Naero's War: The Citation Series 2: The High Crusade Read Online Free PDF Page B

later, the primary fighting was over, with the invaders eliminated as a major threat. The landers and the remaining Corps forces could handle the mop-up.
    The Spacer Navy and Bravo Command had liberated four gigacities from the brutal attacks of the invaders, thanks to heavy naval fire support. Then they all packed up to go free the other six.
    When Ovedar-3 was finally pacified the next day, Leftenant Wilde still seemed a bit suspicious, but she commended Pfc Allen for her detection and observation skills in the aftermath, during their stand down.
    “Good work spotting that ‘minefield,’ Allen. Exposing that raw data to Command and Intel early on gave them the time to figure out what it was. Bravo avoided what could have been a major disaster for us, because of you. I think we’ll call you ‘Bright-eyes,’ from now on. Anything else ever looks funny to you, you just sing out and let us know.”
    The Anaconda even saluted her. Miranda-Naero returned it, with great respect. “Thank you, sir. I will, sir.”
    “Damn right. These slashers are tricky bitches. What do we need with MCLs who don’t show up on time when we have rooks like you! Well, you’ve seen you’re share of action these past two days. Excellent work, Marine. You’ve done well, and you’re not a rook anymore. Congrats!”
    “Thank you again, sir.” They exchanged the warrior’s handshake, all the way up to the elbow. And before that night was over, she had shared it with every Marine in 36, her new company.
    She had fought and endured beside them in the furnace of combat and put down their enemies. She was one of them now.

 
     
     
     
    2
     
     
    With the mop-up proceeding on Ovedar-3, Bravo packed up and hopped over to their next mission, an all-out assault on Ptolemy-5. The system there was yet another earthlike with slightly higher gravity. Everyone had to take ACDs to compensate, and adjust the gravitics on their suits accordingly.
    Since it was the next invasion world over for Bravo, the jump in system took less than two days.
    But it still gave Miranda-Naero a chance to get to know the Marines in her platoon and rifle company better.
    She ate with them, gambled with them–mostly shooting craps–goofed around them, and grabbed some badly needed sleep.
    She liked some of her new mates better than others, and some felt the same way more or less about her. Miranda-Naero strove to keep her personality neutral–not too extreme in any way. Not too hard or soft, not too quiet or loud.
    There was always someone there to test the new guy.
    A big stocky Marine named Luke Barrett from Squad 3 shoved her out of his way and into a wall kind of hard. She could take it, but it was still a provocation.
    “Outta my way, Suga’ doll. Little kids who block my path can get stomped on. ’Memba that.”
    Miranda-Naero turned and wheeled into Barrett with two blinding spin kicks. She broke his nose, blackened both his eyes, and put him down on the deck. She nearly knocked him out cold.
    Then she glared down at him. “I would advise you to take more care about who you shove around and stomp on, you stupid rock ape. Some of us kids know how to stomp back.”
    Laughter and hoots erupted.
    She shot a look at Barrett’s mates coming to collect him, Patton and Ramsey. “You two gonna say or do something?” she asked.
    They both glared at her with weird, dopey looks of sudden desire.
    Uh-oh. Now she’d done it. She didn’t expect them to get turned on by that. But most of these guys–and gals–were major ass-kickers in their own right. And they respected and even savored that in others.
    “You’ll know if we do, Allen. Better watch yourself.”
    “Ooh, like I haven’t heard that before,” she snapped.
    “Dang,” Patton droned, as if entranced. “I think I’m in love. Haisha, Allen. You are so bee-yoo-tee-full. Will you marry me and have my bay-bees?”
    “Hell no,” Miranda-Naero said with a grimace. “Your right hand might get jealous and