During the time between arriving and capturing the mercenaries, a small group of police and amusement park security arrive. They’re drawn to the group, as so many men with weapons appearing in one of the largest amusement parks in the world will draw some attention, Cavalier suddenly uncloaks, which causes an even larger crowd to appear. They load in the civilian families with Mohammed and Carla, and finally the restrained mercenaries. Most people in the park believe it to be one of the amusement parks show, but are quickly surprised to see the ship actually take off at a blinding speed.
Two days later, back on Paladin, the crew has returned as Caleb meets with his command staff.
"Morning everyone, I'm sorry to have to pull you away from your well-deserved vacation time.” Caleb pauses. Damn I hate this heroes and victims bullcrap. "Unfortunately, it appears there are some radical groups, which feel that we are the cause of all the events, of the past four years. They think that by getting rid of me. The T-Challa will just simply go away."
Benton yells out, "Yeah! Ok Cale, you pick a planet, and we’ll all move there, and we’ll leave them to their T-Challa buddies."
Jackson surprised spits up his coffee as he responds, "Ok Gabriel, not every person on this planet is a nut job."
Caleb somberly continues, "Well at any point, I can’t blame the actions of a few, for the entire planet, so to prevent any possible attempts on me and my daughter, and any of you that might be too close to me, I've decided to choose my only option I have left. I will be keeping Paladin in high orbit from now on."
Val concerned says, "Cale, you can’t imprison Carla on this ship."
Paladin intercedes replying, "Her powers are growing very quickly, and other than Doctor Chan, there is no one that understands those changes going on in her better than me or Caleb."
Qui Shi stands up, saying, "Then she will stay with me Caleb. I know everything about her powers. For goodness sake Caleb, she is just a little girl. She should be allowed to be a little girl, for as long as she can be. Moreover Caleb, there is no one that can get close to her while under my country’s protection."
Caleb looks down at Carla, lowers his head, saying, "I want to thank you Doctor for your offer. I normally at this point agree to disagree with you. However, my daughter would very much like to spend time with you, and to see your baby. So, I will agree with this for now Doctor, and I want to thank you for your offer.” I can’t believe I’m doing this, but it’s what Carla wants.
The room is dumbfounded at Caleb’s reaction, Jackson, especially concerned asks, "Cale are you Ok? I’ve never seen you so calm or agreeable about anything." Hell, if you’re not fighting me about anything, it’s just out of character.
Caleb sadly looks at Jackson and says, "Jacks, after your wedding, I will not return to the Earth unless there is no alternative." Man I really hate this, but if I don’t do this, one of them may get killed. Just for being my friend.
Onatof concerned asks, "Caleb, imprisoning yourself on this ship is already punishment enough. Why then would you isolate yourself from the rest of the world as well?"
Caleb sighs as he answers, "It’s not what I want Professor, but what has to be.” Caleb pauses says, "That will be all."
The meeting ends as Jackson remains behind questioning, "Cale, you care to explain the martyr syndrome you have going on, because it’s really not becoming of you."
Caleb sighs, replying as he asks, "Jacks, I have enough knowledge to convert this world into technological paradise, but I know there will always be people too frightened to accept what I can offer. Think about this. I have advanced the human race thousands of years in just months. Imagine the Roman Empire being given weapons of the twenty first century. What would happen?” Caleb pauses, “I'm sorry my friend, but this is better for everyone, and besides, ever since I stopped blocking the media from talking about me, they have waged a war of criticism on me. I should really care about this, but I don’t. Besides, it’s better for everyone if I just stay away."
Jackson concerned asks, "So you condemn yourself to a hell of loneliness up here above the world?" Yeah, that’s gonna make the media even worse.
Paladin simply answers, "Caleb is never alone Jacks."
Caleb also answers, "Up here Jacks I can be left alone. Well, for the most part, because as long as I am just a stone’s throw from some government requesting my help, or demanding more technology. Well Jacks, to me this is my paradise."
Jackson concerned asks, "Cale, why aren’t you fighting back? You’re lying down like a beaten dog."
Caleb sits down, he takes a deep breath and answers, "Jacks, you know Bach had shown me what would happen if I gave this world too much unrestricted power and it’s a psychic image that is burned deep into my mind. If something does happen to me before Carla reaches her potential. Well Jacks, I need to count on you, and Val to make sure things are safe, at least till she can handle her responsibilities."
Jackson shakes his head, asking, "You plan on leaving us?"
Caleb replies shortly, "Not planning my friend, but just being prepared."
Jackson laughs, asking, "And just who is it that’s supposed to be around for a thousand years?"
Caleb smiles answering, "Well, that’s only if I grow old and die my friend. I’m not exactly playing it safe to the cuff."
Jackson jokes replying, "Sure Cale, you are virtually indestructible, and have all these super powers, while we mere mortals just shake in fear in your shadow."
Caleb smiles and replies, "Ok Jacks, don’t make me go get my big red cape." I know he’s trying to be funny, but people fear me, and always will.
Both men laugh, but Caleb feels the pending future approaching, and doubts his place in it.
Four days later, Benton contacts Caleb, "Cale! We need a pick up.” Benton says over the holocom.
Caleb curious asks, "What’s wrong Gabe? Paladin is not detecting any disturbances in your area?"
Benton answers in his most special way, "Ok, not every time I call is it an emergency Cale, so get your big Filipino ass down here and pick us up. It’s time to go get Jacks and show him a good time on his last night of freedom."
Caleb laughs replying, "No way Gabe. I’m not bringing Paladin down there so you can have a designated driver for your drunken bachelor party."
Paladin asks telepathically, "Cale, I would really like to partake in this ritual. I understand you don’t wish to be part of this, but I would really like to, please."
Caleb smiles and says, "Ok, it seems there has been some conspiracy going on here, and it has your name all over it Gabriel."
Benton innocently says, "Conspiracy? What do you mean? I just was explaining to Paladin about my religion, and its rituals."
Caleb laughs, almost choking, "Yeah sure Gabe, whatever.” Caleb sighs, "Ok, I guess we’ll head down now."
Paladin asks, "Cale is there something wrong?"
Caleb replies telepathically "Sorry my friend, your curiosity was used against you." Caleb continues, "Gabe’s religion has nothing to do with a bachelor party. He just wants to party and get drunk, so you see my friend he used your curiosity to get you to convince me."
Paladin says, "Cale, I knew his intentions has nothing to do with his religion. I may be new to your customs, but I have spent a few years with our crew. I knew he was trying to play on my curiosity, but I wanted to go to the party."
Caleb smiles and says, "Ok Paladin, let’s go party.”
CHAPTER THREE
HUNG OVER
A few hours later on board Paladin, just docked off the harbor on Lushun naval base on mainland China. Inside are several very drunk men, staggering about the massive ships bridge.
Benton slurs out, "You’re a good friend Pala err. . . Pala dude . . . picking us up like that. I always said desi… desiger… oh hell you’re a good friend driving us home."
Jackson also stammers, "Yeah, too bad he can’t get drunk. It would be funny to watch him get pulled over for operating under the influence.”
Jackson belches.
Reggie laughing says, "Yeah, I can see the police pulling him over, he, he, that’s funny right? Funny."
Paladin states, "I see that common sense and responsibility are severely impaired when you poison your systems like this."
Ander’s looks at everyone and says, "Man you guys are such lightweight pansies, none of you can handle even a few shots of booze, just look at you all. What poor excuses. You’re already to pass out, what a bunch of wimps."
Klaus says, "Hey you suckey face. I saw you sucking that… that bar maid’s face off. I bet you had her water down your drinks so you could be the cool guy again."
Mohammed who is sober smiles and says, "So this is considered fun, getting so drunk, that you can barely stand, and just hours before the wedding."
Benton smiling, says, "You have no idea what you’re missing you big ugly giant. I’d love to see you stumble around."
Mohammed smiles answering, "Sorry my brother, that will never happen. My body is a temple."
Caleb enters the room with the Secretary-General Wu Lei Chan, passed out over his shoulder. He places him in the command chair, saying, "Well Jacks, your step dad isn’t one to hold his liquor all too well."
Anders curious asks, "Cale? You drank more than anyone in this room, and you’re not even slightly buzzed."
Caleb frowning replies, "Yeah, I guess I lost the ability to get drunk when I joined with Paladin, but it’s still fun to try."
Paladin says, "Well Caleb, the alcohol does affect your human anatomy, but your just more X’ena than human these days. However, that poison that they tried to kill you with, if mixed in moderation with the alcohol you drink it should affect both of us off the ship. Regrettably, on the ship it will be impossible with your healing abilities."
Klaus groans, "Oh, I think I drank too much."
Anders reaches over lifting up Klaus, saying, "Ok kid. Come on. I’ll take you down to the head, cause we all know what's coming next."
Caleb turns around yelling, "Klaus! You puke on the deck of this ship, and I don’t care if you pass out, I will make you to clean it up."
Jackson laughs, saying, "Ah come on party pooper, haven’t you ever puked in a car."
Caleb shakes his head, "Jacks, in this case I’m the car. Imagine if someone pukes in your coat pocket,"
Reggie gasping says, "Hey enough talk about puking, please." Reggie holds his head and sits down in Cooley’s chair.
Benton laughs commenting, "You’re all lightweights. Well, except for Ander’s, how the hell is it you ain’t wasted kid?"
Anders smiles, saying, "I’ve been drinking since I was able to sneak into the bars, and the ladies love a man that can keep control, so I learned to control myself."
Caleb laughs, saying, "Scott you lying sack of crap. You took that citrus pill crap that breaks down the booze in your system before it can affect you. So, don’t even try and play the cool Joe card here."
Anders slightly embarrassed smiles and asks, "How the hell did you know about that Cale?"
Jackson drunkenly laughs, "I know, I know. You took it on the ship didn’t ya?"
Benton laughs aloud, "Busted! You wimpy ass mamma’s boy, you ain’t got what it takes to hang with the big boys."
Val finally enters, helped by Onatof, who says, "You poor unfortunate boys have no idea what a good drink is, and our poor Val here, well he barely walked up the stairs."
Val smiles says, "Oniee here, well he can drink, and drink and drink. Wow, he really can drink."
Val passes out, falling to the deck.
Paladin telepathically says to Caleb, "Cale, the wedding is in ten hours, most of you are in really bad shape, and you only have forty eight minutes left to be present in the wedding."
Caleb shakes his head and says to Jackson, "Jacks, I’m going to have to make a grandiose entrance into the wedding, and you’re going to have to rush the ceremony a bit. I only have forty eight minutes of time left off the ship."
Jackson laughs, "Cale, we got you back before midnight, it’s the next day, so you have another two hours."
Paladin says, "No Jacks, its two hours every twenty-four hours, and as Cale gets older, that time will diminish considerably."
Jackson panicked says, "Ah crap, this ceremony is supposed to take at least an hour."
Caleb smiles, saying, "It’ll be Ok Jacks. I’ll use a new toy I’ve been working on with Val."
Jackson curious asks, "What did you and mister wizard make this time?"
Caleb smiles as Paladin projects a perfect holographic image of Caleb right next to him that imitates and appears identical to him in every way
Reggie says, "Oh boy, I’m really messed up. I’m seeing two Caleb’s."
Benton also adds, "Ah hell that is so cool, I want one too. Come on Paladin, hook me up."
Paladin creates a perfect image of Benton, which of course makes Benton jump back, saying, “Whoa! No, forget it. Paladin that ugly thing doesn’t look anything like me.”
Mohammed laughs, saying, "Yeah you’re right brother. It looks like your sister Celesta."
Benton annoyed stumbles over toward Mohammed yelling, "Ok, that’s it. I’m so going to beat your punk giant ass all over this rowboat."
Mohammed laughs even louder, saying, "Gabriel my dear brother, did you happen to notice who is coming down the lift?"
Benton’s eyes go wide as he turns to see Carla, sleepy holding her stuffed teddy bear descending the lift. Gabriel turns smiles and says as he puts his arm around Mohammed, "Well brother, your muscle saved your punk ass again."
The men all laugh, as Caleb goes to his daughter, asking, "Hey Little Flower, why are you awake? Was Papa and your uncle’s too loud for you?"
Carla tired says, "No Papa, someone was in my room. She was hiding, but I could hear her thoughts. She was very afraid of me."
Caleb doubtful smiles and says, "Its Ok sweetheart, you we’re just dreaming, besides, Paladin would know if someone was on board."
Paladin tells Caleb telepathically, "Cale, I did detect a brief energy reading from your room, but I wasn’t able to detect anyone in the room."
Caleb now concerned asks, "Paladin is there any chance of someone shielding themselves from you?"
Paladin answers, "Only someone with X’ena technology could do it, and it would have to be very sophisticated to avoid any detection while on this ship."
Caleb, now very concerned stands up, he lifts his daughter up into his arms and looks out to everyone, saying, "Well, my drunken friends, I suggest we try and get ready for the wedding."
Jackson smiles, asking, "Ok Caleb, you think you can heal all the hangovers?"
Caleb obnoxiously replies, "Yup, but I’m not going too."
Benton says aloud, "Oh you suck. You’re going to let us suffer?"
Caleb smiles as he floats with Carla back to his quarters, he telepathically asks Paladin, "What do you think was in her room? She said it was frightened of her. Could it be something dangerous?"
Benton yells out again, as Caleb flies off, "Oh what a friend you are, leaving us high and soon to be very dry! Where’s our hero when we need you most? We risk our lives to save you, and you leave us here to suffer!"
Caleb suddenly stops just as he is about to enter his room. He turns, shakes his head with a smile, saying, "Oh hell fine, if you’re going to whine like a bunch of little school girls."
Caleb quickly touches the wall, as the bridge is washed in a blue light, which immediately relieves them from the alcohol in their systems.
Jackson seeing this and feeling the warmth over is body surprised asks, "Caleb how the hell did you do that? You never even touched us?"
Caleb answers, "Little things like alcohol poisoning, I don’t need to touch you. As long as you’re on Paladin you are in contact with me, remember Paladin is me and I am Paladin, so small stuff like this is no problem. Serious more involved injuries, well with that I have to make direct physical contact with you."
Benton realiz
es his buzz is gone yells, "AHHH hell no! What the hell? This sucks my buzz is gone. Cale I just wanted you to take away the hangover."
Caleb smiles again, as he heads back off to his room with Carla.
Caleb seals the door and searches the room intensely. He looks to Carla and asks, "Carla, can you try and find this person that was in here?"
Carla looks around the room and says, "No Papa, they’re gone. Papa they’re really scared of me, and I don’t know why."
Caleb calmly says, "Little Flower, you have many gifts that Papa doesn’t have. You can do things that can frighten people, but no matter what people think or say. You have to remember you have a responsibility to everyone, to use those powers to protect each person, even if they fear you." Caleb pauses, saying, "Paladin, I want you to use a scrambling field around the bridge. I have a feeling that what you detected might be someone using phase shifting technology."
Paladin curious responds, "Caleb, no one on this world has that kind of technology, let alone technology to shield themselves from me."
Jackson who enters hears Paladin’s last statement asks, "Cale what’s going on?"
Caleb smiles answering, "God Jacks you’re everywhere today. Don’t you have a wedding to get ready for, or something?"
Jackson sternly replies, "Cale, I know what I just heard Paladin say, so spill it. You have been acting weird for over a month."
Caleb sits down, and reluctantly says, "Well, for the past few weeks I have felt something moving around the ship, but I never could see it. Well, it seems whoever that someone was, wasn’t able to hide from Carla."
Jackson concerned asks, "So we got more aliens bopping around here?"
Caleb unsure replies, "We don’t know what it is Jackson, but whatever, or whoever it was, it has the upper hand on me and Paladin for now."
Jackson surprised asks, "Cale, the X’ena’s gave you a lot of abilities and Paladin is the most advanced technology in the galaxy, so what could get past him?"
Caleb simply replies, "There’s a lot of possibilities Jacks. Far too many to consider my friend, and besides, you have a lot more things to worry about then spooks and bumps going off around here with me an Paladin."
The Ocoda Chronicles Book 2 Lost Heroes Page 3
