Jethro: First to Fight

by Hechtl, Chris

  “I'll keep it to myself Gunny. She's good troop. No sense prejudicing others,” he said. He thought back, remembering their sims and this last event. Panache had been solid as a rock. She shook when it was over, but that they had learned was normal, they were coming down from the adrenalin high and their bodies and minds needed a release valve. All that pent up energy, worry, fear, and anger had to go somewhere.

  “Which is part of her problem. It got out in her other squads and it messed up her chances at promotion. So give her a chance.”

  “Yes Gunny,” Jethro replied.

  “All right. Go check with Fonz.”

  Jethro nodded and moved out.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  “What about other refugees?” Decius asked during the all department meeting after the incident.

  “We're going to have to set up a system to monitor all traffic around our military installations. A better one obviously,” Lieutenant Commander Vargess said, making a face.

  Commander Logan nodded. “Double checks by independent groups. Someone either dropped the ball big time or let these people in. I want that sorted out now.”

  Decius could see the human was dead serious. He didn't like what that would bring, another circus of JAG and NCIS investigations and interviews, but there really wasn't any choice. Someone had done something, something possibly criminal. His species ideals of live and let live warred with his training of preventing a problem from repeating itself. “I see sir,” he chittered, clacking his mandibles and sending a ripple through his legs. The ripple moved in a wave down them, then when they reached the tip of his long body the wave bounced back. Finally he settled down.

  “We have it around the yard and annex, but the mothballed stations and equipment were apparently out of the scan zone. Or someone thought the shuttle was an inspection tour. Either way we're going to take steps to prevent this from ever happening again. Make no mistake, there will not be a repeat of this on my watch. Or heads will roll.”

  Grimly the others nodded.

  “Yes sir,” Decius said.

  “Monty,” the Commander turned to the acting intelligence Chief. “Work with Jeremy and whoever has the case on the NCIS end. Get to the bottom of this, and I mean now.”

  “Aye aye sir,” Monty replied grimly. “I'm a little tied up with a few other projects, but I'll see what I can do sir.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  When the decision was announced and the crisis averted, the media talking heads went into a frenzy of speculation about the motives of all involved. Most came to a decision that Horatio had caved. That annoyed the Commander, but there was little he could do short of wading in and telling his side. But that would just make matters worse. All he wanted was for it to blow over so he could focus on more important matters.

  Quietly the navy had set up surveillance and security teams on the other stations. It was a boring job. Roving patrols pick up security and rotate them between posts and base. Dumb AI were installed in each station, they were programmed to check in with the Annex every fifteen minutes. Horatio decided to treat the squatters as a pilot program. If they worked out he would expand it to take on caretaker crews of volunteer civilians to help maintain the other stations and other facilities.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  When the Eminent Domain issue didn't go away, Logan put in a call to the system leadership. He felt slimy having to do it, but girded his loins and got it over with. “We need the space Commander. We're going to have it. Whether you like it or not this is going to happen,” Governor Walker said. He'd tried to have his lawyers represent Big Red but the ungrateful man had gone through the navy lawyers to squash that.

  “Horatio, be reasonable. We have to expand. We don't have a choice. Population pressure is pushing our life support beyond its limit,” Enrique said, trying to play the peacemaker.

  “No way, no sir. This is a Federal versus local situation and Federal trumps local each and every time hands down. No sir,” Logan snarled. “I'll blow them up before I hand them over to anyone after we busted our tails building them.”

  “But our population pressure...”

  Logan's eyes narrowed. In a way, the governor was right. They both knew the governor was building several colonies but they were over budget and far from complete. But there were ways to stop or at least slow the population explosion, mandatory contraceptives for one. They had used them for nearly 7 centuries after all. They could use them a little while longer. “Can be alleviated in other ways,” he finally ground out.

  “You can build more...”

  Logan's eyes flared in anger. “That's right we can and we will continue to do so. But so can you. Your people, your industry can get off its ass and build this stuff too. It's not that hard to make a truss segment or a transhab module.”

  The governor stared at him, trying to stare him down. Logan was unmoved, he'd been stared at by worse.

  “So this is your last word on it?” the governor asked icily.

  Logan nodded curtly. “It is. If and when I change my mind you'll know, hell will be an ice rink. No one takes military hardware or facilities without my authorization.” He tapped his chest in emphasis.

  “But the people on the station...”

  “Are no longer squatting, they have entered a contract with us to take care of the station thus freeing up our people for more important rolls. It's a compromise, it was that or toss them out a lock. They now work for the navy.”

  The governor blinked. “Oh.” He hadn't quiet anticipated that wrinkle.

  “If others wish to do the same they can apply on our website or at a recruiting station on their local colony. Or they can contact their local colony leaders and ask them to forward their application. If they qualify and if we have a slot open they will be hired.”

  “Oh.”

  The Lieutenant governor cleared his throat. “What about the shuttle?”

  Logan turned to Enrique. He didn't envy the man, he was clearly torn. They'd known each other for decades, he'd seen Enrique grow up. Now if the man had more of a spine he'd be an asset. “That will be returned to the parties and the people who took it have offered compensation. If the aggrieved parties press charges that is a matter for the courts.” He didn't like doing that, it was a military shuttle after all. He made a note to offer mayor what's his name, he checked his implants. Mayor Ralkin something in trade for the shuttle. He'd probably end up paying double for what it was worth, but it was a solid shuttle. And the investigators had also noted someone had fixed it up rather recently. He was rather curious as to how and where the refugees or the mayor had gotten the parts.

  “Huh.”

  “If we have more refugee ships they will be escorted to the nearest facility, detained and then sent to Anvil or some other civilian controlled facility. If they break federal law then we will have to deal with it. I'm discussing the situation with the Chief justice now.”

  “Oh you are,” the governor said. He hadn't anticipated that. He'd heard that Irons had been on good terms but hadn't known Logan was too.”

  “Yes, he and I go way back on Anvil. He was a hard nose when it comes to his bailiwick, just as I am with mine,” Logan said, showing teeth in a grim determined smile. “Anyone who treads on the Navy better be advised of that.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  More refugees tried to get to the various stations. All were turned back, sometimes by force using a bot or automated tug to force them to return to their destination. One time Valdez tug had to do the job, and had to provide life support because they left with enough for a one way trip. The media ended up all over the story. Some were comparing it to the Cuban refugee crisis of the 19th and 20th century. “Wet foot, dry foot. Get your feet on a deck and you will be accepted. Get caught in space and you'll be turned back,” a commentator said.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Mayor Ralkin put in a stink about how he wanted the 'borrowed' shuttle returned. Horatio successfully traded a thousa
nd meters of plasma conduit, a dozen medium life support modules, filters, some replicated luxury goods, two food replicators, one small molecular furnace, and one small class 1 industrial replicator for the title to the Aurelie Interceptor shuttle.

  “So it's ours now? Commander, you know we can make air frames. We can make a more modern one,” the Lieutenant said in dismay. “That thing fills a boat bay all on its own. You can't get it in and out of Firefly safely.”

  “Yes, but this one has been worked on recently. I want ONI to take a look at the parts. This time a more thorough exam while they take the shuttle apart and rebuild it.”

  The Lieutenant arched an eyebrow. “I see where you are going with this sir. You think some of the parts that were supposed to go to Destiny ended up on her?”

  Horatio nodded. “Maybe. Print everything.”

  “And that the parts may lead us to the people who stole them.”

  “Again, maybe. It's a long shot,” Logan replied waving a hand. “I do know the replicators haven't turned up. We'll see if they ever do. But I also wanted the Aurelie, well, call it sentimentality if you will. I loved the duck. She's a sweet ship, I had a model of her as a kid. The same team that designed her later designed the Warhorse. You can tell just from the lines and the engine design. She looks like she flies like a brick but she's a sweet ship. And seeing her come in on VTOL?” he chuckled, shaking his head. “Full burners going in for a landing or take off? At night? Awed the heck out of me when I saw it at a military air show as a kid.”

  The Lieutenant's eyes flared with thought as an idea struck him. “Air show, sir...”

  Logan grunted and sat back. “Good point. Wish I'd thought of it sooner. Not very effective here, it's not like people can walk around and touch and see the craft out on a moon or something. On Agnosta maybe. We'll see.”

  “I see sir.”

  “Put it in the idea file,” Logan replied. “Now, let's get back to work.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Conservative commentators created a backlash over the squatters. Some didn't like the navy giving in, others stated other people should do the same. Some commentators attacked the 'weakling' governor for not bringing the military to heel and the heartless 'Nazi' military. The various media outlets had a field day, Knox news was torn between defending the squatters or the navy. Some opinionated people put out in the public chats that they should be given title to the station, others said they should go out the nearest lock, with or without a suit.

  “I love how they can have it both ways. No matter what we do, which way we jump we're in the wrong,” Horatio said, scanning the digest. His intel shop had created a poll to keep track of public sentiment. He was fairly certain now the public was growing tired of the subject. Viewership was starting to move to other subjects.

  “Yeah well, screw em. They'll get over it. For now we've slapped a band aid over the problem so hopefully it doesn't happen again.”

  “Once burned, thrice shy.”

  “True. And yes, we've had to stop other refugees. We'll deal with the backlash from that too.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Commander Logan reluctantly ordered military crews to occupy all the various stations full time. Valenko's squad returned to chaos in the naval annex as that order was being carried out. It took three days to sort it all out.

  By instituting regular inspections and caretaker crews on stations he had inadvertently created a new standard. Crews would gain some experience in command. It also solved part of their manning table issue, there were more chances of command even if that command was a depot station.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  The orbital fort design contest opened to military personnel only but the news of the DOD project was leaked to media within days of it making the military discussion boards. That was a problem, the Commander hadn't wanted the discussion publicized, it became a security risk. During the crisis, Firefly had been dispatched to pick up a small asteroid. Firefly had tagged and started work on it while the power design was still underway. Purple Thorn followed the plans and used the energy weapons on the ship to bore out the holes and cavities they would need. When she was finished they let the rock cool for a few days before they locked a tractor beam on it and began the slow process of towing it to the Beta 101a1 jump point.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Stuck in the Annex while Firefly lumbered across the system with its cargo, Jethro was at ends on what to do. The squad had been given time off, but all the shuttles had been put to work moving personnel to the other stations so they were stuck on the station. Instead he spent some time in virtual catching up on his classes before he moved to the military boards. When he read about the squatters he frowned and opened a new thread. He suggested why don't we just sell them a station or two? Discussion immediately started, his squad piled in, and then it got lively as word spread about the idea. It worked its way up the chain of command in hours. Logan mused over the idea and then reluctantly agreed to it. The overworked naval architects sighed and began to design and build stations for interested groups who would pay in advance for it. Each would be built as a modular design using the depot station as an initial blueprint.

  The Commander called a press conference and announced the new venture publicly. Within an hour dozens of interested groups called in asking for a price list.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Governor Walker called his supporters in. “Well, that didn't go exactly as I'd planned,” he started.

  “No it didn't. Now our contract supporters have naval competition. They had been holding back to drive the price up and cause this damn crisis. Now they are likely to eat it in the long run,” Mr. Edever said in disgust.

  “Are they selling off? Does this mean it's true? They are selling out and moving on? Will they leave us defenseless?”

  “Who would blame them? You've all been a pain in the ass to them,” Enrique said, shaking his head. Mayor Ralkin stepped on his foot and gave him a pointed look to shut up.

  Governor Walker looked at the both of them for a moment then turned to address the crowd. “Be that as it may, it may be a sign the navy is selling off, but I doubt it. Many of our armed forces came from this system and would be loath to leave it and their families defenseless.”

  When the governor finished his speech the discussion continued. The crowd was restive, his platitudes hadn't been taken well. He frowned, annoyed.

  Many quietly discussed implications and what could be done in such a scenario. “The militia isn't up for the challenge. Not by a long shot,” Enrique said.

  Many nodded in agreement. Taxes earmarked for the navy and federal budget had been redirected to the militia budget with little to show for it. Sure the volunteers looked pretty, but they had one ship, a converted and partially restored freighter.

  “I think we need to give Logan what he wants. Stop hitting him with sticks and give the man his damn carrot,” a senator said, waving a hand. Others nodded. “A bribe, just the taxes alone would go a long way to smooth things over I bet,” Another senator said. Some of the supporters like Senator Long drew the governor aside. The senior members told the Governor to start to work with Logan, to support him, get him on their side. The Governor was dismayed by the change.

  Mr. Esley tried a new tactic. “You're up for re-election in two years. Remember that. So are they. Some are up for election this year. People aren't happy. The navy is popular, attacking it isn't. We need him on our side. It comes down to that. You've tried everything. You've tried to strangle him of funds, that didn't work. Seize navy property, that failed miserably, we can't use what we've got, it blows up in our faces if we try. This effort to force him...”

  Long grimaced. “So much so we've alienated him. Poisoned the well.”

  Walker snorted. “Yeah well, maybe we should find someone more willing to talk to us. Someone more in tune with our thinking.”

  Long closed his eyes for a long moment. “Don't even go there. There was one
attempt on Logan's life. He rarely ever leaves the Yard so he is not an easy target. And spirit of space the backlash? No. We're better off playing it straight for now.” He frowned. “At least for now. But who knows what the future will bring right?”

  Chapter 11

  With Firefly still out across the system, Jethro found out the cruiser was actually headed to the yard with its prize, not to the jump point, scuttlebutt had been wrong there. But he still had a week to wait for them to return. Without much to do, Jethro delved into things he had been avoiding for quite a long time. He stayed in his rack. Sergei had already been caught wandering the halls, bored. The big liger had been drafted into a KP party, scrubbing one of the compartments.

  Asazi, Hurranna, and Jethro had learned quickly to stay in their racks and look busy. It was a pity the liger had to suffer in silence as a warning, Jethro thought with a slight smile. Jethro looked into his pay, trying to figure out what to do with his growing account. There was a lot of payments from the Marine corps, It started with his basic pay but then went on from there. Each varied in amount, some doubled because he had done something several times over the years. There was hostile fire pay, training pay, vacuum pay, foreign duty pay, special duty pay, transit pay... a clothing maintenance allowance, the list went on and on. If they hadn't annotated each deposit into his account he wouldn't have understood any of it. One thing that did stand out was a whopping deduction. A naval accountant had hit him up for his Federal and star system taxes. He frowned. He hadn't authorized it but he wasn't going to quibble about it.

  After careful thought he donated nearly half to his clan. He really didn't need the credits, he was a Marine after all, his room and board were paid for. The matriarch took some, but she gently informed him in an e-mail that he needed to think of the future. She stated that she would invest some of the credits in bonds she would hold for him. The interest she would re-invest. A tenth she would use to encourage clan members to go into business for themselves through no interest loans. One such small business was a clan member trying to start a business as an accountant. She recommended that he and the others take her on. He nodded and copy and pasted that plus the link to Lotus. He remembered Lotus, the albino domestic cat. She was a sweet heart, mute and born with expressive pale eyes. A real sweety.