“We killed so many spiders that day,” I replied. “How can I sort out which alien killed you?”
“I was murdered by Lieutenant Laika Barker,” said Captain Lopez. “The coward shot me in the back. That traitorous bendaho will kill you, too.”
“There was no evidence of that on the helmet cameras,” I said.
“Check the recordings again,” pleaded Captain Lopez. “Promise you will avenge me.”
“I promise,” I said, disconnecting.
I knew it! Once a terrorist, always a terrorist!
I abruptly awoke at my desk. Barker’s days are numbered, I promised. I only hope his death is slow and painful, in the grand tradition of the Legion.
Then reality set in. What? Was that just a dream? Or a vision? I can’t execute Barker based on daydreams. I’ll be watching Barker. Even the paranoid have enemies. I so need a vacation away from all my enemies.
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Chapter 3
Rioting broke out in the spider enclave of Window Rock. Why? McDonald’s Corporation got caught adding oatmeal to their hamburger again. At last report, the rioters had burned down the Post Office. The spiders would have burned down McDonald’s too, but it is the only fine dining restaurant in town. I sent Lieutenant Barker and a company of legionnaires to restore order and enforce federal law. Captain Lopez wanted to lead the company, but for their own safety, I did not want Barker and Lopez working together.
Lieutenant Barker’s mechanized company of legionnaires was met at Window Rock by chanting spider demonstrators yelling for the Legion to go home. Smoke still rose from the Post Office. Spiders carried debris from the Post Office above their heads as they danced a victory celebration over the human pestilence. Lieutenant Barker positioned armored cars at each intersection. On a PA system, he ordered the streets clear of demonstrators. The spiders ignored his orders and began throwing concrete chips and rocks at the legionnaires.
Lieutenant Barker’s response was unique. He ordered a flamethrower mounted on one of the armored cars to be used to burn down every business in the downtown area. The spider rioters fled to their homes. Then Lieutenant Barker posted a written message on the ruins of the Post Office stating that if the structure was not rebuilt by next month, he would return and burn down the rest of Window Rock. Barker called it ‘peacekeeping with an attitude.’ The note concluded with a smiley face drawing. Even before Lieutenant Barker left Window Rock, the destruction was filmed, downloaded onto the Galactic Database, and broadcast on all planetary news stations.
* * * * *
“I had a dream you might be interested in,” I announced. “Want to hear about it?”
“No,” replied Captain Lopez. “You sound like a woman. Only women want to discuss their dreams.”
“It was more of a premonition,” I explained. “I dreamt Lieutenant Barker shot you in the back during combat.”
“I had that dream, too!” exclaimed Captain Lopez, crossing himself. “How can we both have the same dream?”
“I don’t know. I dreamt I was visiting your grave at Arlington National Cemetery. It felt so real.”
“Arlington?” asked Captain Lopez. “That part won’t come true. They are yet to let legionnaires into that country club. Only the regular army gets in. It’s discrimination.”
“What does it matter, if you are dead?”
“A better question is how you survived. In my dream, Barker told me he intended to kill us all. I’m going to kill Barker before it’s too late.”
“Wait,” I suggested. “We need more to go on than late-night dreams. For now, just keep an eye on Barker.”
I thought about checking for Lieutenant Valerie Smith in the database, but postponed that until later. Captain Lopez did not need to know about that part of my dream, especially if she was real.
* * * * *
General Kalipetsis flew to New Gobi just to talk to me about the burning of downtown Window Rock. He was not happy about Lieutenant Barker’s ‘peacekeeping with an attitude’ comment on Channel Five’s World News Tonight. Kalipetsis wanted to discuss the matter with me in person before the press did.
“Explain to me how burning down Window Rock helps the situation?” asked General Kalipetsis. “This is another public relations nightmare for the Legion. We did more damage than the rioters!”
“Lieutenant Barker did it, not me,” I responded. “I told you I did not want him. He’s a terrorist who should have never been let in the Legion.”
“Letting locals into the Legion is an important political decision we are committed to,” explained General Kalipetsis. “You are responsible for the conduct of your men. Why did you send a rookie butterball lieutenant out there in the first place? And you should have told Barker exactly what was expected of him. Now what do we tell the press?”
“Just tell the press that we successfully quelled a riot without the loss of a single life,” I said. “That’s a lot better than we usually do.”
“That’s a good point,” conceded General Kalipetsis. “I like that. The Mayor of Window Rock submitted a bill to the Legion for damages. What about that?”
“Ask the mayor if he wants me to send Lieutenant Barker back to Window Rock to negotiate damage claims,” I suggested. “I think he will say no.”
“That’s good. If you are ready to talk to the reporters, we will begin the press conference shortly,” said General Kalipetsis. “Let’s go.”
I walked into a room full of reporters. Phil Coen from Channel Five World News Tonight greeted me first. “Colonel Czerinski, how can the Legion justify the burning of Window Rock?” asked Coen. “Isn’t this just another example of disproportionate use of force by an out-of-control Foreign Legion?” He thrust a microphone to my face.
“No one was killed or seriously injured when Lieutenant Barker confronted rioters who had just burned down a United States Galactic Federation Post Office, and were intent on assaulting legionnaires,” I replied. “Lieutenant Barker used superior tactics and improvisation to avoid bloodshed. When was the last time a riot was quelled so quickly without anyone being injured? Did you know Lieutenant Barker graduated number one in his Academy class in tactics?”
“I agree,” added General Kalipetsis. “Lieutenant Barker should be commended for his restraint and superior tactics.”
“Did the Legion stay in Window Rock long enough to confirm no one perished in the fire?” asked Coen.
“Only a few buildings were damaged,” I said. “Most of the town is still intact. Legion engineers are willing to assist in reconstruction, once civil authorities are in control of the locals.”
“I understand that the Mayor of Window Rock is still very upset,” commented Coen.
“The mayor is just pandering to his constituency,” I explained. “I think he’s another Democrat. My job is to solve problems, not to run for re-election.”
“What about Lieutenant Barker’s threat to return to Window Rock to burn down the rest of the town?” asked Coen. “Is this your final solution to restive spider communities?”
“Careful how you word your questions, or I’ll have you locked up for sedition,” I warned. “Lieutenant Barker ordered the community of Window Rock to rebuild their Post Office. They had better get started.”
“Are you concerned about reports that the Governor of the North Territory will send Arthropodan marines to Window Rock to ensure the safety of spiders who hold duel citizenship?”
“I am always concerned about Imperial adventurism along the DMZ,” I said.
“What will the Legion do if the spiders cross the border?” asked Coen.
“I will not discuss hypothetical situations or tactics,” I said.
“Threats to our sovereignty are always treated seriously,” commented General Kalipetsis. “Fortunately Colonel Czerinski has excellent working relationships with local Arthropodan commanders. I will discuss the matter with the Arthropodan governor as soon as this press conference is over.”
“Might publicity from flare-ups li
ke this Window Rock incident draw more terrorists to the insurgency?” asked Coen. “Might your heavy-handed actions actually hurt the Legion in the long run?”
“Extremists will always be drawn to the insurgency,” advised General Kalipetsis. “We do not let the actions of terrorists dictate our policies or tactics.”
“When may we interview Lieutenant Barker?” asked Coen.
“Never,” said General Kalipetsis. “Junior officers do not give press interviews.”
As if on cue, Lieutenant Barker entered the conference room and sat down. Phil Coen and the others immediately rushed over to ask questions.
“Lieutenant Barker, we have been told that you used superior tactics in burning downtown Window Rock, and ultimately saved lives,” said Coen, thrusting out a microphone. “Care to comment?”
“I would have burned the whole spider nest down, but we ran out of fuel for the flamethrower,” replied Lieutenant Barker. “Give me any excuse, and I’ll happily return to Window Rock and finish the job. I’ll wipe them spiders out once and for all.”
“Might such blatant and brutal action provoke intervention from the Arthropodan Empire?” asked Coen. “I might add, I find your comments dangerous, inflammatory, and disgusting.”
“What is the Empire going to do?” taunted Lieutenant Barker. “Nuke us again? How many times have they done that? We should have squashed those bugs a long time ago! New Colorado does not need the Empire telling us how to run our planet.”
“Enough!” ordered General Kalipetsis. “This is why we do not let junior officers talk to the press. Lieutenant Barker is a junior officer fresh from his first combat. He is excited and passionate, and bursting with the exuberance of youth and inexperience. His comments do not reflect the policies or goals of the Legion, or our political leadership. Don’t fault him too much. It is to be expected that a junior officer would take a small-picture view of recent events, especially after just risking his life in a very volatile riot. I can assure you that the Legion takes a larger view of the situation along the DMZ. The Legion wants coexistence with the spiders, advocates respect for the rights of Spider-American citizens, and wants only good relations with the Arthropodan Empire.”
“Lieutenant Barker, isn’t it true you saw action with the Militia, and that you have a questionable and violent criminal history?” asked Coen. “And isn’t it true that the Arthropodan Empire still holds warrants of arrest in your name and other aliases for murder, terrorism, and crimes against the civilization and the galaxy?”
“The Constitution does not allow inquiries into a legionnaire’s past,” I interrupted. “Legion enlistment wipes the slate clean. Besides, Imperial warrants aren’t any good south of the DMZ, unless our governor signs extradition papers.”
“The slate is only wiped clean if there was full disclosure on the Legion application forms,” corrected Coen. “Did you disclose your aliases before being accepted to Officer’s Candidate School? Is Barker even your real name?”
“This is your last warning,” I said. “There will be no more questions about Lieutenant Barker’s past or juvenile years.”
“The matter needs to be investigated,” insisted Coen. “But, I will move on, for now. What about the Mayor of Window Rock’s claim for damages? Who will pay for the millions of dollars of damage to downtown Window Rock?”
“The claim is denied,” said General Kalipetsis. “If the mayor can’t ensure responsible conduct from the citizenry within his jurisdiction, then he must expect to incur some damage when the Legion is called. Perhaps the mayor should step down if he can’t do his job. Perhaps I should submit a bill to the mayor for the destroyed Post Office and the Legion’s expense.”
The press conference ended on that note. Groups of reporters hung around outside, scribbling and comparing last-minute notes. The TV crews prepared to board their van. Phil Coen noticed Private John Iwo Jima Wayne tossing a baseball to Private Krueger. Coen approached the big spider legionnaire.
“Do you like baseball?” asked Coen.
Private Wayne ignored Coen. He tossed Krueger another ball, this one a little bit harder. Krueger ripped off his glove and threw it on to the ground, his hand in obvious pain.
“Private Wayne, I am interested to hear a spider legionnaire’s perspective about the disturbance at Window Rock,” said Coen. “Do you have an opinion?”
“Yes,” said Private Wayne. “I was there. It was a riot, not a disturbance. Get your facts straight. They burned down the Post Office and attacked legionnaires sent to keep the peace. We put an end to it real fast.”
“But what about Lieutenant Barker’s comments that he would like to return to Window Rock and burn the rest of the town?” asked Coen. “Barker suggested killing all of the spider residents.”
“No one ever accused Lieutenant Barker of being a nice person,” said Private Wayne. “He is a junkyard dragon. Sometimes that is what you need out here on the Frontier.”
“But you are a spider,” argued Coen. “Doesn’t talk of exterminating a spider population rub you the wrong way?”
“I do not want to return to Window Rock,” said Private Wayne. “Window Rock is a dangerous place. We can nuke it, for all I care.”
“I think you are just being hard core to please your Legion masters,” commented Coen. “You can’t really feel that way.”
Private Wayne drew a large jagged combat knife and took a swipe at Coen. Coen took a quick step back, but not quick enough. Instinctively he put up his left hand for protection, but the knife sliced off two fingers. Blood sprayed everywhere as Coen flailed about. The cameraman ran for the van. Legionnaires rushed to restrain Private Wayne. Someone grabbed one of Coen’s fingers so it could be packed in ice and sewn back on. Wayne stepped on the other finger, grinding it into the dirt.
Private Wayne spent the night in jail on assault charges. In the morning, I released Private Wayne and promoted him to back to corporal. Later, I told Coen I thought the whole matter was just a cultural misunderstanding, and that he needed to be more sensitive toward our spider legionnaires. I added that the Legion is committed to diversity, and Coen should know better than to harass and insult a spider legionnaire’s honor in such a glib manner.
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Chapter 4
Corporal John Iwo Jima Wayne found baseball almost as relaxing as riding his Harley motorcycle. Playing in the First Division’s recreation league kept him active, and usually out of trouble. Corporal Wayne put himself through a good workout at the ballpark and was feeling calmer now. As Wayne finished batting practice, however, Sergeant Toock interrupted what had been an otherwise pleasant day. Now, Corporal Wayne instantly became agitated. The mere sight of Sergeant Toock, a Formicidaen refugee, rubbed Corporal Wayne the wrong way. He did not like this oversized ant, or any of Toock’s species.
“You like baseball?” asked Sergeant Toock, conversationally.
“Why do fools keep asking me stupid questions?” asked Corporal Wayne.
“That is no way to talk to a Sergeant,” replied Sergeant Toock. “But I am not here to pull rank or start an argument. I want you to transfer permanently to Lieutenant Barker’s company. Lieutenant Barker was impressed with you at Window Rock and asked me to contact you. We need combat veterans to help lead and train the new recruits.”
“No,” replied Corporal Wayne.
“Why?” asked Sergeant Toock. “Do you not like Lieutenant Barker? I can understand your apprehension about his past and the comments he made on TV yesterday, but I can assure you Lieutenant Barker is a fair and competent commander who respects diversity in his command.”
“I have no problem with Lieutenant Barker,” advised Corporal Wayne. “Barker is an asshole, but at least he is up front about it. I know where he is coming from. It is you I dislike and do not trust.”
“Me?” asked Sergeant Toock, innocently. “A fellow exoskeleton-cousin and brother-in-arms? Explain yourself.”
“I am not your brother,” said Corporal Wayne, ab
out to lose his temper. “The human pestilence should have exterminated you ants a long time ago.”
“The few of us who survived the Formicidaen Empire Holocaust just want to fit in,” said Sergeant Toock. “Ants and spiders are so much alike. It is sad to hear you feel that way. I only want the best for our two species.”
“Ants eat or kill everything in their path. Your ilk are a blight on the galaxy.”
“Is there anything I can do to change your mind?” asked Sergeant Toock, still showing no visible signs of being upset or angry. “You will be advanced in rank quickly, if you join our unit.”
“I might consider a transfer if you died,” said Corporal Wayne. “That way I would not have to tolerate your smell or presence.”
“You want to see me die?” asked Sergeant Toock. “Transfer to our company, and you may very well get your wish. I promise our company will see combat often and soon.”
“How can you promise that? We are at peace.”
“It won’t last. You know Colonel Czerinski dislikes Lieutenant Barker. What does Czerinski do when he dislikes someone?”
“He sends them out on shit details,” answered Corporal Wayne. “Everyone knows that.”
“Exactly. When the shooting starts, we will be sent first. Lieutenant Barker realizes this and keeps us combat-ready. But we need experienced legionnaires like you to help.”
“Okay, I will consider a request for transfer,” said Corporal Wayne. “I thrive on combat. But that still does not change my opinion of you.”
“Great!” said Sergeant Toock, slapping claws with Wayne. “Welcome to G Company. Just so there is no misunderstanding, I do not particularly like you spiders either. I do not even like most humans. But the Legion is my life now. Follow orders and do not mess with me, and you just might survive.”
America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 5: Insurgency Page 2