bookie business with no database?”
“A satellite passes by twice a day,” advised Major Lopez. “Guido, find out what your Mafia buddies are up to,” I ordered. “There is no such thing as the Mafia,” replied Guido. “But I know Billy. If there is a racket to be had, he’s on it.” “Anything else I should know?” I asked. “Is the volcano going to explode anytime soon?” “We’re getting a Walmart,” advised Lopez cheerfully, ignoring my pessimism. “It will be the first floating Walmart Superstore in the galaxy. They should arrive just in time for the holiday season.”
* * * * *
The border between Arthropodan and USGF territories was marked by wooden stakes. To the right was the beach. To the left was high grass, palms, and the volcano. I parked the armored car and got out. “Guido, you put your guard shack here. This will be the only checkpoint. No drug dealing. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Corporal Tonelli, shrugging. “I provide a service. If not, someone else will step up.”
“Sergeant Williams! Place a machine gun at the tree line. Dig in and fortify with sandbags. I want wire and landmines, too.”
“Are you planning on starting a war and shooting it out with the spiders?” asked Guido. “That’s bad for business. We’re allies now.”
“This is an island,” I explained. “There is nowhere to run, and I still don’t know what those spiders are up to. I’m sure it’s no good.”
“In case of emergency, we can swim,” suggested Guido, surveying the landscape and beach. A spider work crew was clearing brush across the border. One of them waved.
“I don’t swim with sharks. This side of the island is the only access point. If the spiders cause trouble, they have to pass through here. Stay alert.”
“More people die from falling coconuts than from shark attacks,” scoffed Guido.
A spider officer from the work crew approached. “Czerinski!” exclaimed the spider commander. “I blame you for marooning me on this piece of nowhere! Every time you get transferred, our Military Intelligence suspects the worst and assigns me to find out what you human pestilence are scheming. Well? Out with it. Why are you here?”
“To find out what you are hiding under that camouflage netting,” I answered, nodding to their construction project on the far slope. “It’s good to see you again. Long time no see.”
“Ha! You don’t know everything, after all. None of your business what we are building. You stay on your side of the border, or else!”
“I’m not feeling the love.”
“Trouble follows you like a dragon. There is no love!”
back to Table of Contents
Chapter 13
We erected prefab huts on the beach, a beautiful site. Maybe this assignment to Paradise won’t so bad after all, I mused. Master Sergeant Green was keeping the men busy moving in and setting up camp. I scheduled a meeting with the locals tomorrow, but for now I sat at my desk with paperwork. Administrative duties and paperwork never end.
“Sir, Private Krueger wants to talk to you about a personal problem,” advised Sergeant Green, rolling his eyes. “You are not going to believe this.”
“Send him in.” Private Krueger entered and saluted. “Sir, my wife is pregnant.” “Congratulations Krueger. When is she due? “Any time now, sir. Dawn is holding back on laying the eggs until I get home.” “Eggs?” “He’s married to a spider,” explained Sergeant Green. “Remember? You signed the permission slip yourself. I told you it wasn’t a good idea.”
“I didn’t give permission to hatch eggs!” “Sir, the problem is ... Dawn can’t give birth unless I assist,” advised Krueger. “I need to be there to cut the egg sac.” “Spare me the gory details! How is this even possible? It’s not possible, that’s how. Obviously Dawn had help from the neighbors.” “Sir, Dawn has been seeing a
“A satellite passes by twice a day,” advised Major Lopez. “Guido, find out what your Mafia buddies are up to,” I ordered. “There is no such thing as the Mafia,” replied Guido. “But I know Billy. If there is a racket to be had, he’s on it.” “Anything else I should know?” I asked. “Is the volcano going to explode anytime soon?” “We’re getting a Walmart,” advised Lopez cheerfully, ignoring my pessimism. “It will be the first floating Walmart Superstore in the galaxy. They should arrive just in time for the holiday season.”
* * * * *
The border between Arthropodan and USGF territories was marked by wooden stakes. To the right was the beach. To the left was high grass, palms, and the volcano. I parked the armored car and got out. “Guido, you put your guard shack here. This will be the only checkpoint. No drug dealing. Understand?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Corporal Tonelli, shrugging. “I provide a service. If not, someone else will step up.”
“Sergeant Williams! Place a machine gun at the tree line. Dig in and fortify with sandbags. I want wire and landmines, too.”
“Are you planning on starting a war and shooting it out with the spiders?” asked Guido. “That’s bad for business. We’re allies now.”
“This is an island,” I explained. “There is nowhere to run, and I still don’t know what those spiders are up to. I’m sure it’s no good.”
“In case of emergency, we can swim,” suggested Guido, surveying the landscape and beach. A spider work crew was clearing brush across the border. One of them waved.
“I don’t swim with sharks. This side of the island is the only access point. If the spiders cause trouble, they have to pass through here. Stay alert.”
“More people die from falling coconuts than from shark attacks,” scoffed Guido.
A spider officer from the work crew approached. “Czerinski!” exclaimed the spider commander. “I blame you for marooning me on this piece of nowhere! Every time you get transferred, our Military Intelligence suspects the worst and assigns me to find out what you human pestilence are scheming. Well? Out with it. Why are you here?”
“To find out what you are hiding under that camouflage netting,” I answered, nodding to their construction project on the far slope. “It’s good to see you again. Long time no see.”
“Ha! You don’t know everything, after all. None of your business what we are building. You stay on your side of the border, or else!”
“I’m not feeling the love.”
“Trouble follows you like a dragon. There is no love!”
back to Table of Contents
Chapter 13
We erected prefab huts on the beach, a beautiful site. Maybe this assignment to Paradise won’t so bad after all, I mused. Master Sergeant Green was keeping the men busy moving in and setting up camp. I scheduled a meeting with the locals tomorrow, but for now I sat at my desk with paperwork. Administrative duties and paperwork never end.
“Sir, Private Krueger wants to talk to you about a personal problem,” advised Sergeant Green, rolling his eyes. “You are not going to believe this.”
“Send him in.” Private Krueger entered and saluted. “Sir, my wife is pregnant.” “Congratulations Krueger. When is she due? “Any time now, sir. Dawn is holding back on laying the eggs until I get home.” “Eggs?” “He’s married to a spider,” explained Sergeant Green. “Remember? You signed the permission slip yourself. I told you it wasn’t a good idea.”
“I didn’t give permission to hatch eggs!” “Sir, the problem is ... Dawn can’t give birth unless I assist,” advised Krueger. “I need to be there to cut the egg sac.” “Spare me the gory details! How is this even possible? It’s not possible, that’s how. Obviously Dawn had help from the neighbors.” “Sir, Dawn has been seeing a
Similar Books
