“Okay, we’ll stop here. I think the governor and I have enough to keep us busy for a while. I want to thank everyone for their time.”
◆ ◆ ◆
“Sam, how are you doing with the influx of new colonists?” Marc asked.
“Surviving?”
“Not having fun?”
“Not as much as with the enthusiasts. These people don’t want to cross-train, and they don’t think they need to get into shape.”
“Interesting.”
“They have one goal, to get their land or their business started. They’re not really that interested in the rest of the colony.”
“Sounds short-sighted.”
“It is. I finally had to use the hammer.”
“You’re hitting them with a hammer?” Marc teased.
“No, but maybe I should. I had to tell them that anyone who doesn’t pass the physical test will be left behind.”
“Did that get their attention?”
“Once they figured out I meant it.”
“Which test are you using?”
“Same as the Academy,” Samantha said. “Everyone on this mission has to be able to step into another role.”
“I agree. But it seems a bit harsh on the tiny tots.”
Samantha slapped Marc on the back of the head.
◆ ◆ ◆
“Blake, we’ve been invited to a summit of world leaders,” Marc messaged Blake.
Blake immediately opened a Comm channel. “What do you mean, we?”
“They’ve invited the president, and since you’re going to be standing in for me, I think it would be nice for you to attend,” Marc said.
“You’re still here, why don’t you go by yourself?”
“Hey, you have to get involved sometime; why not now?”
“What’s it about?”
“Earth security.”
“Oh, Lord. When?”
“Two weeks.”
“Just the two of us?”
“Plus, a security detail, plus you can bring Jackie if you want. I’ll ask Sam if she wants to go.”
“Where is it going to be?”
“Brussels.”
“Jackie might want to go to that.”
“I’ll let you know when Sam decides,” Marc said.
“You owe me for doing this crap.”
“Just put it on my tab.”
Chapter 11Final Exam
“We’re going to do a little hand-to-hand combat training!” Cadet Lieutenant Hoffman yelled. “Form up behind the barracks!”
“What the hell?!” Joanie hissed. “We’re supposed to be done for the day.”
“No good deed goes unpunished,” Catie said.
“Who the hell did a good deed?”
“Not me.”
Flight One hurried from the barracks and out the back door. They lined up and they stood at attention, waiting to see what Hoffman had in mind. Flight four was forming up just down the way from them.
“First rank, about-face!” Cadet Lieutenant Hoffman yelled. “Now, start your hand-to-hand drills!”
Catie turned to face Cadet Akio Watanabe. As she recalled, he was a judo expert. They started going through the drills. Catie was doing just enough to counter what Watanabe was throwing at her.
After ten minutes, Hoffman singled them out. “Cadet MacGregor, Cadet Watanabe, up front!” he ordered. “The rest of you gather around; we’re going to have a real match here. You two seem to know what you’re doing, let’s see what you’ve got! Fight!”
Catie was stunned, “What does he mean fight?!” she thought.
Apparently, Watanabe wasn’t confused because he charged Catie right away. Catie automatically sidestepped him and deflected his arm before he could grab her uniform.
Watanabe circled back and took a stance a few feet away from Catie. Catie backed up and kept circling him, keeping her distance.
“MacGregor, I said fight, not dance!” Hoffman yelled.
Catie ignored him as she continued to watch Watanabe for his next move. He came in low, going for her legs. Catie threw her legs out behind her as she brought an elbow down hard on Watanabe’s back. She rolled off him and jumped up, again circling.
Watanabe rolled over and came up, rolling the shoulder that Catie had just nailed. He feinted a few times, trying to get Catie to commit.
“I’m not grappling with you!” Catie thought. Although Watanabe was her height, he outweighed her by at least ten kilos.
Again, Watanabe came in low, reaching for Catie’s jacket. This time Catie grabbed his hand as she stepped to the side. She wrenched his arm, driving Watanabe to the ground. Still holding onto the hand, she pressed on a pressure point on the wrist and twisted at the same time. Watanabe grunted in pain. Catie tapped Watanabe on the head with her left foot, then looked at Hoffman. “He’s done!”
“Alright, now that’s what I call a fight!” Hoffman yelled. “We’ve got our champion; Boutros, do you have yours?”
“Yep, he’s warmed up and ready to go!” Cadet Lieutenant Boutros hollered back.
The two flights from Foxtrot created a new circle around Catie and Cadet Sanchez, Flight Four’s champion. Catie was still breathing hard, and she couldn’t believe that Hoffman was going to make her fight again without a rest. “Gawd, that man really hates me!”
“Okay, MacGregor, don’t let us down,” Hoffman yelled. “Fight!”
Sanchez rushed in and threw a three-punch combo. Catie blocked them as she backed up circling to the left. Sanchez smiled at her as he moved to follow. He lashed out with a sidekick which Catie knocked down as she moved to the right.
“Come on Chica!” Sanchez hissed, “show me what you’ve got!”
Catie did nothing but continue to circle and stare at him. She was studying him for any tells that would telegraph his next move. He feinted a few times as he kept trying to get closer. Catie continued to back away and circle. Sanchez rushed in and threw a combo at Catie. As she danced to the left, he threw a sidekick at her. Catie caught it and pushed hard. Sanchez fell to the ground, but the effort knocked Catie off balance, and she fell as well.
“Break!” Hoffman yelled. He was next to Sanchez and helped him up. “Sanchez, break her arm!” Hoffman whispered.
“What?!”
“You heard me. Consider that an order!” Hoffman whispered. “Now, Fight!”
Catie could immediately tell that Sanchez was being more aggressive. His moves were meant to really hurt, not just make contact. She continued to back away and circle as she fended off his attacks.
Sanchez started a combo against Catie, on his second punch, he switched up and grabbed her wrist, twisting her arm. Catie knew he would break it if she didn’t
