Travis sat in the waiting room, waiting for the Jury to issue their report. Not that there was any doubt; he’d done it. The evidence was clear. The penalty was death. He didn’t know why they had to go through all of this fuss.
He also didn’t understand why anyone cared. There seemed to be something missing in him. Other people cared about these things. His mother had cried, right in the courtroom. But even she hadn’t called him a ‘good lad’. No one had ever really called him that, altho he had learned to avoid getting punished, most of the time.
Suddenly the door opened, and he looked up, sure it was the bailiff with his sentence. It would be good to go outside for the execution.
But instead it was some military man. Since being left out of the draft he hadn’t had much to do with military men, so he wasn’t up on their ranks and all. He hadn’t know that the military would be involved in his execution.
The man came in, closed the door, and sat down. Brave man.
“I have a proposal for you,” he said.
“What kind of execution?” Travis asked. “I didn’t know we got a choice.”
The man gave a quiet laugh. “Sort of. I have a job for you to do. A job that I think you would like doing. And you will probably die doing it, so, yes, you could call it a choice of death.”
“A job? Are you sure you know who you are talking to?”
“Yes, I know. We studied your case, and, well, the psych lads say you are exactly who we are looking for.”
“Me? They must want a strange type.”
“They do.”
“So, what’s the job?”
“Killing aliens.”
Travis laughed, “I don’t think I’d make a very good soldier lad.”
“In the ordinary sense we agree with you. But we want you to become a Ranger.”
“I don’t follow the news much. What’s that?”
“We’d give you some training, some weapons, some food, and drop you off in a remote location. You’ll go out and kill aliens. You give us proof that you killed them, which will be easy, and we’ll give you more weapons.”
“And food?”
“No, food you’ll have to find yourself. We’ll also give you a wife.”
Travis snapped his head up, “What?!” He’d never been able to find a lass, or her father, crazy enough to get a wife. But that didn’t mean he didn’t want one.
“You’re not the only person with your kind of problem. We have a lass, just about your age, that we’re making the same offer to. If she doesn’t work out, we can try a different one. There’s not many, but we don’t need many.”
Travis thought about it. “Better than getting shot on the village lawn, I reckon. Where do I sign up?”
The man laughed, “No signing is necessary. Hold out your hands.”
Travis did, and the man attached handcuffs. High tech handcuffs. “You’re in the Army now,” the man said. “And you won’t be able to hurt anyone again… except aliens.”
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!
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Von also writes as ‘Arthur Yeomans’. Under that name he writes children’s, YA, and adult fiction from a Christian perspective. His books include:
The Bobtails meet the Preacher’s Kid
and
Arthur also has a substack, and a website.
Thanks again, God Bless, Soli Deo gloria,
Von
Links
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.
Intro // Podcast Version
She was pretty, popular, snobby, and a planetary governor’s daughter. He was the son of shopkeepers, a social misfit, and a decorated hero. She thought she was there to dance. He had other ideas.
A Dance // Podcast Version
As a governor’s daughter, Illoia usually avoided such events, but when the captain made the announcement that there was to be an Article 17 dance, she, too, was forced to attend. If only the scum hadn’t been there too.
The Unbridgeable Chasm // Podcast Version
Eukles and Meriones, brave military leaders, quail at the idea of crossing the gulf between themselves and asking a lass to dance.
There He Is // Podcast Version
The young hero comes in, and Aleshia and Illoyia gossip about him.
Look at the Young Hero // Podcast Version
The young hero comes in, and greets Eukles and Meriones… and announces his intentions.
Target // Podcast Version
Tom, Leader Cladin Tomirosh, sets his sights on the governors daughter. She isn’t impressed.
Fuming // Podcast Version
Tom and Illoia dance, while she desperately tries to get him to go away!
Now’s Our Chance! // Podcast Version
Eukles and Meriones use Tom and Illoia as a distraction and stalk their own girls.
To Slap or Not to Slap // Podcast Version
Meriones introduces himself to his new wife with a slap on the backside.
No Sane Man // Podcast Version
Illoia insults the young hero, and he proposes.
Never You, Darling // Podcast Version
Illoia finds herself unable to turn down his proposal.
A Wild Dance // Podcast Version
Illoia finds being Tom’s Consented Wife hard… with wild New Irish dances and immodest ones.
Registered // Podcast Version
A new marriage is registered. All hail the dictator!
Middy’s Got a Lass! // Podcast Version
Medinia is deliriously happy… she got 17d!
A Duel to the Death // Podcast Version
Illoia wakes up next to her new husband.
A Dowry // Podcast Version
As it turns out, Illoia brings some money into the marraige.
Fitting // Podcast Version
Even soldiers wives have to wear the uniform.
Message // Podcast Version
So, about telling her father. It’s not going to be easy.
Training // Podcast Version
Even soldiers wives have to learn how to shoot aliens.
The Captain // Podcast Version
So, about telling the governor about the marriage you allowed on your ship, Sir…
Presentation // Podcast Version
The absolute last chance to get an Article 17 wife, with everyone all lined up and shaking hands and no real time to talk…
Ma, Pa, Squeakers // Podcast Version
Imagine sending a tick tock message to your family telling them you are married.
Yee Haw // Podcast Version
Illoia is shocked to find that Tom considers his social responsibilities at a weird eating joint.
New Ship // Podcast Version
Telling the Governor // Podcast Version
Aleshia rides down on a shuttle, takes an aircar to the governors mansion, and gets to face his temper.
Hardship // Podcast Version
Marja is finding marriage very hard. Not her husband, just… life.