GALACTIC MARSHAL III
by
Hilltopper

CHAPTER 1

I awoke to a terrible headache. Upon opening my eyes, I immediately realized that I was in the infirmary at the marshal headquarters. The big question was why I was in the infirmary.

Besides the pounding in my head, I felt fine. I must be monitored because a nurse came into the room.

“Welcome back, Marshal Harper. We thought you were going to sleep forever. Here, let me give you some water. You’re throat is probably very dry.”

What on earth was she going on about? I didn’t remember anything. I drank threw a straw and then looked at the nurse.

“Uh, how long have I been here?”

“Two weeks.”

“What happened to me?”

The nurse looked surprised.

“You don’t remember?”

I shook my head.

“Well, I guess you better ask the doctor. He has been sent for and should be here shortly.”

The nurse then left the room. I tried to make a better assessment of my self. I could find no significant injury and I looked the same. Of course, if I had been here for two weeks, the med unit would have healed any injury I might have had. The only thing I could think of was that I must have had a head injury. I tried to bring up the last memory I had.

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

Two Weeks Previous

I could see the station growing larger. George turned to me.

“It sure is great to be back.”

I shook my head.

“After my last trip, I’m not so sure.”

“You’re back to your old self again. That will make the difference. After all, the Marshal Service sent you on that assignment to catch Sandra Sterling that started all of this. I think you are over reacting.”

I sighed.

“I guess.”

Linda took hold of my hand.

“There are always a few idiots. Don’t let them bother you.”

I smiled at her.

“It sure is good to have a friend like you.”

Gina, the ship AI, spoke up.

“We will dock in 9 minutes.”

“Thank you, Gina. We are ready.”

We strapped in and, after docking, we got our things and headed for the hatch.

“George, why don’t you set Linda up with a room. I’ll check in with Sam.”

“OK, we’ll see you at supper.”

Sam is my supervisor and I went to his office. I passed a couple of other marshals along the way. I was ignored. It seemed my trepidation is well founded. When I arrived at Sam’s door, he motioned me in.

“Good to have you back, John.”

“So far, you are the only one who thinks so.”

Sam sighed.

“I’m sorry to hear that but I was afraid it might be the case. I wish you hadn’t been brought here as female you’re last trip. There are some of us that have strong feelings and prejudices. If you are harassed by anyone, let me know. Now, give me a brief overview of the alien situation.”

I spent the next hour going over everything I had encountered plus my feelings about things.

“Well, it sounds like the aliens are not an immediate threat. I wish we could convince them to meet with our government. That gate thing puts a new wrinkle on it all.”

“Karen might be able to help there.”

Sam looked at me slyly.

“Or Gina.”

“Now don’t you start. It’s bad enough that I get it from them.”

Sam laughed.

“I know it’s a problem. Write out a full report and get back to me.”

“Sure, I’ll work on it tomorrow.”

I left and went to my favorite bar. I needed a drink bad. I probably had a couple too many. It was getting close to supper time so I headed to my apartment to clean up. As I turned a corner and headed down the hallway to my door, I noticed a group of men standing around. When I got close, my old nemesis, Tad, stepped out in front.

“Well, hello Miss Harper.”

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

I sat up suddenly. I couldn’t remember any thing else but I realized what must have happened. My pounding head caused me to lie back down. Shit! Those assholes! The door to my room opened and a man walked in.

“Ah, good morning Marshal Harper. You gave us quite a scare. I’m Doctor Garner.”

I eyed him a few seconds.

“What exactly happened. My memory is a little fuzzy and my head is pounding.”

He nodded.

“That’s to be expected. You were found in front of your apartment beaten almost to death. We were able to stabilize you and heal the wounds. The big problem was that a severe concussion put you into a coma. They can be very unpredictable but it looks like you are doing fine.”

He gave me a brief examination.

“OK, if things still look good tomorrow, I will release you. I’ll have the nurse give you something for your headache. Uh, one more thing, I received your medical profile from Fledora. I agree with the doctor’s assessment so I want to see you at least once a month.”

I nodded.

“Sure”

He smiled and started out. As he went through the door, George and Linda entered. Linda ran over to me.

“God, you had us so worried.”

I smiled.

“It’s good to see you too.”

George sat down in the chair beside my bed.

“I guess you were right to be nervous. I could kill that Tad. He started all of this.”

I raised my eyebrows. Obviously, I hadn’t told anyone about Tad.

“How did you know it was Tad?”

George grinned.

“Sam was afraid there would be trouble. He had a camera installed outside your apartment. The whole incident was recorded.”

I grimaced.

“Have you seen it?”

“No, but Sam said it was not pleasant. I take it you were smashed at the time.”

I grimaced again but said nothing.

“Anyway, they have all been arrested. When are you getting out of here?”

“Tomorrow, I hope.”

The nurse walked in.

“Sorry to break things up but visiting hours are over. Plus, our patient is scheduled to have an MRI of his head.”

George and Linda both hugged me and left.

“Do I get some lunch. I’m starving.”

She laughed.

“You are feeling better. As soon as you get back from the test, I’ll bring you a tray.”

I had the exam and ate a hardy lunch. Well, if you can call a soft diet hardy. After I finished eating, Sam walked in.

“John, can’t you stay out of trouble?”

I laughed.

“Apparently not.”

Sam shook his head.

“I am really sorry about this. At least we caught them. I am going to make an example of them. We can not condone this kind of behavior.”

I nodded.

“I thought they had learned their lesson last time with Karen but stupid is as stupid does.”

“Yeah, those aren’t the brightest bulbs. I’m glad you are healing OK. I understand that you have no memory of the fight.”

I smiled.

“Part of that might be because I was a little under the weather.”

Sam grinned.

“That’s not what the doctors say. I’m putting you on one month’s medical leave.”

He noticed my face brighten.

“However, you are not the leave Earth.”

That deflated me in a hurry. It meant I could not go see Mary and Raylan.

“I know this sucks but it is doctor’s orders. Why don’t you go visit your home place in Kentucky and get away from all this. You have had a busy year.”

I sighed.

“No kidding! I’ll think about it.”

“Good! Come to my office when you are released tomorrow.”

Sam shook my hand and left. I guess I was still woozy because I drifted off. I awoke when the doctor returned with the nurse.

“Your head looks good and you tolerated your lunch fine. If everything checks out in the morning, you can go.”

“Thanks doc.”

The doctor left but the nurse stayed to check the monitors.

“Would it be all right if I used the vid?”

She smiled.

“Sure, you are no longer under any restrictions.”

After she left, I got up and went to the desk where the vid unit set. I punched in the code for Mary. I had forgotten to ask if she knew about my incident. Mary came online.

“John, are you OK?”

“I’m fine. I guess Sam told you what happened.”

“No, Linda called me. The last I heard, you were in a coma. I was going out of my mind.”

“I’m so sorry. I was told that I was out for two weeks. I feel fine now. My head hurt earlier but some medicine took care of that. I will be released tomorrow.”

“Thank goodness! When will you be back here?”

“Well, Sam has put me on one month’s medical leave with the provision that I don’t leave Earth.”

Mary frowned.

“Damn!”

We talked until my supper arrived.

“I see your supper is there. You eat and rest. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

“OK, I love you.”

“I love you too. Take care of your self.”

We signed off. Shit! I wish I was back there. I ate but my heart wasn‘t in it even though it was a very good steak dinner. Soon afterwards, I went to sleep. I slept pretty well considering I was awaken several times by the nurse. The next morning, I ate breakfast and then washed up. The doctor came about 10 o’clock.

“Well, John, everything looks good. Get out of here.”

I smiled.

“Gladly”

Some clothes had been left for me so I dressed quickly. I went to the nurse’s station and signed out. I remembered that Sam wanted to see me therefore I headed for his office. Upon entering, I got a big surprise.

“Karen! What are you doing here?”

She smiled.

“Hello brother. A little bird told me what happened to you. I got the aliens to drop me at Fledora. Sam sent your cruiser to pick me up. I arrived this morning. It’s great to see you are alright.”

I grinned.

“Try telling Sam that. He has put me on medical leave for one month.”

Sam spoke up.

“I’m trying to convince John to spend the time back at is home place in Kentucky.”

Karen brightened up.

“That would be wonderful. I would love to see where you grew up.”

I sighed.

“I can’t fight both of you. OK, we’ll do it.”

I looked over at Sam.

“George tells me that you have video of the fight.”

Sam nodded and punched it up. There were six of them.

“Hey, John, those are the same one’s we encountered last time.”

Even though I was drunk, I got in a couple of good licks but I was quickly overwhelmed. It was painful to watch. I realized that I was very lucky to have survived.

“Don’t worry they will receive what they disserve. Now, you go have some fun.”

I stood and shook Sam’s hand. Karen and I went to my apartment. I called Mary and told her what we were doing. She was glad Karen was there for me. I packed some things and put us in for the next shuttle.

“Looks like we can get away this evening. Is that OK with you?”

Karen laughed.

“The sooner the better. I like Tinker and Bell but their culture will drive one nuts. It is great to get away for a while.”

I laughed.

“At least you are a primary.”

She had her belongings sent to the shuttle and we headed over there. This was going to be a great trip. I was looking forward to showing Karen the home place.