“Who will be our leader if we join forces?” asked David Torres, an ex-militia lieutenant from Redrock. “Who can be trusted by both species to represent all our interests?”
“Our leader can only be someone who has proven himself in battle,” insisted Desert Claw, leader of the spider insurgency from New Gobi. “We need someone who can unite the entire planet. I propose myself as being up to the task.”
“Not likely,” scoffed Torres. “There was an assassination attempt on the Arthropodan Supreme Commander of New Gobi last week. Lieutenant Barker of the Legion is responsible. Everyone here and across the planet knows about the exploits of Lieutenant Barker from media coverage.”
“Barker lead us?” asked Desert Claw. “Nonsense! He hates all spiders.”
“Barker has proven himself in battle against Arthropodan marines, and by assassinating spider commanders,” advised Torres. “But, he has also led successful attacks against the Legion and even wounded Colonel Czerinski in an assassination attempt. Lieutenant Barker could be impartial enough to govern. He is the general we need to unite New Colorado.”
“But Lieutenant Barker is a legionnaire now,” said Desert Claw. “He ruthlessly wiped out Window Rock. I cannot forgive him for that!”
“Publicity from the atrocities committed by both sides at Window Rock brought us all the more recruits,” said Torres. “Lieutenant Barker will also bring elements of the Legion to our side when the time is right.”
“Let it be done,” conceded Desert Claw. “Contact Lieutenant Barker as soon as possible. The Fist and the Claw will fight as one!”
“Viva la Revolucion!” shouted Torres and his followers. As the cheering died down, Torres raised his hand to get everyone’s attention. “Lieutenant Barker set up this meeting. He is here now! He will address you now!”
Lieutenant Barker threw back his sweatshirt hoodie and stood between the two groups of insurgents. “So you both are convinced you can take on the Empire and the Legion at the same time?” asked Barker. “You need an ace in the hole. I bring you that ace. How do you think I got into the Legion? I have powerful sponsors from humanity and the Spider North who want an independent New Colorado. We have been infiltrating the Legion for quite some time. Units loyal to our cause are just waiting for the right moment. The uprising will be so bloody and swift that the United States Galactic Federation will want nothing more than to negotiate an exit out of New Colorado. They’ll be happy to leave us alone.”
“And what of the Empire?” asked Desert Claw. “The Empire has never backed away from a fight.”
“When the Emperor accepted an Americanized spider queen from New Colorado to unite the Empire, it was the biggest mistake of his life. If we kill the Emperor, Queen Rainbow will let us go. Independence is assured.”
“You know that for certain?” asked Desert Claw. “No queen has ever ruled Arthropoda independent of the Emperor. She doesn’t have the authority to let us go.”
“There will be a small window of opportunity after the Emperor’s death when she will be able to proclaim New Colorado’s independence,” said Barker. “She has confided that she would like to see a free New Colorado.”
“She plots to murder the Emperor, too?” asked Desert Claw.
“No,” said Barker. “The Queen is devoted to the Emperor. We will make it look like Green spiders did it.”
“I like that,” said Desert Claw. “We get our independence, and the Empire helps us get rid of those money-grubbing Greens, once and for all. But how can we kill the Emperor?”
“The Emperor is coming to New Colorado to celebrate the Queen’s birthday,” replied Barker. “When we strike, the planet will rise up as one!”
“Viva la Revolucion!” shouted Desert Claw. Once again, both groups joined together in the chant.
* * * * *
Corporal John Iwo Jima Wayne sat alone at the bar of the Blind Tiger Tavern. Sergeant Toock joined him. “You have a sordid past,” commented Sergeant Toock. “I’ve been reading your file.”
“Don’t all legionnaires?” asked Corporal Wayne. “My past is supposed to be kept confidential.”
“Your past is special,” said Sergeant Toock. “You have been an Arthropodan commando team leader, an insurgent leader, and a Hell’s Angels leader. You have been decorated by the Legion, but you got busted back to private for assaulting Czerinski during a unit inspection. Now you have joined Lieutenant Barker and G Company, hoping to see more combat? I am having trouble figuring you out.”
“All you need to figure out is that I do not drink with oversized ants,” said Corporal Wayne. “Your smell offends me. Get lost!”
“How would you feel about a free and independent New Colorado?” asked Sergeant Toock. “A New Colorado free of the corruption of both the Empire and Old Earth.”
“The key word is free,” said Corporal Wayne. “Would the leaders of an independent New Colorado value freedom?”
“There are no guarantees,” said Sergeant Toock. “Leaders are often not perfect. After every revolution, there is always some sorting out that needs to be done.”
“Where is this going?” asked Corporal Wayne. “You want me to turn traitor?”
“I just want to know if you could be loyal to an independent New Colorado,” said Sergeant Toock. “A revolution is coming. The question is whether you are prepared to take decisive action with us when it happens. Are you prepared to be a leader in that revolution?”
“Yes,” said Corporal Wayne. “I could support an independent New Colorado.”
* * * * *
Lieutenant Barker phoned the prestigious bookie offices of Sir Babloo Srivastava VII. “Are you Italian?” asked Lieutenant Barker.
“Certainly not,” said Babloo Srivastava. “Are you calling to place a wager?”
“Are you accepting bets on the life of Lieutenant Laika Barker, United States Galactic Foreign Legion?” asked Lieutenant Barker.
“I am sorry, sir, but we closed new wagers on Lieutenant Barker months ago,” said Babloo.
“But earlier you accepted bets on Lieutenant Barker?” asked Lieutenant Barker.
“Yes, sir,” said Babloo. “We are the premiere bookie establishment for the galaxy. Only our house is big enough to accept that sort of action. All our action is licensed, bonded, and insured.”
“So you think you can mess with people’s lives like that?” asked Lieutenant Barker. “Do you think there are no consequences for your actions?”
“Sir, the Srivastava name has been a leader in wagering for generations,” said Babloo. “My family has been a business leader since the days of the British Empire.”
“This is Lieutenant Barker, and your days of doing business are over!” shouted Lieutenant Barker. “And you can shove the British Empire up yours!”
“This is a bit awkward,” replied Babloo. “I assure you, it is nothing personal that we accepted bets on your life. We merely meet a need of the public to wager on all sorts of matters.”
“Nothing personal?” asked Lieutenant Barker. “Have you ever heard of the T. Roosevelt Space Weapons Platform?”
“Isn’t the T. Roosevelt some sort of old rusty Legion troop transport ship?” asked Babloo.
“The T. Roosevelt just dropped from space a truck-sized rock that is headed for your offices in New Memphis,” said Lieutenant Barker. “I doubt you have longer than fifteen seconds to live.”
The phone went dead.
back to top
Chapter 8
“I don’t see how we can keep Lieutenant Barker alive eight more months,” commented Captain Lopez. “Too many want to kill him, including me.”
“I know,” I said. “It is all I can do to not shoot him myself. Keep reminding yourself of the big payoff.”
“The insurgents will probably get him anyway,” said Captain Lopez. “They’re doing something new. Spider insurgents are shooting at us from across the MDL with mortars and rockets. They think we can’t shoot back without causing an intergalactic i
ncident. The good news is that they’re not all shooting at us. Other insurgents, maybe human, are firing from our side of the MDL at Arthropodan troops.”
“That’s odd. Are the spider and human insurgents cooperating? Or is it just a coincidence they’re using the same strategy?”
“I liked it better when they were shooting at each other. You better tell your spider commander buddy I don’t like being shot at from his side of the MDL. Just today a rocket blew up the sidewalk in front of Walmart.”
I called the spider commander on the phone as Lopez suggested. “If you keep supplying the insurgents with arms, you are going to find those same arms someday pointed at you,” I said.
“I think you may be right,” said the spider commander. “I’ll stop immediately.”
“What?” I asked. “No argument? You’re going to stop giving aid to the insurgents that quickly? What’s the catch? What made you agree with me?”
“My spies tell me the insurgency is changing tactics,” said the spider commander. “Spiders and humans are plotting together. I don’t know what they are up to, but it cannot be good. I suspect they are giving each other arms, too. I was planning to cut them off anyway.”
“I want permission to strike at will at insurgents across the MDL,” I said.
“You do that anyway,” said the spider commander. “And your aim is lousy. Do you realize how much collateral damage you cause? It’s a good thing Uncle Sam has deep pockets.”
“Now I have your permission to cause collateral damage,” I said. “Perhaps we can start getting serious about chasing terrorists. They can’t survive without a safe haven.”
“I agree. I’ll contact the governor about similar cooperation on a planet-wide basis. In the meantime, do not trespass.”
“And I’ll contact General Kalipetsis,” I promised.
“Does this mean you will honor our extradition requests?” asked the spider commander.
“That is still a touchy subject. Extradition will still be done on a case-by-case basis. And you may not request to extradite any legionnaire, especially Lieutenant Barker. The publicity it causes every time you do that does not help things.”
“Only full cooperation will work,” warned the spider commander. “Lieutenant Barker is a bad egg. You should cull him from your nest now.”
“Probably,” I agreed. “But he is my problem. I will take care of Barker, not you.”
“Why did the T. Roosevelt bomb an office complex in New Memphis?” asked the spider commander. “Not that I care when you human pestilence bomb each other, but New Memphis is under joint administration, and you should still inform the Empire before doing something so dangerous. We do not want to create a public panic.”
“I don’t know anything about it. Was anyone killed?”
“Just a bunch of Mafia bookies. But glass windows were shattered in buildings a half mile away. I’m sending the Legion a bill.”
“I’ll check on it and get back to you.”
* * * * *
I went to my underground bunker for some sleep. It seemed like there was too much drama seeking me out, and I just wanted to get away from it all. As I entered my quarters, I was smacked on the side of my head. I fell to the floor. At least four assailants kicked me repeatedly. I tried to protect my head and ribs with hands and elbows, covering in a fetal position. The beating continued. I was in bad shape. My right eye closed shut from injury. Someone put a cloth bag over my head and cinched tight a cord. Breathing was restricted as I struggled. Others bound my hands behind my back with handcuffs. They yanked me to my feet and pulled me along down a hallway. Every other step, someone punched or kicked me and told me to shut up.
“Get this bag off my face!” I yelled. “I can’t breathe!”
“You can breathe,” replied one of my kidnappers. “Shut up, or I’ll shoot you.”
“I have asthma,” I cried. “I will die if I can’t breathe. Take this bag off my head.”
“I’ll shoot you now!” repeated the kidnapper.
“Look me in the eye when you shoot me, coward!”
“Don’t worry, I will,” he said, laughing nastily.
“We will cut off your head,” added another assailant.
I was sure he was a spider. I could tell that a translation device was involved in the conversation. “How did a spider get down here?” I demanded. “Human traitors are working with spiders?”
“Shut up,” said the spider, striking me in the head again.
This time I lost consciousness as they carried me the rest of the way to wherever it was they were taking me. When I woke, a bright light shone in my face. The cloth bag had been removed. I was still bound, sitting on a chair. A spider calling himself Desert Claw loomed over me with a large sword. A human insurgent by the name of David Torres and another human were setting up video cameras on tripods.
“He’s awake,” announced Desert Claw. “Let’s get started.”
Three humans and two spiders, all wearing hoods to mask their identities, posed next to me for the cameras. Desert Claw grabbed my hair, forced me to my knees, and put his sword to my throat as he read a prepared statement. “We are the Fist and Claw. We abducted the Foreign Legion war criminal and mass murderer Colonel Czerinski, the Butcher of New Colorado, to bring him to justice. We demand a free and independent New Colorado. We demand the Arthropodan Empire and the United States Galactic Federation both leave New Colorado at once. If you refuse to leave New Colorado, the sand will be nourished with your blood. We demand all freedom fighters be immediately freed from prisons on both sides of the border. Otherwise, by sundown tonight, I will cut off Czerinski’s head and mail it to the Legion.” The cameras stopped, and the bright lights went out.
“So which is it?” I asked. “Are you going to bring me to justice or trade me for prisoners?”
“We are going to chop you up a little bit at a time,” said Desert Claw. “Then I will have your head.”
I recognized both Desert Claw and David Torres from wanted posters at the Post Office. Up until now, they were just local nuisances that operated mostly north of the DMZ.
“David,” I said. “You are taking orders from a spider? Como puede esto ser? Amigo?”
“Your Legion hunts us all like dogs,” replied Torres. “The tables are turned now! How does it feel?” Torres slapped the side of my head.
“The planet is big enough for everyone,” I said. “Friend, there are so many unexplored parts of New Colorado. This is not necessary.”
“You are not my friend, legionnaire,” said Torres. “Entienda?”
“Si,” I answered. “We have both fought the spiders. We have too much history and culture in common to fight among ourselves. It should not end like this between us. We are family. We are humanity.”
“Enough!” interrupted Desert Claw. “He only seeks to drive a wedge between us!”
“Men don’t take orders from bugs,” I said. “David isn’t through talking to me, and will not take orders from you!”
“You think I’m stupid?” asked Torres, slapping me again. “You are not Latino. Don’t speak Spanish to me like you’re family. We are not family! I will kill you soon. Lock him up!”
“I have a lot of money,” I offered. “Maybe I can buy my way out of this?”
“I don’t need money,” said Torres. “If I needed money, I would rob banks.”
“Let me make a phone call,” I said. “I want to say good-bye to my girlfriend.”
“You have nerve, asking to use a phone,” said Torres. “Do you think you can call for help? Do you think your call can be traced to us?”
“Everyone here has loved ones who care about them,” I said. “I do, too. You said you are going to kill me. Fine. I can accept that. I had no illusions when I joined the Legion that I would die a hero, other than I thought it would be spiders, not traitorous humans, who would kill me. I want to say good-bye to Valerie. I’ll just send a text if you are so afraid of hidden messages or a trace. Please h
and me my communications pad.”
“What does she look like?” asked Torres.
“Valerie looks like a blond Playboy model,” I bragged. “I’ll show you a picture.”
Torres handed me my pad, allowing my one hand to be free. I brought up Valerie’s photo. Then I sent her a text. “Good-bye Valerie. No matter what happens, remember I love you.”
The virtual image of Valerie appeared before me, via the link to my brain. The others could not see or hear her as she said, “I will not leave your side. I will help you through this, sweetie.” Then she kissed me.
“Valerie is very beautiful,” commented Torres, looking at her database photo. “Does she have a sister?”
“Several,” I said. “And they all like men with big guns. I’ll put you in contact with them through the database, if you like.”
“Maybe in another place and another time.” Torres sighed. “Too bad such a lovely woman will be grieving soon.”
“Who is this pig?” asked Valerie.
“Someone that needs killing,” I replied.
Torres slapped me again. The insurgents bound my free hand, covered my head with a bag, dragged me down a hallway, and threw me to the floor of a locked cell. Valerie followed, seething with anger. “I was able to see out a small window as they brought you here,” said Valerie. “I have sent enhanced images to Captain Lopez. Several landmarks and even a street sign are easily identified. Sweetie, I promise you will be rescued soon.”
* * * * *
Captain Lopez read the priority text message and sorted through the attachments. Its sender was anonymous. Lopez didn’t think it was possible to receive an anonymous priority message, but someone had access to our secure codes. The text was most disturbing. Colonel Czerinski was missing? Kidnapped by terrorists? Captain Lopez sent a text message to me. No answer. The anonymous sender’s analysis of hidden video indicated I was being held at the G Company compound. This was based on a brief image out a window. Captain Lopez sent a text message to Lieutenant Barker, ordering him to report to Legion Headquarters. No answer.
America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 5: Insurgency Page 5
