Altis-5: Book #2 of the Sleeper Series
Page 33
Kristin translated Janks’ reply and two troopers went into the cave returning in minutes with several weapons.
“We will take you to our base where you will be treated in accordance with our laws. I can assure you no harm will come to you. We will provide a translator at all times. Do you understand?”
Jank replied and Kristin translated. “I understand, and I wish the woman Kristin to be my translator.”
“Very well,” said Frulé. He saw Kristin move closer to the Kaedian and take his hand. He was in unfamiliar territory as to how he should secure the prisoner but he was sure he was no threat.
“I am not at liberty to grant parole but if you give me your assurance that you will not try to escape or to injure any of my men I will not restrain you.”
“Thank you, you have my assurance,” translated Kristin. She noticed he didn’t mention the translator. He wants me with him, she thought. He has reservations about the others but he trusts me, I like that.
Jank was led aboard the Barque under guard as the team collected all of his possessions. The Barque landed at the base and Frulé escorted Jank and Kristin with two guards, which were more of a formality, into Tom’s office. Now that matters were in the hands of the military and Kristin was safe, Sheriff Olsen felt he could leave, so Kris took him to show off his office and the village.
Before long the story of how Kristin had captured a Kaedian soldier had spread throughout the village. Andrew returning from a cattle round-up heard about it and headed over to the base to see if he could help. In Tom’s office, Jank stood at attention trying to maintain a semblance of military discipline which was difficult in an animal skin vest. Kristin was at his left translating. Jank had given his rank and outfit. Kaedians did not assign numbers to their troopers so that was as far as they had progressed when Andrew knocked on the door and entered.
“Hello Andrew,” said Tom. “How can we help you?”
“I heard you had a Kaedian prisoner and thought I might be needed to translate.”
“Actually, we are fine. It seems that Fourth Officer Jank here understands, but cannot speak English and this young lady can understand, but cannot speak Kaedian.”
Andrew looked at Kristin then held out his hand and said in Kaedian, “Andrew Blaque, Deputy Sheriff.”
Jank turned at the sound of his voice and stared at him. Where have I seen this man before?
Kristin shook his hand and replied in English. “I am Kristin, Kristin Duvalle. I am a veterinarian with the new colonists.” She turned to Jank. “This is...”
“We have already met,” interrupted Andrew. “Hello, Carl.” Jank froze as he recognized him. He had met him once at a reception for the Silerinian delegation given by his father. He is a Jovian diplomat, what is he doing here with these Erthers?
“You know this man?” asked Tom.
“Yes, but more importantly I know his father.”
“Who is?” inquired Frulé.
“His Father is Braton Jank, Lord Commander of the Kaedian forces and ruler of the Kaedian Empire.”
“Merde!” said Frulé. “It’s bad enough that the Kaedians are mad at us for defeating them twice, now we have their Emperors’ son in custody. We are so screwed.”
Appendix
Character Names Description
Acheron, Leonard Captain HSS Zenon Ackerson, Broan HSS Orion Barque Pilot Allain, Alexander XO HSS Orion Alverez, Terence Co-Pilot to Colonel Winters Anderson, Sara Village Selectwoman Balechek, John EDB Commander Barisniki, Anatoly EDB2 Colonel Barker, Farank Captain of Treasure Hunter Barnes, Joshua SETI Technical Supervisor Bayon, Ayor Chancellor to Braton Jank Beels, Jon HSS Zenon Sr Nav Tech Beltran, Welesdon Hevinian Colonial Minister Benner, Stuart Captain/XO of Alec Salvatore Beroth, Gravin Kaedian Com-Tech (Zargon) Blackstock, Kris Friend of Ray Wright Blakely, Matthew Developer of WOCADS Blaque, Andrew Hevinian Commonwealth Security Breckenridge, Anne Breckenridge,
Jennifer
Bryson-Jones,
Allyson
Girlfriend of Kris Blackstock
Daughter of Anne
Villager / Ombudsman Campbell, David Battalion Senior Chief Campbell, Ron David's son / Jennifer's friend Carkon, Drakker Dresden's dad Carkon, Dresden Cleb Pilot / Drakker's son
Chambers, Graham Husband of U.S. President Chambers, Sarah President of U.S. Chambers, Walter Son of President Chiset, Astel Cousin of Ray Wright Clark, Bill SETI /IT Security Supervisor Cole, Charlie Jayton Mills Police Chief Corbyn, Grent HSS Janus Senior Admin Tech Crease, George EDB Commander Sgt Major Dearian Sande's good friend Deming, Woodrow EDB Sergeant DeVoot, Pauel Dutch Contractor Dreck, Shaun HSS Orion Navigation Tech Dunbar, Kelly U.S. Secretary of Defense Dunston, Robert Altis-5 new colony farmer Durack, Vakken Kaedian Fleet Commander Duvalle, Kristin Altis-5 new colony Veterinarian Eldron, Pata Kaedian Captain of Denue Fosch, Dager Kaedian Force Commander Fosdyke, Bruce Australian Survey Team r Frank, Charlie Lt. USN / Missile team Frome, Rayton HSS Orion Saboteur Frulé, François EDB Commander Getts, Alvin Computer Hacker Gilbreath, Jason Warrant Officer Goswan, Kiman Hevinian Admiral HSS Janus Guisborn, Anton HSS Orion Library Tech Haskell, Raymond Altis-5 new colony Selectman Haskell, Rita
Hyde-Jones, Sir James
Wife of Raymond
Voting Mediator Jank, Braton Lord Commander Kaedian Emp
Johnson, Karen Warrant Officer Barque Pilot Johnson, Peter Husband of Karen Jones, Susan Villager, volunteer in café Jorge, Edwin HCTS Goliath Captain Jurr, Pinde Cleb Leader Kaedia, Jon General /First leader of Kaedians Keaton, Jordan HSS Orion Security Tech Kebel, Acron Kaedian Tactical Sergeant Kimble, Marin HSS Orion Senior Medical Tech Krabb, Lankir Kaedian Vice-Fleet Commander Lindstrom, Karen Warrant Officer Lutto, Regor Kaedian Tactical Commander Magdala, Miriam Early Hevinian sleeper Markham, Tom EDB Colonel Olsen, Henry Altis-5 new colony Sheriff Phelps, Mary Villager on HSS Orion Querrion, Phillip HSS Orion Commander Richardson, Karen Reporter HSS Orion to Altis-5 Rutgar, Oti Kaedian warrior Salvatore, Alec EDB Commander Sheppard, Bill NASA Administrator Sidney, Claire
Skylar-Markham, Sande
Marcie Wright's mother
HSS Orion's nurse /wife of Tom Smith, Pete Lt. Commander Stein, Paul Altis-5 new colony Sheriff Stone, Brian Altis-5 new colony citizen Surrells, Kevin Flight Sergeant Corpsman Swift, Adair Hevinian Crewmember/saboteur Trembley, Karl Cameraman for Karen Umberto, Andrea Wife of William
Umberto, William President of Confederation Verens, Andreas French immigrant to Altis-5 Verens, Nora Wife of Andreas Veston, Jandar Admin Aid to Force Comm Wallace, Peter EDB Major Weeks, Jerry EDB Captain Winters, Don EDB Commander / General Winters, Emma Wife of Don Woods, John EDB Major / Pilot Wright, James Ray Wright's Uncle Wright, Marcie Wife of Ray Wright / RN Wright, Ray Hevinian Sleeper
Biography
J. Alexander Black was born in Surry, England in 1949. He immigrated to the USA in 1971. He then served for 20 years as a U.S. Navy Corpsman, aboard several ships and in hospitals ashore, including a tour with the Marines in Desert Storm. Upon his retirement, he moved to Maine where he worked 15 years as a Public Health Educator. After a very active working life he found retirement unfulfilling. His wife, Karen, said, “Everyone has at least one book in them; go find yours.” He found more than one. They live with their dog Sophie in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. He is hard at work on his next book.