Part 1 (1/2)
AMERICA'S GALACTIC FOREIGN LEGION.
Book 5: Insurgency.
by Walter Knight.
AUTHOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I dedicate America's Galactic Foreign Legion Book 5: Insurgency America's Galactic Foreign Legion Book 5: Insurgency to the heroes and victims of the 911 terrorist attacks on America. to the heroes and victims of the 911 terrorist attacks on America.
A special thanks to Penumbra Publis.h.i.+ng editor Patricia Morrison for her patience and skill. I also thank my hot babe wife Barb for her support.
Chapter 1.
My name is Colonel Joey R. Czerinski, hero of the United States Galactic Federation Foreign Legion, Butcher of New Colorado, and commander of garrison troops at the border crossing at New Gobi City, planet New Colorado, where I face both a growing human and spider alien insurgency. That Butcher of New Colorado label is unfair. I get a lot of bad press. It's not my fault. It is all just a big misunderstanding caused by the fog of war.
A new company of United Stated Galactic Federation Foreign Legion recruits arrived at New Gobi City. They were led by a newly minted second lieutenant named Laika Barker. Barker recently graduated top in his cla.s.s from Officer's Candidate School at the West Point Extension Campus here on New Colorado. The extension program was designed to commission homegrown officers for the Legion.
Barker stood at attention in front of my desk and saluted. His gold-plated teardrop sungla.s.ses were an exact duplicate of mine. Due to manpower shortages, the Legion recruiters were recruiting and enlisting just about anyone, but this was ridiculous. Barker and I had a history.
”At ease,” I ordered, returning the salute. ”How in the h.e.l.l did you ever get in the Legion, let alone manage a commission as an officer?”
”I filled out an application,” replied Lieutenant Barker. ”G.o.d bless America for giving me the opportunity to prove myself.”
”Should I shoot him now or later?” asked Captain Lopez, my military intelligence officer.
”Now,” I answered, drawing my pistol. ”It is a severe security lapse for a known terrorist like Barker to be recruited into the Legion.” I eyed Barker. ”At the very least, you will be locked up until your credentials can be checked.”
”But Colonel Czerinski, I graduated top in my cla.s.s in tactics,” argued Barker, handing me his orders. ”General Kalipetsis ordered that top priority be given to recruiting local talent so we natives have a chance to succeed in the Legion. Give the general a call if you don't believe me. I can be a valuable a.s.set for you and the Legion. I am honored to serve under your command, sir! Please, let time heal old wounds.”
”It seems like just yesterday you tried to kill me with a grenade. But it has been a long time,” I admitted. ”I see you have filled out a bit.”
”And you have not aged at all,” replied Lieutenant Barker. ”Are the rumors true? Do microchips embedded in your bones really keep you young? Or have you found the Fountain of Youth?”
”I have no secret micro chips,” I lied. ”The secret to survival out here is to stay in the shade and avoid skin cancer. Don't ask stupid questions like that again.”
”Colonel Czerinski doesn't share his secret with anyone,” complained Captain Lopez. ”Spreading rumors about illegal microchips can get you killed.”
”Lots of things in the desert can get you killed,” added Lieutenant Barker. ”But I'm still alive after all this time in the New Gobi.”
”A young man like you doesn't need the Fountain of Youth,” I added. ”Besides, you will be dead soon. I bet that the bookies in New Memphis have already established a line on when the New Gobi kills you.”
”You can bet on a legionnaire's death?” asked Lieutenant Barker. ”Is that legal? What's the line on you, sir?”
”No bookie would dare take that action,” I boasted.
Captain Lopez made an inquiry in the database. ”The line is even money Lieutenant Barker will not make it one year. I'll bet the odds will change once they find out that Czerinski is your commanding officer,” commented Captain Lopez. ”I could get rich betting on you.”
”How would you bet?” asked Lieutenant Barker. ”I don't think I like this!”
”There will be no betting on the death or survival of legionnaires,” I said. ”It would be a conflict of interest for us to wager anyway.”
”But we could influence the outcome,” argued Captain Lopez.
”We'll talk about it later,” I said. ”My main concern is undoing the mistake that allowed Barker in the Legion in the first place. Somewhere there is an ATM Recruiter that needs to be replaced.”
”The United States Const.i.tution guarantees a legionnaire's right to a new name, ident.i.ty, and life,” insisted Lieutenant Barker. ”You cannot violate my contract. It's the law.”
”Maybe,” I conceded. ”But if I find you to be disloyal, I will shoot you myself. That is the law, too.”
”I expect nothing less. I swore the same oath to serve my country, as did you and Captain Lopez. I will honor that oath as long as the Legion honors its side of it.”
I read through Barker's orders. They were signed by General Kalipetsis. A special note added by the general stated that Lieutenant Barker had a lot of promise and potential, and that I was to teach the young man everything I know.
”I will a.s.sign you to the most remote post I can find. Dismissed!”
”It might be a mistake to place Barker where you can't keep an eye on him,” warned Captain Lopez, after Barker left. ”Always keep your enemies close.”
”You're probably right,” I replied. ”For now I will a.s.sign him to a local company here in New Gobi. It will be your job to make sure he stays out of trouble and doesn't murder me in my sleep.”
Chapter 2.
I dozed off. Dreams can be a strange thing. Sometimes they seem so real. In my dream, I walked through Arlington National Cemetery, marveling at the immenseness of the place. I labored up the steps at the Tomb of the Unknowns to get a better view. Such history! Rows upon rows of well-kept white tombstones. My escort let me wander alone after giving me directions to the legionnaire section. The tombstones in the modern area had high-tech memorials installed. At random, I placed my hand on a tombstone computer pad. The pad lit up.
”What do you want?” asked the tombstone. ”I do not know you. How dare you disturb me!”
”Sorry,” said. ”I didn't mean any disrespect. I have never been here before. I was just testing the memorial technology.”
”Only technicians are allowed to conduct tests,” said the tombstone. ”Who are you? Some snoopy tourist or pervert history student? I know your kind!”
”I am a Legion colonel,” I answered. ”I came here to talk to an old friend.”
”I am old, but I am not your friend,” said the tombstone. ”Get out! Leave me in peace. This place has been going downhill ever since they let you Legion riffraff in. Hoi polloi!”
I disconnected and wandered on, looking for a friendlier tombstone memorial for directions. I would have been angry, but I had not really been talking to a real soul. The grumpy tombstone was just a mind imprint memorial of a forgotten soldier. I would be more selective next time. I placed my hand on the tombstone of Lieutenant Valerie Smith, USMC, who died in combat during the American Chinese War.
”It has been many years since anyone has visited me,” announced Lieutenant Smith. ”Welcome to Arlington National Cemetery.”
”Thank you,” I said. ”I hope I am not disturbing you. The last tombstone I touched got very upset.”
”How could I be upset at a man with such a lovely voice?” said Valerie. ”Press my b.u.t.ton anytime. You are unescorted?”