Mike's War: Sequel to Jesse's Starship by Saxon Andrew Page B

me.” He walked to the front gate and pressed a red button on the post. After a moment, Sergeant Blake appeared outside the fence, “Have you come to your senses yet?”
    “I have, Sergeant.”
    “You’re officially opting to rejoin our society and accept all the rules associated with that decision?”
    “I do; however, I have one request to make.”
    “You’re not a citizen. You have no right to make any requests.”
    “Sergeant, this young lady refused to leave here because her home represented more danger to her than living here. She is disciplined and is one of the smartest individuals I’ve ever met. She still refuses to ask to leave if it means she has to go home.”
    Blake looked at Pricilla and raised his eyebrows; she nodded, “I can’t go back there.”
    Blake looked at Josh and he said, “How old are you Pricilla?”
    “I’ll be sixteen in three weeks.”
    Josh turned back to Blake, “Sergeant, all of us report to our training stations when we turn sixteen years old. Would it be possible to send Pricilla to her training station now and have her join her age group in three weeks? I’m sure she would volunteer to clean the base until time for her enrollment.”
    “She did not ask to leave within the required timeframe.”
    “Did anyone do an investigation into her family to see why she was sent here or did everyone just accept their reasons?” Blake stared at Josh. “Sergeant, I know my role is to fight for this new society that’s being created here. But if you tell me that keeping her here is the right thing to do, I know that I am going to have to change how this world thinks.”
    Blake smiled at Josh, “Do you honestly think you can do that?”
    “You know my parents; what do you think?”
    Blake stared at Josh and after a moment, he pressed his collar. A voice answered, “General, I’m sorry for disturbing you this late but I have a request.”
    “You may disturb me at any time, Sergeant. What is your request?”
    “I have a young woman here at the DV-8 facility that I want to release and send to her training station three weeks early. Will you accept her in Fort Athens?”
    “Is she worthy of this?”
    Blake looked at Josh, “Is she?”
    Josh smiled and said, “More than you know.”
    “Yes she is, General.”
    “I will have transportation for her in the morning. Please provide a military uniform for her and tell her to report directly to me as soon as she arrives.”
    “I will, Sir. Thank you.”
    “Was that Adams’ son I heard recommending her?”
    Blake smiled, “It was.”
    “It’s about time he overcame that hard headed trait he inherited from his mother. I suspect it is I that will be thanking you for sending her to me, Sergeant.”
    The voice ended and Pricilla turned to Josh, “Does this mean I don’t have to go home?” Josh nodded. Pricilla grabbed his face and kissed him hard. She stepped back and Josh’s face was bright red.
    Blake said, “Trainee, you may go to the building outside the fence to the left and clean up before you’re picked up tomorrow. Make sure you scrub extra hard, you need it. I’ll have a uniform sent to you momentarily. Don’t get it dirty!”
    “I won’t, Sir.”
    “Adams, you will go to the building next to hers. You will be leaving with her.” Josh nodded and extended his hand. Blake shook it and said, “Make me proud, Trainee.”
    Josh smiled, “I will, Sergeant.”
    The next morning, Sgt. Blake woke Josh up early and said, “Get dressed, someone wants to see you.” Josh got up, showered, and dressed. He found Blake waiting for him in a small carrier. He stepped on and Blake flew the carrier over the fence to the medical building. Blake nodded toward the door and Josh got out and walked in the entrance.
    A nurse greeted him and said, “Come with me.” He followed her down the hall and was taken into a room where Brent lay in a hospital bed. Josh shook his head. The doctors were forced to perform emergency surgery to put