Free Ghost Soldiers by Michael G. Thomas Page A

the bill?”
    Mr Walker said nothing for the time being, so they continued walking away from the landed warship, but Spartan could tell Gun wanted to tell him something. He took a few more steps and stopped.
    “All right. So they don’t like the price for rolling out the equipment to the Marine Corps. What about the Brigade, did they go for it? It’s only a few thousand personnel, and enough ships to put them in one place. We can go places where the regular Marine Corps can't. We're a grey area."
    He glanced to Khan.
    "It’s not like this place costs much to maintain. On'Sarax and her kin manage just fine, and for no cost to us.”
    Gun looked at Mr Walker, whose face remained impassive, then to Khan and back to Spartan.
    “It took a lot of talking, and luckily for us, Daniels was there to do it. He vouched for me, you, all of us. Even the old General was there, as an advisor."
    “Rivers?”
    Gun nodded.
    “Yeah, he might be retired, but he’s still the most experienced commander around. Rumour on Terra Nova is he might be standing for election. Can you imagine it, General Rivers as President?”
    Spartan shrugged. He'd heard worse ideas, and the General was one of the few men he would give his backing to. Even so, he found the idea of Gun discussing politics more amusing than anything he’d heard in weeks. Gun tilted his head as he kept talking.
    "The General kept reminding them that an independent private security force far away from our own colonies could be a real asset. We can use experimental equipment, recruit from non-Alliance worlds, and, what was the word? Oh, yes, it would allow the Alliance to retain plausible deniability."
    Spartan shook his head.
    "Typical, so they will allow us to operate, and partially fund us, providing we do the dirty work for them, without them taking the risk if it all heads south."
    Gun grinned. "Of course, isn't that always the way?"
    “The combat footage from Karnak is causing a lot of trouble. There are people pushing the President for direct involvement.”
    “And what about our Brigade?”
    Spartan beckoned towards Khan and the two marines, but it was Khan who finally broke, unable to wait any longer.
    “Tell us. Is it going to happen?”
    Gun straightened his back, licked his lips, and then spoke.
    “Gentlemen…”
    He paused for effect, and Spartan sighed as they waited.
    “Colonel Black has been seconded to the IAB. He will command the unit, under orders from Alliance High Command."
    "And you?" Spartan asked.
    Gun smiled.
    "I've been given operational command of the Brigade, under supervision by Colonel Black. Starting today, you can call me your boss. We are fully activated, and the press have been informed of the formation of the Interstellar Assault Brigade. We will operate as part of the Alliance military, but supplied and equipped directly by the Special Weapons division."
    Spartan had expected the news, but it was still great to hear.
    "From today, we will begin taking new recruits direct from entry and from other regular regiments. We will even be taking volunteers from the Khreenk and Byotai, if they pass the selection tests. The first transports have already arrived.”
    Spartan could see how proud Gun was, not so much of the rank, but of the recognition of his skills and reputation. A generation ago he’d been a foot soldier of the Biomechs, and now he was the commander of the newest and most deadly unit in the entire Alliance.
    Spartan and Khan moved in and struck him.
    “Congratulations,” said Spartan.
    Khan seemed more amused than pleased.
    “The crazy fools. They must have realised our ability to absorb losses fitted your command profile perfectly.”
    Gun feigned insult and then struck Khan in the shoulder.
    “And don’t you forget it.”
    Spartan had other thoughts on his mind.
    “Gun, does that mean they want the Brigade to help General Makos and his Byotai on Karnak? When we reach full strength, we will be a force to be reckoned