Merkiaari Wars: 02 - What Price Honour (35 page)

“At ease,” Burgton said and there was a barely perceptible lessening of tension in the room. “I have just learned of a situation that may, I repeat
may
, require a response.”

Kate stiffened and the others murmured questions. The General would not be telling them all this unless he had something in mind. The only thing she could think of excited her beyond all measure.

“Quieten down people. I have no orders to mobilise the regiment, and I don’t expect any such orders, but I take no chances. Accordingly, the enhancement and training schedules have been revised with activation of first battalion at the earliest opportunity a priority. As you can imagine, this will cause some disruption.

“Alpha and Bravo Companies are the furthest ahead. All three hundred and twenty units are enhanced, and I’m informed that training is well in hand. Unfortunately, Charlie and Delta Companies have the greatest percentage of unenhanced units. This will slow their training efforts. As I said, measures are being taken to redress this. Now then, how does this affect all of you? Firstly, with the aim of freeing up training resources for Charlie and Delta, I’m authorising a five day pass for Alpha and Bravo Companies. When you return, you will have your systems fully activated.”

That caused a stir, and Kate exchanged a meaningful look with Fuentez. The schedule had called for full activation in six weeks time. Immediately after that, a series of live fire exercises had been planned to test their reflexes and abilities. Now all that planning was out the airlock.

Burgton was still speaking. “I will be calling on one or two of you to help with the training of Charlie and Delta. Those at the top of their class in artillery, will take over from Sergeants Rutledge and Roscoe, to free them for a third and fourth class that I’m arranging. Sergeant Stone will increase his efforts at the Complex with the aim of passing as many recruits through the simulators as possible. He will require some help with basic programming and monitoring. Those of you that have shown yourselves the best in other areas, will take on groups to train as needed.”

The General reached the end of the barracks. He turned back and made his slow way to the door with the eyes of the recruits following him.

“I know all this sounds a little half arsed,” Burgton went on. “But I assure you I have considered this from every perspective. I’ve learned that things can and will go down hill fast if you’re not prepared. In my opinion, it’s better to have a full battalion of vipers that still need some work, than a highly polished
half
battalion. Not so?”

“Sir, yes, sir,” the recruits roared in one voice.

“Good. Alpha and Bravo Companies are on a five day pass from this moment. Carry on.”

The General left then, but Roscoe stayed behind. “Things are going to be a little hectic over the next few months so I’m warning you now. If I hear of any recruit abusing his position as temporary instructor, I’ll have him scrapped.”

No one reacted, least of all Kate. They all knew Roscoe’s bark was worse than his bite.

Roscoe smiled. “Now that’s out of the way, you had better get out of here. You’re wasting party time,” he said and made to leave, but stopped short of the door. “One last thing. When you return, you’ll be required to check a terminal for new orders at zero-six-hundred each morning. Those with nothing special to do are still mine.”

Roscoe left.

Everyone milled around discussing when or if they would mobilise. Kate went to join Fuentez who was chatting with Cragg.

“So, what are we doing?” Cragg said. Takeri wandered over followed by Hiller. “How about having a look in Smithson’s Armoury? I want one of those belt pouches.”

“Yeah, me too,” Kate said thinking that she might need it soon.

“Come on guys, you can do that later. I want a drink, and some real food in a real restaurant,” Hiller said plaintively, and the others laughed.

“You’re too soft,” Kate growled but she was grinning as she said it. “You’re not yearning for the old days on Bethany are you?”

Hiller sobered. “No,” he said solemnly but then he brightened. “I bet Jacobs is.”

“Oh him,” Takeri said and surprised everyone by the disgust in her voice. She got along with everyone. “He is not a nice person.”

That was a strong condemnation from her. No one knew what had prompted it, but Jacobs must have done something to upset her. She had a good word to say about everyone.

“Okay, listen up,” Fuentez said taking charge. “First Squad will immediately leave the base for a good meal in a
real
restaurant, and then head on over to Smithson’s place to buy a few goodies.”

Kate saluted sloppily and everyone laughed. “Do you think we can steal… err I mean
borrow
an APC?”

“Nah,” Gordon said. “Who wants to drive?”

There were no volunteers and it was decided to go by maglev. Petruso City was too far to walk for the unenhanced, which is what they would remain until they returned. Deactivated enhancements might as well not exist.

The maglev consisted of two carriages, a power car, and a single rail that connected the base to Petruso City. It was originally a spur off the main maglev monorail line. In the years since, it had been physically disconnected from the main system leaving a straight run to and from the base. The regiment had exclusive use of it. It used to be for soldiers that wanted to visit their families in the city. Kate hadn’t seen it running since arriving on Snakeholme, but she was sure it would be operational. The General wouldn’t allow anything to fall into disrepair.

The barracks emptied on mass, and everyone headed for the maglev station.

When they reached the it, Kate climbed up into the cockpit of the train, and leaned out of the open door. “Who knows how to work this thing?”

Christine Roberts of Fourth Squad raised a hand. “I might be able to.”

“Hey, Chrissie,” Gordon called over the heads of his squadmates. “I didn’t know you were a train driver before this.”

Everyone laughed and shoved Roberts forward.

Kate pulled her up into the cockpit and leaned out the door to glare at the onlookers. “All aboard… what are you waiting for?” She shook her head as everyone stampeded for the two passenger cars. The carriages were small and would not have enough seats for everyone. The unlucky ones would have to stand. “Have you figured it out?”

Roberts nodded and waved a hand at the controls. “It’s a straight run from here to the city. There’s even an autopilot.”

“Great. It’s time to party, Chris. Let’s go.”

Kate sat in the corner. There was just the one seat and Roberts needed that to monitor the controls.

“Here we go,” Roberts said and eased the throttle forward.

The ride was smooth and Kate enjoyed it. She hadn’t been allowed off base other than for training since arriving on Snakeholme. The countryside was a pleasant change from the base. She looked ahead to see the city seemingly rise out of the ground as the train sped toward it.

Petruso was a small city by Alliance standards, but it was the largest on Snakeholme. It was built in a bowl-like depression beside a crescent shaped lake. That was why it seemed to rise out of the ground as they approached. A wide and peaceful looking river fed the lake with mountain fresh water, but the lake’s runoff was another matter; it was turbulent with plenty of white water and spray thrown up as it sped its way to the sea in the west.

“I wouldn’t mind taking that on,” Roberts said.

“What, the river?”

“Yeah. Ever done any kayaking?”

Kate shook her head. “Not me. I have wings not fins.”

“It’s great. Running the rapids, pitting yourself against nature really gets the adrenaline pumping. You should try it.”

“I might just do that. Gina agreed to do some climbing with me when we’re activated. Maybe you could come along.”

Roberts nodded eagerly. “That would be great. I used to do a bit of climbing before I joined the service.”

“Anything since?”

“Nah. I’m out of practice, but it will come back to me,” Roberts said staring out of a side window. “They chose a good site for the city. Look at that view.”

Kate
was
looking. The surface of the lake was like a mirror as it reflected the mountains and sky. The towers of the city were doubled in number as they too were mirrored in the waters of the lake. The layout of the city was pleasing to her. The buildings weren’t crushed together like many other cities she had visited, and there were wide strips of green between the lanes of the few roads. Parks and trees were numerous. She could almost feel the General’s influence over the design.

Vehicles were few in Petruso City. Travel was by elevated monorail or by foot, and the city benefited enormously from that policy. Burgton hadn’t let the city planners destroy the countryside either. The woods and forests outside the city limits probably looked little different to the way nature intended, though she was sure the Ranger and Forestry Commission had a lot to do with that. Land for cultivation was plentiful on Snakeholme. With the maglev system connecting every city and town, there was no need to clear land close to the Petruso for farming. It looked great.

“There must be kayaks for rent here,” Roberts mused. “Look there.”

Kate nodded. She could make out a few sails way out on the lake. “Boats seem popular.”

“Not boats—
yachts.
”

“What’s the difference? They all float don’t they?”

Roberts spun around indignantly. “You’re joking. What’s the difference between a hang glider and a space plane?”

“Oh well, if you’re going to be silly about it,” Kate said a little huffily. Everyone knew the difference between a non-powered hang glider and a rocket motored space plane.

“I’ll ask Gina if she wants to get wet,” Roberts mused. “There must be somewhere I can rent a couple of kayaks.”

Kate grunted still smarting from Roberts’ comparisons. “I’ll give it a go if you agree to try hang gliding with me.”

“Looking forward to it.”

Roberts eased back on the throttle, and they coasted into the station. She powered down the train and then joined Kate and her squadmates as they trotted off excitedly in search of a restaurant that could pass Hiller’s fine eye for culinary excellence. They attracted a great deal of attention as they made their way toward the centre of the city. Pedestrians stopped to stare, and a good many interrupted their journeys to shake hands and chat. One elderly gentleman, who introduced himself simply as William, shook hands with Kate and enquired about her home.

“I’m from Bethany, sir,” she said aware of the sudden silence that fell over the civs.

“Bethany! Bless my soul that’s good to hear. So they finally saw sense, who would have thought it?”

“No, sir. My people are still the same. I doubt they will ever change.”

“Oh,” William said downcast. “That’s a shame. Still, you’re here Katherine. Might I ask where you and your friends are going?”

Kate smiled. Her brother had always called her Katherine. “I don’t really know, sir. This is our first time in Petruso City. We were hoping to find a good restaurant.”

William brightened at hearing that. “My dear, I have the perfect place for you. Sovereigns is the best place in the city. I guarantee you will enjoy the food and the surroundings.”

Kate was unsure, but all the nodding heads convinced her. The civs all agreed that Sovereigns was the place. “Thank you, sir. We’ll try there then. I hope they have room for us.”

“Oh, I don’t think you need to worry about reservations or anything,” William said in amusement. “Just drop in and you’ll be welcomed I’m sure.”

The civs laughed at something, but Kate had no idea what it was about. William gave her directions and then left her to find Sovereigns.

“What do you make of that?” Fuentez said.

“Don’t know, but everyone seems very friendly,” Kate said.

They were more than friendly; they were treating the recruits like celebrities. Kate was a little puzzled by all the excitement, and distrusted it. They should be used to vipers, but instead they seemed almost honoured to see them.

Sovereigns turned out to be very busy. Kate doubted they would have room for two squads of boisterous recruits, but when the manager caught sight of their black uniforms, he erupted into a dervish of activity. He immediately ejected a sizable group of his patrons, taking no notice of the recruit’s protestations. It made them all uncomfortable to be the cause of such strife, but far from being unhappy, those being ejected seemed proud to give up their places.

Fuentez went to investigate and came back with a rueful look on her face. “Francisco… that’s the manager. Francisco promised them two free meals.”

That explained their willingness to leave, and incidentally made Kate and the others feel much better. While waiting for their table, she became conscious of the remaining diners craning their necks to see. She stood taller, trying not to make eye contact, and pulled her carefully folded beret through her belt. She was feeling very exposed under the eyes of so many strangers.