Gray Panthers Captain Short Blade Read Free Page A

criminal howled as he ran the twenty yards toward Short Blade and reached for Short Blade’s neck with all four of his upper paws. Short Blade ran forward and ducked, grabbing the criminal’s crotch with two of his upper paws and his knees with the other two upper paws. Getting as tight a grip as possible, he pulled the larger Jacka’s knees above his waist, sending his back slamming hard onto the pavement and knocking the wind out of him.
    “I am done with you. Now crawl to the gate like the lowlife you are, or I will take your life this night.” Short Blade hazarded a look toward the rest of the criminals and was astonished by what he saw.
    His twenty-one beggars were lined up behind the criminals. Each was in full uniform, standing ready with a projectile rifle that had a bayonet attached to the tip. They appeared to be ready to do a bayonet charge at his command.
    Looking back to where his opponent had been lying on the ground, he was equally surprised to see the large Jacka low crawling toward the gate, his compatriots following right behind him. Short Blade let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding.
    “Senior Sergeant, march the troops to me. I’ll do an inspection now, before we depart.”
    The warriors marched forward in perfect unison, no cadence necessary. Each was attired in a full blue uniform, impeccable right down to the perfect crease in each leg, with shiny black belts and boots. They each also had a leather backpack with a blanket tied along the top and side. It appeared all they would need would be pay and food.
    “My compliments, Senior Sergeant. I’m impressed with the quality of the troops. Get them aboard the shuttle and we’ll leave immediately.”

The Fire cruiser Vengeance, orbiting Viz
    3 April 2129
    “Mr. Harve, you have been identified as a high-ranking civilian engineer from the Libra navy. I am offering you the chance to enlist in the Fire Ship Fleet as a maintenance officer. We have many ships captured from the Libra that we need time to learn how to operate. You would be the maintenance officer for the Vengeance. If you serve well, you may be allowed to retire to Jacka in a community of fellow Libra. The alternative is to go to the planet’s surface here on Viz and wait until our politicians and those of the League of Planets decide for you.”
    The Jacka speaking to Harve did not appear to care which choice Harve made.
    “I will serve the Fire Ship Fleet. In a year, when your people have learned all there is to learn about your new ships, I will volunteer to teach your designers how to build even better ships. There are few choices for my people any more.
    “Thank you, Mr. Harve. Do you know where we can find the pirate navy? We need to destroy it before it becomes too strong.”
    “I don’t know the coordinates. The home base is in a system of a dozen planets in orbit around a huge gas giant. They’ve managed to build a station out of a dozen or so cargo ships they put together. They’re formidable. I’ve seen the station protected with no less than a dozen mixed ships.
    “Thank you for your honesty. Do you think they’re being supplied by any planets?”
    “I would be surprised if they weren’t. The navy had many bases filled with supplies. Toward the end of the war, many ships refused to move war cargo since they disappeared. I would go after those bases and collect the supplies before they are taken or go missing.”
    “It’s a shame you are Libra, Mr. Harve. You are both intelligent and honest. Those traits are in short supply these days. You may go to the office outside. They will have you sign your commission papers and then indoctrinate you into the Fire fleet.
    “Sir, you say I will be the maintenance officer. Does that mean I will have Jacka Fire sailors under me?”
    “Yes, and other species. Any sailor who doesn’t follow your orders will be reprimanded. Discipline is more important than ever.”
    Harve went out to sign the contract and