A Year of the Monkeys by Michael Darling

Author:Michael Darling
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-73258-361-0
Publisher: Infinite Publishing

Monkey Fish

Scott Bryan

Sweat pooled on the back of Joe’s thick, furry neck. He gently brushed the trigger of his Fire-Bomber 2000. Not hard enough to actually set it off, but just so he would be ready if they emerged from the deep.

He’d practiced using the weapon for months. The days of setting his tail on fire were long past him. He knew everything there was to being in the Fire Monkey Battalion. He should be ready. And yet Bill’s words kept echoing in his mind. “Training is not fighting. Wait till you’re actually out there. That’s when you’ll know.”

The Mammalian Forces liked to employ bulls as drill sergeants due to their tendency to force their will on smaller animals. Bill had proved that stereotype true, but it was his mentorship, his willingness to look after Joe, that allowed Joe to feel any sense of ease.

But now, Bill was miles away and Joe stood with his feet planted on the eastern shore, his Fire-Bomber 2000 tight in his hands, his eyes fixed upon the endless ocean in front of him. It was vast and full of danger, and he was at its edge.

As monkeys go, Joe was screwed.

“Remember your training, soldiers,” his commander roared. “Fire the moment you see their stinking scales!”

Joe wouldn’t move his gaze for anything in the world, but he knew what Commander Leo Thickmane was doing. He could hear his leader’s calculated footfalls in the sand behind him, a lion’s proud gait.

Temporary courage washed over Joe at his leader’s very presence. “You’ve trained for this. We have the advantage. The Marine Marauders may have confidence, but they will be out of their depths. Teach them to stay where they belong.”

Thickmane strode down the beach among the thousands of animal soldiers. Joe listened as the mighty lion urged on the troops. His borrowed courage left with his commander, and Joe blinked to keep the sweat from dripping into his eyes and stinging them again. Thickmane could inspire a sloth to run a marathon, but that didn’t mean it would beat a cheetah. Monkeys were built for the entertainment industry, tree house maintenance, and the service sector—but war?

There wouldn’t be a Fire Monkey Battalion if this terrible war hadn’t lasted this long. So many already lost.

He absently lifted his left foot and scratched his butt, not losing his perfect balance.

“Uniform riding up again?”

It was Cecilia, his crab friend. She worked hard as an infantry assistant. After the life her species endured, her willingness to serve came as no surprise.

“No,” he replied. “Just getting tired of all this waiting. I have lost track of how many hours we’ve been standing here.”

“Well, it’s better than the alternative,” she replied, pushing a water bottle to his lips with her claw. He took a sip from the plastic straw. She continued, “They’re devils. The minute they rise from the deep…” Thick apprehension covered them both. Her tiny eyes swam in fear. “Just be careful, Joe, okay?”

“I will.” He returned his gaze to the sea as she moved on to the next soldier.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.