War Orphans (The Terra Nova Chronicles)

by Robert Dean Hall

  Russo finished the pelvic exam, lowered the stirrups and covered Esther up to the neck with another sheet. “Please pull your skirt down so I can move the wand over your belly.”

  Russo examined the surrogate for more signs of abuse before pulling a scanning device over to the table. She found more scarring on the surrogate’s body as she pulled the scanning wand out of its holster and began to wave it slowly over Esther’s swollen belly.

  Russo showed Summer Rain and Esther the detailed holograms the scanner projected on the video port. “Would you like me to tell you the sex of the baby?”

  “I can see it’s male,” Esther said.

  “Hawk Watcher will be thrilled to know we’ll finally have a son,” Summer Rain said as she grasped Esther by the hand and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I can’t wait to tell Bright Skies and White Willow they will be getting the brother they’ve been asking for.”

  Russo asked Esther to sit up straight on the table place her hands on top of her head. She gave the surrogate a breast exam and then surreptitiously checked her for more signs of abuse. She found more scars on Esther’s shoulders, back and even on her breasts. She fought the urge to say anything out loud, especially since Morning Grass was passing them off as nothing to be upset about.

  Once the exam was over and the pair left, Russo closed the hatch and turned to talk to Morning Grass who was straightening up the exam table for the next patient.

  “Every time I’ve examined a surrogate,” Russo said, “I’ve found these scars. I know there’s resentment among the females toward the surrogates, but what I’m seeing is excessive and it disturbs me greatly. I must report this up the chain.”

  “Please, Dawn Marie,” Morning Grass protested. “I have to say something before you get any more upset and do something harmful out of ignorance. You must listen to me.”

  “What could you possibly say that would change my mind?”

  “I know those scars make it appear as if there’s socialized violence being perpetrated against the surrogates. The information you’re being given from some of the more radical members of the feline war council has done nothing to help matters, but you are misinterpreting some things.”

  Russo huffed and frowned. “How so?”

  “Think back to how gently Summer Rain treated Esther. Did you also see how happy Esther was to be carrying the child for her?”

  “Who’s to say it wasn’t an act? Who knows how Esther is treated behind closed doors?”

  “Dawn Marie, you’ve regularly asked me to trust you since we’ve known each other. Now, I must ask you to trust me.”

  Morning Grass pulled her uniform tunic up over her head and turned around to show her back to Russo. She pointed to the light scars that were there. They had almost been erased completely during the regeneration of her limbs, but were still evident. “Please take a close look. I know you’ve seen these before. I’m also sure you’ve noticed the surrogates have claws, as well.”

  Russo was still upset as Morning Grass put her tunic back on. She wasn’t sure she wanted a lecture on feline sexuality just then; especially since she didn’t think it would change her opinion.

  “When we feline females are in heat,” Morning Grass said, “every surrogate and male in the vicinity is completely aware. Felines excrete a very large amount of pheromones compared to humans. Our passion for each other gets out of control on occasion. I don’t deny there is animosity toward the surrogates among a great many of the females, and abuse of the surrogates does sometimes happen, but it isn’t as widespread as many of you humans believe”

  “None of the marks you’ve seen on me were caused in anger,” Morning Grass assured Russo, “and, I’ve never had it in my heart to do intentional harm to any surrogate, even though I have to admit I haven’t always treated the gender with the greatest of respect. Teacher and I have both caused scars on surrogates and each other, but neither of us had a single malicious intention. There was only our physical desire to blame.”

  Russo stared at Morning Grass as if she were unsure what to think.

  The feline looked back at her.

  “I would never lie to you,” Morning Grass said. “Both male and female felines alike will protect the surrogates with their lives, if need be, when they are bearing offspring.”

  Chapter 34

  Teacher was reading a weapons training manual when his three bunkmates entered. Wolf Tamer tossed a brown paper bag covered in grease stains on the bunk beside him.

  “You didn’t show up at the mess hall for lunch so we brought you a couple of cheeseburgers and some fries.”

  “Today is fried chicken liver day,” Bear Killer added. “It’s one of the mess sergeant’s specialties.”

  “Then why not bring those,” Teacher asked.

  “Because we like you,” Eagle Chaser said.

  Teacher sat up on the edge of his bunk and opened the sack. “Thank you,” he said as he pulled out one of the burgers and unwrapped it. He grabbed a few fries and stuffed them into his mouth.

  “So,” Wolf Tamer asked. “Morning Grass has joined the CEF? That comes as quite a surprise.”

  “More to me than anyone,” Teacher said between bites. “She only told me last night. She hid it from me that she was attending orientation.”

  “I’m sure you were elated,” Eagle Chaser said. “WT tells me she hasn’t been all that fond of humans.”

  “She’s definitely been bigoted toward them, but I believe it’s because of mistrust.”

  “We all mistrusted the humans a little until we learned the creators were not representative of the whole. What reason do we have to mistrust them since that time?”

  “None I can think of, but I have only recently learned Morning Grass may have a very good reason. The doctors who regenerated her limbs suspect she was traumatized by the creators. She may even have been tortured.”

  “Tortured,” Eagle Chaser asked. “You must be joking. Even the creators weren’t that evil.”

  “Yes,” Teacher said. “After the Zunnuki war was over the creators were going to make sure they exterminated us in the most humane of ways. I’m certain we wouldn’t have felt a thing.”

  “I won’t argue with you, Teacher,” Eagle Chaser said. “I must point out, however, some of the humans within the ranks of the creators helped us gain our freedom. Perhaps there were humans cruel enough to participate in torture, but I never met any.”

  “Nor did I,” Teacher answered, “but, there were some I never met. There is a reason the rest of the colonists jailed them, however. There’s also a reason the Earth humans mean to punish them, even after all this time.”

  “I for one don’t wish to concern myself with it anymore,” Wolf Tamer interjected. “I have an opportunity to make a better life for myself and I plan to use it wisely. I believe the Earth humans are sincere in their willingness to help me realize my goals.”

  “They’ve most certainly gone beyond what could be expected in their treatment of Morning Grass,” Teacher replied. “She has even found a good friend and willing mentor among them.”

  All four turned quickly at the sound of knocking on the frame of the open front door. It was Leland.

  “Is everyone decent?” Leland didn’t wait for an answer before poking her head in. “I’m sorry to interrupt you during down time men, but Colonel Hayes asked me to look in on Lieutenant Teacher and make sure he’s settled in.”

  “I’m doing quite well, Captain,” Teacher said. “Please tell the colonel I appreciate his concern.”

  “Were you able to tour the recreational facilities and the mess hall,” Leland asked. “I don’t mind showing you around.”

  “Actually, Captain Leland,” Eagle Chaser said, “we made plans to show Lieutenant Teacher around some more after we took him to see the parade grounds, but he was a bit tired from his shuttle trip and decided to come back to the hut. We were going to finish the tour tomorrow, but we won’t be offended if he feels rested enough to go with you.
”

  “Lieutenant,” Leland asked. “Are you up for a looksee or would you rather have Captain Eagle Chaser show you around tomorrow?”

  Teacher held up his half-eaten burger. “Thanks for your offer, Captain, but my shuttle was pushed to the back of the pattern and it seemed to take forever to get here. After I finish lunch, I’d like to rest a bit more and do some catching up with Lieutenant Wolf Tamer. Unless the colonel insists I take the tour this moment, I prefer to wait until tomorrow.”

  “That’s quite alright, Lieutenant,” Leland said. “This is your down time to do as you please.” She smiled sweetly. “If there is anything I can do for you, my door is always open.”

  Bear Killer looked out the window as Leland made her way back toward her office. “She’s out of earshot,” he said, as soon as he was sure she couldn’t hear anything.

  “Congratulation on becoming Leland’s latest project,” Eagle Chaser said.

  “Project,” Teacher asked. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Leland is Counter-Intelligence.” Eagle Chaser motioned for Teacher to approach the desk he was sitting at. “This is her personnel record,” he said as he pointed to his tablet. “You didn’t see this.”

  “Understood.”

  “Without anyone to war with on New Australia, I got bored,” Eagle Chaser said. “I asked the humans to teach me about their computer system.”

  “Bored, indeed,” Teacher replied. “This information is restricted and sensitive. Aren’t you afraid you’ll get caught?”

  “He already has been,” Wolf Tamer said. “They promoted him.”

  “I have skills they didn’t expect to find in a feline,” Eagle Chaser said. “Apparently, they reward initiative. They also seem to enjoy playing games. They change their authentication schemes each time I break in but they don’t reprimand me.”

  “I keep telling him he should back off,” Bear Killer said. “I don’t really think they’re pleased with him. I believe they’re leaving him bread crumbs.”

  “Or, they’re trying to misdirect me from something they truly wish to keep secret,” Eagle Chaser said. “I’m learning useful information either way. I don’t really want to become a risk, but I don’t want to stop short and disappoint them.”

  “You believe they’re testing you,” Teacher asked.

  “They’ll test you, too,” Wolf Tamer said. “We’ve all been evaluated in one way or another. We aren’t exactly sure why. We tend to believe they’re assessing both our ingenuity and our allegiance.”

  “What happens if we fail,” Teacher asked.

  Bear Killer poked a thumb toward the hills where the separatists were encamped. “They’ll let the renegades have you.”

  “The feline army certainly won’t take you back,” Wolf Tamer said.

  “You should be concerned about how you present yourself to Leland,” Eagle Chaser said. “There’s a reason she’s sniffing about. It’s probably because of your ties to the separatists. She’ll do whatever it takes to find out what she and Hayes want to know. Bear can tell you what I mean.”

  “Would you quit saying that shit, EC,” Bear Killer asked. “I only did what you would have, given the opportunity. Besides, if Teacher has anything to hide, we’ll find out about it long before Leland gets wind of it.”

  “I have nothing to hide,” Teacher said.

  “Like I told you before, Teacher,” Bear Killer replied. “We’re in a situation where trust has to be earned. It isn’t unconditional. You have close ties to the separatists.”

  “I had close ties,” Teacher said. “They are no longer there. I had no sympathy for the separatists, either. My affection for Morning Grass didn’t include them. Their ilk has made my life with her difficult to say the least.”

  “But you took up arms alongside them without hesitation when the Earth humans came,” Eagle Chaser said.

  “As did Wolf Tamer,” Teacher replied. “Thousands of felines in the settlements took up arms.”

  “Was that out of ignorance, or blind faith in a war council filthy with separatists,” Bear Killer asked. “Even if there had been no colonists left on New Australia when the Earth humans arrived, we had enough sense not to attack before they could attempt contact.”

  “We were told the Earth humans attacked first,” Teacher said. “Tell them Wolf Tamer. You were there.”

  “Leave WT out of this,” Eagle Chaser said. “We know his story. We also know him. We don’t, however, know you. Your ties to Morning Grass, a self-professed militant separatist, make you a likely sympathizer. As your squad captain, I’m accountable for what goes on in this unit.”

  “We have to be sure,” Bear Killer said. “Hayes needs to be sure, too. He’s already told Leland to find out what makes you tick. That tells us he doesn’t know what to make of you, either. At least, for now.”

  “I’m not a separatist,” Teacher said. “I’ve never been a separatist.”

  “If we were sent to defend the settlements against a separatist attack on any Earth presence there, would you be willing to use deadly force,” Eagle Chaser asked.

  Teacher’s face turned red. “As a CEF marine, I’m sworn to.”

  “You certainly didn’t take up arms to prevent the forced human relocation to New Oz,” Bear Killer replied.

  “None of us did,” Teacher answered. “Most of us were outraged about it, though.”

  “But none offered to go toe to toe with the separatists to prevent it,” Eagle Chaser said. “None of you did anything while the separatists threatened to kill any colonist that dared to stay.”

  “EC and I both were on the EVAC teams,” Bear Killer said. “Not one of you attempted to help as we stood between separatists and the innocent colonists who were desperately trying to collect what they could from their homes and get out. We were outnumbered ten to one.”

  “So, you’ll excuse us if we doubt your commitment,” Eagle Chaser said. “We mean no offense; things are just a bit volatile at the moment. You say you have no ties to the separatists, but you offer no real proof.”

  “You can observe me as closely as you wish,” Teacher snapped. He looked directly at Bear Killer. “And, you are welcome to test my loyalty, or my determination, any way you see fit.”

  “Back off, Teacher,” Eagle Chaser said. “We’re all friends here.”

  Teacher stood to leave. “Then you’ll need to forgive me if I say I have my doubts about that, Captain, Sir.”

  Chapter 35

  Leland looked out her window just in time to see Teacher walking toward the athletic field. She got up from her desk and quickly made her way out the door.

  She waited until she was about ten meters behind Teacher before announcing her presence.

  “Lieutenant Teacher,” she shouted, startling the introspective feline.

  Teacher took a deep breath and closed his eyes tightly. He didn’t want to have a look of annoyance on his face when he turned to greet Leland, but he couldn’t prevent it. “Was there something I could do for you, Captain Leland?”

  “I didn’t mean to startle you, Lieutenant,” Leland said with an impish smile that annoyed Teacher even further. “I really didn’t want anything. I noticed you were out and about and thought you might be up for that tour of the facilities.”

  “I was actually seeking some solitude if you don’t mind, Captain.”

  “Are Eagle Chaser and Bear Killer giving you a hard time, Lieutenant? You should just ignore them. They’re both pricks.”

  “Pricks,” Teacher asked. “I don’t understand.”

  “You mean to tell me you were taught pure English by people from Earth and you don’t know what a ‘prick’ is?”

  Teacher thought about it for a moment. “I am going to assume a ‘prick’ is an unpleasant individual and leave it at that, Captain.”

  Leland put her hand up to her mouth and chuckled.

  Teacher’s considerable annoyance with Leland grew larger once he thought the tall, lithe human femal
e was making sport of him. “I would really like to be alone with my thoughts.”

  Leland threw Teacher an angry glare. “Now you’re being a prick. I’m putting myself out here for you. The least you could do is accept my offer to help you acclimate.” She turned to walk away.

  A familiar frustration came over Teacher. “Please wait, Captain. I apologize.”

  Leland turned back around and walked toward Teacher until she was well inside his personal space. She looked him in the eye. She had to look up to do it, but not nearly as far as the average human would. “What the hell are you apologizing for, Prick?”

  “Because I offended you, Captain.”

  “Of course you did. I’m just curious to find out if you realize why I’m offended?”

  Teacher responded to Leland’s inquiry reflexively. “Is it because I find it easy to resist you when you act like a spoiled little princess?”

  Teacher barely felt the sting from the slap that Leland gave him. He caught her by the wrist when she swung a second time. He held it tight and refused to release it until Leland made it clear she wasn’t going to take another swing at him.

  Teacher examined Leland from head to toe. She was at least two meters tall and athletically built. Her arms and legs were perfectly toned but there was not nearly the muscle mass he would have found on a feline female. He didn’t realize until after he released her, as athletic as she was, he had no difficulty restraining her. Leland had shoulder-length black hair tied up in a tight knot at the back of her head. Her eyes were dark and, at that moment, filled with anger.

  “I must apologize once more, Captain,” Teacher said. “I really don’t know where all that came from. I didn’t mean to appear fresh.”

  “Fresh?” Leland started laughing again. “You sound like somebody’s grandmother.” She turned once more to walk away.

  Teacher’s face burned as he watched Leland rapidly put distance between them. “Does this mean you don’t accept my apology, Captain?”

  Leland looked over her shoulder in Teacher’s direction as she kept walking. “What do you think, Prick?”