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pestilence blood on
it. The spider commander decided he would keep the money and the
pizza. “Consider the border opened as of now. And, consider
yourselves under arrest for making threats to a government
official.”
    Spider marines rushed in as the commander set
off an alarm. Carlos O’Neil and Mr. Kennworth spent the night in
jail. They were both released in the morning. Mr. Kennworth was
warned to never set foot in North New Gobi City, or he would be
shot on sight. Carlos was instructed to deliver sausage and
pepperoni with extra cheese pizza once a month, with more cash.
     
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    Chapter 4
     
    Air Wing Pilot #82, flying the latest
Arthropodan fighter jet star craft along the DMZ, suddenly broke
formation from his squadron and veered south across the MDL. The
jet fighter accelerated, adding distance from the other fighters.
His fellow pilots declined to give chase. Already, Legion
anti-aircraft batteries were locked in and targeting them.
    Air Wing Pilot #82 flew directly toward the
Legion airfield at New Phoenix. He broadcast a Mayday signal until
making radio contact with Legion air control. “I wish to defect,”
said #82. “I wish to collect the five-million-dollar reward for
delivering an intact top-secret Air Wing star fighter. I wish to
live in Montana and raise cows. I wish to be an American cowboy. I
wish to live on the range where the deer and the antelope
play!”
    #82 was directed to a side runway and taken
into protective custody. Military Intelligence Officer Major Lopez
was brought in to interrogate #82.
    “ I have the authority to
grant you political asylum if you answer all questions truthfully,”
promised Major Lopez.
    “ Yes, of course,” said #82.
“You will find my Air Wing star fighter to be an engineering marvel
far more advanced than anything the Legion flies.”
    “ Technical experts will
question you about the details of your plane later,” said Major
Lopez. “What can you tell us about Air Wing operations?”
    “ That helicopter you
recently shot down was a setup,” said #82. “Our commander wanted
you to shoot it down to provoke an incident.”
    “ Why would he put your
pilot in such risk?” asked Major Lopez. “That seems
reckless.”
    “ We needed a pretext to
close the border and rally public opinion,” said #82. “In every
defeat comes new strength. Our military is more determined now than
ever to rebuff Americanism.”
    “ Oh?” asked Major Lopez. “I
have yet to see any changes in deployment of your
troops.”
    “ A no-fraternization order
is now in effect,” said #82. “Satellite TV is banned. The border
was briefly closed, and you can expect more border-crossing
restrictions.”
    “ That is nothing,”
commented Major Lopez. “What do I care of such
nuisances?”
    “ Closing the border has
cost millions,” said #82. “But, that’s just the first shots of the
war. You aren’t even shooting back yet, because the changes have
come in such small increments. The Emperor wants to fight a
cultural war for the minds of our citizens. The Emperor says he
fears the contamination of Americanism. But what he is really
afraid of is freedom. I am not afraid. I want to go to Big Sky
Country. I want to live in Montana. I want to see Yellowstone
National Park and Old Faithful Geyser. I want to talk to Smokey the
Bear.”
    “ Yellowstone is in
Wyoming,” said Major Lopez. “It’s the next state over.”
    “ No problem,” said #82. “I
will drive to Yellowstone in my Chevy pickup truck. I want to be a
cowboy. I want a red neck and a big hat. I want to chase little
doggies on a cattle drive. I want the five million dollars cash
promised for landing my new Air Wing star fighter
safely.”
    “ What makes you think
you’re tough enough to be a vaquero ?” asked Major Lopez.
“Have you ever even been on a horse? No. You can’t ride. You would
probably fall off and break your neck.”
    “ I will not fall,” said
#82. “I have true grit.