Free Wilson's War: Tales From the Athena Lee Universe by T S Paul Page A

flat broke in a few weeks. I checked up on him. Colonel Lee cut him off. So no extra credits there. I need to act soon or all my plans will be for naught.
     
    Today was sixth day, payday for the peons. Han was riding the wave. Friday night or sixth day as it was called locally was a big night of parties and debauchery. It was Han's favorite night to go out with his friends. But first he had to get the crops in, take care of the chicken cull, and make sure all the equipment repairs were done. Well, he was not doing any of that personally. He would supervise. First on the agenda was making sure that the combine drivers were finishing up the main field. Han got out his new robotic motor scooter. This thing was top of the line and had cost him a fortune. They only made the them on Mars Colony. It had a sleek design, and a special computerized guidance module that controlled all the functions of driving and steering. All you had to do is input the location you wanted, select a speed, sit back and enjoy the ride. Han entered the main field grain receiving station as the destination, set the speed to tourist, leaning back to enjoy his ride.
     
    The first clue that something was wrong was when he almost flew off the seat he was on. He had not really been paying attention. The self driving function allowed him to catch up on his personal mail. His buddy over at the Jack-in-the-box had sent him pictures of all the new girls that had been hired. Frantically grabbing at the hand holds he straightened up before he fell off. The scooter was picking up speed, Han was bouncing around on the seat trying to input the stop controls. He must have hit the wrong button because the machine started weaving in and out of the wheat field. Looking ahead, he could tell that he was at least going in the correct direction. When he got closer, he would get some help or jump off. He started flailing his arms trying to yell for help as the machine raced past the workers at the station without slowing down. The farm workers just stood there gawking at the spectacle that he was making. The seemingly out-of-control machine turned and headed straight for one of the irrigation run off pools. Han, holding on for dear life missed the sign that said the area was closed due to contamination. The scooter, with Hannibal on it, drove off the edge and into the pool. Han surfaced coughing and spitting in time to see his very expensive new toy sink out of sight. He emerged slinging mud and chunks of floating debris in all directions. The farm workers were all lining the roadway clapping, pointing, and jeering at him. He turned to see what they were laughing about. A large sign sat in front of the pool proclaiming its closure due to pig waste contamination! Han looked down at his excrement covered body and screamed.
     
    None of the farm workers, despite his threats, would allow him in any of the transports. He had to ride back to the main house on the back of the manure truck. He was now the laughingstock of the whole farm! His face was bright red from anger when he stormed into the house. His two sisters were playing some game in the kitchen. They both looked at him and Athena asked, "did you take a swim?"
     
    Minerva eyed his crap covered clothing and held her nose. "What have you been rolling in?"
     
    Han glared at his two sisters and yelled "mind your own damn business, you bitch!"
     
    He stomped up the stairs and went to get clean. Four showers later he began to feel clean at last. He called his insurance company about the scooter. He threw the communicator through the window. "What do you mean computer error void the policy?"
     
    The Company representative had explained that his policy has null and void if there was a computer error. The bike was from out-system and they had only insured it as a courtesy to his family. Damn it to HELL! That bike cost more than tricked out personal shuttle did! Maybe he could find someone to fix it. He would have to ask his buddy