Recruiting Drive: Jethro 4 (Jethro Goes to War)

by Chris Hechtl

  “Me too,” Shanti said. She looked over to Jethro's sleeping form and was confused that he had left her alone. Confused and a little hurt.

  Rah stretched slowly, rolling her shoulders. She bumped her sister and then rubbed her shoulders with her hands. “I'll do you, then you do me.”

  “Okay.”

  “Good, let's do this quick cause I need to pee,” Rah said, making Shanti sniff in good humor. “Then maybe you can do him,” Rah teased.

  “Him?” Shanti asked.

  “Yeah, him. The big lug who gave you the jacket,” Rah said, touching the wind breaker.

  Shanti looked at it than at the black panther. He was curled up in a ball without a blanket or a jacket. “Oh, this,” she said softly, then groaned when her sister dug into her neck. “Damn, that's good.”

  “Good, cause you better get my kinks out next,” Rah said.

  “Behave,” Shanti growled, only half in play.

  “What? What'd I say?” Rah asked innocently.

  “Never mind,” Shanti exhaled, feeling her own hurts and then her bladder awaken. “Okay, your turn.”

  “That was quick,” Rah observed as the two switched places.

  “That's because my bladder woke up too. And I'm hungry,” Shanti admitted as her stomach growled. Rah snorted as her sister's fingers began to message her neck and shoulders.

  <(>~^~<(>

  They went to work, digging in to help process the triaged civilians. It was far easier than the stressful time of climbing over and through the mud and debris, but no less heart rendering. To see some of the shattered faces, the shock, the sadness in some of them was almost too much to bear.

  Eddy and other medics did the rounds, even checking out the searchers. A few were sidelined with signs of pneumonia or minor injuries. Many still insisted on helping out. Shanti heard about that and felt her heart swell with pride. She also felt a bit humbled that every Marine kept working too; none shirked their duties despite obvious fatigue and injuries.

  A few times she saw Gunny McClintock out in the field but only brief glimpses. She wanted to give him his jacket back, but he hadn't asked for it.

  Her gear was somewhere; she wasn't sure where. Possibly with some of the victims she realized. She was grateful they were getting steady supply drops from the shuttles and aircraft but it wasn't enough. They needed to get people out of the area.

  Rah remembered to eat, and she even dragged Shanti and whoever the two of them were interviewing off to the tent someone had set up for the mess area. Soup was still the order of the day. It was restorative and filling. The steam felt good, and it was easy to swallow.

  Rah even insisted they bed down near midnight; this time actually bedding down in a nest of leaves and bow branches under a tree instead of on the pile of ruck sacks and backpacks.

  When Shanti woke Moira was there at her bedside. “Moira!” she jerked awake, but slowed as the captain put a hand on her shoulder to restrain her. Rah was nowhere in sight.

  “Sorry, did I startle you? Or was it a nightmare?”

  “No, no, um yeah, you startled me, but I'm okay,” Shanti said, feeling her back and sides itch. Laying in the damp leaves might be comfortable in some ways, but not others. It also invited parasites. She seriously needed a good shower.

  “If you are okay …,” Moira moved back slightly so the leopard could sit up. “Losing people is never easy. If you need counseling ….”

  Shanti realized she was probing for depression or mental issues. “I'm okay. Where's Rah? Sabu?”

  “They are out and about. We're moving people back to the nearest town now that we've gotten the situation under control.

  “And Gunny McClintock?” Hesitantly the leopard asked.

  “That one,” Moira shook her head.

  “What?” Shanti asked, eyes wide in alarm. Was there something wrong with the gunny?

  “I don't know if I should give him a medal or a mast for that stunt with the shuttle. That was stupid and dangerous,” she said.

  “Oh,” Shanti said thoughtfully. After a moment she shrugged. “It may have been stupid, but it worked,” she said. “I'm living proof,” she said.

  The elderly wolf eyed her for a long moment then flicked her ears. “That you are,” she said nodding. “If it's stupid but it works …,” she shook her head and let that thought die a natural death. “I'll let him stew and chew his ass later when we're all calmed down and not shagged,” she growled.

  “Don't be too hard on him,” Shanti protested softly.

  “He's being too hard on himself. Like you, he's trying to be everywhere at once. Do everything. Oversee everything. He's good; I'll give him that. But he needs to take it easy. He's running my people down to nubs.”

  “He's okay,” Shanti said. “McClintock knows what he's doing. He takes care of his people. He …,” she hesitated.

  “He what?” Moira demanded suddenly, eyes and body intent.

  “Nothing! Nothing happened,” Shanti insisted, pulling the jacket over her shoulders some more. “He … he put this on me, and I guess I fell asleep. I woke with it and a blanket on me cuddled to Rah. He was curled up nearby. Sabu told me later that he'd put me to bed then went back to work for a couple hours.”

  Moira studied her for a long moment, then handed over a bottle of water. “You thought he'd what? Rape you? Because you are going into heat? He is a civilized cat.”

  “I see that,” Shanti said, taking the bottle gratefully and slacking her thirst. “But I was out ….”

  Moira's ears flicked. “Marines are more than the barbarians you think of us.”

  Shanti froze then stared at the wolf. “I never said that.”

  “Oh? Well you haven't been happy with Sabu or Rah's decision.”

  “Rah too?” Shanti said, feeling the indignation rise then fall quickly. It was replaced with resignation.

  Moira flicked her ears in humor. “She's expressed an interest in joining the ROTC programs. She hasn't slacked off her advanced training, but she hasn't put in for the Rangers as she initially said she would. She's got her eyes firmly locked on the Marines.”

  “Great. Another one.”

  “She's just as stubborn as you and your brother. You've got to give her that. And if she's finally settled on a career … not try to fit into the molds and footsteps you and your brother have made ….”

  “I never wanted her to follow us.”

  “Afraid you'll be left alone?”

  “They … they are abandoning our world. What if something happens to them? Out there?” Shanti said plaintively.

  Moira studied her sadly for a moment then flicked her ears. “If I've learned anything over the past seven centuries, it's that you can't protect them forever,” Moira said in an ever so gentle voice. “Nor should you. You'd smother them and they would resent it, just as you resented it when your brother was overbearing and overprotective. Rah has gone through the same. They will follow their hearts as you will,” she said simply and wisely. That shook Shanti to the core.

  “I learned that we should live out our lives to the fullest; after all, the circle of life is ever turning. We could be dead tomorrow,” Moira told her.

  Shanti nodded slowly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a familiar black form moving with a group of volunteers. “And we should slow down and take care of one another. Nurture the bonds we have while allowing ourselves to remain open for new ones to grow and form. Think about it,” Moira said softly.

  “Huh,” Shanti grunted. What the wise wolf had said had given her much food for thought.

  “Think about it. And while you're at it, try to get that big lug to take a breather. Sit on him if you have to. He needs a keeper even more than you or your siblings do. Fortunately, we're winding down now,” she stated. She looked at the sky in time for the sun to peek out from behind the clouds. It cut a swath through the shadows. She raised her muzzle to scent the air. “I do love the time after a storm. The air is so fresh and clear,” she said, snif
fing.

  Shanti did the same, and then flicked her ears.

  “I'll see you in town tonight. Get some chow and then get to work with the evacuation,” Moira said, patting the cat's shoulder in passing.

  “Yes, ma'am,” Shanti said, then chuffed in good humor as the wolf's tail brushed over her head. She caught Moira's amused look over her shoulder, then the wolf was gone.

  <(>~^~<(>

  Shanti caught up with the gunny in town, but he wasn't alone. She wanted to give him his jacket back, but he was busy talking with Bengali so she went about her other business. She was grateful to be in the small fur trading town; she could and did finally get a proper soak-in. The hot bath wasn't long, but it was refreshing.

  They spent several days in Beavertown and then headed back to the capital city in Toby's truck. To Shanti's mixed feelings, the gunny rode with them in the rather full truck. She turned to drink in his scent on the jacket once more. It had faded, to be replaced by her own, but it was still there, lingering slightly under all the others.

  She noted a few of the Neos scenting the air. Two of the males turned their eyes on her. “What are you looking at?” she growled, staring them down. They both put their hands up and looked away.

  Gunny McClintock helped Toby and Scotty unload then Sabu invited him in to eat.

  “Come on,” Rah said when the gunny hesitated. She got behind him and pushed him up the stairs. Shanti was surprised when she felt a thrill replaced by anger and something else at Rah's manhandling of the Marine. Was she jealous? She groaned softly to herself.

  Sabu looked over to her, gave her a slightly pitying look then looked away. Was he thinking she was going to turn into an old maid? Be a spinster? Let her ovaries wither and die?

  Over dinner Rah gushed on about her interest in the Marines. She peppered the dinner with questions of Sabu and Gunny McClintock. Her youthful curiosity and excitement helped to shake off a lot of the miasma of the past several days from them all.

  Jethro pulled no punches, he didn't gloss over anything as he told them about his experiences in training, in the barracks, and in combat. A few times he cut himself off when Rah clearly wanted to know more, but when she persisted he shrugged her urgency off.

  “Easy there, kiddo,” Sabu teased, tugging on her ear.

  “But it's just so ….”

  “Some things I can't talk about. They are classified,” Gunny McClintock stated as they cleaned up the dishes. “Get used to that if you want to become a Marine.”

  Shanti was angry at him all over again when she overheard them. She wanted her siblings to remain on the planet protecting it and their people. “Enough. Drop it,” Shanti growled.

  “Hey, leave off, sis,” Rah said protectively.

  “I said enough,” Shanti said, glowering. “You've overstayed your welcome, Gunny,” she growled, eying Jethro. “Don't you two need to report to the barracks? Rah and I need to check the roster and then see where we will fit in,” she said.

  “Hey, I was just answering their questions, Mountie Shanti. They are old enough to make their own decisions. Your brother already has,” Gunny McClintock naively pointed out.

  The siblings looked from one to the other. “That's not it. She's in heat,” Rah said, “so she's moody. The time of the month is a pain in the ass for everyone,” she said. “I am so not looking forward to it when I start menstruating anytime now,” she growled.

  “Enough,” Sabu said, seeing Shanti's ears flat and fully back. She was coiled, ready to strike. “Enough, Rah,” he warned.

  “Well, if she doesn't take this one I might have designs on him,” Rah teased, pretending to size Jethro up.

  She turned in time to see her sister's eye glitter dangerously. “Seriously, you keep pushing him away, but I bet you like him,” she teased.

  “Rah,” Sabu sighed, covering his eyes. He heard Shanti's growl and uncovered them in time to see the youngster hip bump her sister, pushing the situation too far. Shanti snarled and hissed at Rah, even going so far as to take a swipe at the younger feline.

  “That was uncalled for,” Jethro told her quietly, placing himself between the two females.

  “What do you know?” Shanti demanded, eying him balefully.

  “Nothing. Nothing at all apparently. Good luck with your life,” Jethro said sadly and then turned. He left his jacket on the coat hook but took his hat and quietly left. She watched him go, feelings mixed.

  “You are being a fool. I'll make my own decisions, sis. Get used to that,” Sabu told her, eying her. She turned on her brother but saw the resolution in his eyes and manner. “I mean it.”

  “He's right,” Rah told her, no longer teasing. She seemed hurt and kept her distance.

  “Come on, Rah, we've got work to do. I've got a couple hours before I have to officially report in. Let's make the most of it, shall we?” the elder brother said, pulling his little sister along. Shanti watched them go and then left herself.

  She sniffed where Jethro had been. She got his scent easily enough; she'd lived with it for the past week.

  It lingered in the night air, like a phantom lover she thought then shook herself. “No,” she growled, turning away. “I need some air,” she murmured. She trotted away, looking for fresh air away from the stinks of the city, but her instincts took over and she found herself following the alluring scent of the male.

  “What the hell am I doing,” she muttered as her heart felt like it was fluttering and a strange sense of excitement ran through her veins. “I can't seriously be doing this, can I?” she asked as her breath quickened.

  It was unusual for her to be the hunter not the hunted. She liked the feeling, she had to admit. It was better when she was calling the shots, not just some piece of meat the males wanted to use and then discard. Like her father, who'd gotten her mother knocked up each time, then left her alone to raise the cubs most of the time.

  The scent trail led her to the motel turned barracks near the spaceport.

  Easily she leapt over the three-meter-tall chain link fence. Her hormones must have completely taken over she mused as she padded silently through the barracks, looking left and right.

  The trail was faint in some places, stronger in others. Twice she had a false lead, once to his quarters, the second time to his office. She was afraid she'd lost him until she saw him in the quad.

  Jethro was surprised by the leopardess's appearance in the barracks. He turned to her, raising an ear and brow. Bast instantly faded from his HUD. She shut down any interruptions and then flooded his body with hormones.

  Shanti circled him. He felt a thrill of alarm; he suddenly knew what prey felt like. To his surprise she swatted him in the face with her tail, then teasingly tickled with it under his chin. “Come on,” she said softly, looking him in the eye. When he hesitated she took him by the hand and led him off.

  Dez saw it all unfold and was amused. “About time,” she murmured, wondering who had won the pool.

  At the gate Jethro hesitated. “Don't worry,” she said as she turned and then she stroked his muzzle with hers. Quietly she urged him to follow her. She led him off on a lopping run, dropping to all fours. Her tail was erect, even bent forward to touch her head from time to time. His mouth opened as he took her scent in and his own instincts and hormones kicked in. He followed.

  She led him on a chase, laughing and frisky for a time. He got into the spirit of the fun. He finally caught her in a grove of berry bushes. She led him to the vacant center and then turned to nuzzle him. That led to love making, and later cat yowls and mating.

  When they were finished, they rested in each other's arms, feeling the afterglow.

  “That was … wow,” Shanti said softly. She felt the gunny's tongue grooming her ears. She smiled slightly and turned, trying to retaliate but couldn't. Finally she settled down and basked in his loving care.

  “Do you have others?”

  “No. I've been with others but never like you. I was never sure I'd find someone
like you,” he said, equally soft.

  “So we're done?” she thought, sensing rejection. She felt hurt.

  “No, not if you don't want it to be,” he said, stroking her. That turned her on again.

  “But ….”

  “You want me to stop?” He asked, stopping.

  “Gods no,” she murmured, nuzzling him as the fire reignited.

  “Good,” he chuffed, getting back to nuzzling and lovemaking once more. “I don't want to stop. Now or ever,” he murmured in her ear. She turned to try to nip at his and then turned into a frisky wrestling match and more lovemaking.

  <(>~^~<(>

  Bast congratulated herself that her ploy had worked. By leaving a scent on the gunny's clothing laced with male pheromones and then leaving another trail for the leopardess to follow, she had achieved her goal. She relished the feeling of victory as she watched the two make love from within. Silently she put in for an extended leave for the gunny to cover his absence, then remained invisible from his HUD so he wouldn't be inhibited. Besides she had her own part to play in their little drama as it unfolded. Far more than bodily fluids passed between them in each union.

  It was good that she was achieving one of her programmed goals so early. She had actually calculated the odds of achieving mating before the gunny's next combat at near astronomical levels. In doing so, in passing on his and her seed to the next generation one of her functions would be fulfilled. That was, if the kits survived until adulthood and were able to pass on the genes and royal jelly as well.

  Chapter 20

  They heard snuffling then scented a bear as the wind shifted. “Okay, whoever's in there better be decent,” a voice said.

  “Travis, go the hell away!” Shanti said, looking up.

  “Shanti? That you?”

  “Yeah. Buzz off.”

  “We've got reports of … well the usual. You handling it? I thought you were off shift?”