Every Last Mother's Child

by William J. Carty, Jr

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  “Good Morning Chief,” her aid walked into her office. “That clone from Trojack’s out there and wants to see you.”

  “Show her in,” Janet said, she had received an intriguing message from the clones, one that got her interest. The biopeople from Trojack had brought not only several transports with them, they had also brought several hundred clones with them that were not crew for the ships; but volunteers who wanted to help the people on Trena be evacuated. It appeared that there was a complete fire company on the ship. Not just a bunch of volunteer fire fighters, but a full watch team from a single engine house on Trojack. They appeared to be professional fire fighters. She could use them. She had never thought the clones would have professional fire fighters.

  “Good morning Chief,” the woman came in followed by a very well built middle age man. There was something about him that said fire fighter, and Janet couldn’t say why.

  “Good day ambassador,” Janet said rising, to meet her guests.

  “Chief,” the ambassador said, “I want you to meet Arny. He was the station house commander for Station five from the Trojack’s Main City. He’s brought an entire watch team with him. Twenty five firefighters and paramedics.”

  “Good morning Arny,” Janet said shaking the man’s hand and motioning for them to sit down. “Twenty five firefighters from one single station? Your chief officer must be throwing a fit!”

  “Well not really; you see he’s on his way to prison.” Roy said flatly, “The scum bag let one of the containment people burn down a training center full of young developmentals. Truth be known we suspect he help to set the fire. He also had some appetite for developmentals under the age of sixteen. When all the good guys were left and all the bad guys were rounded up that left me in charge of the center’s fire department. I have five stations over a seventy-three square mile area with something like five hundred firefighters who make up my department. The guys who couldn’t come grumbled a bit; but everyone I brought from Trojack worked at five house and are on C unit. We have enough to fill in with the extra staff. They’ll be some double shifts; but most of the guys want to help you. So they’ll happily suffer through it.”

  ”Was this an industrial station?” Janet asked.

  “Not really ma’am.” The man said, “While we were based at Trojack’s development center. There was little industry to speak of. Mostly just barracks for the workers and developmentals. Most of our guys are EMTs simply so we can help with all the developmentals in the barracks. Also we have a high proportion of young people in the unit.”

  “Young people,” Janet asked a little worried. She wasn’t comfortable with what he was saying.

  “Yes ma’am,” the chief from Trojack continued then sensing she was uncomfortable about what he was saying he elaborated, “The crew ranges in age from 16 standard years to about 30. The officers for each team are a little older. But the company was never shy about using the resources they had to fill their watch list.” Arny continued, “The way I fill out my watch list is to place an experienced firefighter, what you would call a Lieutenant as an apparatus officer, with a driver who is responsible for getting the rig to the scene and running it. Then a couple of the younger guys are attack men, or rescue men. On my medics they are all older people with one or two younger guys to handle the lift and carry. The rescue unit is made up all young people with a couple of older guys to keep them from doing something stupid.”

  “Not too different than the way my units are set up.” Janet commented feeling a bit better about his people. She turned to the computer and spoke, “EmerServ, I need a fire station in the capital that is not occupied at the moment.”

  “I have been listening Chief Able,” the computer replied, “We have a station near the Queen’s Own Royal Cadet Academy that is currently undermanned. They could consolidate their three watches into two and then put Chief Arny’s unit into the watch rotation. We could house them at the academy. Lady Hawthorne could use some help there, and truthfully Chief Arney your people are not going to want to be on call 24 7 in that district.”

  “Busy district,” Roy asked.

  “The station’s run district has been expanded. Almost twice the area they had. Not that many more fires; but a lot of EMS,” EmerServ explained.

  “Okay,” Arny said. “Is that okay with you chief?”

  “Get me the station commander on the horn,” Janet said.

  “Chief, Arny I’ll leave you to your devices.” The diplomat left. Her next meeting was with Wilson’s deputy. She had several security officers with her who might be of use to the kingdom.

  “Station 8,” the voice said, “Captain Bowen speaking.”

  “Cap,” Janet called, “I am sending you some help. Starting tomorrow your B unit watch is to be combined with your A and C watch. I am sending you a complete B watch for your station. Their officers will be arriving this afternoon and will run with your crew for the rest of the day. I might be by tomorrow to see how they are working in.”

  “Aye,” the captain said. “They’ll be welcomed.”

  “Bill!” She yelled for her aid, “Make arrangements for Arny and his officers to get out to eight’s.”

  “Aye,” the young man said.