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Zion
Oct 21, 2009 19:56:53 GMT -5
Post by aleksei on Oct 21, 2009 19:56:53 GMT -5
The wind. It swept from the east, pushing waves further inland on the Brazilian coast and blowing cool air onto Mama Munchek's face. She watched another gust work it's magic on the sand between her toes as it lifted these tiny particles in dance-like movement across the beach. Amused, she followed it with her eyes and moved her head to the rhythm. Soon after the wind lay low and the sand simply morphed into nothing. In its absense, a tall man appeared and signaled to the elderly woman.
She cried, "My Hirschie is home!"
-To Be Continued-
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Zion
Oct 22, 2009 16:39:03 GMT -5
Post by aleksei on Oct 22, 2009 16:39:03 GMT -5
Mother and son took their seat on the porch to the Munchecks' new home. Old, but at least it was big enough for the entire family and had a new coat of paint. Hirsch sister, Martha, brought a jug of freshly squeezed orange juice and handed him a cup. Perhaps the only way she could greet someone who she had not seen in nearly a decade. She said her hello and went back inside the house.
"Oh, don't mind her, honey. She's just a bit shy," his mother apologized.
Time passed quickly as Hirsch told story after story from his years away. While interesting, it was mostly technical jargon that was too much for Mama Hirsch. She only paid attention because she was too polite. Finally , she lit a cigarette as she changed the subject.
"So tell me, Hirschie, what made you want to join the Federation?"
"It was not like I had a choice, Mama. I have been employed by the EF since I got out of school. Plus, the pay is decent."
"I was afraid, you know? Years in space, in solitude, can change a man. I suppose I thought my son would join those fascists like a Judas."
"Well, I can assure you that was not the case. I mean, New York-"
His mother burst into tears. In between her gasps for air, she let out a few intelligible words: They are Nazis. Evil. Cursed.
"I was on 2nd and 2nd the day their cruisers swarmed the city. I saw their machines terrorize the Lower East Side, killing several hundred, before the Federation surrendered that evening. Women and children, can you believe it? Yo' father picked me up from the subway where I was hiding with only a suitcase and backpack full of our stuff, and made our way to Boston where the Federation had transports ready. They told us we had two options: Europe or South America. And look at us now..."
She shook her head, "We lost everything and now we are living in a damn concentration camp."
"But you got us, right?"
"I guess. I just did not think the same shit would happen to us again. The hell with Hitlah, these bastards want to take the entire planet. Where will all the Jews hide then? Where will we all hide?"
Mama Hirsch put her cigarette out and looked at her son in the eye, "Do me a favor? Make ya' mama proud and kill all uv 'em."
Hirsch adjusted his glasses with his fingers and gulped, "Yes, Mama."
By sunset, the porch was empty. They had said their goodbyes before Hirsch made his way to the local dispatch station. At dawn, he would arrive in Jaburo.
-To Be Continued-
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Zion
Oct 23, 2009 22:32:44 GMT -5
Post by aleksei on Oct 23, 2009 22:32:44 GMT -5
Hirsch was due to arrive that evening to catch his flight from Recife to Jaburo. Recife, like many cities on the South American coast, is a party town that tends to attract a certain crowd like junkies, prostitutes and jarheads on leave. On this particular night, the revelers took to the street for no other reason than to simply drink and samba in the streets. A handful of Feddies could be spotted drunk off their asses in the crowd. Many slurred their words in their pitiful attempt to speak Portuguese and pick up one of the local bronze women for the night. Unfortunately for Hirsch, fate had it set so that he never made it to the dispatch station because of one grunt who failed to get laid that night.
"Fuck this noise. Mike, let's go to the next street over, more slores there."
"Wait, bro, look over there! Is that 'Scuba Steve?'"
"Ain't that some shit? It's Scuba Fucking steve!"
The Feddie trio made its way through a conga line before they side-stepped onto Hirsch's path.
"Hey, buddy, long time no see! Where you off to?"
"To the rendez-vous point. My unit flies to the Amazon tonight. How are you, Mike?"
Hirsch tried to appear cool even though everything about him was unflattering. Like dogs, these boys could smell fear.
"Wanna grab some drinks?"
"No, I really should be goi-"
One yanked him and held his hand tight as they navigated through the masses until they reached Mr. John's Bar. This place was known to have the best rates in town: beers for one credit, shots for two. Certainly peer pressure influenced Hirsch's decision to gulp the first three rounds of rum. By his fourth beer, he could barely stand. Being just one of the boys was much more difficult than he imagined.
"C'mon, Scuba Steve, let's get out this joint. We gotta make a pit stop before you see Command tomorrow morning."
Not long were they waltzing into a tattoo parlor and yelling, "Amigooooooo! We need you out here, our buddy here needs a tat."
Hirsch could barely make out what was going on, still trying to piece together the sequence of events up until that very point. Moments passed, then HOLY SHIT! He was strapped onto a chair and held by the meatier of the three men.The tattoo artist took his needle tool, dipped into some ink and examined the flesh canvas that was to become his next masterpiece.
"Alright, Scuba Steve, whatever you do, just stay try to stay still..."
BzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
It took ten seconds before Hirsch simply jumped out of the seat. He moved closer to a mirror to examine his arm and saw a black squiggly line trail from his shoulder down to his elbow. Finally, the pain set in - ouuuuuuuuuuch - as he ran out the parlor.
Mike, chief of the trio, laughed, "See you back in Jaburo, Scuba Steve!"
By the time Hirsch made it to the station, everyone had already gone ahead. He could only imagine how pissed off his commanding officer would be in the morning.
He sighed, "Not another week here, God," then threw up all the evening treats.
-To Be Continued-
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Zion
Oct 26, 2009 0:42:51 GMT -5
Post by aleksei on Oct 26, 2009 0:42:51 GMT -5
Part of the joy of waking up is that you never really know how things will turn out at the end of the day. This could not have been anymore true for Hirsch after missing the overnight transport and spending the night sleeping on last night's garbage.
Bags full of trash were just as good as any pillow..., thought Hirsch before he passed out.
By the time he awoke in the morning, the sun was already beaming high on every alleyway and crevice of the cobble stoned streets. An old man tapped Hirsch's foot.
"You alright, soldier?"
"No, not really."
It occured to Hirsch then that he feel asleep in his uniform, which now reeked of booze, sweat and urine. So much for representing the Federal Forces in a good light. Still, he did not feel too unnerved by the entire situation. The old man was, well, old. His face gave it away with wrinkles deep as caverns and skin that looked like leather. He wore a heavy jacket, ripped jeans and a large brimmed hat that casted a shadow over his eyes. No one too important, Hirsch reminded himself.
"You are too much like a Feddie on holiday, boy."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, you missed your transport because you decided to get shitfaced and some fucked up tattoo."
Hirsch had completely forgotten about that. He rememberedwhat his Mama told him before he left home, "Promise me you won't a tattoo, Hirschie. Not only are those things ugly, it is an offense to God. You will desecrate your body." So much for that."
He fixed his glasses - thankfully those were not broken - and got up, "So how can I help you?"
"I suppose we can help each other. Feddies gain decent pay. I need money and you need a way to get down the Amazon River. So let's work something out. If you are interested, come to the docks...I leave in an hour."
Within thirty minutes, the hungover Feddie was already making himself comfortable on the old man's shrimp boat. Yet Hirsch was one among several vagrants the captain managed to pick up - this was definitely not his first rodeo. Mostly all went below deck to escape mosquitos, but curiosity overcame him and he picked up one of the many maps stashed in his luggage. As they headed deeper into the river and the surrounding forest, he realized they were alone. These waterways were abandoned in favor of airborne shipping nearly a century ago and mother nature had reigned queen ever since. Moreover, the depths of these dark waters were unlike those he witnessed on the Jovian moon. Nothing scared Hirsch more than to think that they were actually alive. He dozed off in the humidity in order to forget. A little tune played in his head.
I am very happy
So please hit me
I am very very happy
So come on hurt me
He woke up for the second time that day with a sky full of stars. Again, no people on deck save for a man at the edge of the boat.
"Handsome," Hirsch thought.
"Got a light?" the man asked.
He was a bit more than handsome. Actually, he was absolutely dashing. Tall, excellent posture, uncanny bone structure sleek black hair. Hirsch took notice of all these things.
"Hey, buddy, got a light?" he asked again.
"Um, sorry, no. I don't smoke."
"The name is Felix by the way."
"Hirsch."
Did he just ask for a cigarette just to get my attention...? Me?
Hirsch was not looking too bad either. Before embarking, he had switched to comfy shorts and a sleeveless shirt. Not stylish, but appropriate considering the weather.
"You drink?" Hans pulled out a flask.
"Sure," Hirsch initially graced his hand before grabbing the drink.
They exchanged a few bits about their homes, families and work, but Hirsch never said a word about the Earth Federation. Nothing special was said in the conversation, except a few bits by Felix: Single. Not too concerned with women. Fitness. The alcohol soon made them lush and filled the evening with chuckles. One pat on Hirsch's back turned to several until finally he rubbed Hirsch's rear. Not waiting for a welcoming response, Felix placed both arms around him until his neck with the slightest touch of his lips. Certainly the situation was within the realm of reality. The region was known to attract sexual deviants and, as Feddies called, homosexual perverts. In other words, any fantasy could be satisfied. Perhaps Felix thought Hirsch was the river's call boy.
I am very happy
I am very very happy
Lips locked.
Strawberry kisses? No, just candy in his mouth with strawberry flavoring, but still...! Release.
Like all good things, the moment came to an end the minute Hirsch reached into Felix' pants and accidentally pulled out a badge with the Zeon insignia.
Hirsch took a second to look on the floor, "Watch it. Something just fell out of your pant-"
He picked it up and read what was on it:
Felix Stucker
Terrestial Assault Forces
Special Ops Infantry Division
The Zeeks have infiltrated South America?
It did not take long for the operative to react. Pushing Hirsch against the boat's railing, Felix reached to his ankle and pulled a dagger. Hirsch had to be killed in order to protect his cover. Standing three feet apart, Felix charged with the dagger before Hirsch was able to dodge and knock it from his hand. He was not much of a fighter, but basic combat training certainly served him well. They wrestled each other to the ground with elbows landing in each other's gut and face. Nevertheless, Felix was stronger and more skilled. He outmanuevered Hirsch until he had him in a sleeper hold.
"Shhhhhhhhhh, stop struggling," he whispered into Hirsch ear, "It will all be over soon."
A kiss fell on his face as Hirsch continued to kick in desperation. Several seconds passed before his struggle waned.
So please hit me
So come on hurt me
Then a blow landed behind Felix' head. The old man came to his rescue.
"You breathing, boy?"
He took a few seconds to recuperate, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Here," he handed Hirsch his pistol. "Do what you want. No one gives a damn out here."
"No, grab his legs instead."
The two lifted Felix over the railing and tossed him ovrerboard, "Let the river decide his fate."
"I knew those Zeeks would come sooner than later."
"What do you mean?"
"Son, I am a supplier for the Federation. The haul of the ship is full of raw materials that fetch a good price with your pals down the river. Guess the Zeeks wanted a piece of the pie too. Or better yet, to know our supply routes. Fuck it, I'll just buff up security. Yeah, take better care of yourself, boy. Oh, and I didn't see anything, ya' here?"
"Sure...Thanks again."
---
Hirsch arrived in Jaburo two days later. Upon setting foot on the base, he kissed the ground.
What a fucking adventure...
His first order of business was to see command. He knew he was in deep with his officers after showing up 48 hours late to Jaburo.
"Private E2, Hirsch Munchek reporting to duty, Sir."
Wait for it...
"Well good afternoon, private, glad to see you after the holiday."
"Excuse me, Sir?"
"Did you not get the memo? We've been backed up with strategic planning that we extended the test pilots'leave period. I am sure you were not too displeased with me delaying your mission - I had more important business to attend to these past few days. Anyway, hope you had a long rest because your orders are to take the experimental marine suit to the Pacific. New order will be ready upon arrival. Good luck, chap."
---
As he flies over the ocean, Hirsch looks down at the cerulean water and sings to himself:
I am very happy
So please hit me
I am very very happy
So come on hurt me
I'll grow back like a Starfish
-Fin-
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