Read Online Prophet of ConFree (The Prophet of ConFree) by Marshall S. Thomas - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Marshall S. Thomas
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weighty junk.
We wound up at a squadmod, as I later learned it was called – a portable white plastic modular building built specifically to house one Legion squad. The designation was printed over the doorway: 1/4 Delta. We were all gasping from the exertion, but our Assidic primitive urged us inside. We stumbled in and stood there in confusion looking around as he barked orders. The interior was also white, spotless, seemingly brand new and well designed – a transparent roof let in the sunlight. Five bunks lined each wall to the left and to the right. A small central area featured a circular table and plastic benches and a kitchen mod. To the rear were heads separately designated for males and females, and a small separate room with a closed door marked Training Instructor.
"All right, let's MOVE – we don't have much time," our leader exclaimed. "Choose a bunk, drop your bin by the foot of the bed, open the clothes packs, put on khaki fatigue trousers long and khaki blouse long. Put on black socks and brown leather boots and green web belt NOW , bodies. NOW! "
Another confusing dance ensued. He hadn’t said to strip off anything so we wore our undies and sleeveless top under the new clothing and were ready in record time. At least it seemed to me that it was record time.
"Field hats – NOW! " We scrambled, donned the hats and stood there, gasping. I sneaked a look around at my companions. One, two Outworlder males – three, counting me. A male Assidic. A male, olive skin, unknown ethnicity. Two females, a blonde Outworlder angel and a black Cyrillian girl. That's seven. Squads are supposed to have ten. WTH , over.
"Attention! Stand at attention before your bunks! Just don't move a muscle." He re-opened the main door and a trooper in black strolled in.
"Sir!" our leader said. "Your squad is ready for inspection." Our visitor took his time looking us over. He was medium height, slim and wiry, close cut brown hair, piercing grey eyes – oh no. No! It was Doggie.
Doggie! Our new squad leader. Oh no – this was not going to work out at all.
"I see seven bodies, trooper," Doggie said. "Please explain."
"We have two body holds, sir. Our aircar driver has not yet been designated – word is all air assets are to be assigned later. The other body is also on hold. No details yet, sir."
Doggie slowly took us all in. He paused briefly before me, then moved on, looking over every recruit.
"Thank you, trooper," Doggie said, "I take command of this squad. You are relieved." The big Assidic saluted Doggie and left the squadmod.
Doggie glanced at his chron, then spoke. "Welcome to Training Squad Delta of the First Training Platoon, Fourth Training Company, First Training Battalion. I am your training instructor and squad leader. My name is William Tregon and my designation is Delta One. You will address me as 'sir'. My mission is to make you into Legion soldiers. I aim to accomplish that, but you are all going to have to cooperate for that to happen. If I sense any resistance, I'll toss you out of the squad instantly, and if that happens, your future will be dark. Basic is not going to be easy but millions of Legion recruits have done it, and graduated. I advise you to obey orders, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouths shut. And no whining! I am going to get to know all of you, intimately, but we'll do the introductions later. Right now we all have an important appointment. Outside! On me!"
We lined up facing the squadmod at his direction. "Dress right!" he shouted. "Right arm out, touch the shoulder of the man to your right. Straighten the line. I will give this command again when we arrive. When we get there you will stand at attention until notified otherwise. There will be no talk and no movement. All right, follow me, double time."
He took off jogging. We didn't know exactly what "double time" meant, but we had a general idea. We trotted after him, along a winding network of personnel roads through the
We wound up at a squadmod, as I later learned it was called – a portable white plastic modular building built specifically to house one Legion squad. The designation was printed over the doorway: 1/4 Delta. We were all gasping from the exertion, but our Assidic primitive urged us inside. We stumbled in and stood there in confusion looking around as he barked orders. The interior was also white, spotless, seemingly brand new and well designed – a transparent roof let in the sunlight. Five bunks lined each wall to the left and to the right. A small central area featured a circular table and plastic benches and a kitchen mod. To the rear were heads separately designated for males and females, and a small separate room with a closed door marked Training Instructor.
"All right, let's MOVE – we don't have much time," our leader exclaimed. "Choose a bunk, drop your bin by the foot of the bed, open the clothes packs, put on khaki fatigue trousers long and khaki blouse long. Put on black socks and brown leather boots and green web belt NOW , bodies. NOW! "
Another confusing dance ensued. He hadn’t said to strip off anything so we wore our undies and sleeveless top under the new clothing and were ready in record time. At least it seemed to me that it was record time.
"Field hats – NOW! " We scrambled, donned the hats and stood there, gasping. I sneaked a look around at my companions. One, two Outworlder males – three, counting me. A male Assidic. A male, olive skin, unknown ethnicity. Two females, a blonde Outworlder angel and a black Cyrillian girl. That's seven. Squads are supposed to have ten. WTH , over.
"Attention! Stand at attention before your bunks! Just don't move a muscle." He re-opened the main door and a trooper in black strolled in.
"Sir!" our leader said. "Your squad is ready for inspection." Our visitor took his time looking us over. He was medium height, slim and wiry, close cut brown hair, piercing grey eyes – oh no. No! It was Doggie.
Doggie! Our new squad leader. Oh no – this was not going to work out at all.
"I see seven bodies, trooper," Doggie said. "Please explain."
"We have two body holds, sir. Our aircar driver has not yet been designated – word is all air assets are to be assigned later. The other body is also on hold. No details yet, sir."
Doggie slowly took us all in. He paused briefly before me, then moved on, looking over every recruit.
"Thank you, trooper," Doggie said, "I take command of this squad. You are relieved." The big Assidic saluted Doggie and left the squadmod.
Doggie glanced at his chron, then spoke. "Welcome to Training Squad Delta of the First Training Platoon, Fourth Training Company, First Training Battalion. I am your training instructor and squad leader. My name is William Tregon and my designation is Delta One. You will address me as 'sir'. My mission is to make you into Legion soldiers. I aim to accomplish that, but you are all going to have to cooperate for that to happen. If I sense any resistance, I'll toss you out of the squad instantly, and if that happens, your future will be dark. Basic is not going to be easy but millions of Legion recruits have done it, and graduated. I advise you to obey orders, keep your eyes and ears open and your mouths shut. And no whining! I am going to get to know all of you, intimately, but we'll do the introductions later. Right now we all have an important appointment. Outside! On me!"
We lined up facing the squadmod at his direction. "Dress right!" he shouted. "Right arm out, touch the shoulder of the man to your right. Straighten the line. I will give this command again when we arrive. When we get there you will stand at attention until notified otherwise. There will be no talk and no movement. All right, follow me, double time."
He took off jogging. We didn't know exactly what "double time" meant, but we had a general idea. We trotted after him, along a winding network of personnel roads through the
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