America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 5: Insurgency Read Online Free

grabbed one
of Coen’s fingers so it could be packed in ice and sewn back on.
Wayne stepped on the other finger, grinding it into the dirt.
    Private Wayne spent the night in jail on
assault charges. In the morning, I released Private Wayne and
promoted him to back to corporal. Later, I told Coen I thought the
whole matter was just a cultural misunderstanding, and that he
needed to be more sensitive toward our spider legionnaires. I added
that the Legion is committed to diversity, and Coen should know
better than to harass and insult a spider legionnaire’s honor in
such a glib manner.
     
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Chapter 4

    Corporal John Iwo Jima Wayne found baseball
almost as relaxing as riding his Harley motorcycle. Playing in the
First Division’s recreation league kept him active, and usually out
of trouble. Corporal Wayne put himself through a good workout at
the ballpark and was feeling calmer now. As Wayne finished batting
practice, however, Sergeant Toock interrupted what had been an
otherwise pleasant day. Now, Corporal Wayne instantly became
agitated. The mere sight of Sergeant Toock, a Formicidaen refugee,
rubbed Corporal Wayne the wrong way. He did not like this oversized
ant, or any of Toock’s species.
    “You like baseball?” asked Sergeant Toock,
conversationally.
    “Why do fools keep asking me stupid
questions?” asked Corporal Wayne.
    “That is no way to talk to a Sergeant,”
replied Sergeant Toock. “But I am not here to pull rank or start an
argument. I want you to transfer permanently to Lieutenant Barker’s
company. Lieutenant Barker was impressed with you at Window Rock
and asked me to contact you. We need combat veterans to help lead
and train the new recruits.”
    “No,” replied Corporal Wayne.
    “Why?” asked Sergeant Toock. “Do you not like
Lieutenant Barker? I can understand your apprehension about his
past and the comments he made on TV yesterday, but I can assure you
Lieutenant Barker is a fair and competent commander who respects
diversity in his command.”
    “I have no problem with Lieutenant Barker,”
advised Corporal Wayne. “Barker is an asshole, but at least he is
up front about it. I know where he is coming from. It is you I
dislike and do not trust.”
    “Me?” asked Sergeant Toock, innocently. “A
fellow exoskeleton-cousin and brother-in-arms? Explain
yourself.”
    “I am not your brother,” said Corporal Wayne,
about to lose his temper. “The human pestilence should have
exterminated you ants a long time ago.”
    “The few of us who survived the Formicidaen
Empire Holocaust just want to fit in,” said Sergeant Toock. “Ants
and spiders are so much alike. It is sad to hear you feel that way.
I only want the best for our two species.”
    “Ants eat or kill everything in their path.
Your ilk are a blight on the galaxy.”
    “Is there anything I can do to change your
mind?” asked Sergeant Toock, still showing no visible signs of
being upset or angry. “You will be advanced in rank quickly, if you
join our unit.”
    “I might consider a transfer if you died,”
said Corporal Wayne. “That way I would not have to tolerate your
smell or presence.”
    “You want to see me die?” asked Sergeant
Toock. “Transfer to our company, and you may very well get your
wish. I promise our company will see combat often and soon.”
    “How can you promise that? We are at
peace.”
    “It won’t last. You know Colonel Czerinski
dislikes Lieutenant Barker. What does Czerinski do when he dislikes
someone?”
    “He sends them out on shit details,” answered
Corporal Wayne. “Everyone knows that.”
    “Exactly. When the shooting starts, we will
be sent first. Lieutenant Barker realizes this and keeps us
combat-ready. But we need experienced legionnaires like you to
help.”
    “Okay, I will consider a request for
transfer,” said Corporal Wayne. “I thrive on combat. But that still
does not change my opinion of you.”
    “Great!” said Sergeant Toock,