by Black, Alan
"Yes, sir, that is Troopers Lamsa and Everridge. That leaves me with three others: Garcia, Brown and Hassletanker."
Misha nodded at the three. "Good. That’s very good. Deuce Vark, I want you to get your squad to work on getting us weapons of some kind. Lean towards finding non-lethal if you can manage it. We seem to have seven other troopers from various squads. I’ll split them with you. This’ll give us just about three full squads to work with. Set your group off over in the far corner, get them started and then high-tail it back to me. Go!" She pointed to a far corner and waved Vark off in that direction. Obviously glad for having a specific task to accomplish, the tall blonde woman trotted across the training bay deck, followed by her Joker Squad troopers.
Misha looked at the remaining troopers. She crooked a finger at the young woman with the bruised and bleeding face. The woman trotted over to her.
Misha asked so no one but the woman could hear, "You’re Kelly from Hotel Squad, right?"
"Yes, sir, I’m Trooper Eleven Ethica Kelly."
"You’re not in agreement with your squad on how to deal with this AMSF mess?"
Kelly snorted, then looked embarrassed, covering her nose with her hand. "Sorry, Third, that slipped out. No, I admit I don't understand everything that’s going on, but I do know our contract with the spacers says we must stand by Britaine."
"You read our contract? Isn't that unusual for a rookie?"
Kelly smiled, "I wouldn't know about unusual, but you did make a point of mentioning the contract in our unit Q&A meeting. I thought I’d better become more familiar with it."
Misha smiled back at the young woman. "It is unusual for rookies to read the contract, although they all agree to be bound by it. It would seem it was rare in Hotel Squad for veterans and even second-level commanders to read the contract. How’d you get the strawberry under your eye and that cut?"
Kelly scowled and looked in the direction of the knot of Hotel troopers. "I would rather not say, Third."
Misha said, "Let's make it an order then. My glass-pack is on full record for an official statement. You have sustained damage, although not life threatening, it will require some medical attention. How did you obtain your injuries?"
Kelly said, "I will respond under protest, noting I have a right to non-self-incrimination."
"Barracks lawyer, huh?" Misha frowned, and raised her voice "I don't have time for this, but we can play it that way, if I have to. Objection understood and noted in my log. You will not be held accountable for anything you say. However, please note any glass-pack recordings of any other personnel present will be scanned for relevant data concerning the incident in question. And believe me, Trooper Kelly, someone's glass-pack picked up what happened. They always do. Speak up."
"Second Kranitchovich took umbrage at my refusal to obey an order, sir," Kelly said.
Misha stared at the young girl. "Umbrage?"
Kelly answered. "Umbrage: to take offense-"
Misha threw up her hands. "Stop. I know what it means. You really are a lawyer, aren't you?"
"I never practiced, sir. I just passed the exams, but my father is."
"Ah," Misha placed the name. “That would be Fifth-Level Ansel Kelly, APES Attorney General?"
Kelly nodded. "I didn't tell anyone because I wanted to make it on my own, you know?"
Misha nodded in agreement. "Secrets like that don't last long in the APES. Besides, there are a lot of APES with family in the service. We all make it on our own. Now to business: this order from your second; was it a lawful order?"
Kelly shrugged her shoulders, "I don't know, Third. I really don't. I still can't put it all together. I don't know enough about what’s going on. It just didn't seem right to restrain APES without your say-so. You are the commander of the unit and all. As to getting smacked across the face: well, Second Kranitchovich said if Second Jackson could slap his people into line, then he could too."
Misha nodded. That was another mistake on her part, but it was one that Kelly had paid the price for. It hadn't really mattered whether Kranitchovich had hit her or not, or whether he had just ordered it done, or even whether it was with his consent. He was wrong. She was just as wrong for not punishing Jackson when he had hit Trooper Donnellson.
"Okay, Kelly. We’ll take this up later. I recommend you discuss this with legal counsel at the first opportunity," Misha said. Then, she raised her voice for everyone in the room. "Get Trooper Cutler to put something on that cut as soon as he takes care of the more serious injuries. In the meantime, I want you to latch on to DeLaPax. Where she goes, you go. Understand? Hear me over there, Peace?"
DeLaPax waved back to her, "Got her, Boss. One more lost lamb for my flock. Come on, girlfriend. You can tell your Auntie Peace all about that famous father of yours. I hear he’s single again."
Kelly glanced back at Misha with a bewildered and somewhat concerned look on her face as DeLaPax waved her off to the side.
Misha walked to the small knot of remaining APES and called to Second Aardmricksdottir to join them. She looked at them one by one waiting for the second to reach the group. Each man or woman starred back at her, some with calm eyes, some with resolution and some with anger, but no one blinked or turned away from her stare. She nodded her approval more to herself than to anyone else.
"All right, APES. I assume for each of your own reasons you aren’t with your assigned squads."
One of the troopers interrupted, "Sir, I’m Trooper-"
Misha stopped the woman with a wave of her hand. "Yes, I know; Golf Squad's Trooper One Na'aranna. You’re also the 1392nd senior weapons technician. I have a short memory, Na'aranna, but not that short. Didn't like your second's assessment of today's activities?" Misha remembered Golf's second had locked themselves down in their squad bay.
"No, sir, not one damn bit. Momma always told me that inaction was always the wrong thing."
Misha smiled, "My father always said the same thing. However, I think to accept that old cliché as an absolute would show a limited imagination. There are times when doing nothing is the right thing to do. But, I would agree with you this is not one of those times. In any event, it seems as if my squad's weapons tech has gone missing. I don't know why nor do I care at this point. I want to attach you to Able Squad for the time being. Do you have any problems with that, Trooper Na'aranna?"
"Hell no! Why should I?" the woman looked puzzled.
"Good enough by me. Any of you other troopers got a problem working with me? No? Good." Misha turned to Vark. "I hate to pull the veterans out of this group and leave you with the rookies, but I've already got far too many newbies on my hand in Able Squad as it stands. Do you have any problem with that, Deuce?"
Aardmricksdottir smiled. "As Na'aranna so aptly put it,‘hell no! Why should I’? Besides Third, by my count you've got six rookies. I get three from this bunch with my own three and we run six each. On top of which, you are giving me Aarvan as a rookie, right?"
Misha looked puzzled. She didn't recognize the name and certainly wasn't placing it with any of the faces before her. "Aarvan?"
A tall, gangly young man raised a taut fist. "Sir, that would be me. Aarvan Kelly, formerly Trooper Seven of Bravo Squad. I am, sir, a rookie."
Aardmricksdottir laughed. "Like fun you are. Boss, he’s the first cousin of that young lady developing the black eye you were speaking to. There are more Kellys in the APES than there is Otti-”
Misha finished the sentence for her. "Ottiamigs, and we all know there are a ton and a half of Ottiamigs in the APES." Misha eyed the young man. She could see the resemblance to Ethica Kelly she had sent off with DeLaPax.
Aardmricksdottir said, "Well, there’s at least a ton of them around. Aarvan probably cut his teeth on APES training. Besides, he had the smarts to duck out on Theda Moraft. I’ll take his smarts over longevity any day."
Misha smile, "Good. You take all three of your rookies. Give me about ten minutes and then report back on weapons availability. Take Na�
�aranna with you for your brainstorming session."
Misha turned to the last two unassigned troopers. She remembered Trooper One Aggie Raza, a tough, long-standing veteran. The only impairment to Raza’s advancement was her lack of discrimination in choosing sexual partners. The other man was no more than a last name, a position and a face from the unit roster, Trooper Two Lamont. Both were from India Squad, whose second had taken his team to ground.
"Raza and Lamont." She looked at the two. Neither smiled nor batted an eye. "Good enough. We got work to do. Are you ready?"
Lamont jerked his head once in a quick nod but said nothing.
Raza winked back slyly, "I am always ready, Trey. It’s game on!
Chapter Forty-Seven
"What do you mean she's gone?" Jackson bellowed at his med-tech Dashell. "I give you one small task to do: keep McPherson under wraps and healthy in the day office until we can get her moved into the training bay with the rest of those freakin' cowards. Ol' son, you’re as worthless as feathers on a snake. So, don't just stand there, tell me what the hell happened?"
Dashell looked around for support, but everyone in the Foxtrot Squad bay averted their eyes. "Well, we had her trussed up real good, like you said, and we dumped her in the office, just like you said. We put a couple of guys, Spaz and the Dog Boy, in the hallway to watch the hatch. Next thing I know, I go to look and the bitch is gone."
"Man-oh-man," Jackson shook his head. "You left Spaznitski and Becker to watch over her? You left Spaz and the Dog Boy alone? Those two booger brains couldn't watch a mirror without getting confused. So where are those two dip wads now?"
Dashell shrugged. "Last I saw they were still unconscious in the day office. No real damage, so I just left them there. I suppose they’re still there."
Jackson grabbed Dashell by the front of his coveralls and shouted into his face. "Think, will you! We need to know how she got out. Did she have help? If she had help, how many were there? Which way did she go? Did she take Forrester with her?"
Dashell whined, "I don't know, Second. I wasn't there." He tried unsuccessfully to pry Jackson's grip loose from his clothing.
Jackson shook his head and for good measure shook Dashell like a rag doll. "I know you weren't there. You’d be unconscious with Spaz and the Dog Boy if you were you there. Go wake them up and find out what they know."
Second Bilideau spoke up, "Okay. So, she is gone. Relax, she's Theda's problem. Oooooh, I like that thought: cat fight! Anyway, McPherson is just one woman, Race. What can she do?"
"Yeah, Beans, but she is one tough woman," Jackson replied.
Beans Bilideau shook his head. "How do you know? All you've seen is training and all you've heard is rumor and propaganda. For all we know she can't stomach a real fight. We’ve both seen it before. Look it, she's runnin' from this fight, right? I'll bet she's off hidin' somewheres right now, shittin' in her diapers."
Jackson frowned, "But what about Guinjundst?"
Bilideau put his hand on Jackson's shoulder, "Think, man. She must'a run then too. You had family there, right? Well, would they a gone runnin'?"
Jackson shook Bilidieau's hand free, "Hell no!"
"Hell no is right. They stood and fought. Died like APES. So, how did McPherson live? I'll bet my last paycheck she ran then too, just like now. Your family died as heroes, not this tin goddess."
"Yeah. Hell, yeah!" Jackson slammed his fist into his other hand. "Gotta be. You're right, Beans. She is running now and she must have run then. But, you’re wrong about one thing."
Bilideau arched an eyebrow.
Jackson nodded. "She is not Second Moraft's problem. She’s ours. Theda told us to take her and hold her. We didn't." He turned to the men and women scattered around his squad bay. "All right, get off your butts and make yourself useful. Scatter around through APES country and look for McPherson and Forrester. Everyone partners up; go two by two and stay in comms with Second Bilideau. Don't underestimate McPherson. She’s a coward, but then even a rabbit will attack when cornered, so don't get cocky." Jackson tapped his comms unit open. "Second Kranitchovich, this is Second Jackson. We need to talk."
When there was no answer, Bilideau arched his eyebrow again questioningly.
Jackson spoke again, "Stanley. This is Race. Quit dickin’ around and answer me." There was still no answer. He looked at Bilideau, "Dammit, Beans. Get over to the training bay and see what’s going on. Take as many of these yahoos as you can snag. With McPherson on the loose, we can't take any chances. She might be in hiding, but she might try to pick us off one at a time." He switched his comms to an open frequency broadcasting to every APE unit. "This is Second-Level Commander Race Jackson. I’m calling McPherson."
Silence came out of the comm unit.
Jackson continued. "Give yourself up to us. It’ll be easier in the long run. There’re a bunch of angry APES looking for you. They don’t like running from a fight and they’re all a little bit more than frustrated. We don’t want you or anyone else getting hurt."
There was a long still silence from the comm unit.
"Look, McPherson. I can only protect you if you surrender to me."
The comms silence grew ever longer.
Finally, a female voice answered back. It was Theda Moraft. "That's enough, Race. Let her stew in her own juices. We got more important things to do than run to ground one little coward."
Chapter Forty-Eight
Misha looked at the two second-level commanders standing next to her. Their comm units received Jackson's broadcast. She shrugged as if to say she didn't really know how to respond to Jackson's veiled threats.
Takki-Homi grinned and said, "Whooo boy! That Race Jackson sure can be a hoot sometimes, can't he?"
Misha replied, "Taks, sometimes I wonder about your sense of humor."
"Who me, Trey? Well, I know that crying won't help, so we might as well just laugh about it."
Vark grinned soberly, "At home they always told me if you can't dance with the devil, you shouldn't laugh at his jokes."
Misha said, "I believe we can dance with this devil. You both heard him send Bilideau and some of Dawg Squad to check on Kranitchovich and the rest of Hotel Squad. They should be here soon. Are we ready for them?"
Takki-Homi nodded. "Ambush laid in. Beans won't take the long way around so I’ve pulled Chewie and Peanut off the main hatchway."
Misha looked baffled, "Chewie and Peanut?"
"Sorry, sir, that is Platzchewski and Trammler of Charlie Squad. We put all of Joker Squad with Vark's new weapons just inside the hatch."
"What weapons did we manage to scrounge up?"
Vark answered, "All we had in the training bay were batons, pikes and cudgels. We stripped the rubber tips off. They are still non-lethal, well…mostly anyway. But, they’ll drop Dawg Squad in their tracks when they come through the hatch. I gave about half of what we worked up to Peace for guard duty on Hotel Squad."
Takki-Homi continued. "Ortiz and Beaudry are standing close watch on the side hatch. If Bilideau comes around that way, we’re sunk, and they’ll have to open fire with their needlers. We’ll inflict major damage, but it can't be helped."
"I agree," Misha said. "Did you get Peanut and Chewie holed up somewhere?"
"Broom closet, I think that's what it is, anyway. I set those two in place to act as pushers if any of Dawg Squad goes doggie and falls behind."
Misha looked at Takki-Homi, "Doggie?"
"Cowboy talk for a straggler. Guess I can't help it; the old home-town lingo comes back when I get excited."
Misha nodded. "Time enough for that story later. We should be ready anytime now. Vark, keep your squad on their toes. Let's take them down fast, but let's try not to kill anybody, okay. But, I need your intelligence and communications specialist with me. Who’ve you got?"
Aardmricksdottir said, "Great duo: Tree and the Greek."
Misha shook her head. "I’m going to slap you two. Remind me to have nicknames entered into the unit database.”<
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"That would be Everridge and Lamsa, sir. You already have them. They’re the two working with your med-tech Cutler on Hotel's damage."
"Good. Send them to me and get ready for Dawg."
Aardmricksdottir turned in agreement and sprinted to the hatchway. On the way, she let out a low whistle. All of Joker Squad's heads popped up and swiveled in her direction. She held up five fingers, then flashed six fingers, pumped her clenched fist once and pointed at Misha. She reached her squad and began spreading them out without bothering to watch the reaction of her troopers five and six. Everridge and Lamsa sprinted to Misha.
Misha asked the two, "How is Hotel's medical situation?"
The shorter of the two spoke up. "I’m Trooper Lamsa, sir. You’d have to confirm with Trooper Cutler, but it looks pretty good for what supplies we've got. For a rookie, Bear is a nice hand with injuries."
"I’m Trooper Everridge, sir. Everyone looks stable, even Theress, if we can get him to sickbay within a few hours. Those needlers cut badly, but they don't cut deep. You put a needler smack into the middle of their hatch watch's chest, but it hit his breastbone and shattered. It made a mess out of muscle, but didn't hit anything major."
Lamsa nodded in agreement.
Everridge continued, "The worst looks to be Kranitchovich. His arm is shattered in about a dozen places. The elbow looks twisted. It’ll need major surgery, but he'll live. And frankly, serves him right."
Misha interrupted, "Okay. I want you two to stay near me. Which of you is the communications tech?"
Lamsa held up his hand.
Misha said. "You would be the Greek?"
The man blushed deeply, "Yeah, but sir, it isn't like it sounds. It's not about a sexual thing-"
Misha interrupted. "I don't think it matters at this point. Greek, what I need is for you to make sure no one sends any signal out on our comms. Put a block on them." She reached over and slipped his glass-pack out of his pocket. A few quick taps on the pack and she handed it back. "I just gave you my command override. I want our signals squeaky clean on the outbound. Furthermore, I want a constant inbound ear out for any comms traffic from anyone else. That includes AMSF and APES."