Walker Brigade - Book of Incidents

"Cadet Larson, you are at attention," Becky told him through clenched teeth. Larson rolled his eyes as he got back to his feet.

"Thank you, Chief. Now down to business. Chief Latham, you are to be commended on your actions today. Although, I am sorry to say they will only be known by those here. If you wish, your squad is dismissed but I would request that you and your team leads stay."

"We will all stay, sir."

"Very well. Cadet Larson, you are relieved until a board of inquiry can be convened, at which time you will present yourself for an Article Thirty-Two hearing. The charges will be read to you at that time." Larson's mouth dropped open and his eyes widened.

"Charges? What charges?"

"Larson, you're still at attention," Becky shouted.

"Fuck you, bitch, I did nothing wrong." I had to grab Westerboc, Echo Eleven, by the collar to keep him from breaking ranks.

"Cadet Larson!" The commandant was on his feet and in Larson's face, nose to nose, eye to eye. "You will apologize to Chief Latham immediately."

The tension in the air was thick and Larson, defiant with his silence, stood staring at the Commandant. Westerboc started to mutter something, but a smack in the back from a teammate silenced him.

"Chief Latham," the commandant said, still eye to eye with Larson, "I must apologize for my cadets. I hope you will kindly accept it from me. Also, if you wouldn't mind, could you appoint two of your troopers as sergeant-at-arms and place Mister Larson under arrest?"

"Admiral David, I accept your apology, but I do not forgive Mister Larson. Westerboc, Eckles, you are now Sergeant-At-Arms."

"Thank you, Chief."

Sam and Simon moved to either side of Larson so quickly that he hardly had time to register the fact that his arms were in the grip of the two men.

"Please resist," Sam whispered. It was loud enough that everyone heard.

"Westerboc!" Becky shouted.

"Aye, ma'am!" Sam said, snapping to attention.

"Gentlemen, please escort Mister Larson to the brig."

"Aye, sir."

"The brig? For what? I didn't do anything wrong," Larson was shouting as he was literally dragged from the conference room.

The commandant resumed his place at the head of the table. He looked sad and exhausted. The cadets, for the most part, looked astonished, their eyes filled with dismay. A few appeared to know what was going on, what had occurred to warrant such action and I could see Becky picking them out of the crowd.

"Chief Latham, you may put the room at ease," Admiral David said.

"Troopers at ease," Becky told the room, just loud enough for everyone to hear.

* * * Cadet Du Page

I watched with disgust, bile rising in my throat, as they dragged Cadet Larson away, kicking and screaming. The arrogant fool had no business being in the military. He believed himself above the law and his arrogance got all his men killed in the exercise and brought the wrath of the Commandant down on his head. He had also besmirched the good name of the Academy with his insolent attitude. I would be first in line to testify against him at his courts-martial.

Chief Latham put the room at ease. I had tried to get closer to the middle of the room but the ranking system they had at the Academy put me about five rows back from the main table. I was just close enough to hear what was being said at the main table if everyone around me was quiet. Chief Latham began speaking to the Commandant.

"Admiral, if I might be so bold as to suggest that the current structure of unit formations is lacking in the ability to..." The Admiral cut her off.

"I know what you mean, Chief. How would you suggest we remedy the situation?"

"The current structure, while giving those who have been here the longest authority over those who have been here less, is fine for academic leadership, but when we are on exercises, there should be a structure more along the lines of ability."

"And how would you structure the organization if you were going to repeat today's exercise?"

"If I may," she said as she stood.

"Of course," the Admiral said.

"You cadets sitting at the table, get up and leave the table to your right." The cadets rose with looks of astonishment on their faces but, left the table. "Now, as I call your name come to the table and sit to the Admiral's left. Cadet Du Page."

I was so surprised to hear my name that it took me a few seconds to snap to attention and move to the table.

"Cadet Harrington, Cadet Milborn, Cadet Washington, Cadet Acton. This, Admiral, is your command structure for field exercises, Cadet Du Page as Company Commander, with Cadets Harrington, Milborn, Washington and Acton as his Platoon Leaders. Should I continue down to NCO level positions, or leave that to the new command structure to figure out, sir?"

"My, my, you don't hold to tradition, do you, Chief?"

"Tradition is fine in the right place and time. But it has no use in the field, except one; 'We don't leave anyone behind.'"

"Yes, that is one for the field. All right, let's see what these new commanders can come up with to their TO. I'll break tradition this time, too. This structure will also carry over to the academic side of training from now on. Our cadets are grouped in company form for a reason. That form should be reflected in all our training, so I will be announcing a new rank structure for all companies tomorrow.

"You five are the first to be appointed. The new structure will be a true TOC with me at the top. Cadet Du Page, you will also be Battalion Commander and Brigade Commander."

"Aye, sir." I jumped to attention.

"At ease, Cadet." I sat back down. "As we are never at more than battalion strength, you will only have three other cadet's reporting to you, other than your platoon commanders. You, however, will report directly to me. Do you understand, Cadet?"

"Aye, sir." I jumped to attention again.

"You and I, along with Chief Latham and her Squad, will continue this meeting. The rest of the Company is dismissed."

"Company, attention," I shouted. "Sir, I would like my platoon commanders to participate also."

"Very good, Cadet."

"Company dismissed." We waited until the rest of the cadets had left. As the company was wandering out, the two Echo squad members returned from the brig. I overheard one of them tell another that Larson had resisted and had to be roughed up a little, nothing too harsh.

"You're all at ease, cadets. And please no more jumping up to answer me," Admiral David said smiling.

"As you wish sir," I said smiling back at him. "I was just setting an example for the others. With Larson in charge, things were a little lax around here."

"I know, son. That's why I was glad to have Echo Squad assigned here, now, down to business."

The Admiral, Echo Squad, my platoon commanders and I spent the next four hours going over the school roster. The Admiral had dinner brought in and we worked past lights out. In the end, we had a command structure in place based on experience, attitude, and ability. We had also worked out the new rank structure.

I was happy to be in the position I found myself in. It was what I lived for. My four platoon commanders were good men. Most of the cadets in the Academy were what used to be called retreads, members of other branches of service who, for one reason or another, had elected to start over in the Walker Brigade. There were some, however, who had never been in the military. They, like Larson, didn't know diddly about being a soldier.

9.20.0093/7

* * * Becky Latham

I was sitting next to Max's bed when Michelle injected the drug to wake him up. I tried to look relaxed as if he had dozed off for a few minutes. His eyes started to flutter as the sleep agent washed from his system. He was looking much better. They moved him to a different room, one with a big one-way glass mirror above the headboard of his bed. At the moment, Max's father was in the room behind the mirror, watching his son.

"Wha..." Max mumbled.

"It's okay, Max. I'm here, so is Michelle. We haven't left you." I held his hand in mine to reassure him.

"Chief, try taking a drink. Your throat is probably parched." Michelle offered him a straw; he sipped hesitantly until after the first swallow. As the cool liquid went down his throat, he sucked more and more. Finally, Michelle had to pull it away from him. "Not so fast, Chief."

"But I'm really thirsty," he croaked.

"I know, but little steps." Michelle offered him the straw again. He sipped slowly this time and she let him have all he wanted.

"How are you feeling, Max?" Michelle asked as she pulled the straw away from his lips.

"Slight headache, the lights are too bright in here," he said, shielding his eyes from the light. Michelle reached out and turned a dial on the wall next to her, the lights dimmed perceptibly.

"That better, Chief?"

"Yes, thank you, Chelle, or should I say, Colonel?"

"Chelle is fine. The Colonel thing is just temporary."

"Sounds like my father has had a hand in this," growled Max.

"He has been very nice to us, Max," I said

"I see, Chief." He was smiling as he looked at me. "You're not planning on taking over my squad, are you beautiful?"

"No, Max, it was just convenient...for TOC on our current assignment." He looked at me with raised eyebrows. "At the Academy." He nodded his head in understanding.

"So, what's been going on while I've been out of it?"

"Not much. Training cadets, looking after you."

"So, how long was I asleep this time?"

"About fifteen minutes or so, why?" Michelle told him.

"In fifteen minutes you both got promotions, I was moved to a new room and the calendar on the wall has gone haywire?"

"Shit, the wall calendars, and clocks. It's been five days." Michelle smacked herself in the head. I guess no matter how smart you are you can never think of everything.

"Why the deception?" Max asked.

"It's a long story, which doesn't involve your father. It's medical practice on long regen cases to keep them asleep instead of all drugged up on pain killers. Now it's time to go back to sleep, so the nurses can come in and change your dressings and take care of some other things." As she said the last, she pressed a button on the machine next to the bed.

"Wait, I don't want to go..." Max never finished. He was asleep within seconds of Michelle pressing the button.

"Okay, now that he knows, we'll have to keep him from conniving a way to stay awake," Michelle told me.

9.22.0093/15

* * * Becky Latham

The new ranking system did not go over well with the students, especially those who were in their fourth year, but this was the military, they would have to suck it up and follow orders. Besides, they were the ones who had volunteered for this duty. Cadet Du Page was handling the problems and complaints of the upperclassmen with ease and diplomacy. He was a credit to the Academy.

I was sitting in my quarters going over some of the cadet's files when there was a knock at my door.

"Enter," I yelled.

The door opened and Cadet Du Page entered my room and snapped to attention. I had to smile as I pretended to continue to read the file in front of me. In any other circumstances, I would be the one who was standing at attention and Du Page who was smiling down at a file. I composed myself.

"At ease, Cadet. Now, what can I do for you?"

"Thank you, ma'am."

"It's Chief, Cadet. I haven't been a ma'am for a long...never mind."

"Yes, Chief. Chief, I've heard some rumblings among the upperclassmen about the change in leadership in the cadet corps."

"Well, Cadet, those that had been in charge were found to be lacking in the ability to lead. I guess they just miss being the ones in power."

"Yes, ma...Chief. But there have been threats made against you and your squad."

"By who? Oh, never mind. Forget I asked. My squad and I can take care of ourselves, Cadet. Anything else?" He was holding a file in his hand, but so far, he had not mentioned what it was.

"Yes, Chief, this is the file on Larson's second in command."

"And what would you have me do with this?"

"Read it, Chief, that's all."

"If I read it, what will I find?"

"That's not for me to say, Chief."

I studied him for a few seconds. He stood at ease but refused to make eye contact. He still held the file out for me to take.

"Thank you, Cadet," I said, taking the file from him. "I'll read it the first chance I get."

"Thanks, Chief." He snapped to attention, turned smartly and was out the door before I could say another word. Curiosity got the better of me; I opened the file and started to read. What I found was beyond comprehension.

This Cadet had been associated with the gangs on Earth. He also had received a number of communications from someone on Earth within the last forty-eight hours. Why the academy accepted him was beyond me. Attached to the cover was a list of names written in pencil. Shuffling through the stack on my desk, I found every file. They were all members of the same gang back on earth. It looked as if they were exporting their members to the Federation military.

I pulled my keyboard down and composed a search of all branches of the military looking for anyone who had been a gang member back on Earth. I knew not all of them would be suspect. Some of them left because they wanted a better life, like Chris, but things were starting to look a little odd. The computer came back telling me my search would require a minimum of five hours to run. Damn. You would think that with man's expansion to the stars they could have advanced computer technology enough so that you wouldn't have to wait for your answer.

Well, there was nothing I could do except, take my suspicions to the Admiral, but first I would have a talk with Chris.

* * * Chris Shonner

Becky called me to see her about something. As I sat in the chair across from her in the wardroom, I tried to figure out why. I hadn't been in any trouble, nor had I had a run-in with any of the cadets.

"Chris, has anyone from Earth contacted you within the last forty-eight hours?"

"No, Sec...Chief."

"Becky will do, Chris. You're sure?"

"Yes. Why, is there something wrong with my family?" Now I was worried.

"No, at least I don't think so. Do they still live in New York?"

"No, I moved them to the Midwest a few years back. They work a farm in what used to be Iowa."

"Then they are probably okay. Do you know any of these cadets?" She handed me a piece of paper with a list of names. The last name was in her handwriting.

"No, I can't say that I do. Wait, this name, the one you wrote, I do recognize it. He was the leader of the Pack Dogs on the upper east side."

"But do you know him?"

"No. I never met him. I just know the name and the reputation."

"And what reputation is that?"

"He was ruthless, no conscious. He would stick a knife in you all the while smiling."

"Okay, Chris, thanks. You can go."

"What's up, Becky?"

"I don't know just yet. I'll let you know when I do."

"Okay, see you later." I turned to leave the wardroom.

"Oh, and Chris..."

"Yes," I said as I turned back to her.

"Don't go near that cadet or any of the others. Is that clear?"

"Yes, ma'am." She smiled at me as I turned and left the wardroom. Although she had told me not to go near him that is exactly what I wanted to do to find out what was going on, I couldn't go against Becky though. If she didn't want me near him, I would stay away...for now. I would, however, do some checking of my own. I still had some friends on Earth, but I would have to figure out a way to contact them. This would require some thought.

9.23.0093/8

* * * Admiral David

"Come in," I said to the knock at my door. Looking up as the door opened, I saw Chief Latham enter.

"Chief Latham requests to speak with the Commandant." She saluted smartly, standing at attention in front of my desk.

"At ease, Chief, have a seat."

"Thank you, sir."

"Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your company, Chief?" She smiled at me and melted my heart. She was a beautiful woman. Chief Jones was a lucky man.

"Sir, I have come across something that might be of vital importance."

"Well, let's have it then."

"You do know what Echo Squads last assignment was?"

"Yes, that little mix-up on Earth ... New York, wasn't it?"

"Yes, sir, but it wasn't a little mix-up, as you put it. It was a knockdown, drag-out fight. They had military grade arms and armor. They were well supplied and well versed in military tactics." She raised her eyebrows quizzically.

"And..."

"And it appears that they have infiltrated the military of the federation." She laid the file she had brought in on my desk in front of me. "Read this and let me know what you think." She started to get out of her chair.

"Hold on Chief. Sit tight for a minute." I opened the folder and started to read.

Ten minutes later, I was astounded at what this lovely young lady had uncovered. It appeared that there were gang members from New York in every branch of the service. Some of them were highly placed; some in places of authority capable of changing the outcome of a conflict. There were also those in a position to ship the odd weapon and armor back home to Earth. Most of those in high places were assigned here on Pacifica. Before anything could be done, there would need to be proof.

"Very interesting, Chief, very interesting indeed. What would you do if you were me and you had this information?"

"I would give Admiral Jones a call and ask him to have a drink with you, sir."

"Ah, now that is a novel idea, one that wouldn't have occurred to me at all. I extend my thanks to you, Chief." I reached for my communicator, punched a number and waited, leaving it on hands-free. Chief Latham started to rise, but I waved her to her seat again.

"Admiral Jones, please?"

"Who may I say is calling?"

"Admiral David." There was a clicking sound and then Admiral Jones was on the line.

"Jones here..."

"Admiral Jones, Admiral David over at the Academy."

"Ah, Shor. How are you doing, old friend?"

"Just fine Jonesy, just fine. How's the wife?"

"She's well. What can I do for you, Shor?"

"Can you come over to my office? I need to discuss the squad you assigned to me. I don't know if it is going to work out." Becky's eyes widened at my statement. I winked at her and pointed to my ears. She nodded understanding.

"Sure. They're not giving you any trouble, are they?"

"Well, it depends on your definition of trouble."

"I can be there in twenty minutes, that good?"

"Sure is, see you then. Give my love to Stella."

"I will. See you in twenty." The Admiral clicks off.

"Now we sit and wait, Chief."

"Aye, sir."

* * * Becky Latham

"How is Chief Jones doing?" Admiral David asked me while we waited for Admiral Jones to arrive.

"He's doing just fine, thank you. Trooper Santos-Tomas, says he'll be up and causing trouble in next to no time."

"That's good to hear. As the Commandant, it always troubles me when one of my people is hurt or worse, killed. I took Trooper Wilcox's death pretty hard. He was a good man." The Admiral lowered his head in reflection.

"Yes, he was a good man. We all miss him." I lowered my head too, not in reflection, but because thinking about Fletch brought back the memories of Max lying in the hospital. A tear escaped my eyes and rolled down my cheek.

"I'm sorry, Becky, I didn't mean to dredge up sad memories," the Admiral whispered to me. Looking up at him, I smiled, wiping the tear from my cheek.

We sat in silence waiting for Admiral Jones. Admiral David went through the file I had brought again while we waited. He harrumphed a couple of times, then closed it and looked into my eyes. He smiled as he reached for a glass of water and took a drink.