Jethro: First to Fight

by Hechtl, Chris

  Building small craft was still a pain in the ass. When many of the men and women had enrolled in the military they had received key codes in their implants. Unfortunately only engineers of Commander rank or higher received key codes for really critical parts. That meant only a dozen men and women in the system could make some parts including the air frames.

  Of course that was only part of the story. They could make some parts, but not everything the growing military and the star system in general needed. Fusion reactors, hyperdrives, weapons... military grade electronics and munitions, all of that was Captain's rank or higher.

  Which posed a problem. The admiral's gift in Destiny had helped somewhat, but it hadn't solved the problem. But he had left orders to work on things they could build.

  Hence the Prejudice dropships and other craft. Hawks were apparently going to be built next since they were even easier to build and maintain than the Prejudice. The military electronics in the shuttles and other craft may be proscribed but the frame and machinery weren't. They had found that they could make replacement parts and Firefly had decided to take a hand in the emergency situation, bending the emergency rules to allow some tech to be built. Unfortunately the tech could only be built on Firefly with her replicators... and it had to be parts for the ship which they then surplused out to other projects.

  The dropships therefore had a mix of military and civilian grade hardware. It was hoped that in the near future they could swap out the civilian grade for milspec. It was hoped anyway, right now something like that was a long way off.

  Hurranna looked around the cavernous bay. San Diego was coming along, but at a much slower pace than before the admiral's sudden departure. Recently the suggestions Jethro had put forward had been put into practice allowing the massive battle station to be occupied for the first time. She still had a long ways to go but at least they could finally use the base for part of its intended purpose. She made a mental note to visit the Ssilli habitat if she had time. Scuttlebutt said it was quite the thing to see.

  Up until they had arrived in the station she'd wondered why they weren't in it. Then she'd seen the thing. From the outside it was one giant rock ball covered in patches of glittering panels. There was a door cut in one side. The door was huge, at first it looked like a normal hatch door up until their transport had gotten close to it, and then it's dimensions boggled the mind.

  Inside it was hollow, incredibly dark despite the lights and glow paint. The buildings were cut into the inside of the hull. In fact they had a frigate in the station now, the Maya. She was using her grasers to cut another plug for the next phase. Once she was finished she would return for her refit and rest cycle before returning to duty, replacing a ship on duty at one of the jump points.

  Normally the station would use massive fusion reactors or antimatter to power everything. That had been the plan at any rate. The antimatter project had been put on indefinite hold after the admiral's departure. The plasma tap components that had been completed had been stored. That left fusion reactors, the original plan for the San Diego. Unfortunately the admiral had left before one could be made and installed.

  That was where Jethro had come in. The panther had suggested to a depressed Commander Shelby Logan that they could use solar and other means to power the life support and other systems of the station. That was where the panels on the exterior hull came in. There was also a solar farm under construction closer in to the system's primary. It would beam power back to the station and yard.

  Jethro's off the cuff suggestion had sounded crazy but so far it was working out. Oh not as well as he probably had hoped, but enough to keep the teams marginally busy on the interior of the station. That was unless the governor got his way and managed to nationalize the solar projects and the station itself, Hurranna thought with a snarl.

  Wasn't it just like a politician to sit back and watch someone else bust their ass making something only to come in when they proved it worked and try to steal it under the guise of authority? That pissed her off. She knew it pissed off others. There were dark mutterings in the bars and barracks now, mutterings of a wished for coup. The Logan's would never allow it but more than one soldier and sailor wished they would. She turned, trying to refocus on the briefing.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  The Major sighed as the medic reported the next morning. There had been the occasional medical report of psych issues, all handled, but this was more of a sudden spike in reports, all with one culprit. The reports of psych problems were troublesome, no one had really been in combat yet. “In short Major, we're getting a lot of reports of post traumatic stress in the Marines.”

  “F squad?” He asked. He'd been certain F squad would have some issues. From the medic's expression though he knew it wasn't the case.

  The medic shook his head. “No. Most of the ones with the problem...”

  “Haven't seen combat. Odd.”

  “Sims,” Captain Pendeckle said with a wrinkled nose. “Can't they tell fantasy from reality?”

  “I beg to differ sir. The sims were very real. Apparently too real for some. We've had a lot of reports of nightmares. Four Marines have come in for counseling. I've had to sedate two. Five others have come in for sleep aids but won't specify a reason.”

  “Ouch.” The Major knew that was the tip of the iceberg. If these numbers were accurate then it was probably ten times that that were affected. Soldiers were reluctant to get psychological help after all. They didn't like the image that they couldn't hack it.

  “They have a similar complaint. Jethro,” the medic said wrinkling her nose. “It seems He was the stuff of nightmares.”

  “You're telling me He was too good at his job?”

  “I'm afraid so,” the doctor said amused.

  “I'll have to give that young man a pat on the back then. Okay,” the Major sighed. “Reinforce the video game thing. We'll have to dial down the filters. Perhaps have something that just cuts them out of the loop when they are about to die?”

  “Possible. There's a pain filter to protect the user.”

  “Tag Jethro and any other melee attacks. If it's inevitable then the user gets booted before the coup de grace and is spared.”

  “Sir I believe we should well...”

  “We can't cut him out. That's not right and it's not very smart. The young man needs training as well...”

  “I realize that sir. But Sergeant Jethro is exhausted. I've looked at his bio scans. That last op had him severely stressed. He was pushing himself hard in the sims. Sometimes to the detriment of his health. It may be a coping mechanism to deal with the grief of losing teammates. I'm surprised he hasn't shown up in sickbay. The medic assigned to his squad is concerned.”

  The Major pursed his lips in thought. Most likely it wasn't stress induced, or if it was it wasn't a grief reaction. Jethro, like a lot of F platoon, had been in the gangs. He'd lost friends and loved ones as he grew up. No, if anything it was the young man's desire to return to the fold better than ever to protect his other teammates in the future. A noble goal, laudable, but futile. Sometimes Murphy or the reaper did things for their own reasons and no one was to blame. “I'll get him some downtime doc. His squad has earned it. I'll see if we can assign him some light duty.”

  “His whole team needs down time. They need to form family bonds. All of them are single.”

  The Major nodded. “Light duty. Get them out there for exposure you mean? We're not a dating service doc.” He knew the rule, a soldier who wouldn't fuck wouldn't fight, but from the look of their schedule Valenko's team were too busy and strung out to fuck. He'd heard through the grapevine that the panther had no attachments and no other Neo in the system was compatible with him. Apparently the lad wasn't redneck enough to get it on with his own kith and kin. He couldn't blame him. Long term though... for the good of the service they needed him to well... breed. They could use a lot more like him the Major mused.

  “I didn't mean that.”

  “L
ike a recruiting drive? You're liable to scare the pants off anyone who wants to join Major,” Captain Pendeckle said with an amused sniff.

  The Major smiled. That would be interesting. He could just imagine some yokel's face when the Corporal cloaked. “Only if they see him in action. In uniform he should make them stand up and take notice.”

  “Um... He was um... had some issues. Are you sure it's a good idea to make him so publicly available?” Pendeckle asked tentatively.

  The Major sat back and thought about it, rocking his chair from side to side as he played with a stylus in his hands. “Perhaps we can have him do some work ups with the squads. How are his teaching skills?” he asked, looking at the record.

  “He was a student. I don't think we've had him as a teacher,” Pendeckle mused checking the record to be sure.

  “Well, there's a first time for everything. Flag his file for the next teaching assignment. Assistant at first. Something to give him a feel for the project without throwing him to the wolves. No pun intended. And find something else for him to do.”

  “April O'Neill has been after us to interview Valenko's squad,” Captain Pendeckle said with a grimace.

  The Major tapped his lips for a moment, leaning back in his chair and swiveling back and forth. “About that thing with the pirates on Agnosta? That was what two months ago? Three?” he finally asked.

  Pendeckle shrugged. “She wants deep background interviews. Something about heroes and putting the best light on them. We need the positive PR sir.”

  Major Forth winced. He didn't need the reminder, there was still a stir over the station incident. “I'll think about it. For now see what else you can think of.”

  Pendeckle nodded. “Roger sir. Jethro could do it sir.”

  “Having him off the squad for a short time should make Valenko nervous,” the Major said with a smile. Perhaps that would be a good thing? Valenko was leaning on the Corporal a little too much. Jethro was a good troop, definitely noncom or officer material but his unique abilities were geared for melee combat. Melee combat was normally reserved for the lower enlisted.

  “Yes sir. I'm curious about what he'll come up with. When the panther isn't in an op the squad still wins, but not as easily. Valenko resorts to shock and awe tactics.” He grimaced. “Or he gets even sneakier and makes you think he's going that route.”

  The Major chuckled. “Good. It'll be good for them to learn to adapt. They can't become too reliant on one person. See if the Corporal is amiable to a few more classes and a TA job. Sniper or shooter quals. Maybe an assistant DI position. And we'll see about the interview request. Send him a note reminding him his cloak is a secret. Tell him he snuck around to flank the position while the others provided covering fire.”

  “Yes sir.”

  “I'll see if we can feel out April and get an idea on what direction she's going with the interviews and what side she's on.”

  “Her relationship with the admiral...” the doctor said and spread her hands. “She sounds pro military.”

  “Yes but she can't sound too far our way or she loses her facade of objectivity. Knox news is right to cultivate that at least.”

  “True.” The doctor grimaced. “They've certainly hammered us on a few issues, including the stations and our housing.”

  The Captain grimaced. “We need to do something about the boots situation sir. It's getting out of hand.”

  “We don't have the facilities yet. Navy is still...” The Major sighed and shook his head giving the doctor a look. She just spread her hands. “No offense ma'am.”

  “I know. We need to get off the stick. Right now we're hoping something can be worked out with San Diego but that's looking increasingly unlikely. We'll work it out Major.”

  ...*...*...*...*...

  Valenko participated in the debrief the next afternoon. It was attended by the Major and most of the senior Marine staff. He was a bit surprised and put out that almost all of them had participated in yesterday's little op as the opposition force. He tried to keep his part of the debrief dispassionate, knowing they had enough egg on their face. It would never due to gloat to a superior officer after all.

  Pendeckle however called him on the change in the op. “Did you forget the mission orders Lieutenant?”

  “No sir.”

  “Then why did you go off mission?”

  Lieutenant Myers looked to object but then sat down as Valenko shook his head slightly his way.

  “Sir, do you know why I did that?” the bear rumbled, looking relaxed.

  “I'm curious about it, that's why I asked Lieutenant,” the Captain said, sounding dry but curious.

  Valenko tugged on an ear. “Simple. The op orders were too easy. Too cut and dry. When it's that easy, I get nervous, that's the prefect method to lull someone into dropping their guard before they get handed their heads.” The officers smiled slightly at that tease. “Which made me wonder why it was so easy, despite my natural trusting nature,” he said smirking ever so slightly.

  Major Forth and the Captain snorted, glancing at each other. Lieutenant Halsey chuckled. They glanced her way and she sobered, shrugging.

  “Go on,” the Major said, sitting back. He drummed his fingers on the desk, knowing now where this was going.

  “I knew the opposition force would anticipate an extract. My orders were written simply, secure the LZ and cover the extract. We did that. I just changed the location.”

  “You made another LZ. That wasn't in the mission profile.”

  The bear shrugged. “Improvise, adapt, overcome. If the LZ is too hot, make another. You obviously didn't anticipate it, after all, it worked. I'm betting you had self resetting soldiers, a covering force on the one LZ, and accurate maps of the area. Possibly a cheat code to let you pop forces in to cover any of the backup LZ sites.”

  “Why Lieutenant, I dare say you sound a little cynical,” Lieutenant Halsey quipped. “So much for your vaunted trusting nature,” she teased, showing teeth.

  The bear laughed with the others. He shook his head as Major Forth motioned for them to settle down. “As I said, if you aren't cheating, you aren't trying. I realized you'd pull something like that.”

  “And therein lies the lesson, one we didn't anticipate. It's always the unexpected ones that are the best teachers. If you can't use what you are given, find a work around. Good work Lieutenant, good work.”

  “Thank you sir. We aim to please.”

  “I still can't believe you did that. And you were two light on your squad.”

  “I know sir. Any time line on their replacements?” the bear asked, looking at the Major.

  “We're working on it. Hurranna we can fill easily. But having another noncom is an issue.”

  “Sir, a recommendation, Jethro can do the job. He is currently doing the job sir.”

  “But you need him as point. You can't have a...” the Major shook his head in exasperation. “What am I saying,” he said, throwing his hands up in the air as all eyes turned to him. “You tend to do things your own way and come out just fine anyway. You fall into a bucket of shit and come out smelling like a rose.”

  “True,” Pendeckle snorted.

  “I've actually been holding Jethro back in half the engagements sir,” Valenko ventured. “This one, well, he took the snipers out on his own to secure the first LZ and then the plan evolved from there.”

  “I see.”

  “I'd say he can handle it sir. If I could get another shooter to fill his slot though?”

  “I'll see what I can do,” the Major snorted.

  ...*...*...*...*...

  After the debrief, the Major shot doctor Thornby an email about the future of some of his Marines. The doctor read it and opened a link to the Major. She was surprised when he answered right away.

  “I thought you'd call doc,” the Major said over the link.

  “Got a minute?”

  “Sure Commander.”

  “About your note...”

  “I do
n't want to pry doc, but I do need to keep an eye on the long view. Besides you yourself mentioned their long term mental health I believe.”

  “F squad?” she asked amused.

  “Got it in one.”

  “Well as far as prodigy is concerned the Lieutenant has covered that score. Both of his daughters are Marines.”

  Forth nodded. “I know.” Both were enlisted, unlike their father. Neither had the seasoning or imagination that their father had. It went against the whole 'blood tells' argument and was a point in the favor of 'experience tells'. Valenko was a product of his experiences as was the Major. It would remain to be seen if the two corporals ever rose to the occasion. They would have plenty of opportunities to do so.

  “As far as the rest... well I believe Asazi has been in numerous relationships but none of them permanent. I'm not sure she is the settling down type. None of them seem to be at this point.”

  “Restless? It's youth and vigor doc.”

  “You mean too young and stupid to know their own limits. Especially limits to their mortality,” she retorted glancing left and right at the traffic around her. She was getting used to the odd stares when people noticed her talking to thin air. As word got around about the abilities of implants that had slowly started to change perceptions.

  “Come on doc, we're all going to live forever with your tender care.”

  “Sure, butter me up,” she laughed softly. “I believe the Veraxin female has a suitor but that's just rumor. The male in question wants her out of the Marines and into a safer line of work.”

  Forth blew a raspberry of annoyance. He'd heard that argument a lot lately. “Typical. Threatened by a woman in uniform.”

  “More likely threatened by the rifle she likes to carry,” the doctor retorted.

  “True.”

  “Ox... Ox is a problem. He was the last of his kind in the system.”

  The Major winced. He'd forgotten that. “Ouch.”

  “I think there are others out there, we've got reports, but I don't know where.”