Custodian_Monster of Earth Book One

by Patrick F. Johnson

  Dave breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Turning to Gladosanthos, he said, “Thank you.”

  “You are most welcome, Gunnery Sergeant Elmore.”

  “Please, call me Dave.”

  Frank went serious for a minute. “Dave, what you guys did out there was insanely brave. You marched right into the unknown, fully prepared to meet your end, or kick its ass. I might need your help down the road here when more of those creeps show up. Are you up for a little payback when you get out of here?”

  “I think I can speak for my men when I say absolutely.”

  “Awesome. I'll leave you my number. Now don't freak out over what you're about to see. Gladys?” The projection ended and the orb flew straight into his pocket. “Doctor, please keep us in the loop.”

  * * *

  Frank reversed the MP's route and easily found his way out of the hospital. He had made his way through the parking lot and into the grassy area when his phone rang again. He pulled it out and pressed the button to accept the call. “Hello?” His call was interrupted by the familiar jolt of a large caliber bullet hitting his shield, followed more closely this time by the report. “Holy fucking shit! This is getting old! Phil, pick his ass up!” Then holding the phone back up to his ear, “Hello? Yes, sorry Mr, President. I'll have to call you back in a few. Someone is currently trying to kill me.” He then hung up on the president.

  The orb popped out of his pocket, “Phildan says the shooter is inside the parking structure over there and he is unable to pick him up.”

  “Well, I guess I better go talk to him.”

  * * *

  Jason Reed calmly put his rifle back into the trunk of his car. He knew he only had a few minutes before the garage would be swarming with security personnel. He'd been very careful to position himself in the blind spot of the cameras and patient enough to wait the countless hours for the call. He'd guessed correctly that Ford would pay the hospital a visit and also the point of his arrival. All the planning and patience was for nothing though, as he somehow missed. He couldn't understand it. He never missed. There would be plenty of time to ponder his failure later as now was the time to implement his exit strategy. It was a simple thing to duck back into the hospital like any other bystander trying to avoid any perceived danger. But as he was walking briskly down the ramp between the second and first floors, a man somehow bounded over the side wall of the structure. It was Ford and he was heading right to him.

  “Jason Reed, I presume,” Ford said loudly, with a cockiness that got under his skin. Second chances don't come along every day and this was Jason's chance to complete his mission. He'd never failed before and this one was way too important to miss. Glancing at the camera he opted to go ahead and pull both his Berettas. He flipped both safeties off and charged toward Ford. To his surprise Ford stood his ground. Jason quickly emptied both guns. Thirty-two bullets all aimed directly at his prey and all of them seemed to bounce right off. Somehow this guy was bullet-proof.

  Jason considered his options. He dropped both guns and pulled his knife. Ford was upon him now, unfazed, assuming an offensive position. So Jason lunged at him, mostly to get a feel for his fighting style. But Ford sidestepped him and came down with a chop to the back of his neck. Jason couldn't believe the speed with which Ford moved and the power of the strike. It was all he could do to keep his footing. He shook it off the best he could and decided to throw everything he had at his opponent. What followed was an awesome display of his martial arts prowess. Ford managed to evade most of his attacks but a few blows landed. But Ford was taking on no damage. Jason feinted a roundhouse kick and as Ford went to step into it, Jason violently slashed across Ford's face with his knife. He took a brief pause to plan for the kill shot and was shocked to see the gaping wound on Ford's left cheek closing up. Within seconds it was completely healed. And then he noticed the sphere that was hovering over Ford's left shoulder.

  “Damn, you got blood on my favorite hoodie. Oh well.” Ford smiled as he wiped the remaining blood from his face with his sleeve. There wasn't even a scar.

  “Drop the knife and put your hands in the air!” Security was upon them. Jason ran and leaped out of the building.

  * * *

  Frank opted to run for the stairs. He didn't want any stray bullets to hit the security guards, having bounced off his shield. The odds of that happening were pretty slim, but he wasn't willing to risk it. Instead of heading to the ground level, he went up the steps and quickly ran onto the roof level of the garage. The orb was following behind and when he stopped, he realized he wasn't even winded. He pressed the button on his bracelet and within moments he was back inside the landing boat.

  ““How did it go?” Phildan asked anxiously.

  “I just got my ass kicked. I need to learn how to fight better. That guy was good.”

  “You're good at fighting the Mingrein.”

  “I'm starting to think maybe I just got lucky back at the ranch.”

  “Perhaps the Mistress would play back the recordings and we can analyze your tactics.”

  “You guys record everything?”

  “Only the actions. I don't think she keeps the regular conversations.”

  “That's kinda creepy.”

  “This is all of scientific importance, Frank,” Gladosanthos interjected, “and these recordings are vital to the study of the effects of the implant on a human specimen. None of this has ever been done before and it's all really fascinating.”

  “Shall we pursue the attacker?”

  “Nah, Phil, dude's a ghost. He's long gone by now.”

  “I will play back the recording,” Gladosanthos said as an image of the inside of the parking garage filled the room.

  After a few moments Frank spoke, “Here's where he unloaded both of his pistols. Heh, that look on his face right there......now watch this......that's the only hit I got in......wow......I had no idea I was moving so fast through it all......But damn that guy's good.”

  “Have you been in many battles, Frank?” Gladosanthos asked.

  “I've had to defend myself a few times in my life. I'm not one to look for trouble, but I usually handle myself alright though. I've never had to pull a weapon or anything like that.”

  “That man was obviously a highly trained killer.” Gladosanthos' tone was grave.

  “I'm trying to make sense of all this. The big picture is still kinda blurry. We got Mingrein raiding, all the sudden, to feed their forces that are obviously mounting on the backside of the moon. There's all this technology that isn't supposed to be here. We got people trying to kill me. How is it all connected?”

  “I'm trying to figure that out myself,” Gladosanthos answered.

  “When did the Mingrein raid Sessik Home?”

  “Twenty-six standard earth years ago.”

  “And what were they after?”

  “It would appear they were out to abduct Sessiks, but there were several maps missing when they left.”

  “How many Sessiks did they take?”

  “None. Two were killed. Delvan, Phildan's twin, went missing, presumed abducted.”

  “How did you all evade them? They seem pretty efficient at abductions.”

  “Most of us took to the air. Our shields protected us from the Rotinom projectiles. One Sessik was crushed by a falling statue. Ryal Dor Sprula was blown up by an incendiary device when he tried to confront a Mingrein inside the Archives.”

  “Was he a friend of yours?”

  “He had been my mate in the past.”

  “Oh, I'm sorry.”

  “We had grown apart long ago. Philosophical differences.”

  “There seems to be a lot of that in the galaxy. Wait, you can fly?”

  “Let's stay on topic here. Where are your thoughts taking you?”

  “The tech was here earlier than twenty-six years ago. What are the odds of the Li having found earth before that?”

  “I suppose it's possible. We would have to assume that some of them from Lian
survived the Mingrein uprising. They would have gone looking for a safe haven. There are several other Li planets and the odds of them stumbling upon Earth are staggering to calculate. Unless maybe they somehow already knew about it. Perhaps some old intelligence left over from the war.”

  “But how would their tech be so wide-spread? Were they known to be traders?”

  “While they were imperialistic, they weren't completely uncivilized. But the climate here is too cool for the most part. The equatorial region might be to their liking, but even there it's a bit too cool.”

  “Global warming.”

  “Elaborate please.”

  “There's been talk of climate change over the past several years. I wonder if its all been orchestrated to make the Earth more to their liking. If so, and the Mingrein somehow caught wind of it, that would make Earth a perfect target.”

  After a brief moment of consideration, Gladosanthos said, “It all fits. That is sound reasoning, Frank. I'll make you into a scientist after this is all over.”

  “Wouldn't that be something?” Frank had skated by with all C's in science classes back in high school.

  “What do the Li look like again?”

  “I'll show you,” she said as she projected the image. “Bipedal reptilian, height and build slightly smaller than average humans. Colors vary depending on where they're from.”

  “They could disguise themselves if they had to. It wouldn't be easy, but it's possible.”

  “I hadn't thought of that. Yes, it's quite possible actually. I believe they could do it.”

  “So if we see someone bundled up in the middle of summer, that's cause for suspicion.”

  Just then Phildan interjected, “Actually they would use a suit.”

  “A suit?”

  “Yes, a varitherm suit. Like mine. It's a self adjusting thermal regulator. It's designed for the comfort of the wearer. I was going to ask you if you want one, actually.”

  “They're already calling me The Gray Man. I don't think I want to run around in gray pajamas too.”

  “You could wear it under your regular clothing.”

  “I'll think about it. Thanks.”

  “Take your time. Where shall we set off to now, Mistress?”

  “Frank?”

  “Let's get back to the island and chill so Phil can tinker with my phone. Can we rig it so I can get a call signal out there?”

  “That shouldn't be too difficult.”

  * * *

  “Hungry, Frank?” Phildan asked, extending a metallic bowl toward Frank.

  “Yes, actually. Thanks.” Frank stood and brushed the sand off of his pants before he accepted the bowl of soup.

  “I'm just about finished with my duties. Shall we have a look at your phone?”

  “Oh yeah, sure.” But just as Frank was pulling out his phone, it rang. “Shit. I better take this.” Frank rolled his eyes as he pressed the call button. “Hello?..........Yes, Mr. President...........It is indeed an alien invasion.............no, Sir...........That was just a raiding party...........We have video of the whole thing, Sir............Yes, that was me in the parking garage............His name is Jason Reed and he works with whoever is in cahoots with the Mingrein............Those are the bad guys, sir............over the south Pacific?............They're coming here..........No sir, they are coming after me, personally.........Just keep an eye on those other ships. I'll contact you when I'm done here. Goodbye.” He turned to Phildan and was about to speak when the orb appeared.

  “We have incoming,” Gladosanthos said with only the slightest agitation.

  “Phil, get in the boat and get clear,” Frank said earnestly.

  “But what about you, Frank?” Phildan's concern was palpable.

  “I figure I better stay and talk to them. You should drop me a sword.”

  9.

  Frank stood calmly on the beach, eating his soup, and gazing upward, waiting for the arrival. He saw it as a speck on the sky at first, and as it grew closer, he could see that it was a ship in a very different configuration than the freighter from the raid. This one had what he could tell was a forward cockpit in front of a bulbous hull. Attached to the hull were four pods that from his vantage point almost looked like feet. Instead of the expected sounds of rockets or jets, the craft made an eerie, dissonant hum.

  He turned to the orb hovering just to his left, “Look, it's a flying turtle.”

  “I do believe you are becoming more and more unhinged.”

  “Put yourself in my shoes, Gladys. You'd be pretty unhinged too.”

  After a moment she answered, “Yes, you're probably right.”

  “Damn, this soup is good.”

  As the craft neared the surface, the pods broke away from the hull and spread outward to surround him as they all finally landed. The main ship was between them and the ocean, with it's cockpit facing away from them. The four pods fanned out behind where he was facing, cutting off any retreat inland. All of their doors opened in unison as the dome went up. Almost instantly the temperature went up drastically.

  “You better get clear before you get your ball shot off.”

  “I have plenty of remotes, Frank.”

  Each pod carried a crew of four Rotinoms and one Mingrein. They all opened fire in unison as the main attack ship emptied it's crew of at least a dozen Mingrein and just as many Rotinoms. Frank quickly became attuned to the commands being shouted out by the largest Mingrein. He was counting down from five.

  “They're about to fire their big guns all at once. This should be good.”

  “Yes, they are hoping to overload your shield.”

  “Really? Is that possible?” Frank suddenly got excited.

  “It will hold.”

  And at that they all fired. Frank braced himself for the impact and to his surprise it came and went and he didn't even spill a drop of soup.

  “How did you do that?”

  “Do what?” The conversation was happening as five of the backpacked Rotinoms were unloading on him in concert.

  “You made your shield stronger!”

  “Oh hell.....” Before he could answer a projectile struck the orb. “.....I dunno. Ha! Told ya!”

  He drained the remnants of his soup into his mouth and calmly put the bowl down. He reached over and pulled the sheathed sword from where he had it standing out of the sand and then waited. The lead Mingrein ordered everyone to stop firing so he could weigh his options.

  “The rat is trying to fatten himself up for us!” His comment was answered with laughter from every Mingrein on the beach.

  “This thing is what's giving trouble to our Terran vermin?” another one asked.

  “We shall feast on his puny limbs while he watches. Use your blades!” The laughter slowly died down as they began their advance. Frank took note of one small Mingrein that wasn't part of the main group. He or she just stood to the side observing.

  “Watch their tails.” Gladosanthos surprised him with a replacement orb.

  “Got it,” Frank answered as he unsheathed his sword. He reminded himself that a katana is a two-handed sword. Then he spoke to the Mingrein. “Hey, you can all just surrender now and save yourselves any embarrassment.” They laughed harder than ever. He paused to smile at the orb before he sprang into action.

  A medium sized Mingrein was out front of the rest bearing down on Frank, raising his great blade to the side like he was about to swing for the fences. Frank was too fast. He stepped inside and spun. The katana came around and cut clean through the neck of the reptile as the great blade hit only air. Before the severed head hit the sand, Frank was impaling another Mingrein where he hoped his heart would be located. Whether of not he hit the heart was irrelevant, as the beast was dead just the same. A third lizard lost an arm as he was momentarily off balance, trying to adjust to Frank's agile movements. But the fourth caught Frank squarely in the torso with a swing of it's tail. Frank flew backward about fifteen feet before he hit the sand. He rolled through and sprang
back to his feet just in time to decapitate another lizard. He took note of the small Mingrein, who was now leaning it's back against the ship.

  “Keep an eye on Slim over there,” he said calmly to Gladosanthos as he blocked another tail whip by simply cutting it off before it could hit him. The tail was twitching on the ground as Frank disemboweled its owner. He was systematically cutting his way toward the ship. Only the largest Mingrein remained, standing behind the Rotinoms. The lizards that had ridden the pods down had never advanced and awaited orders.

  “I'll handle this rat myself. But be ready for the contingency plan.”

  Frank was wondering what the contingency plan entailed as he set about slaughtering the Rotinoms. They were just standing there in his way. Finally the leader stepped forward and pulled what could only be described as an even greater great blade. He came down with it in a very quick overhead strike. Frank sidestepped the blade and was almost shocked when the big guy ducked his answering blow. They took turns trading attacks before Frank caught him with an overhead strike of his own. The skull of the Mingrein was cut in half, right down the middle of his scaly face. Frank put his foot up on the beast's chest to pull his blade out of where it was lodged in the base of the lizard's neck. He then stepped toward the ship, intending to dispatch the pilot.

  As he strode forward he glanced over at the small Mingrein. The little guy shook his head as if to say, “Don't go in there.” So Frank stopped and the door suddenly closed. As they were preparing to lift off, the small Mingrein took off in a sprint around the corner of the ship and straight toward the water.

  “I think he knows something we don't.”

  As all five craft lifted off, Frank could see that the small Mingrein was swimming briskly away from the beach.

  “I think I know whats about to happen.” He turned to run the opposite way toward the inland stand of vegetation, only pausing to pick up the sheath for his sword, and the empty bowl. He was in a full sprint when the torpedoes hit. His shield absorbed the brunt of the shrapnel but the shock wave sent him flying. He landed on his face and was mostly buried by sand and debris. He lifted his head up and quickly caught his breath. Brushing himself off as he stood, he looked around for the orb. It became obvious that it didn't survive the bombing, and when it's replacement arrived shortly thereafter, he said to it, “Those bastards killed our island!” The entire island had been decimated.