Stark's Crusade by John G. Hemry Read Free Book Online Page A

For us to keep protecting them, sure. But why? What are they expecting to be able to do while we do all this fighting?"
    Everyone looked at Stark, who scowled back. "Last I heard, there was a lot of sentiment in the civ colony for declaring independence from home. They'd become a new country, and I guess that'd make us that new country's military."
    "What kinda country?"
    "Like the U.S., I guess. Or how it's supposed to be, anyway. All these civs up here got trapped into real bad contracts with their corporations. They were being shafted something fierce, while the corporate bosses were getting richer, as usual. So they don't want that kind of stuff up here."
    "There's nothing wrong with capitalism," Stacey observed.
    "No, there ain't, except the same thing that's wrong with any system allowed to run without any checks on it. That's what the government's supposed to do, not be in bed with the bosses, right?"
    "The Constitution is sort of silent on that."
    " 'Provide for the general welfare,' " Vic recited. "I think that covers it. Fine. Let's assume these civs declare independence and form their own country and even adopt the exact same Constitution we're sworn to protect. How comfortable is everybody with that?"
    There was a long silence, finally broken by grumbling from Manley. "We're Americans, damnit. I don't want to be anything else."
    "Me, neither," Stark agreed. "But the people running our country don't like us much. We may not have any choice about becoming something else."
    Yurivan looked up, grinning suddenly. "That's an angle. The government's been putting out word that we're all criminals and troublemakers, out for anything we can get."
    "Good thing none of us fit that description, huh, Stace?"
    "If I may finish without further heckling, we haven't had much propaganda of our own to counter that. But we can get word around back home that we're loyal and true-blue and one hundred percent and all, and the only reason we're in trouble is because the bosses don't want us because we kicked out other bosses who were idiots. It could stir up some trouble at home. Maybe get some pressure off us."
    Reynolds smiled. "That's a good idea. The civs running the Colony tell us the two major political parties are really running scared that they'll be kicked out of power. If we get word out on what we really feel, that might help that thing happen."
    "It might. But these other guys, these political parties that want to clean things up, might not like us any better than the current crop of crooks. Who knows?"
    "Campbell might," Stark noted. "The Colony manager. Like I said, Vic and I have a meeting with him later. I'll sound him out on that. Are there any other issues we should deal with here?"
    Lamont grinned. "Let's see, we've talked about what our main strategy should be, whether we want to belong to another country, and how good the food is lately. What's left?"
    "Locating a replacement shuttle," Gordasa noted, then shook his head in mock despair. "I'll take care of that, and you guys can handle the easy stuff."
    Stark laughed along with the others, motioning for everyone to leave, but paused himself as Vic placed a restraining hand on his arm. "Sergeant Milheim. He just made it in. You want him to hang around and provide you with individual feedback or just put it in a report?"
    "If he puts it in a report, I'd never find time to read it. Besides, if I call somebody to see me, the least I can do is actually take some time for them once they get here. You can head out, though."
    "No problem." Vic left, motioning Milheim in through the door.
    "Sorry I didn't make the meeting," Milheim began.
    "Don't worry about it," Stark waved away any further apology. "Your people did real good out there. Did you notice any problems with the operation?"
    Milheim hesitated, frowning in thought. "No. Nothing comes to mind. I will tell you it was nice not having that damned time-line blinking at us."
    "Yeah. I don't think we're gonna use them much