Free Gray Panthers: Earths Revenge by David Guenther Page B

condition is that you give me your word that the materials will not be used to try to escape or be used against your guards. The second condition is that the highest condition of cleanliness be observed including the restriction on “marking” territory,” Black offered magnanimously as he turned to leave.
    “Thank you, General Black, I can accept those conditions.” Standing ramrod straight he towered over the General as he saluted. Black returned the salute as he continued to the hatch, the Major already gave the order to open and he proceeded through then stopped to catch his breath after the hatch closed. “I don’t care if you need to get every air scrubber, or whatever the hell they are called, in the inventory in there before I ever go through that stench again, understood Major?” The Major's reply was ignored as Black was already deep in thought as he headed for the docking bay trying to figure out how to use the information he had just learned.

Gray Panther Space Academy, Arizona
    13 August 2128
    Cadet Andrews awoke and looked at his wrist computer, ten more minutes and it would be the start of another day in hell. Instructor Diego had become very inventive at finding faults with the flight, and it always ended up in his lap as flight leader, it looked like he might even be replaced if any more demerits were accrued. The flight still had the best all-time records in the simulator and their academic scores were very high. The only Achilles heel the flight had was the inventiveness of Diego’s inspections and his love of going for unscheduled nature walks. Since the attack, all flight were to carry ammunition for their beamers when they left the protection of the compound. Looking at his wrist computer again he noticed it was going to be Friday the 13 th , what else could go wrong for the flight today? His thoughts were interrupted by the heavy crack of thunder, he really wished he had taken the offer of a direct commission as a shuttle pilot! In conjunction with the first beat of reveille blasting on the PA, Instructor Diego sauntered into the bay actually smiling.
    “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Because of the inclement weather we will be having calisthenics after breakfast here in the bay. Now please be so kind as to get yourselves in gear, I have a long day planned for you.” When the flight returned to the dorm the bay had a large area cleared in the center as Instructor Diego welcomed them back. Their bunks and short lockers had been thrown against the wall in random order and the footgear was equally scattered along the walls that had been under the bunks.
    “Welcome back. I was feeling very magnanimous and thought I would prepare the bay for you. No thanks are necessary. After we are through we will need to have a GI party since you will undoubtedly scuff up my floors.
    “Cadet Hagen, will you be kind enough to come to the center of the room and lead the flight in calisthenics. We can’t do one of our nice jogs so instead we will run in place until I get tired. Be sure to keep those knees up high, begin.” The unpleasantness of running in place instead of normal running made itself obvious after fifteen minutes.
    “Ladies, my grandmother can do better than what I’m seeing. Stick your hands out in front of you, palms down with your arms flat at your side, elbows at 45 degrees. Now I want to hear those knees slap those hands. I’m sorry I can’t hear those knees slapping maybe you need to be moving faster. Cadet Hagen, let’s see if we can do better if we double-time this, proceed.” Pools of sweat started to form under each cadet after 30 minutes of double time in place. “Ladies, I am disappointed. Cadet Andrews recover. I want you to keep count after 150 pushups please keep the flight engaged for an additional 20 minutes then you may clean and organize the bay. You may also march the flight to academics at 0930, carry on.”
    Matt felt like a prick ordering the flight through the