Ride The Rising Tide (The Maxwell Saga) Read Online Free

Earth and the first colony planets acted as a sorting, filtering and selecting device. Every planet settled over the past couple of centuries has averaged twenty IQ points higher than pre–Space–Age Earth, and the spread’s getting wider. You’re the fruit of that — so why not show it?
    “ They say that ‘profanity’s the sign of an idle mind’. I reckon that’s true. The Fleet’s found that recruits who won’t exercise self–discipline to control their swearing probably won’t graduate. The few that do usually don’t last more than one term of enlistment, and usually don’t earn many promotions. That’s not specifically because they curse — it’s because we’ve found pointless, repetitive swearing to be an indicator that they won’t achieve the standards we expect from them in other areas. In particular, they clearly aren’t prepared to apply their minds and use their intelligence. Those who don’t learn that lesson usually don’t make it to graduation.”
    ~ ~ ~
    Their calisthenic sessions initially left them feeling as if their arms and legs were about to fall off, breath forming white clouds before them in the chill morning air as it rasped in their throats, chests heaving, sweat soaking their clothing and dripping down their faces. Their instructors were relentless, increasing the tempo and number of repetitions as their fitness grew; but despite this, to the recruits’ surprise, their pain began to diminish. Some of them actually began to enjoy themselves as the platoon progressed from uncoordinated, fumbling ineptitude to a rhythmic, cadenced sequence of exercises performed with growing speed and confidence.
    The obstacle courses — no less than eight of them, to allow multiple platoons to train at the same time, and every one different to provide variety — daunted them at first. Teams of eight recruits, varying in number as the platoon grew smaller, were required to carry long heavy wood poles over, under or through (but never around) every obstacle. The poles initially spent more time on the ground than on their shoulders, to the vocal displeasure of their instructors. However, repetition, increasing fitness and strength, and nagging, ungentle urging led to more effective teamwork and greatly improved results.
    The great day finally dawned when, for the first time, all the platoon’s poles made it through the course without touching the ground. The instructors celebrated by immediately having them return their poles to the stacks, take larger, heavier ones, and do it again. That day three more of their number put on their white armbands.
    The rest weren’t yet military… but they were already no longer civilians.
    ~ ~ ~
    “ Awright, gather round!”
    The recruit platoon broke formation and formed a semi–circle around Corporal Shabab. Like them, he wore combat boots, battledress trousers and a gray T–shirt. A large rubber training knife was thrust through his belt. PO Robinson, immaculately turned out in Number Two uniform, stood on the grass at the edge of the soft sand of the training–ground, watching proceedings with a gimlet eye.
    “This is your first class in unarmed combat,” Shabab informed them. “By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll be able to take down an attacker using only your hands, feet, elbows and knees — unless he’s shooting at you from a distance. In that case, you’d better have a weapon to match his, or else you’re gonna die!” Dubious, muted laughter from the recruits.
    “ The Marine Corps has developed its own system of unarmed combat, which has been adopted throughout the Fleet. It incorporates techniques from wrestling, hand– and kick–boxing, karate and other martial arts. They work very well together, as you’ll learn. Let me demonstrate. Recruit Kumar! You look tired! Let me help you wake up! Front and center!”
    The recruit stepped forward apprehensively and snapped to attention.
    “I want you to put me on the ground, any