GALACTIC MARSHAL
by Hilltopper

CHAPTER 14

I awoke to see the pod door already open. As I sat up and looked down, I had to shake my head. Yep, I was female again

or at least had the appearance of one. I climbed out of the pod and tried to regain my senses. This hibernation thing was getting old. The computer voice brought me back.

“Welcome home, Marshal Harper. Please put on the uniform you will find in locker 5. When you are dressed, contact Council Chairwoman Carol Givens.”

“You bet I will.”

I went into the locker room and took the uniform out of locker 5. This was not something I was looking forward to. Their idea of the proper uniform to wear before the council left a lot to be desired. This one was a pale yellow and barely covered anything. The boots were like walking on your toes. In the mood I was in, I thought about refusing to wear the outfit but they would probably just not see me until I did and I had too much to say to them to risk that. So, I put on the uniform and went into the control room.

“Computer, please contact Carol Givens for me.”

“She is on the line waiting.”

Her face suddenly appeared on the screen in front of me.

“Welcome back to Fledora, Marshal Harper. A vehicle is waiting for you at the base of the ship to take you to Mary Brown’s home. Get a good night sleep and you will be picked up at 9 tomorrow morning.”

“I’d like to see you now.”

“We have much to discuss but it will have to wait until tomorrow.”

With that, she signed off. Damn! That woman was a force to reckon with. There was no point in arguing so I exited the ship and went over to the hovercraft waiting for me. A very tall and beautiful woman got out and opened the passenger door.

“Get in Miss Harper. I will take you home.”

Home? Was Mary’s house home? Should it be my home? Well, home was where Mary is. That thought, of course, brought both tears and anger. I was sure Mary was alive but I also knew that I had to find her fast. I turned to the young woman.

“Thank you”

I got into the vehicle and was swiftly driven to Mary’s house. Since Mary was not there, I wondered why I was being taken here. It was fine with me but seemed odd. Arriving at the house, I thanked the driver and walked up to the front door. It opened and a voice said ‘welcome home, Miss Harper’. Hmm, I’m beginning to feel set up. I went into the house and crossed over to the same room I had stayed in before. All of the clothes and other items were still where I had left them. I remember telling Mary to just get rid of them since I would never need them again. Boy was I wrong. I removed my uniform and carefully hung it up. Even though I hated the thing, it was imperative that I make a good impression tomorrow. I might get thrown out after I started telling them what I thought but I at least wanted to get them in a favorable mood at the start.

I went naked into the kitchen and made myself a sandwich. I didn’t know what the meat was but I was too hungry to care. After eating, I wandered back into my room. What I needed was a long hot bath to soak out all the kinks in this old body of mine. Looking in the mirror, I barely recognized it. This female transformation was really messing with my head. I almost fell asleep in the tub. One would think that you would be refreshed after being in hibernation but I was beat. I stumbled to the bed and was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

“Good morning, Miss Harper, time to get up.”

I groaned and turned over.

“It’s 7:30, Miss Harper.”

“OK, OK, I’m up.”

Damn computers! I thought about taking a shower but I was afraid I would melt and flow down the drain. I staggered into the kitchen and drank a large coke looking beverage. It certainly didn’t taste like a coke but it did wake me up fast. I got dressed and tried to make myself as presentable as possible. Peering in the mirror, it was hard to believe it was me. I actually looked pretty darn good. I walked into the living room and was about to sit down when there was a knock at the door. The computer announced ‘your ride is here’.

“What kind of a way to talk is that for a computer.”

All I got was silence. I guess I hurt her feelings. I opened the door and was greeted by the same woman as last night.

“Good morning, Miss Harper. I am to take you to the council chambers.”

“Lead the way.”

We drove to the council building and she stopped right in front of it. She escorted me into the building and we walked straight back to the council chambers. The same very tall woman as last time opened the chamber doors and I entered. The woman stepped in behind me and announced my presence.

“Madam Council Chairwoman, I give you Galactic Marshal Jonnie Michelle Harper.”

“Please come forward, Marshal Harper. We want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your actions in defeating Broadskye’s plot against us. We are deeply in your debt.”

“Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. I was just doing my duty.”

“Oh, I think it was more than that. You definitely went above and beyond. We are very concerned for Mary Brown. She sacrificed much to help your plan succeed.”

“Yes and I am here to find her and return her safely.”

Carol looked at me hard.

“I don’t think that is your only reason to be before this body again. Let’s go to my private chambers. I want you to be able to talk freely.”

Carol got up and I followed her to a side door. The other council women thanked me for my service along the way. Once inside the room, Carol’s demeanor dropped.

“I know you are very angry with me and the council. Now that you know your true origins, I guess you are very bitter as well.”

I sighed heavily.

“Did you know who I was when you brought me here to arrest Sandra Sterling?”

“Not at first. The Marshal Service asked for permission to send a marshal. We were, of course, very reluctant. I honestly did not know you were a marshal. When I saw your name among the histories sent to us, I was just curious. After examining your profile and comparing it to what we had, it became clear that you were the boy child we had sent away 35 years ago. I know we were just following our rules, but it had bothered me all these years. What was done to Karen and your mother was also not right. That is, of course, why Karen is so against us. Hate is a powerful thing.”

I could not keep my anger in check.

“Do you have any idea what you did to me? In my childhood, I was constantly conflicted. I felt like I was a girl but was supposed to be a boy. My dad loved me but wanted me to grow up to be a man. He gave me hormones for Gods sake. Now, I find out I have a sister that I never knew about. Couldn’t you have at least kept in contact with me?”

Carol looked pained.

“Your dad didn’t want that. After what we did, he wanted nothing to do with us.”

“I can see why. Your adherence to inflexible rules has ruined several lives and almost your entire planet. Don’t you think it’s time for a change?”

“Yes, but it won’t be fast or easy. We acknowledge that you are a Fledoran citizen. That is a start.”

I growled.

“But look at me. It matters not whether I want to be a woman, you forced the change just so no one would be upset because a ‘man’ was on your planet. Now, you’re intransigence has put Mary in harms way. In case you haven’t figured it out, Mary and I are in love and I will do what ever it takes to get her back safe and sound.”

She smiled.

“That is why you are billeted at her home. We know that you two are partners. Look, we know we must change but right now the most important thing is to finish the matter of Karen and save Mary.”

“I agree. I have thought a lot about this and I can only see one viable way for me to go to Basteria to look for Mary. I must go back under cover as Gina Coleman. I don’t like it especially now that I know Karen is my sister.”

I blushed deeply.

“Uh, Karen has a thing for Gina.”

Carol grinned.

“Oh my, that is awkward. OK, we will put together the same team that was with Mary when you went in before. Since Mary is indisposed, I will make you temporary chief of detectives here. That will give you the authority to do what you need to do.”

“That sounds good. We can use the same command post.”

“I will arrange for you to be taken to medical and get a new transceiver implanted. Rest tonight and we will get things going in the morning.”

“Alright, but remember, we will discuss my situation at length when this is over.”

“Agreed”

I turned and walked out of the chambers. I was still angry but this was not the time to pursue it further. The same driver was waiting for me. She looked up as I exited.

“I am to take you to medical and then back home, correct?”

“As far as I know.”

So, off we went. The procedure at medical was the same as last time minus the lower region surgery which was not necessary this time. Once back at Mary’s, I ate a sandwich and lie down in my bed. I was very apprehensive about going back into Basteria but it was the only way. I just hope Mary and Linda are still OK. Karen was an enigma. She could be so caring one minute and kill you the next. I wondered what it would have been like if we had been raised together. I think she would have turned out very different but then so would I. The past is past, however. Hopefully, Fledora will learn from this and change. Sleep came quickly and morning just as quickly. I showered and ate breakfast. Now came the hard part; becoming Gina. I looked in the closet. The dress had to be soft and innocent looking. A long pink dress with little blue flowers caught my eye. It had a fitted jacket as well. This would put Karen in the proper mood. Yeah, proper! I didn’t want her getting ideas. I used very light make-up. OK, this will do!

The trip to headquarters was a little disconcerting. The driver was constantly taking glances at me. When we arrived, I went inside and met up with the team. The leader looked at me and smirked.

“Well, marshal, you are quite feminine today.”

I glared at her and ignored the comment.

“You have been informed as to what we are going to do. I will take the shuttle to Basteria like last time. Set up the command post and then wait for my signal. When you hear me say ‘flogget’, come running. OK, let’s do it.”

The team left for their hovercraft and I walked to the transportation center.

Man, here we go again!