“Private Wayne,” I said, as I tore off his rank. “You will wash and wax the armored car all day today. I hear you are already an expert at it. That’s good. You might make a career out of it.”
“Yes, sir,” said Private Wayne.
“Sergeant Green!” I said. “You and a guard detail will stay with Private Wayne until I get back what is left of my sunglasses.”
“Sir?” asked Sergeant Green.
“I want my sunglasses back!” I repeated.
Later Guido told me he could not replace the translation device in my sunglasses. Guido informed me his contact in New Memphis had gone out of business and moved. That was okay. I never liked hearing alien voices no one else could hear, anyway. It struck me as being the first step toward insanity. I had the chip surgically removed. I got my sunglasses and translator parts back a day later. The translator was ruined. It got wet.
* * * * *
Lieutenant Lopez, Sergeant Green, and I were in the barracks relaxing and watching satellite TV. Channel Five World News Tonight reporters Brad Jacobs on Mars and Phil Coen were discussing heightened tensions between the United States Galactic Federation and the Arthropodan Empire. Democracy had failed again on Arthropoda, and the spiders were back to their old autocratic ways. The Emperor was upset about all the riches he missed out on when the Empire lost its half of New Colorado.
“Phil, is it not old news that the Emperor wants a share of the riches on New Colorado?” asked Jacobs. “So why are tensions elevated now?”
“Brad, the Emperor actually denies that it is all about oil, gold, and uranium,” explained Coen. “The Emperor says he is only upset because Arthropodan soldiers were not repatriated in accordance with the peace treaty. He says many captured soldiers died in custody at the hands of the Legion, and cites the New Disneyland Massacre as a prime example of United States Galactic Federation atrocities. The Emperor says many other soldiers are still fighting because they are rightfully afraid to surrender.”
“Phil, are we really to believe the Emperor’s rhetoric that many Arthropodan soldiers are now fighting with the insurgency because they are afraid to surrender?” asked Jacobs.
“Brad, the Emperor, in a speech before the Arthropodan General Assembly, made just that case when he revealed that Most Wanted insurgent leader General Electric was in fact an officer in the Arthropodan Marine Corps. He said computer facial identification analysis of photographs of General Electric matched their officer reported missing in action along with his whole company of marines.”
“Phil, does anyone expect us to believe this rubbish?” asked Jacobs. “It was everyone’s understanding that both sides had accounted for all missing soldiers at the time of the last prisoner swap. How can it be that now there is a whole company of spiders missing?”
“Brad, the Emperor is demanding an explanation, too,” said Coen. “He wants inspectors to search our detention centers for missing soldiers, and he wants forensic experts to exhume several mass grave sites to gather DNA data.”
“Phil, what is the Foreign Legion’s position on these accusations?”
“Brad, I spoke to General Kalipetsis, and he thinks Arthropodan Special Forces have been landing on New Colorado to join, organize, and arm the insurgency,” answered Coen. “General Kalipetsis calls the Emperor a lying sack of shit.”
“He doesn’t hold back, does he?”
“No, Brad.”
“Phil, wouldn’t that be an act of war?” asked Jacobs. “Does General Kalipetsis have any proof of Arthropodan adventurism and support for the terrorists?”
“Brad, General Kalipetsis says he has circumstantial evidence, but the specifics are classified top secret for now. My sources say the Legion recently destroyed an Arthropodan Special Forces supply ship in orbit around New Colorado after the spider ship attacked the starship T. Roosevelt. Also, Legion warships may have damaged an Arthropodan Special Forces troop shuttle that may have crashed somewhere near Finisterra.”
“Phil, there have been other rumors of the Arthropodan Fleet violating United States Galactic Federation space,” said Jacobs. “What have you heard?”
“Brad, my sources say an Arthropodan fleet may be massing just inside spider space,” said Coen. “It is reported that the Emperor is contemplating sending the Fleet on a peaceful mission to protect Arthropodan citizens and soldiers still on New Colorado.”
“Phil, would our defense forces consider the invasion of our space at New Colorado a peaceful act or a provocation?”
“Brad, the Legion would respond accordingly to another spider invasion,” said Coen. “In fact, I’m hearing that re-enforcements are being sent from the Coleopteran Frontier.”
I got up and turned the channel to a movie. “The Emperor wants a war, and he is just looking for an excuse,” I commented. “I just hope they don’t throw nukes all over the planet again.”
“It’s all a bluff,” reassured Lieutenant Lopez. “If the Emperor wanted war, he would just attack while we were sleeping. All this talk and threats is just positioning for further negotiations to split the planet again.”
“I hope you are right about it just being a bluff,” said Sergeant Green. “We don’t need a war interfering with business, just when things are getting so profitable.”
“Speaking of money,” I said. “How much is the dead or alive reward for General Electric?”
“About twenty million dollars,” said Sergeant Green. “I was just thinking about that, too.”
“The problem with finding General Electric is, we probably killed him in an air strike, and he is buried under tons of concrete,” I said. “That is why we have not heard from him since we killed that fool Emperor of the North.”
“The marked bills from the Singh ransom are still turning up,” said Lieutenant Lopez. “Mostly in New Memphis.”
“I’ll bet General Electric is hiding right under our noses,” said Sergeant Green, winking at Lopez. “He probably got himself a job on an oil rig.”
“Shut up,” said Lieutenant Lopez.
“What we should do,” I suggested, “is shoot Private Wayne, paint him green, and pass him off as General Electric for the reward money. Haven’t you noticed Wayne looks just like General Electric, except he is the wrong color?”
There was about five minutes of silence. Finally, I got up and walked out to see if the armored car was washed yet.
* * * * *
The Special Forces sergeant had led the sniper team attack on the supply column. But legionnaires had reacted quickly, killing all four insurgents he commanded. The sergeant was lucky to have escaped the track of the Legion’s monitor dragon by walking up a stream to hide his scent. Lucky. That would be his new name.
After the sniper attack, Lucky hiked back to his base camp. He stayed there a month, contemplating the future. The camp was empty, so he stayed until the food ran out. Then Lucky counted his cut of the Singh ransom: sixty thousand dollars. After packing the money into his backpack, Lucky began his hike into town. There was a bounce to his step. Lucky had fought the good fight, but New Colorado was just too big for one old sergeant to take on all by himself. It was time to live a different life.
When Lucky got to the roadway, he sat down for a rest. He dozed off, but was abruptly awaken by the sound of a large engine. It was a Legion armored car, and a dozen legionnaires had exited the vehicle, pointing their rifles at him. I guess I am not so lucky after all, he thought.
“What are you doing here?” asked Sergeant Green. “Tell the truth if you want to live.”
“I am an Arthropodan Special Forces marine sent to New Colorado to advise the insurgency,” said Lucky.
“Where are the others?” asked Sergeant Green.
“Dead, I guess. You killed them all. Everyone I know is dead.”
“Why are you on this roadway?” asked Sergeant Green.
“I was hiking into town to start a new life,” said Lucky.
“You had a chance to do that a long time ago,” said Ser
geant Green. “It’s too late now.”
“Yes,” said Lucky. “I know that.”
“Prove you’re not just another insurgent scum,” said Sergeant Green. “Why should I believe your tall tale about being Special Forces?”
“I can lead you to my supply shuttle,” said Lucky. “It tipped over in a pond west of Finisterra.”
Information about an Arthropodan marine Special Forces shuttle interested Sergeant Green, so he radioed in that they had a prisoner with information. Lucky was put into the back of the armored car for the ride back to Camp Alaska. Tonelli, sitting next to Lucky, searched the spider’s backpack.
“Hey look everyone,” said Tonelli, waving the money he found. “This guy is rich.”
“Where did you get all that money?” asked Corporal Williams. “Are you a bank robber?”
It’s more likely you were one of the insurgents that ransomed Singh,” said Sergeant Green. “I’ll bet those bills are marked. Is that where you got this money?”
Lucky hissed. Looking at the legionnaires, he noticed two spiders. The driver was a Green. But the big black spider was his old marine commander also known as General Electric. How funny. G.E. was not saying much. I don’t blame him, thought Lucky. Maybe G.E. thought I would not recognize him? I’ll bet his Legion friends don’t know who he is.
“Do you hear me?” said Sergeant Green, poking Lucky with his rifle. “Where did you get this money?”
“I have nothing more to say until I talk to your commanding officer,” said Lucky. “Harm me and you will never find my shuttle. I have other very important information you will be interested in knowing.”
When they arrived at Camp Alaska, Tonelli and Wayne escorted Lucky to a holding cell. Private Wayne lingered behind to talk to Lucky through a small window in the cell door.
“Long time no see, Sergeant,” said Private Wayne. “I appreciate you not saying anything about me earlier. Is there anything I can do for you?”
“I see you are sleeping with the human pestilence,” said Lucky. “How does it feel to be a traitor? Get me out of here or I will tell your new friends who you really are. Maybe I will even be able to collect the reward on you.”
“You would betray me?” asked Private Wayne. “Have you no sense of personal loyalty?”
“You join the Legion, and you lecture me about loyalty?” asked Lucky. “I will give you until tonight to get me out of here, or I will tell the Legion everything.”
“I will see what I can do,” promised Wayne. “But you have to give me a few days to arrange things.”
“Tonight!” demanded Lucky. “I want out tonight.”
* * * * *
Later Lieutenant Lopez and Sergeant Green interviewed Lucky. Lucky drew a map and gave detailed instructions on how to find the Special Forces shuttle. Lucky also gave lists of insurgent safe houses in Finisterra and Camp Alaska. At the conclusion of the interview, Lieutenant Lopez told Lucky to think long and hard about whether there was anything he wanted to add.
“I don’t like surprises,” warned Lieutenant Lopez. “You have more to tell me. Spill it now.”
“Your Private Wayne is the famous insurgent leader General Electric,” said Lucky. “I want to collect on the reward money for turning him in.”
“Are you sure?” asked Lieutenant Lopez. “There can be no mistake in your identification?”
“Of course I am sure,” said Lucky. “He also used to be my marine Special Forces commanding officer. We landed on New Colorado together.”
“I see,” said Lieutenant Lopez.
“How much is the reward up to now?” asked Lucky.
“What difference does that mean to you?” asked Sergeant Green. “How are you going to spend the reward money if you are tried and shot for being a terrorist?”
“I am a soldier sent to New Colorado by the Emperor,” argued Lucky. “I have been cooperative. There is no reason for you to cross me. I will gladly share the reward with you. It must be millions. There is enough for everyone to be happy.”
“First, we will see if you are telling the truth about the Special Forces shuttle,” said Lieutenant Lopez. “Then your full statement about Arthropodan marines and aiding the insurgency will be broadcast on TV for propaganda. If everything you say turns out to be true, and if you have not held back any important information or details, you will get the reward that you truly deserve.”
That night at about 0200, a timed Legion grenade was dropped down an air vent to Lucky’s cell. The grenade rattled down the long vent, finally dropping onto Lucky’s lap. Lucky was killed instantly.
<
CHAPTER 18
The Arthropodan Fleet beamed unopposed into orbit around New Colorado. Legion starships and planetary defenses did not interfere because they were outnumbered and because no one wanted another war. Ship to planet communications was soon established.
“This is Imperial Fleet Commander #1. We will remain in orbit around New Colorado indefinitely. My mission is to obtain the return of all prisoners of war held illegally by the United States Galactic Federation, and to protect all Arthropodan citizens displaced by the war.”
“This Is General Kalipetsis. We hold no prisoners of war. All POW’s were returned. We only hold insurgents. We are doing our best, however, to screen insurgents as we capture them for any ex-soldiers that my have joined them.”
“Our intelligence sources confirmed just this week that you recovered an Arthropodan marine Special Forces troop shuttle and captured a marine sergeant. Both have been missing since the war,” replied #1.
“What sources?’ asked General Kalipetsis.
“Cable TV,” said #1. “I demand my sergeant be returned now. I also want access to your concentration camps to search for more of our missing troops.”
“You are violating United States territorial sovereignty and risking war by your trespass,” said General Kalipetsis. “I will not just let you go and do as you please on New Colorado.”
“The matter is not negotiable,” said #1. “But I am not unreasonable. I will submit to an escort. But first you will return my sergeant.”
“I am personally looking into the matter,” promised General Kalipetsis. Five minutes later he had the information he needed. “Your sergeant was just captured. He had joined the insurgency and had led attacks and participated in kidnapping. He is currently being held at Camp Alaska.”
“A marine contingent and I will beam down to Camp Alaska immediately and repatriate our sergeant,” said #1. “I expect you will meet me there?”
General Kalipetsis met #1 at the landing zone at Camp Alaska. He did not look happy. General Kalipetsis was flanked by his staff, a platoon of legionnaires, Lieutenant Lopez, Sergeant Green, and myself.
“Where is my sergeant?” asked #1, bypassing formalities and getting to the heart of the matter. “I expected him to be waiting here, too.”
“Regretfully, your sergeant was murdered in his cell last night,” said General Kalipetsis. “I am truly so sorry. The matter is being investigated.”
“Who was the ranking officer in charge of his custody,” asked #1.
“Captain Czerinski,” answered General Kalipetsis.
“You put the Butcher of New Colorado in charge of prisoners of war? Again? Why am I not surprised my sergeant was murdered in his sleep.”
“Sir, I had nothing to do with your sergeant’s death,” I said.
“So, we finally meet,” said #1. “You will again be charged with war crimes. I will not let this matter drop. I demand the Butcher of New Colorado be remanded to my custody and transported to Arthropoda City for trial for murder and the many other murders at the New Disneyland Extermination Camp.”
“Only the President can order a legionnaire to be placed into your custody,” replied General Kalipetsis. “I do not have the authority to make that decision. And frankly, you can go fuck yourself.”
“And why would I do that?” said #1. “Do you have the aut
hority to let me inspect the crime scene and to search your gulags for my missing soldiers?”
“You have already been given permission to search with an escort,” said General Kalipetsis.
#1 scrutinized the Honor Guard. He was outraged to see spiders in Legion uniform. “What is this?” he asked. “You have pressed spiders into service? Or is this the result of new brainwashing technology?”
“Some spiders don’t want to live under an Emperor,” said General Kalipetsis. “They want to be free.”
“Yes. Now that I look closer, I see most of them are traitorous Greens,” said #1. “Someday we will find a final solution to them, even if it is to dump them all on New Colorado.”
As they walked to the detention center, General Kalipetsis repeatedly said that he regretted the sergeant’s death and that there were no more Arthropodan soldiers in custody. #1 seemed to be placated a little, but then a spider stepped out of the ranks.
“I am a Special Forces marine,” said Private Charlie Brown. “I want to go home.”
“And so you will,” said #1, grasping onto Charlie Brown. “What have they done to you?”
“Just take me home,” said Charlie Brown. “I did what I needed to do to survive. But now the nightmare is over. Please, take me home.”
“How many more of my soldiers do you have?” asked #1, turning to General Kalipetsis.
General Kalipetsis turned to me. “Well? I’ll shoot you myself if one more Arthropodan marine steps forward demanding to be released. Are there more?”
“This one showed up with one other,” I said. “They’re probably from the same unit. They wore the same military style boots, and they hang out together.” I motioned for Lieutenant Lopez to summon Private Wayne. Private Wayne stepped forward from the Honor Guard.
“Sir!” said Private Wayne. “Reporting as ordered.”
America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 2: Reenlistment Page 17