The Littlest Marine
by Melanie Brown
Copyright  © 2024 Melanie Brown

---

 

“Move, Alliance dog!” shouted the Ergon marine that shoved me.

Another Ergon marine punched me in the stomach. “You’re going to pay for planet Driscoll!”

A chorus of “Remember Driscoll” rose up as I was shoved further down a hallway, several microwave rifles aimed at my head.

Even though we’re advised to keep our mouths shut when captured, I knew I was about to die anyway, so I defiantly shouted, “It wasn’t my fault!” And it wasn’t. The Driscoll incident happened a year ago. We, the Alliance, refer to it as an “incident” while the Ergons use it constantly for propaganda purposes. Can’t blame them really. Someone fat-fingered the settings on our newest microwave cannon so instead of taking out a surface target, we boiled the planet’s core and detonated a whole planet, wiping out fifteen billion people in an instant. Oops. Even though we’re at war, we apologized. Apparently killing by the millions is okay. But not by the billions. The joke of course is that the Ergons suspended development of a similar weapon to milk the incident for all it’s worth.

And now here I am, a corporal in the Alliance Space Marines, captured by the Ergons, while trying to retake the stupid farming planet Z7BB-3 that was just outside our frontier when it was stolen by the Ergons to turn into a tech center. I’m not going to lie. Death scares the hell out of me, but we all accept that fate when we sign up. When they fill out your recruitment papers, they also fill out your death certificate. They just leave the time and place blank.

I was shoved into a cramped space containing a chair with straps and an odd looking machine. A window along one wall exposed what looked like a control room of some sort. I slipped and hit my head on the chair.

“Here’s the prisoner you ordered, general,” grunted one of the Ergon marines shoving me.

“Excellent, sergeant,” said a balding, bespectacled man behind the glass. “An excellent specimen. Strap him into the chair.”

As I was roughly strapped down into the chair, I looked around. The Ergons must feel pretty confident that they can hold against our insurgent force. Otherwise they’d be evacuating.

The general behind the glass said casually, “Place that plastic tent leaning against the wall over the subject. Sometimes when we energize the device, the subject explodes.”

I tugged uselessly against the chair’s straps. They won’t even be able to send me home if I’m turned into a bucket of goo. I really hate the Ergons.

The sergeant put his nose against mine and snarled, “Now you pay for Planet Driscoll, Alliance dog!” I spit into his mouth as he was saying “dog”. He slapped me viciously across the face.

The building shook from a few explosions. The general behind the glass looked nervous. “Clear the room, sergeant.”

The machine began to hum and several lights turned on and started to blink, I thought, so this is how it ends. Just a spill on aisle seven. What an ignoble way for a marine to die.

The hum rose in pitch. The general was busy behind the glass. In the distance was another explosion. A device that looked like a projector mounted on top of the machine lit up. It emitted a light that first focused on my head and a moment later adjusted to cover my whole body in a strange green light. I closed my eyes tightly so I wouldn’t see myself splatter. Not that I would anyway, I guess.

The sound from the machine rose in pitch and my whole body started to itch. The light got extremely bright and I felt like I was about to throw up. There was a pop and I lost consciousness.

When I came to, the general was standing next to me, looking me over. He was grinning. “Hmmm. This is better than I expected. Excellent!” He waved at someone outside the room. “Sergeant! Get this device loaded on the transport. Have your men hold this building as long as possible.”

The sergeant pointed at me. “What about the subject?”

The general laughed. “Let it serve as a warning.”

*          *          *

I went in and out of consciousness. I could tell there was fighting going on as Alliance forces secured the building floor-by-floor. The Ergons had taken the whole space port and had been branching out when we landed to take it all back. As we approached from orbit, we could see great swaths of farmland scorched from an Ergon microwave cannon. The Ergons love to establish bases near our frontier and they seemed especially desperate to hang on to this one.

I felt very weak and tired. I tried raising my hand as I watched several Alliance marines rush down the hallway. No one noticed. And then my unit’s sergeant stopped by the door to the room. I tried to wave.

“Sarge,” I said in a weak voice. “Sarge. Over here.”

Sarge looked around. He heard me but didn’t seem to know where the sound was coming from.

“Sarge!” I managed to say in a louder but raspy voice. I didn’t recognize my own voice. I still had no idea what that machine had done to me.

The sergeant finally saw me. He turned to someone in the hallway. “Private! Help me get this man free.”

“Yes sir!”

The sergeant laughed. “Don’t ‘sir’ me. I work for living.” Even surrounded by so much death and destruction, we marines still make jokes. That’s just how we roll.

The sergeant looked at my rank on my uniform and said, “We’ll have you free in a jiffy, corporal. What they hell were they doing… Holy shit corporal! What did those bastards do to you?”

Looking confused, the private removed my last strap. “Sarge. This isn’t a marine.”

The sergeant barked, “Private! Finish clearing those offices.” The private darted off.

Two corpsmen entered the small area carrying a stretcher. “Sergeant. You have an injured man here?”

He stepped back and pointed at me. “Right here.”

One of the corpsmen gave me a quick examination. “Sergeant, this is a civilian child. We can’t take her to the infirmary. She doesn’t appear to be injured. We’ll notify the Organians to come pick her up.”

I frowned and said, “I’m not a girl. But I seem to have shrunk.”

Sarge grabbed the man by his collar. “This is an injured marine. You will take him to the infirmary. You hand him over to the Organians, I’ll have your hide.”

The corpsman looked at me and asked, “Can you walk?”

I said, “I think so.”

Not hiding his anger, the corpsman turned to Sarge and said, “Here’s the deal, sergeant. She’s ambulatory, so you take her to the infirmary. We have a limited number of stretchers we need for the critically injured.”

Sarge sighed. “Fine. Come with me, corporal.”

My uniform was a little baggy now and I had trouble walking. “What’s happened to me, Sarge?”

Sarge looked back at me struggling. In my ear, Sage whispered, “Don’t worry Holman.. I’m not letting those fucking Organians near you.” He put me over his shoulder to carry like a sack of potatoes.

The Organians? Why would they involve me? The Alliance marine corp. secretly hated the Organians, the meddlesome little shits. They were supposed to be neutral referees in our war with the Ergons, mainly taking displaced children. They just tended to favor the Ergon Union a bit too much.

But why would they concern me? I’m not a civilian.

After a few minutes of hurrying through the mess of soldiers and frightened civilians, Sarge got us to a medical ship about to leave for orbit to rendezvous with the main ship. As he sat me down on a bench and began to strap me in, the orderly assigned to the vessel said, “Sergeant, you can’t bring civilians aboard this vessel. She should be handed over to the Organians.”

“No way in hell,” growled Sarge

On the flight up, a few wounded men from our unit ribbed Sarge for bringing his girlfriend. They’d laugh when I shouted I wasn’t a girl. That ray just shrank me or something.

*          *          *

“She’s definitely a twelve year old girl, sergeant. Regardless of what she was before that machine was used on her,” said Captain Rico, the main doctor aboard our ship. “Intelligence captured a strange device the Ergons were trying to get off-planet with. It must have been used on Corporal Holman.”

Sarge said, “Does it have a reverse feature? Can we change the corporal back?”

Captain Rico sighed. “Well belying their name, Intelligence blew the machine up to prevent its recapture.”

“Well shit!” snarled Sarge.

“Well shit,” I said echoing his sentiments.

The captain handed Sarge a sheaf of papers. “These are for you to file as you’re the corporal’s sergeant. Did the corporal have any family?”

I folded my arms. “I’m right here.”

Sarge said, “No sir. Both parents were killed in an Ergon raid on the nudist colony they were vacationing at.”

I scowled at both the captain and Sarge.

Captain Rico looked at me and half smiled. “Well little girl. The war’s over for you. You’ve been given a medical discharge. Sergeant, call the Organian embassy and they’ll pick her up.”

“Captain, no!” I pleaded. “I was going to make sergeant! I don’t want to be in some Organian orphanage!”

Captain Rico shrugged. “That’s protocol, miss. Sergeant, take care of this right away. We’ll get you a new corporal in the next rotation.”

Sarge and I just sat there, dumbfounded.

“Sergeant. You’re dismissed.”

*          *          *

“What are we going to do, Sarge?” We were walking down the corridor towards the main hallway. The hospital had dressed me in camo footie jammies. They’d confiscated my uniform. Well, it didn’t fit anymore anyway.

Sarge looked down at me. “I don’t know, Holman. You’re going to bunk in my barracks until I figure something out. I’m not handing one of my men over to the Organians. The brass doesn’t care, but you’re just as likely to be sold off than adopted.”

“You sure they’ll let me stay with you?” I asked.

Sarge grinned. “If they don’t know about it.”

*          *          *

“Can I go outside this room, Sarge?” I asked. So far I’d spent a week hiding in Sarge’s barracks. I’d be left alone while he’d get deployed to the planet’s surface. I’d worry if he was going to return.

“Not yet, corporal,” said Sarge. “I’m still not sure what to do with you. An Organian even contacted me about you. I accused them of losing you. It said they had no record of you. I finally told him to get lost.”

I sighed. “We’re going to get in trouble, Sarge. It’s not a secret I’m here. Some of the men bring me snacks and candy while you’re away. And I don’t like the way some of the men look at me.”

Sarge shrugged. “I have to admit you’re very pretty.”

Frowning, I said, “I’m twelve.”

Sarge shook his head. “That’s just nonsense Capt. Rico said.”

Folding my arms and pouting, I said, “It’s still my official record.”

“Have any of the men touched you?”

Shaking my head, I said, “Not yet.”

“Tell me if any do.”

Later that day, someone buzzed the door. Over the intercom, a woman’s voice said, “I know you’re in there, sergeant.”

Sarge sighed as he got up from his viewing terminal and walked to the room’s door and cracked it open.

“Can I help you?” asked Sarge.

The woman asked, “May I come in?”

Sarge drawled, “Ma’am, this is a men’s barracks and …”

The woman stepped forward a step or two and pointed at the captain bars on her epaulets. “Don’t make me pull rank on you, sergeant.”

Sarge stiffened and saluted. “Yes ma’am. Sorry ma’am.”

The captain took a few steps forward. “I understand your harboring a child in your room. Is that true, sergeant?”

Looking sheepish, which is a rare look for Sarge, he said, “I’m letting an injured man stay in my barrack while he recovers. Ma’am.”

I tried to hide, but the captain walked right up to me. “Is this the ‘man’, sergeant?”

Sarge said, “That’s Corporal Holman, captain. He’s the victim of Ergon torture experiments.”

She put her hand on my arm. “I have all the paperwork concerning Cpl. Holman from Captain Rico. I know it’s as tragedy to lose a man and disconcerting to lose one in such a diabolical way. But she’s now an abandoned child. She must be handed over to the Organians immediately. A barracks is no place for a child. You cannot properly take care of a twelve year old child in this environment.”

“Please captain,” pleaded Sarge. “Don’t force me to hand Holman over to the Organians. He has served the Marines with honor and deserves better.”

The captain pursed her lips tightly together for a moment. “You’re right. The corporal has an exemplary record and does deserve better. Honestly, I don’t trust the Organians any more than you do. Being responsible for child welfare for this unit, this is what I can do. I’ll take her planet-side to stay with the displaced children whose parents are on deployment or children of local farmers. Will this be satisfactory to you? She absolutely can’t stay here. A warship is no place to keep a child.”

“I have no other option?” asked Sarge.

The captain grimaced. “You have no option. This is a onetime offer.”

Sarge walked up to me and put his hand on my shoulder. “At least she’ll be safe there. Go with the captain, corporal.”

The captain took my hand. “Come sweetie. Let’s get off this bucket.”

*          *          *

On the flight back to the planet, Captain Wilson smiled at me. “So honey. Tell me about yourself. What’s your first name? We can’t keep calling you Corporal Holman.”

I smiled weakly at her. “My first name is John.” I could guess why she’s addressing me as a child. Despite who I’ve been, I can’t escape the fact that I’m now a child. And that’s how people will react to me.

“Hmmm. I don’t think that’s a very good name for a girl. We’ll have to give you a new name. I know, I know. But honey you have to face the reality that you’re now a girl. Is there any particular name you like?” The captain smiled at me.

I thought for a minute. This is certainly not anything I’ve had to consider before. While John is a somewhat common name, I’ve always liked it. I said, “There was a girl in high school I had a crush on. Her name was Jeanette.”

The captain looked thoughtful for a moment. “Hmm. Jeanette. I like it. It fits you. So Jeanette it is.” She pulled a pocket computer out of her bag. She turned it on and entered a few notes. “Well, you’re now officially Jeanette Holman.”

I said, “That feels weird to suddenly have a new name.”

Captain Wilson laughed. “Well, having a new name will help you become your new you. Out with the old, right?”

After we landed, we took a bus out to the Children’s Center. It’s basically a working farm though the kids aren’t pushed into manual labor like in an Organian controlled facility. There are two barracks, one for boys and the other for girls. Everyone gets their own room.

Kids are given chores to help them build responsibility. The chores are simple like feeding the farm animals. There are horses you can ride and other animals. The planting and harvesting is all automated. But you get to learn how to milk a cow. Everyone gets kitchen and latrine duties as well as regular school classes. From what the captain told me, the kids love it there and all seem happy. She thinks I’ll love it to. At the moment, including me there are twenty kids at the facility.

We went into the main building that houses the offices, kitchen and the barracks. There’s also a gymnasium with basketball courts, weights and other gym stuff. I was never much of a gym person.

Several people were in the gym when we arrived. Eight boys were on the courts. A few girls were in the kitchen. A couple of other girls were, well, indisposed as it were.

The captain picked up the microphone for the public address system. She said, “Attention everyone. I need everyone in the gym for an announcement.”

After waiting a couple of minutes, everyone finally strolled into the gym.

Standing next to me, Capt. Wilson said, “Everyone, I’d like you to meet our new member to our team. Everyone say hello to Jeanette Holman.” There was a chorus of hellos and several of the oldest boys grinned at me. Great.

“Anyway, later in the week she’ll get added to the rotation,” said Capt. Wilson. “Everyone be nice to her. We don’t want her to run off and join the marines.”

One of the older boys laughed. “As if they’d take her!”

I scowled at him. “What is that supposed to mean. I’ll have you know…”

Interrupting me, Capt. Wilson said, “Follow me Jeanette. I’ll show you to your room.” The boys laughed.

“That pissed me off!” I exclaimed. “Suggesting I couldn’t get into the marines!”

Capt. Wilson shook her head at me. “Well, they wouldn’t take you as a twelve year old girl. And this is your room.”

It was like a small furnished apartment. There was a single bed. A large padded chair. A desk with a computer. And a screen for watching dramas and stuff. The head was down the hall.

Capt. Wilson then said, “A few rules. Lights out at ten. All meals are served in the mess hall. Reveille is at oh six hundred. No fraternizing with the males. You are expected to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner. Any questions?”

I shook my head. “Shit. I shoud’ve just stayed in the marines.”

She grinned at me. “Another thing. Watch your language. I’m serious.” My first assignment was mucking out the barn. I want back in the marines.

*          *          *

I was done. I was so done. Mucking out the barn was harder work than I thought. I was dog tired and I’m sure I stank to high heaven. I was sweaty and grimy. One of the girls taught me how to put my hair up in a pony tail. She was amused that I didn’t already know. But at least it kept the hair out of my eyes.

As I exited the barn, I noticed a boy working on some piece of farm equipment. I had no idea what it was for and was curious why a kid was working on it. As I approached him, he turned and grinned at me. I just wanted to take a shower, not deal with some boy.

“Hey! You’re the new girl, right?”

I nodded. “That I am.”

The boy laughed. “Yeah. The new person always gets the job of mucking out the barn.”

I grinned at him. “Oh. I wondered what I did to deserve such an honor.”

He walked up to me and held out his hand for a shake. I looked at his hand and said, “You know I’ve been shoveling shit all day.”

The boy laughed. “Yeah. I grew up on a farm. My name’s Nick, by the way.”

I shook Nick’s hand and smiling said, “I’m Jeanette. And until today, I’ve never been near a farm..”

Grinning, Nick said, “I thought so. That’s why I wanted to tell you that if you need help with anything, come ask me. I’ll be happy to help. A pretty girl like you should be an actress or something.”

I was taken aback. I probably shouldn’t have, but I said, “You think I’m pretty?”

Eyes bright, Nick said, “Very. And those hands. You’re definitely not a farm girl.”

I looked at Nick sideways. “Farm girls can’t be pretty?”

Nick looked embarrassed. “I didn’t mean that. Just look at Margie. She lives on the farm next to… well, she lives on a farm and she’s prettier’n you. That’s not what I mean either.” His face turned beet red.

I laughed. Thinking of myself as pretty was a new concept for me. To change the subject, I asked, “Your parents aren’t in the military?”

He looked down at his feet. From the look in his eye, I decided to not pursue further questioning. He simply said, “No.”

“Anyway, Nick. Thank you for your kind offer I think I’ll go hit the shower.”

Nick smiled. “You’re very welcome. If you need help, let me know.”

I laughed as I started to hurry away. “I think I can handle the showers myself.” His face became even redder.

After my shower, I was brushing my hair out while watching a news alert about the on-going war over the planet Z7BB-3 which I’m currently calling home. A little girl poked her head in my door and said, “Knock knock.”

I looked over at her. “Can I help you?” Isn’t the custom to knock before entering? The girl looked to be about seven or eight. Standing behind her was Captain Wilson and two other girls.

She entered more into my room and was holding a gift-wrapped box. Captain Wilson said, “Susie wanted to get you a gift to welcome you. Go ahead. Open it.”

Smiling broadly, Susie handed me the box. I smiled at the little girl. “Thank you Susie. You didn’t have to get me anything. “I carefully tore the wrapping off, careful to preserve the ribbon. What was in the box surprised me.

“A doll?” The doll was a girl wearing a marine uniform.

Beaming, Susie said, “The captain picked it out.”

Capt. Wilson said, “Susie noticed you didn’t have any dolls. She thought you should have at least one, and I agreed. I thought it was appropriate.”

Grinning, Susie said, “Now you have your very own marine to guard you.”

“Thank you so much, Susie!”

*          *          *

The next week went by smoothly, I guess. I didn’t have to muck out the barn again. I had kitchen duty a couple of times. Not only as a cook, but washing dishes. I also had a laundry room day. The latrine duty day wasn’t as bad as mucking out the barn. Well, almost.

We had three days of classroom instruction, which was just like being back in school. I already knew most of it.

And don’t tell any of my old marine buddies this, but I went to bed each night clutching my new doll. I named her Jojo for no particular reason. I would sing to her and talk to her and scold her for things I did. I figured I was losing my mind. And somehow I slept better holding her.

*          *          *

I practically jumped out of my skin when the klaxon went off. It was just five minutes before our normal alarm. Then over the PA system we heard Capt. Wilson say, “This is an emergency! Repeat. This is an emergency! Everyone report immediately to the gym for further details.”

I groggily got up and sat on the edge of my bed. I rubbed my eyes. “What the fucking hell?” Without changing out of my camo footie jammies, I grabbed Jojo and hurried to the gym.

“What’s the deal?” asked Nick.

“We’re being ordered to evacuate this facility,” said an obviously upset Captain Wilson. “Intelligence thinks the Ergons will attack the farms close to the space port. We must leave immediately.”

I said, “But cap. That’s a breach of protocol. The Ergons do not honor the treaty on non-combatant vessels.”

The captain’s eyes flashed. “Just get on the bus, Jeanette.”

A few minutes later I was standing in group of children waiting to board the blockade runner Paladin. These blockade runners are lightly armored, almost all battery and the fastest ships in the fleet. Mason Field, the planet’s only space port, was feared to about to fall to Ergon forces. The garrison was already under manned. Without reinforcements soon, the garrison will fall and the Ergons will once again gain control of the port. It was the only place on the planet large enough to accommodate large naval vessels. I was nervous and held tightly to my doll.

The talk among pilots was that the orbital defense systems had been turned off. Somehow Ergon insurgents have taken control of the comm. building, which houses the defense controls.

And someone back on Homeworld with more brass than brains ordered the e-vac of all children currently in the care of the Alliance military. I guess nobody told him that protocol dictated the grounding of all non-military vessels.

Captain Wilson jabbed a finger at one of the Paladin’s pilots. “There’s no arguing, Stewart. I have orders to get these children to a safer location.”

“Captain, with all due respect that’s suicide. The port will surely fall in the next half hour. The garrison has been reduced to below effective levels. Put them in the armored bunker.

Captain Wilson turned to the two marines standing with us. “Start loading the children.” He turned back to the pilot. “The longer we wait, the worse it’s going to get. That’s the fastest ship in the fleet. There is no effective anti-aircraft the Ergons can use. Though off-line, the planet defense systems are still under our control. Once you attain orbit, jump immediately to anywhere inside Alliance space. Anywhere.”

The hatch closed, cutting off hearing the pilot’s response. Kids were talking, screaming and crying. I just stood to one side, holding my doll and taking in the situation, This was not good. I agreed with the pilot.

Capt. Wilson raised her voice against the ruckus. “Children! Children! Please take a seat immediately and buckle in. As soon as the engines start, we’re lifting off.” There was an explosion nearby and I heard the distinct sound of the hull absorbing the energy from microwave weapons.

The forward hatch opened and the pilots literally jumped into the flight control. Looking grim, they didn’t even wait to strap in before initiating the launch sequence. Usually the pilots go over a checklist, but not this time.

The pilot who had spoke to Captain Wilson said to his co-pilot, “Let’s get this bird in the air. Four Ergon vessels detected approaching orbit.”

My guess was that at least two of the approaching vessels were troop transports. I’d heard two marines talking that there was an Ergon dreadnaught class ship holding at the solar system’s heliopause. With the dreadnaught waiting for the port to fall, and our planetary defense system inactive, the two Alliance troop transports waiting two AU’s away wouldn’t risk moving in.

I felt the Paladin vibrate and then lift from the ground. It lifted and slowly started to turn to clear some buildings before kicking in a few G’s to ascend to orbit. Since there were children on board the pilots couldn’t hit a hard ascent.

And then I watched in absolute horror as a 10 cm hole burned through the cockpit wall and both pilots dropped dead. What the hell? The vessel descended rapidly and started to spin laterally. Most of the kids began screaming. We slammed into the wall of a building and came to rest at a slight angle. We hit hard and a piece of equipment broke loose and fell across Captain Wilson’s legs. She yelled in pain and then lost consciousness. Part of the bulkhead collapsed and crushed two children. From a few feet away, I could tell they were dead. I was just grateful that ships don’t really explode when they crash like they do in the dramas.

Following my training, I started to unstrap so I could render aid. I may be twelve, but I can still render first aid. I stopped when the side hatch was flung open and three Ergon marines climbed inside, their weapons drawn.

Their leader, a corporal looked quickly about. He holstered his weapon. “There’re only children here. It seems the Alliance dogs are all dead.” I was glad the captain was unconscious. “High command will want these kids. We’re still too short handed to leave a detachment here to guard them.” He pointed at one of his men. “Kovalenko. Do you think you can handle a few scared children?”

Kovalenko stood a bit straighter. “Of course, corporal. Piece of pie.” He grinned.

“Good.” He looked to the other soldier. “Back to the fight, Kozlov.” They jumped into a small vehicle and drove off.

Kovalenko glared at us as he waved his weapon. “I don’t want any trouble from you Alliance puppies.“ He laughed and stepped back outside.

I unbuckled my seat strap and stood up. I looked at the children all sitting terrified in their seats. I made the universal shushing gesture and quietly made my way to the cockpit. I looked quickly around and then I saw it. The pilot had a combat knife attached to his boot. I pulled it loose and examined the blade. I grinned. Perfect.

I made the shushing gesture again as I entered the main cabin. I waited by the open hatchway. I heard Kovalenko coming back inside. He stood in the open hatchway and I could tell he was counting heads.

“Hey! One of you brats is hiding! Come out if you know what’s good for you!” he bellowed. I crept behind him, hefted the blade, took a deep breath and lept onto his back. In one fluid motion, I slid the blade across his throat. His neck opened up, spilling blood all over the deck. He dropped to the deck making gurgling noises. The sight made me want to throw up. I hate hand-to-hand.

I grabbed his collar and tried to pull him to the other side of the deck. He was heavy for my twelve year old muscles. Nick, the oldest of the bunch at thirteen jumped up from his seat.

“I’ll help.”

I nodded to Nick. “Thanks.” We dragged him to the cockpit area. “Go to the back and grab a blanket to cover him.” Nick nodded and returned with a blanket.

I figured we were extremely short on time. I grabbed a first aid kit and removed a syringe. I don’t know what drugs are in it, but it kills your pain and makes you alert. In the field we call it happy juice. I injected the contents into Captain Wilson’s leg. She responded immediately with a gasp of air.

She looked at me. “Jeanette! Thank you.” I’m still not used to the name the captain decided to give me.

I went back to the cockpit and removed the helmet from one of the pilots and put it on. I found his communicator on the floor. I picked it up and attached it to the helmet. I turned it on and heard a satisfying crackle. I stepped outside the ship.

Our communicators used sub-ether which the Ergons can’t detect. The communicator doesn’t work unless we enter a special code.

I punched a few buttons and said, “Sarge! Sarge! Do you read?”As I looked around, I saw it. On top of the communications building I saw two men holding a large weapon. I had no idea where they could have stolen it, but it was a MWC1200 – a microwave handheld cannon. That’s what took us down.

There was a crackle and then the voice of Sergeant Guzman came across clearly. “Who is on this frequency? Identify!”

“It’s me, Sarge. Cpl Holman. Or I used to be anyway.”

Sarge growled, “Why are you on this channel, Holman? You should be in Alliance space by now.”

I sighed. “Sorry, Sarge. We were shot down. We crashed inside Ergon lines. Next to the comm. center.” I then went on to describe the events as I saw them including how we were show down.

Sergeant Guzman said, “Well hell. Let me talk to the marine in charge.”

I didn’t even know she was listening. Captain Wilson said, “I guess that would be me.”

“Captain! With all due respect, I meant a soldier,” said Sgt. Guzman.

The captain cleared her throat. “Sergeant. I’m still a marine.”

Sarge said, “Yes ma’am. I meant someone with recent combat experience. We need that cannon taken out. Before they went silent, a deep space RADAR ship detected two troop transports, an armor transport and a sensor ship approaching our system.”

“Sarge!” I exclaimed. “I have combat experience and I’m right here!”

Sergeant Guzman said icily, “You’re a civilian. A medical discharge besides being a little girl. The Organians would have my CO’s head if I put a civilian in harm’s way.”

The captain said, “Sergeant. Holman is hereby re-instated, previous rank, per my personal authorization.”

Sergeant Guzman exclaimed, “Corporal, give me a sitrep.”

I guess he wants an official one. “Paladin is down and disabled. Both pilots dead. Two children dead. Captain Wilson is disabled with two broken legs.”

Sarge said, “Listen up. Here’s what I need you to do. And we’re running out of time. Your primary objective is to disable the cannon team and then destroy the weapon. Secondary objective if you can do so, is re-activate the planetary defense system. Third objective is to secure the crash site until relief arrives. Do you think you can handle that, marine?”

I giggled. “I thought you were going to give me something hard, Sarge.”

Sarge growled. “I’m serious corporal. Don’t you dare die on me.

I sighed. “I promise.”

Sarge said, “Godspeed.”

I turned to the captain. “I have my orders, captain. I’m on my way.”

The captain said, “You keep that promise, corporal.”

I sighed. “That’s the hardest promise to keep.”

One of the little girls, Susie I think. About eight. Walked up to me and said with a tear in her eye, “You promise to come back?”

I looked her in the eye, “I promise. Oh, Susie. I have an important job for you.” I walked over to my seat and picked up my doll. I handed her the doll. “I want you to keep Jojo safe until I get back.”

Susie took the doll and hugged it tight. “I will, sir.”

I laughed. “Don’t call me sir. I work for a living.” The captain grinned at me.

As I turned to leave, Nick touched my arm. “I’m going with you, Jeanette.”

I shook my head. “You’re a civilian, Nick. This isn’t your war to fight.”

Nick scowled at me. “The hell it isn’t. The Ergons fire-bombed my family farm – with my parents still on it. This is definitely my war.”

I nodded grimly. “Okay. I could use your help. Let’s go.”

I handed Nick the other pilot’s helmet and added the comm. unit. “Comm check.” He nodded and I handed him the co-pilot’s side arm. We both left the wreck of the Paladin.

*          *          *

“Keep your head down!” I whispered to Nick as we darted across the wide street towards the comm. center. He ducked down the same as I was. We hurried up to the building behind the comm. center. I could only see one soldier guarding the entrance to the comm. center. They must be either really stretched thin or confident of the control of their rear. Probably both.

I turned to Nick and said, “Wait here. I’m going to scout ahead to make sure he’s the only guard. If I tell you to fall back, run as fast as you can back to the ship. Don’t worry about me. I’ll probably be dead.” I looked at Nick for a moment. He was pointing his weapon at me. I moved the barrel to point a different direction. “Only point your weapon at what you intend to shoot. And keep your finger off the trigger.”

Nick looked sheepish. “Sorry.”

“Stay alert. Don’t shoot unless the target is wearing an Ergon uniform.” He nodded.

I crouched down and started walking slowly ahead. What the hell am I doing? Am I just swapping one death location for another one? Should I have just stayed what I am – a scared twelve year old girl? If I fail, the results will be the deaths of hundreds of good men to retake this stupid dirt ball. But hey. No pressure.

I checked the far side of the comm. center. It was unguarded. Their forces must be thinner than Sarge suggested. Being as quiet as possible, I crept back towards the guard.

The guard had his back to me. He was watching the fighting going on at the main building. Even from here, you could hear the hiss of microwave as well as plain energy pistols. Occasionally a grenade would explode. Guys were dying over there. Our guys. Time to do something about it. I pulled the knife from my belt. Shooting the bastard would make too much noise. I raised my knife and then leapt onto his back. One quick motion and he lay gurgling on the ground. I wiped my blade on his uniform, which always seemed a bit cold to me.

There wasn’t going to be any trouble getting inside. The Ergons had broken open the door. I waved to Nick and waited to go inside until he joined me. His face went pale when he saw the dead Ergon. “Remember our mission. Remember your parents,” I said. He nodded and looked more determined.

I stood to one side as I pushed the door open. I looked around the corner. The room was empty. Well if you don’t count the many dead bodies of both Alliance and Ergons. The bottom floor was mostly cubicles and otherwise office areas.

I gave Nick the gesture to remain silent. I whispered, “If I remember correctly, the second floor houses the controls to the planetary defense system.” Nick nodded. We slowly ascended the stairs rather than taking the elevator.

The second floor was clear of any life as well. It was an open room with a just a few desks and chairs here and there. One wall had the controls for the defense system.

“Damn” I hissed. From the stairwell, I could see that the system had been shut down cold. It would take at least ten to fifteen minutes for the system to initialize and begin energizing the weapons systems.

I hurried across the room and studied the control panel. To Nick I said, “Watch the stairwell and shoot anything that moves. This will take a minute.”

Looking confused, Nick said, “But you said…”

As I started flicking switches, I said, “Now we’re in the belly of the beast.” He nodded.

Several displays flickered on. Status lights were changing from red to yellow to green. I clicked my comm. unit. “Sarge! Sarge! Defense system online. Fully operational in ten minutes.”

The raspy voice of Sergeant Guzman rattled my headset,. “Excellent work, corporal. Look for the red failsafe button and press it. There’ll be a cover of it. That will prevent the system from being reset again.”

There was a pause as several nearby explosions hit his position.

“Sarge? Sarge?”

“Don’t worry about me, corporal. Finish your mission and take out that cannon. Immediately fall back to the Paladin and set up defenses.”

“Acknowledged. Out.” I grinned at Nick. “Time for the main event.” Nick tried to smile and nodded nervously.

The stairwell didn’t go to the roof. We had to open an external door and climb some creaky stairs. There were three Ergon Marines on the roof and as soon as we cleared the roof, one pointed and shouted, “Alliance!” That was his final word as his lifeless body fell from the roof, the hole in his chest still smoking.

“Good shot, Nick. Keep your head down.” The other two men immediately took defensive positions and returned fire. Their shots were wild at first as they didn’t know where we were. As we advanced, their shots got closer.

There was a scream from Nick and I saw him go down. I stood up and shot the gunner and ducked back down before the remaining Ergon could draw a bead on me. He fired a couple of random shots at me.

I shouted, “Steve! You and Rob circle to his rear flank. Bill, take him head on.” Of course there were no Steve, Rob or Bill, but the Ergon didn’t know that. As he spun to check his six, I popped him in the head.

I shouted, “Nick! Roof is clear.” I just heard a groan in response. I ran to the source of the groan and saw Nick laying on the ground, He’d taken a hit to the leg but there was no blood. Microwave weapons tend to cauterize their wounds.

I held out a hand to him. “Get up Nick. I’ll need your help.” I’m sure his leg hurt like hell.

With Nick leaning on my shoulder, we hobbled over to where the high powered weapon lay.

On my comm. link, I said, “Rooftop crew is down.”

Another voice said, “Excellent! Destroy the weapon and retreat to the Paladin. We’ll give the Ergon something to think about as you fall back. The dreadnaught is now heading our way.”

“Acknowleged.” I set my microwave pistol to its highest setting and took aim at the handheld cannon. I looked up and saw four Ergon ships on their landing curve, coming in hot. The troops they carried would easily overwhelm the remaining Alliance forces. They would all die.

Nick began to cry. “Destroy it Jeanette! We gotta run. You heard the order.”

“Get down on your hands and knees. I need to use your back as a brace.” Nick hesitated and looked confused. I screamed, “Knees! Now! We’re out of time.”

Nick got down and I hefted the business end of the cannon onto his back. What I was about to do was direct violation of my orders. Fuck it. They could hang me later.

I sat on the roof top and lifted the rifle so I could see through the scope. The cannon was at full charge. The target was coming in fast. I dialed the scope in on the pilot through his front screen. I fired and was knocked back on my ass. The energy beam ripped through the pilot and hit the ship’s core. The detonation was instant and the destroyed ship careened into the second troop transport bringing them both down.

I sat up quickly and grabbed the weapon again, Still almost at full charge. I took aim on the third transport, the one carrying their tanks. It was starting to veer off. I estimated where the core would be and fired. The colorful explosion was a dazzling display of light and fire. The fourth transport ship had punched their rockets and bugged out back to orbit.

I threw the cannon on the ground. Using the max setting I shot it with my pistol. Satisfied the inner mechanism was fried, I turned to Nick and said, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

As we hurried back, with Nick hobbling with his arm around my shoulder, I heard over the comm. link, “This is Troop Transport Kirov. I have a green light to approach.”

Another voice said, “LZ is hot. Repeat LZ is hot.”

Yet another voice said, “Roger that. Initiating LZ cleanse.” Two small ships appeared, travelling fast just a few feet above the ground on top of Ergon forces dropping several objects. A wall of flame erupted. I could feel the heat from half a klick away.

Nick looked pale. I asked, “You okay? Are you gonna make it? Just hang in there, buddy. We’re almost there.” Over the comm. link I said, “We need a medevac at Paladin.”

“Rodger that,” said some unfamiliar voice. “Transport on the way to evac everyone. Is site secure?”

Captain Wilson said, “Site is secure.”

A few minutes later, I half dragged Nick inside the downed vessel and laid him on the floor. He was shaking. I took one of the remaining syringes of happy juice and injected him with it. I was surprised to see two more dead Ergon marines inside the vessel. I learned later that Captain Wilson had taken them out.

Grinning broadly, Susie held up Jojo and said, “I kept her safe for you!” I took the doll from her and thanked her.

The captain said something, but I didn’t hear it. I dropped my weapon on the floor then sat down cross legged. I took my helmet off. I hugged Jojo tightly and cried.

I didn’t even see anybody walk up to me. After a moment, I looked up to see Sarge, bleeding from cuts and wounds. His left leg all shot up to hell. Looking down at me, he said, “You disobeyed a direct order, corporal.”

I looked up at him and burst back into tears. I cried, “I just killed six hundred men.” I hugged Jojo again and sobbed.

Sarge knelt beside me and did something strange. He hugged me. He rocked me back and forth for a few minutes and whispered, “You’re a good soldier, corporal. You’re a good soldier.”

*          *          *

The Alliance brass love hearings. I think they’d hold a hearing if they found a piece of paper on the floor. The hearing today involved me.

Captain Wilson managed to find me a women’s dress uniform with a dark blue skirt and light blue blouse and black patent leather shoes, thankfully without heels. My sleeves sported my corporal chevrons and unit emblem. Pinned to the blouse were the ribbons of the various service ribbons. Including this last one. I didn’t like her making me wear lip gloss, eye liner, mascara and blush. And nail polish. And Navy service earrings.

Seated next to me was Nick looking quite handsome in his suit. Behind us sat Sarge with his new prosthetic leg. His blouse heavy with ribbons. Next to him sat Captain Wilson wearing her new combat service award. He’s supposed to remain looking neutral, but Sergeant Guzman was grinning like a proud papa.

We were all asked to stand as the Chief of Naval Operations entered the room. He then gave a brief review of the battle the marines fought to regain Alliance territory.

Finally he said, “While marines on the battle field display courage and valor daily, there are two we wish to recognize for their outstanding courage. I would like to ask Nicholas Hembre to step forward.

“Nicolas, or Nick as he’s known to friends and family is a civilian. The son of local farmers who were killed by Ergon expansion. Nick was onboard a ship that was taking children out of the war zone when it was mercilessly attacked by Ergon forces and crashed. Nick, never one to turn away from danger or a challenge, volunteered to help bring down a dangerous weapon. The very one that shot down the transport carrying children. For his courage and devotion to his family, I am proud to present him with the Secretary of the Navy Award for Valor.” He held out the award in its box.

Nick stood stiffly, embarrassed to hell. The naval chief took the medal from the box and pinned it to Nick’s chest. Nick fumbled a salute which as a civilian he’s not supposed to do anyway and got a good natured laugh from those in attendance. His face almost glowed red. He sat down to much applause.

I poked him. “Good job, Nick!”

The naval chief looked at me and said, “Corporal Jeanette Holman, please step forward.”

I stood up and smoothed my skirt, stepped forward and saluted. He returned my salute and grinned. “Corporal Holman has taken an incredible journey to be here today. Born John Holman, Corporal Holman was the victim of a diabolical experiment by the Ergons. This experiment left Corporal as a twelve year old girl. Because of her condition, she received a medical discharge. But that wasn’t the end of Corporal Holman’s story.

“As a she was now a child, John, now named Jeanette was placed with the other displaced children in the war for Pastor’s Planet. She was aboard that ill-fated vessel the Paladin that was shot down by the vile Ergon Union as we attempted to remove the children from harm’s way.

“Even though she was now a civilian child, Jeanette requested to be re-instated as an active duty marine. She knew her fellow marines were in a desperate battle with an overwhelming force about to be brought in. Denying the threat to her own safety, Corporal Jeanette Holman accepted, along with her friend Nick, the mission to take the communications building and disable the very weapon that shot her and the other children down. Fighting hand-to-hand she took control of the comm. building and completed her secondary mission of re-activating the planetary defense system.

“Once on the roof, Corporal Holman and Nick found themselves outnumbered. Using a clever ruse, they managed to seize control of the roof, where Nick was unfortunately wounded. Her tasks completed, Corporal Holman was to retreat back to the Paladin. She saw superior Ergon forces flying in from orbit. Deciding she could not allow her team to die, using quick thinking and her marine training, she chose to ignore the threats to her own safety again and single handedly shot down three Ergon transports, removing an estimated seven hundred Ergon forces from the battlefield.

“I am extremely proud to present to Sergeant Jeanette Holman the Navy Cross for conspicuous valor in battle.” He saluted me and I saluted and held it as he pinned the cross on my uniform. Did he say sergeant? They don’t exactly hand out sergeant stripes like candy in the marines.

The room erupted in applause as I shook his hand. Sergeant Guzman walked up to me, picked me up in a bear hug. In a total breach of protocol, he kissed my forehead.

Captain Wilson shook my hand. “Congratulations, sergeant.”

I saluted her. “Thank you captain.”

*          *          *

Nick and I were walking outside in the big plaza outside the Alliance Headquarters building. We stopped and sat down at a bench surrounded by flowers and other bushes.

“You’re going back to Pastor’s Planet? How did they pick up that name, anyway?” I asked as we sat down. I was still in my dress uniform and Nick was still in his suit though he’d removed the tie,

Nick chuckled, “You have to admit, it’s a better name than Z7BB-3. They named it after the first settlers. And yeah, I’m actually getting offers from people who want to adopt a hero. I’m just a farmer. I don’t think I’d be happy somewhere else. What about you? What are you going to do? And why did you resign”

I sighed. “I really wasn’t given much choice. I mean, I’m only twelve. I can hardly be a marine.”

“But you are a marine, Jeanette,” exclaimed Nick. “You proved it.”

I looked at my feet dangling off the bench. “Well, I am just twelve. It’s bad optics if they kept me on. Hey, if I sign up when I’m eighteen, I go back in with my same rank.”

“Is that Guzman guy going adopt you?” asked Nick.

I shook my head sadly. “No. The Alliance adoption agency won’t allow it. He’s not married and could be killed at any second. That’s what he said. He thinks I’d be better off with someone else.”

“Captain Wilson said she was interested.”

Nick narrowed his brows. “She’s not married is she?”

Nodding, I said, “Actually, she is. Col. Somebody. Some desk jockey.”

Nick laughed. “Sounds boring”

I grinned at him. “It does. But I’m done with war.”

There was a long break in the conversation. I stared at my feet.

Nick looked over at me. “Wanna get some ice cream?”

I smiled broadly. “Sure!”

Nick took my hand and we strolled to the commissary.

The End