Free America's Galactic Foreign Legion - Book 5: Insurgency by Walter Knight Page B

simple.”
    “Where do you think they are hiding now?” I
asked.
    “Renting a safe house is no problem. They
could be anywhere. Torres and Desert Claw have used the Miranda
homestead, but I doubt they will return there soon. It’s too hot.
Even so, I would place monitoring devices at the homestead, just in
case they pass through.”
    “Our deal for your amnesty was for you to
kill Torres and Desert Claw. I still require that. You should have
killed them both when you had the chance.”
    “I don’t go on suicide missions,” replied
Private Barker. “What is the real reason I was not executed? I
haven’t quite figured that out yet.”
    “It has taken all the self restraint I
possess to have not shot you a long time ago,” I answered. “General
Kalipetsis wants you alive. He still thinks it is important to fill
the Legion with local talent.”
    “I’ve never met General Kalipetsis,”
commented Private Barker. “I doubt he is my guardian angel.”
    “Don’t worry,” I said. “You will die soon
enough. This is the New Gobi. It’s easy to die here.”
    “Not to change the subject, but I was
inspired by your speech to the battalion,” said Private Barker. “It
made me want to rush out and reenlist. I had no idea you could be
so charismatic.”
    “You will report to Sergeant Green,” I said,
ignoring him. “Sergeant Green will be leading a platoon to stake
out the old Miranda homestead, just as you suggested. Stay alive,
private. You are special to me.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    A few days later, I got a note in the mail
from the insurgency: ‘Next time we bomb the Blind Tiger, we will
take out several city blocks, too. The Fist and Claw work together
now.’ A similar note was passed to the media. Phil Coen, from
Channel Five World News Tonight, called me for a comment from the
Legion. “Colonel Czerinski, what are the ramifications of human and
spider insurgents now working together?” asked Coen. “Does their
alliance make the insurgency any stronger? Are they twice as
deadly?”
    “It just means the insurgents are desperate,”
I said. “They hate each other, but we have killed so many
insurgents, they have no choice but to pool resources. It won’t
last.”
    “Some feel human insurgents are more vicious
than spider insurgents,” said Coen. “Is that true? Do human
terrorists target civilians more often?”
    “You and I have both observed firsthand that
both groups hit innocent civilian and economic targets. There are
no good terrorists. Both groups are coldblooded murderers.”
    “Is the Fist and Claw just a local group, or
do they have global reach?” asked Coen.
    “The Fist and Claw are basically bandits who
use the insurgency as a cover for their criminal activities. They
prey upon local sympathy for recruits, sanctuary, and logistical
support.”
    “What about drug dealing?” asked Coen. “Some
say a narco-insurgency could finance itself and spread faster by
selling illegal drugs.”
    “So far we are fortunate that only the Mafia
controls wholesale drug-dealing on New Colorado,” I replied. “The
Mafia is not inclined to share their profits.”
    “What if the Mafia and the insurgents formed
an alliance?” asked Coen. “What if the Mafia used the Fist and Claw
for security and muscle? Wouldn’t that fuel narco-terrorism?”
    “I do not respond to hypotheticals.”
    “Oh, come on,” insisted Coen. “What would be
the Legion’s response?”
    “I suppose I would have to bomb New Memphis,
again,” I said.
    “Some say we need a political solution to the
insurgency,” suggested Coen. “Autonomy for certain regions of New
Colorado has even been mentioned. Have you tried to reach out to
establish a dialogue with insurgent leaders?”
    “No, I have not,” I said. “But thank you for
floating that suggestion. I agree we need to approach this problem
from several different directions. I plan to reach out to the
insurgency soon.”
     
    * * * * *
     
    ‘Operation Reach-Out’