Warborg - Star Panther (33 page)

Martin leaned back in his chair. “Commander, are you coming?”

Briton’s smile turned into a grin. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world, Major.”

Martin’s grin matched Briton’s. “That’s good, very good.”

Briton laughed. “And I’m bringing Swain and his crew as the medtech unit.”

“What’s old Doc Swain have to say about that?” Martin asked with a laugh.

“When I told him where we were going and what was going on he went crazy.” Briton cocked an eyebrow. “I haven’t seen him this excited about anything in years . . . did my heart good.”

Briton’s image started to break up. “Oops, the Koth ship says they have to shutdown, a Rhome is getting curious about their transmission.” The screen went blank.

The other three eyed Martin. “Martin,” Steve asked quietly, “is this a good thing? I mean Commander Briton and so on.”

“Oh yeah, we got the luck of the draw.” Martin winked at the others. “Just wait, you’ll see.”

Byron yawned. “Hey guys, I hate to be a party pooper, but I’m beat.”

Martin grinned at the quickly sagging young man. “You know where the cabins are. Help yourself.”

Byron stood up. “Good night you guys, and once again thank you, Martin.” He headed down the corridor.

Steve looked after him then stood up. “Byron doesn’t have a lot of really good ideas, but when he has one it’s a dilly. Good night you two.” He laughed and followed Byron.

Martin shrugged at Gypsy. “C’mon, let me show you to a cabin.” He stood up.

She uncurled from the couch and stood up. She looked up at Martin for a second then wrapped her arms around his chest. Martin gently hugged her around the shoulders by reflex. They stayed like that for several heartbeats.

She pulled back slightly and looked up into Martin’s eyes. “I’ve got a better idea . . . why don’t you show me to your cabin.”

Martin studied her huge brown eyes for a moment.
Here I am on the rebound and fate throws this incredible lady at me.
Martin sighed. “Gypsy, I’m on the rebound. I’m just not sure . . .”

Her smile was soft, laced with sadness. “So am I, Martin. So am I.”

Martin gave a shuddering sigh of surrender and lightly pulled her to him with his cheek on her head. “Gypsy, you’re just so damn beautiful, I just . . .” His voice faded. She didn’t say anything, but Martin felt her crush wads of cloth from the back of his shirt in her fists as she smashed herself against him.

^This is getting ridiculous.^ Byron grumped through the hardlink. ^That’s another twelve Rhome fighters, to bring us up to what, almost fifty in the last three days.^

^Not to mention the four sweepers.^ Gypsy added.

^And the Koth have taken out a slew more.^ Steve heaved a sigh. ^Koth Command is getting concerned about the increase in Rhome activity. This enclave is drawing way more than its share of attention.^

Martin laughed. ^Well, we’ve been knocking out the Rhome in pretty big bunches and our loses, including the Koth, have been negligible.^

Byron smiled through the link. ^The Koth seem to be learning some of the finer points on tackling the Rhome.^

^Of course, just look at who they have to teach them.^ Martin winked at Gypsy.

Steve rolled his eyes. ^And you two, half the time Byron and I feel like buying a couple bags of popcorn and watching the show.^

Byron grew a little more serious. ^You guys are pretty intimidating, but man I’m learning maneuvers I didn’t know were possible . . . let alone existed.^ He grinned. ^Thanks.^

^Let’s get out of here before any more Rhome show up.^ Steve sighed. ^I hate to say it, but I’m getting tired of blowing these guys up.^ He smiled. ^Let’s head back for the enclave and tell the Koth we’re taking a day off.^

^At least life’s gotten better since we have our homes back.^ Byron piped up. ^Your cabins were nice, Martin, but it’s sure feels good to sleep in my own bed.^

^Tomorrow should be interesting anyway with the first group of warborgs showing up.^ Gypsy laughed as they headed out. ^I love you guys, but I’m really looking forward to having another girl to buddy around with.^

^Me too.^ Byron added with a sly smile.

. . .

The three Bozos waited expectantly aboard Martin’s yacht in anticipation, the new warborgs were entering the enclave. Everyone including Martin jumped when someone chimed for admittance.

They all stood as Martin called out, “Come on in.” Martin smiled in delight as Reese appeared.

Reese started to smile and his face froze when he saw Gypsy. “Gypsy.” He rumbled quietly.

“Reese.” She responded coolly.

“I heard you was here.” Reese’s voice was emotionless. “Glad to see you’re still alive.”

She walked over and gave Reese a quick hug then backed away and gave him a flicker of a smile. “I’ve grown up a lot over the last few years, Reese.”

Reese nodded and looked down at her face, studying it for a moment. “We’ll talk later.”

“I’d like that.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

Martin shook off the surprise that Reese and Gypsy knew each other, let alone the shock of their existing second level link. He introduced the other two to Reese.

Reese gave a lopsided smile. “They’re waiting for you guys at Charlie’s . . . shall we?”

. . .

Charlie’s was a bustling street carnival when the entered. The heat from the sun took Martin’s breath away as he basked and converted into a tank top with shorts and sandals. His eyes popped open when he glanced at Gypsy, she had on the skimpiest bikini top he had ever seen, let alone the very abbreviated hip hugger shorts.

“Martin.” A familiar voice called out and Alysis came sailing up. She stopped in front of the little group. “Hi, Reese.” She smiled at Martin, and looked at the others, her eyes hesitating on Gypsy. “Who are your friends?”

Martin laughed and introduced the group.

“I like that outfit.” Alysis slushed at Gypsy. “I wonder if I can find it in my size?”

“Alysis, you know you’d wear it in her size if’n you could struggle into it.” Reese grated.

Alysis’ eyes glinted in humor. “C’mon, they’re all gathering at the main gazebo to meet you.” She turned and headed off with the rest in tow.

Commander Briton was sitting at a table in the gazebo wearing khakis and a pith helmet when the group arrived. Doctor Swain looked down on the group from a billboard off to the side.

“Hey, Doc.” Martin called with a wave as he stepped up on the platform.

A huge grin spread across Swain’s face as he nodded a greeting.

The others gathered around Martin as Reese stepped away. Martin waved for the crowd to be quiet. He cleared his throat. “Man, are we glad to see you guys.” There was a general cheer from the crowd. “I’m Major Martin Morgan to those who don’t know me.” He smiled at several familiar faces. “And this is the Bozo squadron.”

“Oh my God, not another side show?” An anonymous voice yelled from the crowd.

Martin grinned. “Let me introduce Captain Steve Harlin.”

A quiet murmur of greetings welled up from the crowd.

“This is Captain Gypsy Rae.” Martin continued.

There was another murmur from the group with a couple ‘yeows’ mixed in.

Martin smiled at Gypsy then looked back at the crowd. “And this is Lieutenant Byron Lacy.”

Another murmur followed, then a man in the front called out. “Hey, Byron.”

Byron did a double take. “Chester, what are you doing here?”

“I had to come when they told me you were here.” The other man called back and laughed. “You still owe me fifty credits.”

“Well, he still owes me this much.” A rather voluptuous blond called out holding her index fingers about six inches apart. “Oh, wait a minute. We’re talking about Byron.” She halved the distance between her fingers. “That’s better.”

The crowd roared with laughter as Byron turned beet red. “Nice to see you too, Mona.” He called down then joined the laughing.

Commander Briton sagged and turned to Swain. “Doctor Swain, can’t you fix these people somehow.”

Swain heaved a huge sigh. “I’ve tried. But I just can’t seem to get it right . . . just look at Alysis.” He finished with a straight face.

“Well, I know when I’ve been insulted.” Alysis glowered up at Swain with her hands on her hips.

“No you don’t.” Reese’s laugh rumbled across the crowd.

She stared at Reese for a second. Then broke down giggling. “You’re right, I don’t.”

“Thank you, Martin.” Briton acknowledged, waving them off the platform.

They stepped down eagerly in search of familiar faces and disappeared into the group. Alysis sidled up to Martin with a serious look on her face and pulled him aside.

“Martin, Maria didn’t come. When she heard we were coming here she asked to be reassigned to a rear group.” Alysis gave him a sad, understanding smile. “I’m sorry, Martin. But she did tell me to tell you to take care of yourself.”

Martin was quiet for a moment trying to decide what he felt. “Has she found someone else?”

Alysis hesitated, then smiled softly. “Yeah, she found a real Steady Freddy maintborg who’s been real good to her.”

Martin nodded, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. “That’s good.” He smiled. “I’m glad for her, Alysis. She deserves a good man and happiness.”

Alysis nodded looking into Martin’s eyes.

Reese hurried over to them. “Martin, Briton needs to talk to you.”

Martin nodded in response and headed for the gazebo leaving Alysis and Reese behind. “You needed to see me Sir?”

Briton waved Martin down and spoke quietly into his ear.

. . .

The crowd gathered around the main gazebo again as the ‘sun’ began to darken to a dusky appearance. A second billboard came to life across the square from Doctor Swain.

“May I have your attention, your attention please.” Martin yelled above the noise. He continued a moment later when it grew quiet. “I have been asked to introduce you to our hosts and new ally.” Martin smiled openly. “Fellow humans, let me introduce you to Burp . . . and as he said to me the first time we met; brace yourselves.”

The second billboard lit up with Burp’s image. There was a general exclamation of stunned astonishment from the crowd. “This is our world Burp, we bid you welcome.”

Burp’s colors swirled and flowed in obvious excitement to Martin’s accustomed eye. “Incredible Major, I just don’t know what to say. I never dreamed . . .”

Martin smiled at the Koth. “Just say hi, Burp. Then let it flow.” Martin smiled seeing the aqua ring race up and down on Burp and was curious about the added paler streaks.

“Hi, Burp.” The Koth greeted loosely.

Everyone was silent except for Martin who burst out laughing. “Aww geez, Burp. Giv’em a break, they don’t know you like I do.”

Burp’s coloring increased and he unsuccessfully tried to stifle his laughing. “Wha . . . Oh, OK, Hi guys and thank you all for having me.”

Laughter built among the humans as they realized how they had been duped.

Swain’s image studied the billboard across from his. “Burp, I was really hoping your kind might add a little decorum to this lot.”

Burp’s coloring became absolutely radiant. “Does the term ‘fat chance’ fit?”

Swain’s head rocked back as he laughed. “Yes, unfortunately.” He looked down at Commander Briton. “I told you we needed someone else up here aside from Major Morgan.”

“Hey now,” Martin sputtered in mock indignity.

. . .

Burp gazed down at the swirling mass of humans listening to the continuous collage of noise and marveling at the ease of their movement. Several time individuals or groups stopped and talked to him. Even in this limited number of humans the diversity of thoughts and opinions was staggering. He purposely placed all the memories into one egg.
This is how we need to see the humans, not simply as a race of vicious killers. We need to understand that they are a lot like us as individuals, just they have had to fight to survive since their very beginnings.

Burp reached into another place and pulled out one of his most cherished memories of Martin. “Burp, we humans are a funny lot. If you learn to communicate with us at our level and recognize us as individuals with completely separate and diverse personalities you will become human in our minds, no matter what form you have.” Burp contemplated Martin’s words and wondered if his kind could measure up to this standard. He copied the memory of Martin’s words and his own thoughts into the egg from the human gathering.
We have much to teach, we have much to learn.
He copied the thought into the egg.

. . .

Martin was back aboard his yacht, tired and happy. It was good to see so many old friends. Someone requested admittance and Gypsy appeared when he invited them aboard. “Hi, pretty lady.”

She walked up on the bridge and stood between his knees as he sat. “Sorry I lost track of you in that mess.”

Martin laughed. “We both had friends to find we hadn’t seen in a long time. I think even Burp had a good time, I saw his colors fade a couple times though. Somebody probably asked him a tough question about the Koth.”

She studied Martin’s eyes in silence for a few seconds. “Martin, is Reese a friend of your’s?”

“Yes, he’s a very close friend . . . is that a problem?” He asked quietly.

“No, but I need to explain.” Her lips pinched together. “He and I go back a long way, since I was a kid.” She looked pensive. “Reese killed my parents during the Slorr rebellion, I was ten years old.” She put a finger on Martin’s lips when he started to speak, then put her hands on Martin’s shoulders, he responded by putting his around her waist resting on her hips. “Throughout the rest of my life Reese has come and gone, always being there when I needed him. I hated him for a long time because of my parents. Martin, he stood by me through some really tough times no matter how badly I treated him.” Her eyes started to tear slightly and Martin lightly massaged her waist in understanding. “When I grew older I came to realize just how special he is to me.” She sniffed. “When they put me in the container he was my sponsor, mine was a very rough adaption.” A single tear ran down each cheek and her voice was steady. “Martin, Reese was more a father to me than my real father was. We will never be true friends, but I would give my life in a heartbeat for that Man.”

Martin pulled her into his arms and wiped the tears away. “I know Reese very well, Gypsy. And I know he understands and cares just as deeply in his own way.”

She smiled into Martin’s eyes. “Thank you for that.” Her smile turned into a nasty grin. “Now, as for you . . .”, her clothing faded away, “You’re going to explain all about Alysis.”

Martin studied the naked girl for a second then poked her in the navel making her giggle and back up. “Not even your wiles can make me talk, woman.” He laughed and grabbed her. “Ask her yourself, she ain’t exactly an introvert.”

“I figured that much out for myself,” she tittered, messing up his hair.

Martin grew serious for a moment. “I’ll tell you this about her, she was the gunfighter pilot that helped me against that Koth sweeper a long time ago, and she’s the one who bagged the second Koth sweeper.”

Gypsy’s eyes opened wide and she pulled back slightly. “Well, she’s got guts.”

“Speaking of guts, the tattoo around your navel makes it look like a bull’s-eye.” He grinned evilly, threatening to poke her again as his clothes faded.

“I think the real bull’s-eye’s a few inches lower.” She challenged.