GALACTIC MARSHAL
by Hilltopper

CHAPTER 2

“What the ---------?”

“Now, don’t panic. I can explain everything.”

“Who the hell are you and what the hell did you do to me?”

“It will be OK, Miss Harper.”

“Cut the ‘Miss Harper’ crap. I want to know what is going on and why am I sounding funny?”

I got up to take a look at myself. There was no doubt I had breasts but I was afraid to look elsewhere.

“Do not worry, nothing has been cut off and nothing done is permanent. You have to realize, this is a planet of only women. In order to do your investigation, you must blend in. Your appearance and voice have been altered for that reason. Besides, we do not allow males on our planet.”

Even though she made sense, I was in no mood to listen.

“I don’t care what your rules are. I am not going around like this. So, if that is the way things are, then just change me back and I’ll go back home.”

“So, you are going to shirk your duty because of your pride. I told them this would not work.”

Now she was hitting me where it hurt. I always did my duty no matter what. But this was way above and beyond. I spotted a mirror and walked over to it. I really did not look much different: same height, same weight, same face. But there was no doubt either that I now looked much more feminine especially with the long blond hair. There was no bulge below and that worried me. I guess she noticed my concern.

“They are just hidden inside. Everything is still there. Of course, you will now have to sit down when you pee.”

There was that smirk again.

“I have a feeling you are enjoying this. Look, I get it, but there is no way in the world I can pass as a woman. Why didn’t you just take one of the female marshals?”

“Several reasons. One is the fact that our bodies have been genetically enhanced. None of your female deputies could begin to compete with us. Also, according to our DNA testing and computer analysis, you were the best fit.”

“I don’t see how. As far as competing, I am sure I can take on any woman on your planet and win.”

“OK, hot shot! Come at me. Don’t worry, you are still the same inside and have not lost any strength or skills.”

I decided I would just throw her and not try to really hurt her. I made my move and came at her suddenly from the left side. The next thing I knew, I was on the floor with her knee on my chest.

“I am below average in the strength department on our planet and I am also quite short.”

Well, so much for my pride. I was beginning to think I was about to get in over my head. I tried to look unconcerned as she got off me.

“My job is to make you ready to go down to our planet and meet with the council. If you are not going to cooperate, then maybe you should go back home.”

“OK, I am still not sure this is a good idea nor if I can do it, but I am on your side against the bad guys. Let’s start over.”

I put out my hand and she shook it.

“Alright, my name is Mary Brown. I am chief of detectives in our capital. I do admit I am enjoying your misery but I will do whatever is necessary to help you get ready. I am not your enemy. Just call me Mary.”

With that, she led me into what looked like a crew lounge. I was looking around for anyone else but could see no sign of other crew members. Detective Brown noticed.

“This ship is pretty much automated. We are the only ones aboard. We are orbiting Fledora and will do so until the council determines you are ready to land.”

“And if they are not satisfied?”

“Then you go home without your fugitive.”

I had to admit that was not an option. I was very concerned as to what it would take to convince their council to let me start the search for Sandra.

“Can I get some clothes and get rid of this stupid medical gown?”

She had that smile again.

“Actually, those are your clothes. Of course, if you want to change into a clean uniform, that would be fine.”

I looked down at myself. This thing barely covered my ass. There was no way in hell I was going to continue wearing it.

“OK, where are my other clothes?”

“Right this way.”

I found myself in an 8 feet by 8 feet bedroom with a closet at one end. She left and closed the door. I got out of that dress thing immediately. Looking in the closet, I was dismayed to find two other dresses that looked much like the one I had just worn. I could not find any drawers that would contain any other clothes.

“Hey, I can’t find any pants or underwear.”

“We rarely wear underwear and pants are not usually worn except when necessary for certain jobs.”

“So, you’re telling me I am going to wear what’s in this closet and nothing else?”

“Yep!”

This was going from bad to worse. I was afraid to ask about shoes. I put on another dress and walked back into the lounge. She was definitely enjoying my misery.

“You have to realize that we don’t have the same culture as you. Since you have both males and females, you have developed a ridiculous set of modesty rules. We don’t have that problem. We don’t even wear any clothes some of the time.”

I guess I must have looked a little green because she laughed and turned toward what looked like a food terminal of some kind. I have to admit that she has a great laugh and is rather cute. She handed me something completely unrecognizable.

“Aren’t you going to eat? I thought you would be hungry.”

“Not that hungry.”

“You know when in Fledora; act like a Fledoran.”

“Well, it doesn’t look like losing weight will be a problem.”

She laughed real hard and took the plate.

“Alright, I had to mess with you again. When we left the colony, we took a lot of farm animals with us. So, we have pretty much the same things available that you do along with the native stuff. How about a hamburger and French fries?”

“Now you’re talking.”

We finished eating and decided to go on to bed. It had been a hard day. I guessed I would have to sleep naked. There appeared to be nothing else to wear. I lie down on the bed and pondered my situation. I can not believe the mess I am in. Sam had to know about this. I am going to kill him when I get back. I bet he is having a big laugh about now. I still wonder what all they have done to me. I feel the same except for these darn breasts. It sure looks different between my legs but, hopefully, all the changes are just superficial. I still don’t get why I was the best pick of the marshals. Mary has a lot of explaining to do tomorrow.

The next morning, I once again donned the ‘dress’ and entered the lounge area. Mary was sitting at a table and looked up. I struck a pose.

“So, here I am.”

“Yeah, I see but your hair is a mess. You need to do something with it.”

“You mean like cut it off?”

“Funny. Get your breakfast and, after you eat, we will get started.”

“Hmmm.”

I walked over to the food terminal and selected some bacon and eggs. At least, that’s what it looked like.

“How do you sit in this thing? My bare butt is on the chair.”

“You are supposed to use your hands to sweep the dress under you as you sit down.”

I just shake my head and start eating.

“You know, I was sent here to catch Sandra Sterling, not to play games.”

“This is not a game. We have never allowed a male to set foot on our planet before now and, even though you look sort of female, you are still a man. If anyone finds out, there will be hell to pay. The council has agreed to let you in but only if you can convince them that there is no chance of you being discovered to be male. We have tried to keep your changes superficial but it is up to you to show everyone that you are a woman.”

“OK, but I still think it would be better to use a female deputy.”

“No, they would be spotted as an outsider immediately. Since you are 6 feet tall and have a strong build, you will be about average. A lot of women on our planet are taller and stronger than you.”

“So, how come Sandra has not been spotted?”

“She probably has but is getting help. At 5 feet 8 inches, she is certainly short. We have some information that she might be hiding in Basteria. That area has a large criminal element.”

“Then your planet is not all milk and honey.”

“Far from it. We have a population of over a million. Crime will always be a problem with that many people. I was told your Sandra was wanted for murder but I do not know what she did.”

“Her husband was arrested by the marshal service on a warrant for forgery. I guess the arresting marshals got over exuberant because he died in transport. In revenge for his death, Sandra killed the judge that issued the warrant and three deputy marshals.”

“Wow! I guess we know why she is getting help now. A lot of women would be sympathetic.”

I finished breakfast and got up.

“OK, what now?”

“Well, let’s do something with your hair and get you some boots. You will probably need some practice with them.”

We entered the bathroom and she brushed out my hair. I have to admit that it felt nice; however, I would still rather cut it off. Mary left and came back with a pair of black boots that looked like they would come almost up to my knees. They also had a very high heel. I guess I cringed because she smirked again.

“I know these seem outrageous, but we need to wear the proper uniform when we meet with the council. They will make a determination as to whether this investigation can continue based on your appearance and demeanor.”

I reluctantly took the boots and tried them on. They fit perfectly since they had all my measurements. I stood up and walked into the lounge.

“Whoa! You have done this before.”

I blushed a bright red. The fact was, as a teen, I had experimented. When I had reached adulthood, I buried those thoughts as deep as I could. I ignored her comment and walked back and forth several times.

“This is going to be easier than I thought. You actually look very feminine when walking in those boots. I think I am beginning to see what the council meant by you being the best fit.”

“Just because I can walk in these silly boots does not mean I can pass as a woman on your planet. I don’t like to beat a dead horse, but there is no way this is going to work.”

“Let’s take it one step at a time and the council will decide that. We will spend the rest of today working with you. If the council is in agreement, we will go down to the planet tomorrow.”

This really scared me. It was one thing to parade around in this get up in front of Mary. But to actually go out in public like this was almost paralyzing. Once again, Mary read me like a book.

“Don’t worry. No one will notice a thing. We will get you ready and everything will go fine.”

We worked on feminine deportment until lunch. I got another hamburger and sat down.

“You are doing fine. I do have a question about how fast you are getting this. Care to enlighten me?”

I stared at her a minute and then sighed.

“OK, but this is just between you and me although I suspect there may be something in my history about this that caught the council’s eye. I was born intersexed and was more girl than boy until puberty. I decided then to make myself be all boy. Unfortunately, I was only partially successful. To everyone, I was a total boy but, in private, I dressed as a girl quite often. When I graduated high school, it seemed the best thing to do was to pick a masculine career so that I could put this female thing behind me. So, I aimed my college studies toward that end and joined the marshal service after I got my diploma. This assignment is not sitting well with me. It is bringing back things I thought I had well buried.”

She looked stunned. I got up to get another drink.

“This is making more and more sense now. Wow! I think I am going to go ahead and call the council. Just hang loose a while.”

She got up and went through a door I had not entered. I figured it was the control room. I went back to my room and lie down. I could not believe I had told her all that. I had never told anyone before. She was just very easy to talk to. Well, no going back now. I guess I must have been tired because the next thing I knew, Mary was shaking me.

“It’s all set up. We will meet with the council at 10 tomorrow.”

I got up and followed her back out to the lounge.

“That’s great. So, I have to wear this dress and boots?”

“Yes, but a clean one. I will have to wear the same thing. Don’t worry. This is just part of protocol, you know. If everything goes well, we will get you some different clothes afterwards.”

We spent some more time checking me out. By supper time, we figured it was as good as it was going to get. We ate and then sat back.

“I know I have been a real pain. You are just doing what you were asked to do. It was just a bit of a shock is all.”

Mary laughed.

“I am sure it was. I want to apologize for enjoying your pain too much. You must remember, we are not used to being with men. If you had not undergone your changes in route here, I could not have done this. Your secret is safe with me but it did help me get through this as well. When we part company tomorrow after the meeting, let’s go as friends.”

“Sure. Fine with me. I am glad it was you that was sent to get me.”

With that, we hugged and went to bed. The next morning, I dressed and ate breakfast. Mary must have been busy in the control room as I did not see her. She came out as I finished eating.

“Come on in and strap down. We deorbit in 15 minutes.”

“OK, lead on.”

I strapped in and got my first look at Fledora. It looked a whole lot like Earth but with much less land area. With a sigh I uttered, “Well, here goes nothing.”