Joe understands her thinking and responds candidly, “During travel times we rest, and do whatever we feel like doing. I usually study this ship’s technology,” he adds excitedly, then continues. “Once we arrive at our destination, we just stay at our duty stations, or go where we have to.” He shrugs his shoulders and says, “I have lost track of how many eighteen hour days we’ve all done.”
Her jaw drops as she gets it. She responds doubtingly, “So you don’t get paid, yet you work nonstop, just to be on this ship?”
Joe nods his head earnestly, “That’s pretty much it. You want in?” he asks with a grin, then says. “Your life will never be the same again, that I can promise you!”
Suzanne stares at Joe for a few moments while her mind races. She finally answers, “Yes.”
Joe nods happily, then replies, “Good. Let’s find Cindy and get her approval, allocate a cabin to you, then we can see about some space for your research.”
The pair finds Cindy on the bridge, with Radclyf, Hayato, and Peter. Joe steps onto the bridge and unintentionally interrupts their deep conversation.
Cindy turns to look at Joe. Her eyes narrow when she sees the woman following him onto the bridge, and asks directly, “A sightseeing tour?”
Joe frowns in confusion over Cindy’s statement. He glances at Suzanne, then noticing her reaction, it becomes clear she has never been to the bridge. He stammers, “No, not at all.” He quickly relays his request.
Cindy listens to Joe’s proposal, then leans back in her chair while she considers it. She glances at Peter, who shrugs a shoulder then nods. The others are equally non committal.
Suzanne steps forward and begins to say, “I have credentials in...” Her voice fades then stops when Cindy lifts a hand in the air. Suzanne glances around uncertainly, waiting nervously.
Cindy chews on her lower lip for a few moments, then replies, “I think that this is a great idea.”
Suzanne stares at Cindy blankly, then slowly asks, “That’s it?”
Joe grins, then answers for Cindy, “Yes! Now let’s leave so these folks can continue their discussion.”
The pair exits the bridge in silence. As they walk down the wide corridor, a man dressed in combat fatigues passes them. Joe glances up at the tall man, then quickly looks away. The soldier’s battle scared appearance is intimidating. His bald head and face is marred with scars and pock marks. His nose has obviously been broken, and probably more than once, as it now lays twisted to one side. Joe shudders involuntarily at the sight, then he turns to watch the man’s back as he strides purposefully toward the bridge. Suzanne frowns but says nothing, she is still reeling from the shock that she is now a member of the Terran’s crew. Her mind replays all the rumors and stories she had heard about how impossible it is to get assigned to the ship.
Cindy sits in her command chair and taps her fingers as she waits. Radclyf, Hayato, and Peter are waiting with her. She sighs, then just as she is about to speak, the man dressed in combat gear strides into the room.
The soldier’s dark blue eyes quickly evaluate the room. When they come to rest on Radclyf, he pauses, nods slightly, then continues to examine the room.
Cindy glances at Radclyf, then recalling his military brief says, “Master Sergeant David Freeman, welcome to the...”
“Dog,” David replies, interrupting her planned speech as he continues to scrutinize the bridge.
“What did you just say?” Cindy demands hotly. With growing annoyance, she takes in the man’s appearance. She appraises Radclyf’s recommendation with distaste. Damn he is ugly, tall, and muscular, I wouldn’t like to run into him in a dark alley, that’s for sure.
David’s turns his attention to Cindy. His unwavering gaze pierces hers, as they stare at each other. He then replies coolly, “Just call me Dog.”
Cindy flicks a gaze at Radclyf in annoyance, then she continues in an authoritative tone. “Your name and rank is how you shall be addressed, Mister.”
The soldier turns his attention to Radclyf for a moment. He sighs, then looks back at Cindy and says condescendingly. “Listen lady, I don’t give a rat’s arse about rank. Just tell me where the grunts are, and I’ll whip ‘em into shape for ya.”
Cindy quickly stands, but before she can say anything Radclyf speaks up, “Dog! I respect this woman. Trust me, she is one of us.”
David’s scared face seems to twitch for a few seconds. He offers Cindy a slight nod, then says. “No disrespect intended, lady. I thought you were one of those prissy pencil pushers, and I hate them with a passion.” He almost spits out the last words.
Cindy turns to Radclyf and asks bluntly, “You want this man on board?”
Radclyf grins, then replies decisively, “Dog is not pretty to look at, and he doesn’t take orders well. But,” he adds with conviction, “when it comes to a firefight, he is the best.”
Peter tilts his head to Radclyf, offering him a questioning gaze, but he says nothing.
Radclyf catches the look and says, “I have fought with all of you, and I can personally attest to Dog’s abilities.”
David places his hands behind his back, stares at Radclyf then asks, “Your orders?”
Radclyf glances at Cindy, who simply purses her lips and sits down. The bridge remains quiet for a few moments, then Cindy replies, “You will follow the orders of any of these men.” She pauses for a second then reluctantly adds, “Is that understood? Dog.”
“Sure lady, whatever you say.” David replies casually.
Cindy has just about had enough of David’s attitude, and is about to react, when she notices Radclyf’s head shake the barest amount. She pauses and waits, even though she would love nothing better than to toss the insolent man off her ship.
Radclyf walks to the hardened man and says, “Dog, not only would I follow her orders to the grave, but some of our men already have.”
David’s eyes lift in surprise, then he replies, “I owe you, and I told you, I pay my debts.” He turns his intense gaze to Cindy, then surprises everyone when he salutes her and says, “Your orders?”
Cindy’s jaw drops, but she quickly recovers and says, “Your men should be assembling in the mess hall as we speak. I want them ready for anything.”
“Understood,” David replies, and then adds questioningly, “Where am I bunking?”
The bridge crew had been hotly debating this very issue when Joe and Suzanne interrupted them. Cindy decides to go with Radclyf’s suggestion, one she fervently objected to not long ago. She replies. “Where ever you want, well any available cabin space, that is.”
“My equipment?” David demands bluntly.
Cindy replies confidently, “Peter can secure anything you need.”
David scoffs, “Anything! Really?” He says skeptically.
Hayato, who has quietly observed the back and forth banter, walks up to the battle scared soldier and says, “Anything!” He pulls a pistol out from behind his back, and hands it to the man.
David takes the offered hand gun. He turns it over in his hands, feeling its weight. He removes the clip from the pistol’s base, then examines the ammunition. He blinks in surprise, and asks, “What kind of ammo is this?”
Hayato grins as he replies, “Our own special blend.” He adds with pride, “Penetrates like a fifty cal, but only kicks like a nine mill.”
Suitably impressed, David hands the gun back and says, “I will draft a list of equipment and supplies.” He turns to leave, but stops and asks, “Have the men received the t-shirts I requested?”
Peter replies, “They have indeed, and they should be wearing them.”
“Good.” David replies with a smirk.
“Do you need someone to show you the way?” Peter asks.
“Nope.” David replies as he strides purposefully off the bridge.
As soon as David is out of sight, Cindy turns her full attention to Radclyf and demands hotly, “What is the story between you two?”
Radclyf grins devilishly, “I wil
l have to tell you all one day. But trust me, he is damn good.” He turns to Peter and adds, “I think he would even give you a run for your money.”
Peter, who has fought side by side with Radclyf, simply nods at the assessment. Hayato lifts an eyebrow, but remains respectfully quiet. He too, has fought side by side with Radclyf, and if his colleague states that David is their equal, then so be it.
David slows in his walk, and frowns. He glances back at the entryway to the bridge and wonders what it will be like working on a spaceship.
Training Days
David strides into the mess hall, his combat boots strike the deck plates loudly as he walks. He grins like a fool when he easily spots his trainees, over one hundred of them.
One of the group notices him and quickly shouts, “On deck.”
The room becomes deathly quiet. Even the dozen or so crewmen and women in the room sit quietly as they curiously observe the spectacle before them.
David runs his intense gaze over the men and quickly counts them. His voice booms out loudly as he shouts at the assembled group. “My name is Dog, but none of you have earned the right to call me that, yet.”
One of the men, a muscle bound brute, steps boldly forward and as he pulls at his shirt’s fabric says, “Are these a joke?” He stares at David for a moment, then adds, “I mean c’mon, red shirts!”
David turns his attention to the muscular man before him, and replies, “I know you all think you’re hardcore soldiers.” He pauses and casts his eyes over the hundred and twenty men. All wearing bright red t-shirts.” He adds, “But if what I have read is even half true, you’re all as good as dead men. So listen up if you want to live through this tour.”
The group remains quiet. They all signed waivers when they joined the ship, and for all intents and purposes, are mercenaries now. They report to no country, or recognized military. The man before them is their commander.
David continues, “You’re wearing red shirts for two reasons. First, so I don’t accidently rough up any of the ship’s crew,” he motions to a group that sits nearby, then as they become restless, continues. “Second, you all know what happens to red shirts? Right.”
Some of the men before him are too young to understand the reference, the rest either roll their eyes, or groan inwardly. The muscular man speaks up again, but this time, his tone is collected, “You got any intel on what might be out there?” He shrugs his shoulders then adds, “All we get is rumors.”
David replies, “Yeah, I do.” He pauses as he debates what to share with them, and then bluntly states, “Many of you will die on this mission. The question is how will you go? On your knees begging, running away like cowards, or charging the enemy with explosives strapped to your backs.”
“Uh, I did not sign up for a suicide mission.” Calls out a nervous voice from the crowd.
A chorus of others add their sentiments while David simply stands before them, his hands behind his back.
When the room becomes silent again, David speaks firmly, “Soldiers, follow me to the zero-g room for your first lesson. The rest can leave the ship, the choice is yours.”
With that, David strides out of the room. Thirty-seven would be mercenaries remove their red shirts and leave, never to return. The remaining eighty-three souls follow David. Either their pride, or the paychecks, keeps them on board.
Boxes of safety glasses await them all outside the zero-G room. David hands a pair to each man, then picks up a pretty ordinary looking paint gun. While the men put on their glasses, David addresses the group. “Sometimes we are faced with an opponent so overpowering, we have no choice but to charge in and accept the casualties.”
The men stare at each other in confusion, but no one speaks. David continues, “I will stand in the doorway to the room and all of you will start at the far wall. Oh, by the way, the gravity is off. To win, one of you must touch me, that’s all.”
“But, you have a weapon,” intones one of the men.
“Yes, and if you’re hit in the head or chest, you’re out, nothing else counts.” David loads a small box of one hundred rounds into the paint gun’s oversized hopper and says, “I have one hundred rounds, and no reload. Let’s do this.”
None of them make it to David on the first attempt, or the second. Time and time again they run the exercise, until finally one of the soldiers touches David, before he is shot.
David stares at the paint speckled group, then says to the man who touched him, “You may now address me as Dog.” He turns to the group and says, “Shower and rest. We will continue in the morning.”
Late that night, David sneaks into their barracks. He shoots almost all of them with paintballs before they react. It is the last night the men fail to post guards. Over the next few weeks David relentlessly shoots his men. Nowhere is safe, not the mess hall, the showers, not anywhere. The men begin to explore the ship, looking for places to either hide, or to surprise their battle scared leader.
Three weeks pass before David is satisfied with his men. He strides confidently onto the bridge, and finding Cindy alone, speaks, “The men are getting better. Soon you will have the most cunning and ruthless group ever assembled. All of them will be hell bent on winning.”
Cindy has been receiving reports, and complaints, from all over the ship. Paint ball rounds have struck kitchen hands, reactor crews, and even Patrick’s suit as he was walking along. She narrows her eyes and replies, “Your training is effecting other departments.”
“Good,” David replies, “They need to learn that if my men come charging in, no matter what they’re doing, they need to get to safety.”
Cindy shakes her head and says, “But we’re on Earth, refitting and loading the ship for the mission.”
David grins widely, “And everyone on board will learn to get down at the first sign of trouble.” He adds questioningly, “My job is to protect the crew of this ship, isn’t it?”
Cindy sighs, then recalls the people who died during their long trek home, simply because they failed to act. She puts a hand to her chin, then after a few seconds, replies, “Your own men are complaining. Another three left the ship last night.”
“If they think I am pushing them now, wait ‘till we launch,” David says with a devilish grin. He adds sincerely, “We can’t afford to have cowards on my team anyway. Let ‘em go, I say.”
“How many men do you have left?” Cindy asks. Even though she has a rough idea of the number, she is curious to hear his response.
“Sixty-seven, but two more are planning to sneak off the ship tonight.”
“Almost half the men!” Cindy shakes her head, she did not know that two more were planning on leaving, and is quite surprised by how many are quitting. She adds, “That’s a lot, and I thought we contracted the best of the best!”
David nods in agreement and says, “The ones that left were probably posers and wannabes anyway. Warriors on paper only, we want the real deal.”
Cindy stares at David for a few moments, measuring him, and then replies, “Well. Radclyf speaks highly of you, and I respect his opinion, so carry on.”
David leans closer to Cindy, and with deadly conviction says, “I will protect your crew, no matter the cost.” He does not wait for a reply, but instead turns and strides off the bridge. His combat boots mark his passage.
As the sound of his footfalls fade Cindy ponders their exchange. Then she recalls the close call they had with the mysterious and deadly Effen Raiders. Her thoughts drift on, leaving George on that planet was a tough decision. How he survived the fall was just miraculous, and we got extremely lucky by getting him back onboard. She looks forward and out the main view at the Australian desert before her and sighs. Yet here we are, about to head back to an area of space that Regent Voknor himself warned, is too dangerous for us. I really hope the benefits outweigh the risks.
Gazing back at the doorway, she whispers quietly, “I hope we don’t need you and your mercenaries,” she sighs then adds, “but if we do, I hop
e you give them hell.” She turns her attention back to her console for a few more moments, then suddenly stops what she is doing. Tapping the intercom button, she addresses the crew, “Attention all; this is Cindy, your commander.” She pauses, gathers her thoughts, and then continues. “We shall be departing Earth in approximately ten days, those of you who wish to visit friends and family, should do so this week.”
Cindy stands and stretches, then leaves the bridge. She finds John, who happily flies her to Germany to visit Lisa. Cindy also visits her family, a few close friends, then she turns to business, and requisitions a variety of supplies and equipment.
Final Inspection
Standing atop the Terran’s hull affords the small group a great view of the surrounding desert, and the vast expanse of the Terran. John, George, and Patrick, all stare down at a circular weld.
Pointing to it Joe says, “This one is over the hydroponics area, just like the other over there.” He points at another weld, and then says. “The three repaired hull breaches over the hangar deck have also been inspected.”
George kneels, then rubs his hands over the weld. He glances up, squints in the bright sunlight, and says, “We thought they cut through the ship with their bodysuits, but I think this was done by a more powerful and specialized device.”
Joe stares at the repair efforts and says, “Do we want to take these sections out, and replace them?”
“I don’t think we have to,” George replies confidently, “It looks like the repair crews did a fabulous job.”
The men are still awed by the effectiveness of the cutting tool used by the Effen Raiders. The Terran’s armor and outer superstructure were cut cleanly down to the ship’s external hull plating. The cutting tool continued through this, and the internal superstructure, until finally breaching the inner hull. That the raiders achieved this in less than a couple of minutes, is most remarkable, and a sobering fact to the group.
George breaks their thoughts when he nods to John and says, “Let’s go and check out the new thrusters.”
Alliance (Terran Chronicles Book 4) Page 7
