Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 16 (Revised)
Darkness still enveloped the bedroom when I awoke, early the next morning. I was pleased to find Sadie still in my arms, peacefully asleep. One of her arms, I could feel, was draped around my back, and one of my arms was partially crushed underneath...
It's not easy being a dictator...
Raquel Morenza knew it wasn't easy to be a dictator, or any head of state for that matter. She'd never been one, but she had sympathy. The little Mouse-girl figured it went without saying that if you were the big cheese, everyone was always looking at...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 15 (Revised)
I forgot where I was for a moment when I woke up the next morning. I was lying alone on a bed, but I had no memory of climbing into it. I sat up, and noted with more than a little surprise that I was completely naked. It was only after I sat for a...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 14
After leaving the Fort Copper infirmary, I went to pick up my paycheck, and found a package waiting for me as well; it contained a new uniform, with a Specialist's shoulder badge instead of a Corporal's on the jacket. After leaving the base, I decided...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 13
"It was my fault!" I yelled, jolting violently. A second later, when I my senses had come to me, I realized I was back in the hospital bed. Just another dream. But it had happened, I just knew it. _Then why did Stokes say I saved him?_ I wondered. I...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 11
As the sun began to set, Sadie and Dr. Wright flitted about my room, making various preparations for the night's events - my meeting with Field Marshal Irving, commander of the Army on the Altama. Or was he the commander of the entire army? I don't...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 10
The coffee was a forbidden treat. Forbidden because it sat in a cupholder just out of easy reach. If the Great Dane driving the truck had taken one of his hands off the steering wheel, even for a second, he risked losing control of the truck, not to...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 9
After Darren was done detailing his adventures of the previous night to Lars, the two sat quietly as their pickup sped down the road, the 2 trucks of Coyotes following about 500 yards behind. "Pull over!" Darren said suddenly, breaking about 20...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 3
If memory loss was a symptom of PTSD or any of those other conditions, I certainly didn't get it. Everything was dark. I remembered the situation just before blackout; I had to save Stokes, he could still be in danger. But I could not command my eyes...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 5
With the obvious exception of the dream, that night I slept the best I had in quite a while. When I woke, I felt very refreshed, and decided to read the letters on the bedside table. The first one I might've expected. It was a letter notifying me that...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 8
It seems funny, doesn't it, that a few thousand people can tie down the million-strong army of a modern, industrial country. And these are ordinary people. Sure, they may be packing guns, knives, and RPGs. Sure, they may have joined violent gangs. Most...
Blood, Sweat, and Diesel: Chapter 1
I think it's safe to say that I've met with some very unsavory smells in my time. If I was a canid, I bet it'd be even worse. But I think you'd agree with me -diesel fumes and melted rubber, mixed with the scent of flesh and fur burned beyond...