Patriots Chapter 13 - Epilogue

Date: 75 years later. Location: Agricultural District 16, outside Erehwon Capital City of Landing

“ROOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo”

The open topped hover-jeep was moving so fast down the gravel road that the terrified howl of the passenger had a very distinct doppler effect as it rushed by. The flow of fresh air did little to calm the big brown furred Dlamisan in the passenger seat as he desperately wondered if the seat belts were up to the task!

“Jeremiah would you PLEASE slow down?”

The human behind the wheel chuckled. “What? I thought you loved things that moved fast! Come on, enjoy the evening! It’s not every day you get out of the city.” And it really was a lovely evening, the sun was setting and the sky turning to twilight. The farms and fields a stark contrast to the skeletal frame of the new spacedock that was taking shape in orbit. When it was done, it’d become the new Fleet Base Erehwon and serve as the anchor for the entire sector.

Still a small comfort as the big brown military space-doggo snorted. “Yeah, I love moving fast, in ships and vehicles with hard tops! The way you’re driving this roll cage doesn’t seem up to snuff!”

The human chuckled a bit. “Now Toby, you’ve been on planet for less than a month as part of the military delegation for the handover. And in that time did you or did you not start calling me ‘your human’?”

The Dlamisan groaned. “I did…” He said with a resigned sigh.

“And in that role as your human have, I ever lead you astray?”

“Not for a lack of trying!!!”

That elicited a hearty laugh out of Jeremiah. “I honestly am sorry Toby; I really didn’t mean to inflict this much on you. But you wanted a good meal and were so tired of the base food that you were eager to hop in the jeep with me when I said I was going out. I’m sorry that the place we’re going to is so far out that I have to break a few land-speed records to make time. Otherwise, we’re both going to be sleep-deprived zombies at the handover ceremony tomorrow.”

Toby grumped a bit at that. “Fair…I was really tired of the base food.”

Jeremiah chuckled and glanced down at the clock in the dash. “Although speaking of…” His hand moved towards the throttle for the turbine and Toby started to shake his head.

“Oh no no no…. Gods Jeremiah sometimes I hate yoROOOOOO!!!!”

The pitch of the turbine kicked up a notch as the jeep increased speed and another howl rushed down the road.

When the jeep finally pulled into a gravel parking lot and came to rest on its skids Toby all but fell out of the cabin as he took a moment to steady himself. “You colony militia types are all headcases, but I don’t think I’ve ever met a group as nuts as you folks in the Erehwon CDF!”

Jeremiah laughed and reached down to help Toby back up to his feet. “Thanks! That’s quite a compliment. Although as I said, I am sorry I had to drive like that. But look on the bright side, we’re here.”

Toby blinked and looked up at the place where they’d stopped. A roadside establishment in the middle of farm fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. Even the improved low-light vision his phenotype had could barely make out a larger farmhouse further away from the road. But what really caught the eye was a bright neon sign that read “Dog-Star Cantina” in blue lettering with a stylized yellow five-pointed star at the end.

“C’mon.” Jeremiah led Toby up to the front door and opened it. A wave of savory and spicy smells coming out and tantalizing the Dlamisan’s nose and causing him to lick his chops and drool just a bit. “Okay that smells surprisingly good!”

Although the real surprise wasn’t apparent until he stepped inside and what he saw stopped him in his tracks from the shock. Behind the counter was the largest Dlamisan female he’d ever seen! The large woman’s fur was white with black spots, and she had enough muscle to heft huge pots with ease. But then, she spoke and what few parts of his brain were still operating blue-screened!

“Jimmy! It’s been a while how’re you doing?!” The huge female called out and Jeremiah only smiled. “Heya Gramma Perdy, I was desperate for some good food and my buddy Toby here wasn’t liking the base food either, so we thought we’d stop by.”

The big female, Perdy apparently, snorted and chuffed a laugh. “I’m not surprised. I told them they needed to keep the food good. But I guess when the regular army takes over the regular army brings the regular army food along. Although I’m glad you’re here for a visit.” She turned and banged on the doorway to the main kitchen. “Hey Terri, one of your nephews is here. Come on out and say hello for a bit!”

“What?” There was some shuffling from the other room and then another Dlamisan stepped out. This one was even more shocking! Terri stood a little taller than Perdy, but her frame was still long and lanky showing she had more growing to do yet. What’s more is that all her spots were dyed a gradient that ran from teal to a hot pinkish-purple color, the same color gradient showing on her styled fur on the top of her head. The ‘haircut’ done in what humans would call a “punk” style. “Oh, hey Jimmy! How’re things in the CDF?”

“Oh, you know, everyone’s busy winding things down now that the Army is here and taking over the base. And how are you doing? Did you have an art showing this week in Landing? And what’s with the vaporwave dye? You do know that the 1980’s were centuries ago, right?” Jeremiah ribbed his aunt like only close family members could.

“Hey, you know everything comes back into style eventually!” Terri giggled a bit. “Although truthfully, I really like it, I think I’m going to keep it. Fits with my persona as an artist.” She grinned. “And speaking of, that showing was last weekend. I did well too, sold three pieces.”

Perdy meanwhile chuffed another laugh and jerked her head in the direction of Toby. “Your friend seems to be doing a good impersonation of the fresh catch at the fishmarket. Is he okay?”

That finally managed to get Toby to bring his brain back to the here and now with a little shake. “You’re all Dlamisans!!”

That elicited a laugh not just from his friend and his family but the rest of the nearby patrons also. As if he’d just stumbled into some giant shared joke of the community.

“Mmm…what’re you talking about Toby? Do you need to get your eyes checked?” Jeremiah said with a grin.

“Yep, no Dlamisans here, save yourself of course.” Terri said, her tail wagging.

“Indeed, can’t you tell? We’re just citizens of Earth who happen to check the box marked ‘other’ each time a census rolls around.” Perdy grinned as Toby snorted. It was obviously the sort of bullshit that they knew that he knew was bullshit, but they were going to stick with the story anyway.

“C’mon over kid. Let’s get you and Jimmy something to eat. I guarantee it’ll be good, all local, all farm-to-table.” Perdy smiled and Terri piped up. “And the carne asada just finished.”

Despite it all Toby couldn’t help but smile. “Y’know what? That does sound really good.”

And indeed, it was.

End.