Free Tech World (Undying Mercenaries Series) by B. V. Larson

is to train both sides, then my alteration of the script achieved that goal. In fact, I think both sides gained from the action today. The surviving recruits got a morale boost out of it. I even provided their commanding officer with a little education. Next time she might take the exercise seriously rather than hanging back and letting her troops march into a slaughter. Maybe she’ll try to win and stay alive in the process.”
    Harris sputtered and scoffed, but no intelligible words came out of him. Graves looked at me, frowning and thinking hard. Finally, he spoke again. “McGill, Veteran Harris was your commander in this exercise. You owed it to him to follow his orders. Regardless of your complaints about the opposing officer, Veteran Harris had the superior strategy. You ignored his orders and your side did poorly as a result. Since this combat wasn’t with an actual enemy, your mistake doesn’t warrant a demotion or other punishment. I’ll keep it out of your permanent record, but it will cost you big-time all the same.”
    “Yes sir,” I said. “Uh, cost me what?”
    “McGill, I regret to inform you that I’m removing you from the promotion roster. Up until today, you were on my short-list for the rank of veteran.”
    “Say what ?” demanded Harris, flabbergasted.
    Graves stared at him coldly until he quieted.
    “That’s right,” Graves continued, “I’m going to have to rescind my recommendation. This prank has cost you rank—do you understand me, Specialist?”
    I felt a wave of shock. Veteran? Me? Such rapid advancement was highly unusual. In most cases, even a stellar trooper had to work his way through his first enlistment and be accepted for his second active duty stint before he had a chance of achieving advanced rank. Learning that I’d been considered for rank and lost my chance came as a stunner to me.
    Graves was still eyeing me, and I realized he expected a response.
    “Yes sir,” I said. “Right. I understand, sir.”
    “Good.”
    My face was a flat mask. Internally, I didn’t know what to think. Should I argue? Had I been a fool to go off-script in the first place? Did I even want to be a veteran? I wasn’t sure how to answer any of these questions which were popping off in my head.
    “Centurion?” Veteran Harris said, leaning forward, “I’d like to request a private word with you after this. Would that be possible?”
    “Request denied,” Graves responded immediately. “I already know what you’re going to say, Harris.”
    “Sir, I just can’t understand how you could—”
    “Veteran,” Graves said, cutting him off, “you’ve made your point. Your report has been taken into account and considered carefully. Specialist McGill has been reprimanded and materially punished. I think you should take that at face value and leave it alone.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “You’re both dismissed.”
    Harris and I walked out of the Centurion’s officer together. I was in a daze, and I think Harris was, too.
    Harris turned to me with a savage look on his face.
    “I want you to understand something, McGill,” he said. “I don’t care what happens. I don’t care what dumbass idea the brass comes up with in the way of promotions. I’m never going to salute you.”
    I wasn’t sure how to take this, but I was beginning to get a little angry with him myself. It’s hard to stay cool with someone who’s raging at you all the time.
    “Veteran Harris,” I said. “Do you remember the day we met? I came to the Mustering Hall and you personally talked me into signing with Legion Varus.”
    “How could I forget? An hour never passes where I don’t regret that day.”
    “Well, do you recall telling me that I wasn’t fit for the other legions because I was a misfit? A square peg that didn’t fit into their little round holes? You told me Legion Varus values troops that think for themselves. You said this outfit seeks misfits and upstarts, and that my kind is welcome