“Why didn’t they offer you a position on the High Council?” Mason asked. He was serious, but Rachel thought he was joking with her. He suggested, “I honestly recommend you do not consider the URE research position. You have earned a position of power and command in the Space Forces. The scientists on the Esmeralda were from the URE research facility, Rachel. Arrogant, undisciplined, and disrespectful, even to the officers. You would not be happy there, and you would have to resign your commission to take it.” Mason knew his Admiral needed to be respected and treated with professional courtesy. Although the URE scientists were highly educated, proficient, and very capable, they did not respect military personnel, or treat them as equals. They made fun of them, their discipline, and their lifestyle. Rachel would not do well there, he knew. “What exactly would the adjutant Joint Chief position entail?”
“The adjutant Joint Chief is a non-combatant position, primarily Medical Services. They will probably also have a Tactical War Joint Chief appointed soon, I’ve heard. But the adjutant Joint Chiefs have no voting rights,” Rachel answered, looking at him.
“Would they possibly eliminate a position representing non-combatants in favor of a more war-focused adjutant, in addition to the Tactical War Joint Chief, say perhaps a Strategic Joint Chief?” He was asking her all the right questions, ones she needed to consider.
“It has been a position for over 200 years, but not a requirement, like the regular six Joint Chiefs’ positions,” she replied.
“Then I’d recommend you say ‘no, thank you,’ to the URE offer, and to the adjutant Joint Chief offer, and ask for a trip to Geneva to check out their facilities,” he suggested. “Honestly, Rachel, I think you should ask yourself if there’s any position you really, really want to have, regardless of where it was.”
She thought for a few minutes. “If the High Council ever did offer me a position, I would accept, John. But, honestly, I love my work here. I think I’ve decided to accept the Genetics Research Facilities position here in Houston. It is a Space Forces position, working with military scientists. My area of control would encompass all facilities, however,” she added, still thinking.
“Would you have to travel to the remote space stations, Rachel?” He asked tenuously.
“Yes, occasionally. Why?” She was a seasoned space traveler.
Mason told her the special offer the High Council made to regular and former Army, Navy, and Air Force personnel. “They’re preparing for war with the ONE. Would you want to be in a meeting on a remote space station and be attacked, Rachel? It could very well happen.”
“The job I now have sounds better and better, John, or the adjutant Joint Chief’s position. I had my fill of being attacked on the Hesperia, and do not wish a repeat of such violence, if it can be avoided,” she said. “I have to think more about it.” She went to the kitchen and opened a bottle of wine for them. “I hate to think of war with the ONE. They are more advanced.”
Mason laughed. “We are children to them, Rachel, merely subjects to study, and to be tested to be found worthy or unworthy. They are thousands, if not tens of thousands of years ahead of us. When one of their reptiles learns something new, they all learn. They have hive mentality. They can hear each other’s thoughts. They are telepathic, and telecommunicate. Dr. James can intrude on our vid screen, wave his hand, and your morning sickness vanishes. If they wanted to take over our solar system forcefully, it would already have been done. They want to colonize, instead, and make us reptilian hybrids, creating a new species. Sukesh wants to control us, and be our Master, carrying out his vendetta against the Space Forces. But the ONE want to assimilate us, at least those they deem worthy,” Mason told her definitively.
“Remember what Colonel Green told me? The ONE are not only taking over our solar system, they are taking over our bodies, and have done so without firing one shot.” He was adamant. “War with the ONE, indeed,” Mason mused, deep in thought. As Rachel handed him a glass of wine, he continued, “Why not just tell the ones you don’t want “No,” and muddle over the other offers until you’re certain. Or, hold out for the High Council.”
They sat on the couch together, and Rachel said, “Here’s to the most important decision we made: to us, together, husband and wife.” Mason smiled at long last and toasted with her. He sat back and put his arm on the couch and she snuggled close to him. “It’s rewarding, just being offered those positions, don’t you think, John?”
“Of course it is, Rachel. Your career is at a peak now, and you’re in the pilot’s seat. The choice is yours. Keep what you have; choose something else. A very nice belated birthday present from the universe,” he said with his big, irresistible smile. Mason carried her to bed to celebrate. They eventually fell asleep in each other’s arms, satisfied and at peace.
Their peace did not last long, however. Rachel woke up from her husband calling out in his sleep: “Esther, Esther, no! Don’t do it, Esther. No!” She shook him to wake him from the dream, and he rolled over. Mason had never called out another woman’s name in his sleep. It kept her awake all night, and troubled her. How could he dream of Esther, after making such sweet and passionate love with her?
The next day she was busy with work and the boys, and Mason’s dream was dismissed. Until it happened again: “Esther. Esther don’t. Don’t do it. Don’t do it, Esther! Esther, no!” Rachel shook him again, and he merely rolled over. This time, she was angry about it. She didn’t mention the dream, but became cranky, cold and distant to her husband.
After several “chilly” nights, Mason asked her what was wrong. She refused his kisses, and was cold and unresponsive. He possessed no knowledge of those dreams troubling her so. “Rachel? What is wrong? Did I do something wrong? Please talk to me, Rachel.” She sat up abruptly and told him about calling out another woman’s name two nights in the last week. He could see she was angry and hurt.
“Whose name did I call out?”
“Esther. You kept saying Esther,” she answered, not looking at him.
Oh brother. “I have no recollection of any dream, or what my dreams were about, Rachel. But I can truthfully tell you I have no desire for Esther. Only you. Just you, Rachel. If it should happen again, would you please, please wake me? Then I can find out what the nightmare is about. Please?” She agreed, but was still angry. At least he knew why.
Mason got up and let Rachel sleep in peace. He sat on the floor next to the bed, trying to think why he would have a dream about Esther; he had no clue. He fell asleep on the floor in a couple of hours.
“Esther. Don’t! Esther, don’t do it! No! Don’t! Get out of there, Esther! Don’t!”
“John, wake up! John! Wake up now! What are you dreaming? John!” Rachel made him sit up on the bed to make sure he was awake.
“I saw it, Rachel. They are going to bring Sukesh up from the depths, wake him, and try to make him talk. They should let him be. They should put him in stasis; in cryonic hibernation. He has too much power.” Mason continued, as if in a trance: “They will have her bring him out of his coma and interview him, while they observe. Admiral Hanson must never do this, or his wrath will also be directed at her. He once captured her, tortured and abused her, and began her transformation; and she escaped. He must not see her. She must not be seen by Sukesh!” Mason cried out. “She cannot go through that again!”
Rachel now understood his dreams. “You should call her, John, and find out if they are indeed planning to bring up Sukesh. She will tell you, if anyone at all.”
Mason put on his robe and called Admiral Hanson, projecting the image on the table for Rachel to see. “Admiral Hanson, this is Mason.”
“At 4:10a.m? This better be good, Mason.”
“Admiral, I need to know; are they planning on bringing up Sukesh, to interview him?”
She sat up. “How did you know about that, Mason?”
“You can’t participate, Admiral. You can’t let that happen, please, ma’am,” he said.
“I have my or
ders, Mason. Besides, they have assured me Sukesh will not know me, see me, or ever be able to recognize who is interviewing him,” she said.
“He will know, Admiral Hanson. I have seen it. He is a powerful telepath, now, remember. You must not do this, please, Admiral Hanson.” Mason was adamant.
“How do you know this, Mason?” Hanson asked.
He answered candidly, “My dreams. In my dreams, he escapes. He is rescued by his sympathizers, and returned to the ONE, as is their wish. You and your team of interviewers are discovered. The Penal Colony is raided and destroyed. He then discovers who tricked him, fought and subdued him, and captured him. He will pursue both of us until the end of time itself. He already swore to kill me over a century. Imagine what he will do to you, Admiral Hanson. Please – please – please, do not be a party to his interview.”
“It’s too late, Mason. They’re bringing the entire dog and pony show up here. They know they can’t hang him, so they want to court martial and publicly humiliate him,” she said softly.
“Admiral Hanson, please delay it,” Mason urgently asked. “Don’t go down there; don’t bring him up!”
“All right! All right! You’d better call me later about this, Mason,” she threatened.
“I will. Mason out.” He punched in the private comm link for Madam Li Yun; no answer. She had not contacted him in four days. Mason left her an emergency signal. “I’m going to take a shower and get ready,” he announced. “Madam Li Yun hasn’t contacted me in days. I’ve got to see Admiral Worthington.”
Mason cleaned up and got ready quickly, and Rachel followed. Victor and John David were dropped off at pre-school and day care at 6:00a.m. They requested an immediate meeting with Admiral Worthington. Rachel was no longer angry at her husband; she was worried sick about his dream coming true. His dreams proved worth heeding on the Hesperia.
The Admiral’s aide took them into Worthington’s private office. Li Yun was there, too. Mason apologized for the abruptness of his actions. “I have dreamed of Sukesh, and of his rescue by the ONE, Madam Li Yun, and Admiral Worthington.”
Admiral Mason was asked to be seated, while Mason remained at attention. “I am aware I sound crazy, but this is what I know.” Mason told them his entire dream, and the consequences of their planned actions.
“You heard this, Admiral Mason?” Admiral Worthington asked her.
“Yes, sir, I did. Tonight was the third night this week he dreamed of Sukesh, and the interviews. I only heard him telling Admiral Hanson not to go inside,” she answered.
Madam Li Yun stared at her Prime Marine with great intensity. Admiral Worthington shook his head. “You experienced dreams the last year you were on the Hesperia, Mason. I remember Captain Baines thought you’d gone over the edge. That is, until solid proof was presented to back up your dreams. And those dreams saved the lives of your officers and crewmen, and allowed the platinum to be delivered safely.” He continued, “Only the High Council and Admiral Hanson know the timing of this interview of Sukesh, Mason. This is truly amazing. Really amazing,” he said, staring at Mason, still at attention.
“Are you in contact with the ONE, now, my Prime Marine? Are they speaking through you now?” Li Yun asked, glaring at him.
“No one speaks through me, Madam Li Yun. I have received this dream, from where, I honestly do not know. The High Council provided me with the newest brain implants. Perhaps my intuition has become heightened. Call it a premonition. I do not know. All I know is; I had to tell you what I saw, what I know, and the dream’s warning, Madam Li Yun.” Mason sounded very disappointed she did not trust him.
“Have you made a decision as to your future career path, Admiral Mason?” Admiral Worthington asked her.
“I choose to remain in my current post, Admiral,” she answered.
“Then please join our discussion. Major Mason, dismissed!” He ordered abruptly.
Mason saluted them and left. He waited for an hour, then walked home. Did he still have a job? Was he still Prime Marine to Madam Li Yun? She looked at him as if he’d turned traitor. As he walked home, he thought of all that had taken place in his last two years.
Master Gunnery Sergeant to Major; that is, if he still had a job. Prime Marine to Prime Marine Officer; shuttle pilot to war bird pilot, and pilot of the XR-8. If he still had a job.
Widower to happily married man, with a son who was now running all over the house, and a soon-to-be-adopted genius step-son. Married to the first woman he loved, a beautiful, highly intelligent woman; a woman of rank and power. His wife, the Admiral. She still had a job.
Footloose and unencumbered to Houston homeowner. Hell, he kept over three million freedom dollars with Omar. If he no longer had a job, he could try for a URE investigator position. He had a PhD, for crying out loud. He surely was worth something to someone.
Mason’s wrist comm link showed just after 9a.m. He stopped for breakfast at their local coffee shop, paid his check, and continued his walk home. The corner florist put out some beautiful tulip bouquets, and he bought a couple for Rachel. His shuttle was gone, so he reported it missing. He went into the empty house and put the tulips in water. Still no message or orders on his comm link. It was almost 11a.m. Now he was really concerned.
Mason removed his hat and jacket and sat on the couch. He loved their couch. How many times did he take her love there, laying Rachel down, enjoying the paradise in her arms? Impossible to count. Rachel loved finishing the day with tea or a glass of wine, sitting next to him and cuddling.
He turned on the vid screen and looked in the URE database for job openings. He selected investigations, and saw two openings in the Houston area. Mason keyed in his name and home vid comm link number, and his PhD. He looked at the request for information, hovering over the “Send Request” button. His wrist comm link was silent, no messages received in four days. Admiral Hanson believed him, anyway. She always took his calls.
The job information request was still open. He keyed in “John Mason, Major, Space Marines.” What the hell; a man needed to have a job in the URE. It was his right and his duty. He owed it to his family. He took a deep breath and hit “Send Request.”
Mason shut off the vid screen and changed out of his uniform into nice slacks and a shirt. Might have to get used to it, he realized. He took his wallet and shades and the speedster keys. He straddled the steel beast and disengaged the side car, then stopped. What if he really did not have a job anymore? All his friends were in the military; all Rachel’s friends were Admirals and Generals. Would she be ashamed of him? Would they say he went crazy, or became suspicious?
The speedster roared to life. He slowly backed it out of its shed, turned it around, and put his helmet on. One more look at his wrist comm link: nothing. It was a beautiful day for a ride. Mason punched it, and shot out of his driveway like a rocket. Destination unknown.
XXXIII
The meeting with Admiral Worthington and Madam Li Yun lasted until 2p.m., and Admiral Mason was tired. She strongly disagreed with their decision to interview Sukesh, but helped them draft the interview questions, as ordered. In addition to her PhD in Molecular Biology, and a master’s degree in Surgical Nursing, she held another master’s degree in Psychology. The Admiral also knew Sukesh well, from her seven year service aboard the Hesperia. Her input was invaluable.
She hopped in her shuttle, collected her children, and then went home. She wondered where her husband disappeared to. He was most likely at home, since he had no office on the base. She arrived at home and went inside, and saw the beautiful tulips. Those, and his hat tossed on the couch told her he was there; but where was he now? She put John David in his crib, so the little scamp wouldn’t run outside or under foot, and looked for her husband. “John?” She called downstairs. It was dark, and no answer came. No one in the back yard, either. She checked the shed; his speedster was gone. He could be anywhere.
Rachel came inside and changed into her lounge outfit, made dinner for Victor and John David, an
d enjoyed “Mommy time,” her favorite time of the day. Victor brought his homework out to do, and John David was set loose in the living room. She sent her husband a text to come home, and watched the baby. He could already run, and climb a bit. Nothing under a meter was safe; Rachel moved everything out of his reach two weeks ago. He was such a cute little toddler. He looked just like his Father, with her hazel eyes.
Where was her husband? She called him, and he answered, “Mason.” He sounded drunk.
“John, we’re home, waiting for you. Have you been drinking?” She asked him nicely.
“Oh yeah, I’ve been drinking. Watching the waves come in and go out, you know. It’s what a man with no job does, honey. Watch the waves.” He burped, and excused himself.
“Well, I hate to interrupt your pity-party, John Mason, but you are needed at home now,” she said sternly.
“Sorry. I can’t come home now. I have to stay here, Rachel,” he slurred.
She sighed and packed a bag for John David. “I’ll come get you, John. Where are you?”
“Let’s see. Uh… I honestly don’t know. I’m activating my GPS signal. Sorry, Rachel,” he said, and burped loudly. “Sorry.”
“I’m on my way,” she said. She took both boys and her purse, and loaded them into her shuttle. What did he mean, a man with no job? Rachel honed in on his signal: Galveston? She flew as fast as she dared, not even letting Victor “co-pilot” in her lap. Her husband never did this before. He’d better not do it again, either, especially on a work night.
Mason was in an urgent care center right on the beach in Galveston, watching the waves from his window. He was wearing a head bandage; nothing unusual about that, she thought.
“What happened to you, John?” She asked, more upset than worried, hands on her hips.
“I rode down here and stopped in a café for a burger and a beer. They slipped me a mickey, and jumped me for my wallet and speedster keys,” he responded, holding his head.
Vengeance of Sukesh: John Mason (Legend of John Mason) Page 43
