Xander Raibaux (X-Ray)  Vehicle Crewman: Post 1

  Xan yawned and stretched in his bunk.  It was a rare morning indeed when Snipes let RAIDERS sleep in, but for some reason, today he did.  Not one to look a gift nerf in the mouth Xan luxuriated in his new found laziness.  He cast a sleepy eye around the barracks and saw nothing.  Rather, he saw no one.  All of the other RAIDERS were gone.

  “Ahhhh, Frak,” he yelled jumping out of his bunk and into whatever available clothing he could find.  He hopped out of the bunker doors pulling on one boot only to find the rest of RAIDERS awaiting him in the common room.

  What the…

  Snipes stepped forward, a snarly, sour look in his eye.

  “LCPL Raibaux, front and center, “he bellowed.

  DAMN

  Xan drew himself up to attention and stared at a spot on the far wall.  Snipes walked around him and looked the Trooper over.  He snorted his derision as he tugged on Xan’s untucked shirt and kicked at his untied boots.

  “It would seem that Mr. Raibaux has forgotten basic Trooper hygiene and comportment.”

  “So he has, “chimed in Marka from nearby.

  Snipes continued, “I would even go so far as to say he’s disgracing the colors of RAIDERS.”

  Dante intoned, “Very much so, disgraceful.”

  “I believe that punishment is in order.”

  “We concur,” agreed Marka and Dante in unison.

  Shit, just get it over with

  “Company punishment?  What say you?”

  RAIDERS chorused, “Ooorah”

  “Very well, agreed.  Lance Corporal Xander Raibaux you have been found guilty of disgracing the colors of RAIDERS and are hereby sentenced to company discipline.  Are you prepared to accept your punishment?”

  Xan stiffened, “Yes, Platoon Sergeant!”

  “Very well, commence"

  RAIDERS as a whole stepped forward and faced Xan.

  Well, so much for an Army career

  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU…..”

  The surprise and shock washed over Xan like a cool shower after a long run.  He stood dumbfounded as his squad mates circled him and continued singing.  They finished, cheered and began slapping him on the back.  Xan turned, with a stupid look on his face to Snipes.

  “How did you…”

  “Your mother sent me a letter.”

“AWWWWWW”, chorused  RAIDERS again

  Xan blushed.  He didn’t mind the razzing; he just was torque that he fell for it.  The team ushered him over to a nearby table loaded with food and drink.  It had been a long time since Xan had a birthday party, and he intended to enjoy it.

  “Oh, one other thing “interrupted Snipes, “here.”

  He tossed a set of keys to Xan, who plucked them out of the air. 

  “What are these,” he asked?

  “Also, courtesy of Mom and Dad, “he said as he jerked his thumb to the door.

  Xan made for the door and opened it on one of the most beautiful 74-Y speeder bikes he’d ever seen.  He ran and hopped on, grinning like a kid in a candy shop.  Snipes waived him off and Xan barreled out of sight. 

  The wind tore through his hair as he pushed the bike across the base.  He zigged and zagged, swerving to avoid transports and pedestrians.  After a thirty minute joy ride, he returned to RAIDERS barracks.

  “Did you have fun,” questioned Snipes?

  “Damn strait!”

  “Good, cuz that bike is now your job, “he stated flatly.

  Xan’s look of joy melted into confusion, “Huh?”

  “You are to report, with that bike, too the motor pool at 06:00 hours tomorrow to begin your Vehicle Crewman training.”

  “What?  I don’t want to be a Vehicle Crewman,” he pleaded.

  “This is the Army son; we don’t care what you want, “smiled Snipes as he shoveled a mouthful of cake in and turned away.

  DAMN

*** 06:00 the next day ***

  Xan brought his speeder to a halt just inside the motor pool gates.  Around him saw the collected parts and hulks of several machines.  He also saw one rumpled and greasy man.  He dismounted and approached him.

  “Excuse me; I’m looking for Sr.Sgt Melron Nerik?”

  The mass of grease and wrinkles turned to him and said, “Ya found him.  You Raibaux?”

  Xan snapped to attention, “Yes, Senior Sergeant, reporting as ordered.”

  Nerik saluted with his spanner, “At ease son, I don’t go for that here.”

  Xan stood at parade rest, and waited for Nerik to finish reading his orders. 

  “OK, you’re here to become a Vehicle Crewman.  Well the only good VC’s I know know their crafts inside and out.  We will start on the inside.  That your bike?” he asked pointing at Xan’s new swoop.

  “Yes sir just got it for my birthday.”

  “Good, then you’ll want to make sure you pay attention while I rip it apart.”

  “Wha…No. “Protested Xan.

  As Xan watched helplessly, Nerik disassembled his bike in a matter of minutes.

  “Now put it back.” He chirped.

  Xan was not happy.  The bike was all of a few hours old and now was some much spare parts.  He dove into the pile and began reassembling the puzzle.  Along the way he noticed that he was able to tweak the bike in subtle ways that improved its performance.

  Well, in theory it should

  Having never actually worked on a speeder before Xan felt his way through.  Within a matter of 2 hours, he’d corrected the damage done by the Sergeant.  Nerik walked around the bike and looked it over from stem to stern. 

  “Looks right.  Fire her up.”

Xan hopped on the bike and thumbed the starter.  The engine sputtered and growled to life.  Xan noticed a deeper, throatier sound to the machine than when he arrived.  Nerik motioned for him to take her out.

        X-ray eased the bike out of the yard and coxed it along.  She seemed to protest at slower speeds, like a caged animal.  He leveled the speed up and felt the bike surge forward.  He tapped the clutch and released all suspensor brakes.  Twisting the throttle to full he shot across the yard like a blaster bolt.

“WHHOOOOO- HOOOOO”

Xan leaned into the corners, angling the steering vanes to catch the wind just right and turn on a dime.  He raced back and forth across the grounds, chewing up land like bubblegum.  He found his way back to the motor pool and skidded to a sideways stop, inches from Nerik.

  The older man stood before him with a data pad.  He looked at Xan and the bike and made a quick note on the pad, turned and began to walk away.

  “OK.  Come back tomorrow, 06:00," he shouted over his shoulder.

  Xan stared at him in confusion.  But what about my training, sir?”

  “Well, you’ve mastered all the controls on a Speeder bike, watched it be torn down and reassembled it, and improved its performance.  That’s all the training I care to do today.  Unless, you think you don’t have it?” he asked as he walked away.

Son of a…