Free Warborg - Star Panther by Ry Olson Page B

at best. But accepting the challenge to master one of these mean ships was nothing new to Martin, he was a premiere manned Light Fighter pilot for three tours prior to this one. He had logged well over twenty five hundred hours and had ninety three confirmed kills.”
    There was a murmur from the crowd.
    “Tonight we have inflicted all sorts of humiliation on him and he stood his ground and laughed with us. Earlier today I had a discussion with an associate of Martin’s and decided to give him a moment of equal time, sometimes in our own little worlds we forget why we are all out here. A few hours ago Martin and the rest of Jester squadron engaged in battle and unusual as it is I wanted to show you the simulation of that combat. There is no sound and it only lasts a few seconds, so look away if you don’t want to see the cold reality of our warborg world. I will only show it once, and this is realtime.”
    A holotank appeared on the stage where the band was sitting, the simulation was large enough for everyone to see and Swain looked down from the vidscreen. After the few seconds of three dimensional combat played out the holotank was replaced by the band. The crowd was silent and Martin self-consciously stood to the side.
    Briton turned to Martin. “I think you learned to fly that ship, Martin.”
    “No shit!” A lone, anonymous voice echoed through the hushed crowd.
    He turned to the crowd. “Thank you. Now let’s strike up the band and get this party rolling.” Briton nodded to Martin and Reese then stepped off the stage.
    Martin shot Reese a quizzical shrug and stepped off the stage. The band started playing when Reese stepped down.
    Dottie and Brian met Reese and Martin at the edge of the stage.
    “What the hell was that all about?” Brian looked around at the confused faces.
    “Excuse me.” A soft familiar voice came from behind Martin. They turned as a group to a very flustered Maria. “I guess it was my fault.”
    “Your fault?” Reese asked with raised eyebrows.
    “Well dammit,” She looked like she was about to cry. “First, I’m sorry Martin. Briton came to see me today; he was concerned there might be some kind of problem with your assimilation into becoming a tinman. I told him no, you were doing just fine, in fact you were doing so God damned fine that you were determined to go off and get yourself killed. Needless to say he came down on me like a pile of bricks,” she really looked sheepish, “and I deserved every last lump.”
    She looked so sad Martin had to catch himself from putting his arm around her shoulders. “It’s ok, Maria.”
    “No, it’s not ok.” She sniffed. “We get so wrapped up in our little make believe worlds that we forget there’s a real war going on here with all the death and destruction that goes with it, especially those of us who don’t see it up close and personal like you guys do.” She blinked back some tears. “Call me later, Martin.”
    He smiled down on a puffy eyed face that he knew would haunt him for days. “Ok.” He gave her a sad wink.
    “Oh come on sweetie.” Dottie clucked. “Let’s get you back into party form.”
    Maria smiled through the tears. “Thanks Dottie, I guess I’m through making a spectacle of myself.” They headed off together.
    Martin scratched his cheek. “Does everyone know everybody?”
    “Yep, just about.” Reese chuckled. “Remember there are only about a hundred and fifty of us in this group. That’s a mighty small community.”
    “Yeah, a real little Peyton Place.” Brian clicked his teeth. “I think she likes you Martin, even if you don’t have a cool shirt like this.”
    “You’re a sick man, Brian.” Reese sighed, eyeing Brian’s eyesore through the corner of his eye.
    Four strangers drifted up to Martin. “That was some nice flying, Captain.” The leader stated.
    “Oh my god, who let the clowns in?” Brian waved his hands in the air.
    “Jesus Reese, did Brian’s optical circuitry go blewy