“I’m surprised at you, Captain.” Battleax laughed. “And with your business background, too. You may have inadvertently set yourself a rougher road to hoe. I don’t mean to rain on your parade, but we both know that an expert is someone from off-planet with a briefcase. I just hope your success with the locals hasn’t made your troops too familiar figures, so that they only make the Red Eagles seem that much more exotic … or expert!”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Journal #129
I was fortunate enough to witness the events which made up the Legion vs. Army competition firsthand … though as a spectator, not as a judge. Though I normally try to stay emotionally detached from the antics of the company beyond what has immediate effect on my employer, I will admit to having formed a certain affection for the Legionnaires as individuals and as a group, and felt they might need whatever moral support they could get in the conflict. As it turned out, I was right.
The competition itself took place at the Legion facilities, which seemed to impress the Red Eagles even if the Legionnaires did not. Governor Wingas was on hand, along with the entire Settlement Council and assorted other local dignitaries who were to serve as judges … and, as might be expected, the media.
The less said about the close order drill event, the better, save to note that it took place. The Legionnaires managed to stagger through their portion without too many mistakes which would be noticeable to a civilian eye, and thus managed to avoid any actual embarrassment. There was no question, however, as to which group had the greater expertise.