Casserine (53 page)

Jake waved Chirar to silence. He looked around to where Lieutenant McClure stood patiently with his company, and their prisoners back near the cargo bay they had just exited from. “Vic, you and a few of your men come over here on the double.”

McClure pointed at three of his men, and ran over to where Jake and Mercer were talking to another officer with Major General rank indicated on his uniform. McClure and his Marines snapped to attention when they were next to Jake, and saluted smartly.

“Yes, Sir?”

“At ease,” Jake replied. “Place this ignorant cretin under arrest, and hold him with the other prisoners, in cuffs. Pay close attention to whether any of them recognize him.”

“Aye, aye, Sir,” McClure said, and reached out one huge hand, gripping Chirar’s tunic.

“Release me this instant, Lieutenant!” Chirar screamed, grabbing McClure’s hand with both of his to no avail, as McClure drew the struggling man close.

“Don’t make me have to hurt you, Sir,” McClure whispered. “We can put you in cuffs while you’re awake or while you’re unconscious, your choice.”

Chirar released McClure’s hand, fear quickly replacing rage, as he looked into the Lieutenant’s eyes. McClure dragged him around and pushed him gently towards his men. “Cuff him. We’ll take him back in a moment.”

Two of the Marines roughly spun Chirar around, yanking his hands down, and around behind him, while the third Marine put energy cuffs on him. McClure turned back around to Jake and Mercer.

“Anything else, Sir?”

“No Vic,” Jake answered, “but it seems you guys will have to hang around here for a little while. The Colonel and I have to go and do some rearrangement of personnel. If the Drop Ship sets down while we’re gone, get ready for liberty in shifts until we get back with some real Marines.”

“Aye, aye, Sir.”

Jake started walking towards the land vehicle Chirar had come in, where the Marine who had been his driver paced around, looking very confused. Turning around suddenly, bringing Mercer to a stop as well, Jake called back to McClure again.

“Hey Vic, when we get back, if you need a guide to where the Rigel brig is, the Colonel here can take.”

Instantly seeing where this newest line of instruction was going, Mercer shoved Jake. “Get moving Destructo, before I pull my blaster.”

Jake was already laughing, as he returned to his prior course. When Jake and Mercer drew near the corporal who had been Chirar’s driver, he immediately came to attention and saluted, recognition flooding his face.

“Gen…General Matthews?”

“Yes Corporal. ah. Wolonski, is it?” Jake asked, looking at the corporal’s nametag.

“Yes, Sir!”

“Colonel Mercer and I need you to take us to where your Executive Officer is, can you do that?”

“Aye, aye, Sir,” Wolonski replied. “Colonel Whitehall is in his office. I’d be honored to take you there. I saw all your missions on vid. We all did. I can’t believe I’m talking to you in person, Sir.”

“At ease, Wolonski,” Jake smiled.

Wolonski relaxed into an ‘at ease’ stance, his thick musculature, and squared away demeanor, reminded Jake of most of the Marines he had gone into battle with over the years. Jake thought he looked to be only about five-feet eight inches tall, but Wolonski was broad through the shoulders and chest.

“’Ski,” Mercer proclaimed. “This Colonel Whitehall ain’t some other Earth Command pussy like Chirar, is he?”

Wolonski hesitated, shocked at how his commanding officer had fallen from commander to Earth Command pussy in one sentence. “No Sir, he’s a stand up guy, Sir.”

“Let’s go see him then,” Jake said.

“General Matthews!”

A tall, thin, gray haired man strode out of the building, Wolonski had pulled up in front of. Wolonski had called ahead, to make sure the Executive Officer of the Marine detachment on Rigel would be in his office. Jake and Mercer exited the land vehicle. Jake walked towards the smiling man, with Colonel’s insignia on his lapels, and Whitehall on his nametag. Whitehall stopped, came to attention, and saluted. Jake returned the salute, and held out his hand.

“Colonel Whitehall, I presume?”

“Yes Sir,” Whitehall replied, shaking first Jake’s hand, and then Mercer’s. “Colonel Mercer? I recognize you from the vids we have of your Bug missions. It is a pleasure to meet you both. I do not have to tell you of your legendary status around here.”

“Chirar didn’t exactly share your view, Colonel,” Jake commented, noting a British accent in Whitehall’s voice. “Have you served with him long?”

A darkness came over Whitehall’s features at the mention of his commander, and the smile disappeared. “I’ve served with him here for three years, General. Where is General Chirar, Sir? He was to meet you at the Trenton docking.”

“Oh, we met him, Colonel,” Mercer replied.

“Colonel,” Jake began. “Do you know why a squad of Marines did not meet us with the General, and secondly, why the insignia of the United States Marine Corps appears no where on anyone’s uniform, along with the American flag? You did get the order from the Military Governor’s office, right?”

“Yes Sir, we did, and were ordered to ignore it by the General. Our Marines had rushed out to get issued the insignia, which came with the hand carried order. The rumors were already out, and General Chirar squashed the whole thing inside of an hour. As to a request for Marines to accompany General Chirar to the Trenton, this is the first I have heard of it. He simply rushed out in a rage after receiving a direct message from the Intrepid.”

Jake nodded, with a knowing glance at Mercer. “That’s pretty much how we figured it. How do you feel about the changes?”

“I can only say, Sir, I was ready to retire, rather than serve another day under that prissy ass nitwit, Chirar. The news of the end of Earth Command had given me new hope.”

“That’s plain enough, Colonel,” Jake laughed. “General Chirar has been relieved of command, and arrested under suspicion of complicity with the pirate activity around Rigel. I am promoting you to Commandant of Marines on Rigel. I want United States Flags flown everywhere on Rigel, and the proper insignia added to every Marine’s uniform. Can you do that, Colonel?”

“With pleasure, Sir,” Whitehall said happily. “I have had suspicions about Chirar, but he was very careful in his dealings. He received reports from our patrol ships of unusual activity around Rigel, and he ordered the patrols to pay more attention to their duties rather than shipping movement in orbit.”

“That explains a few things,” Mercer observed. “Jake and I were stationed around the Tarawa Jump Gate, during the skirmishes with the pirates. We did some time here on Rigel, and nobody in a ship ever came close to this base unless they had a Force Cruiser chaperone.”

“It was as you say, right up until Chirar came here from Earth, after receiving a trumped up generalship. If that moron ever wore a uniform before he came here, I will eat the corporal’s land rover. A loosening up of docking and ship traffic regulations came soon after. Chirar began having dealings with some shady looking transport owner, named…ah…Sogram, or Soagam…”

“Sodom?” Mercer broke in.

“Yes, exactly,” Whitehall replied. “It was Sodom, Sodom Hushanni. Chirar told me he was a higher up at Earth Command, who they sent to keep an eye on Rigel’s trading operations.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere, Charlie,” Jake said, nodding at his friend. “It seems we have the right man in custody. We better get back over to the Trenton, and see how the prisoners reacted to Chirar.”

‘Tea,” Mercer said, rubbing his hands together. “We better have my buddy, Soddie, flown back down here too. He has been a very bad boy. I asked him for all of his contacts around here. Do you think he may have been praying to get left with his honey, Chirar, as a prisoner?”

“I think we may assume that fact to be in evidence, my friend,” Jake agreed. “Do you really want to do any more happy sessions now, before we see how the old Bombay is doing?”

“They’ll still be in the brig a couple of days from now, won’t they, Colonel?” Mercer asked Whitehall.

“Either there, or dead, Colonel Mercer,” Whitehall replied grimly. “You have my word on it. Corporal Wolonski will take you anywhere you need to go, General Matthews. I will have Marines at the Trenton to take custody of the prisoners in fifteen minutes.”

Jake shook Whitehall’s hand again. “Pleasure doing business with you, Colonel. What’s your first name, by the way?”

“My friends call me Whitey,” the Colonel answered with some discomfort. “I’d be honored to have you and Colonel Mercer counted among them.”

“C’mon Whitey, you’re among friends,” Mercer coaxed, Jake seeing a familiar mean streak popping out unbidden into Mercer’s features. “What’s your first name?”

“Forget it, Colonel,” Jake said quickly. “Don’t take Charlie’s bait. He never forgets anything he’s supposed to forget, and remembers nothing of what he is supposed to retain.”

“My first name is in the records, so I cannot very well hide it anyway,” Whitehall sighed. “My first name is Percy.”

“Oh…my…God,” Mercer said in awe, a huge smile spreading onhis face.

“Oh boy,” Jake inserted, running his hand over the back of his neck as he looked at the ground in front of him.

“I love your first name,” Mercer continued. “Don’t pay any attention to this uncivilized jarhead. He don’t even know what his real first name is. Can I call you Percy?”

“Only you, Colonel,” Whitehall grinned, good naturedly, “but nothing over a whisper.”

Mercer laughed, clapping a big hand on Whitehall’s shoulder. “Thanks Percy, old man, I appreciate that.”

“Would this be a good time to mention I have one of the only pirated copies of your faux pas in the nest operation, where you fell on your face…an…”

“Oh God, Colonel,” Jake exclaimed, roaring with laughter as Mercer’s jaw had dropped in shock. “Now is the perfect time.”

“I am going to cut that red haired prick’s ears off,” Mercer hissed through clenched teeth.

“It is very well done, Colonel Mercer,” Whitehall added, his timing impeccable. “Somehow, it came through in a rather humorous loop. You.”

“Never mind,” Mercer cut in, folding his arms in resignation as Jake continued one fit of laughter after another.

“C’mon, Charlie,” Jake said, pulling Mercer towards the land rover, as a smiling Corporal Wolonski had already jumped into the driver’s seat. “I can’t take any more displays of your wit. “See you later, Colonel.”

“Yes Sir,” Whitehall saluted. “Perhaps I could stop by the Bombay later. I could bring the vid loop with me.”

Whitehall watched the land rover pull away in the direction of the Trenton, with Jake’s laughter echoing out of the open window.

Chapter 49 

Celebration

Lieutenant McClure saluted, standing in front of his Marines and their prisoners.

“At ease, Vic,” Jake said as he saluted. “How did introducing Chirargo?”

“I saw recognition, Sir,” McClure replied. “They also seemed disappointed.”

“We found out Chirar has a connection with Hushanni and the pirates, and this puts the final touches to our suspicions. I’m going to have Hushanni brought down from the Intrepid, and Colonel Mercer is going to convince him to connect the dots,” Jake explained.

“A Marine detachment from Rigel will be along any minute,” Mercer added. “You can hand over the prisoners to them. We’ll keep Chirar with us.”

“Aye, aye, Sir.”

A Drop Ship came into view just as Mercer walked over and grabbed Chirar to pull him to his feet from amongst the other prisoners. The smaller ship set down alongside where the huge transport was being settled into repair dock. Jake headed in the direction of the Drop Ship with Mercer dragging along a reluctant Chirar. As they reached the side hatch, it opened, and Dougherty came out with a headset in his hand.

“I have Colonel Peters on from the Intrepid, Sir,” Dougherty said, handing the headset to Jake, while giving a scowling Mercer a little wave.

Jake put on the headset to check in. “Matthews here.”

“We sent everything down we could think of, General, including the dress blues for your Marines, and the first wave of crew going on liberty. Do you need anything else, or has there been any change in plan?”

“Only one thing, Jas,” Jake replied. “I need Hushanni flown down here. Some complications and revelations have happened since we set down. I believe we are about to solve a couple of nagging questions about pirate influence on Rigel.”

“I’ll send him down with the next ship, Sir, anything else?”

“I want you and Sara to join us at the Bombay later for a little celebration. Can you turn the Intrepid over to someone else for a little R&R?”

“It would be our pleasure, Jake,” Peters agreed. “I’m sending out a couple of Command Wings on rotating patrol to make sure we don’t get any surprises.”

“Good idea, Jas. You and Sara come on down when you can.”

“Will do, Peters out.”

The liberty party from the Intrepid began filing out of the now open rear hatch. Some of the Marines, who had just arrived, went over and relieved McClure’s company so they could go on board the Drop Ship to clean up and dress. Jake and Mercer had already followed Dougherty back through the side hatch with Chirar in tow. They sat down near Dougherty’s deck gun, where he had made some tea on a portable brewer. Dougherty handed Jake and Mercer a cup, and filled them up. He gestured at Chirar, who had been deposited on the floor.

“A General, huh?”

“Tea, he’s been Soddie’s contact on Rigel for quite some time,” Jake answered.

Chirar began to protest, and Mercer kicked him in the side, evoking a howl of pain as Chirar fell over. He lay there writhing around. Dougherty, in the meantime, filled a cup of tea for himself, and sat down on the bench cattycorner to Jake and Mercer.

“What’s the matter with you, Charlie?” Dougherty asked the still scowling Mercer.

“He found out about a few of your vid loops of him in the nest getting out to the colonies,” Jake informed him appreciatively.

“Uh oh,” Dougherty said. “I was saving that as a surprise.”

“Oh, it was a surprise alright,” Jake replied, and explained what had happened with Colonel Whitehall, while a still scowling Mercer continued to give them the silent treatment.

“Quit pouting, you big baby,” Dougherty told Mercer. “It sounds like a good time was had by all. I’ll buy you dinner at the Bombay, and the three drinks it’ll take to make you pass out.”

Mercer broke into laughter, unable to hold it in after the reference to his drinking ability. “I’ll hold you to it, needle dick. Did you bring our dress blues down?”

‘Yep, and mine,” Dougherty replied. “I’ll watch your buddy while you guys go get cleaned up.”

Jake gestured towards the Marines, joking around on the other side of the loading bay, where the showers were. “We’ll hang out until Soddie comes down. That’ll give Vic and his crew a chance to clean up, and head out.”

Mercer leaned over towards the cringing Chirar. “You, my friend, are going to be one unhappy EC lackey when our other buddy, Sod, gets down here and ID’s you. You get to meet Mr. Snappy then, and tell us about anyone else in your little operation here.”

Chirar sat up straight. “I have nothing to say to you or this Mr. Snappy fellow. I will await a hearing on Genoa.”

The three friends, sitting around Chirar burst into raucous laughter. It took over five minutes for them to regain enough composure to speak. Dougherty clapped a hand on Chirar’s shoulder good-naturedly.

“General, you are one funny guy.”

“I don’t know what in the world would make you think we’d drag your sorry ass all the way to Genoa for some trial,” Jake added, shaking his head in amazement, “but that ain’t going to happen.”

“Believe this too, you little puke,” Mercer chimed in, pointing his finger in Chirar’s face. “I predict once Mr. Snappy re-interviews Soddie in front of you, you’ll be begging me for a chance to tell us everything about yourself.”

“You do not know me, Monsieur,” Chirar replied. “I am innocent of these charges, and just because you torture some poor fool into pointing a finger at me, you.”

Jake grabbed Chirar by the neck, and yanked him close. “Listen to me, you twit. If Hushanni names you as an accomplice in this kidnapping ploy, putting five thousand colonists’ lives in danger, and risking the fuel cell investment we had on Casserine, two things will happen. First, you’ll tell us everything, and I mean everything. Secondly, you will be brought before a military tribunal right here on Rigel along with the other pirates, and I’ll give you three guesses who will be the presiding judge. I don’t like your chances, sweetie. If you’re lucky, you’ll rot at Tannengate Penal Colony. If you’re unlucky, you’ll get your wish to go to Genoa. I’ll scatter your ashes outside the base. That’s as close as you’ll be to Genoa.”

Jake threw him back on the floor in disgust. He hesitated for a moment, and then reached back down, and yanked the three stars off each side of Chirar’s tunic collar, tearing the material off as if it were paper. “You won’t need these anymore. I’m busting you down to buck private, awaiting trial.”

Dougherty refilled Jake’s cup, and handed it to him as Jake sat back next to a smiling Mercer. “I see you have taken a personal interest in this, Jake.”

“Tea,” Jake sighed, sipping the tea. “Having five thousand lives hanging around my neck does that to me.”

“Hey General, I mean Private,” Dougherty addressed Chirar with enthusiasm. “You aren’t some martial arts expert or anything, are you?”

Chirar watched in complete confusion as his three captors dissolved into wild laughter again.

The Bombay Club proved to be gracious hosts to the hundreds of Marines and ship’s crew, down from the Intrepid on liberty. Notoriety as a sensational port of call, still drove the present owners of the club to make their customers the happiest on any of the colonial ports. Professional dancers, bands, and the most reasonably priced food and drink anywhere, served to make a visit to the Bombay a memorable one. Every kind of virtual reality pleasure imaginable could be accessed within the huge complex.

After the interrogation of Hushanni and Chirar proved fruitful, Jake turned over the information to Whitehall with orders to move on the people listed immediately. With their prisoners under guard in the Rigel Brig, Jake, Mercer and Dougherty had cleaned up on Alpha Drop Ship. Their arrival at the Bombay caused a sensation, as Marines and civilians alike, applauded the trio, after a Marine lookout at the entrance signaled they were coming. They took their celebrity status in good humor.

The manager of the Bombay escorted them to a table, where they were within easy access of the bar, or the entertainment. Colonel Peters and Major Corey joined them there, after landing with another group of men and women going on liberty, including Dougherty’s Doctor friend: Lieutenant Christine Spiros. Corey was the first to spot the three, clicking their shot glasses together in a toast.

“There’s the brigands now,” Corey said, pointing them out amongst the huge throng of uniformed personnel. “I hope they haven’t been toasting for too long. Those three can get pretty dangerous after they’ve had a few.”

“They’ve known each other a long time,” Peters added. “With all they’ve done, I guess if they want to get a little wild, who are we to question it, Sara?”

“Question it?” Corey laughed over her shoulder on the way over. “I’m going to drink those three bozo’s under the table.”

Peters winked at Lieutenant Spiros. “Don’t worry Doc, I think she’s just kidding.”

“I hope not, Sir,” Spiros replied, waving at Dougherty, who had spotted them.

Dougherty slapped hands on the way by Corey, and saluted Colonel Peters while throwing an arm around Spiros. “Hello Sir, I see you’ve met Lieutenant Spiros.”

‘Tea Tim, we received your orders on the Intrepid to not come down here without her,” Peters joked, as he returned the salute.

Dougherty laughed in appreciation of the dig. “I didn’t quite mean it like that, Sir, I…”

“Forget it, Tim,” Peters interrupted. “How’s the celebration going?”

“We just walked in the door. One of the Nest Marines outed us as soon as we came in. The whole place welcomed us. I could get used to walking into places with Jake.I mean General Matthews,” Dougherty replied. He looked into Spiros’ smiling face. “Hi Christy, glad you could come.”

As Colonel Peters began threading his way through the crowd again, Spiros pulled Dougherty’s face down to hers, and kissed him passionately. Dougherty responded enthusiastically before a loud whistle shrieked across the noisy hall over the music and crowd noise, followed by Mercer’s piercing yell.

“Get a room, Doughboy!”

Dougherty stroked Spiros’ face as he gently drew back. “C’mon, let’s go join the group before Charlie comes over and makes a fool out of himself.”

They walked arm in arm to the table, where Jake and Mercer both stood up and shook hands with Spiros.

“Hi Doc,” Jake greeted her. “I’m glad Tim thought to invite you.”

“Yea Doc,” Mercer added. “I was afraid after putting up with him on the way over to Rigel, you resigned your commission, and left for the end of the galaxy.”

Spiros laughed. “No, I’m okay, Colonel. How’s your chest healing, General?”

“I’m just like new, Doc,” Jake replied, waving everyone down into their chairs, as an iced bucket of champagne was brought over. “You can hardly see the scar amongst the others. Listen, everyone, relax while I stir up the surprise I’ve been waiting to spring.”

Jake walked off in search of the Manager of the Bombay. Mercer, in the meanwhile, opened one of the bottles of champagne, managing to avoid getting it all over. This elicited applause from Dougherty.

“I’m impressed, Charlie,” Dougherty said, holding up Lieutenant Spiros glass along with his as Mercer poured. “I didn’t think you knew what champagne was, let alone how to open the bottle.”

“There’s a lot you don’t know about me, young Jedi,” Mercer replied, filling Colonel Peters’ glass as well as Colonel Cory’s before pouring his own.

The music stopped, and they all looked up at the stage, where Jake stood inside the amplification stage. He held up a hand, and the Bombay’s main dance floor, and dining room became quiet, with Marines and ship’s crew hushing the whole room in seconds.

“Official word came to me a little while ago, confirming a request I had made to Genoa,” Jake explained, his deep voice carrying easily within the confines of the Bombay. He looked at the table where his friends were seated. “Colonel Jason Peters, please come up here.”

A spotlight glared right on the surprised face of Colonel Peters, as Corey and Mercer pushed him up to his feet from either side, as the room erupted in applause. An usher appeared next to him, and gestured for Peters to follow him. Peters trailed the usher to where he could ascend the stage. Jake met him with a handshake. Turning to the crowd, Jake held up a certificate, and a small box, decorated with the United States Flag, and the insignia of the Space Corps.

“All of you know as well as I what Colonel Peters has meant to this operation from the first attack at Bougainville, through the destruction of the first alien vessel, to the coordination of a staggering array of events which brought us here to Rigel in time to rescue five thousand lives. The Congress of the United States of America has confirmed my recommendation for Brigadier General in the United States Space Corps. May I present Brigadier General Jason Peters. Your first stars, and your first salute, Sir, it has been an honor to serve with you.” Jake handed Peters the certificate and box before coming to attention and saluting.

Peters returned Jake’s salute, and then shook hands with him again, a look passing between them of brothers in arms. Peters then turned to the wildly cheering crowd, holding his promotion confirmation up. He then gestured for quiet, which came a few moments later.

“I have never known better men or women than my comrades through this long journey from Bougainville to Rigel. I am grateful to accept this promotion, but I do it with full knowledge I could not have come so far without all of you. With General Matthews permission I will ask but one other sappy thing. Major Sara Corey, will you marry me?”