Rifleman (Conscript Book 2) by Scott Bartlett

Author:Scott Bartlett [Bartlett, Scott]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mirth Publishing
Published: 2024-04-22T00:00:00+00:00

14

Almost without warning, an entire EPA battalion descended on the canyon—and on the MMP. Apparently some higher-up had decided that the mobile mining platform was GEA property now, and that the Army would use it to go on joyrides across the regolith, or however it was they planned to occupy themselves out here. Whatever outfit had owned the MMP before would apparently be compensated for its value—or at least, for what GEA said its value was. But Po hadn’t heard any talk of them receiving crypto to make up for all their lost profits since the Marines had first commandeered it.

And GEA wonders why it has insurrections. But that felt like the kind of thought a traitor would have, so Po squashed it. Not that he felt any particular loyalty toward GEA itself. He was a GEA Marine, first and foremost. He fought alongside his brothers, and they all happened to take their orders from the Council of Hegemons. But his brothers, he would die for.

Wouldn’t I?

This time, it wasn’t some voice asking from the back of his head. He was asking himself the question. Then he reminded himself of how he’d taken point when they’d deployed from the MMP, during the recent battle. It wasn’t always smart to lead from the front, but his heart swelled with pride as he replayed his memory of how he’d done it that day. How he’d saved the whole company.

With Zanth’s help, he reminded himself. But so what? That didn’t change what he’d done. And a smart battle commander took good intel from wherever it came, no matter what it involved. Especially when it meant preserving the lives of his men.

“Barely have space to breathe, with all these gophers scurrying all over the place,” Taylor muttered into a bowl of tomato soup one afternoon, loudly enough for his neighbors to hear, and probably the next table over too. Thankfully, it was all Marines at that table, too.

Zapletal nodded. “That shuttle can’t come soon enough.” He didn’t bother muttering, and a couple EPA heads turned from the chow line nearby. “Why aren’t we out of here already?”

Taylor snorted. “Apparently the EPA brigade that GEA assigned to Shackleton hasn’t settled in there yet. So our boys have to stay till they’re feeling nice and comfy-cozy.”

The word “cozy” reminded Po of Zhang, pinning a pillow against a rack post with his back, tears streaming down his face. Wonder how the big guy’s doing.

“Ah,” Zapletal said, nodding with mock solemnity. “But didn’t GEA send enough administrators to read them all their bedtime stories?”

“You know what, they didn’t, Zap,” Taylor said, with the same feigned concern. “And until they can get more up the well, they’re having to read to them in shifts. Which means there’s no time left over to give each other their evening cuddles. It’s a real situation down there.”

“What are you station rats talking about over here?” an EPA private asked, stopping with his tray at the end of their table. “Latest space bug

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