Jethro Goes to War (Wandering Engineer Jethro's tale)

by Hechtl, Chris

  “Like the Cartwright’s?” Zack asked. The cats nodded as one. “Cool. Yeah, I could live with that,” He nodded back and then he grimaced as a thought struck him. “Not sure if mom will be okay with us getting shot at though.”

  “It beats sucking vacuum,” Hurranna said. “You two the only ones she's got?”

  “Yeah. Dad wanted more. But well, there is the whole breeders law,” Alfred wrinkled his nose. “Cause of the limited life support, power, and space. But he got a special permit cause he found a rich claim. Wanted a whole passel of kids. A to Z.”

  “Ah,” Hurranna nodded.

  “Mom had us. When she had such a hard time during the pregnancy and then forty hour delivery...”

  “Like she ever lets us live that one down,” Zack muttered.

  “Quiet,” Alfred said. He turned back to the others. “Anyway, after we were born she told dad that he got his wish. A...” He pointed a thumb to his own chest. “To Z.” He pointed to his brother.

  Hurranna giggled a little, covering her muzzle with a paw. “I love it.” She shook her head, ears forward, eyes dancing. “Smart lady,” she turned. “Can we show them some of the ship?”

  “I'll try to get permission,” Jethro replied as the boys perked up. “But don't get your hopes up. Marines don't get guided tours. We go where we're told and do what we're told to do. Curiosity isn't supposed to be part of our nature.”

  “You're a cat right?” Alfred asked.

  Jethro opened his mouth then closed it, lashing his tail as Hurranna giggled again. “He's got you there,” she said giving him an amused look.

  “Yeah,” Jethro admitted with a grudging nod. “Panther. That's a form of great cat.”

  “Oh.”

  “Um, I watched that vid of the Admiral. Did you know some of the people that are wanted are hiding out on the berg?” Zack said after a moment.

  “You're kidding me,” Hurranna said, eyes suddenly going to slits. Her claws came out as she needed her arms. “Oh I'd like to get my claws on them.”

  “I think a lot of people would,” Jethro said nodding. “Commander Firefly?” he asked turning to the nearest camera.

  “The information is new. I will interview the young men when I have time available,” the AI responded.

  “Ah,” Jethro nodded. He turned back to the kids.

  “Um, what was that?” Alfred asked pointing to the ceiling.

  “That?” Sergei rumbled a laugh. “That was Firefly. Commander Firefly. The ship's AI. You'll get used to it. He's an officer so treat him with respect.”

  “A real AI?” The kids' eyes were wide again. Jethro had to fight a laugh at the thought of them being stuck like that.

  “Just like the ones in the other ships and in the Admiral.”

  “Wait, Admiral... That female voice he called Sprite on the holo...”

  “That is his AI. He has one of his own.”

  “I didn't think you could do that,” Alfred said. “In fact I know you can’t. I mean, I made a dumb AI, but nothing like her... it... whatever.”

  “You made your own AI?” Hurranna asked surprised.

  “Yeah. I'm the programmer. He's the outgoing one,” Alfred pointed to Zack. “I was trying to make an exo suit at one time. But he co-opted it,” he grimaced at his brother.

  “The dashing hero you mean,” Zack said with a smile.

  “Or something,” Alfred said.

  “Boys...” Hurranna said shaking her head before utter mayhem broke out between the two brothers. They turned their attention back to her. “Well, if you're into programming, you might land on your feet very well. I bet the brass will have all sorts of stuff for you to learn and do. Maybe even classes at the Anvil college or in the annex.”

  “Really?” Alfred said perking up.

  “Yup, so keep your chin up kid,” Hurranna nodded. “I gotta go, we've got to get some rack time soon. Duty calls,” she waved as she turned and walked out.

  “So you know where these men are?” Jethro asked.

  “They hang out in Macey's grill and bar on D deck,” Zack said. Jethro nodded.

  “What are you doing man?” Sergei asked as they left.

  “Getting follow up leads for Firefly to pass on to intelligence and the proper authorities of course. The commander said he didn't have the time to interview them at the moment, but he was no doubt recording.”

  “Oh,” Sergei thought for a moment. “Think they're still there?”

  “With Firefly sitting overhead?” Jethro grinned. “Yeah. Hunkering down in the deepest hole they can, coming out only for food when they have to. Hoping the cat will pass their little mouse hole by.”

  “Huh,” Sergei flashed his canines. “Maybe we can pay them a visit? Since we're cats after all,” he said hopefully. He took out a plastic toothpick and picked at his long sharp teeth.

  “It's all up to the brass,” Jethro said with a shrug. “Come on. Hurranna's right. We better catch some Z's before the gunny see's we're bored and decides for us to GI something.”

  “Um, yeah,” Sergei yawned. “Yeah. Good idea.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “Think they are telling the truth?” Captain Mayweather asked, rubbing her chin.

  “Based on sensor readings yes. However they could be mistaken,” Firefly responded.

  “How should we go about this?” she asked, turning to the AI avatar.

  “Normally we would inform the authorities. However there is some concern that they will just warn the fugitives and they will go underground again.”

  “The speaker though. Or former speaker.”

  “She is still the speaker. Her impeachment is under debate but it keeps being stalled by filibusters from her party. Her activities have driven the system government into deadlock and indecision until it is resolved. Technically she is in contempt for not attending congress.”

  “I'll show her some contempt,” the Major snarled. “So something has to be done,” the Major scowled. “We should arrest her for terrorism. But if we get involved, it could make a bad situation worse.”

  “Quite possibly. However there is some circumstantial evidence that the speaker was involved in the recent assassination attempt on Commander Logan. That, along with her hand in what happened on Vesta does give us legal standings to investigate.”

  “Yeah, but it's just her underlings that have been seen. Not her.”

  “And she doesn't go anywhere without them. Intelligence established that. Though she could send them off while she goes in another direction.”

  “I was about to point that out. You just undermined your whole argument, you know that right?”

  “It has occurred to me,” the avatar shook it's head. “I would suggest we insert people or listening devices to gather more information.”

  “We're about done off loading the supplies so it's too late for that now,” Mayweather said, rubbing her chin. “What about the panther and his team?”

  “I'd like to keep him as far away from this as possible,” the Major said. “He's good, but I don't want his loyalties and honor tested this early in his career. The Liger has a tendency to do, then get permission after the fact as well.”

  “Oh.”

  “In fact I am sending them out to the cleanup of Pan four nine two X.”

  “That asteroid that just breached?” Mayweather asked, eyebrow raised. “Seems a bit overkill.”

  “I'd rather have them out with their minds on their jobs than getting into trouble.”

  “True. Too true,” Mayweather nodded. “You're the boss of your people.” She waved a dismissive wave.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “Why are we here again?” Hurranna growled, looking around at the mess on the rock.

  “We're here to do a job,” Jethro answered patiently.

  “No I mean us personally,” Hurranna asked. Jethro shook his head. She wasn't about to let it go however. “I mean, this is crap work,” she complained.

  “You want to trot
your ass over to the gunny and let him know that?” Sergei asked with a laugh. “I'd love to see it. Seriously. Love to see it. Me, I'm just happy we've got what we've got. It beats being in the dog house with him.”

  “If this isn't then what is?”

  “Do you really want to find out?” Jethro asked, turning to her in exasperation.

  “No, ah, pass,” she held up her hands in supplication.

  “Then quit whining and get to work.” He pointed to a blasted piece of debris near her. “I think there is a body under that.”

  “Oh hell,” she sighed and went over to the piece of shell. “What the hell happened here anyway?”

  “Pan four nine two X had a blow out. Natives call it Cinder. It qualifies for it now,” Jethro replied. “Someone got cute with making explosives. They stored some in caves but the blasting caps were in crates on the surface waiting for pick up when the flare hit. I remember something about Cinder making explosives for use in the belts. That and welding gasses.”

  “They have, or at least had, massive pockets of gasses in the rock,” a navy chief said coming up behind them. He held a scanner out, scanning the area. “You're clear. No sign of pockets of gas.”

  “Good to know,” Jethro said with a nod.

  “It's not like you can get a spark in vacuum you know,” Sergei growled. “No air no boom.”

  “Depends. Some stuff comes with its own oxidizer. Stuff like methane snow can go off if you touch it or look at it funny. I for one don't want to find out the hard way,” the chief sniffed then turned and moved on to the next group of searchers.

  “Seriously, this sucks,” Hurranna grumbled again.

  “Hurranna...” Jethro sighed, patience finally exhausted.

  “Okay, shutting it.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “What the hell?” Sergei said, seeing a body twitching under a flattened survival tent. “Got something here.”

  “Yeah, more bodies. Will wonders never cease,” Hurranna growled.

  Jethro turned to see what Sergei was talking about and then brought up his IR. He froze. “Sergei you've got a find.” He looked up as he opened a link. “Sierra one five to Sierra six we've got a live one.”

  “What?” the navy lieutenant said over the link.

  “Shooting you IR video now sir. Two bodies. Alive in a shelter. They are about out of O2 though. Body temps are ninety eight. Respiration is shallow.”

  “Get them on life support stat. I've got my hands full as it is. Sierra six out.”

  “Yes sir,” Jethro bounded across the torn terrain. “All Sierra one five units on me now. Sergei hook into that shelter. Get them some air from your reserves.”

  “Um, yeah roger.” Sergei knelt and pulled a hose from his side pocket. He plugged it into the port on his hip and then ran the braided line to the tent. “Can't find... ah.” He moved as someone inside tried to kick him. “Hey watch it!” He tapped the foot. Then moved his hand to the port. He plugged the line in and then watched his reserve tank drain and the tent slightly inflate.

  “How the hell...”

  “No idea,” Jethro answered.

  “Yeah, but now I'm without a reserve.”

  “Bitch, bitch. You’re a hero now. Quit complaining,” Jethro joked. He closed the valve on the tent and then unhooked the hose from the Liger and hooked it up to his own reserve. “Got it.” He watched the tent inflate more.

  “Didn't want to be a hero. I joined up to break things and blow stuff up,” Sergei muttered.

  “Wah,” Hurranna said coming over. “Ideas?”

  “LT said to handle it. We've given them a couple hours but they are out,” Jethro said, jacking into the tent. “Yeah.” He moved the tent's clear plastic window so they could see inside. An unshaven man and a woman were inside, tangled together in patched skin suits. Unfortunately their helmets were off. That definitely complicated things.

  “And we can't get in to them with their helmets off,” he sighed.

  “Oh,” Hurranna looked up. “Want me to add my reserve?”

  Jethro checked her system with his implants and then grimaced. “No, you don't have much as it is,” Jethro shook his head. He looked up. “Sierra one five to Sierra six, two subjects, one male one female. In an emergency shelter without helmets. Unconscious. Uploading log and video now.” He tapped the files of the last few minutes, zipped them and squirted them through his suit link to the lieutenant in charge of the Search and Rescue effort.

  “Roger that sierra one five,” the lieutenant said quickly. He sounded impatient.

  “Be advised Sierra One five actual and Sierra one five beta have no reserve o2 remaining. One spare on sled and Sierra one five Charlie has minimum reserve.”

  “Roger. Get them on the sled.”

  “Roger that. Moving now.” Jethro nodded to Sergei who was carefully picking up the tent. Fortunately in the almost negligible gravity it was easy. Just a matter of yanking the anchoring stakes out of the ground and then picking it up.

  “Awkward,” Sergei grunted as Hurranna hovered around him. “Get the sled,” Jethro said to her.

  “Ah, I just checked Sierra one five, we can't take them here. Our lock is a one person job. They won’t fit,” the lieutenant said.

  “But we can top them off with air sir.”

  “It still won’t get them out of that bubble,” the lieutenant replied. “Get them to the nearest colony with a big enough lock. Go all out hell for leather. Don't worry about expenditures.”

  “Ah...” Jethro frowned trying to think of the closest rock. He tried to do the calculations but after a minute let his computer handle it. He didn't like the numbers it was projecting. “Wouldn't Firefly be closer sir?”

  “You'd think so, but she went off on her own since we've got things handled here. Or did till you found your wayward waifs. “Bar S is the closest. She'll take you in.”

  “Ah, we're on fumes sir.”

  “You'll have to make do then. Breath shallow Corporal. You can do it,” the lieutenant replied. “Sierra six out.”

  “Oh lovely,” Hurranna said looking up from where they were tying the bundle down on the back of the sled. “Take this piece of crap that far? Why can't we go to them and top off?”

  “He wants to conserve what he's got I guess,” Jethro shook his head. “Let's go.” He skipped to the sled and climbed on with the others. “Got them hooked into the bottle.”

  “Yeah. It filled the tent till I shut off the valve. I've replaced their CO2 scrubber. Maybe the oxy will wake them. The co2 probably kept them under.”

  “Yeah,” Jethro grimaced. He gunned the engine and they flew off. He accessed his HUD and let it guide him to the Bar S.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “What the hell's going on?” a male voice crackled over the guard channel just as they were approaching the colony.

  “Bar S? This is Sierra one five. We're coming in hot with recovered colonists in need of medical attention.”

  “Huh?”

  He felt the sled shift. He turned a glare on Sergei but the Liger spread his hands. “Wasn't me man.” He turned to see the tent moving.

  “My head is killing me,” A new man's gruff dust dry voice said on the radio.

  “Rest sir,” Hurranna said, hand on his chest. “Try not to move too much, your throwing the sled off balance. We're overloaded as it is. We're getting you help.”

  “What the hell are you?” the man said blearily. He was obviously confused.

  “Marines sir,” Hurranna replied patiently. She moved the tent window so he could see her.

  “Oh,” the man's blue eyes were blood shot. He blinked and tried to rub his temples. “Damn my head hurts. It's really bright. You're loud.”

  “It's the hypoxia sir,” Hurranna said softly. “Your body is fighting it.”

  “Need more air.”

  “We're almost there.” Hurranna turned to look at the nearing colony. As she did the man got a shadowy view of her through her darkened v
isor.

  “What the hell are you?” the man panicked, thrashing about. “Where the hell are you taking me?” he said, hyperventilating.

  “Sir, relax,” Sergei said, growling. “We're Neo marines. Try to remain calm.”

  “More air. Let me out of this thing.”

  “Get your helmet on. And your partner's,” Hurranna said.

  “My... oh shit Shelly... Oh my goddess! Shelly, come on babe, wake up. Open those pretty eyes of yours girl.” He touched her then shook her gently.

  “She's alive,” Hurranna said.

  “I know that, I can feel her breathing,” the man growled. “How long?”

  “Since you've been out or until we get to safety?”

  “Both.”

  “I have no idea how long you've been out. We were called in yesterday,” Hurranna shrugged. “I dunno how long it'll take to dock.”

  “Not long now.”

  “Better not be, we're almost out of fuel and air,” Sergei muttered.

  They got the bundled couple off the sled as Jethro pulled up to the airlock. A suited guy was there waiting. He grabbed the tent and plugged a spare air can in. “We'll take it from here.”

  “Hell you will, we're out of air too,” Jethro growled, anchoring the sled to the hand hold near the lock and then climbing off. The three cats were down to only the air left in their helmets. Their implants were staving off hypoxia and keeping them moving but that wouldn't last more then five or ten more minutes.

  “Oh.”

  The man pulled the couple into the lock. Sergei pushed. Once the lock cycled the three of them went inside. As the air was restored to the airlock Sergei took off his helmet and took a deep breath. “Air, sweet sweaty air,” he sighed.

  “Yeah,” Hurranna said taking her helmet off. “Never imagine what you take for granted,” she shook her head. The inner door opened as she tucked her helmet under one arm.

  “Get them to sickbay,” the man who had been outside said with his helmet off. The tent was lying on a hover pallet. The man inside was trying to sit up but the medic pushed him back down. “Easy Sid, you’re in good hands. Shelly too. Just relax.”

  “Sit back and enjoy the ride? Hell with that, I know how you drive,” the man growled.