by Ben Winston
Book of the Guardian
Pest Control – Part Two
By Ben Winston
Copyright © 2015 Ben Winston
Published by Blue Space Publications, LLC.
Table of Contents
Copyright Page
Disclaimer
Dedication
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14 - Horath (Forth Day)
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
About the Author
Connect with the author or Blue Space Publications, LLC.
Books Published by Blue Space Publications, LLC.
Disclaimer
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed by a newspaper, magazine, or journal.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each reader. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Dedication
This work is dedicated to all of our brothers and sisters, parents and children that have served in the armed services - past, present, and future. Without whom we would not have our many freedoms.
Chapter 10
“It’s good to see you again, John,” Chloe said as she pulled him into a hug.
John returned the hug, and then introduced the newcomers to his two companions.
“So who took over after I left?” John asked.
“No one officially,” Major William ‘Will’ Curran said. “Chloe is the leader, she always was when you weren’t around so nothing has really changed.” He paused to gather his thoughts. “I appreciate all of you accompanying me on my Last Mission. I’m sure Holly would be pleased too.”
John put his hand on the man’s shoulder. “Will, we’ve all been friends longer than we can remember. It’s the least we can do for you and Holly.”
Will nodded.
Major Alice Joslin cleared her throat. “So what’s the situation down here? Do you know what’s first?”
“I’m going to go grab two people that we know have some knowledge about what the Lizards are up too. Just so you know, those people are Gloria’s parents,” John replied.
“I’m not happy about it, but I understand it needs to be done,” Gloria said. “If they have information, and it does look like they do, then they need to tell you.”
“Does your father eat lunch at home?” Major Carl Holland asked.
“No, he and mother eat at the diner so people can approach them if they need to,” Gloria said. “He tries to keep himself available to the people.”
“Sounds like he’s a good man, stuck in a bad situation,” Will said.
“Is he still working on the fire?” John asked.
“That’s right! Now I remember! Both of them are out there today, they got the fire under control yesterday, and they were going to send some of the equipment back today. Mom was going with him, to serve coffee and lunch to the fire fighters,” Gloria said. “That would be a good place to grab them.”
“It’s only a couple of klicks down the road,” John said.
All Marines wear a special watch that has multiple uses, John used one of those uses now as he directed his implants to display a holographic map of the area for the small team.
Chloe nodded. “Let’s go get them. We can jog there in about five minutes.”
John chuckled. “Concealed side arms only. Remember, we’re supposed to remain a secret. We don’t want our presence discovered by the Lizards. Acquire the targets and wait for them to be alone. Stay in contact with each other for coordination. Get them to their vehicle and return here. All team members will then return, and we’ll question the couple. Questions?”
When none said anything, John and the four other Marines, got their weapons and set off. Mary and Gloria returned to the barge. They wanted to make sure that they were out of the way once the small group returned.
“So, what’s the deal with John and Major Diamond?” Gloria asked. “The tabloids claim that they’ve been in love since they met. Carl Holland and Alice Joslin, are called the second longest surviving relationship.”
Mary smiled, and nodded. “Yeah, there is something there that needs to be resolved.” She went on to tell Gloria about the conversation she and Chloe had that morning.
While the two girls were talking, John and the team arrived at the entrance to the preserve. He found them together, talking during a lull in the traffic. John had the team fan out and surround the area, while he approached the couple.
“Constable? How are you today?” John said getting the man’s attention.
“John!” Bailey said turning around and seeing the man. “I’m good, say, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Lisa. Lisa, this is John Ashland, that friend of Gloria’s that she was talking about.”
Something that looked a lot like fear crossed her face briefly as she realized who he was. When she smiled and extended her hand, the fear was gone like it had never been there.
“Mr. Ashland! It’s good to finally meet you. Gloria talks about you all the time,” she said.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Mrs. Saint. She has spoken well of both of you as well. She loves you both very much,” John replied. “I’m sorry to bother you, while you’re both busy here, but there is a problem with Gloria, and she would like to see the both of you.”
“I thought she was at home, sick?” Bailey asked.
“She was playing hooky today, so she could spend some time with Mary and me. But we got to talking about our families, and stuff, and she got really upset. She asked me if I could come over here and ask you two to come to my place to help calm her down.”
“How did she get that upset?” Bailey asked.
“I’m not exactly sure, I was hoping that one of you might have an idea. All I do know is that she asked for the both of you, so here I am,” John explained.
“Uh, I think I know what the problem might be, let’s go over to John’s house, and take care of our daughter,” Lisa said knowingly.
“I’m needed here. I can’t just take off unless it’s really important!” Bailey said.
“This is important, and it shouldn’t take very long; if she is asking for both of us, we had better both be there, or she won’t calm down,” Lisa said. “Just let control know you have a personal emergency you need to take care of, and you’ll be back in an hour.”
Bailey nodded acceptance. “Okay, we’ll head over to your place as soon as I’m covered here. Thanks for coming to get us, John. You’re a good man.”
“Okay, see you there. Lisa, is there anything I can do for her until you get there?” John asked.
“Do you have any muscle relaxants, or pain relievers?” She said with a small smile.
“Yeah, I do, but... Oh! I think I’m beginning to understand. I’ll get that going for you, see you both soon!” John said. “I uh, don’t have anything else for that...”
Bailey looked lost, but L
isa knew what he was talking about. “She should have that with her, if not, then I’m sure Mary has something. Don’t worry, she’ll be okay until we get there.”
“Okay, I’ll head back then,” John replied. “Thanks for understanding.” Via his implants, John issued orders, knowing that his team had been listening to the conversation. “Will, shadow the cruiser back to the house. Everyone else, return to base and stay hidden.”
Everyone acknowledged their orders and moved to carry them out. John excused himself and headed back to his house, while the Saint’s walked over to Bailey’s patrol unit.
As soon as he was out of site, John broke into a run, and made it back to his house at the same time as the rest of the team.
“John, the Saint’s went back into town, and stopped at a pharmacy. Only the woman went inside,” Will said over the comm.
“Understandable considering the excuse I used to get them here. Looks like you get some exercise today,” John replied.
Will snorted. “I haven’t even broken a sweat yet.”
“Once they get here, how do you want to handle this?” Chloe asked.
“Alice looks like Gloria from the back. We’ll put her in a room upstairs facing away from the door. Carl and Chloe will wait in the room across the hall. Once both of them are in the room, Carl and Chloe will exit the room, cutting off their retreat. We’ll then subdue and question them.”
“Simple,” Chloe said.
“On the surface, you know as well as I do that no plan survives contact with the enemy,” John replied. “Let’s try to do this as painlessly as possible. I don’t want to hurt these folks if we can help it.”
“In that case, we should get Gloria in a chair in the room, and threaten to harm her. That should make them talk,” Chloe said. As John was about to veto the idea, Chloe held up her hand. “I don’t mean actually hurt her, just threaten too.”
He sighed, then nodded. “Ask her, but make damn sure she knows what’s going on. I won’t do it, unless she’s willing.”
Chloe nodded, and ran for the barge to talk to Gloria and Mary.
“They are leaving the Pharmacy,” Will reported. “It looks like they are heading your way.”
“Got it, we’ll be ready,” John replied. “Hustle up Chloe, our guests are on their way.”
John felt her acknowledge the message, but she didn’t reply. He assumed because she was explaining things to Gloria.
John showed Alice to her spot and she took her position. Carl nodded, and opened the door to the room across the hall. “You know, I always hated this part of our job.”
John nodded. “Me too, especially when humans are involved. However, we have a job to do, and this is the about the only lead we have.”
Carl nodded bumped fists with John and closed the door.
John returned downstairs to wait for his ‘guests’.
He heard a noise behind him as he saw the Constable’s cruiser pull into the lane. Turning, he saw Gloria and Chloe running upstairs. “Hurry up! You’re cutting it close, they just pulled in!”
“We’ll be ready!” Chloe said.
John watched them pull to a stop in front of the steps to his door. In the trees behind them, he caught a glimpse of Will as he circled around to get behind the equipment shed.
Bailey and Lisa got out of the hover-car and walked up the steps to where John was waiting. “Sorry it took so long, we decided to make a pit stop for supplies,” Lisa said holding up a bag from the pharmacy.
John smiled and nodded. “She’s upstairs in a room. Mary took her up there to lie down, from what she tells me the sedative is helping.”
John held the door for his guests, and he directed them to the stairs. As they reached the top, John said. “It’s the first door on the right; Lisa, she should be inside.”
John had set it up so both elder Saint’s made it into the room before they realized Gloria was not on the bed, instead it appeared she was tied to a chair in the corner. Her eye shadow and mascara had been running to make it look like she had been crying, and it looked for all the world like she had been going through interrogation. She had the shocker bands used in the procedure around her ankles, wrists, and neck.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Bailey asked, angrily. “Release her immediately!”
“I don’t think so, Constable,” John said. “Both of you need to sit down, now.”
Bailey turned around and began drawing his stunner when he froze. He saw John and Carl both standing there with pulser pistols trained on him.
“John, what the hell is going on here?”
“We need some information from you and your wife, Constable. Please, have a seat,” John replied.
“You’re a Marine, aren’t you?” Lisa asked as she took a seat in the indicated chair.
John nodded. “Major John Aster, Temporal Guard.”
“Holy shit! You’re supposed to be dead!” Bailey replied. “How come no one has recognized you?”
“Why didn’t you, Constable?” John replied. “That is, after all, part of your job.”
“You don’t really look like the images we have of John Aster... er, you,” Bailey replied.
“Bailey, now that we know the truth, we have to tell him!” Lisa said, pleadingly.
“No! There’s a lot more at stake here than just us! Now be quiet!” Bailey ordered her.
Chloe touched a control on the device she was holding, and Gloria screamed.
“Stop! What are you doing to her?” Bailey asked.
“It’s called Electro-Induction treatment. Normally, it’s used to stimulate the nerves of a newly enhanced Marine if they are having difficulties controlling their limbs. In normal humans though, it works very well for interrogation,” Chloe replied. “I’m Major Chlodine Diamond, Temporal Guards.”
“Bailey and Lisa Saint, on behalf of His Majesty, King Marcus Candlewood, you are hereby remanded for questioning. You are ordered to tell the truth to the best of your ability and knowledge. Imparting a lie or intentionally misleading information is punishable by life-long incarceration or death, as is the choice offered to you. Do you understand the current situation, and do you understand the consequences of your actions here?” John asked.
Lisa looked defeated, but Bailey still looked defiant. “You do not have jurisdiction here, nor do you have the right to detain a citizen without probable cause. We also have the right of representation,” Bailey said.
“...Unless ordered by the crown in cases of treason or immediate, covert threats against the state or the society it is sworn to protect,” Will intoned as he too, entered the room. “You can quote all the laws you wish, Constable, but I should remind you, we helped write them. Sir, we do not believe you nor your wife and daughter are anything more than pawns in all of this. We simply need information in order to continue our current mission. If it is proven that you are being forced into the position you are currently in, it is likely no charges will be brought against you.”
Marcus materialized in the remaining chair, and spoke. “What Major Curran has told you is correct.” Once everyone saw he was there, and wearing the formal robes of his office, everyone knelt, including John. Gloria, of course, didn’t.
“You’re Majesty! What are you doing here?” Bailey asked. He had turned a sickly pale when he saw the King.
“Please rise. Classified article six-cee of the judicial code mandates the King be present during questioning of this type. I am here in my capacity as the King, as well as your advocate. I know it sounds like a contradiction, but your safety and well-being is my primary duty, regardless of your guilt or innocence. It is my duty to ensure the Guards do not exceed their mandate in pursuing their mission.” Mark replied. “If you were not a member of this Kingdom, I would not be here.”
“We understand your Majesty,” Both Bailey and Lisa replied.
“Mr. and Mrs. Saint, I implore you to tell these Marines the absolute truth in all matters pertaining to this situation. The more forthcomin
g you are, the easier it will be to determine your innocence here. I am required by law to inform you that there are six other councilors that are witness to these proceedings, as well as the fact that it is being recorded for later analysis. Major Aster, please proceed.”
“As you command, Highness.” John said, and turned back to the couple. “Constable Saint, please begin with your grandfather, and how he arrived here on this planet.”
“I suppose, that would be the best place to begin,” Bailey sighed. “After all, it was he and his friends that got us into this mess. You see, when the ship he was on was reported lost to pirates, it wasn’t pirates; it was the Tammerain.
“I never really understood most of what the old bastard was telling us about what they did to them, but I got enough to know it wasn’t nice. The long and the short of it was that they were sent here to act as support for a forward Tammerain base. What was passed down to me, and has been reinforced almost every time I see the slimy bastards, is that they will destroy the entire planet, without warning, if we don’t do as told.
“They suspect you to be a Marine, because one of their scouts never returned from a mission to the surface. I was ordered to kill you tonight and bring them your body or Gloria would take your place,” Bailey finished.
“How do they make contact with you?” John asked.
“There is a network of caves under the town, mostly flooded. There are a lot of hidden access tunnels into some of the houses and businesses. They get their supplies from Roberton’s Basement. Messages are sent to the Postmaster using the Royal Postal Service, and he handles the delivery to them.
“I handle their security in the case something happens,” Bailey replied.
“Something like me?” John asked.
Bailey only nodded. “I don’t know for certain they can destroy the planet like they said, but even if it’s only Johnstown, I still had to do as they said. I couldn’t let anything happen to all these people!”
“An admirable sentiment, Constable. The Lizards here are using a pulsed tachyon communications array to send information back. Where is it? Something that large and the power needed should be very easy to find.” John asked.
