Birthday Party. Prep.
“Well, I want to organise a birthday party. Ostensibly, anyway, but largely an excuse to get the lasses and children together.”
“What… what logistics?”
“Excuse me?”
He looked confused. “What… what supplies? What are you planning to serve to eat and that kind of thing?”
“Well, I would like to do a barbecue, with cake and ice cream.”
“That shouldn’t be hard.”
“Well, I can’t exactly do the kind of barbecue I would do at home.”
“Why not?”
“Well, we generally held them outdoors…”
“Oh, I see. Let me think…. He played with his comp. “The weather looks good for the next few days, amazingly. I think… Yes…. Get dressed again, please,” he said, matching his own actions to his words, and triggering his comp.
A few seconds later the door rang and Tom’s ‘come in’ brought in Top Ranker Barcis Korba, the one who had complained about the housing. “Sir!” he said, saluting.
“Top, I have an assignment for you, beginning tomorrow at dawn. You and your company.”
“Sir?”
“I want you to take your company a klick south of here.I wish you to establish a perimeter in depth and guard it with floating patrols. In depth, Top Ranker, expecting attack from any direction at any time. And clear an area 100 meters square of all vegetation higher than ten centimetres.”
“Sir!” the Top Ranker said, saluted, and left.
Illoia looked at Tom, confused, as Tom began undressing again. “That will be a good training exercise,” he said, “And help me begin to work at integrating our malingerers.”
“His company can’t be all malingerers,” she protested.
“No, the rest are newbies, and new to his command, so they need to learn to work under him.”
His humming increased in tone and he went over to the com, “Simulate video per Article II,” he said, “Com Lt Eukles, Routine Military Priority.”
A few seconds later the com lit up with Eukles, the screen behind him showing the jungle. “What’s up, Tom?” he asked.
“I was wondering if you would have a free squad for an exercise, tomorrow?”
“Exercise?”
“Infiltrate and destroy.”
“Well, that’s always good practice… what’s the target?”
“A company of mine will be clearing some ground a klick from here for a social function. I have… one of my top rankers on the job. I ordered him to guard the area. I’d like to test his readiness. I’ll have the rest of mine out on patrol so…. What is that saying about cats and mice?”
Eukles laughed. “Got it. Do you want me to send my best or my worst?”
“Surprise me,” Tom said. Have their Mid Ranker report to me at 1300 tomorrow, our assembly area, after it all gets sorted out.”
“Got it. Sounds good. Gotta go. Out.”
“What was that about?”
“Double duty,” he said. “I’ll be able to check on how well the Top Ranker does his job, and Eukles will get to see how well his troops do their infiltration. Ready for bed?”
—
Article 17
Article 17 is a military science fiction story with aliens and romance. It is set in a future reminiscent of Napoleon era Britain. The war was going very poorly until the military installed a dictator. This story follows one of the dictator’s great men: Cladin Tomirosh, Leader, and thrice decorated hero.
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Thank you for reading Von’s Substack. I would love it if you commented! I love hearing from readers, especially critical comments. I would love to start more letter exchanges, so if there’s a subject you’re interested in, get writing and tag me!
Being ‘restacked’ and mentioned in ‘notes’ is very important for lesser-known stacks so… feel free! I’m semi-retired and write as a ministry (and for fun) so you don’t need to feel guilty you aren’t paying for anything, but if you enjoy my writing (even if you dramatically disagree with it), then restack, please! Or mention me in one of your own posts.
If I don’t write you back it is almost certain that I didn’t see it, so please feel free to comment and link to your post. Or if you just think I would be interested in your post!
If you get lost, check out my ‘Table of Contents’ which I try to keep up to date.
Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books are published by Wise Path Books and include the children’s/YA books:
The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
As well as GK Chesterton’s wonderful book, “What’s Wrong with the World”, for which ‘Arthur’ wrote most of the annotations.
Arthur also has a substack, and a website. On the substack you can listen to some of his published books. Free.
Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von
Other Stories
Article 17 is not my only story on Substack. I have another light dystopia, or cultural sci-fi. And a Sci-Fantasy, with elves and dwarves. And a Morality Play, ala Aesop’s Fables.
Contract Marriage Intro
And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Prologue IP0
Island People is a young adult fantasy book centring on a young prince. The book starts with his kidnapping and follows his adventures as he not only escapes from his kidnapper but gains critical allies and friends.