by Saxon Andrew
Pixie had to give him credit. He wasn’t going to give up easily. “Russell, I have absolutely no interest or respect for you. I will not attend any function with you.”
• • •
Russell saw his display go dark and decided that she wasn’t going to be let off the hook that easily. He contacted Admiral Mirabal’s office and requested that Pixie be sent to attend the ball with him. The Captain that took the call forwarded the request to Jixie’s training commander and she was called into his office.
“Sir, I told Baron Slade that I would not attend the function with him.”
“Captain, the Military supports the Royalty and he has directed us to send you to go with him.”
“He has?”
“Yes and we are compelled to listen to his request.”
Pixie was angry at the unmitigated gall of the egotistical Royal. She said, “Sir, I’ll handle this.”
“Captain…”
“It won’t be a problem for you, Sir.”
“See me in the morning, Captain.”
“Yes Sir.”
“Mom.”
“Yes Darling.”
“Can you get Dad to handle an issue for me?”
“What is that?”
Pixie told her and Jixie said, “I’ll get on it.”
• • •
Baron Slade was looking over the quarterly reports from the planet when his assistant came in and said, “Sire, Duke Robbins has requested you contact him.”
“When did he call?”
“About ten minutes ago.”
Russ rushed to his room and pressed the frequency he kept on his communications system. Sam appeared on the screen and smiled, “It’s been a long time Russ.”
“Too long, Your Highness. I miss the days of fighting the Realm’s enemies.”
“I need you to help me with an issue.”
“What is that?”
“Your son has directed the Navy to send one of their warriors to attend a ball with him. She turned him down so he directed her commanding officer to direct her to go.”
“I would think she would be flattered.”
“She was in his training class.”
Russ stared at Sam and took a deep breath. “It would only be for an evening.”
“Russ, since when do Royals command someone to go to a ball with them?”
Russ shook his head, “I know. Perhaps he wants to make amends for his actions.”
“Do you think he has any regret for them?”
“What are you saying Sam?”
“Russ, did you look at the training tapes?”
“No, Russell told me he messed up and failed the training.”
“No he didn’t Russ. He resigned. Review those tapes and contact me afterwards.”
“Is that a command?”
“It is, Baron.”
“Tell me, Your Highness. Why are you getting involved in a warrior going to a ball?”
“Russ, I know you can keep secrets. She’s my daughter and she detests your son. Take a look at the tapes and get back to me.”
Russ was shocked at the revelation and saw his display go dark. He went to the files on his computer and found that the tapes had been erased. He contacted Col. Dorg and had her resend them to his terminal and he spent the rest of the afternoon viewing them. After he finished watching them he pressed Sam’s frequency. “Did you view them?”
“I did.”
“Will you handle this issue?”
“I will. And I’m sorry for not having viewed them.”
“I didn’t want to bring them up, Russ but you left me no choice.”
“I know, Sir.”
“Russ, you should know that I honor and respect you for all you’ve done. If I were in a fight, I’d want you there with me.”
“Thank you, Your Highness that means a lot.” The display went dark and Russ pressed a button, “Get my son here!”
Russell went into his father’s office and wondered what he wanted. As he walked in, he saw a picture of him being confronted by Col. Dorg on the main display. His fear was instant. He looked at his father and saw he knew what had happened.
Russ stared at his son and said, “I can forgive some of what you’ve become because I was gone most of the time you were growing up fighting in the Warriors. What I can’t forgive is you erasing the training records that were sent to me to prevent me from seeing just how worthless you are.”
“But Father…”
“YOU WILL BE SILENT!” Russ stared at his son and felt shame at what he had become. “You will contact the Commanding Officer of the young woman you are trying to force into attending the ball with you and inform him that she is not required to attend. Second, you will report to the Assignment Officer at Naval Headquarters and rejoin the Life Warriors as a Private. I have sent instructions to him that your file is to be marked to never be given a leadership role in the service.” Russ saw his son’s anger start and he said, “You will do these things immediately. It is my prayer that the Warriors will teach you what you have failed to learn in my absence. You are stripped of your Royal status and have been removed from my succession until the completion of your service. If you do not obey these instructions, you will never recover your standing in the Royal Community and will be expelled from my house permanently. Do you understand?”
Russell was shocked silent. The loss of his Royal Title was devastating. He stared at his father and simply nodded.
“Get out of my sight!”
Russell left the office and sat in his room stunned at what his father had done. Thirty minutes later, Jacob entered and said, “I have been instructed to assist you in packing your bags.”
Russell looked at him and said, “Wha…what?”
“You are no longer a resident of the Royal Grounds and are no longer welcome here. I have been asked if you have complied with your instructions.”
Russell forced himself to remember and went to his computer and placed a call to Pixie’s Commander. He finished it and Jacob handed him a travel pass, “This will get you to the Assignment Officer. If you choose not to go, you may leave the grounds and go wherever you choose.”
“Jacob, what should I do?”
Jacob stared at Russell and said, “You should grow up.” Jacob saw Russell’s expression and said, “If it were I that was in your place, I believe I would make the shuttle to the Navy.”
Russell forced himself to stand up and begin putting clothes in a duffle bag. Jacob said, “Sit down. I’ll do this for you.” Russell nodded and an hour later boarded the shuttle still in a state of shock.
He arrived at the Assignment Center and sat in the office waiting for a unit to accept him. Since he resigned, a Unit Commander would have to accept him and no one was willing to take the risk of having him in their ranks. Russell saw Colonel Tyre come out of his office and said, “Has anyone accepted me?” Tyre looked at Russell and shook his head. “Why is no one willing to take me, Sir?”
Tyre stared at Russell and said, “They look at your training records and see your total disregard of the ones you led in your training exercises. No one trusts you’ll hold up under fire.”
He walked away and Russell decided to make the call he dreaded. He punched the number and Pixie appeared on his wrist unit and her expression was not pleasant, “Pixie, I’m sorry for being such a jerk. I was wrong to do what I did and I just wanted to apologize.”
Pixie stared at him and suddenly saw he was wearing a Life Warrior’s uniform. “What are you doing in that uniform?” Russell shook his head and looked down. “Answer me, Russell.”
“My father saw the training tapes. I had erased them from his files but the Duke asked him if he had seen them. He ordered another copy and saw what I did during training.”
“And?”
“He stripped me of my title, kicked me out of his house, and told me I was removed from the succession.” Pixie just stared at Russell. “He told me I was to complete my service with the Warrio
rs or I would never be welcome in his home again.”
“Where are you assigned?”
“I’m not.”
“Why?”
“No one will take me. I’ve been here at the assignment office for a week and no unit in the Realm will take me. I can’t say I blame them.”
“Oh come on, Russell. You know you only care about yourself.”
Russell sighed, “I deserve that. Things look different from outside the Royalty. It appears I’m a pariah and it doesn’t feel good to be viewed as one with no courage.”
Pixie stared at Russell and he said, “I am sorry. I don’t expect your forgiveness but I just wanted you to know. Good luck.” Russell ended the call.
A week later he was still sitting in the Assignment Office when he heard, “I understand you’re looking for a unit.” Russell looked up and saw Mitch in a Major’s uniform. He jumped up and saluted. Mitch returned his salute and said, “Pixie tells me you’ve run on some hard times.”
Russell nodded his head, “I have. You’ve obviously done well.”
“I really didn’t push for this but it just happened.”
“I saw in training that you were a good tactician. I suspect someone else saw it as well.”
“Russell, I feel somewhat responsible for what’s happened to you. I could have told you where the second platoon’s forces were hiding and chose not to do it.”
“You knew where they were?”
“I did.”
Russell stared at Mitch and finally said, “Was I that bad?”
“Yes.”
“I should have listened to you. Why are you here?”
“I’m having you placed in one of my companies.”
Russell stared at Mitch for a long moment. “Why would you do that?”
“Like I said, I feel somewhat responsible. I will not put you in a command position but I will give you a home. Are you able to be under my authority?”
Russell took a deep breath and said, “Unlike me, I know you won’t send me on a suicide mission. That’s enough for me. I’ll be a good warrior.”
Mitch reached in his jacket pocket and pulled out some forms, “Take these to the Colonel and he’ll process you. Do you need a few days off?’
“No, I have nowhere to go.”
Mitch stared at Russell and knew what he was feeling. “I’ll see you at our base.”
Russell stood and saluted, “Thank you for your consideration, Major.”
Mitch nodded and returned the salute. Russell watched him go and knew that Pixie had chosen and it wasn’t going to be him. She had to be the one that told him and that meant they were communicating. So many opportunities missed. He went to Col. Tyre’s office and knocked. He went in and handed the papers to the Colonel. Tyre looked at them and said, “That’s a new unit. The Commander has really impressed the Admiral. I’m surprised he accepted you.”
Russell said, “So am I.”
• • •
Russell arrived at the Fourth Battalion’s training facilities and reported to the headquarters building. He was directed to Sgt. Major Cantrell, who was busy chewing out a Staff Sargent. He saw Russell waiting outside his office and yelled, “What do you want!”
“Sir, I was directed to report to you, Sir.”
“You must be Slade.”
“I am, Sir.”
“Report to Delta Company after you go to the quartermaster and have your armor reactivated.”
“Sir, Yes Sir.”
Russell saw Cantrell continue his barrage with the Staff Sargent. He went to the quartermaster and his armor was activated and he armed it in the base armory. He set all his systems on safe and then went to the barracks with a big D on the front. He found a Staff Sargent waiting on him. Russell came in, saw the Sargent, and dropped his bag and came to attention. “Sir, Private Slade Reporting, Sir.”
Sgt. Semy came forward and put his nose an inch from Russell’s and said, “You have been assigned to my squad. I understand that you have no problem watching Warriors die. In my squad, we take care of each other and if you don’t hold up your end I’ll make life miserable for you. You got that!?”
“Sir, Yes Sir.”
“Put your bag on this bunk and get your butt out to the platoon.”
Russell dropped his bag on the bunk and looked at the coordinates on his wrist unit. “Sir, should I teleport or run to the platoon’s location?”
Semy Smiled, “You will run. It’s only two miles.” Russell turned and ran out the door and found Sgt. Semy waiting for him. Russell sighed. He knew he was in for a hard time but at least he had a place to live. He ran up to Sgt. Semy and said, “Private Slade reporting as ordered, Sir.”
Semy gave Russell a hard glare and said, “Private Tarver, get over here.” A Warrior ran over and came to attention. “Private Tarver, this is your number two. You are the odd man out and you will be forced to take this poor excuse of a Life Warrior as your partner. See if you can show him the protocols in our maneuvers. You might have to show him several times due to his obvious stupidity.”
“Sir, Yes Sir.”
Semy had never taken his eyes off Russell and after a long moment he walked away.
“I don’t know whose canteen you chose to pee in but it must have been someone with a high rank.”
Russell looked at his partner and said, “I deliberately sent fifteen warriors to die in our last training exercise. They assume I’d do it for real if given the opportunity.”
The Private stared at Russell and shook his head, “I can see where that might cause an issue. Would you?”
“Would I what?”
“Have done it for real?”
Russell blew out a breath, “I think I would have.”
“Well, life is an experiment and sometimes you have to mix the brew another way. I’m Joe Tarver.”
“Hi, Joe, I’m Russell Slade.”
“Let’s you and I get something straight before we get started. I will do all I can to protect you if things get dicey. I expect you to do the same.”
Russell looked at Joe and said, “I will do the same.” Joe stared at Russell who said, “You’re the only one that’s shown me any hint of kindness. I won’t allow you to be harmed if there’s anything I can do to stop it.”
Joe stuck out his hand and said, “That’s all a Warrior could ask, Russ.”
Russell flinched at the use of his father’s name but took Joe’s hand and shook it. Joe had a firm hand shake. “Let’s go over our maneuver patterns.”
“I’m not sure what the Sarge meant by partners?”
“Major Callaway has instituted a pattern of maneuver where two man teams work together within the framework of our defense computer. It increased the chances for a Warrior to survive in combat. Let me download the patterns into your system and them we can practice them until we can do them without thinking.” Russell nodded, activated his armor and saw the information appear on his tactical display. Joe said, “Put your system on training mode and lock it down. Are you ready?” Russell nodded and was teleported with Joe. Russell learned that their armor was locked in tandem when one teleported, the other would follow the lead teleport in a supporting role.
• • •
Over the next six hours Russell was following Joe around the practice grounds at an incredible rate. He was worn out and saw most of the other Warriors had left for dinner. Joe hadn’t called a halt to the practice so he continued to follow the patterns. Fifteen minutes before the cafeteria closed Joe said, “Let’s go get something to eat and we’ll continue after we finish our meal.”
Russell said, “Joe, I’ve not done anything in the last six months and I’m out of shape.”
“Then this should help you get back in shape. Our survival depends on our ability to use these patterns. I have a wife and daughter that are depending on me to make it back.”
Russell took a deep breath and said, “Lead the way. I’ll do the best I can.”
Joe finally called an end to
the practice at eleven PM and Russell showered and collapsed in his bed. The next day was even harder but Russell was beginning to get a feel for how the patterns fit. After five days he and Joe could do them without thinking. Russell knew where he or Joe would be whenever they teleported or moved forward in their armor. He also knew the field of fire he was expected to control and knew Joe would cover the other field. The second week, the two man teams came together and began practicing with their platoon.
Lt. Belemy watched his unit move across the training landscape and said, “Sgt. Dwire , that new recruit and his partner work well together.”
“Yes Sir. Private Tarver has really worked the newbie to get him up to speed.”
“Keep an eye on Slade. I’m concerned about his conviction to the Corps.”
“I will and Sgt. Semy will as well.”
Belemy nodded and wondered why the Major had accepted Slade into the ranks. He decided that Slade was not going to endanger his platoon. He would not give him any task that would endanger anyone other than himself.
Russell was finally accepted by the other members of the platoon and began getting to know those he was going to fight with. He determined early on that Joe was going to move up in rank and he dreaded it. He knew that he and Joe really worked well together and he didn’t want to lose him. It was clear the stocky private was well liked by his fellow warriors.
They were sitting in the cafeteria and Russell said, “Joe, it’s just a matter of time until you’re promoted. I really dread that happening.”
“I understand why, Russ. If the reverse were true I would also dread it.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Oh; why not?”
“My file states that I will never be placed in any command position during my service. I’ll remain a Private.”
“Russ, that’s not fair.”
“Yes it is. My behavior has shown a total disregard for others and I can’t be trusted to command.”
“Do you understand why?”
Russell sighed, “I do. I had a Royal Title and I had a sense of superiority over everyone else. I guess I saw everyone that wasn’t a Royal as just common people.”
“What do you mean had a Royal Title?”
“My father stripped me of my title and kicked me out of his home.”