The Raygin War

by Larry S. Gerovac

  Mac stepped into the circle. Tinker delivered a perfect deathblow. “Match Tinker, two points.”

  Dwain slammed the floor with his palm. The other troopers flocked around Tinker and Dreng to congratulate them.

  Mac had everyone except Tinker and Dreng take their seats. He looked at the two combatants and said, “Now finish.”

  Tinker and Dreng stepped onto the circle facing each other. They walked to the mat’s center, shook hands, and bowed to Mac. It became instant chaos. The troopers hooted, hollered, and clapped their hands. Mac was glad to see they even congratulated Dwain.

  It took two minutes for the cheering and congratulations to run their course

  “I want Tinker, Dreng, and Dwain to step forward into the circle,” said Mac. “The rest of you take a seat.” When everyone settled down Mac said, “It’s been three months of traveling which means you have also had three months of training. Soon we will be landing on Rayne. I want to thank everyone for the hard work they have put in.” Mac pointed his arm towards the three troopers in the circle, “These three deserve special recognition because they are at the top of the class standings.”

  The door to the classroom opened, and in walked the long lost, Junior Grade, First Lieutenant Phlop.

  Mac looked at the lieutenant and said, “Perfect timing Mr. Phlop, I was about to promote these three troopers to platoon leads.”

  “Sergeant McCormack, you should know better. I am the senior ranking officer. It’s my call to make promotions and at this point I am not sure I agree with you.”

  Mac’s right eye twitched. He was at his tipping point.

  “It’s too cold in here, turn up the heat in this classroom. Tomorrow, I want everyone back in standard uniform. Not dressed in those silly leather outfits. I should have gotten involved in your training earlier. I’ll be taking over from here on out.” The Lieutenant pointed at Tinker, Dreng, and Dwain. “You three take a seat. I can see I have set all of you straight right now. Sergeant McCormack, please leave the room and wait in my office.”

  It took all of Mac’s strength resist grabbing the young lieutenant by the neck and shaking some sense into him. “Mr. Phlop, we need to talk first. Mac gave a hand signal.”

  The students, all stood up, and left the classroom.

  “What’s going on? Who told them to leave? What are they doing? I’ll have them court martialed for insubordination. This is a treason,” said the lieutenant.

  Dwain was the last one out and left the door ajar behind him as he said, “Fucking Mac is in hot water now. I want to hear how this goes down.”

  “You don’t know Mac. I’ll bet you a hundred credits, the lieutenant backs off,” said Tinker.

  “You’re on. I may not know a lot, but I do know is a first lieutenant always outranks a sergeant. Now shut up for a few minutes and listen.”

  “Sergeant McCormack, I am well aware of your background as a war hero. But, you still violated military protocol. I will be putting a letter in your file along with your cohorts.”

  “Mr. Phlop, how many commands have you had?”

  “This is my first.”

  “I suggest you listen to what I have to say. First, a rank of commander or above is required to authorize promotions in the field. We were in the field as soon as the Argosy left the orbit of Trinity Prime. If a commander or above is not available, the senior non-commissioned officer may award promotions. By the way, that’s me. Submission of UFC Field Promotion Form 1500 must follow.”

  “Second, the body operates best at a temperature of 21 degrees Celsius. The hypothalamus regulates ideal body temperature to control infection. Deviation from ideal temperature causes the body to reallocate resources. This hinders the learning process. Third, United Fleet Command has authorized the use of our high tech uniforms. I want the troops to be familiar with them.”

  “The students left the classroom because I gave them a non-verbal battle command. If you put a letter in anyone’s file other than mine, without telling me first, this will be your last command. If you ever interrupt my training again, I’ll have you busted to an ensign. You cared so much about the troops you spent all your time sticking your nose up the governor’s ass. You’re a green leader and if you ask me, dangerous. You could have come on the holographic training sessions with us. You would have learned something, but you chose not to.”

  “You can’t talk to me like this, and those holograph sessions are make believe.”

  “Lieutenant, I already gave you more respect than you deserve. If you didn’t like what I said, take it up with Fleet Command or change.”

  “Oh, I will sergeant. I’ll take this up with Fleet Command. I’ve got news. It’s you who is going to lose your command. At the first opportunity, war hero or not,” said the lieutenant. He spun around and stomped away.

  As soon as the lieutenant was out of hearing range Dwain said, “War hero, what fucking war hero? All I see is a baby sitter.”

  “You know Dwain, you’re dumber than you look. Mac has served in multiple wars. He’s received about every commendation the Fleet has to award.”

  “If he’s so good, why’s he still a ground pounder?”

  “The word is he turned down an offer for meritorious advancement to Commander. They say he told the Vice Admiral, once a ground pounder always a ground pounder.”

  “Sounds like a fairy tale to me.”

  “Watch your mouth Dwain. I served with Mac. I’ve seen him in firefights, and if you want to live, I’d stay by his side and listen to him.”

  “Humph,” said Dwain.

  “Mac’s signaling for us to come back in,” said a trooper. “Let’s go.”

  Everyone sat back down, not saying a word. Mac didn’t realize the troops had heard every word exchanged between him and the lieutenant.

  “I apologize for the interruption. As I was saying, Tinker will be lead for First platoon. Dreng will be lead for Second platoon, and Dwain will be lead for Third platoon. All three of you please step back into the circle.”

  Mac took something out of his pocket, walked up to Tinker, and placed a pin on each side of his collar. “Congratulations Staff Sergeant Tinker.” Tinker grinned ear to ear. The troopers hooted and hollered their approval. Mac pinned both Dreng and Dwain with corporal arrows. They got the same cheers from the troops. He swore Dreng winked at him as he pinned her. Was she messing with him?

  Tinker looked at Dwain and said, “You owe me a hundred credits.”

  “I’ll pay you when I see the credits in my account from this promotion.”

  Everyone laughed because the military was known to be slow in paying for field promotions.

  “That’s enough for today. Once again, congratulations to our sergeant and new corporals. Now get out of here before I come up with something else we should be doing.”

  Everyone leapt out of their seats and took off. One trooper and Mac troopers were still in the classroom.

  “Mac, can we do this talk in your quarters. I would like to keep what we discuss between you and me.”

  “Yeah, we can go to my quarters. I have to tell you, if something you have to say affects the other troopers, I may have to tell them.”

  “Fair enough. I’ll let you be the judge. How about in thirty minutes?”

  Did she bat her eyes at me? Come on Mac. Get your head out of your ass. “Yeah, thirty minutes from now is fine.”

  Dreng turned around and sashayed toward the exit. Mac’s eyes couldn’t resist watching her hind end sway in rhythm from side to side. Damn, she’s hot.

  Dreng spun around and caught him watching her behind.

  Mac could feel his face redden.

  Dreng smiled, turned around again, and continued walking toward the door. She said, “See you in thirty, Mac,” over her shoulder.

  I am an idiot. She caught me watching her butt. Now I am to be thinking about her catching me when we talk. I feel like a school-aged kid. What the hell is going on with me? Is she playing me? Does she like me, is i
t my imagination, or is it nothing at all? I’m don’t know what to think with this one.

  As he walked to his quarters, confusion about Dreng continued to occupy his thoughts. He was glad the old rules of not dating subordinates ended over a thousand years ago. Sometimes, on remote duty, military personnel were the only ones around.

  I could ask her for a date, but what if I read her wrong? I have always felt good about reading people, why is Dreng so difficult? Awe shit, all these signals I think I am seeing is nothing more than a wishful imagination. I need to focus on taking care of my troops. She could have become anything she wanted. Why would she choose to become a ground pounder, why not take a commission? Look at yourself, Mac. You can’t keep her out of your mind for even a minute. Is a meeting in my quarters a bad idea? Hell, I can’t even remember if it was my idea or hers!

  Mac entered his quarters. He gave himself a chemical shave and took a bio-shower to kill any odor causing bacteria. He thought about what he was doing, getting all gussied up for a visit by a pretty girl. Instead of nice clothes, he put on an old set of sweats pants and a retro UFC tee shirt.

  Mac hoped the lieutenant would get over being mad and think about what he had done. This wasn’t school anymore. Lives could depend his actions. Life could be difficult for a young junior grade lieutenant. You have to realize most of your troopers have more experience than you. You must accept it, use their experience to everyone’s benefit, and set your ego aside.

  Mac had an odd feeling. He walked to the door and swung it open. Dreng jumped, she was about to push the com button.

  “How did you know I was here?” Dreng looked on the wall for a camera. “Do you have a camera hidden somewhere?”

  “No, I guess I had a hunch.”

  Dreng smiled and cocked her head a little. “On my home world they would say you and I compatible because we share a sensory connection.”

  Mac wondered if she was coming on to him or if it was his imagination again… he simple couldn’t read her worth a shit. “Where’s your home world?”

  “Are you going to invite me in or will we be talking here at the door?”

  “I’m sorry, come in. You’ll have to sit on the floor. I don’t use chairs.”

  Both Mac and Dreng squatted down and sat cross-legged facing each other.

  “My father and I did not use chairs, so I am use to the floor. He made me follow some old customs. That is what I need to talk to you about. But first, could we talk a little about you, Mac? Tell me about yourself.”

  “Not much to talk about. I’ve been in the military most of my life.”

  “So, let me get this straight, your life story is: you were born and joined the military? Wow, it’s an amazing story and it’s so interesting. It’s a story they could write volumes of books about.”

  Mac frowned. “Look, I haven’t done much with my life and we’re here to talk about you.”

  “Will you answer me one question first?”

  “All right, one question.”

  “Do you have a preference for men?” asked Dreng.

  “What?” came out of his mouth. Mac couldn’t believe what he heard. Plus, his ego felt a little wounded. She must have saw me looking at her at least once every minute of the day. How could she not know I am interested in her? I thought I was too obvious. “Why would you ask such a question?”

  “Do you think I’m attractive?”

  Oh, God, this discussion is going nothing like I envisioned. He could feel his face blushing from the blood running to his cheeks. “Well, I can tell you, you look better than the guys in the class.” Mac smiled, thinking he gave her the perfect comeback. In his mind it let her know he thought women looked better than men and she herself was attractive.

  “See, that’s what I mean,” she said as if talking to herself and not Mac. “I give you the perfect opportunity to say yes, and instead, you tell me I look better than a guy. Your words are not encouraging to a woman.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Mac.

  “How I proceed from here depends on how you respond to a couple simple questions. Do you find me attractive and do you like me? Mac, you are so clear and precise about everything you talk about, can’t you do that for me now?”

  All right, I won’t give her any more clever answers. “Yes.”

  “Stop doing this to me,” she begged. “I need you to be clear. Are you saying yes, you find me attractive, yes you like me, or yes you can be precise in your responses?”

  Mac swallowed hard, this is more difficult than it should be. He had never felt this way about a woman before. He looked Dreng straight in the eyes. “From the moment I first saw you, I felt a tug on my heart, the likes of which I have never felt before. You are the most beautiful women I have ever met. You have a pretty face, gorgeous eyes, a perfect body, and I even love your tattoo. The more I have gotten to know you, the more I like everything about you.” Mac looked down at the ground and in a nervous reaction shuffled his feet. He had never laid himself so far out in the open for anyone. He had a feeling he seldom experienced. He was… scared. What is she going to think?

  Dreng smiled at Mac’s shyness, leaned over, and gave him a long hug. She pulled back from him, looked him in the eyes and said, “Thank God. I have done everything but beat you over the head in trying to get you to notice me. You ignored all my advances. I thought you might prefer men over women.”

  The pressure broke. Mac started laughing. Dreng couldn’t help but to laugh along with him. He explained the insecurities he felt. He told her each time she flirted with him, he told himself he was reading too much into it. It drove him crazy.

  “Mac, you think too much. Sometimes you have to stop and listen to your heart.”

  Mac reached across and grabbed Dreng. They rolled on the floor. He took hold of her sweat top and lifted it over her head. Wow. She had on a beautiful white, silk like camisole. Looks like someone came ready to seduce me, he thought. I must be the luckiest guy in the universe.

  “Whoa, there. What are you doing?” said Dreng.

  Mac grinned. “I’m listening to my heart.”

  “I don’t think it’s your heart talking.”

  They both laughed like children. He moved to grab her, but she pulled back. She walked to her backpack, swaying her hips as she walked. His eyes were spellbound by her perfect body. He was a dog in heat. She took out two old fashioned pine-scented candles. She placed them together, and lit them both as she spoke some words in an odd language.

  She turned giving him a mischievous smile. He couldn’t wait any longer. He sprang up, embraced her, and gave her an affectionate kiss. She allowed him to remove her camisole. His eyes went to the scar between her breasts. With great care he took his finger and ran it over the old injury. He whistled.

  “Now, there’s a story I’d like to hear.”

  “Dreng lifted his hand off her scar, and placed it on her breast. First, finish what your heart started and I’ll feed your brain’s curiosity afterward.” Dreng reached over and covered both of them with a soft, light blue, blanket.

  Later, after their joining, as Dreng called it, she began to explain where she came from.

  “Mac, do you know the great exodus story about the lost Indian Nation?”

  “Of course, it’s still taught as part of Ancient Earth History classes.”

  “Let me tell you what you don’t know about the story. During the trip to Deca, what was to be the Indian Nation’s new home, something went wrong with the cryo ship. The computer didn’t wake-up my ancestors, it let everyone sleep and they sailed right by Deca. The solar sails powered the ship for one thousand fifty-seven earth years.”

  “You’re shittin me! Right? You mean your ancestors are the lost tribes of old earth? I’ve got a thousand questions. First, what prompted the ship to wake everyone, after such a long time?” asked Mac.

  Dreng touched his arm. “Patience my love. There is much more to reveal. Let me tell the story before you ask your questions.”
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  He could feel his face flush. No one had ever called him ‘my love’.

  “Our ancient records indicated the ship was falling apart. The electronics’ aged beyond repair and too many metal components wore out. Add the failing life support, micro meteor damage, and the result is a ship beyond repair. To answer your question, the ship initiated emergency protocol on its own. The computer found the nearest habitable planet, entered orbit, and woke up the crew. Once the crew figured out what happened, they woke everyone.”

  “The ship’s drive stopped working. They were in a geosynchronous orbit around an unknown planet. The planet was large with an equatorial radius of 85,000 kilometers. The crew measured its gravity at two and a half times Earth norm. With the ship’s life support failing, they had no option but to make the new planet their home.”

  Mac had studied up on colonization before this assignment. “They can’t have survived that kind of gravity,” he said.

  “The bio scientists warned life would be possible, but difficult. It was. The scientists laid all hope on the body’s ability to adapt. They believed we would adjust within several generations. Records say fluid imbalances and stress on weaker hearts caused lots of deaths. We lost many elders in the first year. By the third generation of births, nature started to change my ancestors.”

  “Change? You look the same to me. Except a lot more attractive than normal.”

  Dreng tilted her head and smiled. “Our cells developed micro sacs to increase oxygen storage. Muscles became denser. Connective tissue became flexible and stronger. Greater oxygen levels in the blood caused an increase in cerebral convolutions. The size of our heads didn’t change, but there was an increase in cognitive abilities.” She continued to talk for some time before she gave Mac a chance to ask questions.

  His first question was about her. “Can you show me how strong you are?”