The next hour was painfully boring to watch. Beams, dots, bursts, movement, beams, dots. But, finally, the end became clear. The Top Ranker's troop was losing more and more soldiers. Some wounded, mostly killed. Finally (I learned later due the order of a Mid Ranker) the entire troop started shifting left, rapidly. Then they faded away into the jungle.
The schematic stopped showing, the Mid Ranker returning the screen to its normal ‘jungle’ setting. “Sir!” the Mid Ranker said, saluting again.
“At ease, Middy,” Tomirosh said. “Top Ranker?”
“Sir?!”
“As I see it, your combat technique was excellent. Indeed, in that whole scenario, there was only one thing that you did wrong.”
“Sir?”
“You disobeyed my orders. You were ordered to guard the area, and you treated that order as if you had been ordered to watch vids. But your orders were to guard an area. In depth.”
“Sir! No excuse, Sir!”
“Refreshing. Helpful. So, Top, I have two possible punishments for you.”
“Sir?”
“The first would be one hundred lashes and a demotion in rank. That is, I believe, the common punishment for direct disobedience of a lawfully given order in a combat situation?”
“Sir. Sir, you mentioned a second choice?”
“Ah, yes. My second choice would be for you to do it again. To take… why don’t you take the entire century except my staff… to take them, this time north of here. To clear a similar area. To use the wood from the clearing to build a variety of fun activities for young dependents. To prepare a set of emergency shelters for young dependents, from ground and air attack.
“I think my wife would like tables, and chairs, and all of that sort of thing. Or benches, if you prefer. Children like benches.
“Prepare a defence, in depth, particularly against air attack, coming from any nearby front. Prepare training for the dependents, hide and cover, that sort of thing. Bring defence blankets.
“Prepare a pit, and start a fire. Organise cooks. Comm my wife for the menu, but I believe she is planning barbecue and ice cream, at a minimum. Comm her for any other needs. Oh, and Top Ranker?”
“Sir?”
“Leave now!”
“Sir!” he shouted, his face a study. “Century assigned, to barracks, full dress, await comm instructions!”
“Sir!” the yelled, in unison, and everyone filed out except the dependents, the hq types, and the Mid Ranker.
“Oh, Middy?”
“Yes, Sir?”
“Thank you very much for your participation.”
“Sir!” the Mid Ranker said, saluted, and left.
—
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.