Read Online Carnifex by Tom Kratman - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Tom Kratman
Tags: Fiction, General, Science-Fiction, adventure, Fiction - Science Fiction, Space Opera, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Space Opera, Revenge, Science Fiction - Adventure, American Science Fiction And Fantasy, Science Fiction - Military, Imaginary wars and battles
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baccalaureate.
Jorge Mendoza, former tanker in what was then the Mechanized Cohort, Carlos Martillo , was blind and missing both legs, the result of enemy action in the Sumeri city of Ninewa, early in the war.
The boy—well, he was only twenty-two or three—wanted to continue his studies. His wife, Marqueli, had spoken to Lourdes, apparently, and Lourdes to Carrera, about giving Jorge Mendoza some special help with that.
He wanted to help the boy, of course, anything to help one of his legionaries and especially one who had given up so much in the cause. But he hadn't a clue how to do that, consistent with his principles, and the Mendoza's were due at his office any minute.
* * *
Actually, though Carrera didn't know it, the couple was already there, sitting nervously in the anteroom while Carrera's aide de camp, or AdC, waited for the time to tick away until their last minute appointment was due. They were both very nervous.
Jorge Mendoza showed it. Marqueli didn't, even though she was more nervous for her husband's sake than he was for his own.
"It's a good idea you have, Jorge," she insisted, placing a warm and comforting hand on his arm. " Duque Carrera will see that; I'm sure of it. My cousin was sure of it, as well. She agrees it's a wonderful idea and that her husband will support it."
"Maybe," Mendoza admitted just as the AdC looked up and said, "Time, Candidate."
Into the speaker box on his desk he announced, " Duque , Warrant Officer Candidate and Mrs. Mendoza are here to see you."
* * *
Barring exceptional circumstances, Carrera would have had tossed from his office anyone who brought his wife along. Mendoza, legless and sightless, was such an exceptional circumstance.
Can't criticize a man who suffered as much as he has in my service just for bringing along some help. Besides, she's awfully easy on the eyes.
The door opened, allowing the Mendoza's to enter. Yes, she's just as pretty as I remembered. Poor Mendoza, that he can't see that. Then again, he's a fine-looking boy, too. I can see why the girl was drawn to him.
Instead of meeting them at his desk, Carrera stood and indicated a couch for the couple, then took for himself a well-stuffed chair opposite. Mendoza's artificial legs whined slightly as they bent to allow him to sit.
"You want to continue your studies, I am informed," Carrera began.
"Yes, sir," Mendoza answered, turning his head to face Carrera. His eyes remained unfocused. "I had thought to take up teaching at one of the military schools when I finished. But it hit me when I was reading a book that there was something more, something better, I could do. Actually, Marqueli was reading the book to me," he amended.
Note to self: Library, Braille, pass on to Professor Ruiz to investigate the possibilities , Carrera thought. Even if not worth it to us, maybe it will be good public relations for the Legion.
"Something better?" Carrera asked.
Marqueli pulled a paperback from her purse. Carrera saw that it was one he had had printed by the publishing house he'd had set up under Professor Ruiz's propaganda department. He saw, too, the title: Tropas del Espacio and the letters, "RAH."
"How'd you like the translation?" he asked Marqueli.
"It was so-so, I think," she answered. No one but Carrera and Ruiz knew that Carrera had personally translated the first third or so of the book.
Both deflated and wryly amused, Carrera sighed. Oh, well, can't win 'em all.
"But the original thoughts," Marqueli continued, "well . . . tell the Duque , Jorge."
" History and Moral Philosophy , Duque. There is a need for such a book, a need all over this planet. Balboa needs it as much as anyone."
Ohhhh, so that's his idea. Not bad. Can I tell myself with a straight face that I am doing this, if I do, for one of my soldiers and not for a man married to my wife's cousin? For my adoptive country and not for a relative? For the world and not for nepotism? That would help.
"And
Jorge Mendoza, former tanker in what was then the Mechanized Cohort, Carlos Martillo , was blind and missing both legs, the result of enemy action in the Sumeri city of Ninewa, early in the war.
The boy—well, he was only twenty-two or three—wanted to continue his studies. His wife, Marqueli, had spoken to Lourdes, apparently, and Lourdes to Carrera, about giving Jorge Mendoza some special help with that.
He wanted to help the boy, of course, anything to help one of his legionaries and especially one who had given up so much in the cause. But he hadn't a clue how to do that, consistent with his principles, and the Mendoza's were due at his office any minute.
* * *
Actually, though Carrera didn't know it, the couple was already there, sitting nervously in the anteroom while Carrera's aide de camp, or AdC, waited for the time to tick away until their last minute appointment was due. They were both very nervous.
Jorge Mendoza showed it. Marqueli didn't, even though she was more nervous for her husband's sake than he was for his own.
"It's a good idea you have, Jorge," she insisted, placing a warm and comforting hand on his arm. " Duque Carrera will see that; I'm sure of it. My cousin was sure of it, as well. She agrees it's a wonderful idea and that her husband will support it."
"Maybe," Mendoza admitted just as the AdC looked up and said, "Time, Candidate."
Into the speaker box on his desk he announced, " Duque , Warrant Officer Candidate and Mrs. Mendoza are here to see you."
* * *
Barring exceptional circumstances, Carrera would have had tossed from his office anyone who brought his wife along. Mendoza, legless and sightless, was such an exceptional circumstance.
Can't criticize a man who suffered as much as he has in my service just for bringing along some help. Besides, she's awfully easy on the eyes.
The door opened, allowing the Mendoza's to enter. Yes, she's just as pretty as I remembered. Poor Mendoza, that he can't see that. Then again, he's a fine-looking boy, too. I can see why the girl was drawn to him.
Instead of meeting them at his desk, Carrera stood and indicated a couch for the couple, then took for himself a well-stuffed chair opposite. Mendoza's artificial legs whined slightly as they bent to allow him to sit.
"You want to continue your studies, I am informed," Carrera began.
"Yes, sir," Mendoza answered, turning his head to face Carrera. His eyes remained unfocused. "I had thought to take up teaching at one of the military schools when I finished. But it hit me when I was reading a book that there was something more, something better, I could do. Actually, Marqueli was reading the book to me," he amended.
Note to self: Library, Braille, pass on to Professor Ruiz to investigate the possibilities , Carrera thought. Even if not worth it to us, maybe it will be good public relations for the Legion.
"Something better?" Carrera asked.
Marqueli pulled a paperback from her purse. Carrera saw that it was one he had had printed by the publishing house he'd had set up under Professor Ruiz's propaganda department. He saw, too, the title: Tropas del Espacio and the letters, "RAH."
"How'd you like the translation?" he asked Marqueli.
"It was so-so, I think," she answered. No one but Carrera and Ruiz knew that Carrera had personally translated the first third or so of the book.
Both deflated and wryly amused, Carrera sighed. Oh, well, can't win 'em all.
"But the original thoughts," Marqueli continued, "well . . . tell the Duque , Jorge."
" History and Moral Philosophy , Duque. There is a need for such a book, a need all over this planet. Balboa needs it as much as anyone."
Ohhhh, so that's his idea. Not bad. Can I tell myself with a straight face that I am doing this, if I do, for one of my soldiers and not for a man married to my wife's cousin? For my adoptive country and not for a relative? For the world and not for nepotism? That would help.
"And
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