such – the Manley itself had had to make two additional stops before Maker left the ship – even hyperspace travel could only get you so far, so fast.)
He had used much of his time on the Manley reviewing personnel records. Before he left, he thought he had his team picked out. Thus, before getting off at the commercial spaceport, Maker had used the military vessel’s secure comm to send General Kroner his selections. He also added that he wanted them on Stinger III when he arrived. (That was probably pushing things, but he might as well see what he could get.)
After a few moments – and several not-so-subtle bumps from other exiting shuttle passengers – Maker started moving again. Under normal circumstances, the presence of a “pet” like Erlen would have required that they go through Customs. Fortunately, Maker had long ago (and at great expense) gotten the necessary paperwork to allow the Niotan to have unrestricted travel – including in the passenger compartment of transport ships. All of the requisite information and permits were now encrypted and encoded in the dog tags that Erlen wore, which were quite similar to tags that Maker himself carried. That being the case, they were able to head straight for the exit gate.
Once outside, Maker had planned to take one of the numerous forms of public transportation – train, bus, etc. – to his duty post. Thus, he was more than a little surprised to find a car and driver waiting for him.
Oddly enough, Maker initially walked past the young Marine holding the sign with “Lt. Maker” on it, his mind automatically processing the scene and dismissing it in terms of being related to him. It was with something of a start that he realized a moment later that he was in fact Lt. Maker. (Being an officer was going to take more getting used to than simply being a Marine again.)
Doubling back, he approached the fellow holding the sign, who looked almost too young to be in the service.
“Excuse me,” Maker said, “but I’m Lieutenant Maker.”
“Lt. Arrogant Maker?” the young man asked.
“Yes,” Maker confirmed.
“Then I’m your ride,” the young Marine intoned, smiling. “Right this way.”
Maker followed the fellow – whom he presumed to be his driver – to a parking area reserved for high-ranking individuals. His guide led him to a general staff car and opened the door.
“Since when do el-tees rate this kind of treatment?” Maker asked.
The driver shrugged. “Don’t know. I was dropping an admiral from the Space Navy off when I got the order to hang around for you. I’m assuming that someone got worried that you might get lost.”
Maker and Erlen got into the car; the driver went to close the door and then hesitated.
“Uh…” The young Marine seemed at a loss for words. “Any luggage, sir?”
“It’s being sent ahead,” Maker said.
“Excellent,” the driver said, seemingly relieved. He closed the door, and then went around to the driver’s side and got in. A few seconds later, they were on their way.
************************************
The entire planet of Stinger III actually served as a military installation. The planet’s various continents served as command centers, which were themselves broken down into regions. The regions were further divided into zones. Finally, within each zone, were numerous military bases.
The base Maker was reporting to was located in a tropical area near Stinger III’s equator. It was a short drive away from the shuttle landing site, but long enough for Maker to get the driver’s story. He was young, as Maker had thought, and new to the Corps. He’d only enlisted six months ago, and since completing basic training his only job had been serving as a driver. However, on a recent pick-up he had forgotten to get a general’s luggage, the result being that the general in question had given the young man a verbal mauling that had only been slightly less vicious in nature than a physical
He had used much of his time on the Manley reviewing personnel records. Before he left, he thought he had his team picked out. Thus, before getting off at the commercial spaceport, Maker had used the military vessel’s secure comm to send General Kroner his selections. He also added that he wanted them on Stinger III when he arrived. (That was probably pushing things, but he might as well see what he could get.)
After a few moments – and several not-so-subtle bumps from other exiting shuttle passengers – Maker started moving again. Under normal circumstances, the presence of a “pet” like Erlen would have required that they go through Customs. Fortunately, Maker had long ago (and at great expense) gotten the necessary paperwork to allow the Niotan to have unrestricted travel – including in the passenger compartment of transport ships. All of the requisite information and permits were now encrypted and encoded in the dog tags that Erlen wore, which were quite similar to tags that Maker himself carried. That being the case, they were able to head straight for the exit gate.
Once outside, Maker had planned to take one of the numerous forms of public transportation – train, bus, etc. – to his duty post. Thus, he was more than a little surprised to find a car and driver waiting for him.
Oddly enough, Maker initially walked past the young Marine holding the sign with “Lt. Maker” on it, his mind automatically processing the scene and dismissing it in terms of being related to him. It was with something of a start that he realized a moment later that he was in fact Lt. Maker. (Being an officer was going to take more getting used to than simply being a Marine again.)
Doubling back, he approached the fellow holding the sign, who looked almost too young to be in the service.
“Excuse me,” Maker said, “but I’m Lieutenant Maker.”
“Lt. Arrogant Maker?” the young man asked.
“Yes,” Maker confirmed.
“Then I’m your ride,” the young Marine intoned, smiling. “Right this way.”
Maker followed the fellow – whom he presumed to be his driver – to a parking area reserved for high-ranking individuals. His guide led him to a general staff car and opened the door.
“Since when do el-tees rate this kind of treatment?” Maker asked.
The driver shrugged. “Don’t know. I was dropping an admiral from the Space Navy off when I got the order to hang around for you. I’m assuming that someone got worried that you might get lost.”
Maker and Erlen got into the car; the driver went to close the door and then hesitated.
“Uh…” The young Marine seemed at a loss for words. “Any luggage, sir?”
“It’s being sent ahead,” Maker said.
“Excellent,” the driver said, seemingly relieved. He closed the door, and then went around to the driver’s side and got in. A few seconds later, they were on their way.
************************************
The entire planet of Stinger III actually served as a military installation. The planet’s various continents served as command centers, which were themselves broken down into regions. The regions were further divided into zones. Finally, within each zone, were numerous military bases.
The base Maker was reporting to was located in a tropical area near Stinger III’s equator. It was a short drive away from the shuttle landing site, but long enough for Maker to get the driver’s story. He was young, as Maker had thought, and new to the Corps. He’d only enlisted six months ago, and since completing basic training his only job had been serving as a driver. However, on a recent pick-up he had forgotten to get a general’s luggage, the result being that the general in question had given the young man a verbal mauling that had only been slightly less vicious in nature than a physical
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