Galactic Marshall II
by
Hilltopper

CHAPTER 10

As we approached the alien ship, I got cold chills. This thing was as strange as could be. I hated to think what the ones who built this craft looked like. We were guided into the ship and docked at a port. Karen turned to me.

“OK, follow my lead.”

We exited through the hatch into a long corridor. Karen put her arm around me. I held Raylan close to my chest.

“These guys are big on appearances. As long as they believe we are an item, they will leave you alone.”

I shuddered.

“I sure wouldn’t want a repeat of the other night.”

Karen nodded.

“You never really know what is going through their minds. Georgia, just stay close to us. They are used to me having one or two of my people with me.”

I looked over at George.

“You doing OK?”

“I feel like a fool.”

“Well, I think you look good for an Amazon.”

He hit me on the shoulder.

“Ouch!”

“Just be glad you’re a girl with a baby at the moment.”

We walked about half way down the corridor and then stopped at a door. Karen opened it and we entered.

“This is the room I use for business while on the ship.”

The room was about 8 meters square. There was a table with 5 chairs in the center. A couch was on one side and several soft chairs on the other. It was pretty sterile.

“Not exactly luxurious.”

Karen laughed.

“That’s for sure but I’m not here much. I have another room on the ship where I stay. It is where I have kept Raylan.”

George and I sat down on the couch. Raylan began to wake up. I knew he had to be fed soon.

“I guess they are used to Raylan being here then. Do you have formula for him?”

Karen nodded.

“Sure, in my room.”

Just then a face appeared on a vid screen I had not noticed. It looked like the guy who attacked me on the beach. Karen noticed my horror.

“Don’t be alarmed. They all look like that when in human guise.”

The head spoke up.

“Please meet with us. We have much to discuss.”

Karen agreed and the alien signed off.

“Come on, I’ll take you three to my room. That way, you can feed Raylan and there will be no chance of anyone happening upon you”

We exited the room and walked almost to the end of the corridor. Karen opened a door and we went in. Now this was more like it! The room was about 10 meters square with very nice furniture and a large bed. A crib set beside it. A small kitchen was at one side of the room. Karen went to it and pulled a baby bottle out of the refrigerator. She pushed a lever on the bottom.

“These heat up automatically. Make your selves at home. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Karen left and I sat down to feed Raylan.

“Gina, are you sure that you can trust her? I mean, we are now on an alien starship and not ourselves. Any thing could happen now.”

“Calm down, George. I really think she is trying to help us. It’s the alien agenda that I am worried about.”

Suddenly our radio beeped.

“Go ahead, Coop.”

“I’m in position. Just give the word.”

“OK, I don’t know how long this will take.”

“Right! Standing by. Out”

I turned back to George.

“Well, at least we are not alone. I think Coop can take out this ship if necessary.”

“Yeah, I just hope we are not on it at the time. By the way, how do you stand wearing these darn dresses all the time?”

I laughed.

“You get used to it.”

“That’s not something I want to think about. I wonder if Karen has anything to drink in that kitchen.”

“Now George ---

“I’m just looking for something to settle my nerves.”

I shook my head but didn’t say anything. I know George is trying to cope as best he can. It was about an hour before Karen returned. George had found something in Karen’s kitchen and seemed more relaxed. Karen was in a huff.

“Those idiots! I tried to tell them their plan was stupid but would they listen to me?”

She flopped down on the couch.

“So, what are they doing?”

“They have sent a message to the Fledoran council offering to trade Mary and Raylan for their precious thulium, that’s what!”

“What about Linda?”

“I’ve convinced them that she works for me. I have arranged to meet with her in a little bit.”

I brightened up.

“Does that mean you can tell her what we are doing?”

She nodded.

“Yeah, then we must figure out how to get to Mary.”

“Do you know where they are holding her?”

“No, but I hope to find that out from Linda.”

“What about that blackmail threat to Fledora?”

“The Alliance has heard nothing back and they won’t. The council will have no problem throwing them to the wolves.”

I grimaced.

“That’s a bit harsh, don’t you think?”

“Maybe, but it’s true. You should know that better than me.”

I sighed.

“I guess your right. It’s up to us.”

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I left Gina, Georgia, and Raylan in my room and headed toward my meeting with Linda. I should have contacted her right after I recovered but I felt at the time that I had left Fledora behind me. I realize now that there was no way that would happen. I opened the door to the chamber where I was told I could find Linda. Upon walking in, Linda jumped up and ran to me.

“Oh, Karen, I just knew you were alive. I’m so sorry that I had to shoot you.”

This brought me up short. I pushed Linda back at arms length and looked hard into her eyes.

“You shot me? I thought it was Mary?”

Linda looked puzzled.

“Don’t you remember what happened?”

“No”

“Well, I guess you went a little crazy. You tried to shoot Mary and I couldn’t let that happen. I was devastated when we didn’t find you in that shaft.”

I smiled and shook my head.

“That’s past. We have to think about the present. I brought Gina and Raylan onto the ship with me. There is also a marshal friend of Gina’s along as well. We need to get everyone off this ship.”

Linda frowned.

“So, you did have Raylan!”

I sighed.

“It’s a log story. Gina has him back and she and Georgia came here to rescue you and Mary. I am doing everything I can to help. Do you know where Mary is being held?”

“Yes, but she won’t be glad to see you.”

I nodded.

“It will be a shock and I know she will think I am behind all of this.”

I stared at Linda.

“It’s not true. I would never do that.”

“OK, I believe you but Mary won’t.”

“Yeah, look we need to get her and join up with the others. Gina has a Fledoran ship standing by to take us aboard if we can get off this thing.”

“Great! Let’s go!”

We left the room and Linda led me to the chamber where Mary was kept. I hesitated at the door. I heaved a big sigh and we went in. Mary looked up and I could see the anger building. She jumped up.

“You!”

She lunged at me. I stepped back avoiding her.

“Mary, it’s not what you think! I can explain.”

Mary whipped around and threw a kick grazing my head. There was no talking to her. As she passed me, I chopped down on the back of her neck knocking her out. I turned to Linda.

“Damn! I didn’t want this!”

Linda looked sadly down at Mary.

“She will be OK. I’ll explain things when we get off this ship.”

I nodded. I picked Mary up and threw her over my shoulder.

“We better hurry back to my room before we get caught.”

We left and went to join Gina and Georgia. As I entered carrying Mary, Gina stood up.

“What the hell!”

“She’s OK, just shocked at my presence. We don’t have much time. We have got to get to the shuttle before these guys take notice. I’ll lead off. Georgia, you bring up the rear.”

I threw her a stun gun.

“Let’s move!”

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Karen ran out the door with Mary. I turned to Linda and smiled.

“I’m glad you’re OK. I hope Mary is as well.”

My eyes teared up and Linda smiled back.

“Thanks for coming to our rescue. Don’t worry about Mary. She was just a little angry.”

I nodded.

“I can imagine.”

We dashed out behind Karen and ran down the corridor toward the shuttle. As we reached it, I heard running footsteps coming down the corridor behind us. The aliens knew what we were up to. I threw open the hatch and Karen jumped in. I pushed Linda through and looked back. The aliens were coming on fast. George shot the stun gun at them and the lead one dropped. Unfortunately, the one behind him fired an energy weapon hitting George in the back as he turned to enter the hatch. He dropped to the floor. I dragged him through and closed it.

“Computer, get us out of here!”

The shuttle quickly undocked and headed away from the alien ship. Coop came on line.

“Jonnie, that ship is powering up.”

“OK, can you take out their engines?”

“No problem.”

A few seconds later, an intense beam leaped from our ship toward the alien craft. Almost immediately, an explosion erupted toward the rear end of that ship.

“All done. They aren’t going anywhere. You are cleared to dock. Welcome back.”

“Thanks, Coop. We’ll be there shortly.”

Linda was looking over George.

“How is he?”

She looked up with a puzzled face then just shook her head.

“It’s not good. We need to get her into a medical pod as quick as we can.”

I frowned.

“That’s one thing we don’t have. Is he --- er she stable?”

Linda nodded.

“Yes, but her spine is badly injured. I think she is paralyzed.”

“Shit! Help me get her into the hibernation chamber. That should allow us to get her home.”

We put George in. Mary was still out so we put her in as well. I turned to Karen.

“Are you coming back with us?”

“I might as well. I think I have worn out my welcome here.”

I laughed.

“It sure looks like it but things might not be much better where we’re going. At least we aren’t going exactly to Fledora. This ship is based on her moon.”

“That’s something, I guess. We will sort things out when we get there, I hope.”

“Yeah, what about those aliens?”

Karen looked pained.

“We haven’t heard the last of them I’m afraid.”

I nodded.

“My thoughts exactly.”

Coop set the ship up to take us home and we all climbed into the hibernation pods. I took Raylan with me. I was looking forward to being back with Mary. I worried about George though. I had gotten him into this mess and guilt was coming to the fore front. Things were sure going to be complicated back at the moon base. Oh, well!