Orion Colony Complete Series Boxed Set J.N. Chaney (books for new readers .txt) 📖

don’t know me, my name is Captain Ezra Harold. I’m in charge of the Civil Authority Division while we’re here,” he said, taking a moment to pause and let his words sink in. “It’s come to my attention that we are severely undermanned at the moment. Only eleven Civil Authority Officers stand and protect our encampment. I’d like to see that number tripled at the very least.”

“He’s recruiting?” Ricky asked, putting the puzzle pieces together.

“Looks like it,” I said.

“Times being what they are, we are accepting applicants of all ages,” Captain Harold said, looking to a group of chairs where a young boy no older than fourteen sat, as well as another table, where an old man with a bald head looked back at him.

I realized it was Lou, the same religious nut I had spoken to the day before.

“We need your help to protect this compound,” Captain Harold went on. “Everyone needs to do their part at this time. We will give you the training and equipment you need to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

“We get to carry blasters?” a rough voice asked from the opposite end of the cafeteria.

I couldn’t see who was speaking, but I recognized the question. Anyone joining up just so he or she could carry a blaster was probably joining for all the wrong reasons.

“After you’re trained to handle a firearm, you will be allowed to carry one, yes,” Captain Harold addressed the question. “I know this may be uncomfortable for a few of you, but I’d like you to stand up and join me right now if you are willing to do your part. We need to start recruiting immediately and now is as good a time as ever.”

An uncomfortable pause fell on the room. It reminded me of when I was a kid, and I would go to church to witness an altar call. The preacher would invite everyone up to the front who needed prayer or to receive a free gift. This felt a lot like that.

“You’ll be compensated, of course, once we have a system to do so,” Captain Harold coaxed. “Retroactive pay included.”

“Well, I’m in,” the hard voice said from the other side of the room. The man finally stood up so I could get a look at him. He was a big fellow. Years at the gym coupled with an unhealthy diet gave him round muscles covered by a layer of fat. He wasn’t exactly tall, maybe six foot, or just under. He made his way to where Captain Harold and his pair of suits stood.

“Glad to have you.” Captain Harold nodded down at him. “You’re making the right choice.’

“Asking about carrying weapons and then joining after the promise of payment,” Boss Creed said under his breath. “All the wrong reasons, if you ask me.”

I was thinking the same thing, but I kept my mouth shut and sipped on my coffee. I had enough to worry about, and there was no way I was going to join.

“Is that it?” Captain Harold looked around the silent cafeteria. Anger began to lace his words. “Everyone needs to do their part. We need more officers to secure and make our camp safe from who knows what’s out there. Stand up, become the patriot your people need you to be.”

A short woman from the far end made her way over to Captain Harold, then a middle-aged man with glasses, and finally, that same young boy Captain Harold had looked at before, stood up.

“Yes, you’re making the right decision.” Captain Harold encouraged them all to come to him. “You’re doing the right thing.”

“Jackson, no!” A woman stood up next to the young boy who was making his way over to Captain Harold. “You go when you’re older if you still feel like it’s the right thing to do, but not now.”

“It’s my choice,” the boy said in a shaky voice.

He was tall for his age and lanky. Awkward as boys are supposed to be at that pubescent age. His hair was orangish-red, with a sprinkle of freckles tossed against his fair skin.

“That’s right, welcome,” Captain Harold said, encouraging the boy.

The boy’s mother wasn’t about to give up. She followed her son all the way to Captain Harold, nearly screaming as she went. “Jackson, no. We lost your father in the crash. I’m not going to lose you, too! You’re too young.”

“I’m going to join, Mom.” Jackson had tears in his eyes. His voice cracked. “I’m going to join for Dad.”

The two suits on either side of Captain Harold moved to intercept the mother.

Blocked by the suits, she looked up at Captains Harold, hoping the man would agree with her. “Please, please, Captain Harold. He’s only thirteen. I know he looks older, but he’s just tall for his age. Please, he’s too young. He can help the colony in other ways. He can run food and water or build the wall or whatever else needs to be done. But he doesn’t need to be around blasters or in harm’s way. Please don’t take my only child from me. He’s all I have left.”

The way the woman begged even tugged at my cold heart-strings, and that was saying something. I looked along with everyone else to see what Captain Harold would say.

The captain looked down at the woman before stepping down from his chair.

I could still see the exchange between the two as everyone else in the cafeteria remained seated. He placed a comforting hand on the woman’s shoulder.

“What’s your name?” Captain Harold asked her.

“My—my name?” the woman asked.

“That’s right,” he said. “What’s your name?”

“Martha, but why does that—”

“Martha,” Captain Harold interrupted her. “Your son is doing the right thing. I know you can’t see that because he’s your son and you want to look out for him, but he’s doing the right thing here. In fact, you should join too. You can be with him every step of the way. Doesn’t that sound good? You and your boy can both help the colony