by C. R. Turner
It’s late, but with my heart pounding hard, I’m wide awake, taking in every word that leaves his lips. I glance over at the rest of the team, their eyes are glued on Warain.
“And when I said open coffer, I mean open coffer. The striker pursuit teams may have to coordinate with other teams during other ongoing operations, but you’ll have the full resources of the Union at your disposal, and you’ll be given the highest priority. We’ve informed other governments as to the creation of these new teams, so they’ll be expecting to see you out there. Each striker pursuit team will have four canines assigned to it. The canines known as Jade and Max have been assigned to the First Striker Pursuit.”
I smile, knowing Max and I won’t be separated and that I’ll get to see Jade again.
Warain stares me in the eye. “Your first mission is to hunt down the Butcher of Blackrock!”
My heart races even faster. I clench my left hand and feel the tenderness in my new fingers. Am I ready for this yet? I have a habit of getting in over my head.
“Stinson, you’ll continue your virology studies when you’re home on Terra Primus. Bradley tells me you’d be interested in learning to pilot the new Mechwings.”
“Pos, sir.”
“We’ll make it happen. Anything you need … let me know directly, and I’ll make it happen. Your training with SI starts first thing in the morning. You’ll also be receiving training in interstellar law and diplomacy, since the striker pursuit teams will effectively be military police travelling off-world regularly.”
Warain glances at each of us. “Questions?”
I make eye contact with Warain. “Sir, seeing as Blackrock has no legal system, what court would the Butcher stand trial in?”
Warain takes a deep stuttered breath. “He’s believed to be responsible for killing at least a dozen Union soldiers on other planets, so he’ll be brought back here to stand trial in the Union Prime Court.”
“Even though he’s not a Union soldier?” I ask.
“Under extenuating circumstances, non-soldiers can be tried in the Prime Court.” Warain looks me in the eye. “Stinson, the Union’s changing … and fast! You seem like a natural-born leader. You remind me of Bradley when he was younger. Just make sure you turn around once in a while … make sure you’re not standing all alone.”
“I understand, sir. Thank you.”
As we break up, Warain powers off, presumably not done for the day. I return Bradley’s smile, and he slaps me hard on the shoulder, leaving his hand there. “You know you’re the youngest person in Union history to hold the rank of striker?”
I shake my head, grinning. I can’t wait to take down the Butcher.
Sam’s standing in the doorway when I return, her eyebrows drawn together in curiosity. “What was that about?”
I close the door behind me and head to the kitchen. “Oh, nothing much. They just went with my idea,” I reply, nonchalant.
‘What?’ Sam looks unsure whether she should be excited or not.
“Bradley, Hawkins, Taylor and I will form the First Striker Pursuit team.”
Sam screams and wraps her arms around me. “That’s fantastic. When’s that all happening?”
“Effective immediately. We start training with SI first thing in the morning.”
Sam’s face is buzzing with excitement. “What happens to Max? What’s happening to SF Raptor?”
I explain the deal to Sam. “And you’re being assigned to the Explorer development team.”
Sam’s smile drops. “Oh.”
“What? Do you want to stay on SF Raptor?”
“Oh … no … I was asked to move over to the Explorer development team last week. I said yes, but … I couldn’t find the right time to tell you. What’s your first mission?”
My smile runs away. “We’re going after the Butcher of Blackrock.”
Sam’s face hardens.
