Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper

CHAPTER 4

I looked up to see Tad with an evil grin on his face. What on earth was he doing here. He looked over at Jim.

“Is this your new boy friend, girly-boy?”

Jim had a shocked look on his face. Karen stood up and Tad noticed her for the first time. A look of fear appeared. I guess he remembered what she did to his compadres at the station. He backed up a step.

“Tad, I thought you were in jail.”

He laughed.

“I bet you do.”

He frowned and clinched his fists.

“They fired me and banished me from the station. I’m also banned from space flight. That means I am stuck on this god forsaken planet and it’s your fault.”

Karen started toward him and he headed for the door.

“I’ll see you again.”

With that he left. Karen sat back down shaking her head.

“He is trouble.”

I nodded.

“Yeah, I can’t figure out how he escaped jail time.”

Jim finally found his voice.

“What was that all about?”

“It’s a long story. He has been on my case since I arrested his brother. His bunch jumped me when I got back to HQ several weeks ago. It’s why I am on medical leave. I was told he would be put away. Damn this sucks!”

Jim nodded.

“He definitely is one to look out for. I get the feeling he doesn’t fight fair. You better watch your back.”

Karen smiled.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got his back.”

We finished up and left the restaurant. I kept my eye open for Tad but he seemed to have left. The real question, besides why he wasn’t in jail, was what was he doing in my home town? To my knowledge, no one knew I was here except Sam. When we arrived home, we bade Jim a fond adieu and went inside. Karen turned to me.

“How the hell did that scum bag get here?”

I shook my head.

“I wish I knew. I’m calling Sam.”

When Sam came online, I gave him a brief description of what had happened.

“What I want to know is why the hell Tad is not locked up?”

Sam grimaced.

“Some how his lawyer convinced the judge that Tad was enticed by you. The judge could do nothing else without rebuttal evidence.”

I was livid.

“I can’t believe this.”

“I’m sorry, John. At least he can’t come back here.”

“Yeah, but he is in my neck of the woods.”

Sam sighed.

“If I had any inkling that he knew where you lived, I would have called you. There is nothing we can do about that until he commits a crime.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know. OK, Sam, I’ll call you when we get back to the station.”

When I disconnected, I was mad enough to stomp an ape. Karen put her hands on my shoulders.

“Just calm down. Tad is not worth it. He will get his eventually.”

I nodded.

“He better stay away from me. I have taken all I am going to from him.”

“Why don’t we go back to the journals and forget Tad.”

“OK, we might as well.”

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The doctor put me on low dose estrogen today. She said it would have a calming effect. I have not told Marlene. We have not discussed my problem any more.

Well, I have started growing breasts. Marlene noticed and we had a bad fight. She said that I had to decide if I wanted her or to become a woman. I told her the truth: I want both. I am at work now and dread going back home.

I have rented a room in a boarding house. Marlene does not want me home for now. I am very depressed. The doctor says that I must be willing to give up everything in order to transition to a woman. I can’t do that nor can I stop the transition. All seems hopeless!

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Karen sat back and sighed.

“I don’t think I can read any more. This is depressing me.”

“No kidding. However, I’m pretty sure that I was told once that John did not die young. I also seem to remember a strange look on the face of my dad when he told me that.”

“Hmm, OK, but let’s skip ahead.”

“Sure”

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My failed attempt at suicide has had a profound affect. Marlene says she will support me in my transition but we can’t be lovers any longer; just friends. The police chief now knows as well. Since our department has a non discriminatory policy, I will keep my job. We have decided to keep it from the other officers for now. They all knew I was depressed so they are supporting me in my recovery. I hate to think what their opinion of me would be if they knew the truth.

I am going to take some leave time in order to finish electrolysis and have a bilateral orchiectomy. I am living now as a woman when not at work. I still don’t know how to handle everyone at work knowing about me.

The surgery went well. I am now back to work. I talked to the chief. He knows a chief in a department in a fairly large city in the next state that actually has a transsexual in the department. This might be the place for me.

I had an interview with the chief my boss told me about. He told me to come in as a woman. The interview went well. He said that it would be best to have my name and gender legally changed before coming into his department. It is something to think about.

I told Marlene what I was thinking of doing. She is not happy about it but she will not stand in my way.

I have had my name changed to Joan Harper. The new department chief has told me he will hire me. I have scheduled reassignment surgery in 3 months time. I will continue working at my current position until then. After recovery, I will start at the new department as a female.

I am going in tomorrow for my surgery. Marlene is coming with me. I am very grateful. I know what I am doing is hurting her but it is something I must do.

The surgery is over. I am now female. Things are healing fine. I hate the stints but I know it is necessary. Marlene has gone back home. I miss her.

I start my new position today. All the officers only know me as a woman. It is very scary but I must be brave. I met the other trans officer. She is going to be a big help to me.

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Karen closed the journal. I must say that I am very surprised at the entries. No one ever mentioned to me that John became Joan. Of course, it was over 200 year ago. I wish I could ask someone but there is no one left. Karen is staring at me.

“John, did you know about this?”

“Nope, it is all new to me.”

Karen nodded.

“It kind of brings your troubles into focus.”

I frowned.

“I don’t see where those journal entries have anything to do with me.”

Karen grunts.

“If you say so.”

Suddenly, Karen jerked and fell to the floor. I heard a noise behind me and turned to find Tad standing in the doorway holding a stun gun. Before I could say anything, a bolt hit me and everything went black. When I awoke, my chest was on fire. I was tied to a chair in an unfamiliar room.

“Good evening, Miss Harper.”

I looked toward the voice to see Tad sitting in a chair across the room.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Tad?”

He laughed.

“I’m not the one tied up. I am the injured party here. You got what was coming to you on the station. Now, I am going to finish the job.”

He stood up and started toward me. I heard a loud noise from the next room. Tad turned quickly toward it. A shot rang out and Tad staggered back with a surprised face. He looked at me with hate in his eyes and then fell backwards onto the floor. Jim and Karen rushed into the room.

“John, are you OK?”

I grinned.

“What took you so long?”

Karen smiled.

“We should just leave you like that. It would serve you right.”

“How on earth did you find me?”

Jim answered my question.

“I had tailed that guy earlier to this house. Later, I came over to check on you and found Karen unconscious. As soon as I revived her, we headed over here.”

“Thanks, I don’t think he was kidding around. I guess we’re even now.”

He laughed.

“Just doing my job.”

He cut me loose and I gingerly stood up. I rubbed my chest.

“I’m glad he used a stun gun first.”

I looked over at some knives setting on a table near by and shook my head.

“I hate to think what he planned with those.”

Karen frowned.

“Yeah, let’s get out of here.”

We went back to my house. I called Sam to report what had happened.

“Damn John! I didn’t think Tad was that mixed up. Well, at least it’s over.”

“Yeah, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place. I’m not sure the Marshal Service is where I need to be any more.”

“Don’t make any snap decisions. I still think you are my best marshal. As soon as you get things squared away there, come on back up here. We need to talk.”

I sighed.

“OK, you’re right. I’ll see you in a few days.”

Karen and I relaxed the rest of the evening. The next day, we went to the local police station and made our statements. Tad was dead so there was no further action needed. I drove Karen around the area showing her my favorite sites. We scheduled a lift up to the station for the next day. When we arrived at the station, I turned to Karen.

“You go ahead and meet with George and Linda. I’ll go talk to Sam and meet you all at the restaurant.”

“OK, sounds good to me.”

I went on to Sam’s office. He was with someone so I waited outside. When the man left, Sam waved me in.

“John, I’m real sorry about Tad. I feel like we left you blowing in the wind.”

“Well, I admit a bit of bitterness but the system is what it is.”

Sam nodded.

“Yeah, all we can do is our best. I’m putting you back on active status. You are going with Karen to meet with the aliens as an official representative of the Planetopolis.”

I raised my eyebrows.

“What’s the catch?”

Sam smiled.

“I didn’t fool you for a minute. The guy that left before you came in gave me this.”

He handed me an official looking document. It basically gave me ambassador status with the aliens.

“What about Karen?”

He shrugged.

“She is viewed as the alien’s envoy. You, on the other hand, are ours. You are to do everything in your power to get the aliens to come here.”

“And if they won’t?”

“There are some who would want stronger actions.”

I frowned.

“I see. OK, I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will. Once again, I’m glad things turned out well with the Tad thing. You take care of yourself.”

I smiled.

“You know it.”

I left and went to the restaurant to meet with George and Linda. I spotted them with Karen as I walked in and went to their table. George stood up and shook my hand.

“Glad to see you are still with us. I hear it was close.”

I grinned.

“Naw, it was all for show.”

George laughed. Linda frowned at me.

“You can joke about it all you want but the whole thing sends shivers up my spine.”

I hugged her.

“Thanks for caring.”

We sat down and ordered. As Linda lay her menu down, I noticed a flash from her finger. She saw me looking and grinned. I peered slyly at George.

“OK, give!”

He smiled big.

“Don’t worry, we’ll wait until you get back.”

“Congratulations to you both. It is a match made in heaven.”

George grabbed my shoulders.

“You will be best man of course.”

Linda looked at me with a big grin.

“That is unless you want to be my maid of honor.”

I laughed.

“Not a chance.”

“OK then, Karen, you’re it.”

Karen hugged her.

“It will be my pleasure.”

We enjoyed the evening talking about our times together. Finally, I stood up.

“Well, I hate to break things up, but Karen and I have a date with Fledora. I’ll see you both when we get back.”

We said our good byes and headed out. Karen started for her room but I stopped her.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve had our belongings loaded into the cruiser. I don’t see any reason to remain here. How about we head out?”

“Why the hell not!”

I laughed and we went to the dock holding our ship. Gina, of course, greeted us. We entered and sat down.

“Gina, set us on a course for Fledora.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

Karen grinned and I just groaned.