The Meteor Men: Katamma Reach

By E. Pluribus Unum

A century from now, our hero must do battle with a big chunk of Africa as well as the estranged wit of his own unit as he attempts to de-mystify an unusual construction project in this twisted science fiction. In this ‘world’ Troopers rule and the Lunar surface provides the economic basis for our first colonizations of inner space – the ‘Outworld’. Katamma Reach. Lagos High. Tranquility Badlands.

• Language: English
• Publisher: E. Pluribus Unum
• Release date: Oct 4, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301610082

E. Pluribus Unum

To my mind it is almost unimportant who I am in the same way that it doesn’t really matter who the guy is that delivers that telegram to you, or the deliveryman who leaves the package at your front door. What matters is that you get your package on time, intact, and unmolested. That is my job. I put it this way because in a very large sense, I have no choice in the words that I bring to you. What decides the written word is pretty much cut in stone - I merely look to see what is there and report to you what I have found from a certain perspective. The platform that I observe from is built from over a decade of passive research with no goal in mind other than to academically discover that which is the future. To word it a different way, I study only the truths of the past combined with the ‘what is’ of the present to see what can’t be escaped for the ‘gonna be’. This leaves no room for fantastical whimsy or personal bias. This is also what makes the Series events so exciting to write about. I don’t sit to the machine with a thought in mind to say a particular thing. I must observe. I must go into this world and carefully pay attention to what these characters are doing and what they do it with. Only then do I get to see what happens next. I am seldom disappointed. Aside from that know this. I am neither criminal nor fugitive. I adhere to the Laws of the Land [well... for the most part]. I have erroneously been declared as mentally competent and I am not too hard to look at in the mirror [except for first thing in the morning, maybe.] I have led a life that seems to me more exciting than most and I like very much who I am. The messenger.

Book preview

The Meteor Man?

Almost a century from now, our hero must do battle with a big chunk of Africa as well as the estranged wit of his own unit as he attempts to de-mystify an unusual construction project in this comedic science fiction-adventure.

Science fact creates the scenario in which Lieutenant James Keaton must solve then resolve the dilemmas of his time. In this ‘world’ satellites rule and the Lunar surface provides the economic basis for our first colonizations of inner space, otherwise known as the ‘Outworld’. This is the new frontier or ‘wild west’ of the era. Here the Troopers reign as the autonomous servants of the collective whole and the world voice of fair play. As the evolutionary culmination of the Warrior Class, Troopers are the highly trained and well-funded bulwark against the Corporations and Cartels who jockey for power in this post-collapse environment.

With the governments weakened by the ‘Great Collapse’, many Corporations feel the need to maneuver on a more literal sense. These business entities, largely stripped of their ability to wage secrets and to consolidate power, must resort to subversion and guerilla tactics to advance their will beyond reason. The only counter to this is creative thinking and a wry sense of humor, both of which those of the Trooper Program excel at. The story is told largely through the eyes of Lieutenant (later Captain) Keaton.

Katamma Reach. The first book begins with Keaton as he participates in the introductory course for the Trooper Program which indoctrinates him (and us all) into the setting of the situation. This takes place an approximate four years prior to the main body of the text and lasts only a chapter. The next several chapters take place in ‘present time’ and they focus on events leading up to the main conflict. These scenes take place on two of the ‘basestations’ orbiting the earth, the Aries and the Orion. The remainder of this volume centers around the plains of Nigeria where this strange construction is taking place. The day is won, and a reasonable resolve is achieved. But the resolution raises as many questions as it answers, namely the discovery of a nameless organization that will need to be disabled. Hence the need for volume two.

Lagos High. This book begins on the basestation ‘Orion’. This is where this Trooper unit is based, as well as the spaceborne command of the Trooper Program. Here the problems left over from the last volume are clarified and enhanced, giving rise to the need to return to Nigeria, specifically Lagos. The bulk of the action takes place here as the Troopers accomplish their task (a prisoner snatch) amidst much uproar but we all learn early on that there will be a need for volume three.

Tranquility Badlands. Number three begins on the Orion but quickly gravitates to Switzerland and then to the Cayman Islands for a snatch on two more prisoners, both believed to have information crucial to exposing the intentions of the organization the Troopers have now dubbed the ‘Mechanism’. Upon the return of the Troopers to the Orion, they discover the main goal of the ‘Mechanism’ is to capture the Lunar resources. Undermanned because of their activities on the Earth, this unit must now thwart the Lunar assault. A surprise ending proves the need for volume four…

So sit back ladies and gentlemen, relax and hearken to the truths these tales represent for the stories you are about to witness are true; only the timeline has been changed to protect the innocent. Come to meet the man who has a ‘rocket in his pocket and a roll in his soul’.

THE

METEOR

MEN

KATAMMA REACH

2013 Smashwords Edition

E. PLURIBUS UNUM

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Katamma Reach - Table of Contents

Roster

Jargonary

Preramble

Introducing...

1] ‘099

2] Basestation Aries

3] Briefing

4] Commout

5] The Pelican

6] The Real Deal

7] The Armorer’s House

8] The Drop

9] Katamma Reach

10] Aftermath Ensued

11] The Word

ROSTER - KATAMMA REACH

The General

Col. Taylor Rattler

Fran Hawthorne ‘Da Bitch’

Captain Sechrest Company A Commander

5th Platoon, Company A, 223rd Trooper Battalion

1st Lt. James Keaton Match

Paige Turner – page

2nd Lt. Kyle Sloan Easy

Jack Olin – page

Msgt. Linn Slate

1st stick

SSgt. Ramsey Mace

Pvt. Ellis Monk

Pvt. Wilson Turk

Pvt. Carson Wiley

Pvt. Turner Scammer

Pvt. Collins Viper

Pvt. Fischer Savage

Pvt. Walters Trig

Pvt. Bonahue Wishbone

Pvt. Dunbar Bean

Pvt. Kreig Kraut

2nd stick

SSgt. Cain Sinister

Pvt. Swenson Demon

Pvt. Michaels Skate

Pvt. Thompson Lip

Pvt. Malloy Jammer

Pvt. Henderson Schemer

Pvt. Taggert Tripper

Pvt. Hatfield Hick

Pvt. Garner Whip

Pvt. Stone Step

Pvt. Hersche Iceman

3rd stick

SSgt. Meyers Crusher

Pvt. Hernandez Michaelangelo - Mike

Pvt. Evans Patch

Pvt. Harris Wizard

Pvt. Phelps Unk

Pvt. Darkeagle Tonto

Pvt. Hogan Hawk

Pvt. Peterson Fang

Pvt. Perazzo Griffen

Pvt. Tanner Skinner

Pvt. Kuhn Chucker

Capt. Torrence Cruzer LC-866 Dropmaster Elvira-Distress of the Dark

JARGONARY

A

AD-84 – a small anti-drone missile that comes in a case of twelve which will deploy automatically directly from the case with the case lid providing the target receptor.

aerial mine – a fragmentation/concussion weapon with a rudimentary video feed; disk shaped, and controlled usually by a command set unless put to automatic or pre-programmed to fly to a specific location to be detonated by contact or command.

AGM – Air to Ground Missile; the primary munition utilized by assault aircraft to engage ground targets.

Armed Force – the bureaucratic entity responsible for liaison between Space Command and the Trooper Program as well as any outside element wishing communication with either organization; being purely a communication ‘hub’, it has no authority of its own.

B

basestation – a manmade structure/spacecraft usually placed in a geosynchronis orbit about the Earth allowing for the docking and maintenance of transient spacecraft as well as production facilities for items best suited for manufacture in space.

batt; batts – battery; batteries.

bell; bells – time; actually referring to a series of short tones broadcast throughout a basestation counted to the time at the hour up to twelve thereby informing all of the local time used by that basestation and giving rise to slang phrases such as ‘bells to twelve’-noon, ‘bells on’-on time.

bolter – sl. common term for the plasma emission weapon.

boost – the act of ascending from any planet surface that requires the temporary suspension of the law of gravity (name one planet that doesn’t)

bulkhead – wall. (being a Fleet thing, there is no conceivable explanation as to why this is.)

C

calc; calcs – calculation; calculations; the best guess after doing the math.

cell – in spaceship or basestation design, the individual unit or room which can either be one or many, occupying the space of a compartment. (see compartment)

‘chass; ‘chyass – Get your ass, as in (git ‘cher ass) e.g. ‘Chass on down the damn road there, boay’.

class A uniform – the uniform used for a formal event by officers and enlisted alike; the only difference being the rank insignia and ribbons worn.

class B uniform – the uniform used for everyday work situations in any environment where a bathrobe or swim trunks are not appropriate.

C.O. – commanding officer; the officer commanding a unit specific; i.e. the poor fool designated to look stupid when one of the Troops does something stupid.

comm; comm unit – small electronic device developed for communication to other devices via microwave; operating in conjunction with an imperceptible earpiece and mouthpiece, it is used primarily for the transfer of bullshit, and on occasion, pertinent information.

command set – a briefcase sized supercomputer designed to accommodate a wide array of battlefield implements as well as communication gear.

compartment; compartmentalized – the concept of building a spaceship or basestation as a series of compartments; the idea being that if a compartment begins to leak atmosphere, the neighboring compartments are automatically ‘locked out’ so that the entire ship does not bleed out all it’s atmosphere.

control arm – an operating unit’s liaison to the outside world during a mission providing amenities such as intelligence, procurement, bad advice and verbal abuse.

corp – a business entity designed to make a selected few individuals prosperous while at the same time allowing deniability to same said individuals.

D

dirtside – planetside; Terra Firma; Earth.

drone – a disc shaped, unmanned, propelled vehicle with a sophisticated optics and control package.

drop – 1) the process of attaining a planet surface from its outer extremes of gravity in a ship of any kind. 2) the process of attaining a planet surface from a ‘dropship’ (usually in a combat mission) by means of a jump harness or other apparatus – as opposed to a ‘splat’, which incorporates failed equipment or no equipment at all.

‘duly noted’ – the standard reprisal for information that has just been shit-canned.

E

E-23 – an explosive that retains the consistency of wet clay and while containing no shrapnel in itself, its effectiveness relies on the impact of force alone; shrapnel may be added, or the material can be shaped to provide direction to the blast. It is packaged in blocks about the size of a loaf of bread, and is basically inert until the effects of a detonator are applied. Used primarily for – well, blowing things up.

ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival; the best guess and baseline for determining how late one actually is.

ETD – Estimated Time of Departure; the best guess and baseline for determining how late one will be for their next ETA.

F

FOF – Field Of Fire; the area in which one is able to, or is restricted to fire a weapon of any kind.

frag – 1)an explosive fragmentation munition that can range from a common hand grenade or tube launched rocket to a full sized artillery round. 2) the act of dispensing such a device.

freek; freek signal – frequency. The specific portion of signal wavelength utilized on a comm set to allow miscommunication.

H

HALO – High Altitude Low Open; a drop (see…drop) made in which the egress is attained from the jumpship at high altitude utilizing a jump harness which doesn’t engage until a low altitude is reached.

head – restroom; bathroom; lavatory; john; powder room; men’s room; ladies room. It’s a fleet thing – nobody understands; a term originating from the days of sailing ships where one would utilize the bow, or ‘head’ of the craft to perform such functions that would normally occur while the rest of us are using the bathroom; as generally this area is located downwind.

HUD – Heads Up Display; a display method provided by two or more laser planes intersecting which allow complex imagery to be displayed in an empty space allowing an image to be changed or removed as desired.

I

Intel – the organization that pretends to know what is going on in the world around us usually via a subtle technique known as recta-cranial observation, often enhanced by the use of Braille.

ITTSP – International Troop Transfer Signal Protocol; the unspoken hand signal communication utilized by Troopers to silently confuse each other as well as anyone looking on.

J

jump harness – a computer controlled, rocket powered device worn outside a Trooper’s armor allowing him to jump from altitude or maintain flight for short periods of time.

K

klik – a unit of measurement loosely based on the kilometer; whereas a kilometer is a kilometer, the klik is about a kilometer.

L

‘lock and load’ – there is no such thing, other than a term similar given to new recruits at the practice range; ‘load and lock’ is a command given to mean ‘chamber a round and engage the safety mechanism’.

longarm – a plasmabolt weapon sized equivalent to a rifle.

LZ – Landing Zone; a flat space dedicated to the landing and takeoff of aerial vehicles.

M

merc – mercenary; a trained soldier hired by a corporation or government usually on a temporary basis when the given entity does not want to waste their own soldiers.

micrad – Microwave Ranging And Detection.

mule – a service vehicle issued to the Trooper units beginning at the platoon level, consisting of a flat slab framework with four large, independently driven tires attached to a massive ‘puter controlled hydraulic assisted suspension and featuring such amenities as a steering wheel and two seats up front; it is utilized mainly for the transfer of cargo in a defensive position or for picking up chics (mostly in a third world scenario).

N

Navcom – Navigational Communications; interputer communication page devoted to navigation details.

O

OP – observation post. 1) a position forward of the main line or body of troops usually for observation of the enemy. 2) a position forward of the main line or body of troops often used for the rally point of a retreat when a C.O. is really, really pissed.

outland – space– the final frontier– anything that isn’t Rock or air; a term generally meant for a basestation or the moon, it can actually mean anywhere in the inner space between the Earth’s atmosphere and the Lunar orbit, even points beyond.

outworld – the same as the above only spelled a little differently.

P

paperwork – sl. The phrase used for decades to describe the fine art of shoveling bullshit in the form of electrons.

Plasbolt –Trade name taken to common usage for the plasma-bolt emission weapon developed for individual operation. sl. bolter

plasmabolt – plasma-bolt emission weapon designed to emit a plasma/electron projectile at a high rate of speed toward a target; the size can range from the smaller sidearm, carbine, longarm, crew served portable, to large cannon. sl. bolter2) the projectile emission from such a weapon.

‘puter – contemporary version of what has evolved from the old-timey computer.

R

rally point – the predetermined location designated for soldiers to gather after an operation in order to regroup for the next phase of the operation.

regular – regular soldier employed by a Corp or Government; usually without the benefit of armor, plasma weapons, contemporary training or IQ.

RO – Ranking Officer; the officer with rank and responsibility for any given situation.

Rock – planet; Terra Firma; Earth.

S

SatCom – Satellite Communications; the agency responsible for converging all satellite information into an unintelligible mass of useless data usually on a belated basis.

SAM – Surface to Air Missile; the ground-based rocket propelled munition that is used on aerial targets.

satchel charge – an explosive device sized and styled like a backpack; complete with straps for easy carry and attachment.

sitrep – situation report; the series of fabrications offered to explain a situation until one can actually figure out what is going on.

skinny – 1)the fine art of presenting as small a target as possible to enemy fire or the physical element being utilized for such an endeavor. 2) the briefest possible synopsis of information or gossip exchange.

SOP – Standard Operating Procedure; the procedure utilized when all attempts at improvisation fail.

Space Command – sl. Fleet – the armed entity responsible for security of vast expanses of space; outer space, inner space, air space, and ocean space.

spark – the ‘puter enhanced color differential (usually red/yellow) given to a living body as displayed on a HUD or viewscreen.

spiderhole – a camouflaged hole in the earth just large enough to accommodate a human and is used either as cover and concealment for an individual or access to a larger tunnel complex.

stick – a squad of Troopers, usually around ten men depending on how many have been shot off, in addition to the Sergeant.

T

Trooper – the soldier consist of the Trooper Program; officer and enlisted personnel alike.

Trooper Program – the armed entity responsible for the security of all habitable or uninhabitable locations where a human intervention is required.

V

VTOL – Vertical Take Off and Landing: straight up – straight down; or very nearly so.

W

W.B. – World Body; the organization inaugurated to contain the conglomeration of confusion that entails when every nation on Earth gathers together to have an opinion about something that they all know absolutely nothing about.

X

XO – sl. Exxo. Executive Officer; second in command; the HE under the RO; the one to make sure everything gets done to satisfaction and the guy who should top any list.

PRERAMBLE

I’ll begin with an apology for the foul language used here. It is impossible to accurately recount the activity of any military unit without the use of cuss words. Not only that, but some things just cannot be said properly without cussing. For example: ‘Shut up’ does not say the same thing as ‘Shut the fuck up’. The former implies a bland and mundane use of impoliteness, whereas the latter imparts the impolite along with the notion that a statement is actually meant and therefore should be taken note of. By contrast, the overuse of the art of imprecation negates the intended. Like yelling constantly, the mind has the inclination to shun the desired impact. I have invented quite a few swear words myself and am quite proud of some of them.

Next, I’d do well to apologize for my merciless abuse of English grammar and the words contained therein. I have always touted the expressive benefits of this language. To abuse it properly is to add even more tools to the toolbox. Hell, half of our slang originated in the military. The other half has evolved from the street. Both are scenarios where one would do well to pay attention lest they miss something important. (Or hit by something important, depending–)

I also must warn one about my apparent disregard for the rules of punctuation. (the rules just won’t let me say it to how it need be said.) Possibly my most flagrant violations would be in melding the quote into the sentence. The present laws have the quotation interrupting the sentence – or the other way ‘round. I have tried to alleviate this as much as possible. As well, I will use the quotation marks to change the direction of the speaker without going to a new paragraph. While I like short paragraphs anyway, the flow is more important, so you will find me using this punctuation even to cause pause to the statement.

Italics is another important distinction to mention. These stories are set in the future. Here, everyone ‘comms’ each other with the ease of talking to the person next to them. We see the beginning of this today. The best way to bring this concept to print is with the use of italics. This could throw you though, as two Troopers can be seated next to each other and still need to use their comm unit. A Trooper cannot possibly carry a conversation through a pressurized armor-plated suit without yelling. Too, you will find the underscored Italics used for the Trooper’s given nickname. This again is an attempt to simplify, as the Trooper tends to frown on the general public using their Trooper name; even in the narrative. They use it only to refer to each other.

I also like to use the dash in place of a period– I like to do this to suggest a sentence interrupted or a thought left incomplete. Adding a period only completes the sentence. Three periods ends the sentence three times… that’s a pause to me. To my mind, the dash should be added in there instead of the period, the exclamation point and the question mark.

Run-on sentences are also a favorite. Sometimes, things happen real fast. What better way to imply this without even taking time out for a period?

I’m also fond of short sentences. No point in adding too many letters that you don’t wanna read just to hear myself type. Look at the way we talk. (Then again, listening might be more practical.) We often use contracted sentences. Don’t we?

Seemingly contraire, I also like to add superfluous words not only to aid in the element of sarcasm, but also to stretch the timing a little to the thought proposed.

So with this in mind, put your tongue in your cheek, install your ‘sardony’ shades, and hold on to something–

Preferably, this ‘literatorial extravaganza’.

INTRODUCING…

In our evolution as human beings we endeavor to attain a higher state of being. To do this we must master many basic elements. Love is one, for example. Comfort: another. Among several others is the element of greed. All of these elements have different forms of expression ranging from the common to the extreme. Love, for example, can be expressed by a simple benevolent concern to the extremes of the art of lovemaking, the devotion of lifelong companionship, or the investment of self-sacrifice. Comfort; same way. It can be expressed by a simple recline or relaxing in the lull provided just because no one is shooting at you to the climate controlled, entertainment-endowed, properly decorated, ‘favorite chair’ surroundings that we all try to arrange for ourselves.

Greed is the same way.

Greed is an element that can range from a simple lie or an imposition of will all the way to one of the most extremes there is – combat. In fact greed will often use the latter to support the former without hesitation; without the merest concern for the multitudes brought to anguish and suffering caused by combat. To say that combat is always a bad thing is plainly not so. To say so is to disarm those who are trying to defend themselves against greed, or those attempting to defend the defenseless. This is where the Warrior Class enters as a largely misunderstood class of human beings.

The true Warrior has been with us throughout time. He always will be for there is no other defense against greed save one – wisdom. Usually it takes both the warrior and the wisdom to defeat greed on the field of battle. Greed is one of the strongest elements of mankind. Contrary to popular belief, wisdom is one of the weakest. Both elements are much the same as each can permeate all other elements to whatever degree they can be supported. The two are exact opposites in the sense that greed does not involve wisdom in any way; wisdom cannot possibly incorporate greed.

It is left to the Warrior to bridge the gap these opposing elements create.

The Warrior also has other hazards unique to his calling. Fighting to live while many around him die. Endless hours of tedious boredom randomly splattered with moments of sheer terror. The continual suffering of victims with no direct means to comfort them.

To aid in bringing these various chasms into livable proportions the Warrior has several tools at his grasp. He has insanity for one. Wisdom itself, for another. He has the brotherhood of his comrades who will know his story like no other. A casual indifference is also popular. He has the knowledge of the essential nature of his task. Humor is one of the most important tools though, being used most often to deflect the serious and trifle the disaster. Proven through time, some of the funniest people have seen the most despair. Who can figure the math of that dichotomy?

Who is the greatest storyteller of all time? Couldn’t tell ya. What I can tell you is this. I am in contention for being one of the greatest story listeners of all time. How have I made this achievement? I can tell you that too. By utilizing the dying art form of keeping my mouth shut and my eyes and ears open. With a little practice one can easily learn how to separate the bull from the shit. By listening to those that were there, or in just plain ol’ seeing it for myself, one of the most recurring lessons learned is that the truth really is stranger than fiction. So much so in fact that often the only way to make the truth sound believable is to water it down enough to wash the extremes away, or to fictionalize the events so they are easier to choke down.

So sit back ladies and gentlemen, relax and hearken to the truths these tales represent for the stories you are about to witness are true; only the timeline has been changed to protect the innocent. Come to meet the man who has a ‘rocket in his pocket and a roll in his soul’.

‘099

The brisk stride that carries Jim into the room is slowed considerably by the view in front of him. The enormous room makes it’s own presentation; almost as a character in itself. To one end; a rather large and elevated stage of a sort. The aisles and seating incline to the rear wall which carry only things in this space which could be considered wall art. Pictures embedded into the wall here show people and events that can’t be discerned at this distance. All other walls are conspicuously void of any decoration.

More than enormity, what dominates the space is the atmosphere. It holds the solemn and serious of any courtroom, yet is warm and inviting as any place could be, guess Jim, due to the décor designed to stroll into the back of ones’ mind rather than beat one over the head. Powerful yet serene, it is a look to betray that great things have happened here, or will happen here, or both.

At finding a seat Jim studies the lay of his surroundings. At room front on the platform stand three men, all in immaculate Class A Trooper uniform; an officer and two sergeants holding an apparent casual conversation. They all carry with them an obvious bearing and dignity so much so that it would seem impossible for any of them to ever hide in a crowd. Sprinkled around on the platform are various displays of interest - an example of combat armor, several examples of weaponry, past and present, a modeled space craft that must be over three meters long, a modeled building of some kind, just to name a few.

Without warning all becomes quiet. Simultaneously the lights come down as another officer enters, stage right. With a relaxed and still purposeful stride he makes his way to the front and center of the platform. At the same time, with the same demeanor, the other three find a place to either side of the platform. Upon halting the officer speaks.

‘099-Preliminary Course to the Introductory Course of the Trooper Program; Armed Force Sciences

Gentlemen…Ladies. My name is Captain Clark. I am here to serve you as your instructor for course '099 for the week. To my left, Lieutenant Anderson. Clark gives a slight nod to his left. In return, Anderson offers a slight nod to the crowd. My right; Sgts. Casey and Talbott. They nod lightly. The purpose of this course is to indoctrinate you good people into the world of the Trooper Program- Military Sciences. We want you to know what to expect, how to behave, and what the Trooper Program and Armed Force is all about.

Let me begin by telling you who you are. 25% of you are individuals who are in here because you are needing this course to satisfy some other program. 15% of you are reporters, or envoys from another country or corporation. 15% of you are just plain curious. 45% of you are here because you intend to continue on to the introductory course next semester. 25% of that 45 are here because you will attempt the Trooper Program. Three percent of that eight percent left will successfully complete the Trooper Program.

In a room this size that means that four of you will actually become Troopers. Of those four, three of you are here by your own incentive. One of you is here by invitation. The rest of you are here to learn what the Trooper is or to learn to support what the Trooper does.

So who are these four guys? I’ll tell you right now. They are going to be the ones who are honest. They are going to be the sort that you can ask any question of and you know you’ll get his best answer. Why? Because to do otherwise would be a waste of energy. It will damage his integrity, even if it is only in his own mind, and you will not be worth that to him. They will know by now that ‘when you walk amongst the truth you need have no fears’. This is the backbone that holds together the ‘Warrior Spirit’ – the creed that all true warriors have held for centuries.

Within this framework you will also find other crucial elements such as; to free the oppressed, to protect the helpless and the innocent against oppressors, to protect the means that would improve the lot of all, to protect the right of even just the fewest to a voice, and to constantly audit his actions, thoughts, and decisions with these goals in mind.

It is the Warrior Creed that these men have and will swear themselves to uphold. These men will have no assigned allegiance with any country, corporation, or religious entity to supercede their commitment to the Creed. Not even the Trooper Program itself will subvert their commitment to this Creed. The Trooper Program is not a goal, it is an outlet. These are the men and women that supply the reason that we are all here on this campus today.

As he speaks, Captain Clark walks amongst the various displays onstage as a conquering soldier would over newly won ground. Much has been done in research to find the maximum in student retention with the minimum of effort. Education and continued education is one of the primary means a Trooper will use to support the Warrior Creed. A large aid to this concept is the overall setting.

The viewscreen in front of each of you can provide you with every iota of information stored in our extensive libraries. It can also provide the view of any feature or presentation that we will provide on occasion. Frequently, we will also use the wall monitor behind me as well as the wall monitors to either side of you – and above. With that, the entire room explodes into a view of a small mountain meadow at summertime, complete with sky overhead, sun shining, all provided by the seemingly innocuous walls and after a few seconds even the aromas that one would encounter at such a place.

Throughout this campus you will find comfortable mess halls serving 24 hours a day. The menu is fairly extensive, but if you desire fare that is not on the line, and have a good rapport with the supervising Trooper or staff member serving, chances are that you can get something you like. A word of advice – and caution. You will treat each and every one of these individuals with dignity and respect. In failing to do so the supervisor will not come to me to complain. They will handle the matter themselves. You probably won’t like it. These men and women are Troopers and they have dealt with assholes a whole lot meaner than you all across this planet. To them you will either be a professional who wishes to improve himself by education or a sniveling wad of snot that they will find delight in cleaning up.

You will also find many private establishments as well. These establishments are subsidized so as to be quite affordable to anyone. Their only requirements are to provide you with the best of quality in what they do 24 hours a day. There are also the many vendors, which can provide you with almost anything you will want. The same rules apply here though. You will treat every individual with dignity and respect.

These benefits are provided solely because of those four guys who will be Troopers, as well as the Trooper faculty and staff who will accept nothing less out of themselves other than the best they can achieve. We are hoping the rest of you will consider yourselves beneficiaries of this Trooper thought paradigm and take that notion home to share with others.

If any of you good people have any issues, either real or perceived, with your quarters, mess, entertainment complex, establishment, or with this campus, it will not be difficult to find the appropriate channel to voice your concerns. If after that, you do not feel that you have gotten the appropriate audience, you will come to see me. If there is an issue, I will handle it. Are there any questions?

Mr. Clark, if one of us does have a problem and we need to look you up, what might your first name be?

Captain. is the reply. Any further questions? Very well then, I will see most of you back here at 10:30 hr.

Young Jim finds himself wondering how to spend his time. What he really wants to do is to examine the neat stuff onstage. The Captain did not invite visitors. He did not list the stage as an option for the students to spend their break time. Still, there aren’t any barriers or ‘No Trespassing’ signs. There doesn’t seem to be anyone watching. Jim decides to take his chances, but waits until most of the students leave so as to minimize the audience in case he gets yelled at.

As Jim approaches the stage, he is mentally contemplating the appropriate strategy in case he should get caught. He opts to casually stroll up and keep an attitude like he was supposed to be there and just play stupid if anyone questions him, figuring that playing stupid is a fairly close reach.

That large spacecraft model seems to pull him in with a gravity. The exquisite attention to detail; the amazing craftsmanship; the perfect proportion– He makes his goal and is immediately captured by one detail right after another. The lettering, the thrusters, the main drive, th–

"What in the name of HELL are you doing here, Keaton?" Jim damn near wets his pants. He catches it just in time, though, and gathers enough mind at least, to slowly turn around to meet his assailant – the Lieutenant onstage just five minutes beforehand – and he is sporting