rose from the chair.
“Oh, one more thing, Eagleman,” Buckner said, not looking at him.
“Sir?” Delmar answered, wondering what was up now.
“You didn’t call me sir a minute ago,” Buckner said. “Drop and give me sixty.”
“Yes sir,” answered Delmar. He dropped to the floor and did sixty quick, textbook-perfect push-ups. As soon as he finished, he again stood at attention.
“All right, trainee,” Buckner said, still not looking up. “Dismissed.”
Delmar left the office. D.I. Buckner took the extra papers the judge had sent him and filed them in Delmar’s folder for later reference.
Chapter Eighteen
HasselFarm>gss.bv.er
Deagle>gss.3703.775.fwtb
Subject: news from home
Dear Son,
We were in court again yesterday. The judge will be sending you the notice soon about the transfer of full title of your farm into your name.
This winter has been interesting. We got more snow than we expected. It’s unseasonably cold for this time of year. I’m glad we got all the major chores done before it hit. Right now we have two feet of snow on the level ground out front, and Dad says the drifts out back of the barn are head high.
Daren came down with the tractor and a plow arrangement he built and cleared our driveway. He cleared driveways for the neighbors all up and down the road. Robert had him come in and warm up some before going home.
I noticed Daren was limping bad and asked him what was wrong. He just said the doctors were unable to repair his left leg and were afraid they were going to have to amputate it soon. The service is going to let him go with a disability pension. He was so discouraged. He tried to hide it until Dad confronted him. They talked for a couple hours and then Daren went home. Dad told me they’re going to fix Daren up with a cloned leg, but because of the nerve damage higher up, he won’t be able to stay in the service.
Next day... Sorry for the delay. I had to break off and go help Robert with the animals.
I went over and saw Daren and RoseMary this morning. You would be pleased with the nice way they’ve fixed up the old house. It looks so different. RoseMary sure knows how to pretty things up. They painted all of the interior and did a flower print border around the top of the living and dining rooms. The kitchen is now a nice yellow and white with checkered curtains. After we’d been sitting a while, RoseMary got up and asked me to come see something. They led me into Dorn’s old room, and it was so nice and clean with the fresh paint and all. I noticed the border of animals around the top, and the curtains with toy animals on them, and I thought it looked like a nursery. I looked over at RoseMary and she started to giggle. Then she told me they were expecting their first baby in about six months! I’m so excited for them!
I’d been back only a few minutes this afternoon when RoseMary called. Daren had fallen in the barn and was hurt. Dad and I rushed down and helped him into the house. His left leg had quit on him completely. Dad drove us all to the hospital where they admitted Daren. The doctors say they’re going to have to amputate his leg in the morning. An infection has set in and it will threaten Daren’s life if they don’t. Dad took RoseMary and me to their home where I’m staying for the night. He’ll pick us up in the morning so we can be there at the hospital before Daren goes into surgery.
Well, I can see this letter has turned into a regular journal. I better close and let you get something done. You take care and write soon. How is Stan?
Love, Mom and Dad
Delmar received two starmails, one from the judge and one from the Hassels. He unfolded his letter from the Hassels and read it as soon as they were given free time.
The letter from the judge noted that the property was now fully Delmar’s. It further stated that, considering his age, decisions regarding the property required joint concurrence with the direction of his legal guardian.
As soon as he finished the letter, he went to the duty office and requested to see D.I. Buckner.
Buckner sat at his desk. Delmar reported and Buckner told him to close the door and waved him to a seat. “What’s up, Eagleman?”
“This, sir,” Delmar said and handed him the notification. Buckner read it and reached for Delmar’s file folder.
“So what’s on your mind?”
“I was thinking, sir, that I might want to see if the Sabetis want to have it. The farm, I mean,” Delmar said. “I understand that he’s being medically released from the service, and that they’re also expecting a baby. Mr. and Mrs. Hassel think well of them, and it sounds like it could work out.”
Buckner held up his hand to stop Delmar. He opened his folder and pulled out two letters.
“I received this letter from the judge and another one from your guardian concerning that possib
ility two weeks ago,” Buckner said. “Both are concerned about your career as a trooper and the situation of your caretaker. What they weren’t sure about was your feelings about the property. They asked me to feel you out about it. You had to express clearly your intentions before allowing me to mention the possibility of the caretakers being interested. This you have just done. It is the opinion of both your guardians and the judge that transfer of the property to the caretakers would be beneficial to both you and to them. How do you feel about it?”
“Well sir, from what the Hassels wrote about his disability, it sounds like they couldn’t pay much for it. I don’t feel exactly right about just giving it away. Daren didn’t strike me as a man that would accept charity. I think they should have it because of all the work they’ve put into it, but I’m not sure how to do it so I don’t insult him.”
“The judge mentioned that the liaison officer told him about a fund the troopers in Daren’s unit started to help him,” Buckner said. “If anybody could give him help without hurting his pride, it would be those guys. You’re already learning about the bonds that hold troopers together. We never abandon our own. If you agree to release your interest in the property, Mr. Hassel and the judge will see to it that it’s handled correctly for all concerned.”
“It sounds good to me, sir. What do I need to sign?”
Buckner pulled out the forms the judge had sent him. “Sign here and I’ll witness it,” Buckner said, pointing at a line.
“I’ll keep a copy in your file for safekeeping and dispatch the original to Erdinata tomorrow,” Buckner said as he gathered the papers. “If there isn’t anything else, you’re dismissed.”
“Thank you, sir,” he said as he exited the room.
Buckner watched him go. There, he thought, goes the making of a fine trooper.
∞∞∞
The doctor entered the waiting room where RoseMary and the Hassels waited. “Well folks,” the surgeon began, “the cloning went well. He should be in his room soon.” They thanked him and walked together to Daren’s room. He had been here a month after the amputation and the cloned limb prepared. RoseMary was anxious to see Daren and glad the operation went smoothly. Entering his room, Agnes pulled out the letter that had come the day before. With the need to be here, there hadn’t been time to read it until now.
Deagle>gss.3703.775.fwtb
HasselFarm>gss.bv.er
Subject: re: news from home
Dear Mom and Dad,
Sorry for the delay. We’ve been on field training exercises and just got back last night. D.I. Buckner was so pleased with our performance that he gave us the whole afternoon off today!
By now, you should have received the release I signed on the property. I want you to know that it is my desire that it go to the Sabetis in such a way that he doesn’t feel like charity. D.I. Buckner said Dad and the judge know a way to do it, so go ahead. I leave the details up to you and Dad.
How is Daren doing? Did his surgery go Ok? I’ve wondered about it often since your last letter a few weeks ago. I’m glad to hear about their expected baby and hope they’re happy. I already think of the farm as being theirs, and hearing about the new nursery was great. No, I can’t think of anything at the house I want that Dad and I haven’t already gotten.
You asked about Stan. He’s doing great. The DIs announced that he’s the most improved trainee of our flight! He and I are both studying preliminary electronics together in the technical training. We each have a training station at the tech building to run our experiments and exercises on. The tech building averages one burned-up bench a week, and boy do they stink!
One of the trainees in our room caused the building computer to get caught in a loop cycle (it’s supposedly impossible, but he did it). The instructor was about to crash the whole computer when Stan asked if he could try something. The instructor figured he had nothing to lose, except a burned-up bench, so he let Stan go ahead. They’re still trying to figure out what he did (so am I), but he restored the main computer from his training bench! Since that time, they’ve called on him to fix other problems that crop up. He and I have fun designing new circuit ideas together. He’s a real whiz at it!
Well, I better close. You all take care and say hi to Daren and RoseMary for me. All my love,
Delmar
P.S. Less than six weeks to go!
Agnes smiled as she finished the letter. She already knew the plans the liaison officer and Robert had made to surprise Daren and RoseMary.
∞∞∞
Three weeks later the Hassels and RoseMary picked up Daren at the hospital to take him home. The weather was starting to turn to spring and all that reminded them of winter were piles of dirty snow.
Although happy to be going home, Daren seemed somewhat reserved. When they pulled into the driveway, all his eyes could see were the chores needing attention. Robert helped Daren up the steps and to the front door. Daren was wearing a brace system on the cloned leg. Robert held back and let the young man enter the front door by himself.
As soon as he entered the front room, it exploded with people shouting and cheering. RoseMary stood close behind Daren to steady him while his eyes took in the host of troopers and neighbors surrounding them. Willing hands helped Daren to his chair while Agnes skirted the crowd to the kitchen to help with the refreshments. Robert stayed in the front room and watched Daren while he greeted and talked with the men from Daren’s old unit.
When Agnes interrupted their conversations by announcing that cake and punch was ready in the dining room, several friends helped Daren up and into the adjoining room. On the table was a large slab cake with Welcome Home, Daren written on it. Propped up in the center was a small envelope.
At the urging of several troopers, Daren picked up the envelope and read the front. From the guys of the 437th. The room became very quiet. Opening it, Daren extracted a single page. As he read it, his eyes grew wide and glassy. RoseMary became worried and went to him. He just handed the page to her and sat down heavily in a kitchen chair. She read it and soon mirrored her husband’s expression. As one, they turned toward the Hassels.
“Is it true?” Daren asked in disbelief.
“Yes, it’s true,” replied Robert with a grin, handing the legal title to the couple. RoseMary shrieked and she and Daren hugged each other in an embrace of joy. The room became noisy again as friends congratulated the couple about their new home. Two troopers hauled out a large wooden sign engraved with The Sabeti Farm and gave it to Daren and RoseMary.
Walking shakily with the help of friends, Daren returned to his chair in the living room. RoseMary sat on the arm, her right hand resting on her husband’s shoulder. Plates with pieces of cake, along with cups of punch helped liven the party. Daren and RoseMary answered a bombardment of questions about the farm and baby. Robert and Agnes held hands and watched the happy couple.
HasselFarm>gss.bv.er
Deagle>gss.3703.775.fwtb
Subject: title to the farm
Dear Son,
Daren came home from the hospital yesterday. The doctors attached the new cloned leg three weeks ago and he’s doing well. To their total surprise, when we got to the house, the troopers from his unit and several neighbors had a welcome home party waiting on them and presented them with the title to the farm. Of course, RoseMary knew about the party since it was at her house but not about the deed to the farm. You helped make a young couple very happy!
The escrow account the judge set up for you now contains the proceeds from the sale. It’s not as much as we’d hoped for, but with the interest it will draw over the next several years, it will give you a nice little nest-egg for when you do decide to settle down.
The bank will send the statements here unless you direct otherwise. Dad felt that it was better this way so you don’t have to lug around all the extra mail they tend to send.
Spring has finally arrived. In another week or so, the fields should be ready to plow and plant, and Dad is anxious to ge
t started. I think being cooped up in the house so much is starting to wear on him.
We were excited to read about your interest and training in electronics. Jake suspected that you might be inclined that way. He said you really enjoyed the science museum on Mica, especially the computer wing. Although your training will help you gain an overall knowledge in many fields, having an area of expertise helps quite a bit.
Well, I better go for now. I can see Dad coming in from the field and he’s probably hungry. Take care and greet Stan for us.
Love, Mom and Dad
Delmar received the letter shortly after the unit came back from weapons training. There had been some limited training in fencing, and then they moved on to the other weapons.
Puzzled at first by the need for fencing, their instructor explained that using a blaster, for example, did take out your enemy but it also took out the ship wall behind him. Swords were preferable on ship because they didn’t damage the equipment. He remembered Jake Sender telling him the exact same thing months ago.
Training on the blaster and long-weapon (why they didn’t call it a long-blaster no one knew) was more fascinating. The trainees first received single hand-blasters altered to limit their power. A fully charged regular blaster could take out a wall and leave a deep crater, but the altered units could only leave scorch marks on the concrete targets. Delmar proved his accuracy to hit the target without undue power consumption.
The long-weapon was even more interesting. D.I. Buckner asked for two volunteers to step forward. He then lifted two long-weapons off the table, one in each hand and handed them to the volunteers. Unknown to the trainees, each weapon had a small built-in antigravity unit controlled by a simple switch. As he released the weapons, Buckner flicked off the switches. The weight of the weapons forced each trainee almost to the ground, much to the delight of the other trainees watching. D.I. Buckner then went to each and single-handedly picked the weapons back up, flicking the hidden switches again as he did. The two trainees looked at him in utter amazement. Then he laughed and showed them the trick. He explained that it was one way to make it harder for an enemy to take it away from you and use it against you.