The Raygin War

  “You’re wrong Tews. Oh sure, you have bad posture, making you appear shorter. But when you straighten I am the shorter person.”

  “I see the problem, it’s my hair. Mine is curly and yours is straight and sits flat, making you seem shorter when you are not,” said Tews.

  The captain smiled at the banter. “This is the first time I ever saw two people argue about who is shorter. Most of us can’t fit into the vents. That means both of you are valued commodities to the rest of us, and we appreciate the risk you are both taking.”

  “Did you see Tews, when the captain looked both of us in the eye, he had to look even lower at me? It proves I am shorter than you, my dear friend.”

  “Uggh. Let me settle this now before you two start arguing in the vents and get us all killed. By the power vested in me by United Fleet Command, on this day, I declare Tews and Spaz to be the exact same height,” said the captain.

  “Spaz, can he do that?”

  “I’m not sure. Let’s assume he’s right until we can check Fleet Command regulations.”

  The captain smacked his forehead with an open hand, making a loud pop. Everyone laughed.

  The next morning, Spaz, Tews, and the captain made their separate ways to the bathroom facility. Smitty was waiting for them and had already removed the vent cover. He showed the two volunteers how the alarm system linked to the magnetic cover and how to bypass it. The two new friends prepared to enter the vent.

  CHAPTER SIX: Second Platoon

  For close to three months, Mac honed the skills of his troops, preparing them for a possible battle. He needed to talk to his ground pounders about the possible danger they might be facing on Rayne. Rumors were already flying. Missing probes. There were sightings of strange ships in deep uncharted space. Space pirate attacks and proof of secret military missions. Some rumors were far fetched and others were closer to the truth.

  The singularity drive development created problems for the government and military. As soon as large organizations could get their hands on the new drive, the race would be on. Who would be the first to claim the new worlds, rich in raw materials or new food sources? The government was hell bent on getting the colonists to lay claim to the new fringe planets.

  There was one other giant problem for colonists. They would be too far out for proper government protection. Like the last great expansion of humankind, there would be opportunists. Slavers would steal people. Pirates would steal goods and claim jumpers would steal land. Unscrupulous corporations would take whatever they could. In past times the military had to place outposts on each new planet.

  Mac decided he needed to have a talk with his troops, but first he needed to choose his platoon leaders. Previous rank didn’t matter to him. He needed people that could lead and at the same time not put lives at risk. Hand-to-hand combat competition would start today day. The top three soldiers for the three-month period would become platoon leaders. Along with the new position they would receive a field rank advancement. Tinker was a lock for leader of First platoon. Neither Dreng, nor Dwain could displace Corporal Tinker. The fight would be for Second platoon.

  Right now, Mac knew Dreng to be in second place, but she could lose her standing to Dwain if she didn’t have a big win in hand-to hand combat. Mac thought he knew what would happen. Dwain, with his specialized training would take first place in the hand-to-hand competition. Though in itself, winning wasn’t enough to guarantee him Second platoon. Dreng had to lose in her fight with Tinker for Dwain to become Second platoon leader. On the other hand, if Dreng defeated Tinker she would become Second platoon leader. The three top ground pounders were each getting a platoon, but status went with the lower numbers. What Dreng lacked in experience, she made up for with her natural leadership abilities.

  Mac paid close attention to Dreng. Sure, he watched her because of her hot looks, but he also felt like she was holding back in her performance. He noticed during physical training exercises she didn’t give her all. Oh she was good, always in the top, but he could see she never gave her best. Mac didn’t like anyone slacking off. In combat, to survive, he needed to know the skills of each person under his immediate command. A weak link was okay, as long as he knew he had one.

  Today, I’ll force Dreng to do her best, he thought. If she doesn’t she will drop below Dwain in the standings. For me to teach her the Tao fighting style she needs to show me her best. Hell, I want to teach it to her, but she has to earn it! A bet is a bet. It’s all in her hands. No more hiding talent.

  In the old days there were no levels of fighting skills in hand-to-hand combat. You learned every trick and move you could, because you wanted to live. I was an angry young soldier wanting revenge for my family’s death. Someone was going to pay for it, so I worked day and night on my skills. I became a proficient killer at a time when the military needed killers. They loved me for it. In a way, Dreng was like me. There seemed to be a passion driving her. I need to know if it is self-serving or something else. Can I count on her?

  Guys like Dwain are dangerous. Being a showoff, hothead, and overconfident can get you killed. But, even Dwain has potential I know I can develop. Tinker I know. I can put my life in his hands and not worry. Dreng is someone I’m not sure of yet. She’s going to have to work hard to beat Tinker in order to keep Dwain from wining Second platoon. Time to head to the classroom and see what develops.

  When the students showed up, the chairs in the classroom were gone. A large tumble mat covered the entire floor. There was a large white circle in the mat’s center. Several ranking diagrams hung on the wall and would be filled with names as troopers won or lost their bouts.

  Upon entering the classroom, Tinker looked at Mac. “You bastard.”

  “Sweet talk will get you nowhere with me.” Mac directed everyone to move against the wall and take a seat. He began to explain the competition. The students would fight for place, one through sixty. Each student would participate in several fights.

  A chorus of “Oh, fuck” sounded.

  Mac smiled and went on. “I will score based on a point system. Each match will last no more than ninety seconds.” Mac looked at Dwain and said, “How long does a fight to the death last?”

  “Could be seconds,” Dwain pointed his finger at the entire class. “None of you are going to last more than seconds against me.”

  About half the class went wide-eyed, at Dwain’s statement. He could be intimidating.

  “Does anyone here think they can beat Dwain?” asked Mac.

  No one commented, not even Tinker or Dreng. Mac looked at Dreng and for the first time he saw a worried look on her face.

  “Well Dwain, it looks like you may have an easy time during this competition. Now, let me give you the rules. A tie after ninety seconds will gain you no points. A decision in your favor after ninety seconds will get you one point. A death strike or crippling blow will earn you the match and two points. If you harm a fellow trooper on purpose, I will put you in the brig. I’m the referee, and you will always follow my instructions. Understand?”

  As Mac looked over his warriors, everyone nodded their heads. He started the tournament with the least experienced soldiers, to break the ice. The competition went as Mac expected. Dwain annihilated everyone he faced. Tinker did the same. Dreng won her battles, but again, Mac could see she was not fighting to her full potential. She missed opportunities to strike. During the entire competition she had yet to use a grapple hold.

  By the third day, there were three troopers tied for first place. All three had not lost a match. Mac decided it was time to force the issue. First Tinker would fight Dwain and lose. Next Dreng would fight Dwain and she would lose. In the end Tinker and Dreng would fight. No sloughing off would happen here. All three would have to give it their best. After three months of evaluations, at this point Tinker was first in class and couldn’t lose. As Mac had planned, the match between Tinker and Dreng would decide who got which platoon. It was always a good feeling when a plan came together
.

  “Next match, Dwain and Tinker,” said Mac.

  The students started to cheer, “Go Tinker. Get him Tinker.”

  Tinker was an excellent leader. Dwain was good too, but he knew it, and let everyone else know it too. His ego often got in the way of being a great leader.

  They stepped into the circle, shook hands, and bowed to Mac.

  Mac stepped between them, raised his right hand, and when it dropped, the fight started. Tinker ran forward with speed no one realized he had, dropped to his knees and swung his right fist at Dwain’s leg. Dwain’s eyes opened wide as he shifted his weight backwards causing Tinker to miss. Dwain began to move forward. Tinker continued to spin on his knees in a complete circle, landing a left fist against Dwain’s left knee.

  When Mac said, “Point, Tinker,” his voice reverberated off the classroom walls.

  Dwain’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Tinker. “”You lucky fuck. That was weak.”

  Mac knew it was a weak strike, but it was still a point. Smart fighting by Tinker.

  Tinker moved in again, thinking Dwain’s hands were too high to stop a blow to his groin. Tinker was right but Dwain blocked the blow with his left knee. He spun to the right on his right leg and gave Tinker a solid blow to his left arm.

  “Point, Dwain,” said Mac, as the troops voiced their displeasure with a low rumbling “boo”.

  “How’d ya like that, asshole?” said Dwain.

  Mac knew it was an excellent move. Dwain set Tinker up.

  As the two maneuvered for position Dwain jumped high in what looked like a double leg kick to the chest. Tinker took a half step back and set his arms to block Dwain’s feet. The leap took Dwain higher in the air than Tinker anticipated. Both of Dwain’s feet came downward and knocked Tinker’s arms down, causing his body to bend forward. Dwain gave Tinker an incapacitating blow to his exposed head.

  Mac stepped between the two fighters, “Match, and two points to Dwain.”

  Dwain started jumping high into the air while pointing his finger at Tinker. “I got you. You weak little son of a bitch.”

  Mac gave Dwain his moment, he stepped into the ring’s center and both fighters shook hands.

  “Take a break everyone, be back in thirty. Dwain, do you think you can handle another fight?”

  Dwain looked Dreng in the eyes, threw a few punches at an invisible foe, and said, “Fuck yeah, I’ll be ready. I owe that little bitch.”

  Mac had seen trash talkers fight before. They always tried to intimidate their opponent. He hoped Dreng could see through the boisterous comments. “Everyone take a thirty minute break, and when you come back it will be Dwain and Dreng in the circle.”

  The class cheered and clustered around Dreng. Dwain walked out all alone. No one stood with him. After these last couple of days, his fellow troopers hated him even more. Dwain didn’t even try to make friends. At the breaks end, Dwain entered the classroom the same way he left it, alone.

  Dreng walked into the classroom with her head held high. She saw Dwain already standing at the mat’s center stretching and loosening up. Mac hoped she understood he was attempting to intimidate her by not giving her room on the mat. As Mac looked Dreng over for signs of nervousness or stress he detected the flush spots on her skin. I’ll be damned. The little minx had already loosened up.

  Dreng walked up to Mac and in a soft whisper said, “Why? Why make me do this?”

  Mac cocked his head as he looked at her. The bluntness surprised him, but it was a quality he loved in her. He whispered back. “You forced me to do this Dreng. I told everyone I needed their best effort, so in a pinch, I know what I can count on. I’ll be honest, I like you, a lot.”

  Dreng’s eyes turned downward and her face flushed even redder.

  Mac saw the reaction and realized what he said. “No, no, not that way. I don’t know you like that. I mean, as a leader you have good qualities, but to be honest, I don’t trust you. You are playing some kind of game, and lives may be at risk.”

  Dreng couldn’t look Mac in the eyes. She continued to look down at the mat. “I am not playing a game with you or the troopers, Mac. I’m sorry you feel I’m not trustworthy but my actions are out of necessity. Can we talk after class today.”

  “Sure, but no games. I want total honesty.” Dreng stood so close to him, he could smell the orange she ate for lunch mixed with the sweat from her workout. She’s intoxicating. Look at her, she’s too young for you, you old fart. I don’t know why I’m even worried. After Dwain beats her, and she has to fight Tinker, any chances I had will be gone. For the troops’ sake, I have to see her at her best when she fights Tinker. I hope her psyche can handle it.

  “Okay, total honesty.” Dreng flipped her hair in a sensual way and said, “Afterwards we can get to know each other.” She smiled and turned around before a stunned Mac could respond.

  What the hell was that? Mac watched her take up a position next to Dwain and began to stretch a little.

  Dwain smiled at her and said, “I’m going to get you for swinging me into the tree.”

  “You should have kept your hands to yourself. You must be stupid and need another lesson,” said Dreng.

  Dwain’s head came close to exploding. His face turned red with anger. “In a few minutes, my hands are going to be all over you and I’m going to hurt you, bad. It will be worth time in the brig. It won’t be my first trip there. No one can help you, not even Mac.” Dwain sneered at her. He turned to Mac and in a loud voice said, “Come on Mac, let’s get on with this, I’m getting tired of stretching.”

  “Dreng, are you ready?”

  Dreng glanced at Dwain, smiled, and said, “Give me another minute.”

  Mac could see the situation had flipped. It was Dreng who was messing with Dwain now. His red face proved her delaying tactics had gotten to him. “Okay. One more minute.”

  Dwain rolled his eyes as everyone watched the two of them. Dreng bent over and placed both hands on the mat. Mac noted she was every bit as flexible as Dwain, and by far, better looking. Did she just bend over with her hind end facing me on purpose? He jiggled his head no, not believing the thoughts he was having. Oh, come on Mac, snap out of it. Focus. This is too important to be daydreaming about a girl who could be my daughter.

  “Time,” said Mac.

  Both fighters entered the ring and stepped toward each other. They shook hands and stepped back to the circle’s edge. Mac stepped between the contestants. He raised his open hand and slammed it down like a hatchet as he moved back. Before a second ticked off the clock Dwain moved in on his opponent.

  He stepped forward, moving his right foot followed by his left foot. It left him in a well-guarded stance. As his left foot planted he swung his right arm in a powerful roundhouse punch toward Dreng’s head. Dreng saw the punch developing. With lightning quick reflexes, she turned her right shoulder to the left and down. At the same time she balanced on her left foot. Her right foot came into the air and hit Dwain’s exposed head. Not enough for a deathblow, but everyone saw the surprise on his face.

  “Point, Dreng,” The troops went nuts cheering.

  Pissed off, Dwain looked at the troops, pointed his finger at them and said, “Shut up, or you’re next.”

  Dreng took the opportunity to launch herself at Dwain. When Dwain turned back to face Dreng, she had already launched herself with her legs bent, her feet hit his chest. In the same instant she grabbed him by the shoulders, pulling with her arms. To everyone but Mac, it looked like she used leverage, but the move was all brute strength. She pulled Dwain over her as she kicked her legs out, sending him sprawling through the air. Who is this girl, Mac wondered?

  “Point, Dreng,” said Mac, bringing an even louder cheer than the first one.

  This time Dwain didn’t take his eyes off her. He decided to rush her and use his greater strength in a grapple move. He made a bull rush trying to grab her by her narrow waist. In a surprise move she fell backwards, grabbed his arm and pulled him onto hi
s back. Before he cleared her body, she grabbed his ankle, and spun so she was positioned between both his legs and perpendicular to his knee. She wrapped his right leg just below his knee with her right arm.

  Mac knew this was a mistake. Dwain’s legs were even stronger than his arms. In a matter of seconds Dwain would maneuver himself on top of Dreng. He had to admit, she put up a good fight. She grabbed Dwain’s right foot with her left hand and put reverse pressure on Dwain’s right knee. For the second time, Mac couldn’t believe the fighting ability of this girl.

  “Point, Dreng,” said Mac.

  This time there was more murmuring than cheering. Dwain got up rubbing his leg to restore circulation. Had this been a real fight, the injury would have gotten Dwain killed. The timer sounded, ninety seconds had flown by in a flash.

  He stepped between the combatants. “Dreng wins by decision, one point for the match.” I didn’t see this coming. Our talk is going to be even more interesting.

  The two combatants shook hands in the middle of the circle. About fifteen troopers ran up to Dreng to congratulate her. Dwain stood all alone watching. His head hung low, his shoulders slumped, but his eyes focused with hate on Dreng.

  Mac continued with the fights. He saved Tinker and Dreng for last, but the fight didn’t matter in ranking. Tinker already had earned First platoon. In a surprise, Dreng had secured Second platoon by defeating Dwain. No one knew the standing so there was still tension in the air before the fight.

  “Tinker and Dreng, take up positions. This will be the last fight.”

  Everyone cheered.

  Mac could see confusion in Dreng’s face. What is going on here? After defeating Dwain with such flair, she should be able to defeat Tinker too. Mac dropped his hand for the last time.

  Tinker was first to attack. Everyone saw the surprise on Dreng’s face. Tinker fought safe in the past, always looking for a weakness in the challenger, but not this time. He gave Dreng three quick punches to the face, which she deflected with little effort. It was a ruse designed to block Dreng’s vision. Tinker delivered a knee to her stomach. When she bent down from the impact, he used an overhand chop to her neck landing the blow with the force of a feather.