by Chris Hechtl
Elliot nodded. “Funding? TOE?”
“I'll foot the bill,” Jack said flatly. “For the moment, draw hunting rifles and police issue until we can get you something better. Unfortunately, military grade weapons are in short supply,” Jack said ruefully.
“Right. You know foot soldiers stand a snowball's chance in a certain warm place when someone else holds the orbitals, right?” Elliot asked, eyeing him.
“Definitely. I don't think we can contest the orbitals though Elliot, there are too many things that can go wrong, and we just don't have the tech base to build a navy. We can maybe set a few things up, stuff to trip them up or bloody their noses, but I don't know.”
“Right. We don't know how long we have either. Okay, gotcha,” Elliot said. “Guerrilla movement it is,” he said with a nod.
~~*^*~~
Ten days later Magellan arrived in orbit. Jack spoke briefly with Captain Cooley. It was clear right from the get-go that the captain was very worried that they had been followed to Pyrax.
“I get it. I know you may feel guilt. I … can't blame you for the choices you made. They are done and over with now Captain, now we have to deal with the consequences,” Jack said flatly.
“Thank you, Governor. About the fuel …”
“I have already ordered my people to get to work on that. You should be seeing the tugs moving fuel to the fuel depot in orbit. I've transmitted the authorization codes so you can refuel. We'll work on any parts and provisions you need once you've transmitted a list,” Jack said.
The captain's face cleared and hope dawned. He finally cracked a smile. “Thank you, sir,” the captain said. “I don't know what to say, honest, nor do I know how we can repay you.”
“You got us the warning. Now you need to play Paul Revere and pass that same warning on to others.”
“Understood, sir,” the captain replied with a nod.
“The other colonies …,” Jack shook his head. “Unfortunately, they are off your shortest route to the hyperbridge. My thinking is that you get to the hyperbridge and drop a warning there, then jump for Sol. Pass on the warning to those who can make a difference as quickly as possible,” he said.
The captain nodded slowly. He knew he would be leaving the colonies in the sector out on a limb. Given Sol's history, they may very well saw that limb off behind him and cut the colonies off completely without any hope of rescue. He could see Jack knew that however.
“We have several survey satellites in our inventory. We can configure some to broadcast the warning.”
“You'll need what, four?” Jack asked. The captain nodded. “Okay, any extra platforms pass on to my people on the station. We'll see if we can configure them to help with our sky watch program,” Jack said.
The captain hesitated, clearly unsure about giving away company assets before he remembered that Jack was refueling and resupplying them. They would also need as much warning as possible. He nodded slowly. “Yes sir.”
“I'll take the heat from the front office. We'll type up a trade, satellites for fuel so you'll be covered,” Jack said with a shrug. “Hell, we can even write it as a lease, and they can come and get them and refurb them later if necessary,” Jack said.
The captain nodded.
Jack looked up to see Alan come into the office. He turned the camera. “Captain Cooley, this is Sheriff Tupper. He's working on keeping a lid on things here.”
“Sorry about any panic we caused,” The captain said. “In the interest of getting the word out though …”
“I wish you'd done it a bit differently but it's done. We had a bit of hysterics, but it seems to be fading now,” the sheriff said grudgingly.
“I wanted to make sure you had as much lead time as possible in case they were on our heels,” the captain said.
“As I said, it's done. You were talking about a course of action?” Alan asked, looking from Jack to the captain.
“I asked the captain to make a run for the hyperbridge. Get there and get home.”
“Can you divert to the bridge end here? Where the ships come into the sector? Maybe drop a warning there?” Alan asked.
The captain hesitated and then nodded once. “If we have enough fuel.”
“We'll top your tanks off,” Jack said.
“In that case, yes. It will cost us time however,” the captain warned.
“Time well spent,” the sheriff said firmly. “It won't do much for the ships that come in later; they might not have the fuel to divert. But at least we're giving them the information and not letting them sail in here fat, dumb, and happy,” Sheriff Tupper growled.
“Right,” Jack said.
“Okay,” the captain agreed with a nod.
“I came in to have a chat with the governor. We've got some of the hysterics tamped down, but we need a SITREP to keep things under a low boil,” the sheriff stated.
“I see. I am sorry about that,” the captain replied.
“We'll talk again later, Captain; once you've got the refueling underway, give me a call back. We will want to go over everything you've got in detail again,” Jack ordered.
“Yes, sir. Magellan out,” the captain replied, closing the circuit.
Jack sat back and drummed his fingers for a moment. “This is going to suck,” he muttered.
“Tell me about it,” Alan said as he sat in a chair. “I wasn't kidding about the address. People are skittish.”
“Okay. I'll have Jasmine tie the sky watch program into the administration media. Get it right on top so they can see what we see in real time. That way they'll know if a ship is coming.”
“Might help,” Alan said.
“And the address. Again,” Jack said with a nod.
~~*^*~~
General Elliot tucked his hands behind his back as he surveyed his volunteers. He'd started with Benny Maltese, but word had spread and he'd ended up with over three hundred people by morning. Three hundred armed people he noted, though all of them had civilian weapons. That was fine. Some might be a bit old or young, but he'd take anyone he could at the moment.
Most of the group were retired marines, but a few had young sons and daughters with them. There were a few loners there too. Elliot didn't kick them out; they were volunteers and willing to serve. That was fine with him. They'd face the fire soon enough, and at least he'd get some training into them and they'd be armed.
He stuck to the facts as he laid out his briefing to them on the steps of the administration building. He rested one leg on the bottom step, his hand on his knee. “Folks, you know me, you know I tell it to you straight. We're back in the shit. The good news is, we've got Jack Lagroose on our side and in charge. The bad news is, we're up against bonafide aliens.” He grimaced. As they just stared back at him. “We have little intel and little resources. They'll have the high ground, which means we're going to fight a guerrilla war. We have civilians; we have to protect. Plus, we'll have logistics concerns for them and us. But we do have a planet to hide on, and we've got decades of experience plus a highly-motivated group.”
“Looking out for your own survival let alone your families tends to do that sort of thing,” Sergeant Maltese drawled.
“Exactly,” Elliot said with a nod to the Neogorilla silverback.
“So, you're saying we've got a problem. I don't see it that way. They haven't met us yet,” a Neocat said, buffing his nails. “I think we can shove a stick up their ass so hard they'll run home for mommy ky-ying,” he drawled.
That earned some hoots and a general chuckle from the assembly.
“Yeah, we'll send them home to their mommies in a body bag!” a Neobear growled. That earned some roars.
“Stick their peckers on our planet, and we'll show them a real meat grinder. All they'll get back is a stump,” Sergeant Maltese added with a savage grin.
Elliot grimaced as the group hooted. “Okay, settle down,” he said, hands out and making push down motions. “I said, settle down,” he said in his best command voice. T
he tumult instantly stopped. “Thank you. We've got a lot to go over. All of you have experience, so I thought I'd brief you and get some feedback going. I've got a list, I want to go over it with you and see what we can come up with,” he said.
“The current plan is to get the civilians out of the line of fire. Those we can we'll move underground. Those who are in isolated homesteads can opt to take their chances out in the open. Until we know more about what we face, the plan is to get everyone under cover.”
Sergeant Maltese cocked his head. “A question, Sergeant?” Elliot asked.
“Sir, what about ideas? I know we've got a few. I've got ideas on deadfalls for instance, and some tricks we picked up. And logistics? What about EMP weapons, will they work? Can we make mines or something in space?”
“We're taking all ideas. Submit a list of them. I'll look at them in my munificent free time,” the general replied dryly. “Now,” he turned to the group. “Since most of you are armed, I thought we'd go over a few things and blow some rust off. Sergeant Maltese can start everyone off on a weapon inspection and safety briefing as I get some names and build the TOE. I'll want to talk to each of you in turn.”
“Sir, what do we call ourselves?” a blue tiger asked in the back.
“For now, we're the Eden militia. If you think of something else …,” he paused when he saw some wicked looks. “Something PG,” he stressed.
“Awe,” a few in the group groused on cue.
Elliot smiled thinly. “Yes PG. It might make the news,” he said. There were snorts of derision on that thought. “Anyway, Eden militia. If you've got ideas for unit names, write ‘em up. I'm going to work on meeting any leadership. Anyone who was an officer, form a line to the right,” he said, waving a hand. “Everyone else, go see Sergeant Maltese and relearn which end the round comes out of,” he said.
There was a shuffle as the personnel organized themselves.
The general nodded once as Sergeant Maltese handed him a crumpled piece of plastic. He glanced at it and noted a list of names, followed by locations, and then a rough TOE. He nodded in approval. He knew the officers and noncoms would work on ideas and priorities while executing his orders to get everyone back into shape.
Meanwhile, he and the officers had some planning and organizing of their own to do.
~~*^*~~
“Tom, if I've told you once, I've told you ten times,” Jack said as he saw a familiar miscreant being brought into his office by Alan and a deputy. “What is it this time?” Jack asked, turning away from the calico domestic Neocat to the deputy and the woman trailing them.
“He was after Miss Kitty again! I saw them … fornicating! Unnatural beast!” the woman said, waggling a finger at the Neocat. The Neocat's ears were back, and he had his best endearing expression on his face.
Jack wasn't fooled for a minute.
“Miss Kitty is your pet cat, right?”
“She … he …,” the woman sputtered.
“Miss Bridgetone is bringing allegations of rape. We're not sure how to handle it,” the deputy said looking down at the Neocat.
“Serious charge. What does Miss Kitty say?” Jack asked, sitting back. He already knew the answer; Miss Kitty was a snow white, long hair fallow cat. Miss Bridgetone had made it emphatically clear that the cat was hers and for breeding purposes.
“She of course was not consenting to such an act,” Miss Bridgetone said with a sniff.
“And we have her affidavit confirming this?” Jack asked. “Oh, wait, she's not an uplift. Technically, she is in your care,” Jack said nodding to the woman, “So that could be construed as a minor and guardian relationship.” He leveled a stern look on Tom who hunched over. “Before we get into the legalities, why don't you begin at the beginning?”
“She's in heat.”
“Miss Kitty?” Jack asked, looking at Miss Bridgetone.
“Yes!” the woman said in exasperation.
“Just checking. Okay, so how did the encounter happen?”
“I caught him on top of her in the street!” the woman squawked.
“So, she, she being Miss Kitty, was in heat, and outside after I instructed you not to let her out of your domain since she is a fallow cat.”
“I … she stinks and makes such a fuss to go out. I didn't see the harm for a brief stroll. Besides, my arthritis and the litterbox …,” the woman whined.
“I see. So, you let the cat out in heat. And Tom …,” Jack turned a look on the Neocat. “How did you get into this?”
“I can plead the fifth, right?” the Neocat asked, ears flat.
“That is your right. Of course, then I'd have to take other people's word on it. We'd have to call in witnesses, I'd have to get Jeeves to check any video surveillance, and all that work while I'm busy with other things will compel me to make sure the person or persons who put me through that would have to be dealt with,” Jack warned.
“Whoa,” Tom said, hands up in a pushing motion. “Ease off, Gov, just checking.”
“Right,” Jack drawled. “So?”
“So … I was on my way home and smelled her. I … kinda got carried away. But she came to me!” Tom said insistently. “She came on to me. She was yowling and kneading, her tail up and well, one thing led to another and …,” he wrung his hands.
“Right,” Jack drawled. He rubbed the side of his nose. “Deputy, how much of this have you verified?” he asked, turning to the deputy.
“Just about all of it,” the deputy replied. “I talked to two witnesses. The white cat saw him, and they sort of ran to each other.”
“So, it was consensual,” Jack said.
“She can't … she's supposed to be … not with that …that mongrel!” Miss Bridgetone sputtered.
“Yes, since you've kept the cat from being fixed or at least on birth control, there is the question of children,” Jack said, “which will put Tom on the hook for child support. I believe such breedings will bring a litter of Neocats too,” Jack said.
Tom hunched his shoulders.
“I want that …,” the spiteful woman shook her finger at the Neocat. “Put down …,” she growled.
“None for that,” Jack said, eyeing the incensed woman severely. “So, should I trot out Hanarubi justice? Or Orestes?” he asked.
“Um ….” The Neocat Tomcat squirmed uncomfortably. He didn't like the sound of either option.
“You are officially on the hook for any child support from this union, Tom. Furthermore, if you do not get control of your sexual urges, I will treat you like a sexual predator. That will mean chemical constraint, monitoring of your location, registration as a sex predator, and possible castration,” Jack said, leveling the boom on the Neocat. “Since this isn't your first offense, I'm not in any mood to take up any appeals either.”
“Castration!” the cat hissed, eyes wide in fright.
“I warned you about this before, Tom,” Jack said firmly. “But, you aren't the only guilty party here,” he said, turning to Miss Bridgetone. “You are also partially to blame since I ordered you to keep the cat indoors since you refuse to take preventive measures. You disobeyed me as well. So, first, we're going to get Miss Kitty to the vet. She'll be assessed to see if she is pregnant. Since you let her out, you get to pay for that,” Jack said to the woman.
The woman sputtered.
“But,” he turned to Tom, “you get to pay for her care if she is pregnant.”
“I'll drown the litter …,” the woman said.
“You will do no such thing,” Jack snapped, looking directly at the woman. She backed up, eyes wide. “You just made a criminal threat against newborn children in my presence as well as the presence of a deputy, Miss Bridgetone. Continue on that track and I'll throw the book at you,” he growled.
She gulped, then ducked her head.
Jack got control of his temper. He could tell Tom wouldn't mind if the litter was killed. Too bad. “Now, if the feline is pregnant, I'll require regular visits from the vet. Since Miss Bri
dgetone has threatened the litter, when the cat is due she will be handed over to the vet.” The woman looked up with a stricken look. “You can visit her as long as you behave.”
“Miss Kitty has never been away from her mummikins!” the woman said in distress, cheeks red and angry.
“Mummikins,” Tom sputtered in amusement. He saw the deputy's stern expression and schooled his face and ears.
“Once the litter has been sufficiently assessed, we will go from there. If they are Neos, they will be weaned from their mother and placed with a foster Neocat. If they are fallow, they can remain with their mother.”
“Her breeding … this litter will destroy her history!” the woman protested.
“Again, you should have thought of that before letting the cat outside,” Jack said firmly. “Tom, I am putting you on notice. No,” he paused and cocked his head. “I think, since you can't control your urges we'll put you with a group who can channel that energy. Heaven help you if you step out of line.”
“Community service?” Tom asked. “Again?”
“Since the regular service didn't help … no. This is one of a different sort. Deputy, please drop Tom off with General Elliot's people. He's just been drafted for a period of one year. His income will be docked for child support should the need arise.”
Tom gave a strangled gasp and then a hiss. When he looked ready to protest, Jack leveled a cold stern look on him. “It is that or sex offender status and castration,” he offered.
“Use a rusty knife,” Miss Bridgetone hissed, practically spitting in her own right.
Tom grimaced. “Where do I sign up?” he asked.
“I thought as much,” Jack said with a nod of approval. “Now, get out of here. I've got more work to do,” he said with a wave of his hand.
~~*^*~~
Once he had a clear handle on the situation and nothing new was brought up, Jack pulled the community leaders together for a full briefing. It didn't take long; there were two dozen small town and village mayors but only four other city mayors. They fit in the conference room and were relatively quiet since just about everyone knew the basics of what was going on.
