Black Guard, The Read Online Free PDF Page A

lot of ’what if’
situations in the classroom and exercises where we were in command of a team. I
loved those years.

CHAPTER
THREE
First Assignment - Lanzhou
    Hada stood beside me waiting for my shuttle. We had said our
goodbyes more times than I could count over the past week, but she had still
come to see me off. I was being assigned to the planet Lanzhou to guard the
governor of a state involved in a rebel uprising. Hada would leave tomorrow for
her assignment on the planet Odesso to provide palace security for a prince who
had several recent attempts on his life. I felt ten feet tall standing there in
my new uniform: black pants tucked into black-leather boots, black shirt with a
two red stars over a red dragon on the right sleeve. Guns strapped to both
thighs: a Jax laser and multi-functional weapon, Mfw. The Guard’s standard
multi-functional Interface, Mfi, strapped on my left arm, and a Dragon Whip
around my waist like a belt.
      When the shuttle landed, Hada and I gave
each other one last hug. "I’m going to miss you," I said, my voice
gravelly with emotion.
    "I’m going to miss you, Rivka,"
she said, as I stepped back and bowed. I owed her my life. Then I turned and
entered the shuttle. The navy petty officer saluted as I entered. There were
several men and women already on board, all noncommissioned commandos. The
first two rows were empty, so I took the first seat as was my right as the
ranking member on board.
    The shuttle flight took several hours,
during which time I used my Mfi to review the layout of the cruiser, the War
Horse , that would transport me to Lanzhou, and the twenty-three person
team I would command: a Lieutenant, my second in command; two senior sergeants,
one for each ten person unit; and twenty privates and corporals—seven of
which were women. I would command, I smiled. Hada had trapped me in her
dream, and it was beautiful. It was time to quit feeling sorry for myself and
enjoy life. I was no longer a victim subject to the whims of others. I was
in command.
    The shuttle slowed, and when I looked
up, we were approaching the Jax space station, Adamah. I had seen pictures of
the structure but they couldn’t capture its magnificence or its size—six
massive silver wheels glistening against the blackness of space. Even with
forty or more cruisers and merchant ships attached, the station appeared empty.
    Under the station’s control, the
shuttle slid into an open bay and settled gently. A few minutes later the green
light came on. The petty officer opened the door, and I strode down the ramp. A
commando corporal and lieutenant immediately came to attention and saluted. I
nodded. The Guard did not salute, since that took the hand too far from their
weapon, and never bowed lower than their ability to see the other person’s
eyes, unless it was a superior in the Guard. The guard were taught to be
paranoid, as they protected very important people and places and were always
outsiders.
    The bay currently held four shuttles
like the one I had arrived in, standard transportation to and from the ship.
Only a few navy types were in the bay, clustered around one of the shuttles.
    "If you will follow me, Captain, I
will take you to the commandos’ area where quarters have been prepared for you.
Colonel Wolfson would also like to talk to you. I’ll stop there first if you
don’t mind," the lieutenant said, waiting for my consent. The corporal was
apparently waiting to escort the other passengers to their quarters. I nodded
and the lieutenant began walking toward a door at the rear of the bay. I
watched my Mfi as he negotiated his way to the commandos’ area. When we
arrived, he stopped at a door with a commando guard, who knocked, stuck his
head inside, nodded, and opened the door. "Colonel Wolfson will see you
now, Captain."
    The colonel stood, and I gave the
lowest bow I could without my eyes leaving his. His square, bulldog face
matched his broad shoulders and stocky, muscular physique. His