“Maybe we can go see the Eiffel Tower,” Petricia offered with a snicker.
“This tower is tall?” Bundin asked.
“Not anymore.” Joseph continued to laugh while the onlookers stayed where they were, at a safe distance from the crazy people and their pet alien.
Ted worked his way around the others and assumed a laser-like focus on the air traffic control center, little more than a two-story shack in the center of the field.
The others followed, treading lightly on the soft grass. The smell of it filled their senses. The feel of it, so different from anywhere else they’d been since leaving. It felt like home, better, but not. The feeling remained just beyond their fingertips, where they were unable to grasp fully what their emotions were trying to tell them.
Dokken ran circles around the group. I like grass, he told them.
“You and every hippie from the sixties,” Joseph replied.
I don’t know what that means, but I’ll take it they were a good bunch, not unlike German Shepherds.
“Not unlike them at all, Dokken.”
Cory jogged into the grass after him, where they played a brief game of tag. Dokken’s tongue flopped sideways out of his mouth. Cory’s eyes sparkled in the sunlight as she played with him. Joseph and Petricia held hands, happy to see Cory smile.
“I think that I will wait in the ship,” Bundin told the group. The eyes on his stalk showed him that he was not welcome.
“Probably not a bad choice, my friend,” Joseph replied. “The people of Earth aren’t yet ready to expand their minds with the possibility of an infinite universe populated with races like yours.”
The Podder worked his way inside the hatch and watched the others leave before securing it, closing himself off from the outside world.
Ted continued undeterred. The group waited outside while he went in.
A man stood at a small counter. “Registration and landing fee, please,” the man said without looking up.
“What? Don’t you know who I am?” Ted asked.
The man’s eyes dragged from the counter, up Ted’s body, to rest on his face. “Nope.”
“I’m Ted. I built this place. And I’ve returned with my spaceship. I need to see Kailin.” Ted’s lip curled and quivered.
“Who?”
“He runs this place. Where is your supervisor?”
“Off.”
“I’ll say,” Ted retorted and stormed out.
The War Axe
“Prepare to get underway.” Micky’s voice echoed through the corridors.
“Intra-ship communications are closed,” Smedley reported.
“Get me Spires Harbor, Smedley.”
“You are connected.”
“Spires Harbor, this is Captain San Marino. How are you today?”
“We’re doing great,” Sue replied. “I expect you want something. You’re like that Terry Henry guy. You never call to make chit chat.”
Micky looked at the ceiling and grimaced. Chit chat. “I’m sorry, I’ll have to do better with that, but for now, could you please notify the shipyard to have the Harborian fleet ready to deploy upon our return?”
“All of them?”
“Terry wanted a functioning fleet, in case Ten throws a bunch of ships at us.”
“Sounds like nine ships—destroyers, frigates, one battlewagon.”
“Thank you, Sue. I’ll owe you one.”
“You and everyone else,” she replied. “If you get beat up while you’re out there, Spires Harbor is here to patch you up, good as new.”
“That’s your advertising hook. Good as new. Take care, Sue.” Smedley closed the channel. “Clifton, whenever you’re ready.”
“Gate engine is charged. Executing. Gate is forming,” helm stated as he went down his checklist. “Thrusters engaged. Easing over the event horizon. Next stop, Onyx Station.”
The gate shimmered and the ship slipped through. After a moment of disorientation, space reappeared. In the distance, a massive station stood like a spindle, a beacon in deep space. The station was well lit and well attended. Ships circled it like bees around a hive, waiting for their turn to dock and deliver their materials. Hangar bays encircled the lower half of the structure. Some looked large enough to fit the War Axe.
“Are we docking inside?” Terry asked, incredulous at the size of the station. “Was it that big last time we were here?”
“It has always been that size, TH,” Micky said as he mindlessly stroked the orange cat purring in his lap
“And this is where everyone gets off and scatters to the four winds.” Terry pursed his lips, blowing out a long stream of air.
“Did they get that Dark Tomorrow stuff under control?” Char asked, eyeing the station as the War Axe closed.
“Nathan was comfortable that it was, but he’s keeping us in the loop. He’s got a couple different groups that he can put on the problem. I want to hear more from him about who these interstellar studs might be.”
“What if they’re women?”
“Stud muffins?”
Char shook her head and laughed softly.
“We better go see our folks off,” Terry said and started for the hatch.
“Why?” Char wondered. TH stopped.
“I always send my people out with a pep talk.” Terry looked at the deck and then the overhead as he contemplated. Once certain that he was right, he headed off the bridge. “Smedley, hold the shuttles until I can get there and say my piece.”
“I better go and see what the current gonorrhea lecture looks like.” Char nodded to the skipper and followed Terry out.
“I heard that! I’m not giving an STD talk.”
“Not again, you mean!” she yelled into the corridor. “Thank God.”
Terry was waiting at the top of the stairs for her. “I miss them already.”
“I know. Me, too. Let’s do what we need to do, have a good sendoff for Kae and Marcie, then get back to Keeg for the last of the new recruit training. I have high hopes for that group. Yollin, Ixtali, Asplesians, and a menagerie of other aliens along with the Harborians, who are almost alien.” Char took Terry’s hand, as they did when walking together.
The stairwell on the War Axe was wide, accommodating the handholding couple as they descended.
“It throws our mech plan out the window. We’ll need independent designs for some of their body shapes. The Ixtali have four legs?”
“Four and two sets of mandibles.”
“I feel like they should give me the willies, but they don’t. It’s the cantina scene in Star Wars, but this is real. If I’m drinking a beer, I don’t care who’s next to me. Just don’t bump me or I’ll have to take off your hairy alien arm!”
“I know you think that the bounty hunter shot first.”
“All that matters is I’m willing to shoot first if someone points a blaster at my face.”
“I would expect no less,” Char conceded.
When they reached the hangar bay, they found the warriors and a few members of the crew waiting on their ride to Onyx Station.
“I heard they have a suite with a chocolate shower,” Char stated abruptly, as Terry’s steps had quickened at the sight of his people with crossed arms and tapping feet. He noticed Clodagh Shortall off to the side with one of the warriors. They were locked in a hug, faces smashed together.
Char slowed, acting as an anchor to hold Terry back. “What the hell is going on over there?” he asked, pointing at the couple while looking over his shoulder at Charumati.
“What do you think?” she asked with a shrug.
“But, he’s a private and she’s a lieutenant.”
Char stared at her husband from beneath raised eyelids. “They are adults, and we’re a private conflict solution enterprise. The War Axe is our ride to where we’re going. She’s one of the crew. So what, TH? Don’t sap their fun because you’re in a pissy mood.”
“Why would you think I’m in a pissy mood?”
“Because
you are.” Char didn’t elaborate before changing the subject. “Do you have any idea how much money you’ve made off Nathan because of your non-swearing?”
“I have no idea. I’ve been kind of busy,” Terry replied.
“You could probably describe it as a few years of your salary.”
Terry finally stopped trying to pull away. “What?” A smile slowly spread across his serious face. “You mean that I’ve got money? But I don’t really care about that. We have what we need.”
“Are you sure we have everything we need?”
“I’m now sure that you don’t think so,” Terry replied astutely.
“Terry Henry Walton, you lack a hobby.”
“I’d love to play golf, but there aren’t any courses out here. Aliens are such sticks in the mud.”
The warriors continued to tap their feet as they waited. Some harrumphed, others coughed. Clodagh and Private Gefelton continued what they were doing without pause.
Char drew a canvas in the air with her hands. “Imagine, a brew pub with a golf course and batting cage simulator. A dancefloor with some music. Happy hour. Hot wings. And beer.”
Terry blinked quickly to fight back the tears. “A brew pub. My own brew pub with a computer-simulated golf course using real golf clubs. That might be the best gift in the whole universe.”
“It’s not a gift. You’ll have to pay for it with your money. I’m going shopping. And there’s nothing to pay for, anyway. We need to talk to all kinds of people. I have appointments scheduled with a lawyer, an accountant, and of course, with a pub regarding a franchise.”
“A lawyer?”
“Do you think that just because we’re in space, we no longer have laws? This is business. You signed a contract with the Bad Company. We all did. Pull up your big boy pants and see if you want to run a bar.”
“Pull up your frilly panties and join me!”
“You know they’re not frilly.”
“You got that right.” Terry grabbed Char in a bear hug, picked her up, and swung her around. “What are we waiting for?”
He gently set her down before jogging to the impatiently waiting group. “BRING IT IN!” he bellowed, looking pointedly at the couple. They separated and joined the others.
“Liberty is about escaping the day-to-day grind,” Terry started. “Go out and enjoy yourselves. Make the most of your time off, and then come back when your vacation is over.”
“A month?” one of them ventured.
“Two weeks and meet back here at Onyx Station. Don’t make us leave without you because we will, and then there will be hell to pay. Give me an oorah on three.”
Terry counted down and the warriors cheered. It was their first real liberty since the Force de Guerre went to space, too many lifetimes ago, and became the Bad Company.
Kaeden and Marcie joined the cheer at the end before the group ran for their shuttles.
“Mind if we join you for the ride to Onyx?”
“Indeed.” TH waved at them to follow as he headed toward the same shuttle he always used. Char nodded knowingly. “You can tell me about your goals for the army that you’ll build.”
CHAPTER TEN
Alameda, Earth
The factory looked the same. Just like the sky and the bay. Everything looked the same, but nothing felt the same.
“Have we been gone that long?” Petricia asked.
“Maybe we have. There’s something off about this place. Ted? Can Plato sense anything?” Joseph asked.
Ted was storming toward the factory, a brisk two-mile walk away. “Uncle Ted?” Cory asked.
He slowed until he stopped, his head hanging and his chin resting on his chest.
“You feel it too, don’t you?”
“Plato can’t find anything. He continues to search and analyze,” Ted relayed.
“But you feel it,” Cory stated.
“I don’t know what I feel.”
Cory wasn’t surprised at Ted’s revelation. There were too many different emotions bombarding him. She put a gentle hand on Ted’s shoulder. A soft blue glow appeared from between her fingers.
Ted remained still. When he finally looked up, his eyes were clear and his face relaxed. “Let’s get to the plant and talk with Kailin.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing my nephew,” Cory replied.
“You not only have a gift, you are a gift, my lady,” Joseph told her. Dokken barked and panted happily.
I couldn’t agree more, the dog added. When he reached the pavement, he stopped. Can we stay on the grass?
Cory pointed to the massive buildings that housed the gravitic engine factory and dirigible construction facilities. “We cannot. We’re going over there.” She kneeled next to him to make it easier for him to see where she was pointing.
If that’s where you’re going, I’m going there, too. But we’ll be back because our ship is here. Maybe we can cover the decks with grass. Ted could do it if he wanted to. Make him want to.
Cory chuckled. “I’ll ask because it’s important to you, but not now. We have some things to focus on first. I need to find my daughters.”
Dokken nuzzled her hand. Of course. I got distracted for a moment. It won’t happen again. Shall we?
The large German Shepherd trotted ahead, turned, waited for the humans to start walking, and then ran farther.
“The longer I’m here, the more it feels familiar. Maybe our lives aboard the sterility of starships and space stations have changed our perceptions regarding the chaos of nature.” Joseph kept his eyes moving as he watched the world around them.
“Look, a dog,” a rough young man said as he stepped from the shadows. A group of his fellows appeared on both sides. “What’s with the blue eyes, honey?”
“Get out of our way. We have things to do,” Ted said gruffly, waving dismissively.
“I think you grossly underestimated what you’ve gotten yourself into. Leaving is your best option. Nothing else will turn out in your favor.” Joseph looked into the mind of the young man, before exploring the minds of those around him. They didn’t care. They were a gang and harassing people was the least of their crimes.
Dokken growled and bared his fangs. Ted sighed and shook his head. Joseph stretched his fingers and cracked his knuckles. He didn’t want to see the others embroiled in a fight not of their choosing.
I will be their champion, he thought.
Cory cocked her head, looking confused. “Why would you do this?”
“We take what we want. Come on, boys. Kill that dog while I introduce myself properly to Miss Blue Eyes.”
Onyx Station
Nathan Lowell’s office was nondescript. “As president of the Bad Company, I would have expected something a little more opulent.”
“Why?” Nathan asked as he stood to shake Terry’s hand.
“To make sure you negotiate from a position of power,” Terry answered.
“I always negotiate from a position of power.” Nathan smiled easily and made his friends feel welcome. They took seats on a couch and in overstuffed chairs. “We have a few minutes before your destroyer leaves for Belzimus.”
Marcie and Kaeden looked at each other. “We thought that we’d be based out of here.” Marcie stood and started to pace.
Terry appreciated her style; it reminded him of someone he knew.
“You will be, but like me, you probably won’t spend much time here. What you’ll be doing will be more hands-on until you have the feel of your front line leadership team.”
“Are we going to have to earn their respect?” Kae asked. Everything stopped within the room. The fidgets, the pacing, even the breathing.
“There has to be more to your question,” Nathan said.
“I don’t want to have to beat anyone senseless, but are we going to have some ass-munching Klingon challenge me to a duel?”
Terry bit his lip. Char elbowed him to keep quiet.
“The army that you’ll be building is made up of people who lo
ok and act human. But they most assuredly are not. I think you won’t be surprised by the broad range of personalities you find on Belzimus.”
“What do we call them?” Marcie wondered.
“Belzonian. Even the women. I guess that would be the difference between them and humans. You generally won’t be able to tell the women from the men because they’re hermaphrodites. Maybe that’s why you can’t tell them apart, because there is no apart to tell.” Nathan checked his monitor to make sure it was off and he wasn’t broadcasting. “They like to spread their DNA as wide as possible in order to ensure their species remains strong.”
“What the butt-hugging nut-roll does that even look like?” Terry wondered.
“An orgy, or so I’ve been told,” Nathan said, quickly looking away.
“Why does that matter?” Kae asked.
“You’ll find that there’s no jealousy there, not because of sex. They are still envious of position and rank and stuff like that, but not from what tends to distract humans the most.”
“I’m starting to like the Belzonians,” Marcie offered. “We transmitted our recommended organization chart based on what we’d seen. What do we need to change?”
“The only thing I saw was the reliance on existing structures. I believe you’ll be better off if you move the leadership laterally, make them uncomfortable enough to learn the new way. If they stay in a position they think they know, they’ll do it how they think they know it, if that makes any sense.”
Kae and Marcie both nodded. “It does,” Kae replied. Nathan stood and held out his hand.
“That’s it, huh?” Kae said.
“That’s it. Time to go.” They shook hands, while Terry and Char waited by the door. After the hugs, Marcie and Kaeden strolled out. The door closed behind them.
“That’s it, huh?” Terry parroted. “Better them than us. A legion of warriors who like orgies.”
“A new chapter, TH. Marcie and Kaeden will be briefed extensively by Lance Reynolds, since they are going to be working directly for him from now on. They need to get there and get to work. Those people aren’t going to organize themselves. We have too many places they need to go and too little time to get them there.”
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