In the story so far: Whitey is the leader of a band of soldiers for hire called Whitey's Raiders. They were employed as a private security guard for a general but his assassination has left them friendless among pirates who claim to be revolutionaries. Whitey is forced to help the "Revolution" against his better judgment but not without payment in gold. Stone is a criminal who attempts to lead another faction of pirates and leverage power for himself.
CHAPTER 10
WARRIORS
He had a hundred men. They were mercenaries and contractors, but more than just soldiers for hire. These were the best and he was proud of them. They came from armies and space fleets and police forces from all over explored space to join Whitey’s Raiders. They also came from jails and prisons. Whitey’s agents would find them and obtained their release.
There were few rules among the Raiders, like fight hard and win your battles, leave the past behind, and keep the contract. Few questions were asked to newcomers, and none are asked when you left. It was a good deal for many who drew their pay after a few years and retired. The Contract was everything, it was hope for the desperate men who joined Whitey's Raiders. It guaranteed pay and also forgiveness of crimes committed before and during time spent with the Raiders.
“It’s going to be harder for those sorry saps that have to take the ranger's cruiser,” Whitey said to his men who stood before him in a semicircle. All readied in their black space suits that bulged with armor and weapons. “We drew the better mission. We will be the shock troops, sure, but we don’t expect any real resistance. And the best part is I got us all a ten percent hazard bonus on this mission. Just to sweeten the deal a bit.”
The men cheered and clapped. That ten percent would equal a year’s wages to a common worker. “Remember, we observe the “Conventions of War.” We are not killers, we follow orders. No killing anyone who is unarmed. When this is all over I don’t want to waste any time on a court martial.” Then the pause the men dreaded. Whitey pulled out one of his blaster guns and held it up. With ice in his words, he slowly said. “Break the contract, or ignore the conventions of war and I will just shoot you myself, and give your rotten flesh to Stone’s people eater.” Every man believed it.
A metal computer voice filled the air above their heads. “Lieutenant Whitey, your transport is ready. Whitey's Raider's board your transport now." The men marched in two rows and followed Whitey through double doors to the dock.
Any large-scale operation had problems but the chaos below them was the worst ever. They stood at a railing looking down at transports that were colliding with each other, men were wandering around, some were fighting among themselves. Weapons were fired. Shaking his head Whitey led the men down the metal ramp, to a waiting box like transport craft. It looked feeble and flimsy. ”Mother of Mercy, I hope this makes it,” Whitey said under his breath so no one could hear.
***
Stone was getting his men ready aboard another ship of the pirate fleet. He had a patch over his eye, and his bald head was freshly shaved. He sat on a bench trying on a pair of tall black boots. Another pair lay on the floor before him. The hundred or so men sat or stood in groups around the room. Stone was feeling his authority slipping. He stood and stomped his feet deeper into the polished boots. “There now, that is the way it should be.” The men looked at their leader stomping his feet. The boots made him taller, but he was still one of the shortest men in the room.
“Captain Stone.” A pirate came to his side and was looking down at the boots. “Sir, those do not look space worthy or very flexible. Are you sure you want to wear those.”
“Listen, Sinky.” Stone looked up at the man. “I will wear whatever I want. We do not have regulations about gear. I can wear flippers if I want, and so can you." He looked around at the listless company. "Men, come here!” Standing up Stone waved for the men to come to him. “We got a good mission. That idiot for hire Whitey and his gang are going to do the hard work and hopefully, get themselves all killed. We will follow behind in the second wave. We will follow the same path or open up a second front at another point of the Stardiver. Either way, it should be easy. We won’t have much to worry about. Our main mission is to get in a position where we can take command of the Stardiver. We want that ship for ourselves we do not want it given to Whitey or any other group. Whoever takes the command center gets command of the ship. Command is power and power is everything.”
A voice on loudspeakers interrupted the speech. “Captain Stone, Your transport is ready, you may prepare to board.”
The men looked around. Many clutched weapons tightly and nervously. Some had killed before, but none had ever faced combat. Many were liberated from prison only days before and given the choice of fighting for a cause or languishing in a cell waiting for a relief ship. More were freed from a medical colony for the mentally ill, to bulk up the numbers of fighters. Somewhere between the confusion of the two sources emerged “Captain Horatio Stone,” boasting of his gifts of command and powers to lead. He used charm, guile, and bold deceit to gather his “men.” Until his command was too big to ignore. These men bought into Stone's promises and lies; and were held together only by his threats, bullying, and more lies. They were ever on the edge of collapse into a mob.
Stone lead the way down a passage to the transport. His men trailing behind.
(c) Adron
To proceed to the next chapter click here or choose from the table of contents in the sidebar.
To start at the beginning click here.
Please use the buttons below to share this chapter on your networks. Thank you.
