HUMBLE SPACER 22 JAN 3307 (in the army now)
22 Jan 2021Igli
Chased all through the inhabited space and tired of living on the run I decided to make a stand. I hoped it wouldn't be my last stand. No one could resist a powerful organization alone. I needed allies and powerful, too. I heard many times before that Yuri Grom had the most combat-ready army in the bubble: with squadrons of valiant pilots and experienced commanders at the helm. Could there be any better protection?I went to a barber and cut my hair short. I practiced several hours in front of a mirror making a very serious face. I assumed a tough look. I collected a registry of my victories against pirates in asteroid rings and found the list very short. Nevertheless I decided to try my fortune, wrote a brief curriculum vitae and poured myself a glass of Lavian brandy... No, a soldier must be sober at all times. I ought to drop the habit. I overturned the glass and emptied its contents. Then washed it.
I gathered what was left of my resolve and went to a nearest recruitment office. When I entered I found myself in a medium-sized room with a spartan interior. There was very few furniture, bare metal walls and almost no decorations apart from an exceptionally cute secretary who was polishing her nails behind a large table made of a piece of debris from a combat spacecraft. I marched towards her table trying to look as brave as I could and gave her my papers.
- How can I help you, mister? - she inquired.
- I desire to enlist, ma'am.
- You must address me "sir", rookie, - her voice assumed a metallic tone.
- Acknowledged, maa'm, ... sir.
- Moron. But you'll learn. Or die trying.
- Yes, sir!
- That's better. Go, see the commander. Dismissed, - she ordered and waved her hand pointing to a door, then resumed polishing her nails.
I turned sharply and marched in a soldier-like way to the inner door leading to the commander's office. The commander was a stout man with piercing steel eyes and scars on his face partly covered with a bushy beard. (His desk was made of many peices of shot through personal combat armor welded together.)
- A recruit? - he asked in a raspy voice.
- Yes, sir! - I stretched and stood at attetion.
- We have enough and don't need any more.
- ... ?
- Nevertheless, maybe Yuri Grom's army could find some use for you.
- Yes, sir!
- You are on the roster now. - he touched some keys in his holo-pad.
- Ready to serve, sir!
- Shut up. You may collect your allowance from the secretary. It's not large.
- Thank you, sir!
- You'll be assigned a hangar later. Dismissed, soldier.
I turned around in one swift motion (I was getting a good soldier already), marched to the door and opened it. "Since you are now one of us - grow yourself a beard, son," - the commander gave a farewell advice. "And some balls..." - muttered his secretary in a low voice.