Guard at the Gates of Hell (Gladius Book 1)

by George Olney

  She nodded firmly. "Yes. Five kids, at least." She took a closer look at Karl's face. "Well, maybe four." A soft smile spread across her face, a smile that got a loving response from her fiancee.

  Then she got the look that marked her as ready to fight. "Karl, we both know the universe could blot us away in an instant and it's already tried to do just that. Shana Ettranty is telling the universe that it can try all the hell it wants. I'm taking on the damned universe the same way I took on the Guard. You're going to help me in that fight, Legate - you, and as many members of the next generation as I can produce. I want a big family because I want as big an impact on the universe as I can have. Every damn one of us is going to be doing just what the hell life's work we want to do, doing it with our head up, looking the universe straight in the eye and daring it to take a shot. Shana Ettranty and Karl Athan and their children have a job to do, Legate, now that the Empire has fallen. There's a whole big new galaxy reorganizing out there and you and me and as many kids as you'll let me have are going to be deep in the middle of it."

  "Take your best shot, asshole," Karl said with a grin. The idea behind Shana's plans appealed to him. "If I don't get you, my brother - or sister, or mother, or father - will. Gladius attitude, Shana my love."

  She grinned back. "Damn right, lover. I'm Gladius and never forget it. Take a swing at me and I swing back. Harder."

  She grew serious again. "Karl, when we get married I'm keeping my name. One of the boys will have the Ettranty name also. It won't die with me."

  "This is about your father?"

  Shana nodded with effort. She was still barely able to move. "Yes. Sergeant Major Olmeg once told me to make the Ettranty name a name of honor. I'm going to do just that, and so will our son. Whatever he does. None of our children will follow us into the Corps unless they want to do it. I don't want to be breeding hereditary soldiers."

  "You don't have to worry about that," Karl said. "The SOC is going to issue a general order soon making membership in the Corps voluntary. The ones that want to leave the Corps can go to the Exploration Project or do something else. We'll be recruiting from the general population from here on in, looking for people just like you. No more hereditary soldiers unless Gladius children volunteer when they come of age."

  "Good," Shana replied. "I'm glad. Let those that have had enough leave. They've done more than their part. No more recruits born into a legion, either. I'm glad about that also. You have to want to do the kind of job we have in front of us.

  "But I'm staying," she added, "just like you. The Corps has to exist as long as there are things out there that want to prey on normal everyday people. Those everyday people have to know there's someone that will stand between them and the Predator, no matter what it costs. They have to know there's someone that scares the bloody hell out of the Predator and will come after him and keep coming until he's destroyed utterly. That's what the Corps is. That's me, too.

  "I'm living the life I was born to live, Karl. That's why I held my position in Imperial City and why I'll hold another one again someday if I have to do it. I'll do it because our children deserve to grow up free of fear. I'll do it because everyone's children deserve to grow up free of fear.

  "I'm a soldier and I'm proud of it."

  There is a lot of music in this story, all of it old, some of it very old. Every song listed is available on YouTube. Please ignore the videos and the commentary from the usual Internet "experts" when you listen. They're irrelevant to the thoughts evoked in my mind when I heard the music. Here is a partial list of key songs:

  We Don't Need Another Hero, Tina Turner (Overture. Listen to the words.)

  Bury My Lovely, October Project (Chapter 1, the attack)

  Le Boudin, French Foreign Legion Traditional - slow tempo (Chapter 2, end of a long march)

  The Carnival is Over, The Seekers (route march)

  Burning Bridges, Mike Curb Congregation (Chapter 3, Trooping the Line)

  Welcome Me Love, Brooklyn Bridge (Chapter 3, Pass in Review; End of Chapter 18)

  Eyn Mol, The Kelzmatics (Throughout)

  Dark Time, October Project (Chapter 8, the dance)

  Gimme Shelter, The Rolling Stones (Chapter 14, war dance)

  Winter Born, Cruxshadows (Chapter 17, before the final battle, with thanks to John Ringo)

  Citadel, Cruxshadows (same as above, especially the thanks)

  The Gladio, sung to the music of Gaudete by Steeleye Span