Andromeda's Fall by William C. Dietz

Author:William C. Dietz [Dietz, William C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Science Fiction
ISBN: 9780425262344
Publisher: Ace
Published: 2012-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER: 10

* * *

Civil unrest signals weakness and invites attack.

HADA IBIN RAGNATHA

Turr Truth Sayer

Standard year 2203

PLANET ORLO II

Echo Company was bivouacked in the ruins of a machine shop on the east side of the city. McKee had removed Weber’s head and was replacing the rotator bearing in the cyborg’s neck when Singh stopped by. “Jeez, McKee, shouldn’t you call in Hosker for a repair like that? What if you can’t put him back together?”

McKee would have preferred to have a tech do the work, but she’d seen some of the shoddy repairs that Hosker made. And wasn’t about to let him work on Weber. But if she said that, Singh might tell Hosker, who would report her for carrying out repairs she wasn’t qualified to make. And the charge would stick. “Hosker’s busy right now,” McKee said evasively, “given all the battle damage he has to repair. So I figured I’d take care of it myself. And Weber doesn’t mind. Do you, Web?”

The cyborg’s head was sitting on a beat-up table and was connected to his body via an armored umbilical. “Hell, no,” Weber responded. “McKee has the touch. She can work on me anytime.”

“Okay, if you say so,” Singh replied doubtfully. “I’ve got a message from the PL. She wants to see all of the squad leaders at 1000 hours.”

Lieutenant Cally Kaylor had been sent to replace Camacho. According to the scan, she was a jacker, meaning an officer who had risen through the ranks, and a stickler for regulations. McKee had been introduced to the officer but hadn’t spent any time with her. She frowned. “So what’s up?”

Singh shrugged. “Beats me. The loot didn’t say.”

“Whatever it is won’t be good,” Weber predicted darkly.

“Quit being so pessimistic,” McKee said, although deep down she agreed with him. “Maybe we’re getting a pay raise.”

That was sufficient to elicit a laugh from both legionnaires, and as Singh left, McKee returned to work.

At 1000 hours she reported to the small parking lot that served as Echo Company’s HQ. It consisted of an inflatable hab, tarps stretched over a crude framework made from salvaged lumber, and lines of four-man tents. Captain Avery was nowhere to be seen, but Kaylor was seated under a large sheet of plastic along with squad leaders Boyce and Fanta. As McKee came to attention, Kaylor waved the formality off. “As you were. No need for that when the four of us get together. Grab a chair.”

Kaylor had white sidewalls, a blond crew cut that stood straight up, and a square face. Her eyes were green and an army of freckles marched cheek to cheek across an unremarkable nose. The officer’s mouth was so straight it looked as if it had been issued to her.

“All right,” Kaylor said as McKee took her seat. “Let’s get to it. Captain Avery and Echo Company’s platoon leaders were required to attend a briefing this morning and here’s the download. Governor Jones led the rebellion so the brass want to get their hands on him.

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