Freehold (73 page)

There was Jelsie. She ran her fingers across the incised letters, then bent to kiss them. She would find out what information was available about Jelsie's mission. She was sure she'd been enthusiastic and willing, even knowing the cost.

Naumann stood at the far end and nodded to her as she approached. He saluted her, which embarrassed her, and she returned it. Then he introduced the man with him, who was in UN uniform. "Kendra, this is General Meyer, the UN commander from the ridge."

Meyer threw a sharp UN salute, which she returned in kind. "An honor to meet you, Warrant Leader," he said. "I'm grateful that at least some of the bravest survived. I just wish we'd been able to have more people of your caliber on our side." His tone was ironic, rather than angry at her circumstances.

"Thank you, sir," she replied. They stared awkwardly for a few seconds and she turned her attention back to Naumann. "I appreciate the thought, but I don't think I deserve this, sir," she said, indicating her medal. "All I did was what I had to."

He looked at her with what she thought was the most gentle expression she'd ever seen from him. "Kendra, the after-action review showed three clear divisions of force on the bluff: air support down one line and across the base, a similar line where the explosives got them and a location just above that where the casualty density was simply appalling and they couldn't move past it. They ran into the proverbial brick wall. All witnesses agree—there was one squad there, and one lone soldier with a rifle out in front. You. We probably would have won without you, but you saved hundreds of lives."

A sudden wave of realization swept through her. She'd
saved
lives. All her thoughts had been on those she killed directly, but there were several times as many who'd survived because of it. That take on things improved her spirit immensely. She tried to stifle a grin, realized how silly it must look, grinned anyway and nodded. "Thank you, sir," she said and saluted. Then she caught herself again—
he
had to salute
her.
It didn't seem proper.

Rob and Marta were joined by Drew and the three kept her covered from assault from the rear. She still had hordes of people in front, wanting to shake her hand, beg autographs, thank her for saving them or a family member, asking if she knew so-and-so.

"Well done, Warrant Leader," someone said. She returned a salute, nodded and took the hand. The booming voice was familiar. Then it registered.

"Sergeant Carpender!" she said, surprised. Her old instructor.

"Warrant Leader Carpender now, but yes. Thank you for honoring me by setting such an amazing example," he said.

"No, sir," she argued. "Thank you for your training. I'd be dead without it."

He joined the entourage and they sought some semblance of privacy, Rob rounding up security personnel from 3rd Mob to help keep the crowd back.

"I'd just retired," Carpender told her, "and suddenly was back in action. I skulked around Falling Rock and kept them busy." Kendra nodded. She'd heard about Falling Rock and his description seemed to be too mild.

They chatted for a few segs, the crowd slowly dissipating. Finally, Kendra said, "I need to get out of here. It's embarrassing. But you are always welcome to visit us."

"Yes," Marta agreed. "We'd be honored."

Carpender grinned and said, "I can't refuse an honored invitation from this family. Thanks, I will."

They said goodbye and her bodyguards whisked her to a staff car, thoughtfully provided by Naumann. They gave the pilot directions and headed home.

They were again made aware of the injuries they'd all suffered by Rob getting airsick. He was highly embarrassed. No one else mentioned it. Just one more reminder of the horrors now behind them.

"It is well that war is so terrible, or we should get too fond of it."

—General Robert E. Lee

It was good to be together with her lovers again, Kendra thought. Or maybe "at last" was more accurate. She found she was comfortable with Marta now. They were together in Marta's huge bed, gasping and sweating from electric exertions. In the bare few seconds between sex and conversation, she reflected on the events of the last few segs.

Marta had tensed as Rob entered her, but seemed to relax immediately. Her muscles and sinews had stood out clearly as she screamed in pleasure and that was a clear indication that her emotional scars were healing. Nor had Kendra protested when Mar dragged her into a scorching embrace. Mingled scents, tastes, the feathery touches of hair and questing lips and fingers that she used to find sensuous were now orgasmic in intensity and she neither knew nor cared which of them was exciting her.

Eventually words were spoken, interrupting her thoughts, along with long kisses and stretching. "Thank you, love," Marta said to her, hugging her close. "I feel a lot better."

"I'm glad," she replied.

Rob gathered them both in and held them. "That was better than I remembered . . . but my memory is a bit shaky. Better remind me often," he grinned at the dark humor.

Marginally uncomfortable, Kendra asked, "So, what are you planning? You mentioned something?"

"I got a contract with Lawjin Orbital. They need a system installation monitored and renovation of the surviving equipment. I'll be supervising the other contractors," he explained. "It's a start and I'm sure there'll be repair work to be done. I was going to apply for a pilot slot with Higgins Recovery, but . . ." He tapered off. He'd never fly again. He had no implant for high-performance craft and was subject to occasional disorientation. He could perhaps fly a private craft over empty wilderness, if he felt suicidal.

Marta said, "And I got lucky. Bellefontaine is back in business. They agreed to take me on a month-to-month contract. I'll be hostessing and doing guest escort. As soon as the nets are completely back, I've got an ad in place. I lowered my rates to start with, but I'll boost them again as soon as possible. There'll still be a market for my pictorial work, although outsystem is harder to collect on.""Are you okay with Bellefontaine?" Kendra asked, gripping her hand.

"I'm fine, love," Marta assured her. "Really. Occasional nightmares," she admitted, "but no conscious problems. How about you?"

"I'm okay," Kendra agreed. Mostly because she'd seen what happened to Marta and realized the difference in scale. And one did get used to pain with practice, but she wasn't going to say that. "I'm glad the UN did pay my back pay, but considering how much hassle it was to get that out of them when I said I wasn't going back, I'm really glad I didn't. It's a decent chunk of cash. I'm on orders through the end of the year. After that, I don't know.

"Maybe I'll take up gardening."

Airfac:

Air facility. Aviation depot on an FMF base.

Antarm:

Pilot shorthand for "Antiarmor." Used to voice activate weapons.

Avatar:

UN air superiority aircraft.

Ayda:

Pilot shorthand for ADA, or Air Defense Artillery. Used to voice designate a threat or a target in the combat environment.

AO:

Area of operations. Delineates a geographic region of military responsibility.

Black Operations:

The elite FMF clandestine special warfare units. Trained to acquire intelligence, construct improvised munitions and disrupt enemy operations behind the lines or even in enemy home territory. Also conducts active espionage and counter-terrorist operations.

Blazer:

The elite FMF special warfare tactical units or soldiers assigned to them. Units consist of, among others, Combat Air Control, Combat Rescue, Roving Reconnaissance, Insurgency Instruction and Combat Pioneer.

Break:

Call word used to indicate the end of one transmission and the beginning of another.

Bro:

Pilot shorthand for "broadcast," used to instruct the system to transmit to all units.

Butterfly:

An antipersonnel bomblet shaped roughly like a butterfly, with explosives in the body. It creates incapacitating minor wounds, typically to the feet.

CAP:

Acronym for Combat air patrol. Aircraft aloft, armed and patrolling for potential threats over a military position.

Charlie:

Rearmost unit in an operation, from "Tail-end Charlie."

Citation for Courage:

(CfC) Third highest FMF combat decoration. Awarded for "Conspicuous courage under enemy fire."

Citizen's Medal:

(CM) Highest FMF combat decoration. Awarded for "Outstanding selfless bravery and personal sacrifice in battle." Usually awarded posthumously.

Dez:

Pilot shorthand for "designation."

Dragonbreath:

See M-41

Eecee:

Pilot shorthand for "electronic countermeasures."

ELINT:

Electronic intelligence boat. Command and Control and intelligence gathering spacecraft of the FMF.

Emp:

An Electromagnetic pulse weapon.

Envi:

Pilot shorthand for "Environment." Refers to the sensory input received through the helmet and cockpit controls.

Fitrep:

Fitness report. Necessary approval for promotion or retention.

Flashbang:

Stun grenade that generates high-intensity light and loud report, but minimal blast. Casualties are still possible.

FMF:

Freehold Military Forces.
The unified defense structure of the Freehold of Grainne. Consists of ground, air, orbital, space and support units.

Guardian:

UNPF close support vertol, maneuverable, well armored, adequately armed but not as well as the Hatchet.

GUV:

General utility vehicle. Carries a six-person infantry team. Can be rigged as an ambulance, gun platform, mortar, missile or other support weapon platform, repair or recovery vehicle or for cargo.

Hatchet:

FMF close support vertol, very maneuverable and heavily armed but slower than a Guardian.

HE:

High explosive. Standard bomb or shell for area effect or equipment.

Hellstorm:

See M-67

IFF:

Identification, friend or foe. A transponder that lets intelligence systems determine which aircraft are friendly.

IG:

Inspector General. Military office charged with enforcing regulations and eliminating corruption.

M-5:

The basic infantry weapon of the FMF. Consists of a 15mm grenade launcher and a 4mm carbine, both fed by unitized ammunition clips. Capacity of fifteen grenades and fifty rounds of 4mm. Computerized sights for low light, infrared, laser designated (for grenades) and adjustable for local gravity and air pressure. Loaded mass 5.2 Kg.

M-41:

FMF antibunker and incendiary projector. Fires hypergolic liquid and flammable metal powder. Named the "Dragonbreath."

M-67:

FMF combination mine system. Mixes antiarmor and antipersonnel mines to slow an enemy. Named the "Hellstorm."

Mass target:

A formation of personnel, as opposed to vehicles or structures.

Mils:

The circle is divided into 1000 mils for purposes of orienteering.

Mob:

Slang term for a mobile assault unit. The members are colloquially known as "Mobsters."

Mobile Assault:

FMF
rapid-deployment infantry units, self-contained with light artillery and close air support. Typically deployed as regiments.

Octopus:

A sensor-activated mine with spring-loaded "sensacles." Upon being triggered, it launches itself toward the target and detonates when any part of the sensacles make contact.

Overwatch:

To hold position and provide cover as another unit advances.

PARSON:

Primary Aerial Reconnaissance and Satellite Observation Network. The Freehold Military Forces eye-in-the-sky intelligence gathering system.

Projo:

Slang for "projectile."

Retar:

Pilot shorthand for "retard," a parachute equipped or finned weapon designed to slow after being dropped.

RGL:

Rifle/grenade launcher. See M-5.

Seev:

Pilot shorthand for CEV, or combat engineer vehicle. Used to voice designate targets.

Selsee:

Pilot shorthand for self-seeking. Used to voice program and/or activate weapons.

Sentinel:

UNPF fixed-wing air superiority aircraft.

Special Projects:

Laboratory of the FMF Special Warfare branch. Manufactures drugs, espionage gear and weapons for specialized purposes and tests new equipment and captured enemy gear.

Spec War:

Acronym for FMF Special Warfare units or personnel. Includes Blazers, Black Operations and Special Projects.

Tac:

Slang term for the tactical environment display in an infantry helmet.

Vertol:

Vertical take off and landing. An aircraft lifted by thrust rather than airfoil effect. Typically used for close support and battlefield transport and evacuation.

Valorous Service Medal
:

(VSM) Second highest FMF combat decoration. Awarded for "conspicuous bravery and risk of self in battle."

Viff:

Vector in forward flight. A trick used by vertol pilots and drones to maneuver or evade fire by using engine thrust at odd angles.