Freehold: Defiance by Michael Z. Williamson

Author:Michael Z. Williamson [Williamson, Michael Z.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781982125363
Amazon: 1982125365
Publisher: Baen
Published: 2021-05-04T04:00:00+00:00

The Bugismen

William McCaskey

June 210

Duterte City, Nusantara

“Can’t beat a posting like this,” a UNPF lieutenant crowed to his compatriots as he leaned back in his chair and patted his stomach. The noise from the street below was muffled through the restaurant’s second floor windows, but the din from the kitchen would rise and fall with the swinging of the serving door carrying with it the spiced aroma of cooking belecan.

“It’s a wonder you can pass tape, James,” another retorted.

“James may be a fatass, Schriner, but he at least finds us good places to eat. You spend so many marks on cards and hookers it’s a wonder you aren’t on emergency funding,” a third said, laughing.

“Give him a break, Arturo. At least he paid us back on that last loan,” James cut in.

“About that,” Schriner began.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Arturo interrupted. He slammed a fist on the table causing the passing waitress to jump and eye the three warily. “You ask for another fucking loan and I’ll skull drag your ass back to the barracks and slam your dick in a door.”

“Why would you even lead with that? I was going to ask you to spot me for lunch, I need to make a draw from finance after I spent what I had on hand last night.” Schriner eyed Arturo. “You need to get laid.”

“Man’s got a point, you’re wound a little tight,” James agreed with Schriner.

“Luckily, we’re right next door to where the Grainne military trained their whores.” Schriner grinned as if he had solved all the world’s problems.

“Expensive and reserved for flag ranks and VIPs.” Arturo ticked off his fingers.

“All off the books and against policy. General Order One,” James interjected.

“Only the fully qualified ‘specialists’ are reserved,” Schriner explained. “The trainees are open for business; get it set with the right clerk and you can even have the fee autodrafted from your pay. Streamlines the entire process. Don’t let the MPs see you walk in or out and don’t bring them into the barracks.”

“Trainee whores doesn’t make much sense,” James snarked, reaching for another pineapple tart from the plate at the center of the table.

“They call ’em ‘Recreation Specialists’ but classify them under ‘Emotional Health.’ This girl from the mainland, or did you get a local?” Arturo added.

“Whore’s a whore regardless of what they call it,” Schriner scoffed. “Local, not a raghead though. It’s a wonder people can even stand living near those types. She had some interesting stories to tell, though. Threatened me with something, sounded like the bogeyman.”

“Did you get clarification?” James asked.

“Why? I wasn’t paying to hear her talk. Tell you what, you cover dinner and spot me a bit for the game tonight and I’ll make sure you both get your ashes hauled with some local strange.”

“Shut it, Arturo.” James cut the third lieutenant off before he could antagonize their compatriot any further. Looking at Schriner, he finally answered, “Deal.”

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