Dirts: Episode 01-"Reason"

Sergeant Gain Lasiku stood at attention in front of Lieutenant Li Nilusuan's desk. He had only been discharged from the Commonwealth Marines just over a year ago. Sixteen years of service in the Corps had made his body accustomed to being at attention for long periods of time.

His last twelve years in had been as a military policeman. His last unit was infamous for long uniform inspections. (Lasiku thought that this was because the unit was in an area that had very little else for them to do, accept breaking up weekend fights at the local establishments.)

He had just returned to his home world of New Haipeita just his discharge from the military, and he had joined the New Haipeitan Terrestrial Security Forces shortly after. He wanted to get into the Space Security Forces, but they told him that he was not qualified enough. But he contented himself with the fact that Ojeko had a purpose for him being in the dark blue green uniform of the TSF.

The Second Section's commanding officer looked up from examining Lasiku's records and said, “At ease, Sergeant.”

Lasiku assumed the more relaxed posture. He knew that the TSF was more relaxed than the Marines in some areas, but they were sticklers for proper respect being given to superiors. It was made up of a lot of veterans.

“Your record is very impressive, Sergeant,” Nilusuan commented. “You spent sixteen years with the Commonwealth Defense Force Marines. The first four were as a Heavy Infantry Armor pilot and the last twelve as a military policeman. Your records shows that you were highly decorated and you about served at every base in the Commonwealth. After you were discharged, you returned to New Haipeta to join the Security Forces. You couldn't get into the Space Security Forces, but you managed to convince someone that you were bright enough to be admitted to the Accelerated Sergeants Program here in the TSF. Then you got to be stationed here with us “dirts” in the sticks of Jotsu.”

The lieutenant could not help the smirk that appeared on his face when Lasiku winced at the mention of TSF's unofficial nickname. He knew that Lasiku was a man who wanted to spend his time in space, but got stuck planetside. His record showed that he had spent most of his military career being frequently deployed from planet to planet. Maybe this might be what he needs in his life. Nilusuan smiled at the thought. He knew that a man eventually had to settle on some planet. It was just the way Ojeko had intended things to be.

“That is not a problem, sir,”

Nilusuan could not decide if he was going to like this military protocol that Lasiku was displaying or if he wanted to kill him. He thought that only time will decide.

“I will have to warn you Sergeant,” the lieutenant became very serious now in facial expression and demeanor. “You will be assigned the 723rd Squad. They will be a handful. Their former sergeant was dismissed on charges of corruption. His trial will be next month. They are probably the most undisciplined bunch in the garrison.” Then Nilusuan leaned forward in his chair and his elbows came to rest on his desk. “I personally requested you when Captain Zinshi told me about you coming to the Seventh Watch. I looked over your record and I am willing to bet a year's wages that you can whip those boys into shape. Your experience as a master sergeant in the Marines will go along in do that.”

“Pardon me sir” Lasiku interrupted. “Aren't there other former military personnel who can do the job better, since they know the province and men of this unit better?”

Lieutenant Nilusuan looked more intently at the new sergeant and smiled. “You are not very familiar with the situation here in Jotsu, are you, sergeant?”

“I have to confess that I did not study much on the province before I learned of my assignment here,” Lasiku did not like admitting to such a foolish mistake since he had always prided himself on being thoroughly knowledgable on any new place that he was deployed to before actually going there. He realized that his discipline was slipping.

“I will get you up to speed very fast,” the lieutenant offered. “Jotsu is one the poorest provinces on New Haipeta. The only products that we have here is a major Delansuka processing plant and some minor port facilities here in Jotsu City. Siwa, Kiyo, and Yoto Districts are barely managing because the Asiriki Kaido (the expressway) passes through their capitals. Imuya District is back in the mountains away from the sea, and the only major industries there are three food processing plants that pay their employees as little as possible. The rest of the population are farmers who are barely scraping by. We have about 4000 Cheinmai who live in the Harbortown Ward of Jotsu City and are discriminated against because of their dark skin color. The provincial government is seen as corrupt.”

Lieutenant Nilusuan straightened up and gave a look at Gain that would have melted rock. “The population views the Security Forces as the only honest group here in the province. That is because we are under Federal control and viewed as being above the mess in the governor's office.”

He relaxed his stare. “That is why everyone is taking this situation with the former sergeant of your squad very seriously. It was one of our own who let us down. That is why I am insisting that you turn that around.”

“Yes sir,” Lasiku just never could understand officers who had to use “insist” instead of “order.”

“Do you have any questions?” the Lieutenant gave Lasiku a look that really did not want any question.

“No sir. I think that you have covered everything that I needed to know.”

“Good,” Nilusuan smiled. “I have a feeling that you will do fine here, Sergeant. Your second in command, Corporal Jamuroga, has been in the province for six years. He is a very capable noncom. You will find him very resourceful and willing to help. Now go ahead and take your record down the hall to Records and Private Imuki will get you set up in the system and help you on all of the administrative ends. Dismissed.”

Li handed the datapad containing his records to him, and he did a smart about face after taking them.

He realized his mistake of not asking where Records was after he closed the door to the Lieutenant’s office. He did not want to ask because he did not want to look like a fool. He thought that the military would have trained him to get rid of that problem of not asking for help by now. Lasiku had always been very prideful of being able to get around without much help from anyone. That is what had made him an excellent non-commissioned officer in the Marines (or so he thought). It has to be marked on the doors somewhere.

Gain started walking down the halls looking at the doors. There was nothing painted on them. He was starting to be concerned that someone was going to see him look like such a fool.

He walked on for a few minutes. He was so focused on trying to figure out why nothing was painted on the door that he did not notice it hitting him in the face. Gain hit the floor and sat there dumfounded.

“I’m sorry,” came the sweetest female voice that he had ever heard. “I should have been more careful. Are you okay?”

Lasiku’s gaze drifted from the small white hand that held his to a lovely rounded face with eyes like black pearls. Strands of midnight black hair flowed from beneath her beret. Her hair was done up in a regulation bun. She was wearing the same type of uniform with its blue green tunic and beret that he was wearing but she wore a knee length skirt of the same color. She was wearing the collar insignia and epaulettes of a sergeant. Her body was very slender. Gain was awestruck. He never thought that anyone could look so lovely in a uniform the way this woman did.

He was awakened from his trance by the woman’s attempt to pull her hand from his. “You can let go,” she insisted.

“Sorry,” Gain felt his cheeks becoming very warm because of his blushing. He got back on his feet and brushed himself off.

The lovely sergeant leaned over and picked up his datapad. She smiled and gave it to him.

“I take it you’re the new sergeant for the 723rd Squad?”

“Yes,” he was barely able to keep himself from stuttering. “I just reported today. I’m lost. Can you point me to Records? I can’t find the sign.”

She shook her head. “You’ll never find it because all of the signs have been removed. They are going to start repainting all of the office doors on this floor next week. They did not think about new personnel coming in. It’s down the hall. Second door on your right.”

“Thank you,” Gain was about to walk away when the woman stopped him. “What is your name anyway?”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” he apologized. “I am Gain Lasiku. Can I ask your name?”

“Sergeant Daigi Li,” she said. “I’m in charge of the 724th Squad.”

“I guess we will be seeing a lot of each other?”

“Yeah,” she said. She smiled and said, “I have to run these reports to the Captain’s office. Good luck and welcome to Jotsu.”

“Thanks and bye.”

Sergeant Li was already on her way before he had spoken. Maybe that might be one of the reasons why Ojeko had him come to Jotsu after all. At least, he hoped.

***

Gain’s head came crashing back planetside when he inspected the 723rd several hours later. He had them stand in formation, and they were the sorriest bunch he had ever seen. Their uniforms were wrinkled and their service blasters looked as if they had not been cleaned in a month.

His assistant, Corporal Zaikiri Jamuroga, stood by his side as he had just finished inspecting the two privates and three private first classes. He just shook his head after he had gave the order for “at ease.” He walked off to the side with Jamuroga just far enough to where they could not be overheard.

“How can you let them get like this?” Gain had reverted to the master sergeant mentality that he had hoped to give up since leaving the Marines. He thought that Ojeko had other plans.

“I am sorry for the condition of the unit, Sergeant Lasiku,” Jamuroga held his head low. “The situation with Sergeant Miyza has gotten us all down. Even though none of his were personally involved in his mess, we are still looked on as the black sheep of the garrison.”

“We’ll work on them,” Gain had put his hand on Zaikiri’s shoulder. Gain’s faith and experience had taught him that there was a time to be the tough guy and a time to be a gentle mentor. Jamuroga’s dejected state called for the latter. “What is done is done. We are going to turn the situation around. I believe that with Ojeko’s help, this squad with be the best one out of the whole provincial garrison.”

Jamuroga was visibly encouraged by Lasiku’s optimism. He lifted his head up and said, “Yes sergeant,” with a confident grin.

“That is more like it,” Gain patted his shoulder once more. “Now let’s get these sorry jerks off on a run.”

Jamuroga called the squad to attention. He move aside as Gain stepped up to address them. “The vacation and self-pity party are officially over. You are going back to being a squad of “Dirts” like you were before. Everyone is starting over fresh. The past is gone, and it is time to move on. Get back to the locker room, get changed into your PT gear, and be back in formation in ten minutes. We're going to do a little six kilometer run.”

The squad moped about and did not move.

“What are you waiting for?” Gain screamed. “You just wasted twenty seconds. We are running eight kilometers. If you are not back her in nine minutes, I’ll add another three kilometers. NOW MOVE!!!!”

The men abandoned their lethargy and ran toward the locker room. Jamuroga smiled as he ran alongside Lasiku to get back to the locker room so they could get their own running gear on. I think that we are going to have a reason to feel proud again.

-End-