Gray Panthers Captain Short Blade

by David Guenther

  I need to find a better way to post No Trespassing signs, Dan mused.

  Ten orbiting batteries fired on the two small ships. The combined fire included the heaviest concentrated lasers in the Gray Panthers armory, along with huge projectiles from the rail guns. Since the weapons were designed for use against capital warships, both ships were stopped dead in less than a minute, before they could employ any countermeasures.

  “Sir, both patrol ships have been nearly annihilated. Two Fire fleet destroyers are at the border offering assistance.”

  “Thank the Fire fleet commander, Grub, and inform him to stay out of our space, in accordance with our treaty. Then launch a couple of shuttles with droids on board to see what they find in the patrol ships.”

  “Sir, the destroyers are moving off. Shuttles are on the way to investigate the wreckage.”

  Dan worried that the ships might have contained innocents fleeing persecution from some of the post-war governments that had sprung up once the Libras were no longer in control.

  “Sir, initial analysis shows both patrol ships were of Libra design from the end of the war. Neither ship has any survivors or bodies. An accurate assumption is that it was a test of our planetary defense systems.”

  “Thanks, Grub. Have additional batteries set in orbit and the existing batteries relocated. Increase the mining of the old underground cities for material to build additional space mines and orbital weapons platforms. I want at least as many as we have on Earth.”

  As he wondered whether he should reposition a squadron of ships from Earth for additional protection, he decided that it was important to start bringing settlers to Daniels World and make it a viable place to sustain human populations, in case something happened to Earth or Dixie. Gray Panthers vets would be the first to be given the opportunity, followed by specialists who could contribute to society as a whole—farmers, builders, producers. Daniels World would be self-sufficient.

  House of Short Blade, planet Glory

  21 April 2129

  Short Blade was startled when the sentry at the ranch’s main entrance informed him that a small military convoy was headed toward the ranch. He immediately commed Colonel Blade.

  “Sir, do you know why a military convoy is headed for my ranch?”

  “There must have been a breakdown in communications. They’re coming to pick up the AIs you got for the fleet. The council has accepted your request to be a special enforcer and has authorized one hundred deputies to support you in your efforts. You will be responsible for paying them. Your other requests have been approved, as well, although I was told to pass on a warning to you. If you fail to produce enough milk, anyone who submits a request will be authorized to import cows.”

  Short Blade was astonished that everything he had requested had been approved—and then some. He would have to segregate the council’s twelve AIs from the rest of the stash before the convoy arrived and discovered that he had more. He ran to the shuttle.

  “Ph-Phoenix, please open,” he stammered, slightly out of breath. As soon as the hatch had opened far enough he rushed in and started grabbing AIs two at a time. By the time the convoy showed up, he’d created a pile of twelve.

  In reality, the “convoy” was only a luxury transport, a cargo transport, and a small heavily armored transport outfitted with a variety of armaments. A council elder and a colonel stepped out of the luxury transport as a small detail jumped from the cargo transport. The crew in the armored transport stayed in the vehicle but popped the hatches to allow some fresh air in as they scoured their surroundings with suspicion.

  “You must be Short Blade. I’m Council Elder Jab. This is Colonel Jab, my brother. You’ve done well, providing such vital material for your home world. Per your wish, I’m here to provide you with your shield as a council special enforcer,” the younger of the two Jacka officials said as he handed Short Blade an enforcer’s shield. “The data chip will explain the extent of your powers. You are charged with supporting the council and the planet’s population. You’re allowed to terminate any enemy of the state up to the rank of general or admiral, but no member of the council.

  “The shield contains a small needle. When you poke your paw with the needle, the blood sample will activate the shield.” As Council Elder Jab handed Short Blade a box containing a hundred deputy shields, he said, “I’m sorry to say, now that our planet has become prosperous, crime is at its worst ever. Those who have nothing to contribute try to take from those who do.”

  “Thank you, sir. I have all twelve of the AIs ready for you. May they help keep the League of Planets safe and strong,” Short Blade said, not even paying attention to what he was saying as he eagerly took the box.

  The detail of soldiers quickly stowed the AIs in the cargo transport, and the Jab brothers started to get back in their luxury transport when Council Elder Jab turned back around.

  “Short Blade, it’s been a long drive out here,” he said. “Do you happen to have—”

  “I’m sorry. How rude of me. Allow me to get you something for the ride back.”

  Short Blade headed for the freezer in the barn and returned with a dozen ice cream sample cups he’d brought back from Earth.

  “Please be cautious. These are quite powerful,” he said as he handed each of the brothers a sample cup and then gave the small box to one of the soldiers to pass out to the rest of the detail.

  “Good travels to you both,” Short Blade said, leaning down to pick up the box of deputy shields.

  As he turned to head for the house, the brothers ordered the soldiers to give their ice cream to them. He laughed at their pettiness. Had they started to leave, allowing the soldiers to enjoy their treats, he had planned to give them a couple gallons of whole milk.

  “Phoenix, I want you to send faeries to where the cow trackers are transmitting from. I’m planning a raid tonight to get my cows back.”

  Short Blade sat in his office and thought about what he would need to carry out his plan and how many warriors he should take with him. He decided he would leave only a few to watch the ranch, since he planned to be back soon.

  “Juan and Ralph, report to me as soon as possible. Tonight, we’re going on a raid.”

  He grabbed his sword and examined it to make sure it was sharp enough, then rubbed it down with oil. There was nothing much he could do to his short beamer, so he wiped off the exterior and where the battery well contact connected to the battery inside the weapon’s grip.

  Ramirez and Dias showed up armed, and Short Blade ushered them into his office. Phoenix projected an exterior view of the target area. They had expected to see a ranch or a farm, but instead they were looking at a small warehouse. As the faeries made their way into the warehouse, the visuals in front of the team changed to reflect what the faeries could see. The interior of the warehouse was poorly lit. The cows were locked into individual stalls that were only slightly larger than they were. The floors of the stalls were covered with cut grass and excrement. Three armed guards kept watch from a second-floor catwalk. Four naked Libras wearing only shackles on their ankles were tending the cows. A large glass refrigeration unit was situated in the corner of the warehouse, and through the glass hundreds of small bottles of milk were visible.

  “Phoenix, we’ve seen everything inside. Let’s have a view of the exterior approaches,” Ramirez requested. “I want to see if there are any outside guards and figure out the best way to get there.”

  The view in front of the team changed again. The warehouse’s exterior was rundown. The few buildings that had once existed around the warehouse had burned down years before, and only rubble remained. There was no other building for almost a mile.

  “Looks to me like the best thing to do is to go in fast at first light while they’re half asleep. Just drop in by shuttle. Take out the guards, take our cows, and withdraw,” Dias suggested.

  “We’ll come in, as you say, at first light. We’ll kill the guards, retrieve our cattle, and then confiscate all
the equipment they have. We’ll free the slaves and offer them the opportunity to come with us. We’ll send one of our warriors to the local authorities to let them know what’s happening right before we attack. He will carry the shield of an enforcer’s deputy. That way, the authorities won’t be as likely to interfere. We’ll have our revenge, and a little profit for our trouble. Those Libra slaves will be a nice addition, since the cows are so easily spooked by the Jacka and we only have a few humans to work with them,” Short Blade decided.

  “What if the local authorities try to stop us or the Libra don’t want to come with us?” Ramirez asked, smiling at the determined look on Short Blade’s face.

  “We are authorized to kill any authorities that interfere. If the Libra want to go their own way after we free them, they can go. Juan, make sure the warriors are briefed well and do an equipment check.”

  Short Blade tried to shrug off his sense of doubt, but he couldn’t help wondering if there was anything he was overlooking. This was the first raid he had ever planned.

  Out in the camp, Ramirez was getting ready to prepare the warriors for their mission. “Senior Sergeant Knife, assemble fifteen warriors for a raid. The remaining warriors will stay here to protect the ranch. Make sure that the senior ranking warrior left behind is up to the task of command. I also need one warrior to deliver a message to the authorities. Time is of the essence.”

  The senior sergeant acknowledged his orders, saluted, and left to do as he’d been told. Ramirez was confident in his warriors, but he was still glad that they would have an overwhelming superiority in numbers.

  “It’s the way of my people to check their warriors before going into combat,” Ramirez told the Jacka when they had assembled. “I respect and trust your abilities, but it is my custom.”

  The warriors looked more lethal now that they were wearing camouflage. The troops had accepted the new uniform as part of the job. Ramirez checked that each warrior had plenty of ammunition, a first-aid kit, and adequate water. Their weapons were as he expected, well worn but in good shape. Just as he finished inspecting the last warrior, Short Blade came out wearing the same uniform. Ramirez called the formation to attention so that Short Blade could address the troops.

  “In the morning, we will go on our first raid as a unit. This is not for revenge or profit. We will be delivering justice—our justice! I have been appointed as a council special enforcer. Each of you will have the authority and responsibilities of a deputy enforcer. This is a great honor and responsibility. You can no longer think of yourself as strictly of the Claw Clan. You are an extension of the Great Council. You also represent me and the bloodline Blade.”

  Short Blade walked up to each warrior and pushed the tiny needle of the badge into the warrior’s paw. After withdrawing the needle, he broke it off the badge and discarded it, then handed the warrior his badge.

  “Short Blade, why do you have to prick each warrior with his badge?” Ramirez asked.

  “Each badge identifies the wearer and tracks his actions. It also has the ability to request help if the wearer is injured. I also plan to get the warriors comm devices, but I have to go to the Gray Panthers to get them.”

  “That task has been taken care of. They have modified versions of what we have. Under normal circumstances, they will communicate only with us, though they can ask Phoenix to connect them to outside communications.”

  “That’s good, but have them modified to go through one of the Gray Panthers’ satellites. I don’t think that will be a problem. It would be bad if I was off world in the Phoenix and you couldn’t communicate with them for some reason. Now give me your hand.”

  Short Blade followed the same procedure he had done with each of the warriors when issuing their badges, first with Ramirez and then Dias.

  “There are few restrictions for either of you as my deputies. You can kill any civilian who is breaking the law. You are also authorized to kill any fleet or army member up to the rank of colonel. I trust you will use your best discretion. Enforcers and their deputies are feared by all. No one will disrespect you once they see the badge, even though you’re humans.” Short Blade laughed at his own joke as the men attached the badges to their shirts.

  Several hours later, the noise from a hover cycle woke Short Blade. He realized it was the warrior going to inform the authorities. He glanced at his wrist computer, then jumped up and shook off his sleepiness. They should be loading the shuttle in a few minutes. He took a small nip from his flask, perking up at the thought of going into ground combat for the first time.

  The first hold of the shuttle now sported two long benches for the warriors to sit on for the short flight. The combination of inertial dampeners and gravity made safety belts unnecessary. The warriors boarded the shuttle with a gleam in their eyes that worried Ramirez. He’d seen the same look once before on a veteran marine who was too eager to get back into combat.

  The assault plan was simple. The shuttle would land twenty feet from the building, the troops would deboard, and the shuttle would take off again to provide support from the air if needed. Two teams would rush and enter both doors of the facility at the same time.

  The central police station of Claw Town Five was more asleep than awake when one of the street beggars they recognized came in attired strangely.

  “Hey, Whip, what’s with the silly costume?” one of the officers asked, laughing at his own remark. As the old beggar approached the sergeant on duty, the sergeant noticed that something about him was different—besides the new clothes and the old weapon on his back.

  “Sergeant, at this moment a raid is being carried out in the old factory district. I need you to notify your officers to stay away from it, now!”

  The old warrior held out a gold badge that showed a paw holding a dagger. The sergeant looked at the badge first with suspicion, then abject terror, as he understood the power the old beggar now possessed.

  “Yes, Deputy Enforcer Whip. Our apologies for not recognizing you as an enforcer.”

  The sergeant sent out an immediate call to all officers ordering them to stay away from the entire area. The old warrior stood at parade rest in the center of the room, knowing it would worry the officers around him—it was his way of giving them a little payback for the many indignities they had inflicted on him over the years. His orders were to stay for twenty minutes and then return to the ranch.

  The Phoenix had just landed on the north side of the warehouse. Ramirez was the first out.

  “Let’s go! Move it, now!” he ordered.

  The warriors split evenly and made their way to the warehouse doors. They were surprised to find both doors were unlocked. The guards seated at each door were asleep as the first warriors entered. The first guard was butt stroked before he even had a chance to wake up, his teeth and blood flying everywhere. The second guard awoke to a bayonet plunging expertly through his lower chest, right into his heart. The guards on the catwalk opened fire with projectile weapons. Ramirez took aim on one of them, only to see his target’s head explode from at least three shots. The guard’s torso was riddled with bullets by the time he fell to the ground. The remaining guard was directly over Ramirez, unable to fire his weapon through the catwalk. Ramirez aimed his short beamer on the underside of the catwalk and walked his shots to where he thought the guard was standing. The guard let out a scream of pain and blood poured through the holes in the catwalk, confirming the demise of the last enemy.

  “I want a sentry on each side of the building, now,” Ramirez instructed. “And bring me the Libra slaves. They are not to be hurt.”

  The Libra had all scrambled as quickly as they could into a corner to hide. They were shaking pathetically as a warrior herded them to Ramirez.

  “You are all free. You can wait for the authorities or you can come with us. We’ll pay you to take care of the cattle on our ranch.”

  One of the Libra nodded his head yes and the others followed suit. Ramirez knelt and used his short beamer to cut off
the chains around their ankles.

  “I have a shuttle outside. Get the cattle aboard as quickly as you can,” he told them.

  “Sir, the cows are all chained and locked. We don’t have the keys.”

  Ramirez decided to take a chance. “Any of you know how to use a laser pistol?”

  One Libra raised his hand and then flinched as Ramirez handed him the short beamer.

  “Try to not kill any cows or any of my warriors.”

  As the Libra headed toward the cows, he noticed the other Jacka warriors watching him intently.

  Short Blade entered the building as Ramirez was walking over to the refrigeration unit. They both looked at the unit and saw that it would just barely fit through the shuttle’s hatchway.

  “Juan, I don’t like how I feel, missing the assault on the building. It’s my responsibility to lead my warriors.”

  “Sir, you’re too important. You plan and organize the raid. I lead it as your junior officer. That’s something you have to accept.”

  Short Blade just muttered in response as he watched the warriors carefully checking the dead bodies. The guards had been branded on the back of their paws to indicate that they were criminals. Each also had a new brand mark over the tattoo in the shape of an X.

  This new information disturbed Short Blade and he rushed the transfer of equipment and cattle from the facility to the shuttle. The sun was beginning to rise as the tasks were finally completed. The freed Libra slave approached Ramirez with the short beamer, holding it away from him with only two fingers so no one would mistake his intentions.

  “Thanks. Now get yourself and your people on the shuttle. Stay with the cattle and keep them calm.”

  Ramirez was happy that the Libra had accepted his offer of employment. It would have been ugly if the Jacka had tried to herd the cows out. Luckily, the Jacks understood the cows’ fear of them, though they refused to admit their fear of the cows.

  The warriors were returning from their sentry positions when a shot rang out from a crumbling wall about thirty feet away. Short Blade had seen the flash from the shot. He roared and leaped forward, the warriors all following him. Pulling the short sword from his side, he began to foam from his mouth as he charged toward the source of the flash. Two other weapons fired at his warriors. He jumped the partial wall and let loose with his sword. It sliced through the shooter’s neck, decapitating him. Short Blade saw a new shooter taking aim at him from his left, but before he could react, the senior sergeant roared and thrust his rifle’s bayonet into the enemy’s chest. His heart beating wildly, Short Blade scanned the rubble for the third shooter. He finally saw him nearly fifty feet away. The shooter dropped his rifle and ran full bore in retreat. Short Blade stopped his warriors from pursuing.