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.
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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.”
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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.
Galactic Marshal
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 2
After the shuttle landed and I rented a vehicle, we headed toward my home. I, hesitantly, turned to Karen.
“Uh, there is something I should tell you before we get there. I was essentially a girl before puberty.”
Karen looked at me and smiled.
“It’s not a surprise to me but go ahead and tell me about it.”
“Well, I now know I am intersexed. At the time, I was just confused. My dad and, of course your dad as well, was gone most of the time. Since I felt like a girl, I was treated as one. When puberty hit, I was more or less forced to man up. The rest is history but you will find many things at the house that a growing boy would not have.”
She patted my knee.
“I want to see everything. I am not one to judge. After all, you were female when I met you.”
I blushed.
“Yeah, I’m trying to forget that.”
Karen laughed.
“Don’t you dare!”
We reached the house in about an hour. The place has been kept up pretty well. I have a service that takes care of it. As we drove up the drive, Karen broke out in a big smile.
“This is just what I imagined.”
She started to tear up.
“I wish we had grown up together. That damn council just about ruined us.”
I shrugged.
“The past is past. At least we finally found each other.”
We spent the rest of the day looking around the place. It really hasn’t been changed much since I was little. Certainly, nothing has been thrown away. In fact, the place is full of stuff dating back to when my family built it over 200 years ago. We sat down to eat supper and Karen shook her head.
“I must say, I have never seen so much ancient things in my life.”
I laughed.
“You have to remember, the family has lived here a long time. Much longer than Fledora has even existed.”
Karen nodded.
“This place is like a time machine.”
“Yeah and you haven’t even seen the attic yet.”
Karen raised her eyebrows. I quickly interjected.
“Tomorrow, I promise.”
“OK”
After eating, we settled on the couch and watched some old videos of me.
“I don’t see any thing younger than when you are about 12 years old.”
I nodded.
“Dad either hid them or threw them away. He was very disappointed in me I think.”
Karen thought a few seconds.
“Maybe they are in the attic.”
“Tomorrow”
“Alright, alright! When was the last time you were up there?”
“I really don’t remember. I must have been real young and I don’t think I ever was up there by myself.”
Karen looked surprised.
“You mean that in all the time you have been here, you never went up there?”
I shook my head.
“Until all this Fledora thing happened, I wanted to forget my past.”
Karen looked sadly at me.
“I know how you felt but we can never escape our past.”
I nodded.
“So I have found out. It’s getting late. I’m going to go crash. Feel free to look around all you want.”
“No, I’m tired too. I’ll see you in the morning.”
She went to the guest room and I to my old room. I, to this day, did not feel comfortable sleeping in my dad’s room. Sleep quickly over took me. I awoke to the smell of coffee. Now, I hate to drink coffee but the odor is very pleasant and potent. I staggered into the kitchen. Karen looked at me and laughed.
“I see you still aren’t a morning person.”
I grinned.
“The only good thing about morning is it ends at noon.”
“How are you felling this morning? Any lingering affects?”
“Not really. My headache is gone but my abdomen is cramping a little.”
“What do you want for breakfast?”
“I never eat until lunch so have what ever you want.”
After eating, we went out to the back porch. It was going to be a hot day. We sat down and I shook my head.
“This will be your kind of day: hot.”
“Yeah, I know your climate is far different from Fledora so this is not usual. I’d like to go into your attic but I guess we better wait until this evening.”
I nodded.
“Yep, it will be over 40 degrees up there during the daytime.”
We talked for a little while enjoying the great view. Suddenly, some one came around the side of the house. It was one of the local police officers.
“Hey, John, you’ve been gone quite a while.”
“Yeah, my marshal duties keep me hopping.”
“Who’s your friend?”
Karen stood up and the officer’s eyes got huge. She grinned and stuck out here hand. I laughed.
“Jim, meet Karen Singleton.”
He shook Karen’s hand.
“No offence, but you’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met.”
“I consider it a complement.”
Jim turned to me.
“I hate to ask you on your time off but I’m going over to the Jenkins place. I have a warrant for one of the brothers. I don’t want to serve it alone.”
“I don’t blame you. Those boys are nothing but trouble.”
I turned to Karen.
“Just make yourself at home. I’ll help Jim here and be back tonight.”
“Oh no you don’t! I’m going too.”
I looked at Jim.
“It’s up to you but she looks like she can handle herself to me.”
I sighed.
“I never seem to win an argument with you. OK, let’s go.”
We rode with Jim to the Jenkins place. We parked around the bend and walked stealthfully up to the house. I went around back and Jim with Karen went to the front door. A few seconds later, I heard two shots. The back door flew open and a man ran out. I stepped out from behind the shed.
“Freeze Roscoe!”
He stopped and looked hard at me.
“Well, if it isn’t Marshal John. I thought you were out of this world.”
“Just drop the gun.”
He grinned and started to raise it. I was carrying a stun gun and I shot him in the chest. He dropped like a rock. I ran around to the front of the house. Karen was kneeling over Jim. She looked up as I stepped onto the porch.
“He knocked on the door and someone shot through it. The bullet went into his stomach.”
Jim moaned.
“We better get him to the hospital. I stunned a man around back. Go grab him and I’ll take Jim to his cruiser.”
I drove to the hospital and dropped Jim off. We then turned Roscoe over to the police at their station. I called Sam and reported what had happened.
“God, John, you can’t even stay out of trouble down there. OK, file a report with the police and send me a copy.”
“Sure thing.”
I wrote up my report and we went back to the hospital. Jim had just come out of surgery. I knew the doctor and went over to him.
“How’s Jim doing?”
“Hey, John. It’s been awhile. Oh, he’s tough. In a few days, he will be as good as ever.”
“That’s great news. Can we see him?”
“Sure”
He led us to the recovery room. Jim was groggy but smiled.
“I guess I should be more careful, huh?”
I laughed.
“I’m just glad you came and got me. That Roscoe is a piece of work.”
“Yeah, well, thanks. You get back to your vacation. I won’t bother you again.”
“You just get well. See you later.”
We left and went back to the station. One of the officers drove us home.
“I don’t know about you but I’m starving.”
Karen laughed.
“You got any steaks?”
“You bet. How about we grill out?”
“Sounds good to me.”
We had a great steak dinner. Nothing is better than a steak grilled over charcoal. After eating, we sat back and watched the sun set.
“It is beautiful here, John.”
“Yeah, I was lucky to be raised here.”
Karen sighed.
“I still wonder what it would have been like if we had grown up together.”
“You can’t go back. Do you still want to go into the attic?”
“You bet I do.”
“OK”
I got the key and unlocked the attic door. It was still a bit hot but not intolerable. The boxes in the front were mostly my things from when I grew up here. Karen started going through them.
“Are these things yours? There sure are a lot of girl stuff.”
I blushed.
“I told you that.”
She nodded and kept scrounging.
“Hey, this isn’t a little girl’s dress.”
“Uh, well. I had some episodes as a teenager when my dad was away.”
She stared at me a few seconds.
“This has been a problem all your life, hasn’t it?”
“Yeah, sometimes more than others. I don’t know if my stay on Fledora has helped or hurt.”
“It, at least, gave you time to live as a woman.”
I nodded.
“But the changing back and forth may have exacerbated my intersex issues.”
“What do you mean?”
“The doctors tell me that my internal female organs are developing. I may have to make some decisions soon.”
Karen sat back.
“Wow, I don’t know whether to say ‘I’m sorry’ or ‘finally’.”
“Yeah, Fledoran laws also complicate the problem.”
She nodded and stood up.
“What’s back here?”
“That’s mostly stuff left from my grandparents and beyond.”
“Oh, goody.”
I laughed.
“You’re enjoying this.”
“Yep”
She prowled around through everything and gradually reached the rear of the attic.
“It’s pretty dusty back here.”
“Yeah, I’ve never looked back here.”
She poked through stuff and, suddenly, looked up.
“Hey, this trunk has your name on it.”
I walked over.
“John Harper, my namesake, originally built this house. That is probably his trunk. I think he was a police officer.”
She looked closely at it.
“It has a lock on it. I don’t suppose you have a key.”
“Not hardly.”
“OK, go get a pry bar. I want to see what’s in here.”
I went downstairs and came back with a small crowbar. Karen made quick work of the lock and opened the trunk. She started going through the contents and stopped.
“How much do you know about this John Harper?”
“Not much. It was a long time ago.”
“Hmm”
She continued looking at various items. She finally brought out a book.
“I think this is a journal of some kind. There are several of these in the bottom of the trunk.”
Karen flipped through the pages.
“This makes no sense. It’s like a woman’s diary.”
I stepped closer.
“This appears to be a later one.”
Karen dug down and pulled all of the books out of the trunk. There were eight of them.
“Ah, there are dates. Let me see if I can put them in order.”
She looked at each one and rearranged them.
“This is heavy stuff. Let’s take them downstairs. I’m getting hot.”
I smiled.
“You! Hot!”
We took the books into the study and sat down on a comfortable couch. Karen looked off into space a couple of minutes.
“What are you thinking about?”
She looked back at me.
“Well, we definitely need to read these. If I’m right, I think I see why you had gender problems. I believe this ancestor of yours did too.”
“You mean ----.”
“Yep! The original John Harper was a transsexual.”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 3
We opened the first book and started reading.
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200+ years ago
I looked in the mirror at my wife’s dress I was wearing. It was green and knee length with no sleeves. Frankly, I looked ridiculous. I had only been married for a week. My closet was now filled with my wife’s dresses and skirts. I was like a kid in a candy store. Marlene was at work. She is a nurse. I tried all week to resist doing this. Today, I could stand it no longer. I sighed.
“Maybe a dress with sleeves will work better.”
I found a black one and tried it on. To my disgust, it would not fit over my shoulders. I took it off and sat down. I had always felt that I should have been a girl. Either my desire to please my parents or, more likely, fear kept me from doing anything about it as I grew up. Now, here I am 26 years old and the need has become unbearable. Having Marlene’s feminine things about has thrown me over the edge. I stood up and hung the dresses back in the closet.
“Hmm, maybe a skirt and blouse will fit me better.”
I found a blue skirt with an elastic waist. I am pretty skinny and 6 feet tall. To my surprise, the skirt fit. Marlene liked very loose blouses so I picked out a white one. It fit! I looked in the mirror and smiled. For the first time, I could see the real me. Of course, my head still was a man’s but I could finally see in my mind what I should have looked like. I glanced at the clock. Marlene would be home soon. I quickly took off the clothes and tried to put everything back the way I found it. I know that I should tell Marlene about my problem but I wasn’t sure she would understand. Even if she did, the fear of losing her was too great to contemplate.
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Karen put the book down and looked at me with tears in her eyes.
“This is so horrible. The pain John must have felt growing up.”
I nodded.
“I certainly can feel for him. Even though I did experience some girlhood, when it came to crunch time, I knuckled under to my dad’s will and my desire to please him.”
“Like I’ve said before, you can’t escape your past.”
“Yeah, well, I’m beat. I’m off to bed.”
“OK, we’ll read some more about John tomorrow maybe.”
I nodded and headed into my room. I didn’t want to bust Karen’s bubble but reading those journals was bringing back issues I didn’t need right now. I wasn’t sure what time it was at Fledora’s capital but I decided to call Mary anyway. She popped up on the screen. I could hear voices behind her.
“Hey John, we are having a council meeting. How are you and Karen doing?”
“OK, the rest is helping.”
I decided not to tell her about the Roscoe incident.
“I wish I could talk more but things are heating up here.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“How so?”
“Well, we are still hashing about the male referendum. The case of Raylan has come up.”
I frowned.
“In what way?”
“There are a few members including the chairwoman who are concerned about a male living here even though he is a baby.”
“I hope you told them to back off.”
“I did. I don’t think they have the votes to do anything.”
“Thank goodness. Hopefully, when my medical leave is over, I can come back so we can sort this out.”
“Yes, I can’t wait. I have got to hang up. We have a vote coming up. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
We disconnected. I lie back and sighed. Things were looking too much like my situation as a child. If it became too bad, I was going to take Raylan to Earth. Worry caused me to have a troubled sleep. The next morning, I beat Karen up. This time she awoke to the smell of coffee.
“Mmm, that smells good. I thought you didn’t like coffee.”
I smiled.
“I don’t but you do.”
She grinned.
“Thanks. So, what’s on tap today? Do you want to read some more of John’s journals?”
“Tonight maybe. I thought we might hike to a waterfall I know about and have a picnic.”
She brightened.
“Sounds good to me.”
We made some sandwiches and packed them plus some drinks into a back pack. The trailhead is only about a mile from my house, so we decided to walk to it. The hike up to the falls is fairly strenuous. We took our time and arrived just after noon. There is a ledge behind the falls near the top that is a great picnic site. We settled in and broke out the meal.
“This is a wonderful spot.”
I nodded.
“It is one of my favorite places. I came here a lot while I was growing up.”
“I’m glad you brought me here.”
We finished eating and started back down. It was almost dark when we arrived at my house. We entered and Karen went right to the journals. I rolled my eyes and followed her. She sat down and started reading.
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Well, Marlene is pregnant. I am very happy but also a little envious. My cross dressing behind her back has continued. I still have not gotten the nerve to tell her. She does not seem to have noticed. At least, she has said nothing. Of course, I just put on some of her clothes for a while. I don’t leave the house. The pregnancy will certainly change things especially when she stops working. I have got to control my feelings better for her sake.
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Karen shook her head.
“This is looking bad.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, those feelings can really eat you up.”
Just then the vid went off. I went over to it and Mary appeared.
“Mary, it’s great to hear from you.”
“Hey John, how’s medical leave.”
“Quiet. Have things settled down there?”
She laughed.
“Nothing going on with the council. We did, however, get a message from the aliens. They want to meet with Karen on the moon in two weeks.”
Karen heard and walked over.
“Did I hear right? What do they need?”
“I don’t know. The message was very cryptic.”
“Hmm, I guess I better be there then.”
I spoke up.
“I’ll call Sam. Maybe he will let me take Karen there.”
Mary’s eyes lit up.
“That would be great.”
“OK, I’ll call him in the morning. As soon as I get the go ahead, I’ll let you know. I love you.”
“Ditto. I’ll be waiting for your call.”
We disconnected. Karen looked puzzled.
“This is not like them to request me. I wonder what is up.”
“No telling.”
“Well, no sense worrying about it now. Let’s read some more.”
We went back to the couch and picked up the journal.
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We need more income with the baby coming so I have joined the local police force. With my ATF training, I was easily accepted. Unfortunately, I must go away to police school for 10 weeks. Not only will I miss Marlene a lot but I will be immersed in malehood. These last weeks have really inspired my feminine side. Now, I must suppress it again. I hope I can make it.
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Karen looked over at me.
“If John feels so strongly about being female, why doesn’t he just do it?”
“You have to remember, this was over 200 years ago. Gender was not looked on then as something one changed.”
Karen nodded.
“I forgot. Wow, that will be hard on John.”
We skipped forward a little bit in the journal.
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The baby arrived today. It is a beautiful boy. I have mixed feelings. I wish I was the one breast feeding him and being his mother. Unfortunately, I have to pretend to be the best father I can be. The guys at the department are wanting to take me out to celebrate. I just don’t mix well with them. I’m beginning to get a bad rep but I feel out of place with them. About the only thing I do that feels a little compatible is playing golf with a couple of them. At least the baby will give me an excuse to be at home.
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I sat the journal down.
“I’m getting sleepy. You go ahead and read but I’m going to bed.”
Karen was disappointed.
“No, I won’t read without you. We’ll continue tomorrow.”
“Sure, good night.”
I went right to sleep. The next morning, I called Sam and told him what the aliens wanted.
“OK, John, I don’t see a problem with that. You can take the cruiser you had before. It is still assigned to the alien situation. See if you can get the aliens to meet with us. I’m getting a lot of static. There are some who are feeling desperate about this.”
I nodded.
“I can see why. So far, the aliens have more or less ignored us except for Fledora. I’m sure that hasn’t set well with the male hierarchy.”
Sam laughed.
“Do tell! Contact me when you get here.”
He disconnected. I immediately called Mary.
“Good news! I’ll be coming with Karen.”
Mary grinned big.
“That is good news.”
We talked a while longer. Nothing much new was happening on her end. Raylan was growing. I sure missed both of them. We said our good byes and disconnected. I drifted into the kitchen. Karen was already eating.
“Did you talk to Sam?”
“Yep, it’s all set. We can take the same cruiser.”
“That’s great. I still wonder what they want.”
“Maybe it’s about that gate thing.”
She nodded.
“It could be.”
“Sam wants me to try to convince them to meet with the Planetopolis government.”
Karen shook her head.
“Don’t bring it up. I’ve talked with them and they want nothing to do with your government.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“You mean our government.”
Karen just nodded. I shook my head.
“Yeah, I sometimes feel estranged from the government when I’m on Fledora. I wonder why the aliens are avoiding it however.
“Who knows. They are a pain to deal with.”
After eating, I went out to the back porch. It was warm today but was raining. Karen came out a few minutes later carrying the journals.
“Since it’s a bad weather day, how about we finish these?”
“OK”
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Baby Jess is doing fine and Marlene has recovered nicely. She is going back to work tomorrow. I am getting anxious. While she is at work, I will be the mother. I can dress the way I want and feel good again.
Marlene came home early and caught me today. I had on one of her summer dresses and was feeding Jess. She just looked at us and never said a word. As soon as I finished, I laid a sleeping Jess down and hurriedly changed clothes. Marlene was fixing supper and I sat down at the table. She acted like the earlier incident had never happened. After eating, I put on my uniform and left for my shift. I don’t know what to think.
Marlene finally confronted me today. She said she needed to think things out before talking to me. I could not bring myself to lie to her so I told her everything. We were both crying at the end. She left for work saying we would talk more tomorrow.
We have made an appointment to see a psychologist. Marlene made me promise to not wear any female clothes until we met with the doctor. I agreed but I am torn up inside. Marlene does not want to talk about the problem at all.
We have now met with Doctor Thoran weekly for 3 months. I have taken several tests and we have talked extensively and honestly. Today, Marlene and I met together with the doctor to get her early assessment. She basically said that she believed me to be transsexual. She told Marlene that there was no cure since it is not a mental condition. Marlene was extremely angry and has not talked to me since we left.
Marlene and I had a long talk today. I told her that I needed to transition to a woman. She said that, if I did that, she would leave and take Jess. I am now very depressed. The guys at work are on me to go drinking with them and cheer up. If they knew the problem, they would not be so supportive. What a mess!
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We were interrupted by a knock on the door. It was Officer Jim.
“Hey, Jim, you look as good as new.”
He laughed.
“Thanks to you. I want to pay you back by taking you and Karen out to eat.”
Karen walked up.
“That sounds great. I’m famished.”
I shook my head.
“OK, give us a few minutes.”
After getting cleaned up, we went to a local bar that has fantastic burgers and fries. We were about through when a familiar voice rang out.
“Well, hello Miss Harper.”
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.”
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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”
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
Chapter 5
We settled back in our seats as the ship headed toward Fledora. Karen eyed me thoughtfully.
“You do know that the aliens will want to meet with you as Gina.”
“Not if they don’t know I’m there.”
“It’s been my observation that they always know when we arrived.”
“Ah, but we are going to be there a few days early.”
Karen laughed.
“Well, I’ll not tell them.”
I dosed a bit and was awakened by Gina, our AI.
“We will arrive in the vicinity soon. Where do you want to land?”
I sat up and rubbed my eyes.
“I guess the moon base so we can sort things out.”
“We will land in 22 minutes.”
“Thank you, Gina.”
I decided to put a call in to Mary.
“John, how nice.”
“We are landing on your moon in about 20 minutes.”
Mary brightened.
“Wow! I thought you wouldn’t be here this soon.”
“I couldn’t stand to be away from you any longer.”
She smiled big.
“I’ll call ahead. You have to see the doctor before you can come down here.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, I figured that. Hopefully, I can remain myself.”
“How long can you stay?”
“I don’t know. Karen is meeting with the aliens in a couple of days. I plan to stay with you until it is over.”
Mary grinned.
“That’s great! Are you meeting with them?”
“I hope not but the Planetopolis government wants me to.”
“Well, I’ve got to go. Call me when you’re ready to come down and I’ll pick you up.”
“OK, I’ll hurry.”
I signed off and Karen gave me a funny look.
“How do you propose to keep from meeting with Tinker and Bell? I thought that was your job.”
I sighed.
“I know but I don’t want to transform into a female again.”
“Hmm, OK, I’ll meet with them and see what I can do. It still worries me why they called this meeting.”
We landed on the moon and I headed for Medical. Karen decided to just wait on the ship until the aliens arrived. I walked into Medical and smiled at the doctor.
“Hello, John, I was just thinking about you.”
“Good I hope.”
“I received the report from your doctor at the marshal headquarters. That was a bad beating.”
“Yeah, fortunately, I don’t remember it.”
“Good! Let’s put you in the medical pod. I want to see your status.”
“OK, but I don’t need to transform this time do I?”
“No, as long as you stay away from the council.”
“Don’t worry, I have no plans to go there.”
I got into the pod and relaxed. It took about 20 minutes for the evaluation. When the door opened, I got out and redressed. The doctor motioned me into her office and I sat down.
“John, everything looks good but I am a little worried that your internal female organs are still developing. I think they will stop as long as you don’t transform again.”
I nodded.
“I was afraid of that. OK, so I can go down to the surface?”
“Yes, I’ll give you the certification. Keep it with you in case you are challenged. It states that you are female.”
I grimaced.
“OK, I guess it’s necessary.”
“Yes”
I left and headed for the shuttle to the surface. I called Mary from the station and she said she would be waiting to pick me up. Once I landed, I spotted Mary and went to her. We hugged and kissed.
“God, I missed you.”
Mary smiled.
“I should hope so and I missed you dearly as well. Come on, let’s go home.”
We headed home and Mary shook her head.
“The subject of Raylan has come up again at the council meeting.”
I looked over at her with a frown.
“In what way?”
She sighed.
“The same as usual. About half the council wants Raylan reared as a girl. The rest are not as critical but everyone wants a resolution.”
“This is just great. How do they feel about me?”
She smiled.
“Well, they don’t know you are here as yourself. Of course, there is nothing they can do about it since you have the credentials signed by a doctor. I would suggest you stay away from the council, however.”
“Don’t worry, the way I feel about them, it’s best I stay away from them.”
“It’s not all of them. I am on the council after all.”
“I know, I just get frustrated by their rules. What about the referendum?”
She shook her head.
“It’s an uphill battle. I still hope to get it on the ballot but the vote will be close.”
We arrived home and I rushed in to see Raylan. He actually seemed glad to see me; at least, that was my take. I picked him up and carried him to the great room.
“No one’s going to turn you into a girl, little fellow.”
Mary smiled.
“I agree!”
We ate and just enjoyed being together. That night, we made up for lost time. Mary was a little hesitant, I’m sure it has to do with my male self. I know it is an issue. We had a good night anyway. The next morning, she headed over to the council and I stayed home playing with Raylan. About mid day, Karen called.
“Hey, John, I just got a communication from Tinker. They will arrive tonight. I’ll let you know what happens.”
“OK, do your best.”
“Will do, you just enjoy your son and Mary.”
I smiled.
“No problem there. Talk to you later.”
I signed off and sat back. I had a feeling that things were fixing to get messy again. Mary came home early and was fit to be tied.
“Ooh, they make me so mad sometimes!”
“Settle down! What’s got you so stirred up?”
“The council was informed today about your arrival as yourself. There are several that are not happy.”
I grinned.
“I can imagine. There’s nothing they can do, right?”
“No, I don’t see how. Of course, they can demand you meet before them.”
“Well, I’m not crazy about the idea but it’s not a big deal.”
Mary looked at me with a smirk.
“Are you forgetting the clothing requirement?”
I looked up in shock.
“You’re kidding me! They wouldn’t make me wear that damn mini dress would they?”
She nodded.
“There’s no way around that. I’m going to try to head them off. If things get hot, I’ll send you to the moon.”
I sighed.
“OK, let’s enjoy the rest of the day without thinking of them.”
“Fine with me.”
We did have a wonderful evening. About 10, Karen called again.
“Well, John, they have arrived. I’m to meet with them in the morning. By the way, I don’t know how but they know you are here.”
“Shit! It beats me how they know things.”
I thought a minute.
“OK, try to see if they will meet with me as I am. If not, maybe I can just stay down here until they leave.”
Karen sighed.
“I’ll try but you know what they are like.”
“Yeah, but they must have something else on their minds this time since they have set up the meeting with you.”
Karen nodded.
“Yes, it must me important to them. I’ll call you after the meeting.”
“OK, good luck.”
I signed off and looked over at Mary.
“It looks like I’m caught between the council and the aliens. How do I get myself in these predicaments?”
Mary laughed.
“I know it’s not funny but you do get into some fixes. I’ll feel out the council in the morning and, after Karen reports back to you, we will figure out what to do.”
“If we can.”
Mary hugged me.
“Quit worrying, things will work out.”
We both had a restless night in spite of Mary’s optimism. After a quick breakfast, Mary went to the council building. I took Raylan out for some fresh air. I found a small park and sat down on a bench. I felt like my life was spinning out of control. It was so relaxing back on Earth; well, except for Tad. Why can’t everything be that way all the of time. Every time I turn around, someone is pushing me in one direction or another. I forced myself to get up and take Raylan back to the house. After changing and feeding him, I settled back in a chair to wait. Mary called a few minutes later.
“It’s bad John. You’re arrival has caused chaos here. I think it would be best if you take Raylan to the moon and stay on your ship until I can straighten everything out.”
“Without you?”
“If I leave here, they will know something is up and will stop us. Please, go as quick as you can before anyone here finds out.”
“I don’t like the idea of leaving you there.”
Mary shook her head.
“Nothing will happen to me. You and Raylan are the ones in trouble, now go!”
I packed some things for Raylan and drove Mary’s hovercraft to the shuttle station. A shuttle was just about to leave so we got away quickly. Once on the moon, I went directly to my ship. Gina let us in and I breathed a sigh of relief. A little later, Karen entered the ship.
“What are you and Raylan doing here?”
“Everything is going to hell down at the council.”
I told her what Mary had said. Karen sat down hard.
“Gina, take off!”
As the ship left the moon, I looked questioningly at her. She shook her head.
“If you think it’s bad down at Fledora, wait until you hear what Tinker told me.”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 6
“First off, Tinker thinks you are really a girl. Also, there is no way you could have fathered a child.”
I raised my hackles and pointed to Raylan.
“The proof is right here. Tinker is dead wrong.”
Karen nodded.
“OK, is that why they brought you all the way here?”
“No, that was just a side comment when they told me they knew you were here too.”
“So, what’s up then?”
She sighed.
“I wasn’t given the details but, apparently, their planet is about to under go an extinction event.”
“Shit!”
“Exactly! The new transportation system is an attempt to save their race. They have scouted many planets and plan to place gates on some of them in order to move their people before it is too late.”
“Wow! That still doesn’t answer why they needed this meeting.”
She looked at me hard.
“One of the gates is to be placed on Fledora.”
“Holy shit! So, what do they want from you?”
“Well, as you can imagine, this may not be something the Fledoran council will be in favor of. Tinker wants me to be the go between.”
“Doesn’t Tinker know your history with the council.”
“I did explain that.”
I shook my head.
“When is the gate going to be placed here?”
“I don’t know but soon. I really am clueless how to handle this.”
“Yeah, it is a sticky situation.”
I thought a minute.
“You know, Fledora only has a small amount of the land mass populated. Assuming the gate is place on a different continent, a lot of people could be transported with little if any notice to the Fledoran people.”
Karen nodded.
“That’s true but most of the land mass is pretty desolate.”
The vid chimed suddenly and Mary popped up.
“John, I see you made it.”
“Yes, we went ahead and took off. What is going on down there?”
Mary sighed heavily.
“I was afraid that the council would take charge of Raylan. If that happens, we would not be able to stop them from changing him into a girl.”
“So what do we do? If I land again on the moon, will they try to take him?”
“They might.”
“This really sucks.”
Karen pulled me out of the way.
“Mary, there is something big going on with the aliens. I would like to run it by you. Could you come to the moon and meet us on the ship?”
Mary thought a minute then nodded with a grin.
“Yes, that will work. Look, as long as you stay on the ship, no one from here can bother you. It is like foreign soil. I’ll come up!”
I jumped in.
“Good! We’ll land and wait.”
We disconnected.
“Karen, when do you need to meet again with Tinker?”
She shrugged.
“I don’t know. Tinker will call.”
I nodded.
“Gina, take us back and land.”
Within 10 minutes, we were back on the ground. A message arrived from the council.
“John, we require that you meet before us forth with. You must also bring your child.”
I, of course, did not reply. Karen shook her head.
“Sounds like an inquisition.”
“Yeah, I guess we sit back and wait for Mary.”
About an hour later, Gina announced Mary’s arrival. I told Gina to let her in. When she came in, I showed her the message from the council.”
“They did that behind my back. If you go to that meeting, they will take Raylan from you.”
I nodded.
“I already figured that out. Karen has some interesting news from the aliens that you need to hear.”
Karen told Mary what Tinker had said. Mary sat back in shock.
“This is unbelievable! They actually want to bring some of their people to Fledora?”
Karen nodded.
“I should learn more when they call back but I think it’s more than a want.”
“The council will never agree to it.”
“The aliens want me to talk to the council.”
“You have got to be kidding. Don’t they know you are persona non grata to the council?”
Karen laughed.
“I told them. They, apparently, are pondering things and will get back to me.”
Mary shook her head.
“This is just crazy!”
“Yeah, but they are in a jam. If what they say is true about the extinction, they have no other choice.”
Mary looked at me.
“How do you fit into this?”
I held up my hands.
“I want no part of this. My superiors want me to talk with the aliens but, considering what they told Karen, I think I’ll beg off.”
Mary smiled.
“Good! I think maybe we should take off and discuss this.”
I nodded.
“Gina, put us in a high orbit around Fledora.”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Mary raised her eyes at me. I sighed.
“Don’t ask!”
Our ship took off and we were soon in orbit. We went to the galley and sat down with some food. Mary looked haggard.
“John, if I go to the council, I am bound by law to report this.”
She shook her head.
“I can’t so I guess I’m stuck here just like Raylan.”
I came over to her and hugged her tightly.
“Don’t despair, we’ll work it out. Let’s wait and see what the aliens come back with.”
We agreed to just wait. It was late afternoon when we heard back from them. As usual, they knew we were now in orbit. Karen read their message and looked at Mary and I in surprise.
“They want to dock with us and come aboard----.”
She looked warily at Mary.
“------as their selves.”
I, also, was surprised.
“Uh, do they know Mary is on board?”
Karen nodded.
“Oh boy!”
Mary looked at me with a frown.
“Am I missing something?”
“Well, if they want you to meet them, this is a special occasion. Only Karen and I have seen them.”
“Wow! What does this mean?”
Karen looked hard at Mary.
“I think it means they believe they need your support. They don’t seem to do anything without a reason.”
I nodded.
“That’s for sure. OK, tell them to come ahead.”
About 15 minutes later, Gina informed us that the alien ship was about to dock. We went to the hatch to wait for them to enter our ship. Mary took my hand.
“What should I expect?”
I paused a few seconds.
“I think it best that you just see for yourself.”
Just then, the hatch opened. I held my breathe as Tinker and Bell walked through. Mary’s eyes grew wide.
“Oh my!”
They walked to Mary.
“We are pleased to meet Gina’s mate.”
Mary appeared dumbfounded. Tinker turned to Karen.
“We would like to meet with you in private first.”
Karen nodded and led them to the galley. Mary and I went back to the control room. Raylan was getting restless so Mary picked him up.
“That was definitely not what I expected.”
I laughed.
“I felt the same way when I met them.”
“What was that about ‘Gina’s mate’?”
I blushed.
“I first met them at Prowhiness as Gina. For some reason, they still look at me that way.”
Mary nodded.
“I sort of do too. Is Tinker the male and are they mates?”
I shook my head.
“They don’t have separated genders. I guess you could call them mates. They always are together but I don’t think they have marriage like we do. Karen was with them a lot more than I so she could explain their culture better.”
“Whew, this is astounding!”
“Yeah, it sure is.”
We tried to keep Raylan happy while waiting for them to finish meeting with Karen. He was getting hungry. I thought of something.
“Mary, you haven’t mentioned Carol and I didn’t see her at the house.”
“She is doing great and decided to go home. A friend is living with her.”
“Can she talk yet?”
Mary looked sad.
“No, something is not connecting. I know it is frustrating for her.”
I heard Karen coming and looked at her as she entered.
“Well, it looks like we are the gang of three.”
“Huh?”
“I guess I’ll let them tell you what they want but I will say it is the most important decision we have ever made.”
Karen looked at me.
“Especially for you.”
I didn’t like the sound of that. Karen turned around and headed back to the galley. We, of course, followed her. Once there, we stood facing Tinker and Bell. Mary still looked a little shaky. Tinker spoke up.
“We are used to dealing with a primary and secondary couple. It appears that, in this situation, we need a threesome. I know Karen has told you that our planet is about to undergo a crisis. You also know that the reason thulium was such an issue was because of the development of our gates. They will allow us to move our people off our planet before it is too late. Since we have limited time available, we have picked out planets with low populations so that the impact will be as small as possible. The two in your space are Fledora and Prowhiness. We need you three to help pave the way for us. Therefore, we would like to take you with us to our planet so that you can see the importance.”
We all looked at each other. Tinker continued.
“Before you decide, I have to tell you that the transfer of part of our population to your two planets will happen regardless. It will be up to you as to how easy it will be. We will retire to our ship until morning so that you may talk among yourselves. If you decide to help us, Karen will be the primary. As I said, it is awkward for us to deal with three instead of a pair. Therefore, we don’t want gender to be an issue as it is on your worlds.”
With that, Tinker and Bell nodded and quickly left our ship. We sat in a stunned silence. Suddenly, something hit me.
“I hope Tinker didn’t mean what I think regarding gender.”
Karen and Mary both looked at me sadly.
“Shit!”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 7
“Calm down! It will only be until we get back home.”
“But I can’t be female again. What about Raylan?”
“He’s still a baby. It is not an issue.”
“Shit!”
Karen stopped the argument.
“The real issue is do we even want to go with them. They basically have said that their people will be coming here regardless. If we go to their planet as facilitators, it could be considered treason.”
I thought about that.
“I am still a marshal. It would be my duty to report this.”
Mary spoke up.
“Same here.”
Karen sighed.
“Yeah, I’m really the only one who is independent of any authority.”
“What do you think Tinker would say if we gave them the condition that we must report in before leaving.”
Karen laughed.
“I don’t think you want to know what I think.”
We tried to relax the rest of the evening but we were all very tense. When we finally went to bed, I had a fitful sleep. I awoke to a scream. I jumped up expecting the worse. I was not disappointed. Mary was standing over Raylan’s bed in shock. She looked at me with tears streaming down.
“Raylan’s gone!”
“Maybe Karen has him?”
We went to Karen’s room. Unfortunately, Raylan was not there. In the control room, I noticed a message flashing. It was from Tinker.
“Gina, is Tinker’s ship still docked?”
“No, it left several hours ago.”
“Left?”
Mary looked at me in horror. I punched up the message.
“We realized that you were not going to help us as we wish. Therefore, we have taken Raylan with us to Prowhiness. Please meet us there. Tell no one for the sake of Raylan. We are sorry to do this but it was necessary.”
I looked over at Mary. She was pale as a ghost.
“I can’t believe they have done this again.”
Karen walked in and read the message. She misted up.
“I’m so sorry. It’s my fault they did this.”
“No, you had nothing to do with this. The question is what now?”
Mary was almost hysterical.
“We go get him!”
I sighed heavily.
“I guess they have left us no choice. Why do they need our help so badly? Something just does not add up.”
Karen nodded.
“They have not told us something important. The trouble is they have given us no choice as you said.”
I nodded.
“Gina, take us to Prowhiness.”
We all went to the galley to eat breakfast. I held Mary before we entered.
“We’ll get Raylan back safe, I promise.”
Mary nodded.
“I know it’s what you will have to do to get him back that worries me.”
I sighed.
“Yeah, the aliens have a habit of getting things there way. I wish I knew what they truly want of me.”
“I think it must be something that you really either don’t want to do or will go against your nature.”
We sat down with Karen at the table. After getting our food, Karen looked pensive.
“I have thought about what we talked about after Tinker and Bell left. I don’t know how they knew it but it was my suggestion of treason that caused their action.”
“I think you’re right but it’s my opinion that they knew what our reaction would be. In other words, they planned to take Raylan all along.”
Mary looked shocked.
“How can we trust them ever again?”
Karen shook her head.
“It’s not about trust. They are going to convince us to do what they want no matter what it takes. It is just the way they are. We must remember that they are aliens and have an alien culture. The disaster they face just makes them more insistent.”
We decided that there wasn’t anything we could do until we reached Prowhiness. Mary and I went to our room and just held each other. I must have drifted off because I was startled when Gina called out.
“Marshal Harper, we will enter Prowhiness space in 15 minutes.”
“Thank you, Gina.”
As expected, when we entered Prowhiness space, a message popped up from Tinker.
“Thank you for coming. Your ship will be directed where to land.”
“I don’t like this. We will be more vulnerable on the ground.”
Gina piped up.
“I am receiving a beacon to follow.”
I looked over at Karen. She shrugged.
“What choice do we have?”
I nodded.
“OK, Gina, follow their instructions.”
We landed on Prowhiness in a very desolate location. Mary shook her head as she looked out the window.
“This looks a lot like the place Linda and I landed at on Prowhiness.”
“There sure is nothing here. What did you do?”
“We walked out a ways and a shuttle appeared out of nowhere.”
I frowned.
“This gets worse and worse. If we go to their ship in their shuttle, we will definitely be at there mercy.”
“And we’re not already?”
“It’s just that when we find Raylan, we can not leave their ship until they let us.”
“I know!”
Karen sighed heavily.
“We might as well go out and make the best of it.”
“OK, Gina, open the hatch.”
I suddenly had an idea.
“Gina, we are going outside. A shuttle may be waiting for us. If we leave the planet, follow us.”
Karen looked at me hard.
“I hope you know what you’re doing.”
“Yeah”
We exited the ship and walked about 500 meters away from it. I heard a noise behind me and turned around. Like Mary predicted, a small shuttle had appeared. Mary shrugged and smiled.
“I told you.”
We walked over to it and a hatch opened.
“Please enter and sit down.”
We did and the hatch closed. The ship immediately took off. After about 20 minutes, I noticed a ship come into view. It was quite a bit bigger than Tinker’s cruiser. The shuttle approached it and we were soon docked. The hatch opened and we walked through it. Bell was waiting for us. She looked at Mary and Karen.
“Please go down the corridor and through the double doors at the end.”
Mary stepped forward.
“Where’s my child?”
“He awaits you there.”
We started down the corridor but Bell took hold of my hand and stopped me.
“You need to come with me.”
I nodded to Mary and Karen. They continued walking. Bell pulled me into a side room. It looked like the medical bay George was in some time ago.
“We need to sort you out, Gina.”
I turned quickly.
“What! Now wait a minute.”
Bell just pointed to the unit in the middle of the room. I shook my head. She turned to face me.
“If you want to see your child again, climb in.”
“I don’t like threats.”
She seemed to sigh.
“Please, Gina, neither of us has a choice here. Our time is short.”
I hesitated but finally entered the chamber against my better judgment. It was only seconds before all went black. I awoke from a terrible dream. In it, I was being raped by Tad and then beaten. I guess I must have yelled out because a very concerned Bell hurriedly opened the chamber.
“Gina, are you all right?”
I nodded and, weakly, exited the unit. There was no doubt what had been done to me, I was female again!”
“Can you at least tell me why this?”
I motioned to my body.
“You could not come with us as your male self and it is essential that your whole threesome be there.”
I raised my eyebrows.
“Be where?”
“I’ve said too much. We need to meet Tinker and your companions.”
I decided it was useless to argue further. Bell left the room and I followed. We went into another room and Bell pointed to some clothes.
“These should fit you.”
On a bench were a blue sundress and a pair of white sandals. I sighed and put them on. Of course, they fit perfectly. Bell nodded and walked out into the corridor. I followed as we went to the end and through the double doors. Tinker, Mary, Karen and Raylan were in the room. It looked like a meeting room. All eyes turned to me and the room went quiet. Karen shook her head and Mary broke out in a big grin. I ignored them and rushed over to Raylan.
“Hi, little fellow, you sure get around.”
Mary laughed.
“So do you. Tinker explained what was happening.”
I glared at Tinker.
“Did Tinker explain why?”
Karen spoke up.
“Only that it is necessary that we go with them as a threesome of women.”
Tinker walked over to me.
“I will explain everything as soon as we eat.”
I nodded slowly and we sat down. Bell brought in a vast selection of food. I was not in a mood to eat but my stomach was. Tinker and Bell left us. As we ate, we discussed our situation. Mary seemed to have settled down now that she was reunited with Raylan. Karen spoke first.
“It looks like we are going with them no matter what so I don’t know what there is to talk about.”
Mary frowned.
“How about treason? No one knows where we went or why.”
I nodded.
“How about we ask Tinker to let us contact our governments?”
Mary agreed but Karen was hesitant.
“I’m really not aligned with anyone but the Planetopolis did sort of make me an envoy. You, John --- or Gina, are on assignment from them. I don’t believe they expect immediate results so I think you would be better off staying silent for now.”
“Hmm, OK, I agree but Mary is in a different situation entirely. As a council member, she is obligated to tell them what is happening.”
Mary nodded.
“Plus, I took Raylan away.”
I shook my head.
“No, I took him off planet and then Tinker kidnapped him. You were not involved.”
“It still leaves me in a quandary.”
We finished eating all of us in deep thought. Tinker and Bell came back in. Tinker stood at the end of the table and eyed each of us in turn.
“I regret the method we used to get you here. Because of the nature of our emergency, there are some on our planet that want to move our people as fast as possible with no consideration to the native populace. Bell and I have been tasked to do this on Prowhiness and Fledora. We have come to like you people. Therefore, we are taking you three back with us to our planet to convince our people of the need to work with your governments. I must emphasize that the transfer will happen regardless. Bell and I would like it to be non violent. I’m sure you do too. To be frank, we have the power to stop any interference. It is up to you which way it happens.”
Tinker and Bell then left the room. Mary was in shock and Karen looked angry. I just sat back and shook my head.
“Shit!”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 8
“I don’t like this one bit. We are heading to a dog and pony show. No one is going to listen to us or care what happens to us.”
Karen nodded.
“I don’t know what Tinker proposes to accomplish by our presence. I still think there is something else going on.”
Mary stood up with Raylan.
“There is also Raylan to think about. All of his things are on your ship.”
I brightened.
“Hey, that may be our out. We tell Tinker that we need to go aboard my cruiser to get our belongings. Then, we split.”
Karen looked doubtful.
“I’m sure they have thought of that.”
“I don’t know. They probably don’t know much about caring for our babies.”
“OK, when Tinker comes back, we will ask.”
A while later, Tinker returned. We told about Raylan’s needs.
“I am aware that your ship is near by. You are right, we need to allow you access to your things. OK, Mary and Karen can go to your ship with Raylan. Gina, you must remain here. Take our shuttle. I will instruct it to dock with your ship.”
“I really need to go with them.”
Tinker would not allow it so Mary and Karen went to the shuttle. It separated from Tinker’s ship and headed toward my cruiser. About 10 minutes later, Karen informed us that they had docked and entered the ship.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karen and I arrived at Jonnie’s ship. We went to the control room. Karen turned to me.
“OK, what now? This isn’t going like we wanted.”
I shook my head and we sat down to think. Suddenly, Tinker’s shuttle separated, we left orbit and accelerated away from Prowhiness.
“Gina, what’s going on?”
“Orders from Marshal Harper.”
I looked at Karen. She shrugged.
“But Marshal Harper is not on board.”
“My instructions are to go back to Fledora at top speed as soon as anyone came on board, even if Marshal Harper was not here.”
“Oh, that’s just great!”
Karen shook her head.
“Jonnie is just looking our for you and Raylan.”
Tears came into my eyes.
“I know but she’s all alone now. I fear what Tinker might do.”
“I think this is the way Tinker wanted it. I don’t know what they want with Jonnie but it’s my feeling that she is the only one they really wanted to take to their planet.”
I frowned.
“Gina, can you contact Tinker’s ship?”
“No, my orders are for no contact until we reach Fledora.”
“Shit!”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As my ship sped away, Tinker turned to me.
“You knew!”
I nodded my head.
“I left instructions for our ship’s AI. I figured that you would know my ship had followed us. I didn’t think you would let me off this ship but my main concern was Mary and Raylan. I had a feeling that the threesome thing was a ruse. I think you really only needed me. So, they are safe. Now what?”
Tinker grinned.
“You are even better than we hoped. Now, we go to our planet and try so save it.”
“Save it! What are you talking about?”
“Enough for now. Bell, show Gina to her room.”
Bell took my hand and led me to a door. It opened and I went into the room. The door closed with Bell on the outside. There was no way to open it. The room contained a bed, a soft chair, and a vid unit of some kind. I lay down on the bed. I wondered what Mary was thinking. I knew she was not fooled. She knew I was getting them out of harm’s way. I hope she forgives me, if I live through this that is. I still had no idea what my role was to be. The statement about ‘saving the planet’ had startled me. I had assumed that there population was doomed unless they left the planet. The gates were to take care of that. Tinker acted like I was some kind of savior or something.
“This is crazy!”
I lay there staring at the ceiling and, finally, drifted off to sleep.
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When we arrived at Fledora, the ship landed on the moon.
“Gina, what now?”
“I have no further orders.”
“That’s a relief.”
I turned to Karen.
“Should we go back to Prowhiness?”
Karen shook her head.
“I’m sure Tinker has already left and we have no way of tracking their ship.”
“But you have been to their planet. Can’t you take us there?”
“No, I had no access to the navigation systems. I simply don’t know where their planet is located.”
I sighed.
“There is only trouble here. As soon as we leave this ship, I will probably be escorted with Raylan to the council.”
Karen smiled.
“Not if Raylan stays on board.”
I nodded.
“OK, I’ll send the chairwoman a message that I have important news about the aliens.”
Karen raised her eyebrows.
“What exactly are you going to tell them?”
“Well, I must tell them about the gate but I don’t think I’ll mention Jonnie’s involvement.”
“Hmm, what about me?”
I smiled.
“I’ll tell them that the aliens want you to be the go between.”
“That will go over like a lead balloon.”
“Maybe not. You are an envoy appointed by the Planetopolis, so to speak. It makes sense.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I sent the message and then exited the ship. No one was waiting for me so I just took my shuttle back to the capital. I was driven to the council building and went in. Margaret, the council chairwoman, stood as I entered the chambers.
“And where have you been and where is your child?”
I sighed.
“He is with Karen on her ship. He was taken by the aliens and we had to go to Prowhiness to get him back. He is safe now and the aliens have gone home, for now.”
“For now?”
I sighed again.
“They have told me an incredible story that involves us. The population of their planet is doomed unless they can move them to other planets and quickly.”
I hesitated a second.
“The thulium they took from us is being used to make gates that will allow this to happen. One of the gates is to be put on the other side of Fledora.”
The room quickly degenerated into bedlam. After order was finally restored, Margaret turned to me.
“We can’t allow that to happen!”
“I don’t think we have a choice. They made it perfectly clear that they would put down any resistance. Karen has been chosen to be their go between.”
“That renegade!”
“She is their envoy appointed by the Planetopolis. What else can we do?”
She huffed.
“I’m going to contact the Planetopolis immediately. We are adjourned until in the morning.”
She looked at me hard.
“When we convene again, I expect your child to be present.”
I went home and contacted Karen.
“You were right, they want nothing to do with you.”
Karen laughed.
“The feeling’s mutual.”
“The chairwoman is going to contact the Planetopolis. Do they know about the population transfer?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
“This is not good especially with Jonnie AWOL.”
Karen bristled.
“She is not AWOL. She’s with the aliens like the Planetopolis wanted.”
“Yes, but I’m afraid all hell is going to break loose. I’m supposed to go back to the council in the morning with Raylan.”
“I think you better come back up here.”
“I think you are right.”
I decided not to call for my driver. In stead, I drove my hovercraft to the shuttle port. I noticed a guard at my shuttle, so I went to the moon on the public one. As soon as we landed, I went straight to Jonnie’s ship. I entered and went to the control room. I picked up Raylan and hugged him tightly. I couldn’t help it. Tears flowed. Karen patted my shoulders.
“Yeah, it’s a mess. I say we take off and sort it all out.”
I just shrugged.
“Gina, take off and put us into a high orbit.”
“Karen, I just don’t know what to do. I wish we would hear from Jonnie. This not knowing is driving me crazy.”
Karen sighed.
“All we can do is wait. I have a feeling we are going to be bombarded with messages before long.”
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I awoke to my door opening. Bell walked in.
“We are almost to our planet. Tinker would like to speak to you.”
“OK, lead on.”
We went back to the meeting room. I sat down across from Tinker. Bell stood at the side.
“It is time to prepare you. We were intrigued by you and your sister’s remarkable DNA. Your heritage of regular Human combined with the genetic enhancements of Fledora has produced a unique DNA sequence. We, at first, hoped to use Karen. When she went with us to our planet, tests showed us that her DNA was not quite right. We hoped that yours was a better match. It turned out to be almost exactly what we needed except for one thing.”
I shook my head and sighed.
“Let me guess, I was too much male.”
Tinker nodded.
“Correct! When we put you in the unit to turn you into a true female, the sequence fell into place. We believe you are now a good enough match for it to work.”
This sounded crazy. What could Tinker be talking about.
“For what to work and what do you mean by true female?”
Tinker stared a minute.
“In our search for planets to move our people onto, we came across a device. We determined that it is designed to stabilize a planet. We moved it to our planet in hopes that we could use it to avoid our crisis. Unfortunately, a specific DNA sequence is required to activate it. Ours is not even close. Our scientists figured out that Human DNA is fairly close but not enough to use. We ran across you and your sister while checking out Fledora. You will be able to activate the device and save our world!”
I was stunned. I knew Tinker wanted me for something but this is unbelievable.
“How will I know what to do?”
“We have worked out the details of its operation and will train you. It is pretty simple really.”
Tinker looked hard at me.
“You are our last hope. Please help us!”
I nodded.
“Sure, I’ll do what I can but then what?”
“If all goes well, we will be able to discontinue plans to relocate our people. We will, however, still have our new transportation system. It is certainly possible to share it with your race.”
I brightened. This might be a way to get them to meet with the Planetopolis. Still, there is the issue of my gender.
“That sounds great but what about me?”
Tinker appeared confused.
“We will, of course, take you back to Fledora even if the device fails. We are confident, however, that all will go well.”
“Yes, thank you but what about my gender?”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 9
“Gina, you are female and you have always been female. I will not speak of it again.”
Tinker immediately left the room. I turned to Bell.
“What goes on here?”
“We are trying to save our race. Please cooperate!”
“OK, OK, I said I’d do my best.”
Bell turned and left and I followed. We entered the control room. I had never been in one of there control centers. Tinker looked up, smiled, and motioned me to a seat. I could see a planet out the viewing window.
“This is our world. It probably doesn’t look like much to you but it is our home. I can’t tell you how grateful we are that you have agreed to help us try to save it. Please relax while we land.”
I just nodded. The world in front of me was not what I expected. It looked rather desolate. As we got closer, I could make out scattered cities but none seemed very large. Tinker noticed my puzzlement.
“Our people do not like to live in large cities such as you have on your Earth. We have populated all of our planet in scattered villages. All are connected by rapid transit and communications. We really have no need to live in large groups.”
I didn’t know what to say so I kept quiet. I was expecting to see a large space port but we
appeared to be landing in the middle of no where. I realized that I should have let Karen brief me on their culture. I knew next to nothing. After landing, we left the control room. It suddenly dawned on me that I didn’t even know if their planet had an atmosphere I could breathe.
“Uh, can I wear this outside?”
Tinker stopped and looked me over.
“Sure, why not?”
“I mean, is your air OK for me to breathe?”
Tinker laughed.
“I guess I should have given you more information. Yes, our atmosphere is similar to what you are used to.”
“Uh, one other thing, my belongings were left on my cruiser.”
Tinker nodded.
“Don’t worry, we will take good care of you.”
With that, Tinker and Bell headed toward the hatch and I followed. We exited into what at first looked like a barren landscape. I then noticed a small metal building of some kind. We headed for it. After reaching it, I could see a small door maybe 1 ½ meters tall.
“Our complex here is mostly underground. I’m sorry about the door. Watch your head.”
I ducked down and went through the door. We went down several flights of stairs and entered a very large room. It appeared to be a receiving area. There were quite a few people about. All heads turned toward us as we entered. Tinker stopped and pointed to me.
“This is Gina.”
A cheer went up. I didn’t know what to think. Tinker turned to me.
“They are all aware of your purpose here. We have prepared a room for you. Please follow me.”
As I walked along, many of the aliens touched me and smiled. They were treating me like a hero. We went down a hallway and stopped before a door. It looked new and was about 2 meters tall. I could see that it was put in especially for my height. We entered the room and I gasped. It was obvious that everything in it had been built for a Human and was very plush. Tinker smiled.
“We originally outfitted this room for Karen but it should do nicely for you as well. Please make yourself at home. The AI will explain anything you have questions about. We will come for you in the morning.”
Tinker left and I sat down in an overstuffed chair. My head was spinning. Everything had happened too fast.
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It didn’t take long before our first message arrived. It was from Sam, Jonnie’s boss.
“Gina, open the channel.”
Sam appeared.
“Hi, Mary, I need to talk with John.”
“I imagine you have heard from our council.”
Sam shook his head.
“Not me but my superiors apparently got an earful. I get the feeling that John is not there.”
I filled Sam in on what had happened.
“This is not good. Do you have any idea what they want with John?”
I shook my head.
“Not a clue.”
“This gate thing has really caused an up roar on your council. I can’t say I blame them. Of course, since Fledora is now part of the Planetopolis, it affects us all. Do you think the aliens will bring John to Fledora?”
“That’s what we hope.”
“OK, is Karen with you?”
Karen jumped in.
“I’m here.”
“Good, I would suggest that you stay in orbit and wait to hear from either John or the aliens. Then, contact me ASAP.”
“Will do.”
“Oh, by the way, we will inform your council of this.”
I smiled at Sam.
“Thank you, I was afraid I would get some heat.”
Sam chuckled.
“We both will get more than that but just stay in orbit. The council will leave you alone, for now.”
Sam disconnected and I sat back with a heavy sigh.
“This could get ugly.”
Karen nodded.
“I hope Jonnie can sort the aliens out. Until then, I guess we get it from both sides.”
Soon after, I got a call from Margaret. She was not a happy camper.
“Mary, what are you doing? You should be down here helping us.”
“I am helping and I have been told to stay in orbit.”
Margaret nodded.
“Yes, the Planetopolis government has informed us. This better get settled soon. Our patience is wearing thin.”
I sighed.
“I’m sorry, until we hear back from Jonnie, what else can we do?”
“Let us know as soon as you hear any thing.”
Margaret signed off. Karen smiled.
“I can’t stand that woman. It’s nice to see her stymied.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, she is a pain. We have really been butting heads over Raylan.”
“Well, there is nothing she can do as long as he’s on this ship.”
“Thank goodness for that, anyway.”
Karen looked out the window a minute then over at me.
“Tell me something, do you like John or Jonnie better?”
I blushed.
“I have to admit that I am more attracted to Jonnie but I love John as well. I guess it comes down to what will make Jonnie the happiest.”
Karen nodded.
“John always makes a fuss when being changed into a woman so it’s hard to know what he really wants. Frankly, I like him better as female too. Of course, that could be because of how we met.”
I looked slyly at her.
“Yes, I’m glad you two are sisters. I could get very jealous otherwise.”
Karen laughed.
“Yeah, I admit to some sparks there until I found out the truth. Now, I’m just glad to finally be united with my sibling, no matter the gender.”
I nodded.
“I hope being forced to change by the aliens will not prove harmful. Jonnie told me that there were some problems with growth of her internal female organs. I am afraid that going back and forth is confusing her both physically and mentally.”
“Well, all we can do is support John when he returns. I just hope it’s soon.
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Later that evening, the vid unit chimed and Tinker appeared.
“I’ve sent you a video of the device and what we believe you need to do to activate it. Please watch it closely.”
Tinker faded out and a link popped up. I hit it and the video started. The device was huge. Basically, it was a 30 meter square block of something with an indention that I was supposed to squeeze into. Once inside, the device should turn on and do whatever it’s designed to do. There appeared to be some question as to what I should do afterwards. I watched the video 3 times. Each time I became more nervous. Tinker’s people seemed to have confidence that the device would stabilize the planet but they did not know exactly how it worked; especially what would happen to me. Finally, I turned the video off. There was no point in dwelling on it. I would do what I could. I realized that I needed to wee.
“Uh, please show me the bathroom.”
There was no response. I looked around but didn’t see anything obvious.
“This is just great!”
I thought maybe I needed to rephrase my request.
“I need to eliminate bodily wastes.”
Suddenly, an oval shaped object came out from the wall opposite me. Yep, oh boy. I managed to use it and looked around the room. I wondered about clothes.
“Do I have any more clothes?”
A door popped open. Inside was a good selection of dresses and shoes. Oh well, I at least have something to change into. I decided to lie down and see if I could go to sleep. My mind was still whirling although I was dead tired. I don’t know if I had help but I immediately went to sleep. I awoke to a chiming noise. Tinker was on the vid.
“Please get dressed. We will come for you soon.”
I went to the closet and chose the longest dress in there. It was purple and came down just past my knees. I kept the white sandals I had worn from the ship. About 30 minutes later, Bell walked in.
“Are you ready to eat breakfast?”
I grinned.
“I might as well. It could be my last meal.”
Bell smiled and we walked to a room with a couple of tables. Some food was setting on one of them. I didn’t recognize anything so I took one of each thing. Oddly, all of it tasted good. After eating, Bell looked at me a minute.
“This is a very important day for us. It is a chance to save our planet. Are you ready?”
I nodded.
“I guess so.”
“OK, let’s go.”
We left the room and went to some kind of transport car. After getting in, we were whisked into a tunnel. I don’t know how far we traveled or how fast. We came out of the tunnel into what looked like a very large cave. Tinker and several other aliens were waiting for us. The big cube I had seen on the video was setting in the middle of the cave. As I got out of the vehicle, Tinker faced me.
“I don’t know what to say except thank you and good luck. Please come with me.”
We walked over to the cube.
“I wish I could tell you for sure what is going to happen but everything at this point is a guess. We believe that once you are in position inside, the device will activate. I don’t think there is anything special you will need to do but stay alert. Hopefully, the machine will guide you. If not, well, use your own judgment.”
I just nodded.
“OK, uh, our leader has some words for you.”
An alien stepped forward and started speaking. I had no idea what was said but, after finishing, everyone cheered. Tinker smiled and pointed to the indention. I sighed and went to it. I could tell that it was going to be a tight fit. I turned sideways and led with my right arm. Thankfully, the walls were very slick. After a brief struggle, I was fully within the cube. I did not see any buttons or switches to push. There was a depression in the wall. It was about the size of my hand. I figured that I had nothing to lose so I placed my right hand into it. Immediately, a high pitched whine started rising in intensity. I could see out the indention and the aliens seemed to be backing up. Suddenly, there was a flash of light. When my eyes recovered, there was only black outside the cube. The only thing I could think of to say was,
“Shit!”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 10
It had been 3 days since we had left Prowhiness. Neither Jonnie nor the aliens had made contact with us. I was now officially worried sick. When Karen came into the galley for breakfast, I confronted her.
“We have got to go back to Prowhiness. I feel that Jonnie’s in trouble.”
“I know how you feel but I think that is a dead end.”
“Then what do we do? I can’t just wait here in orbit any longer.”
Karen thought a minute.
“Let’s contact Sam. Maybe he has heard something. If not, he might authorize a trip to Prowhiness. We can’t just go on our own.”
I sighed.
“I know. OK, call him.”
Karen went to the control room to contact Sam. I tried to eat but my heart wasn’t in it. I went to my room to check on Raylan. He was still sleeping. As I watched him, I couldn’t help but wonder what the future held for him. God, I wish Jonnie was here! When Karen walked in, I was crying uncontrollably. She just sat by me and we hugged. Finally, I settled down. Raylan was waking up so I changed him and carried him to the galley. As I fed him, Karen filled me in on her conversation with Sam.
“They haven’t heard anything either. Sam is not worried yet but he is getting a lot of heat over the gate thing. The aliens are definitely making the Planetopolis nervous. The government does not want a technologically advanced race living on one of their planets.”
I nodded.
“I bet the government powers are livid. What makes it worse is no one knows where the alien’s home planet is located. You know, one would think that the aliens would have colonies on lots of planets.”
Karen shook her head.
“They did not travel much until the crisis. Apparently, thousands of years ago, they had some bad interactions with other races during their space exploration days.
Since then, they have stayed mostly close to home. Now of course, they are seeking out planets to move to.”
“I guess that explains us not running in to them until now. What does Sam want us to do?”
Karen laughed.
“Officially, nothing; unofficially, he has given us the OK to go back to Prowhiness. He figures that, since that is where we first encountered the aliens, it is the best possibility to find out where they might be.”
“Wow! I really didn’t think he would go for it. After all, Prowhiness is way outside the Planetopolis.”
“Yeah, but like you, he doesn’t want to just sit back and wait.”
“OK, I guess I better inform the council of our plans.”
I called Margaret. She wasn’t happy but she knew there was nothing she could do about it. She did make me promise to keep her informed. I figured I owed the council that much.
“All right, Gina, take us to Prowhiness and put us into a high orbit.”
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I stood still for a few minutes and just listened. Even if this machine had knocked out the power, I should still hear the aliens outside. Unfortunately, all was quiet. I squeezed my body back out of the depression. No one appeared to be around. I could see a faint glow off in the distance. I decided to head for it but nothing seemed right. I had a bad feeling about this. I carefully started for the glow but, after taking a few steps, lights suddenly came on. This was not the cavern the device was in when I entered it.
“What the hell is going on here?”
I looked around. This looked more like an aircraft hanger than a cave. The room was huge but nothing was in it except the device and me. I could now see that the glow was coming from a doorway about 30 meters away. I went to it and through. The room on the other side was much smaller than the one I had left. It was filled with all kinds of strange looking objects. I walked over to an oblong black thing on a pedestal. As soon as I touched it, it started humming. I took my hand away and it stopped. I realized that I was able to activate it just like Tinker’s device. As I looked around the room, it occurred to me that all these objects seemed to be from the same culture that made the planet stabilizing device. Either the aliens had brought a lot more objects to their planet or I was now on another planet. All my senses told me the latter was true even though my brain didn’t believe it.
“How on Earth did I get here?”
The only thing I could think of was that the device went back to its home planet some how with me inside.
“This is just great!”
The room didn’t seem to have another door. I decided to ignore all the gadgets for now. What I needed was to find out where I was. I went back into the hanger-like room. I walked around the walls to see if I could find another door. I found several including a large double door but none would open for me. This made no sense at all. I returned to the gadget room. I didn’t recognize any of the objects much less know what they were used for. It became all too apparent that I was stuck here with no food or water. My only hope was that Tinker’s people knew where I went and were coming for me. I was not optimistic.
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There was nothing we could do until we reached Prowhiness and maybe not then. I went to my room to wait. I needed to think. Even though Sam had sort of approved our going, the council would be even madder at me now. I did not see any way to reconcile with them. Raylan and Jonnie were my life. I know Jonnie wants Raylan to be a boy and I do too. It did not seem likely for that to happen on Fledora. Of course, if the aliens did move part of their population to Fledora, everything would change. I know they don’t see it that way but it would. I just wish I knew what was happening with Jonnie. She is upset that the aliens change her back to female but I think she was heading that way anyhow. I hope she can adjust. Not hearing anything has me very worried. I feel that the aliens are up to something. There was a tapping on my door and Karen walked in.
“Sorry to bother you but we are almost there. I guess we should figure out what to do.”
I sat up.
“Yeah, we could send out a call to the aliens but I don’t know what else. If they did leave, we might be at a dead end like you said.”
“I think I’ll contact my people at the resort. Maybe they have heard something.”
“OK”
We entered orbit and I put out a call for Tinker. There was no response. Karen decided it would be best for her to go down to talk in person. After she left in the shuttle, I put out another call to the aliens. Again there was no answer. I went back to my room and lie down. In spite of my worry, I did drop off to sleep. My dreams were all over the place. In one, I was male and Jonnie female. I awoke to the sound of the shuttle coming aboard. I decided to wait for Karen in the control room. When she entered, I could tell she was depressed.
“Nothing! No one has heard a thing. It’s like the aliens have disappeared.”
“Well, your people only know the avatars.”
“True, so what do we do now? I guess you got no response.”
I shook my head.
“All we can do is keep sending. Gina, send a call every 15 minutes.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
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Since I had nothing else to do, I decided to check out each of the objects. Maybe I could find something useful or blow myself up. At the moment, either would be OK. There was writing on most of them but it was incomprehensible to me. One had what looked like a view screen. There were no knobs or switches, just many small indentions. I put my fingers in each. Suddenly, it came to life. An image of a person that looked human was talking and pointing at something. I could not understand the language but it was not nearly as strange as Tinker’s. I played around with it a little but, with no understanding the language, it was useless to me. I picked up several more objects but they were either dead or did not respond to me. I was handling an oval gadget when it started to whine and a streak of light pulsed from it making a burn place on the wall. After recovering from my shock, I realized it was either a weapon or a cutter of some kind. I thought that I might be able to use it to get through one of the doors I had found in the large room. I picked a door and, after several failed attempts, I figured the thing out and managed to cut a meter square hole. All was dark looking through the hole. When the metal had cooled, I eased myself through the door. I stood up and some light popped on. Obviously, not all the lights were working but I could see enough. The room was small and had many containers stacked about. There was no other exit from it. I couldn’t read the labels so I tried opening a few of the containers with no luck. I thought for a second about using the cutter on them but decided that was a bad idea. This was getting me no where. I went back through the hole I had made and selected another door; the big double one. In no time I had me another meter square hole. I could see a little like maybe sunlight was filtering in. I went through the hole into a long hallway. High overhead light was coming from some very dirty skylights. I walked about 20 meters. No doors were on either side. At the end, I came to a destroyed doorway. It looked like someone had blown it open. On the other side was --- well, a mess. Whatever had happened here had torn this place apart. As I walked along, I started feeling a little dizzy. I sat down on a piece of metal and looked about. It was almost as if I was outside but I could see no sky. Neither could I see a ceiling. After a certain height, everything faded to darkness. I started to stand up but my dizziness was getting worse. I fell backwards and landed on a grating. I tried to push myself up but blacked out.
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We were eating in the galley when Gina announced that she had received a text message from Tinker.
“OK, put it up in the control room.”
We stood and walked to get the message.
“We are on our way to Prowhiness. Please stand by.”
I turned to Karen.
“Well, cryptic as ever.”
“Yeah, they do have a way with words.”
We went back to the galley.
“I hope the ‘we’ includes Jonnie.”
Karen frowned.
“It might not. I think they would have said she was with them if she was.”
“If Jonnie’s not with them, what does it mean?”
“Let’s not speculate. Nothing good will come from that.”
We finished eating and went back to the control room to wait for Tinker. About 40 minutes later, Gina said the alien ship would like to dock.
“Yes, Gina, tell them to come ahead.”
A few minutes later, we heard the ship contact our docking port. We walked to the hatch to meet them. The hatch opened and Tinker and Bell stepped through. As Karen had surmised, there was no Jonnie.
“Where is Jonnie?”
Tinker faced me.
“Gina is not with us. Let us go and talk. We have much to discuss.”
We went to the galley and sat down.
“First, I must confess some things. Gina came with us to our planet in order to attempt to activate a device we had found that we hoped would stabilize our planet. I am sorry for not telling you this before hand.”
I bristled.
“You are always sorry after the fact. Why can’t you just come clean with us from the beginning instead of always doing things surreptitiously.”
Tinker ignored me and continued.
“We are happy to inform you that the device seems to have done its job. Our planet is stabilizing. This means, with luck, we will not have to move our people off world.”
I frowned even though Tinker was smiling broadly.
“OK, if it worked then where’s Jonnie?”
Tinker and Bell looked at each other. Tinker appeared to sigh.
“I need to give you some background first. The device needed to be activated by an individual with a specific DNA sequence or very close at least. We had determined that Gina had such a DNA. The device has an indention that the person would go into in order to activate it.”
Tinker paused and looked at each of us.
“Gina managed to enter the machine. A few minutes later, a whine started to build. When it reached a point that we could hardly stand it, there was a very bright flash of light. It stunned us for a few minutes. When we recovered, the device was gone.”
I stared at Tinker a few seconds.
“What do you mean gone?”
“It just was no longer there. The device apparently did its job and left.”
“Left where?”
“That is the trouble. We don’t know.”
I was getting furious.
“Then find out!”
“That is why we are here. This planet has ruins from an ancient civilization. We found the device among them. In fact, we think Prowhiness may have been the planet of origin for your race. Anyway, since the device came from here, our thinking is that it came back here when activated by Gina.”
“Then what are we waiting for, let’s go look!”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 11
I awoke to find Tinker leaning over me.
“Tinker, I see you found me.”
“Found you? Who are you?”
This was certainly not right. I could understand that I might have amnesia but not my rescuer.
“Uh, I thought you had come here, where ever here is, to rescue me.”
Tinker looked over to Bell who was beside me. Bell seemed to be just as confused.
“We do not know you. We were looking through these ruins when we came across you. How did you get here?”
Oh boy, something is really wrong. I pointed toward the hanger room.
“If you go that way, you will find a very large room. In the middle is a big cube. I came here in that.”
I hoped Tinker was just pulling my leg. If not, maybe I’m going crazy. Tinker stared at me a moment.
“Show me.”
My dizziness seemed to have gone away. Tinker helped me to stand.
“Whew, I feel better now. I got dizzy and passed out.”
Tinker nodded.
“We put a gas into this chamber before we entered to eliminate any contamination. We didn’t think anyone would be here.”
I just nodded and started back to the hanger room. Tinker and Bell followed. When we entered the room, I walked over to the device.
“This is it. We used it to stabilize your planet. Somehow, it came here with me inside of it.”
“How did you know our planet is in trouble?”
“OK, this is getting weirder and weirder.”
I filled Tinker and Bell in on all that had happened. Some light seemed to come on inside their heads.
“This makes more sense now.”
“I’m glad it does to you but I’m still in the dark.”
Tinker smiled for the first time.
“Let’s go to our ship. We need to talk with our people then I think we can clear things up.”
I followed them back the way we had come. At the other end of the demolished area we went through an improvised tunnel that exited into sunlight. A small shuttle was setting near by. I recognized it as the one on Tinker’s ship. We got aboard and took off.
“We should meet with our ship in about 15 minutes.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, I’ve done this before.”
Tinker looked stunned again but then smiled and nodded. We docked with Tinker’s ship and went aboard. I was taken to the meeting room. Tinker observed me as we walked along.
“I can tell that you are familiar with my ship. That helps confirm what you have told us.”
They left me in the meeting room while they went to contact their people. I sat down and sighed. My situation was just now sinking in. If I can believe Tinker, it means that the device not only went back to its original location but went back in time as well; how far back was still to be determined. Also, Tinker has not told me where we are. I thought about Mary. I had sent her away without her permission. Now, I was lost as far as she knew. Things could not be worse. I guess it all hit me because I lost it. I never cried like this as a male. Bell came in and comforted me. Finally, I calmed down.
“Tinker is still talking things over with our base of operations. I think we will be going back there to sort things out. From what you have told us, I guess we will call you Gina.”
I nodded.
“That’s fine. I sure don’t look or feel like a John.”
Bell smiled and left the room. I lie back and, I guess, dosed off. The events had absolutely drained me. I awoke to Tinker looking at me. I thought for a minute it all had been a dream but Tinker dispelled that notion.
“My people are having a hard time believing your story. We are taking you to our base.”
“OK, where are we now?”
“We are near a planet you call Prowhiness.”
I nodded.
“I don’t have any clothes or, well, anything. There is a resort on that planet where I might be able to get some things.”
“I’ll go check with Bell. Maybe we can get you what you need before we leave.”
Tinker left. I still didn’t know how far back in time I was but at least I was in familiar country. I was not fully recovered yet because I immediately drifted off again. The ship starting up wakened me. A few minutes later, Bell walked in with a container.
“We obtained some clothes and other things you might need.”
“Thank you.”
Bell handed me an electronic tablet.
“We need you to give us a detailed time line of everything you have done since you first encountered us on Prowhiness. The dates and times are especially important. We need to convince our people of the truth to your story.”
“OK, I can see it is hard to believe. I’m not sure I believe it myself.”
Bell laughed and left. I sat back and tried to recall everything. This was going to be tough. I wish I had Mary and Karen here to help. About 3 hours later, I thought I had it pretty well documented. Bell came back in.
“We are landing at our base. Please stay here while we discuss your situation with our people.”
After Bell left, I sat back to rest. It had taken a lot to remember all that had happened involving the aliens. To make matters worse, I didn’t even know if the device had worked. Sure, it took itself and me back to Prowhiness but that doesn’t mean it stabilized the alien planet. I also worry about this time travel thing. Does it mean that there is another me running around. This could drive one crazy. If the aliens accept my story, will they go ahead and take the device now? If so, how does that affect my future? Oh boy! Tinker came in a while later.
“Well, I have to admit that your story is hard to swallow. We are going to take it to our planetary council.”
He looked at the tablet.
“Have you completed that?”
“Yes, as best I can.”
“Good, I’ll take it with me. For the time being, you need to stay on the ship. I’ll take you to a room that you can use.”
We went down the corridor a ways and entered a doorway. I had been here before too. I opened the closet and started putting my things away. Tinker just nodded.
“You’ve been here before I see. OK, I’ll relate that as well. I might not be back until tomorrow so make your self at home.”
Tinker left and I sat down. It looked like it was going to be a long night. You would think that on a starship there would be plenty to do. Unfortunately, this room had nothing; no vid, no books, no nothing. I quickly became very bored. Speculating on what the future held was pointless. I was in unknown territory here. I wasn’t sure if anyone had gone back in time before. I had never heard of it. I went to bed but had a very difficult night. I must have slept some because a knock on my door startled me. After a minute, Bell entered with a tray of food.
“I noticed that you hadn’t eaten.”
“Thanks, I guess I am hungry.”
Bell smiled, set the tray down, and sat down on a chair. I started to eat but noticed Bell was not. I pointed to the food but Bell just nodded.
“I’ve eaten. Tinker called earlier and will be back in about an hour.”
Bell left after I finished eating. After a bit, Tinker came in.
“I think you have convinced them. Our scientists want to go back to Prowhiness to look over the device you arrived in. You say that you don’t know if it worked to stabilize our planet.”
I shook my head.
“All I know is it came back to Prowhiness. I have no idea what happened on your planet after I left it.”
“Hmm, well, we have decided to continue with plans to develop our gate transportation system. Of course, you know about that. There are some that want to go ahead and bring the device to our planet and try it out. The problem is that this might mess up the time lines. In other words, change the future as you know it. Our scientists think this could have dire consequences. For now, we are going to take you with us to Prowhiness.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, I worry that there is another me out there somewhere.”
“That is a problem. OK, I’ll let you know when we arrive.”
With that, Tinker left. Great! The aliens don’t even know how to handle my time travel. I wish I had the trust that I had with Tinker before the cube left with me. I feel I am at their mercy now. A bit later, Bell came for me.
“We are going down to the surface. Please follow me.”
We went to the shuttle. Only Tinker, Bell and I were there.
“I thought a group of scientists were coming with us?”
“They are already there.”
“Oh”
The shuttle went to the ruins. We exited and went directly into the tunnel. When we reached the hanger room, it was a bee hive of activity. One of the scientists came over and spoke to Tinker for a few minutes. Tinker nodded and turned to me.
“The cube is totally inactive. You seem to be the only one who can activate it.”
I nodded.
“Yeah, that’s what you told me before.”
“Where is that cutter you used to get out?”
I showed it to them. The scientists worked with it a while with no results. Tinker brought me over and handed it to me. As soon as I touched it, the thing started to whine. All the scientists broke out in big smiles and started chattering with each other. Tinker looked my way and nodded. I took the cutter to a wall and quickly cut a small hole. The scientists were ecstatic. Tinker talked with them a while and then walked over to Bell. They talked a minute and then came to me.
“So far, everything you have told us has proven out. The scientists are going to take the cube back to our planet. We are going to stand by here. A decision must be made as to what to do with you. Our leaders want to try to activate the device as soon as possible. Most of the scientists insist that would be catastrophic. We have no knowledge of time affects like you have experienced. It is better to be conservative since a mistake is not tolerable.”
I nodded.
“Have they determined how far back in time I traveled?”
“The best they can figure you have gone back about three of your years.”
This shocked me.
“That’s before I even met Mary and Karen. I am still a male marshal. This changes my whole future!”
Tinker nodded.
“That is why our scientists don’t want to use the cube right away. Changing your future could have profound consequences. The problem is how to avoid that.”
“I suppose you have no way to send me back to the future I came from.”
“This is all new to us as well. One thought was to have you reactivate the device here but no one knows what the result would be. Likely, it would just make matters worse. For now, we are going back to our shuttle and let the scientists hash it out.”
We went to the shuttle and ate. There was very little small talk. Everyone is very concerned. I went to a seat by myself. Finding out that I was now three years distant in my past and stuck here was depressing. Everything that had happened to me since taking the mission to Fledora was now in my other self’s future. How can I do anything here with another me already here. I certainly can’t take up my life as a marshal. As soon as the Planetopolis finds out about my time travel, I’ll be quarantined at best. Anything I do will affect the other me and veer us off my time line. I just don’t see a solution. Finally, Tinker received a call. After talking for several minutes, I was summoned.
“We may have a solution. Our scientists have concluded that, if we follow your detailed account of your interactions with us in your past, we should be able to avoid a time crisis. The big question is what to do with you. No one can interact with you in any way that will change the future. The only way they can come up with that would avoid this is to put you in suspension in a pod at the ruins. That way, after you activate the cube, we can come here and remove you from the pod. It will be as if you had just arrived. What do you think?”
My head was spinning.
“That assumes that, after I left your planet, you are still able to come back here.”
“There’s that.”
I shook my head.
“Do you really think it will work?”
Tinker sighed.
“What choice do we have? It’s the only way to keep you hidden until you catch up with the future.”
“OK, I’m for it.”
“Good, let’s go back into the ruins.”
We went to the hanger room. A pod had been placed in the small room with the gadgets.
“Get into the pod. Once you are in suspension, we will seal this room.”
Tinker patted me on the back.
“See you in three years.”
I smiled, shrugged, and got into the pod. The door closed and I soon drifted away.
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 12
“Before we go find Gina, you need to read this.”
Tinker handed me an electronic tablet. As I read it, my eyes grew wide. I looked up at Tinker.
“You mean to tell me that Jonnie has been suspended down there in a pod for three years.”
Tinker just nodded. I shook my head.
“I can’t believe this. It is impossible.”
“I would have said the same thing three years ago.”
“So all the time John and Jonnie has been with me, she has also been here asleep?”
Once again Tinker nodded. I looked hard.
“OK, what’s really going on. We both know there can’t be two Jonnie’s running around.”
Suddenly something horrid occurred to me.
“Is Jonnie dead? Did you kill her using that damn machine?”
Tinker looked stricken.
“No, no, we just tried to keep Gina’s future intact. It was the only way.”
“You mean Jonnie really is down there in suspended animation?”
Tinker nodded.
“I must be going crazy. Maybe I’m dreaming. That’s it, this is all a dream.”
Karen held me.
“Mary, if it’s a dream, we are having the same one. Look, let’s just go down there and see for ourselves.”
I shook all over.
“I ---- I’m afraid to.”
Tears came fast and hard. Karen held me tighter.
“It will be all right. I would know if Jonnie was dead. She’s alive and well. We just need to awaken her.”
Tinker nodded and Bell stepped forward.
“We are not monsters. Gina volunteered to help save our planet and she succeeded. We owed it to her to save her future. Of course, it’s our future as well. Time travel is not something we are familiar with either. We had just as hard a time as you with this.”
I looked up.
“I’m sorry, it’s all so ------- I don’t know ------ unbelievable I guess.”
I turned to Karen. She nodded.
“OK”
We got into Tinker’s shuttle and went to the surface. A crew was already there opening the ruins. We entered and walked through it. The place was just as described in Jonnie’s journal. When we went into the hanger room Jonnie had talked about, Tinker pointed to a sealed door.
“Is Jonnie in there?”
Tinker nodded and a couple of the aliens forced open the door. We walked through. Along the far wall was a medical unit with several power supplies attached.
“We had to make sure the pod stayed active. Even though we wanted to come back and check on Gina, the risk of damaging the future was too great.”
Tinker looked solemn.
“I hate to say it but her death would be preferable to that.”
I was shocked but knew Tinker was right. This time travel Jonnie had taken could have totally altered the future. In fact, it may have. We would not be aware of it.
“How will we know if Jonnie has altered our future?”
Tinker smiled.
“That’s easy, we ask her.”
“Huh”
“If our future has changed from what Gina experienced, she will still remember it as it was for her.”
I shook my head to clear it.
“This can make one crazy!”
Tinker nodded and motioned to two other aliens. They went to the pod and started the process of waking Jonnie up. Bell led Karen and I back into the big room.
“This will take a while. She has been suspended far longer than anyone has before. We need to take it slow.”
“Can you tell if she is still alive?”
Bell nodded.
“She is.”
I felt weak and sagged to the floor.
“How long will it take?”
Bell shrugged.
“That is unknown. We will just have to wait.”
“I’m still having trouble believing the fact that Jonnie has been here for three years.”
Bell nodded.
“You are not alone.”
Karen looked pensive.
“Do you know how the device went back in time?”
“No, we were afraid to mess with it too much. That could have done something to change the future. Besides, it was inactive without Gina. We did confirm its purpose. Now that it has been used and Gina rescued, it’s gone.”
I thought a minute.
“You know, it’s probably just as well.”
Bell nodded.
“I agree but you know how scientists are.”
Just then Tinker walked in.
“I have been told that it will take several hours to awaken Gina. How about we go to the shuttle and eat?”
We agreed and went to it. I was really too nervous to eat, however. At least here we could sit down. I turned to Tinker.
“Did I here you say that your planet is out of danger?”
Tinker nodded and smiled.
“Yes, we believe the crisis is over.”
“Are you still planning to put a gate on Fledora?”
“Probably not, it would involve going through the Planetopolis government now. We would prefer to stay away from them. Frankly, we do not trust Humans!”
I nodded.
“We are an unstable bunch.”
Karen laughed.
“Speak for yourself. So, what are you going to do with the gates?”
“Oh, I imagine we will place a few about. This is definitely a leap in space travel. It’s just that we are not that used to traveling.”
We talked for a while about this and that. Basically, passing time until Jonnie is awake. Finally, a call came in. Tinker went over to answer it. I couldn’t understand what was said but it didn’t sound good. Tinker walked back to us.
“The pod is now open. Gina is alive and well only -----.”
I panicked.
“Only what?”
“She has not awakened.”
“Why not?”
Tinker sighed.
“We don’t know. It is probably due to the length of time she has been suspended. She should wake up in due time. Our people think it will be best to transport her back to our planet.”
I grew angry.
“Well, I don’t!”
I looked at Karen. She nodded.
“We will take Jonnie with us back to Fledora.”
Tinker looked at Karen then me.
“Alright, we will take her to the shuttle.”
We went into the pod room. Jonnie was still in the pod but the door was open. I went to her side. She looked so peaceful and beautiful. It was hard to believe she has been lying in this thing for 3 years. Tears flowed freely and I touched her face.
“We will care for you, my love.”
She was taken to the shuttle and we went back up to Tinker’s ship. We then loaded her into the marshal cruiser. Tinker and Bell looked on sadly.
“She is a special person. Take good care of her.”
I nodded.
“Don’t worry, we will.”
Tinker nodded.
“We will be in touch.”
They went back into their ship and were soon off. We put Jonnie into a medical unit to be on the safe side and headed back to Fledora. On the way, we received a call from Sam.
“Have you heard from John yet?”
“Not exactly.”
“What does that mean?”
“Well, Karen and I picked up Jonnie at Prowhiness and we are heading for Fledora.”
“Hmm, what about the aliens?”
“They have gone home.”
“I get the feeling you are not telling me something. Put John on. Wait a minute, you said Jonnie. Does this mean John is posing as a female again?”
“Not exactly.”
I could tell Sam was getting frustrated.
“OK, I’m ready. Give me the bad news.”
I sighed.
“Actually the news is good. Jonnie helped the aliens stabilize their planet so they will not be moving any of their people off planet.”
“That is good news. How on earth did John accomplish that?”
“It’s a long story.”
“Just put John online please.”
“Uh, the process wore her out and she is still asleep.”
“How long has he --- she been asleep?”
I hesitated.
“Three years.”
There was silence for over a minute.
“Forget Fledora, you turn that ship around and head here ASAP! Out!”
I looked over at Karen.
“Ouch!”
“Yeah”
Gina, the AI, spoke up.
“I have received orders to fly to and dock at the marshal station orbiting Earth.”
I laughed.
“Sam’s making sure. OK, Gina, carry on.”
Karen frowned.
“I sure hope Jonnie wakes up before we get there.”
“No kidding. I’m going to check on her and then I better tell the council that we have been diverted to Earth.”
Upon checking the med unit, it appeared that Jonnie was indeed in the process of waking up. I guess it takes a while to waken after sleeping for 3 years. Jeese! I put in a call to Margaret at the council.
“Hello, Mary, I hope you have some good news for us.”
“I sure do, the aliens have canceled plans to bring some of their people to Fledora. The alien planet has stabilized and it is no longer necessary to move anybody off their planet.”
Margaret smiled.
“That is wonderful news. How did they manage it?”
“Actually, Jonnie helped them so she deserves all the credit.”
“OK, when will you arrive?”
“Well, we were on our way but the Planetopolis has diverted our ship to Earth.”
Margaret frowned.
“I sometimes think we made a mistake joining them. Nothing for it now though. Just keep me informed.”
“Will do.”
I signed off. Well, that went better than I expected. I went back to the med room. Jonnie was stirring so I opened the pod. Soon, Jonnie’s eyes opened. She spotted me and a big smile broke out.
“Mary, thank god. I was afraid I would never see you again.”
She sat up and I hugged her tightly.
“Don’t you ever do this to me again. You had me worried sick.”
Jonnie kissed me and we both broke down. After the emotions were brought under control, we separated.
“I’m having trouble realizing you have been asleep for 3 years.”
Jonnie nodded.
“Yeah, this whole time travel thing has thrown me for a loop. I hope you are waking me up after I left the alien planet.”
“Yes, Tinker says they have been carefully following your journal notes for what to do when. They are very worried about your travel back in time messing up the future.”
Jonnie nodded and looked around.
“I see we are on my ship. Where are we headed?”
“Well, we were going to Fledora but Sam has ordered the ship to Earth.”
“Does he know the whole story?”
I shook my head.
“No, just that you have been asleep ---- for 3 years.”
Jonnie laughed.
“Oh boy, I guess I’m in for it then. Did Tinker leave a copy of my journal?”
I nodded.
“Yes”
“Send a copy to Sam. That way he’ll know what’s happened by the time we get there. Are Tinker and Bell still with us?”
I shook my head.
“No, they went back home. They did say they would be in touch.”
Karen walked in and rushed over to Jonnie.
“Welcome back sis!”
She looked at Jonnie hard.
“Are you OK?”
Jonnie laughed so hard she was crying.
“You’ve got to be kidding! I’ve gone where no man has gone before.”
“You mean woman.”
Jonnie looked down at herself.
“Shit!”
Galactic Marshal III
by
Hilltopper
CHAPTER 13
“What’s the matter, Jonnie, you look great especially after being asleep for 3 years.”
“I was hoping that I would transform back into myself while under suspension.”
Mary and Karen looked at each other. Karen grabbed my shoulders and pulled me toward her.
“Listen to me! You are a woman and have always been one. Your dad and Fledora messed you up. It took this long to sort it all out. Now you must figure out how to go forward.”
I was a little bit shocked at what she had said. I looked over at Mary. She had tears in her eyes but was nodding her head. I sighed heavily.
“OK, I’ll try. By the way, is Raylan here?”
Mary smiled big.
“You bet! Come on, I’ll reintroduce you.”
We went to our room where Raylan was sleeping.
“God I missed him. There is no way I want him to go through what I did.”
“Don’t worry about that.”
I looked at Mary.
“From what is happening on Fledora, I have reason to worry.”
Mary frowned.
“I’ve been thinking about that. It would be best if we didn’t go back there.”
“But that’s your home!”
“My home is with you and Raylan.”
“I must admit that Fledora isn’t the paradise your people claim it is especially if one is male.”
Mary nodded sadly.
“I just wish Carol hadn’t had that stroke. If we had passed the referendum, you and Raylan could have lived there in peace.”
“Well, there’s no going back.”
I hesitated a few seconds.
“Woops, I guess my time travel dispels that notion.”
Mary laughed.
“Don’t remind me!”
Gina announced our pending docking to the marshal station. I touched Raylan’s cheek.
“You are right about one thing, we need to do what’s best for him.”
Mary hugged me and picked up Raylan. We heard the clank of the docking then it hit me.
“I can’t go over to the station like this!”
“Don’t worry, I’ve brought you some clothes.”
I frowned.
“That’s not what I mean. I can’t go there as Jonnie.”
“I don’t see how you can avoid that.”
I could feel myself starting to shake.
“I’ll go call Sam.”
I put the call into Sam.
“Ah, Jonnie, I was just going to call you. Don’t bother to come over. We have received an urgent call from the Fledoran council. They need you and Mary there ASAP.”
Oh, shit! That is the last place I want to go.
“Did they say why?”
Sam paused and then shook his head.
“I’m not at liberty to say.”
“Did you read over my journal report?”
“Yes, I must say you can spin a tale.”
I frowned.
“You mean you didn’t believe it?”
Sam chuckled.
“OK, the Fledoran council confirmed that the aliens have canceled their plans to intrude into our territory. It doesn’t matter how you did it, we all thank you. Now, go to Fledora and report back to me when you know what’s going on.”
“You mean they didn’t tell you?”
“Nope and I figured it best I stay out of it.”
I nodded.
“I wish I could.”
He chuckled again.
“Just do your best. Oh, you look good by the way.”
I blushed.
“Thanks I think.”
Sam laughed as he signed off. I looked over at Mary and Karen.
“This makes no sense. Why would a call from your council over ride us going to report in at Marshal Headquarters?”
“I don’t know but you got a reprieve anyway.”
“Yeah, I was all set to balk. Gina, take us to Fledora.”
“Yes Ma’am.”
Mary interjected.
“And land us at the moon base.”
I looked quickly at her.
“I thought we would just go into orbit until we found out what the council wants.”
Mary shook her head.
“Nope, you are going to see the doctor.”
“Ah, jeese!”
Karen laughed.
“I agree. Even though you have been in stasis, changes could have happened. Plus, you haven’t been checked out since the aliens transformed you.”
“Yes, mother.”
That got me a hard slap on the shoulder.
“Ouch!”
“Look, I don’t care whether you’re my brother or my sister as long as you’re healthy and happy. OK?”
I started tearing up and gave her a hug.
“Jonnie, do you think we should send a copy of your journal to the council?”
I stared at Mary.
“I don’t know if I want them to know that much.”
“Well, I’ll have to tell them anyway. After all, I am still on the council.”
I sighed.
“OK, go ahead then. Does this mean you are going down to meet with the council?”
“Not if I can help it. I had already psyched myself up to not come back to Fledora. This call had better be worth it.”
“Yeah, just to be safe, I think Raylan should stay on the ship.”
Mary nodded.
“That is for sure! They can’t really do anything to keep me there but they could take Raylan.”
“Do you think the aliens are behind the call to bring us to Fledora?”
Karen nodded.
“I do! I can’t think of any other reason for the Planetopolis to send us here.”
“That’s what I think too.”
Mary nodded. Just then, Raylan started crying.
“I better go check on him. He’s probably hungry.”
Before long, we landed on the moon. Mary called the council and, sure enough, they wanted to talk to her in person. Karen volunteered to watch Raylan so, while Mary went to the shuttle, I headed to medical.
“Well, Jonnie, you’re looking good.”
I frowned.
“That is a matter of opinion. To be honest, I am hoping you can transform me again.”
She just pointed to the med pod and I got in. I was waiting to be put under but, after about 15 minutes, the pod opened. I sat up and the doctor motioned me to her office.
“First, I would like to know how you ended up female again.”
I told her what the aliens had done and why.
“Hmm, well as I told you last time your female organs were growing. The aliens have accelerated the process. Plus, you no longer have any male organs.”
“What! Aren’t they just hidden inside like before?”
The doctor shook her head.
“Shit! How will Mary and I have any more children?”
“There’s always ova fusion.”
I stared at her a few seconds.
“Don’t you need two eggs for that?”
She grinned.
“There’s always ova fusion.”
“Shit! Are you saying what I think you are?”
She nodded.
“I don’t know how they did it but you are a fully functioning female. Congratulations!”
I just shook my head.
“So there’s nothing you can do?”
“Sure, I can do what was done to Mary before but it would be only a disguise. Even if I could medically change you, which I can’t, it would be illegal here. You are female and nothing will change that.”
“Am I healthy otherwise?”
“Actually, you are amazingly healthy. I think the aliens may have done more than just hurry up your change to female.”
“Hmm, OK, is that all?”
She smiled.
“You certainly don’t need me any more.”
I stood up.
“Thanks for all you have done.”
I left and headed back to the ship. My head was spinning a little. Yeah, I knew I was female but it never dawned on me what that really meant. I reached the ship the same time as Mary. She looked rather distraught.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’ll tell you on the ship.”
We entered and went to the galley. Karen was there with Raylan. Mary sat down hard and tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I resigned.”
I guess I was kind of expecting it but was still stunned.
“What did they want?”
“The aliens are coming here tomorrow to meet with us. Margaret gave me an ultimatum; either I stay or go forever.”
Karen nodded.
“Sounds like them.”
Mary tried to smile.
“Yeah, even though it’s what I wanted, it’s still a shock.”
Mary turned to me.
“How’d it go with the doctor?”
I blushed.
“Uh, there may be ova fusion in our future.”
Mary grinned big.
“Yes!”
I grimaced a little.
“OK, I give up. She did say one thing that has me worried.”
“What’s that?”
“She said I am too healthy. Like maybe the aliens may have done some thing else to me.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Karen nodded.
“We need to get them to come clean tomorrow, if that’s even possible.”
“Well, if they need anything else from us, they had better. How about we go into orbit to wait for Tinker?”
“I agree.”
Mary nodded as well.
“OK, Gina, take off and put us into a high orbit around Fledora.”
When we awoke the next morning, a message was waiting from Tinker; basically wanting permission to dock with us.
“Gina, tell the alien ship to dock.”
After docking, Tinker and Bell came aboard.
“Gina, it’s good to see you awake.”
“Tinker, it would be nice if you would call me Jonnie. After all, the time problem is over.”
Tinker smiled.
“That is still to be determined. Can we go to your galley? We have some things to discuss.”
We led the way and sat down.
“OK, Tinker, what’s so important that you had our government divert us here?”
“First things first, have you been checked out by your doctor?”
“Yes, I am fine but, now that you mention it, I was told that I was amazingly fine.”
Tinker smiled again.
“That is to be expected. The process you underwent results in some enhancement. I guess you have also discovered that you are 100 per cent female.”
I nodded.
“We have a proposition to present to you. Now that our planet is stable again, we want to make a detailed investigation of the ruins on Prowhiness including all of the technology. It would seem that you are the only person who can activate the machines left there. A gate is being placed near the ruins for fast transport. We need a human to help oversee the project and manage the gate travel since Prowhiness is in Human space and is the probable origin of your species. You are, of course, the logical one. Prowhiness is outside the Planetopolis so you will be required to resign from your Marshal Service. What do you say?”
I have to admit that I was dumbfounded.
“Uh, I need to discuss this with Mary and Karen. If I decide to take you up on your offer, Mary must come with me and Karen if she wishes.”
Tinker nodded.
“Absolutely! They are both welcome. Bell and I will go to our ship. We will leave the hatch open. Just come over when you are ready to talk.”
Tinker and Bell left. I turned to Mary.
“Well?”
“I’m for it. We can not live any longer on Fledora. Also, with your sex change, we certainly can’t live on Earth.”
Karen nodded.
“I think it would be ideal. My people are on Prowhiness. Of course, the Planetopolis will try to stop us, I fear.”
“Yeah, it would be best to be gone when they find out. OK, let’s go over to Tinker’s ship.”
We informed Tinker of our decision. I sent a message to Sam detailing my resignation and gave instructions for Gina to take the marshal ship back to HQ. As soon as Tinker’s ship undocked, we settled in and headed for Prowhiness.
It is hard for me to believe what all has happened to me since I first took that marshal assignment on Fledora to track down Sandra Sterling. Here I am female, married with a child, and on an alien ship heading for a new life. I don’t know what the future has in store but, if it’s anything like the last two years, look out!
{Author's note: This concludes the Galactic Marshal saga. That is not to say that Jonnie and company won't have further adventures down the road. Thank you for reading and commenting.}