Armor a serial by Martin Slusser

JANISSARY PROJECT: Book IV. Benny Grey is imprisoned in the manse. Day to day life, such as it is, is closer to being an unwilling prostitute than to being a free living being. When escape comes, a very special motorcycle comes with it.

Armor -- Prologue - The old man stooped through the low door leading into the longhouse. He smiled, watching the children play around the sacred-fire and remembered how his own mother used to bring him here on the cold or rainy days. She would sit and gossip with her many relatives while he and his brothers ran and screamed and raised hell.

Armor -- Part 1 - She was young, pretty, and best of all, she was naked in his arms. Benny smiled into the petite blonde's sea-green eyes and kissed the small nose. This was Sue, his dream-girl. He had dreams about her since he was only five, and now, in his coma, he could almost believe she was real.

Ready to do battle - Hearing the thin scream of a whip, a sound Benny knew too well from his days at the Manse, Benny hunched over and slipped into the shabby bedroom. He scowled at a thin, naked man.

Why couldn't he see? - Three pair of eyes stared at him and all desire for sleep was scorched from his mind. He suppressed a shudder. A man who had slept in mud, fought clouds of mosquitoes, been shot at more times than anyone could count, shouldn't be afraid of anything by now. Hell, he spent months on what they laughingly referred to as enemy lines and he went to bed every night with bullets ripping holes in his mosquito netting . . . .

Dohi-yi, Old-Woman - Myers snorted in her sleep, crossing flabby arms across a protruding belly. She sought a more comfortable position in the chair. She mumbled around a wad of tobacco in her cheek. It was something she had taken up while living as a prisoner of war in a rat hole of a town called Meio, down in America del Sud. It helped to kill the hunger pangs.

A-yep, there they be. - Shocked, Benny glanced at Two Swords. The Guardian lay a gentle hand on Benny's shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.

Murky forms - His head was tilted to one side. A straw pushed between cracked and dry lips. The first few drops of cold water reached his mouth and he pulled harder. A spurt came out and he swallowed before most of it could escape his mouth. Benny choked and tried to draw in more.

the chaplain - Outside birds sang and called in mocking tones to challengers. Females sat among branches with the buds only now beginning to swell with new life.

Up and Adam, Marine - It wasn't the chaplain's first visit, but this was a special case. This kid was the one he dreaded seeing but who needed him the most. He sat, legs crossed, listening as Benny muttered through one tormented story after another.

I am Death. - It was dark in here, just a dim, reddish cast of light from the wheezing boilers. Sweat pooled on his face and ran under the cheap eye patch. It felt right to Benny. It felt good, this room. A fitting place to run the last ride.

Mmmmmmediiiiiiiccccc - She closed Her eyes, her head went back. She spoke to him in a soft voice he couldn't hear over the moaning of the rock, the screams of the Mohawk-Bu:u's victims, but felt in his mind.

It is an election year, sir, isn't it? - She rested one buttock on his desk, more than outraged at being treated like some welfare supplicant come to beg a few turnips from this redneck gas-bag. The split skirt rode up one shapely thigh, stopping just short of silk panties. His eyes glazed, trembling along its slender length. The heady aroma of her perfume made the room spin.

Denken, ich bien - With a broad yawn that threatened to crack his jaws, Benny reached up for the straps above his bed. His legs moved a little, just enough to start a fire in his spine. Sweat gathered on his face, but he moved them a little more. A growl of satisfaction rumbled in his chest. He tried harder.

flood insurance - Benny dreamed he was a water balloon. He was swelling, his skin stretching to a tautness never before known to man. Worse, he was starting to leak.

I am choice. All beef. - Sweating cold drops and shivering, he dragged the dead wood of his legs out of the restroom. The wood twitched and each involuntary jerk of dead muscle sent streaks of fire racing along his spine. When he hobbled into the ward Sweet-Bottom was there with a smile only for him. His chest swelled with pride. Benny the returning hero.

It had been a long month. - That had been all of two days ago, and no 'gels' since. Benny was definitely beginning to feel the pinch.

Want something for it, kid? - Benny lay back and stared at the tiles in the ceiling. Casting glances at him, men shuffled back to their cots.

A grinning imp - Benny crouched along one crumbling, scabby wall. When Harrison raised the belt Benny pressed his face into his hands, wincing every time it came down with a hiss of the Judge's growing frustration.

Got another? - Benny drifted after Sue. He cast a puzzled frown at the bartender and plump woman who came out of the kitchen to hug the man.

I demand an apology. - He landed about five feet away. Benny walked on his hands between the rails and smiled down at Lt. Laudon.

door number one - A particularly audible moan was followed by a string of happy curses. Heads turned towards the door. A crowd began to form.

an appointment with Dr. Hall - Benny willed his face to remain cool. His voice was so ragged it fooled no one, least of all himself.

Near White Post, Virginia - It was well into January now. Cindy shivered and threw more wood on the fire. How long could one boy elude some of the world's finest detectives? She took her baby from the sour old woman who was his nurse.

Part Twenty-three - Tossing his war bag in the back seat, he nodded and let her take his hand.