GALACTIC MARSHAL
by
Hilltopper

THE FINAL CHAPTER

Chapter 16

I walked to the Midnight End and sat down at the bar. The bartender set a drink in front of me and smiled.

“Karen will be out in a few minutes. The drink is on the house.”

“Thank you.”

I sipped the drink and tried to look calm. In reality, my heart was beating a mile a minute. My plan called for me to get through the dinner before the distraction took place. This was not going to be easy. A few minutes later, Karen came out of her office.

“Gina, I am so glad you came. I have a table reserved for us.”

She took my arm and gently crossed it into hers. We walked across the street to the restaurant. The manager beamed at us as we entered.

“Ah, Ms Littleton, your table is ready. Please come with me.”

She led us to a private alcove. Candles were lit on the table. She seated me and addressed Karen.

“Your server will be with you in a few minutes.”

Karen smiled at me and took my hand in hers.

“I am so glad you are here. I feel something between us that I can’t put my finger on. When you disappeared, I was worried out of my mind. Then that rumor of you being a cop surfaced and I dropped into despair. Please forgive me.”

The waitress walked up before I could say anything. We ordered and then slipped into a tense silence. Finally, I spoke up.

“Look, Karen, I don’t know what I feel. I do know that I am grateful for all you did for me.”

“It was my pleasure. I know you have had a hard life and find it hard to trust anyone. I am not going to push you. Just know I am here for you.”

I blushed deeply. This was getting confusing.

“Thank you.”

I felt really bad for deceiving Karen. She can be so nice and caring some times. I had to keep telling myself that she was my sister. Our food was served and we actually had a delightful meal. Just as the waitress came up to the table for our dessert order, my team went into action. A huge explosion rocked the place.

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When I heard the explosion, I knew Jonnies plan had started. I rushed over to the guest house. As I expected, the guards had left their posts to see what had happened. I unlocked the door and went in.

“Come on, Mary, we have to get out of here.”

“What’s going on?”

“Jonnies team created a diversion for us. I think they blew up Karen’s ship.”

“Wow! That’s what I call a diversion.”

I led Mary through the door and we headed out of town.

“There is a clearing next to a spot I have taken Jonnie to. That’s where we will wait.”

We hurried on. Since it was dusk, the going was not easy. Fortunately, I had come this way so many times that I knew every tree and rock. We reached the clearing and sat down at the edge. I just hope Jonnie is able to get away from Karen.

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When the explosion went off, I knew my team had succeeded. Karen jumped up and we ran outside. A huge fireball could be seen in the distance.

“Gina, go on back to the boarding house. I have to see what is going on. Damn! It looks like my ship.”

Karen kissed me and hurried away. I walked back to my room. Under my door was a note from Linda.

‘I’m going to take Mary to our spot as soon as I free her.’

That was good thinking. I grabbed my stuff and headed out. I was not as familiar with the route as Linda plus it was getting dark. I finally made it and called out.

“Over here, Jonnie.”

I spotted them at the edge of the clearing and rushed over. Mary leaped into my arms.

“Oh, Jonnie, I didn’t think I would ever see you again.”

“Now, you know I would move heaven and earth to find you.”

I looked over to Linda.

“Thank you, I know this was hard for you seeing as how you also care about Karen. I must admit, I do too.”

Linda smiled.

“Yes, we both have a special bond with her.”

“I guess I better get us out of here. Team leader, flogget. We are in a clearing next to a water fall about 3 kilometers north of town. Now we wait.”

Suddenly, a voice came from behind us.

“Well, isn’t this just great, three traitors together. I figured something was up so I checked the house. Sure enough, Mary was gone. Then I saw Gina rushing out of the boarding house. I followed her and here we are.”

Karen turned to me.

“Just who the hell are you?”

I tried to look calm but tears appeared in my eyes.

“I’m Marshal Harper and your brother.”

That took her back some. I could see the hurt in her eyes.

“I can’t believe you fooled me. There is no way you are a man.”

I saw anger returning to her face.

“I loved you. How could you deceive me like that.”

“I did not know I was your brother when we first met. I have to admit, I liked you. When I found out who I really was, I was shocked and hurt as well. I had to be Gina again to save Mary. I love her.”

Karen turned toward Linda.

“You knew about this all along.”

Linda was crying.

“Yes, I am so sorry.”

Karen glared at Mary.

“This is all your fault. We would never have had to leave the planet if not for your intervention.”

Mary looked mad.

“I had to stop your plot against us. What did you think I would do?”

I could here hovercraft approaching. Karen looked up.

“So, it’s over. But it’s over for you too, Mary.”

I saw Karen raise a gun and point it at Mary. Before I could move, two shots rang out in succession. Karen looked surprised, fell backward, and disappeared from sight. She had fallen into that mine hole I had almost fallen into. I turned toward Mary. She had slumped down and blood was on her chest. Linda was screaming. I rushed over to Mary and held her. She smiled up at me and passed out. Linda kept saying over and over ‘I had to shoot her, I had to shoot her’. I realized what had happened. Just as Karen shot at Mary, Linda had shot Karen. What a mess! The hovercraft landed and I carried Mary over to it.

“Mary Brown’s been shot. We have to get her to medical fast.”

I put her into the craft and looked back to Linda.

“No, I’m staying here.”

I hugged her.

“I’m so sorry.”

She just nodded and turned away. I climbed aboard and we hurried back to the capital. When we arrived at medical, Mary was hustled inside. I walked over to a chair and sat down hard. My mind was whirling. I guess I must have zoned out because the next thing I knew, someone was tapping me on the shoulder. I looked up into the face of Carol Givens.

“I talked with the doctor before she went into surgery. She seems to think that Mary will recover fine. She can tell us more after the surgery. How are you?”

I glared angrily at her.

“Oh, I don’t know; hurt, angry, worried, confused. Take your pick.”

Carol pulled me to my feet.

“Come on, I know a private place where we can talk.”

She led me to an office. We entered and sat down.

“I want you to know that you did an excellent job.”

I looked blankly at her.

“I did what I had to do to save Mary, nothing more. How’s Karen?”

“We did not find her.”

“I think she fell into a mine shaft after Linda shot her.”

“We had several of your team go into it. They found no sign of her but it is a deep shaft.”

I nodded and stated bitterly.

“I guess you are glad she is out of your hair.”

“She has been mad at us for years and was trying to overthrow our government. She had to be stopped. That is why you were brought here.”

“No, it wasn’t. I was originally sent here to arrest Sandra Sterling. I came back this time to find Mary. I had and have no intention to bother Karen. You made her the way she is. She could have been a caring and wonderful person. Because of what you and Mary’s mother did she has become a twisted and hateful person. We could have had a great life together but because of your stupid rules, we both have had a traumatic life. I mean, she is my sister and now I will never get to know her or be a part of her life.”

Carol looked very pained.

“Jonnie, what we did was wrong but you must understand, this was 35 years ago. The relationship that your mother had with your father could not be condoned back then. When you were born, it was obvious that you were male. With the controversy of your mothers’ indiscretions with a man still swirling, there was no way you could be allowed to stay on Fledora. Yes, you were intersexed but we did not have the medical pods we have now. Fixing you was not considered an option.”

“So, I was thrown off the planet and Karen and my mother were banished to Basteria.”

“Yes, I am sorry for that. It was wrong. I know we must move forward and integrate males into our society but it will take time. I want you to stay on as chief of detectives while Mary recovers.”

My anger came forth.

“You mean, you want Jonnie to be chief of detectives; not John!”

Carol stood up suddenly.

“I’m trying to make amends here. I can not change our laws. That will take a referendum and we will work towards that. But for now, I must obey our current laws. You either stay female or you leave. That is the only choice I can give you. I’m sorry.”

Just then, we were interrupted by a knock on the door. Carol opened it to find Mary’s surgeon standing there. She was smiling.

“Mary came through the surgery fine. I expect her to make a full recovery.”

Carol and I both let out a big sigh of relief.

“By the way, Ms. Harper, congratulations on your marriage.”

“Marriage?!!”

{Author's note: In case you missed it from a previous chapter, on Fledora, partners are only considered married when they are with child.
I want to thank everyone that read my story and a special thanks to those that left comments. Since this is my first
work of fiction, they helped spur me on. Stay tune in the future for Book Two. It will take up the story 8 months after
the end of Book One.}