Children of Steel

by John Van Stry

  We talked a little bit then about what happened to each of us. Herza told about her part in assaulting one of the mines, and how they had found people being treated as slaves and forced to work.

  Lisa told about the assault on the spaceport and the later work against the center. It seemed she had been pretty busy and even Herza was impressed. I think my sister really was turning out to be an excellent soldier.

  I then recounted my own story, which was considerably shorter. By then quite a few off duty troops had gathered around, it seemed that everybody thought I was some kind of a hero. I guess my sister had exaggerated the events, and I did my best to play them down. After all I had seen maybe thirty seconds of actual fighting and had spent the rest of my time behind a concrete table.

  "It's not the quantity, it's the quality!" Herza whispered into my ear.

  I said my goodbyes then; I was really getting hungry and tired. I had been there almost two hours. Lisa flagged down a vehicle entering the area, and we got a lift over to the Barracks.

  Once there we went to the cafeteria and I ate as much as I could squeeze down, which wasn't as much as usual. I guess my stomach had shrunk a little while I was in the hospital.

  "Am I really a hero?" I asked Herza when she got me back to her room.

  "For today at least my lovely big Tom." she smiled at me again. "The Captain let it be known that you nailed the top dog, and saved his butt. It's good for moral, everybody likes a hero, and we got quite a few after this operation." She dumped my bag out on the floor then.

  "Ugh what a mess," she started sorting through it. "Well the outer shell on the Helmet's a loss, let's see." she held up my armor, the jumpsuit that holds it together had been cut to shreds by the medical team, and it was covered heavily with my dried blood. "This is almost a total write off. At least the some of the plates in the back weren't ruined.

  "You boots and gloves are still okay, I don't see your med kit. Oh, and here's your watch." she tossed it to me; it was as covered with blood as everything else. I started to clean it off, and watched as she separated the good from the bad, and tossed the junk into a garbage chute.

  "Save those rank tabs!" I warned her before she tossed them too. "I've got to return those to Colonel Dane. He said they were lucky, and now I believe him!" I climbed onto the bed and yawned, lying down and closing my eyes. "I'm going to take a nap, wake me for supper okay?"

  "Don't worry love," she smiled slyly, "I'll wake you."

  I fell asleep immediately, and it seemed only a little while later that I was awakened by somebody fondling and licking a certain part of my anatomy. I open my eyes and looked down, Herza smiled back at me.

  "Time to wake up love." she whispered, and went back to what she was doing.

  I looked at my watch, and saw it was almost seven; I had been asleep nearly four hours. I reached down with my left hand, and stroked Herza's head. It was a rather nice way to be awakened, and she was very good at it.

  A little while later, she helped me into the shower down the hall. She helped me clean, and when the bandages fell away, I had a lot of bald patches all over my body. The Doctor had really gone to town with the shears; my shoulder and stomach were totally bare. "So much for my nice coat." I sighed.

  "Don't worry, it grows back. At least the important parts are still there and working."

  Back at her room, she got out one of the uniforms Terease had sent down. Thankfully she had sent coveralls, and not shorts. I really didn't want everybody to see me shaved in all those spots.

  "At least the fur will cover the scars" I remarked to Herza as she pushed me to the cafeteria.

  "Tell me about it, you should see the ones I've got on my back. I got caught in a bad explosion, and you'd never guess that Banner's left hand is a clone replacement."

  "Really? I didn't know that."

  "He got it shot off three years ago. The Doc had a new one on in three months. It didn't even cost him a fortune."

  She stopped talking then as we had arrived. I looked around and was surprised to see most of the clan, and half the shuttle crews there. Everybody cheered and waved, I really couldn't believe the fuss, but it felt really good and I ate it up.

  "Welcome back to the land of the living Raj," Said Balizar standing up. "You had us all worried there for awhile."

  "Umm, thanks everybody, I really appreciate the welcome. But could I get some food please? I'm famished!"

  Everybody laughed and Katrine brought over a tray of food and gave it to me. I fell to with a relish and listened to everybody's stories of the last few days. I could feel a little of my strength coming back, now that I had eaten a couple of meals, I felt I'd probably be able to walk around some tomorrow.

  "How many people did we lose?" I asked Balizar once I had slowed down my eating.

  "About thirty dead, and another forty severely injured like yourself. The walking wounded are about sixty or so, mostly minor stuff like shrapnel cuts and the like. We lost two of the shuttles, yours was one of course and the other was piloted by Wendy and Sun. Wendy was killed when they were hit, Sun got out okay."

  Wendy and Sun were the two wolves who had come up with B Company. I looked at Dave and saw he was kind of withdrawn. He had been seeing Wendy since they had been introduced on the shuttle deck.

  "Hal was injured when a missile detonated by his shuttle, but he managed to land it without crashing and it's expected to be back in service soon. Mist isn't here because she's in the hospital at the complex here. She got herself shot up while cleaning out a pocket of those who wouldn't surrender."

  "How bad is she?" I asked worried.

  "Not as bad as you were, but she had both her femur's shattered, so she's going to be in traction for another day or two. The doctors are pretty busy still, and reconstructing major bones takes a few days."

  Gabe came over and sat down, and nodded towards Dave.

  "I heard Balizar filling you in about Wendy," he said quietly.

  "How's Dave doing anyway?" I asked, stuffing the last of my food in my mouth.

  "Not too bad anymore, but he's still kind of down about it. You should have seen him two day's ago, I had to get a bunch of his clan members help me drag him out of bed. Nobody realized they had gotten so close so fast."

  "How'd it happen anyway?"

  "Two waves after you got shot down, they were flying ground support. The whole schedule had to be shuffled after you and Rudy got nailed.

  "Anyway, they were making a pass on the Spaceport, softening up an artillery position that had a squad pinned down. Well, there was missile unit in that hanger that's now so much smoke, and it tagged them as they went by. The only reason Sun survived was that the warhead on the missile hadn't armed yet, they were that close. But it took off a wing, and Sun just barely got out. Either the sequencer didn't work, or there just wasn't time, Wendy never got out."

  "Poor Dave, I'd hate to be him right now," was about all I could think of to say. I thought Gabe gave me a strange look there for a second, but I guess I was imagining it.

  "Well it's a tough life we live sometimes," was Gabe's response.

  "Don't I know it!" I laughed looking at myself. "So is there any good news?"

  "Weeell, there are about thirty single female foxes here for starters," Gabe grinned at me changing the subject. "And we're going to be here at least a month."

  "A month?" I was surprised, "Why so long?"

  "It'll take that long to fix the jump drive and get this place into a more fortified state. They actually lost about twenty percent of the population here."

  I whistled, "Wow how many did they execute anyway?"

  "About two hundred animen, mostly males, and another thirty human men too."

  "We figure there may be another two hundred people in the forest," added Katrine, who had been sitting by quietly talking with Herza, "a lot of non-combatants made it into the forest during the initial raid. We're trying to find them and bring them back, but they spread out pretty far trying to get awa
y from the people who were here."

  "So the population is down to about eight hundred right now," said Gabe, "and this place normally has over twelve hundred. They do a lot of mining here."

  "What do they mine that's so valuable anyway?" I asked

  "A lot of what used to be called 'rare earths' like titanium and such," supplied Balizar, "also platinum and even some diamonds and other gemstones. This place is a mineral bonanza, lots of raw materials that are used in high tech applications. I think the company is going to have to increase the amount of troops in these types of operations. These new guys aren't paying any attention to the unwritten laws, but then they're a movement, not a company."

  "More like a bunch of fanatics, and if there's anything that I believe it's that every fanatic should be given the immediate opportunity to meet his god!" I growled hotly thinking about their colonel again.

  "Hear, hear!" said everybody in earshot and giving me a strange look.

  I was shocked by the vehemence in everybody's reply, even the anger in myself. Balizar was right; they had broken the unwritten rules. The first was you didn't kill needlessly and when you had lost, you folded. Hell, people were money; we were bought and paid for. Also it was bad for morale, companies may be out to do each other in, but those of us in the trenches were just doing our jobs. The second was you treated prisoners like guests, because you never knew when the shoe would be on the other foot. Sure corporate warfare was dangerous and often deadly, but never more than it absolutely had to be. I had a sudden premonition, that we hadn't heard the last of this group.

  Once we had finished, everybody had duties to attend to, including Herza. I told her I could wheel myself around and she could go. Truth was I wanted to stop being an invalid; it's no fun to be pushed around and treated like you're helpless. I bet it was less fun if you really were. Well I wasn't, and I was going to start pulling my own weight.

  I got directions to the gym and wheeled myself down there. Once there I did some light leg work, and even some light work with the other weights. I did take the doctor's advice and took it very carefully, but I wanted to be back on my feet now. There was also an attendant at the gym who wouldn't let me overwork myself. I got the distinct impression that the hospital kept them informed about people like me.

  Needless to say I was exhausted by the time I got back to Herza's room. But I had worked the stiffness out of my limbs, and though my leg was still tender, I was able to walk some of the way, using the chair like a walker. I'll never be able to figure out why your body is so weak after major surgery, even though most of it's untouched. It just didn't seem right.

  I got into the room, got my clothes off and collapsed on the bed. I was asleep in a minute, and slept somewhat peacefully except for a nagging feeling that there something bad on the horizon. In my dreams, everybody seemed to treat me like I was made of glass, like they were afraid I'd shatter.

  I awoke the next morning to Herza's administrations; though this time she finished by getting on top and bringing us both to a satisfying conclusion. I walked to the showers with her and was even able to make it most of the way to the cafeteria without leaning on her.

  "Another day and you'll almost be your old self again." said Herza as I ate breakfast. This time I was able to eat more than I normally did.

  "I do feel a lot stronger today. You can return that wheelchair too; I'm not getting into it again." I said adamantly.

  "I don't blame you; it's no fun at all." I noticed that look again; the one Gabe gave me last night. "I'll get rid of it tomorrow, when I'm off." she finished.

  I suddenly realized my dream, my friends were treating me differently and I didn't know why, almost like they were afraid to hurt me. As soon as I realized it, I knew I had to know why. I looked around at the people in the cafeteria; they weren't paying me any extra attention. I looked at Herza, and I could see she was starting to look concerned, I wrapped my tail around her, tight. She was on my left side, next to my good arm and I used it to grab her hand.

  "What's wrong?" I asked looking straight at her.

  "What do you mean?" She gave me a straight poker face, but I remembered my own mistakes and looked at her tail, it was twitching like crazy. She followed my gaze.

  "Herza, something's wrong, I can feel it. I may still be weak but I'm going to freak if you don't tell me." I looked at her very closely, "What's wrong?"

  She looked away from me then, and I could feel her stiffen up.

  "I wasn't supposed to tell you, at least not yet. The Doctor felt any major shocks would be bad for you." she said quietly.

  "To hell with the Doctor!" I yelled, I could see heads turning, and I was getting upset.

  "One of your sisters is here, she's messed up pretty bad and the doctor's aren't letting any one see her."

  I had a very disturbing vision for a second.

  "Which one?" I hissed.

  "Kali," she said and I relaxed a little, if it had been Cassandra I know I would have gone berserk. "But that's not all," she stopped and took a deep breath, "Your brother Nepal was here. They executed him."

  That struck me to the core. I could feel myself tensing up, I wanted to just destroy the place, find those responsible and kill them. Slowly. To die in battle is one thing, or even an accident, but to execute somebody just because of what they are? I was going to kill somebody, there wasn't any doubt about that, but they weren't here. I growled deep in my chest just thinking about that…

  But my sister was here, she was hurt and I had to see her. Revenge would have to wait. I took a deep breath and started to get control of myself, and then let my breath go. I realized I was still holding on to Herza, and rather tightly at that. I let go of her wrist.

  "Damn Raj, I though I was going to have to fight you there for a second." She brought her wrist to her mouth and started licking it; I could see little beads of blood from were my claws had sunk in.

  "I'm sorry Herza, I know it's not your fault," I said a little strained. I noticed several of the troopers sitting back down; I guess they thought I was going to go berserk too. "But you know my family means a lot to me."

  "That's why nobody wanted to tell you just yet." she mumbled around her wrist, still licking it.

  "Just be glad it wasn't Cassandra, or I'd be pulling the place apart." I gave her a hug, "Now, where's my sister?"

  "The Doctor's aren't letting anybody see her," she said sliding away a bit.

  "I'll be the judge of that," I said dangerously, "Now where is she? I am her closest kin legally and I have a right to know."

  She hesitated a moment and looked me over, my arm was still in a sling, and I know I was a little on the thin side still.

  "Herza, if you don't help me, I'm going to get really pissed." I said quietly a little warning growl creeping into my voice.

  "She's in a special ward in the hospital wing. But you better promise me something right now Raj, or I'll trash your sorry ass right here and now!" she hissed back at me suddenly.

  "What?" I asked taken aback by the change in her behavior.

  "That you'll keep yourself under control dammit. If you go berserk in the Hospital, they'll psych your ass on the spot for sure."

  "I'll behave." I promised.

  "You damn well better, I've never seen anyone go off the deep end and I sure as hell don't want it to be you. Come on."

  She led me off to the hospital wing, and I followed as fast as I could. I had to make her stop a couple of times, so I could catch my breath. My little episode had tired me out some.

  "So, is this why you wanted to keep the wheelchair around?" I asked.

  "Pretty much, your sister kept saying that either we'd better be able to run real fast, or have a couple of stun rods ready." Herza looked back at me as we started walking again. "She also wanted to tell you while you were still restrained and drugged in the hospital bed. Said it was safest for the rest of us."

  "It's nice to know I'm getting mellower in my old age." I said.

  "This
is mellow?" Declared Herza surprised.

  "Remind me to tell you about the time I got into a fight with four tigers at the crèche." I said as we continued.

  "What did they do, pull your tail?"

  "No, they were teasing one of my sister's and made her cry."

  "I'm afraid to find out what happened. Here we are." She held the door opened and I walked in.

  I looked around for a nurse; it was pretty busy so I just ended up grabbing one. I was very conscious of Herza standing behind me, probably ready to sucker punch me if I got out of hand.

  "Excuse me please, but could you tell me were Kali Rakir is, and who her Doctor is?" I said as politely as I could

  "Why? Who are you?" She asked suspiciously.

  "I'm her brother, I was just released from the field hospital and I want to see her." I tried to be as sweet as possible.

  "I'm afraid that's not possible." she replied firmly.

  "Then could you tell me who her physician is, and where I might find him please?" I was having a harder time being polite, but I think I still managed.

  "Oh that I can do. She's Doctor Crenshaw, a black bear. Her office is down that hall and to the right." She pointed out a corridor.

  I thanked her kindly and started walking down the hall, I found the office without too much trouble, but the Doctor wasn't in. I looked up and down the hallway, there wasn't anybody there, so using my advanced training that I had paid so much for, I picked the lock and let myself in.

  "Raj, what the hell are you doing?" Hissed Herza quietly.

  "Just keep watch, or I'll tell Balizar about that bar you took me too." I replied quietly.

  I looked at her files, they were alphabetical, so it only took a moment to find 'Rakir', it said room B-3 intensive care. I put it back, and looked at the fire exit map on the wall by the door. I picked out the proper stairway and then left the room, closing the door behind me.

  "Come on let's go," I said.

  "Where?" asked Herza warily.

  "To see my sister of course," I smiled. "Didn't Lisa tell you that'd be my next step?"

  "In graphic and gory detail dear. She thinks you're a monster or a tank, I can't figure out which yet."