GALACTIC MARSHAL II
by
Hilltopper

CHAPTER 1

So, here I am in the hospital again with Mary. This time, though, I am awaiting word on the birth of our child. Boy, I never believed I would say that. It has been a crazy eight months since I received word of Mary’s pregnancy. I thought back to that fateful day.

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“What do you mean married, we aren’t even engaged.”

The doctor looked stunned and then recognition registered on her face.

“Oh, that’s right, you’re not from here are you?”

I glared at Carol.

“Not hardly.”

Carol grimaced and turned to the doctor.

“She is not completely familiar with our customs. I’ll fill her in.”

The doctor looked relieved and left.

“OK, Carol, what am I missing?”

“What the good doctor was trying to tell you is that Mary is pregnant.”

“Shit!”

“Most definitely shit.”

She got an angry look.

“Since I know that Mary has not undergone an ova fusion, this can only mean one thing. Care to explain?”

“Uh, I think I need to go see Mary.”

“I think we will both go and see Mary.”

We walked to Mary’s room and went in. She was awake but appeared groggy.

“Hi, the doctor says you will heal fine.”

She smiled and held out her hand. I took it and bent down to kiss her.

“The doctor said something else.”

After a nice kiss, she smiled big.

“Yes, I sort of knew it but wasn’t sure. How do you feel about it?”

I laughed.

“Uh, shocked but pleased. I don’t think Carol here is though.”

Mary noticed Carol for the first time.

“Oh, hi Carol.”

Carol smiled in spite of herself. She walked over and took Mary’s other hand.

“I am so glad you are all right. You gave us quite a worry. We will sort out the other thing when you are better.”

She patted Mary’s hand, looked at me, shook her head then left the room. Mary laughed.

“I think that is the first time I have seen her almost speechless.”

“Yeah, it is quite a shock.”

“Well, she is the one that sent me off planet. Therefore, she is the one that will have to answer for the consequences.”

“We only did what comes naturally.”

Mary smiled weakly.

“Naturally where you come from but certainly not here. I am sure she will manage to hush things up. How long can you stay on Fledora?”

I looked hurt then grinned.

“You don’t think I’m going to leave you now, do you?”

“What about your job?”

“Don’t worry, I’m temporarily taking your position and have also been assigned as marshal for this planet.”

“OK, but have you looked at your self lately?”

I grimaced.

“I know, I know! The council won’t let me stay unless I am female. I am not going to say it is easy, but I will do what ever it takes to be with you. After all, we’re parents.”

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Yeah, that sure changed my life. Mary went home a few days later and I assumed the job of acting chief of detectives. I guess it was about two weeks later when I went on that trip to Basteria.

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“Mary, I have got to go to Basteria. Do you want to come with me?”

Mary was pensive for a minute.

“No, I’m still recovering. Besides, you need to sort things out with Linda.”

“Yes, it has been hard on her I am sure.”

I hugged and kissed Mary.

“I’ll let you know if I’m going to be held over.”

I went to the office, informed everyone where I was headed, and then walked down to the garage. My driver, Bree, was waiting for me.

“Well, let’s go to Basteria. Maybe we can get back here before dark.”

“Sure, boss.”

I wish she wouldn’t call me that. Oh, well. I had heard that Linda was running the Midnight End. Karen’s body had never shown up so I was not sure what Linda’s thinking was at this stage. It was a long drive to Basteria but it gave me time to think. That was either good or bad. We arrived at the Midnight End just after noon. I walked in and let my eyes adjust. The bartender noticed me and forced a smile.

“I would say welcome back, Gina, but I guess that’s not who you really are, is it?”

I was not going to give an inch here. I looked hard back to her.

“It’s Chief of Detectives Jonnie Harper to you. Is Linda around?”

I saw the shocked look on her face. She just pointed to the office that I was very familiar with. I knocked on the door.

“Come in!”

I walked in and Linda looked up at me.

“I wondered when you would show up. How’s Mary?”

“She’s doing fine. I’m taking her place for a while.

I tapped the badge on my belt. She nodded and stared a minute.

“You’ve not dealing with it either, are you?”

Tears came to my eyes and then erupted into a sob.

“No”

She stood up and took my hand.

“Come on, we need to go back there.”

She led me through her rear door and we walked out of town. We didn’t say anything. I think we both were trying hard not to break down. When we reached the clearing, I spotted the mine shaft. It was obvious that a lot of activity had taken place. Linda saw where I was looking.

“We never found anything, you know. I don’t really know what to think.”

I just nodded and we continued on to the falls. We sat down on our favorite rocks.

“I figured you would be back to your male marshal self by now.”

I laughed.

“Me too! There has been a complication.”

Linda raised an eyebrow.

“Go on.”

“OK, I might as well tell you. Mary is pregnant.”

“Whoa! Not by ova fusion I would guess.”

I turned very red.

“Uh, no.”

Linda laughed hard.

“So, by Fledoran law, you two are married.”

“Yep”

“Oh my, that is a complication. I guess you are stuck as female, huh?”

I sighed.

“They won’t let me stay otherwise.”

“Figures! So, it happens again.”

She noticed tears forming in my eyes.

“Oh, Jonnie, I feel so terrible. What have we done?”

“It wasn’t your fault what happened to Karen. She just snapped. You did what you had to do. I, too, wish things had been different. I never really got to know my sister and now, she’s gone.”

I couldn’t help it. I broke down completely. Linda followed suite. She recovered first.

“This sucks! Karen is missing, Mary is pregnant, and you are stuck as female.”

“Well, when you put it that way, it doesn’t sound so bad.”

Linda laughed.

“You idiot! What now?”

“I stick around doing Mary’s job until she has the baby. After that, it’s anyone’s guess.”

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Linda continued to be a good friend. The months flew by. The council was amazingly quiet about everything. They did establish a research facility on their moon and brought James Cooper in to oversee it. They even allowed him to come to the capital to discuss things. Of course, he was not allowed to mingle with the populace. Things were changing but very slowly. I didn’t want to make waves until the baby came. After that, I wanted them to follow through on the referendum to change their laws. I really think the people are ready for it. My musing was interrupted when Carol walked in.

“Hello, Jonnie. So, the time has come.”

“Yes, we should hear something anytime.”

Carol looked serious a minute and then shook her head.

“You really know how to shake things up.”

I smiled wickedly.

“Yep, been doing it since I was born.”

She saddened.

“We have done a number on you. I am sorry. Hopefully, when this is over, the council will see the light.”

I nodded.

“Mary did nothing wrong. She and I only did the natural thing. If you allow your people to do the same, this planet will be better for it.”

“Maybe, but it will take special males such as yourself to make it work. Our superior bodies will undoubtedly intimidate most men.”

“Yeah, I guess you are right.”

Further conversation was stopped as the doctor came into the room. She looked very pale. Spotting Carol and I, she walked over to us and sat down in a chair beside us. I thought the worst.

“Is Mary and the baby OK?”

She nodded and then sat back.

“I’m sorry, it was just such a shock.”

Carol and I looked at each other. This doctor was making no sense. Carol found her voice first.

“If they’re OK, what is the problem?”

The doctor looked hard at Carol and then sagged down.

“It’s a boy!”