Galactic Marshal II
by
Hilltopper

CHAPTER 4

As we were approaching Prowhiness, Jeff turned to me.

“I guess I ought to give you a warning about a rumor I heard about this place.”

“OK, what kind of rumor?”

“Well, it sounds crazy but the rumor is that there is an alien presence here.”

I was stunned.

“You mean like an alien intelligence?”

“Yeah”

“That is crazy. Humans have been out in the galaxy for hundreds of years and we have found no evidence of any other civilization.”

“I know, but it’s what I hear.”

I just shook my head.

“Where are you going to land?”

“The other time I was here, I received a signal and was guided in. They seem to know who you are in advance. So, I guess we will wait in orbit and see what happens.”

Linda and I went back to the galley to wait.

“Mary, do you have any ideas as to what we should do when we land?”

“I suspect that we will be met. If not, we play it by ear. Some one wants me here. Why, I don’t know.”

“Do you think it could be Karen’s doing like Jeff suggested?”

“That seems unlikely. As far as we know, Karen is dead.”

“That’s just it, we don’t really know for sure because no body was found.”

I did not want to go there.

“Let’s not borrow trouble. I am sure we will find out soon enough.”

A couple of hours later, Jeff came back to us.

“I just got the signal. They are guiding us in.”

We went to the command center and strapped in. Jeff took us out of orbit and followed the guidance signal. I was surprised when I looked out the ship’s window to see----well, nothing! The area we seemed to be landing in was the most desolate piece of real estate I had ever seen. There was absolutely nothing there.

“Jeff, this doesn’t look right.”

He nodded.

“I don’t know what to say. This is where the beacon has guided us to. Stand by to land.”

After landing, Jeff announced that the air was fine but the temperature was close to the freezing point of water. Plus, there were no buildings, trees, or anything; just bare earth and rocks. I looked over at him.

“You aren’t going to leave us here, are you?”

“I’ll hang around for a bit. I will not stay long, however. This is not a safe place to be.”

We waited for an hour or more and still nothing. We had not been contacted and no one had shown up.

“Linda, the only thing I know to do is go outside and look around.”

“Look at what?”

“I know, I know, but I don’t know what else to do.”

Jeff stood up.

“Look, I’ll stay in orbit as long as I can. If you have trouble or just want to leave, contact me.”

“OK, thanks.”

Linda and I got our things and put on heavier clothing. We were not used to cold temperatures since Fledora has a very warm climate. We walked about 200 meters from the ship and sat down on some rocks. Within a few minutes, Jeff took off.

“Well, he meant what he said. I don’t guess I blame him. It’s not his problem.”

Linda nodded.

“What ever happened the other time he was here scared him to death. He would not tell me what it was. I don’t blame him for leaving either. I’m just glad he brought us. At least, I think I’m glad.”

I laughed.

“I know what you mean. I’m getting a little worried myself.”

We had sat here for almost an hour and I was really starting to get cold. Suddenly, we heard a loud bang. I turned around and was surprised to see a small shuttle craft setting about 60 meters behind us.

“Where did that come from?”

Linda looked concerned.

“It had to have been there already.”

“You mean, like, invisible or something.”

“Or something.”

We hesitantly walked toward the ship. When we were about 10 meters away, a hatch opened. No one came out.

“Do we go in or what?”

I knew we had no choice.

“We go in.”

Entering the shuttle, I was immediately sure of one thing. This was a very foreign looking ship. It was small; too small. Where was the engine? We found 2 seats but little else. Linda turned to me.

“Well, what now?”

“I guess we sit down and wait.”

We sat down in the seats and a launch harness automatically enveloped us. A few seconds later, the ship took off. We headed away from Prowhiness toward-----well, once again, nothing. Linda turned to me.

“I have a really bad feeling about this.”

“Yeah, a shuttle can’t go far. This planet doesn’t appear to have a moon and we are definitely heading away.”

A few minutes later, a ship appeared in front of us out of no where. What a ship is was!

“You were right about that bad feeling. That ship is as alien as can be.”

Linda shook her head.

“Alien is the key word. I think we have just entered our worst nightmare!”

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coop took me on a tour of the ship. It was obviously designed for one purpose; laser defense. The engines were twice the size as would normally be used in this type ship. I don’t know much about lasers but this one looked mean.

“This is my pride and joy. I learned a lot working on Broadskye’s laser. The one on this ship has twice the power and half the size. Plus, the ship is very fast and nimble. There is not a ship in the galaxy that can touch it.”

If Coop’s head got any bigger, it would explode.

“It sure looks awesome to me. Has it been tested?”

“Yep, we have tested it extensively. The engines are another matter. We, of course, must launch to do that. It was supposed to happen next month.”

“Oh, great! I guess we have no choice. You said that the ship was not fully functional. What doesn’t work?”

“Oh, nothing real important. Communications are limited and the living quarters are not finished. The medical pod is to be installed in two weeks but hibernation is functional.”

“Wait a minute! How am I going to change back to my male self without the pod?”

Coop looked sheepish.

“Uh, you’re not.”

This was not good news. I just shook my head.

“That’s going to make things complicated.”

“Well, you’re not going as a marshal, so what does it matter? You’re still as strong if not stronger as a Fledoran female.”

“Yeah, but I was hoping to talk George Brett into going with us. This will definitely throw him off.”

Coop laughed.

“You’ll manage. You better go down and get your things together. We can launch tonight if you want.”

“The sooner, the better!’

I went back to Mary’s and packed some things. While there, I got a call from Carol.

“How are you doing, Jonnie? I heard that you went to the moon.”

“Yeah, James Cooper invited me up. He knew that I was devastated. He has been a good friend.”

“I know he has. He has also been a great asset to us. Just sit tight. As soon as we get some word from Mary, I’ll contact you.”

“OK, thank you.”

I signed off then. I hoped that she was not suspicious of my trip to the moon. She definitely will be when I go back tonight. I figured that I better wait a bit to leave. We will probably have to launch as soon as I arrive at the base. The council will have no way to stop us taking the ship once I’m up there. I half expected to be stopped but I had no trouble getting on a shuttle. Once I arrived at the base, I hurried over to Coop’s office.

“I’m glad you made it. I got an interesting call from Carol Givens. She as much as ordered me not to help you.”

“Maybe you shouldn’t. This will go hard on you and I haven’t really ruled them out concerning the kidnapping of my son. I would not put anything past them.”

Coop shook his head.

“We’ve already been through that. Come on, let’s board.”

There as a call waiting for me when I got on the ship. I, of course, ignored it. We powered up and launched without difficulty.

“Where to?”

“Head to Earth. I still want to get George on board with us.”

“OK, get in the chamber while I set things up.”

When we arrived in orbit, I contacted George.

“Hey George.”

“Who’s this?”

“It’s John Harper.”

“You got a cold or something?”

“Or something. Have you heard about my dilemma?”

“Yeah, that’s tough. Have you any leads?”

“Well, Mary and Linda Sanders took off following a note’s instructions. They apparently have gone to a planet called Prowhiness. Coop and I are going after them. I will not rest until I get my son back safe. We would like you to join us.”

“What’s Sam say about this?”

“He told me not to go. So, I’m going as a private citizen.”

“Sounds like my kind of adventure. Where are you?”

“We’re in orbit about Earth. We have a shuttle on board. We’ll pick you up at dock 12.”

“A shuttle? What kind of ship have you got?”

I laughed.

“You’ll see.”

We sent the shuttle after George. I had decided that it would be better if I met George after we left Earth. When he arrived at our ship, Coop met him.

“Hey George, are you ready?”

“Sure, where’s John?”

“He’s already in a hibernation chamber. We’re launching as soon as you are as well.”

“OK, lead the way. This sure is one whale of a ship.”

Since Mary had flown to Broadskye, we decided to start our search there. Once we arrived in orbit, I exited my pod. I made sure that George and Coop were already in the galley. I tried to wear the least feminine thing I had but, on Fledora, that was still not manly at all. I had on a knee length green dress with boots. Fledora just didn’t care for pants. When I walked into the galley, George’s jaw dropped to the floor.

“What the -----!”

“We don’t have a medical pod on the ship, so, I’m stuck like this.”

“Shit! You should have warned me!”

“Would you have come if I had?”

George sighed.

“I don’t know. This is awkward.”

I laughed.

“You should be on this side of things.”

“No thanks! OK, I told you I could deal with it but couldn’t you wear pants?”

“I don’t have any. Fledora doesn’t go in for them. Maybe I can get some when we go down to Broadskye.”

“That would help. Alright, about this ship.”

“It’s an experimental laser ship Coop was building on the moon of Fledora. It’s a honey!”

“I can see that. What does the Fledoran government think about you flying this.”

“I’m sure they will see the light eventually.”

“That’s what I thought, you stole it.”

“Let’s just say we borrowed it for this mission.”

George laughed.

“OK, I’m in. You said laser ship, am I right?”

“Yep, we’re loaded for bear.”

“I think I remember that Coop here was building one on Broadskye. Didn’t you need thulium for that?”

Coop nodded.

“Yes, Fledora suspended all exports of thulium so we could use it for our weapon.”

“I guess that hasn’t gone over well. Aren’t you the only source of any quantity?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

That was a surprise to me. I turned to Coop.

“Do you think that would have anything to do with the kidnapping of my son?”

Coop nodded again.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if it did.”

“Does the council know that?”

“I should think so.”

That brought my anger to the surface. I made a quick call to Carol.

“Jonnie, what do you think you are doing. Bring our ship back right now!”

“You didn’t tell me everything. For instance, does thulium ring a bell with you?”

Carol paused and then sighed heavily.

“You’re right. The council has received veiled threats concerning our stopping of exports. We hoped the kidnapping of your son was not related but I think now that was a false hope.”

She paused again in deep thought.

“OK, OK, you win. Yes, we have been discussing that fact. If that’s the way you want it, you are now commander of the Fledoran military.”

That caught me completely by surprise.

“What Fledoran military?”

“Who’s with you?”

“Coop and Marshal George Brett but he is here as a private citizen like me.”

“Then that’s the Fledoran military.”

“Oh, great! Thanks a lot! Alright, we will carry on, now with the authority of the council. Our next stop, Broadskye!”