Gray Panthers: Dixie (25 page)

Forward edge of the battle area in New Richmond, planet Dixie

18 November 2128

Corporal Jacobs’s squad had just finished clearing a block of homes without incident. The block of homes on their left flank was being cleared by Gray Panthers. The street between them was used as the border between the two groups for command and control.

“Take twenty for chow,” Jacobs told his men. “After we take the next block, we’re done for the day. That’s our last objective before setting up our night defensive positions.”

The smell hit the squad before they saw the parade of about a hundred wobblers coming down the street toward them.

When Master Sergeant McGuire caught sight of the wobblers, she looked at the army squad across from her. They were going to be in a world of hurt. The wobblers would be attracted to them, but the infected would ignore her nanite-enhanced squad.

“Come on! Let’s rescue those army boys before it gets ugly,” she said. “Everyone who has an electric stick, go get some wobblers.”

She looked on in horror as the first of her troopers to get to a wobbler was hit by a projectile weapon. The wobblers walked over his body, intent on getting to the army squad. The sound of weapons fire could be heard from the wobbler crowd, and McGuire finally detected the Libra hidden among them.

“Take cover! There’s aliens using the wobblers for cover!” McGuire ducked and a fusillade of enemy fire hit the wall where she’d been just seconds ago.

Jacobs took aim at the Libra that had fired and squeezed his trigger. In horror, he watched his shot go through the alien's head then four wobblers behind the alien.

“Everyone get into the house behind me! Don’t return fire unless you have a clear shot,” he called to his squad.

McGuire saw the army squad take cover in the house and immediately felt exposed.

“Fall back to the houses. No shooting unless you have a clean shot,” she ordered, figuring it was time to call for help.

“GP Forward, GP30 Actual.”

“GP30 Actual, GP Forward, Go ahead.”

“We have numerous aliens. Appear to be Libra mixed in with a herd of wobblers. Taking fire. We are on our assigned coordinates.”
Shit, I’m screwed,
she realized.

“Understand you are at your assigned coordinates and have a herd of wobblers the Libra are using as human shields.”

“Correct, GP Forward.”

“Support is on the way. Faeries have been modified for wobblers. GP Forward out.”

McGuire wondered how the faeries could be of use as she spread the word. “We have faeries coming in to take care of the wobblers. Get ready to start killing some Libra.”

When the faeries showed up, the wobbler herd was twenty deep in front of the house where the army squad had hunkered down.

“Hey, Corporal Jacobs, something funny is going on. Wobblers are starting to drop,” one of the men shouted.

“Everyone start searching out targets,” Jacobs ordered. “I have a feeling the Libra are going to beat feet without a human shield. Chill the bastards.”

Forward edge of battle area in New Richmond, planet Dixie

18 November 2128

“Saddle up, guys! We have a large herd of wobblers threatening an army unit. Time to pied piper them outta there.” Lieutenant Semmes was thrilled to be leading his scouts once again, though his feelings regarding Captain Culpepper’s departure were mixed.

Semmes took only two vehicles, as the others were already leading wobblers out of the city. The driver smiled as she flew down the empty streets. The wind in Semmes’s face felt great, and all seemed good in the world—except for the horror-movie war going on.

“We’re going three blocks ahead of our lines so we can come up behind the wobblers. We should get a few extra that way. Make sure your weapons are hot, in case of any surprises,” Semmes instructed as he checked the prepositioned magazines in front of his seat. When he looked up at the street again, he couldn’t believe what he saw.

“Enemy in the open! Light ’em up! Light ’em up!” The chug, of the automatic grenade launcher started a second before the riiip of the heavy machine gun behind his seat, as he added the brrrp of his automatic carbine to the symphony of weapons fire.

Red Coats dropped to the ground or took cover, and pink aliens just stood in shock as they were torn apart. One of the pink aliens raised its hands and ordered those around it to do the same.

“Check fire, check fire. Enemy is surrendering.” Semmes thought about firing up the rest of the aliens.

Switching the radio to public address, Semmes ordered the aliens to drop all weapons and walk toward the vehicles. Both drivers now sat with their carbines, ready to add to the firepower if necessary.

Semmes noticed that the aliens separated into two groups as they walked toward him. Those in the first group were humanoid, pink and hairless, with two arms and two legs. Those in the second group were the Red Coats he’d seen before. He decided they were the more dangerous of the two.

A tall, pink alien wearing only a black tunic festooned with ribbons and badges approached Semmes.

“I am Superior Marshal Tisk. I am the commander of all forces. Take me to your leader.”

“After I check all the prisoners for weapons, we will take you to the rear, where you will be safe.”

“I am Superior Marshal Tisk. I will be obeyed now! Take me to your headquarters.”

“You are about to get shot in the head if you don’t sit down on the ground and shut the hell up.”

“I am Superior Marshal Tisk—” Semmes turned his carbine and butt-stroked the prisoner in the stomach, knocking him to the ground. A loud animal noise rose from the Red Coats as the scouts trained their weapons on the group.

“Lieutenant, the Red Coats are laughing! Guess they had their fill of the arrogant little bastard.” The remainder of the Libra looked on, displaying no emotion.

“GP Forward, Dixie Pied Piper.”

“GP Forward, go ahead.”

“We are unable to lead any wobblers for a while. Have captured thirty Libra and thirty Red Coats. Will be delivering them to you. Be advised we have at least one field-grade officer.”

“Congratulations. You’re the first to capture non-wounded prisoners.”

Semmes listened as one of his scouts went to check whether any of those who appeared dead were wounded.

“Do not worry. I took care of our wounded for you,” Superior Marshal Tisk said with a smirk. Semmes decided they had too many prisoners and aimed his carbine at Tisk.

The sound of incoming fire was the last straw for Semmes. Grabbing the officer by his collar, his face in the alien’s face, Semmes spat as he shouted, “Order those troops to surrender, or you’ll be dead in two seconds.”

“Lay down your weapons. The war is over. Pass the word. Everyone is to form up here without weapons.” Tisk seemed unaffected as he gave the order.

The new enemy troops disappeared, along with some prisoners who also jumped up and disappeared down the streets.

“Why did you just capitulate all your forces?” Semmes asked, stunned.

“You just ordered me to. Besides, you have captured me, so your objectives are obviously over. I stopped those damn mercenaries from being able to die as well. Their contract is very steep for death benefits.”

“GP Forward, Dixie Pied Piper.”

“GP Forward, go ahead.”

“I have just accepted the surrender for the entire planet.” Semmes nervously waited for the reply. It didn’t take long.

“Dixie Pied Piper, GP1.”

“GP1, go ahead.”

“How the hell did you get the enemy to surrender?”

“We have the enemy commander. We started to take fire, and I ordered him to order their surrender. Next thing I know, runners are disappearing down every street to spread the word. We will need more bodies here to guard and move the prisoners.”

Gray Panthers lunar base

19 November 2128

Dan looked at the roomful of Jacka that had been part of the invasion force.
I hope no one holds a grudge,
he thought as he went before them to give his speech.

“Jacka warriors, you are respected throughout the galaxy for your fearsomeness and warrior skills. You have been cheated from your true right as the sons and daughters of the Fire Warriors. You will once again be the Fire People—one people, one clan. There will be one army and one fleet. I have already made arrangements with the Great Council.

“I have four ships that need crews. They will be sent to your home world to protect it against those who will try to keep the Jacka from once again becoming the Fire People. After those four ships, there will be twenty more. The Fire People will take their place in the galaxy as leaders, not hired guns.

“The Great Council is calling back all its warriors for the first war as a united people. The Libra Alliance will be destroyed. The Fire People will then take their place as the guardians of the League of Planets.

The Great Council is an ally of Earth, so none of you are any longer our prisoners of war. Those of you who wish to support your people may take your place as members of the ships’ crews. If you do not wish to give your support, you may take passage home on those same four warships. You may be able to join the effort later, but you will have to explain to the council why you were not willing to join them now. Do you have any questions of me?”

“Human Dan Daniels, I know you. We attacked your world. Why do you support us?” A loud murmur erupted from the crowd.

“Senior Sergeant Jab. I know you. You no more attacked Earth than a gun did, or any other weapon. You were the weapon of the Libra. When the Jacka are once again the Fire People, they will be no one’s weapon ever again. And they will be a strong ally to Earth.” The tone of the crowd’s murmur changed. They seemed to accept Dan’s answer.

“Human Dan Daniels, I know you. Why should we fight the Libra?”

“Captain Blow. I know you. The Libra will eventually attack you because they will fear what you will become. For now, your planet has pledged itself to the League of Planets, which will soon be at war with the Libra Alliance. The League will pay all costs for both the army and the fleet. If they do the dishonorable thing and fail to pay, then the army and fleet will extract a tax from each planet.” The noise from the crowd was louder now and filled with excitement.

“I will leave you now. This is a choice for both the Jacka and the Fire Warriors to make. It is not a place for me. Colonel Blade knows what has been said.” All heads turned to Blade. Dan left the room, confident that the colonel would support what he had just said.

Arizona Space Ship Beater, in the orbit of the Flem home world

19 November 2128

Johnson looked about the flight deck, feeling satisfied. Now he just needed to figure out the easiest way to get the shuttles down to the surface, especially since they were so difficult to fly.

“Okay, that’s it.” The crew looked at him, surprised and a little worried.

“Captain Young, take a detail to the planet and make sure the facility is still safe and secure. We’re taking the Beater in, once you say it’s clear,” Johnson commed.

“Understood, Captain. Will depart in twenty minutes.” Young was happy at the prospect of getting off the ship and on terra firma.

“Commander Poland, what do you think of maintaining a combat air patrol while we’re on the ground?” Johnson patted himself on the back for throwing his number two man a bone.

“I would suggest two pairs of fighters in synchronous orbit on opposite sides of the planet, so we have no blind spots. I would also include a shuttle above the south pole, in case either team needs help. It would also allow us to have the improved sensors of the shuttles keeping an eye out for trouble.”

“Good idea, there. Get with Andrews and figure out a schedule. I want to use the time on the ground to get the alien shuttles off my ship, without hurting either. I would like to get the cargo unloaded. We also need to see who our guests are. You gave me another good idea. See if the facilities there can improve the sensors or any other systems, either on the Darts or the Beater. I figure we should be off the planet in forty-eight hours.”

“If we are discovered, what are your orders, sir?”

“Good question. We’re far enough out that only larger ships would come here. Change one to the plan. Only a single unmanned shuttle in orbit above us, so we don’t lose contact. If we get company, it’s either fight or flight, based on the sensor data.”
Damn him for being so smart. This is getting old.

“How about staying in the facility as an option, since we’re the only ones who have found it,” Poland suggested, wondering why Johnson would miss such an obvious choice.

“Yeah, that too, I guess.”
I have to get away from this smug ass.

“Captain, the Major Rogers has launched.”

“Good. Let’s be ready to follow it down.”

Shuttle heading to Earth from Gray Panthers lunar base

19 November 2128

“Dan Daniels, I was not ready to speak. I could have looked like a fool.” Blade pushed his paws together in front of him as he spoke.

“Colonel Blade, you are a warrior, not a politician. I wanted you as you are when they started to ask you questions, not thinking like a politician.”

“I guess your idea worked. Even now they argue among themselves—not about becoming Fire Warriors, but how soon. There is no argument about mixed clans. Why was this item so important to you?”

“Imagine if ships went to clans. Do you think there would be anger or jealousy if some had more than others? This will also bring your people closer together, I believe. One day there will be no memory of clans, other than when warriors sit and talk of heroic deeds gone by.”

“I agree, in part. Clan will be important still for years to come. It is who we are. I will begin to build ships’ crews so that no ship has too many of one clan. I will give you the initial crew information for the four ships that are ready to go. I believe this may work.”

“I’m betting big on it myself. If it fails, we don’t have a much of a fleet.”
And if it works, we have the Fire Warriors protecting Earth, with no human lives being lost,
Dan thought cynically.