Read Online Jethro: First to Fight by Chris Hechtl - Free Book Online Page B

were suddenly looking
very uncomfortable.
    Logan frowned. It was a good idea
actually, you didn't want to break an intel chain once you identified it unless
you absolutely had to. What you did do is trace the source of the infection,
see who's involved, what they've got so far, what they were after and then
either roll them up or feed them disinformation. He'd picked that up a long
time ago. The admiral's refresher hadn't hurt either though.
    “Sir I think we need to discuss this...”
    “Right.”
    “About the civilians, they should go
into protective custody...”
    “I... um... I'm looking into joining up
actually,” Everett said holding up a hand. Bailey snorted.  Logan looked
at him. “The admiral suggested it. Lieutenant Commander Sprite was well...” He
squirmed. “Someone I came to admire I guess you could say.” He blushed.
    Horatio nodded. That was two
recommendations in the lad's favor. “All right son.”
    “But as a reservist sir. I don't want to
lose my billet on Destiny.”
    Logan nodded again. If the admiral
recommended the kid he was okay in his book. “Okay.”
    “I'm thinking of signing on as a
reservist as well. I think ten percent of my engineers are of the same mind,”
Bailey admitted. The Destiny security Chief looked nonplussed.
    “I'll put a note in your files alongside
the admiral's recommendation. We'll take you when you are available and work
with your schedule. Thank you gentlemen, good work,” Logan said with a firm nod
of approval and then shook each of their hands in thanks.
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    Jethro had a wrestling bout during PT
with other Neo's. There were dozens of Marines on the ship, Firefly had the
largest ship's company, an actual platoon of Marines on board. Of that group
ten percent were from F platoon, and they had a reputation as the bad asses of
the corps to protect. That made most want to keep that reputation up,
which meant regular practice. They were constantly on the lookout for fresh
victims to play with.
    It wasn't surprising that the Neo's
occasionally got together to train. With them it was a 'no holds barred' match
that just stopped at murder, broken bones, cuts, or permanent injury. Biting,
using your claws, or breaking bones were considered lines you didn't cross.
Jethro ran the gauntlet as usual, running up against dogs, wolves, other cats,
and even a black bear. He was ever wary of a claw or tooth, he had to be, if
one tore his skin up it could permanently damage his cloak. Still, it was
demanding and fun. Others respected him and each other afterward, so he
recognized the bonding psychology involved. But he received a few sore muscles
and a dislocated elbow in the last match. That too was normal, though they did
hurt.
    He showered later, nursing his injuries.
His implants took care of the pain, but he was stiff. One of the things they
tended to do was rib each other over the injuries so he did his best to hide
them.  He was also sore in a couple of odd places on his back and side,
places where he hadn't thought could be injured. He had managed to avoid the
bear's bear hug but twisting away from it had done something, most likely
pulled some muscles.
    He took a soak in the whirlpool, much to
the disgust of the locker group who carped about having to pick fur out of the
filtration system. The soak did help him though. Still he groaned softly when
he bedded down in his rack for the night. He fervently hoped his implants would
enhance his natural healing, kicking it up a notch and heal him overnight.
    The Gunny spotted him moving slowly at
reveille the next morning as well as favoring his right arm. He scanned the
young panther and then ordered Jethro to get checked out by the medics.
    Gusterson their greyhound navy corpsman
took one look at the dislocated elbow and tisked tisked. Jethro had put it back
in place right off, but the soft tissue was pretty swollen, and there was a
torn ligament. He ordered the panther to sickbay.
    Jethro entered