Read Online America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 22: Blue Powder War by Walter Knight - Free Book Online Page A

and fled, but were caught in the downpour of fruit and blue powder. Taking deep breaths, young Teamsters, old Teamsters, feeling right, on a warm New Colorado night. Blue-Claw got caught in the blow-back, losing his staff. When the dust settled, Sheriff McCoy dug Blue-Claw out for arrest, seized the magic weapon, and tagged and bagged it for evidence.
     
    * * * * *
     
    Sheriff McCoy texted, wanting to discuss in person at his office the ongoing blue powder interdiction efforts. I usually avoided invitations to police stations and gave McCoy a wide berth. He got kicked off my Christmas card list long ago, but I wanted Blue-Claw’s god staff.
    “Quite a dust storm,” I started innocently. “Don’t see that often.”
    “I see dirt storms every day,” bristled Sheriff McCoy, declining to shake hands. “But mostly I see dirt-bags. I should shoot you down like the rabid dog I’ve always suspected you to be.”
    “I heard you made quite a drug bust,” I added nervously. “Good for you. Is there a problem?”
    “Your pet spider Blue-Claw is in custody and under interrogation.”
    “That’s good news, right? The Legion can help you with the interrogation. I knew Blue-Claw would get caught. It’s not that hard to catch stupid. All you have to is be patient and wait long enough.”
    “The galaxy is a bad enough place. You don’t have the right to make it worse. Not on my watch.”
    “Where’s the love? I’m feeling under-appreciated.”
    “I’ve known you were trouble, ever since Mars.”
    “I’ve saved the galaxy at least twenty times,” I bragged. “I have Hero of the Legion Medals to prove it. I’m an icon, so don’t mess with me. They even made a movie about my exploits.”
    “Blue-Claw’s trucks had Legion seals. Care to comment on that, Mr. Icon?”
    “Do I need a lawyer?”
    “No.”
    “You had me worried we’re no longer friends,” I said, checking my Facebook account. Sure enough, McCoy had unfriended me. “I was just giving Blue-Claw enough rope to hang himself. It’s not my fault you let him get away.”
    “Blue-Claw had help, but he did not get away.”
    “Outstanding. I heard he escaped in the dust storm. Was there anything unusual?”
    “Like what? Cows whirling about in a tornado?”
    “Yeah, UFOs and X-Files stuff.”
    “No. Blue-Claw just abandoned his powder and tried to escape.”
    “If there is anything the Legion can do to assist your investigation, don’t hesitate to call,” I offered graciously. “Blue-Claw stole military weapons I need to recover, like missiles and explosives. Did you recover any Legion weapons?”
    “Sure thing, Czerinski. I’ll call you if anything like that turns up. Which reminds me, have you seen news reporter Phil Coen and his crew? They’ve gone missing, doing a story over in Scorpion City.”
    “No. Scorpion City is out of your jurisdiction, but I’ll notify you if Coen turns up. Coen thinks he’s a top investigative reporter. He likes to go off on his own, so he’s probably scorpion poop by now.”
    “It’s our job to find him. Okay?”
    “If spreading stupidity were a national health issue, Coen would be banned from New Colorado.”
    “Phil Coen is a real American icon,” advised Sheriff McCoy. “His life matters more than others.”
    “In the New Gobi Desert, no one’s life matters. Everything pokes, stings, or bites. Darwinism is alive and well.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    “I want the same deal Kosminski got!” demanded Blue-Claw, calling me collect from the jail phone. “You win. Let’s make a deal.”
    “Sorry, but time travel to Old Earth is not an option,” I replied. “You wouldn’t fit in. How about a cage at Area 51?”
    “Any warm asteroid with beach-front property will do,” pressed Blue-Claw. “I’m retiring. Ever just want to get away?”
    “All the time,” I answered sympathetically. “Give me your alien weapon, and I’ll work something out.”
    “I no longer have it, but I know who