GALACTIC MARSHAL
by Hilltopper

CHAPTER 9

Linda looked puzzled for a few seconds then her eyes widened in recognition. I quickly grabbed her hand.

“I’m Rusty Allen.”

“OK”

I pointed to Matt.

“This is Matt Browning. We just got here.”

Linda looked over at Matt and the guys lying at his feet.

“You’re pretty good in a fight. I need a bouncer. You are it.”

She turned back to me.

“Come with me to my office. Matt, clean up this mess.”

I looked over at Matt and shrugged. She just glared at me. I followed Linda into her office and she closed the door.

“God Gina, you have changed. Don’t tell me you are still trying to arrest me.”

I laughed.

“As far as I know, no one is after Linda Sanders. The fugitive I was after is dead, remember?”

She smiled big.

“You know, you kind of look the same especially that smile. What on earth are you doing here? Do you have any idea the mess you are in? This place is cut off from the rest of the universe.”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

“OK, I guess you know what happened on Fledora. Karen got me out of there and set me up here. I run this place for her. She carry’s a lot of weight here just like she did in Basteria. Now, why are you here? I guess that Matt fellow is also a marshal.”

“In a word, Karen. And, yes, Matt is a marshal too.”

“Oh my god! Are you nuts? There is no way off of this place and Karen spends most of her time at that secret base. Before you ask, it is impossible to get there from here for us. Karen has military transportation. Besides, I’m not so sure I like the idea of Karen being arrested. She has been a good friend to me.”

“I don’t have anything personally against Karen. In fact, I kind of like her.”

Linda looked at me slyly.

“I think she more than likes you, at least the Gina you.”

I blushed and looked away.

“Yeah, that was a very confusing time.”

Linda looked at me sadly.

“We were only together for a short time but you quickly became my best friend. I think the main reason for that is I could read you like a book. You were not just pretending to be Gina, you were Gina. I think you still are Gina.”

I decided to change the subject. This was something I did not want to think about right now.

“What about this place. I thought it was just a large prison.”

“In some ways, it is. No one can leave here. But most people that are dropped here look at it as a second chance. They have made this place into a real community. The ones that don’t want that second chance are quickly culled.”

“So, do you like it here?”

“Well, I too needed a second chance. I could not go back to my old life. The people here are real. It is a good place to be in spite of its origins. So, yes I like it here.”

“I’m glad. I still feel we are good friends even though I am not the same.

Linda smiled and hugged me.

“I know you are tired. I have heard the trip here is not pleasant. Plus, that fight didn’t help. A room goes with the bouncer job I gave Matt. Do you mind sharing with him?”

“Not at all.”

I guess I must have shown something because she looked at me strangely. She did not say anything, however.”

“OK, let’s go find Matt.”

We walked back into the bar area to find Matt sitting at a table looking dourly into a drink. As we approached, she looked up. Linda spoke up first.

“Matt, room and board goes with your bouncer position. Do you mind sharing the room with Rusty?”

“That would be great! I mean, sure no problem.”

Linda got that strange look again and shook her head.

“OK, I know you both have had a rough day. I’ll show you the room. You can start your job tomorrow.”

Linda led us up stairs to a room in the back. It contained two twin beds, a dresser, a desk, and an overstuffed chair.

“Sorry about the accommodations. It’s very primitive here. See you both tomorrow.”

She closed the door as she left.

“Well, that was interesting. How did your reunion with Linda go?”

“We are still friends but she is also friends with Karen. This bouncer job is a good thing. You might hear something important.”

“Yeah, that happened fast.”

I laughed.

“I almost felt like I was back in Kentucky. Let’s get some sleep and see what tomorrow brings.”

“Which bed do you want?”

“I’ll take the right one.”

“Great, me too!”

We undressed and hopped into bed. Cuddling together, Matt lost it again.

“God Jonnie, what is going to happen?”

I caressed her cheek.

“I don’t know. I think Linda is suspicious about us. It won’t take her long to figure out that you are Mary.”

We were dead tired and fell asleep before anything could happen. I awoke first. There was a bowl of water setting on the dresser. I washed as best I could and I put on the same clothes. Matt was still sleeping so I went down to the bar. A man that I assumed was a bartender pointed toward Linda’s office.

“She wants to see you right away.”

I knocked on her door and walked in. Linda looked up.

“We have a big problem. Karen has received information that two people arrived yesterday and are looking for her.”

“That’s just great!”

“Fortunately, two others got here a little before you. Your only chance is to put the onus on them.”

“Before we go any further, where’s your bathroom?”

Linda grinned really big and pointed to her back door.

“The privy is that way.”

Being from Kentucky, I knew what a privy was. Matt is going to love this. Back in the office, I sat down just as Matt entered. She started to say something but I interrupted her.

“Out that door.”

She looked at me and then at the door. She shrugged and went out it. I turned to Linda.

“This is going to be good.”

A couple of minutes later, Matt came back in with a very disgusted face. She looked at me with her hands on her hips.

“You could have warned me.”

“And miss this moment?”

Linda looked back and forth between us.

“OK, you two. Something is definitely not right. So, if you want my help, fess up.”

I sighed and looked over to Matt. She just shrugged.

“I guess the jig is up. This is Mary Brown.”

Linda looked stunned and then very mad.

“This is just great. Do you have any idea how much Karen hates you?”

I spoke up.

“Mary told me about the problem with her mother.”

“Yeah but did she tell you about her brother?”

We both spoke at once.

“Brother!”

“I see neither of you know. After Karen’s mother, Susan Littleton, was kicked off the council, she had twins. Karen was, of course, one but the other was a boy. By Fledoran rules, no male could live on the planet. There was a big stink. According to Karen, Susan was forced to give up her son. Karen doesn’t know for sure but she believes he was given to his father and taken to Earth. Susan and her new daughter were forced to move to Basteria where she established the Midnight End. Karen blames all of this on Carol Givens and Mary’s mother. Since your mother is dead, her whole hate is aimed at you. The deal with Marshal Harper posing as Gina has just added to her hate.”

“Wow! I never knew. My mother never mentioned a son. Does Karen know who Gina really is?”

“No, she got information that Gina might have been put in undercover by you but she does not know that Gina is really John Harper. Of course, this gave her even more reason to hate you. I think Karen had a thing for Gina.”

Mary looked over at me and I blushed.

“It wasn’t my fault. I was not myself at the time.”

Linda looked over.

“It doesn’t matter. The real problem is what we do about Karen coming here to find out who is after her.”

Matt looked shocked.

“Yeah, if she finds out who you are, good luck. I think I have a plan. I’ll start a poker game with those two that arrived before you. Rusty, you join in after a bit and Matt, since you are my bouncer, you will be close by. When I see Karen enter, I’ll tell one of them that she is after him. Hopefully, his actions will put the suspicion on him and his partner. For now, just get something to eat and relax.”

Matt and I went to the kitchen and ate brunch.

“Jonnie, this could get bad fast.”

“Yeah, remember, I’m Rusty Allen.”

“Right, sorry. I am getting really anxious.”

“Let’s hope Linda’s plan works.”

“But can we trust Linda? She is Karen’s friend.”

“I don’t think that is a problem as long as we don’t try to take Karen down now.”

We went back to our room and tried to relax. A little while later, there was a knock . I opened the door to find Linda.

“Matt, come on down and start your job. I am going to set up the poker game. Rusty, we should be ready for you to join in about an hour from now.”

Matt went with Linda and I lay down. I didn’t think Karen would recognize Mary or me. One thing I had to try not to do is smile. Apparently, it is very distinctive. After about an hour, I headed down stairs. I spotted the game and went to the table.

“Mind if I join in?”

One of the guys looked me over.

“Why not?”

I sat in and we played for about 30 minutes when we heard a ruckus outside. That could only mean one thing; Karen was here. Linda turned to the guy who had spoken to me as Karen entered.

“That’s the one who is out to get you.”

He looked over at Karen and tensed up. Karen walked up to the bartender. I could not hear what was said but he pointed to us. By this time, Matt was close by our table. As Karen approached, the guy suddenly jumped up producing a knife. Just as he lunged at Karen, Matt grabbed him and snapped his neck. The other guy tried to run but was shot by one of Karen’s men. Karen looked at Matt.

“You’re pretty handy to have around. Thanks.”

She took Linda by the arm and pulled her toward the office. Mary was visibly shaking so I escorted her to our room. I hugged her tightly.

“I didn’t mean to kill him. He sprung suddenly and I had to react fast.”

“I know; it’s how you have been trained. He wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t a criminal. The fact that he tried to stab Karen proves he was no good.”

“Yeah, here we are trying to arrest Karen and I end up saving her life. Geeze!”

We lay back on the bed and cuddled. I guess we both drifted off. A knock on the door woke me. I got up and opened it to find Linda looking rather perplexed.

“Well, Matt certainly got Karen’s attention. She told me to check him out and, if I could not find anything negative, she is going to take Matt on as part of her guards at the base when she comes back next week.”

“Oh Lord! At least this gives us an in but this is getting dangerous.”

Matt walked over.

“You have got to be kidding. How am I going to pass there?”

Linda looked questioningly at me.

“What does he mean? He looks fine.”

“Yeah, well-----uh.”

Matt just sighed big and removed her clothes. Linda’s eyes widened.

“Oh my!”

“At least we have a week to figure this out.”

Linda continued to stare. Finally, she turned and walked out shaking her head. Matt redressed and then started out.

“Well, I guess I better go back to work. I have to keep my wife up you know.”

I stuck my tongue out. She laughed, kissed me then left. This is weird! I decided to go exploring. There was a stairs that led to a back door. Once outside, I started walking. Since it was mid afternoon, there were a lot of people about. A thought hit me; what do they use for money here? Hmmm! After about an hour, I headed back to the saloon. As I approached the front door, Matt threw two men out of it. She looked up at me.

“Just throwing out some trash.”

I shook my head.

“You are really getting in to this job, huh.”

“It’s keeping me busy. By the way, Linda wants to see you.”

“OK”

I went to her office and knocked.

“Come on in.”

That sounded familiar. I walked in and sat down.

“Rusty, we need to sort you out. Since you are with Matt, you have two choices.”

“This sounds kind of ominous.”

Linda laughed.

“Everyone here has to pull their weight. Matt, of course, all ready has a job. You can put your name in for the next job available or you can attach yourself to Matt.”

“What do you mean ‘attach’?”

“Things are pretty loose here. If someone is claimed as a spouse then no one argues.”

I looked blankly at Linda. Is this what Matt meant earlier?

“Matt has already said that he claims you so, if you agree, that’s that.”

She smirked as I looked stunned.

“Look, at least it will let you do your marshal thing without working all day doing something you hate. Around here, one gets credits for work performed and that person or their spouse can use them to get the things they need. It’s a good system.”

“I suppose Matt has already signed me up.”

“How did you guess?”

“Gawd, I will never hear the end of this. OK, it makes sense. I need the time to do our real job.”

“Great, sign here.”

She handed me a book. I saw Matt’s name and signed next to it.

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

“Oh. Shut up!”

I whirled about and stomped out of her office and headed for the kitchen. Maybe food would keep my mind off this. After eating, I went up to our room, waving at Matt as I started up the stairs. I lay down to think. This assignment is starting to be as bad as the last one. A little later, Matt walked in.

“Honey, I’m home!”

I threw a pillow at her.

“Sorry, I couldn’t resist. I know this is awkward but it seemed the best solution. Also, if Karen does pick me to be a guard, you can come with me.”

We spent some time in bed making things right before we finally went to sleep. The next morning, a note was under our door. It was from Linda.

‘Here are Matt’s credits. Go get some clothes. You stink!’

Funny! We dressed, ate and went out to find some clothes.

“So, what color dress do you want, Rusty?”

“You’re worse than Linda. I had enough of that on Fledora. Pants and shirts will do fine.”

We found the clothes and other things we needed then spotted a sign that advertised hot bathes. I looked at Matt.

“What do you think?”

“Sounds good to me.”

I didn’t think a bath could feel so good. Once clean, we donned our new clothes and felt almost human again.

“I guess I better head back. My shift starts soon.”

“OK Matt, I’m going to look around some. This place seems like a dead end but you never know.”

Matt smiled and left. I walked down the street toward what looked like a stable. As I entered it, something hit me on the head and everything went black.