War Crimes: Operation Slapdash

[Buster's Uncle]

War Crimes: Operation Slapdash

By Buster’s Uncle, DrazharLn and Buster’s Aunt


Pt.1: The Incident, by BU

The rover patrol along the disputed border with the Gaians had been routine.   Ravi was relating one of his stories about yet another improbable romantic conquest from the driver’s seat, while Lev scanned the landscape from shotgun and pretended to listen.  They’d pulled duty together lots of times over the years; Ravi wasn’t a bad guy, if you could stand the bragging.  He was a good Spartan.

“So when I put my pants on the next morning, I realized I had 10 more EC in my pockets than I’d left barracks with,” Ravi said, “I don’t remember everything, but she must have paid-”

“BOIL!” Lev shouted, pointing towards a fungus-covered rise.

Ravi instantly slammed the wheel left towards the threat; it was doctrine to attack mindworms on sight, before they attacked you.  Lev brought the turret gun to bear and opened fire.

Lev saw the world swirl before his eyes; contracting, expanding, contracting, expanding – whirling - impossible pressure building.  He remembered every time he’d been cut in his entire life at once.  Ravi’s screams beside him were the hunting cries of great cats. Fangs ripping at his flesh, eating him! 

WORMS BURROWING IN THROUGH HIS EYES!

…

Ravi slowly realized he wasn’t dead.  He hurt too much to be dead.  He blearily realized he was folded over the wheel of the recon rover.  Ugh.  The worm had counterattacked while they were still in motion and they’d crashed into something.  He looked over at Lev.

His mind blanked out again. 

…

Ravi didn’t remember sealing his airmask, grabbing the flamethrower and exiting the cabin, but his training had held strong.  Making sure of every last bit of the boil was S.O.P.  His throat was too raw to scream his rage at the burning remains; there was nothing but pain.

He was looking around to be sure he was done when he spotted the barely-stirring woman lying prone nearby, her hands clutched to her head.  Gaian insignia.

It was true then; the Gaians were controlling mindworms for weapons.  Killed Lev.  Unleashing those horrors on people.

He couldn't even scream as he aimed the flamethrower.

[Buster's Uncle]

[Buster's Uncle]

“Commander Santos?  I’m Dean Gómez, with Instant Briefing.”  Gómez’ eyes slowly adjusted to the dim hospital room as Santos turned from the window he’d been standing at.  “I’m here for the interview.  How are you today?”

“Gómez… What rank?” Ravi said.

“Lieutenant,” Dean said, “Reserves, of course, but that won’t last with war on the way.”

“Well sit,” Santos said, himself settling on the edge of the bed, tiredly.

“How are you holding up, Commander?” Gómez said.

“I’ve been better and been worse,” Santos said, “The nightmares are pretty bad, still, but I’m okay when I’m awake,” he grinned wryly.  “Now, there was this time that I was seeing this woman that- “ He broke off at a sudden loud commotion of voices in the hall.

Gómez’ datapad beeped loudly at the same time.   Glancing at the screen for a second, he exclaimed, “The Gaians have declared vendetta!”

The two men looked at each other, surprized.  Everyone knew war was coming after the border incident, but no one had expected the Gaians to start it.

“I’m doing fine, Lieutenant Gómez,” Ravi said slowly, “The nightmares have gone away. Tell them I’m ready for active duty; I’m going to kill the Gaians.”

[Buster's Uncle]

[Buster's Uncle]