New Edit Roy 10

CHAPTER 10

ROY



Roy decided that sleeping in the rough was not as romantic and carefree as he imagined it would be. Out here was no bathroom, no shower and nothing to drink. Oh sure he knew what things he could eat, but surviving on a diet of nothing but raw things again was completely different from snacking on things while roaming through the jungle and then eating at home.

However he had made his decision and he thought in a week or so he would get used to it.

He petted Partner and said, "Thank you for keeping an eye open."

Partner sneezed and Roy left the cave entrance and again was taken by the sheer beauty that greeted him. He was still relatively high up in the mountains and there was a cover of sparkling dew over everything. It looked as if the entire world had taken a morning shower and was now fresh and new to begin another day. From up here he could see an Insecto-Saurus fight with one of those living boulders and in the distance he saw two Lightning Bolters float lazily across the horizon, their long tentacles fishing and filtering small things out of the air.

He carefully scanned his surroundings to make sure he noticed any possible danger or threat and to decide what to do with an entire day before him.

To his right, about 250 meters away, was a tumble of boulders looked like the genuine kind. On top of the largest boulder sat a woman in a green dress. He smiled and waved at her and kept on looking and then it hit him, a woman!"

It wasn't anyone he knew, none of the kids and none of the adults he knew, although of course there were many people in town he had not seen before. She appeared to be completely at ease and did not even wear a Bio-seal suit.

She did return his gaze and so he waved again and began to climb over the rugged terrain to get within speaking distance. He had to avoid new life forms he had not seen before, including a snake, with little in common to the Water Snakes he knew and a stream of black ants on the march, but he made it. He was now close enough to talk without really yelling. She had not moved the entire time he came closer, while Partner was close behind him.

She was an adult but he could not really guess her age. She was sitting there in a green dress. Her feet, sticking out from under the seam of her calf long skirt, were as naked as were her arms. The dress was girded but not with a utility belt. Her hair had the same tint as freshly dried grass, a hint of green playing into earthy yellows.

Her eyes followed his approach with an expression of mild curiosity on her face.

He waved again and said, "Hi I'm Roy. I'm sure surprised to see someone else out here."

An impish smile curled her lips and Roy realized she was heart-stopping beautiful. She didn't say anything and Roy wondered if she was able to hear him. He raised his voice a little and repeated his words then he added, "Sitting out like that, you must be a Greenie too."

She patted the surface of the rock right next to her in an inviting gesture, but then she looked warily at Partner and there was something like fear in her expression, but she had still not spoken.

<p lang="en-US">Roy had the strangest feeling about her and the situation however he did not feel any threat or danger. He stroked Partner's neck and said, "No worries lady. This is Partner and he looks much more dangerous than he is."

<p lang="en-US">She spoke for the first time and said, "On the contrary, Child of Qaroniel, your Terror Hound is much more lethal than it looks."

<p lang="en-US">Roy motioned Partner to sit and the animal immediately obeyed and he said to Partner, "Looks like the lady knows more about you than I do so I will talk to her."

<p lang="en-US">He climbed over the remaining boulders and sat down at greater distance from her than she had indicated. She really was beautiful with a fine, somewhat arrogant, smile gracing her lips. She looked at him but didn't speak, so he said, "Come out here often?"

<p lang="en-US">She declined her head and said, "Yes I come here every day. You have come further than ever before. I have never seen you here at the mountains."

<p lang="en-US">Roy blinked and said, "Lady this is the weirdest meeting I've ever had. You talk as if I you had seen me before, but I have never seen you. Are you one of the Scientists who usually wears one of those suits?"

<p lang="en-US">"No, Roy. I am not one of the Scientists and I never wear any of these technical monstrosities that allow those intruders to stomp through my forests; but yes Roy I know about you."

<p lang="en-US">"Who are you?"

<p lang="en-US">Her smile widened, "Come see me again, Roy. Right now I think I'd better leave, they are coming for you and they are going to be here soon."

<p lang="en-US">She got up in the fluid way that only girls could and she looked down at him, "It was nice meeting you Roy, and if you keep me a secret we meet again."

<p lang="en-US">He got up as well, "Keep you a secret? Who are... ?"

<p lang="en-US">He heard the high pitched whistle of a powerful pulse engine and turned to see Charles the robot descending from the sky.

<p lang="en-US">He wanted to tell the woman she had nothing to fear from Charles, but as he turned back she was gone. He tried to catch a glimpse of her but when he couldn't, assumed she had jumped off the boulder and was hiding between the deep crevices and gaps of the smaller boulders. There were Dagger bushes and Fire Nettles there but nothing looked disturbed, so Roy knew that she had to be a real Greenie for sure.

<p lang="en-US">Charles landed on a column of white hot plasma, instead of using his Arti-Grav. The Robot was a combat unit and Roy knew Charles liked to remind his surroundings occasionally of that fact. His dark red eyes glowed and his deep mechanical voice sounded genuinely relieved, "It pleases this unit; one has found its master alive and unharmed."

<p lang="en-US">Roy could not hide his feelings at seeing Charles and even though it was not something a sixteen year old should do, he hugged Charles, "Good to see you too, Charles. Let me introduce Partner to you!"

<p lang="en-US">"If one would be capable of the human emotion called surprise one would indeed be compelled to express astonishment to find you 4211.5 kilometers from the place of your last sighting." Charles head rotated towards Partner, "Is this Unit correct in assuming that this life form is the Partner you speak off?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy waved at Partner and the beast clawed itself with a few leaps up the rocks, leaving deep scratches in the hard stone surface and bumped into Charles.

<p lang="en-US">Charles extended his upper main arm and formed a full hand; with it the Robot patted Partner, "The animal does not conform to any known life form in my data base but it appears to be docile and well behaved. One needs instructions from its Master as to what pet care tasks are required to tend to it."

<p lang="en-US">Partner was enjoying the attention of the robot and had his eyes squeezed shut.

<p lang="en-US">

<p lang="en-US">

<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US">--””--

<p lang="en-US">

<p lang="en-US">Martha could not remember when she had slept that well. She had slept in Sam Brown's Farm house, in a simple bed underneath an open window, separated from the outside world of Green Hell only by logs of Tantalus Oak and an active energy window screen. The wood gave off a scent somewhat reminiscent of pine wood and the window screen had buzzed only once all night.

<p lang="en-US">She had to admit to herself, that she felt safer here under the protection of that black marine than she did inside their Ultronit home. Besides being a scientist, she was also a Union citizen and even though she often criticized the Union fleet and all military, she knew of course knew about the reputation of Union Marines.

<p lang="en-US">Sam called her to breakfast and she ate like a starving Stomper gorging herself on Sam's pancakes with real Terran maple syrup, just before the sun was about to rise. She had noticed a photo viewer on Sam's Cupboard with a repeating sequence of pictures of Roy from as small as when he was only six to very recent images making her realize just how much her son had grown. All the pictures showed Roy laughing or smiling doing things with Sam. Working with tools, fixing agricultural robots, shooting blasters, playing ball or wearing some ancient martial arts outfit sparring with the huge black man. All the things a father or a mother should have done.

<p lang="en-US">Another still image framed on the wall showed a former President pinning a medal to Sam's chest. To her astonishment the Immortal Admiral Stahl himself was in several pictures with his arm on Sam's shoulder.

<p lang="en-US">After breakfast he told her that Charles had detected a faint energy signature characteristic of a powered down Union PDD and identified the signature as the one Roy had.

<p lang="en-US">Excited, she followed Sam to a rugged Ford Farm–All Floater Truck. The Ford had heavy armor plates added to its body with the characteristic graphite shimmer of Ultronit.

<p lang="en-US">She completely forgot the suit. She felt safer with Sam than she would have wearing a real Quasimodo, "Where did Charles detect the trace?"

<p lang="en-US">"Near the White Head Mountains ."

<p lang="en-US">"That is impossible!" She exclaimed as Sam pulled the flyer into the air, "That is over 3000 kilometers from here. Perhaps some flying animal carried his PDD in its..." She didn't want to say what she was thinking and tears ran down her face.

<p lang="en-US">Sam ignored her tears and said harshly, "You keep using that word a lot, you know! The word has very little meaning in a Universe where almost anything seems possible one way or the other. You should cry about how you and that yellow belly piece of work you've got for a husband raised that boy."

<p lang="en-US">He then felt sorry for snapping at her and added, "Roy is fine. Charles has located him and found him alive and unharmed."

<p lang="en-US">She still sobbed as if the first tears had broken an invisible barrier inside and all the remnants of the cold detached scientist were washed away in a deluge of emotions.

<p lang="en-US">Sam gunned the Flyer to its maximum speed and kept it as high as the old Ford could go, to avoid any life form collisions. He was a big man and hard as granite, tougher than a Pertharian according to the Marines who had served with him, but little kids, fuzzy Holdians and crying women always made him feel a little helpless and he said, "We will be there soon enough. There is nothing on Green Hell or within at least a light year's distance that could harm your son now. Not that it looked like he really needed any protection, robots don't lie. Charles said he is fine."

<p lang="en-US">She wished for a simple kerchief or tissue and thankfully accepted as Sam held a tissue dispenser under her nose. After she cleaned her nose and tears she said, "Thank you Mr. Brown for taking care of Roy all these years and I am so sorry for ever thinking bad things about you."

<p lang="en-US">

<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US">--””--

<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US">

<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US">ROY

<p lang="en-US">

<p lang="en-US">Roy was still puzzled about the strange woman and her sudden disappearance but he had almost forgotten her. Charles fired his main TKU in a wide focused beam and burned a stream of ants and reduced one of the moving rocks to ashes, he deemed too close for safety reasons. Roy was not sure if he should scold the robot or commend him for his diligence. The strange woman and Charles' actions were forgotten as he saw Uncle Sam's floater approaching. What made him to drop his chin to his chest in sheer disbelief was the sight of his own mother jumping out of the hovering Ford and see her approach and hug him! She hadn't hugged or really touched him for a very long time.

<p lang="en-US">He could feel her wet cheeks against his and her thin arms pressing him with surprising strength and intensity to her chest. All he could hear her say was, "Sorry." Over and over again.

<p lang="en-US">Finally Roy said, "Mother, you are out without a suit?"

<p lang="en-US">She held his face between her hands and smiled between her tears, "Roy, I was so worried! I thought I'd lost you!"

<p lang="en-US">He shrugged, "So? I was just in the way anyway and without me you and Dad have no distractions from your important projects."

<p lang="en-US">"Roy, the last few days made me see things in a new way. I know Paul and I have made some very bad decisions based on bad assumptions."

<p lang="en-US">The sudden motherly hug, something he unconsciously craved for so very long, felt incredibly comforting and strange at the same time. Part of him wanted to forgive and simply take in the moment while another part didn't believe the sudden change and the cynical, skeptical voice in him made him say. "You want to take Partner and dissect him, and all this is just some show they told you to put up for me so I come home."

<p lang="en-US">Roy swatted an Arrow wasp out of the air just before it would have hit his mother; Charles was already engaging the rest of the swarm. Not like the teenagers, but with the blistering roar of his turbo flamer. Sam said, "Guys this is still Green Hell. Let's continue this inside the Floater, or better at the ranch."

<p lang="en-US">Martha said, "Roy I know you don't trust me but you trust Sam, so please come."

<p lang="en-US">Roy agreed, mostly because he saw an agitated Lighting Bolter coming their way, and that was only for starters as it seemed the whole jungle below was looking at them with extremely hostile intentions and actually moving towards them. Even Roy had never seen Tantalus Oaks actually move. From somewhere he heard the angry scream of a very big Water Snake. It was the strongest feeling of danger he had felt so far. Unless Charles was to burn and kill everything until he ran out of energy and lay waste to half the continent, he had to go along.

<p lang="en-US">Charles and Partner found room on the flat bed cargo hold of the Ford and with Sam, Martha and Roy in the cab, the rugged flyer climbed into the sky. Something rocked the flyer hard and bluish energies played over the flyer. Roy could hear the roar of Charles' weapons twice.. He turned to see a Lighting Bolter explode. Sam grinned and said, "I don't think the critters around these parts have been disturbed by outsiders much."

<p lang="en-US">Martha was visibly shaken, "I would have died if you didn't swat the Wasp! Are you alright?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy looked at his hand and nodded, "Yes Ma'am." He didn't look at her. He felt confused about his mother and her so uncharacteristic behavior, "You are my mother, right? Not some Avatar or did you get Psycho Surgery or something?"

<p lang="en-US">She stared at his lowered head and said, "No Roy, I am your mother and I spent all night at Mr. Brown's house. We talked till very late and I am beginning to see Roy. I was a young girl once and actually forgot my own mother over my obsession and I have forgotten my own son. That was and is wrong. I know I can't change overnight or make up so many years in the few months we have left together."

<p lang="en-US">She sighed and caressed his hair that was colored exactly like hers, "You can keep your pet and I won't harm a hair on its body. We'll go to town today and have Ranger Solomon sign your pet license. You can keep Charles of course and next week we will go to Harper's Junction to remove my brother as legal guardian and make Sam Brown your godfather so you can call him Uncle legitimately."

<p lang="en-US">Sam nodded with his trademark grin, "As she said we had a long talk. I always told you, everything works out one way or the other eventually."

<p lang="en-US">Roy was not sure if he had died in that cave and this was all still a dream. He said, "And I can go outside?"

<p lang="en-US">"I doubt we could keep you in if we wanted to. I'm still trying to understand it all, but I have seen you outside and you survive as if it was child's play."

<p lang="en-US">Sam said, "How did you manage to get all the way to the Mountains, did someone give you a ride or something?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy didn't want to spill the beans about Partner's abilities just yet, he did not trust his mother completely so he said, "Yes someone gave me a ride alright."

<p lang="en-US">Sam grunted, "That damn Swanson boy . Of course he does anything for you. Should have thought about it right away."

<p lang="en-US">Since Sam didn't phrase it as a question, Roy didn't feel he needed to correct his friend. At least not in front of his mother.

<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US">--””--

<p lang="en-US">

<p lang="en-US">Ranger Solomon grinned with joy as he handed Roy his pet owner's license, "I have registered Partner, since we have no idea what it is, I wrote Black Dog into the species field."

<p lang="en-US">Martha thanked the ranger and said, "I understand Bob your son, is my son's best friend and I found out Roy has spent many nights and eaten many dinners at your home."

<p lang="en-US">The ranger leaned back in his swivel chair and said, "Roy is always welcome in our home, he is more like a brother to Bob than just a friend and Roy has been more than helpful in quite a few instances for the Ranger service, by helping me find things out there."

<p lang="en-US">Martha looked at Roy and said, "I know more about the Lighting Bolters than my own son, but what I've heard about him over the past few days has made me very proud. But what I wanted to say is that I would like to invite you, your wife and Bob to dinner. Now I am not a very good cook but I hoped you would accept invitations to Marcello's in town."

<p lang="en-US">Marcello's was the finest and most expensive restaurant in Ant Hill and the Ranger winked at Roy and then said, "I am delighted to accept. I don't think Sarah and I have been out for a nice dinner in a long while and I am sure she will be as happy as I am."

<p lang="en-US">Roy still could not really believe how much his situation had changed in just a few days and slowly he accepted the fact that it was indeed true and not just a dream. The Ranger got up and walked them to the door, "I am glad it all worked out; you know the story of teenagers going outside unprotected made quite a splash in the news. It turns out you are not the only ones going outside, but so far no one else has managed to get friendly with local life forms."

<p lang="en-US">The Ranger's office was in the South Wall Tower, an inward curving building following the curve of the protective dome. The right wall was transparent and allowed a magnificent view over the lake and the distant Jungle shore. Roy's mother stepped into the cabin of the Inter City Transporter after Roy and said, "Since I forgot your birthday and we are in town, is there anything you'd like?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy shook his head, "No Mom, they don't sell anything here I need or like."

<p lang="en-US">"Roy I really mean it, it is not a trick and while we are not exactly rich, we earn decent salaries, a young man must have something he wants. Not that I could ever match that present you got from your Uncle Sam . I just found out what a Cerberus goes for."

<p lang="en-US">"Mom, the fact that you are actually talking to me, that I can go outside and that I can keep Partner are presents enough. There isn't much else I want. Besides, I am really a Greenie and the things I like aren't sold in town but at Ma Swanson's."

<p lang="en-US">"Then let us go there and you can get something a real Greenie needs."

<p lang="en-US">While traveling on a slide belt to the Flyer Hangars, others waved and several kids cheered his name and Roy felt quite uneasy about this sudden popularity and he wondered if it was better the way it had been before, with his friends meeting in secret and his parents knowing nothing about it.

<p lang="en-US">

<p lang="en-US">Inside Ma Swanson's boathouse main building was a cluttered sales room with show cases displaying weapons. Several models of protective armor suits highlighted with spot lights stood here and there. Suit parts for a hundred models and makes were stacked in high shelves. A big Flyer ArtiGrav Lifter module, way too big for anything on Green Hell, stood in one corner.

<p lang="en-US">Gary, one of Ma Swanson's employees, leaned over the service counter, chewing something and talking to Sabari Dohr , an old Saresii who lived in one of the Research Outposts and kept mostly to herself (or himself, no one of course knew for sure) discussing something with Gary. The mangled armor arm of a Krauss- Armor Walker was between them.

<p lang="en-US">There were a few tables and simple chairs in the middle of everything. Trond Iveland, one of the Cities Service Engineers and a sixth generation Greenie sat there with the only Klack living on Green Hell and they were playing Eggs and Grubs , an old Klack strategy game. The whole place smelled of metal, lubricants and coffee.

<p lang="en-US">Ma Swanson herself stood by one of the tallest shelves directing her thin husband standing on a reach-all-platform trying to get something from the very dusty selection of refurbished parts as Eric and his mother entered from the Flyer garage air lock. She turned and waved at Roy and said, "Roy go climb up there and show Clarion where we keep the Mark 87 Actuators, that half blind Ninja Weasel I got for a husband keeps pulling the 89's."

<p lang="en-US">Roy had no need for a Reach-All; he climbed up as fast and as nimbly as a Moolax.

<p lang="en-US">Ma Swanson gave his mother a glance, "And you are?"

<p lang="en-US">"I am Roy's mother, Martha Masters ."

<p lang="en-US">Ma Swanson jammed her fists into her hips, "Roast me an Ult. I've never seen you outside your suit." She snapped her fingers, "Of course the yellow and green AEGIS Seven with the Sniffer Sensor attachment . I would have recognized you in your suit right away!"

<p lang="en-US">From above, Roy fished a plastic film packed metal part from the top shelf and said, looking down, "Ma, I mean Ms. Swanson, knows everything there is about any suit there is on Green Hell." While he said that he handed Clarion the package, "There it is a 91 Maffay Actuator, should fit that busted arm of that 87 suit. They went back to the old length in the 91 model."

<p lang="en-US">Ma Swanson looked up and scolded her husband, "That's what I've been trying to tell you for the last ten minutes."

<p lang="en-US">Clarion Swanson barked back with a grin on his lips, "Not my fault Maffay changes the bloody things every year."

<p lang="en-US">Ma Swanson said to Martha, "You have a good boy there, Ms. Masters. Always willing to lend a hand, courteous and respectful to others; not so common today, mind you; not as it used to be when I was a girl."

<p lang="en-US">Martha was certain it had a lot to do with Roy hanging out with Sam Brown as she hardly had spent much time in teaching her son anything. She felt even more thankful to the black man than she had before.

<p lang="en-US">Clarion tossed the part back to Roy, who was already back on the ground, and he took it over to Gary and the Saresii.

<p lang="en-US">Martha said to Ma Swanson, "I am looking for something to buy him as a birthday present. Would you know what he likes?"

<p lang="en-US">Clarion, who had descended on the Reach All, butted in, "We already got him a new Vibro Machete and he doesn't need much in terms of Suits."

<p lang="en-US">Martha frowned while she watched as Roy helped to repair the Suit Arm, "It seems as if half of Green Hell remembered my son's birthday but we, his parents, completely ignored him."

<p lang="en-US">The Saresii patted Roy on the shoulder while she leaned over watching the repair progress.

<p lang="en-US">Ma Swanson said, "Paying a little attention to him is all you need to give him. Well, that and the freedom to roam this crazy ball of ours."

<p lang="en-US">Martha blinked, surprised, as the small husband of Ma Swanson held a cup of tea right under her nose. "Might as well settle down Dr. Masters, when Gary and Roy start fixing things, they don't stop till it's done. Besides you might like to get to know us a little."

<p lang="en-US">Roy had heard what Clarion had said and turned, "We'll be done in a little while, Mom. If Maria would be here we'd be done by now of course but I think we should be able to get it done in 10 minutes."

<p lang="en-US">Martha smiled and sat down at the free table and was joined by Ma Swanson, also with a cup of tea. Her husband served a plate of butter scotch cookies he baked himself and was famous for, at least among the locals. Martha was still surprised about this so different atmosphere compared to the meetings of her Institute colleagues. It was as if she had traveled to a different world and yet was only a few kilometers from Ant Hill or her home. The tea was delicious; the china cups looked delicate and would have delighted Paul as they had the appearance of Pre Astro Terran wares.

<p lang="en-US">The cookies melted in her mouth as Ma Swanson told her about the day she saw Roy for the first time in her store. “He was just about eight or nine and had, all by himself and alone, crossed the Jungle. As incredible as it was to her to know Roy navigated these deadly forests now, it was even more astounding to hear that he did that as a child.

<p lang="en-US">The Service Mechanic on the next table had just lost his second game to the Klack said, "It's alright for Roy and the others to do it, but the ranger making such a big affair out of it, was wrong. He will regret his decision!"

<p lang="en-US">Martha actually had seen the man before; he was, if she recalled correctly, one of the Institutes' Environmental systems maintenance technicians. Until now, such people were barely registered by her and only important to make sure the temperatures and moisture conditions in the Specimen holds were maintained correctly. She said, "Why would you say that? The Ranger seemed to be a sensible man and found a solution for both sides."

<p lang="en-US">The man helped his Klack friend to reset the white and red egg and grub shaped playing pieces for a new game and said without turning, "It will make those who aren't Greenies think this is a Kindergarten World after all. The last time it happened, eight beings died out there. I like Green Hell just like it is, a few scientists in Power suits, a small but slowly growing Greenie Community and no Off Worlders coming with all sorts of crazy ideas about hunts, sports or challenges." The Klack wiggled his antennae and used one to nudge a white Grub piece into the correct brood chamber starting position and said via the Voice Box glued to his thorax, "I bet ten bottles of fine Klackt Honey Water that we won't have to wait long and someone will try to emulate the Children. Even for Roy, this is still Green Hell and not Para Para ."

<p lang="en-US">The Saresii who had been quiet until now said, "I've lived here for almost sixty Standard Years and I am out in the Jungle almost every day in a very good Armor suit. I think of myself as knowing these Jungles and yet I have the feeling it has become more dangerous and not less." The Saresii pointed at the Power suit arm Roy and Gary were fixing, "That's a Maffay Armor suit, there should be nothing out there to do that, and I have been bitten, tromped on, slashed and stung by pretty much everything out there and the suit handled it with no or very little damage. Yet a Hydra Centipede bit me this morning and crushed the Lattice reinforced Armor-Plast like cardboard."

<p lang="en-US">Martha forgot she had half a cookie in her mouth and said while chewing, "Even the largest Hydra Centipedes should not exceed a mandible bite force of 600 kilos per square centimeter."

<p lang="en-US">The Saresii agreed with a nod, "Indeed and I have been bitten many times before. Unlike Roy, who can spot their lairs twenty meters away, I still step into their traps. The Armor suit is Green Hell certified and should handle over 1000 kilos of shear pressure. That Centipede did not just bite through the outer layer; it severed the chrome steel rods of the actuator. I was only saved by being able to shoot the beast before it penetrated the inner layer and severed my arm as well."

<p lang="en-US">Martha said, "May I ask what are you doing out there all these years? I've never heard about you and I don't think you are part of the Institute, right?"

<p lang="en-US">"I was one of its former local directors but I retired almost twenty years ago and Green Hell has put me under its spell. I doubt I will ever leave." The Saresii brushed her long silver hair back and then added, "I am conducting private research out there, sort of a hobby of mine."

<p lang="en-US">Martha thanked Clarion with a nod as he refilled her cup and said to the Saresii, "I'm beginning to realize the community of Green Hell holds as many secrets to me as does the nature out there. I have begun to regret having accepted a posting on an Explorer ship, with so much undone here."

<p lang="en-US">Gary and Roy finally finished the repair job and Martha said, "Are you sure you don't want anything here?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy pointed at a show case, "I'm saving for that H&K Raketen Pistol . It packs more wallop than my Thompson and could take care of an Insecto or a Stomper if I ever need to." He asked Ma Swanson, "How much more do I owe till it's mine?"

<p lang="en-US">She punched with her finger around the input display of her PDD and said, "With the twenty Credits you earned just now we are down to 890 credits." To Martha she said, "He is a fine Greenie. Won't take the bloody thing as a present and wants to work it off."

<p lang="en-US">Roy said with a disarming smile and shrug, "Uncle Sam always says if you really want something you've got to work for it."

<p lang="en-US">"But Mothers can buy their sons, things. Even if I should disapprove of buying my teenage son a weapon." Martha pulled out her Credit strip. "We'll take it."

<p lang="en-US">

<p align="CENTER" lang="en-US">--””--

<p lang="en-US">Paul Masters was waiting at the door as Roy and his Mother arrived "Nice for you both to show up, first Roy disappears and then you don't come home!"

<p lang="en-US">Paul took a big step back as Partner pushed his way in past Martha and sat down next to Roy. They had picked up Partner at Sam's place before going home. His father pointed at the animal and said, "What is this thing doing inside? It isn't even classified or decontaminated."

<p lang="en-US">Martha did something she had never done, at least not to Roy's knowledge, she raised her voice, "You should talk! The entire planet thinks of us as cowardly and you showed me that the perception is true. You left me at Brown's farm, your safety was more important to you than Roy's or mine."

<p lang="en-US">Paul appeared as surprised as Roy and said, "There are many dangers out there only visible under a micro viewer that are as dangerous as the big life forms and the suits are the only protection against them."

<p lang="en-US">"How do you explain then that I am perfectly alright and more so how does Roy manage?" Martha retorted.

<p lang="en-US">Paul looked defeated and said, "I don't have enough data to build a hypothesis to answer your question even with a theory." He then said. "How are you both?"

<p lang="en-US">Martha smiled, "We are fine, Paul. Before we went to the Ranger to register Roy's pet we went to the clinic and we are both fit and not contaminated with anything."

<p lang="en-US">Roy's father pulled his beloved SII -Sci hand scanner. Roy often wondered if his father kept the thing in reach even while he was under the shower. His father looked at the readout, "What is it? What did Roy find? The scanner results make no sense and not even Bio Central has anything that matches the visuals."

<p lang="en-US">Martha said, "It's a Dog of course. A black one at that, at least that is what the Ranger put on the license."

<p lang="en-US">"I don't even know you anymore, Martha. Are you not curious? Where is the brilliant Dr. Masters?"

<p lang="en-US">"She is taking a break and trying to be a mother at least until we have to leave. I promised Roy he can keep Partner." She too looked at the beast and said, "Even though I am more than just a little curious about it; maybe Roy will let us run a few non-invasive scans."

<p lang="en-US">Roy spoke for the first time since they had come home, "If it isn't hurting Partner you can, but the second I think you're doing something Partner doesn't like, I'll know about it and it will stop."

<p lang="en-US">His mother kept staring at the Beast and then at her son, "No wonder you get along so well with it! It is psionic gifted!"

<p lang="en-US">Paul actually came closer and said, "Then we must test it, non-sentient psionic life forms are very rare. You are certain it isn't sentient right?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy was already looking towards the door as his mother said, "No it is not sentient. I can feel it through Roy. I am not a good enough telepath to be certain but it feels as if they are PSI linked."

<p lang="en-US">Roy's father said, "And that means?"

<p lang="en-US">"Sometimes twins or siblings share the same psionic characteristics and thus are emotionally closely linked. That animal and Roy feel and think on the same mental frequency if you will."

<p lang="en-US">His parents did measure and scan Partner for a while and concluded that they did indeed have a new life form on their hands. A life form their scanner beam could not penetrate.

<p lang="en-US">The Masters' household returned to almost normal again. They even had a family dinner together.

<p lang="en-US">The next morning felt to Roy as if he was reborn into a new life. His parents were working on their science stuff again, Paul in his study and Martha conducting a conference. This morning however Roy no longer needed to sneak out, he went right through the front air lock door, with his brand new HK Raketen Pistol on his hip.

<p lang="en-US">It was a Monday and normally he would have to go to school but it was Union Week and after the official celebrations the big school holidays started. The thought that he had to leave Green Hell in less than two months was a threat but distant for the moment.

<p lang="en-US">Riding on Partner, he went out to Uncle Sam's farm. The man he called Uncle Sam was not really his uncle, but he felt closer to that man than to his own parents. Most Greenies considered Sam Brown to be insane because Sam operated the only Farm on Green Hell and far away from town at that. Especially since Sam was not a native Greenie, but an Off-Worlder.

<p lang="en-US">Roy reached the tall energy fence a few hours after he had left home. He of course knew the key code and went past the shimmering posts.

<p lang="en-US">Sam's farm was not engulfed by a complete Energy bubble, instead it only had a 20 meter tall energy fence. It was a heavy duty model strong enough to repel a Water Snake or a Stomper. But only a few animals actually ran occasionally into the fence.

<p lang="en-US">Behind the fence were 12 acres of plowed and cultivated fields. Sam grew Fire nettle bushes, Hell berries and Killer Moss. Only Roy really knew why and kept it a secret as Sam himself. The Fire Nettle pods yielded a fine powder which was considered to be the most potent and complex nerve toxin ever analyzed. The powder was sold to Pharmaceutical companies who made drugs and medicine out of it.

<p lang="en-US">Many years ago some Fire Nettle bushes were taken off planet and now were grown almost everywhere to make one of the most illegal substances, a drug called Califerm.

<p lang="en-US">That was the most common name for the illegal drug, also known as PSI-Booster, God Powder and Snackker. It was instantly addictive and the slightest trace of the molecular fine powder absorbed by the skin was all it took. A Cali User could spread his addiction by shaking hands or sneezing to many other innocent folks. A modern med facility was able to cure an addicted person, but many, especially new colonies that lacked advanced facilities, could not. A Califerm addict could easily affect a colonies' entire population. Since this was a serious threat it led to the legally accepted practice that a Califerm user or dealer could be shot or killed on the spot.

<p lang="en-US">Califerm exposure meant certain and painful death to a psionic gifted Saresii or any other person with a high HPI. There even was a legend that claimed it was the only poison able to kill a Narth.

<p lang="en-US">All this should of course be reason enough to leave the stuff alone, but Califerm was desirable because it increased any person's Heidelberg Psi Index and made any user instantly Psionic talented.

<p lang="en-US">An already Psionic talented person got a tremendous boost and some said a good telepath on Califerm could hear the thoughts of God himself. This legend was lure enough to try the drug.

<p lang="en-US">There also was Free Space where Union laws did not matter and there Califerm was traded freely.

<p lang="en-US">The Off-World Califerm was not as good as the Califerm Uncle Sam produced. All this was the reason to keep it a secret.

<p lang="en-US">While the Nettle Bush dust was a deadly poison to any Off Worlder, real Greenies needed a large dose to feel ill effects and were completely immune to the drug that was made out of the powder. Uncle Sam was one of the very few government licensed producers of Califerm; and the only one producing the real kind. He sold it to pharmaceutical companies who made medication to treat Psionic diseases and afflictions. Sam Brown planted and cultivated the Killer Moss for similar reasons.

<p lang="en-US">The Hell Berry bushes were as dangerous and poisonous as everything else on the planet, but the small red berries it produced once a year were were not poisonous at all, but consumable and had a delicious, fresh tarty taste. Roy saw the old Ford – All terrain hover truck, Sam used to get around down in South field, nothing was planted there yet.

<p lang="en-US">In the distance he saw Henry, the other Cerberus robot on this world, pulling plants and gathering them into a big pile to burn later.

<p lang="en-US">He also noticed the two John Deere Agra-Bots, Bubba and Mike. Mike was working the soil with an implement, but Bubba didn't move and Roy could see Sam's boots sticking from underneath the machine and between its wide tracks.

<p lang="en-US">He walked down the hill over the freshly turned soil and crouched down, "Are you fixing it, or just taking a nap, Uncle Sam?"

<p lang="en-US">A deep voice came from under the robot, "I was fixing it but I watched you and I'm still trying to figure out what it is you found out there. I have never seen anything like it.

<p lang="en-US">Roy displayed the holo of his license with a proud smile, "It's a Dog, a black one. Mr. Solomon put it that way on the license."

<p lang="en-US">Sam crawled out from under the crawler and stood up to examine Partner more closely. Sam was human, had very dark brown, almost black skin. He had a big nose with wide nostrils and he was very tall and athletic. "Son, if this is a dog, I am Cindy Pussyfoot . The ranger just needed to put something down."

<p lang="en-US">Sam scratched his head, "You know, I think I did see something like that animal after all. Not as big as yours and not black, but If I recall it right, the the Old man has one."

<p lang="en-US">Roy became excited, "You say there are others like this around and not on Green Hell?"

<p lang="en-US">"As I said the Old man's animal isn't all black like yours, it has some silver and white fur and it is substantially smaller than yours, otherwise however it looks just like yours: little horns, spiked collar, coarse fur around the neck and red glowing eyes."

<p lang="en-US">Sam patted the animal's head, "I saw it once, the Old Man's animal, and that was years ago. Some say it is a dog, just like you say and from Terra . Others say it came with the Devi and is as old as the ship itself. Lots of scuttlebutt and probably none of it true, but what you got sure looks just like Wolfhound, that's what the Old Man calls his."

<p lang="en-US">"Who is this Old Man?" Roy asked.

<p lang="en-US">Sam's eyes always stood out but now they became even bigger, "Every Soldier and Sailor calls Admiral Richard Stahl, the Old Man. I was very lucky to meet the Eternal Warrior a few times."

<p lang="en-US">"You always tell me Marines are the best soldiers, isn't Admiral a Navy rank?"

<p lang="en-US">Sam smiled proudly, "Indeed we are Roy, and you are absolutely correct. Admiral is a Navy rank. Don't tell me they have not mentioned anything about Admiral Stahl in school?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy shrugged and said, "I've heard the name before, but I thought he was one of those faerie tale characters from back when Earth ascended."

<p lang="en-US">Sam put his big hand on Roy's shoulder, "I see I must correct what your teachers neglected. Let's go into the house and have a glass of cool Hell-aide."

<p lang="en-US">Roy thumbed at the Agra Bot, "What about Bubba?"

<p lang="en-US">Sam waved his hand, "I can always fix it tomorrow or the day after. I am retired as you know, and do all this for fun and not really for anything else."

<p lang="en-US">As Roy followed the big man to the house he asked, "And who is Cindy Pussyfoot?"

<p lang="en-US">Sam coughed, "Nothing you need to know right now."

<p lang="en-US">Sam's house was not made of Ultronit. Sam had built it all by himself with logs and wood he cut out of Tantalus trees and Trapper wood. He said that the smell of the wood kept Ants away better than a force fields and Roy knew that was true, because he used Tantalus sap to scent his suit when he traveled the jungles, it kept ants and most of the smaller pests away.

<p lang="en-US">His windows and the porch however did have force field curtains. There were still lots of flying things. Sam went to the fridge and produced a large pitcher, while Roy retrieved the glasses from the cupboard and they went back out on the porch where Sam had a table and two chairs. From here he could watch the sun set and gaze over his land. Only once in a while something burned in a flash in the otherwise invisible force field curtains. Sam poured both glasses and Roy took a big gulp, licked his lips and said, "That hit the spot!"

<p lang="en-US">Sam, still standing, waved the pitcher at Partner and asked, "What do you feed your animal?"

<p lang="en-US">Roy was caught off guard by that question and made a guilty face, "I should have fed Partner! I completely forgot. I remember the others feeding their animals all the time." Roy tried to formulate hunger and food in his mind and looked at Partner. Either he was not able to formulate hunger and Partner didn't understand or the animal wasn't hungry. Roy tried to picture Partner eating and this time it worked, just not as Roy anticipated.

<p lang="en-US">The animal took a bite right out of the table. Partner looked at him and Roy could feel that Partner was very proud of himself, understanding what Roy meant.

<p lang="en-US">"Hold it!" yelled Sam, "Your monster is dining on my furniture."

<p lang="en-US">Partner looked confused and Roy said, "I am sorry Sam; I'm new to the pet owner business."

<p lang="en-US">Sam sighed and sat back down, "It seems to like wood. Let's just hope it doesn't die. This is Tantalus Oak and I am sure the wood, even dry as it is now, is still poisonous."

<p lang="en-US">Roy didn't feel any discomfort from Partner. He petted the big animal's head and it sat down, "Well, he doesn't feel bad. Nothing on Green Hell was able to hurt it so far, but I don't think he is hungry either."

<p lang="en-US">Sam only nodded, said nothing sat down and they both sipped the Hell-aide and gazed over the fields and towards the Jungle. Somewhere a Stomper screamed.

<p lang="en-US">Finally Sam said, "So you getting along with your parents now?"

<p lang="en-US">"It's like someone switched them with Avatars. Well not so much my father, he hasn't changed all that much, but Mom really tries."

<p lang="en-US">The black man nodded, "I talked to her a long while. She is a good person deep down, not the best mother but far from the worst. There are some real bad mothers out there."

<p lang="en-US">Roy made a long face and said with a cracking voice, "Sam I don't want to leave, especially not where they want me to go. I want to be a Ranger or perhaps a Marine like you. I don't want to be a scientist."

<p lang="en-US">"It is good for a young man to leave the nest for a while. See the Universe and decide what to do with the rest of his life. I recommend you travel a bit before you make a decision. If the Universe cannot give what you seek you can always return."

<p lang="en-US">"Will you take care of Charles, while I am gone?"

<p lang="en-US">"Of course."

<p lang="en-US">Roy changed the subject," So who is this Old Man you talked about?"

<p lang="en-US">Sam got up and took an image frame from the wall and handed it to Roy as he sat back down, "The big man with the lantern jaw, and the buzz cut next to me, that's him. His name is Richard Stahl and he is one of the 200 immortals the Guardian chose to guide Earth to the Stars. Neither the Guardian nor Richard Stahl are a myth or a fairytale. He is an Admiral now, but a long time ago when Terra was still called Earth and humans had no idea there were other civilizations out there, he was a Marine."

<p lang="en-US">Sam sipped from his glass and pointed with its rim towards the Image frame, "That picture was made on Perthas . A few years back, well actually quite a few decades ago. It was on a miserable planet with perpetual rain, mud to your hips almost everywhere."

<p lang="en-US">Sam put the glass down and stared past the porch railing, "The Pertharians were still our Enemy back then and they were well dug in behind reinforced lines. It was all the way across the Bridge, in the Andromeda Galaxy . The Bridge was still new and the Space Train connection was still being constructed."

<p lang="en-US">Roy forgot his drink and listened. Sam had told him a lot about his time in the Marine Corps, but always stories that happened in camp, on board a ship or at a base. He had never told him about war or fighting.

<p lang="en-US">Sam continued, "Things didn't go too well, the Pertharian were as well equipped as us. While their tech was somewhat cruder, they had the home advantage and there were so many of them, way more than we expected as we dropped on that cursed mud ball. I was just a private back then, a grunt on his third drop. Still wet behind the ears." Sam stared into the distance, but Roy was sure he didn't see the Jungle but memories from that time.

<p lang="en-US">Sam's voice became harsh as he continued, "I lost half of my platoon, good guys! Some of whom I went to boot camp with, then our Lieutenant and our Sarge bought the farm. We were Marines, and we kept on fighting, repelling attack after attack, but were soon low on Ammo and Energy."

<p lang="en-US">He paused to take a deep drink of his lemonade and look at Roy, "To us it was a hopeless situation and we all were certain we could not last much longer. I thought it was the end. I would soon die on that mud ball. It was then when I saw him, a man wearing a mud stained Quasimodo, just like us. No one of us knew who he was, there were no rank insignia on his Armor. He took command and no one in the entire line questioned his authority. His voice sounded like the voice of God! Reassuring, calm and confident. He started singing the Marine Corps Hymn and then he consolidated ammo and energy. He then led us in a crazy totally unexpected, improbable counter attack."

<p lang="en-US">Sam straightened his stance and was sitting there as straight as a ramrod, "That man was with us in the front line, his shields and armor battered, yet we seized a Pertharian Cannon Battery. Using the enemy's Cannons to lay cover fire, we charged again, this time against the main line. One of the Pertharian Commanders addressed us via loud speaker and urged us to surrender and see the hopelessness of our situation. That man who was leading us climbed on a crumbled pill box, a tattered Union Flag in his left fist and a smoking TKU in the right and he replied as loud as his suit speaker let him."

<p lang="en-US">Sam eyes had a strange glazed shimmer in them, "Roy, my son. I will remember every word he said to the day I die. He said 'Listen up, Pertharians It is your last chance we give you to surrender. I am Admiral Richard Stahl of the United Stars, we are Marines and we will not stop until we have killed and eradicated the very last one of you. There will be no Pertharians, not a single one, when we are through. You lost over 20,000 of your troops on your own world and yet you failed to stop a mere 200 of us. Yet we are attacking and soon reinforcements will arrive and then your species will be remembered only by a few dusty reports in our archives.'"

<p lang="en-US">Sam's big hands clenched into fists, "When we heard who was leading us, we became so filled with pride and awe. I tell you Roy, we became fighting Demons from Hell that night, all fatigue was gone, and every shot we fired counted. We overran the position even before Reinforcements arrived!" Sam's eyes glowed with pride, "This man could have stayed in his invincible Battle ship. Instead he was with us grunts on the ground in a down and dirty fight. He is immortal yes, but only in terms of aging, but not invincible and a blaster shot can kill him just like you and me. How much more did he risk than we did?"

<p lang="en-US">Sam filled his glass and took another sip, "Ever since that day I've read everything I could about this man. What he did then was not the first time. He did it more than anyone alive and he has fought in every war humans have fought since the Ascent. Stahl is without question the greatest Hero."

<p lang="en-US">"And he is really over 3000 years old?"

<p lang="en-US">"Yes, Roy he is. I doubted it myself but I saw it in his eyes and while he appears to be a normal being, once you look him in the eyes you simply know it is true. No other proof is needed."

<p lang="en-US">Roy concluded, "Maybe I should read more."

<p lang="en-US">Sam agreed, "Reading won't hurt you, that's for sure."

<p lang="en-US">Then Sam got up and pointed at Roy's H&K, "That's a nice piece, H&K makes good weapons but it's a toy, those seven rockets won't do you much good in a real fight. I am not even talking about that ridiculous Thompson you used to carry."

<p lang="en-US">"What else would I carry? This is the best gun Ma Swanson has and I think it might even stop a Stomper."

<p lang="en-US">"it won't. Not with one missile and not with those civil legal loads."

<p lang="en-US">Sam went inside and returned a moment later carrying Dura-plast box. On the sides the words 'Gunnery Sergeant Sam Brown USMC ' were stenciled in yellow on the green material of the foot locker box. He opened it and took a gun inside a holster out and said to Roy, "I meant to give you your birthday present the other day, but I forgot."

<p lang="en-US">Roy, like most Greenies, knew guns and weapons. It was a large weapon, with a massive muzzle and big energy magazine before the trigger assembly. Imprinted on the side: SII – Thermo Kinetic Unit Mark 12. His throat got dry despite the fact he had just had juice, "Sam, this is a TKU 12 ! Aren't they illegal?"

<p lang="en-US">"In most places yes, however the Federal Government makes exceptions when it comes to Green Hell and I got you a carry permit."

<p lang="en-US">Roy knew about this weapon only from Holo Vids and Virtu shows. It was the strongest, most powerful hand weapon ever conceived by Terran Weapon Engineers. It was made at the end of the Y'All war to give the Marines fighting them a weapon that could punch through Y'All Armor and shields and kill the monster beneath. They succeeded. The TKU-12 was powerful enough to stop a fully shielded Cerberus. It was removed from service because it was too powerful. There were much more sophisticated weapons available now, but no other weapon that could be held by a human being had ever reached the sheer power levels of that blaster.

<p lang="en-US">Unlike beam blasters, it emitted a stream of superheated Quark-Gluon Plasma. The Cartridges in the Magazine (thirty of them) held what Marines and scientists called Quark Soup, a phase of quantum chromodynamics. The resulting blast did not only reach the incredible temperature of a trillion degrees for a fraction of a second, it also developed the equivalent of 1000 tons of kinetic force at the highest setting. Powerful enough to go toe to toe with battle robots and tanks.

<p lang="en-US">Roy held the big side arm before him and whispered, "Are you serious, Uncle Sam?"

<p lang="en-US">"Oh I am quite serious. Greenies don't believe me when I tell them that the Universe is a much more dangerous place than this planet. And you might need that thing one of these days."

<p lang="en-US">"I never doubt your word Uncle Sam, but if the Universe is so dangerous why do they call Green Hell the most dangerous place?"

<p lang="en-US">"Because any Off-Worlder would die here in mere seconds, but out there are other monsters on the prowl, intelligent ones and with evil intentions." Sam turned his head and added, "What is the most dangerous animal in your opinion, Roy?"

<p lang="en-US">"I am not sure. Water Snakes are pretty tough and some think it's the ants. I saw Partner waltz right over everything and so far nothing has affected him."

<p lang="en-US">Sam shook his head and said, "Man is the most dangerous animal, bar none. None of those Water Snakes ever leave the planet and make war upon other planets, but a rich Big Game Hunter came here to shoot Water Snakes. No ant is stealing, lying and murdering for profit or fun. Not a thing out there in those jungles is evil, Roy."

<p lang="en-US">"You make it sound awful!"

<p lang="en-US">"Why do you think I prefer to spend the rest of my retirement right here on Green Hell?"

<p lang="en-US">"If that's the case I might as well stay too!"

<p lang="en-US">"No you can't. You must make your own experiences and not listen to an old Marine. It is dangerous yes, but it also can be beautiful and awe inspiring."

<p lang="en-US">"I still don't like to leave. As far as I am concerned, everything I need is here."

<p lang="en-US">"You can't become a Ranger or a Marine, here on Green Hell for one thing and seeing ones home and roots from a distance can be very good, too. So enjoy the weeks you have, live for today not for tomorrow"

<p lang="en-US">Roy sighed.

<p lang="en-US">Sam got up and knelt before Roy and girded the TKU around the boy's hip and secured the holster to Roy's leg. "Don't go past setting 5 unless you go against raging Pertharians or something like that."

<p lang="en-US">"Would it be enough to stop a Stomper?"

<p lang="en-US">"You can reduce the biggest Water snake to atomic ashes on setting three."

<p lang="en-US">Roy dialed the gun to setting two and Sam nodded with an approving smile, Sensible choice. The secret of having a strong weapon is making sure your enemy knows you have it, not using it."

<p lang="en-US">Sam got up and added, "That's the wisdom of the Old Man by the way."

<p lang="en-US">--””---

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