by Sean Devney
“We’re going upstairs to Mr Rocco’s apartment.”
“Very good sir but I’m afraid he’s not in at the moment.”
“That’s all right. Contact the police. I want Rocco’s apartment sealed off.”
“Very good, sir.”
They took an elevator upstairs and got out and walked down the hallway to Rocco’s apartment. Walker tried the door but it was locked. He said to the android,
“Joe, open it please.”
The android walked over to the door and twisted the doorknob open. They walked in. The apartment was a mess. Walker said,
“Looks like he left in a hurry. Governor Ryan was also here.”
Walker closed his eyes and focused on the two men. They were in a car headed west into the open desert. Walker said, after he opened his eyes,
“They’re on their way to the other spaceport. There’s an abandoned mine nearby. Okay, let’s go.”
As they left the apartment, two uniformed police officers got off an elevator. Walker said to them,
“I want this apartment sealed off. Have a team come in and photograph everything. Don’t touch anything, you hear?”
“Yes, sir,” said one of the officers.
Walker, Thorton and the android took an elevator down and went back to the car. They got in and Walker asked the android,
“Joe, did the military transport arrive yet?”
“Yes, detective.”
“Let me speak to Captain Parker.”
The monitor in the back seat came to life. Captain Parker appeared on the screen. He said,
“Well, hello there, John! We’re finally here! What’s going on?”
“We’re going after Rocco and the governor. They’re headed for a spaceport just west of the city. They have a spaceship ready to go. There’s an abandoned mine nearby. I don’t want them to leave Mars!”
“Right, gotcha. I’ll inform the general. We’ll meet you out there. Anything else?”
“Yes. Go to Edwards’s apartment and arrest Robert Jordan. Also, go to Rocco’s apartment and have everything in it impounded. And one last thing – have Detective Reynolds arrested! I’ll explain later, okay?”
“Okay, John – whatever you say. We’ll meet you at the spaceport.”
The screen went dark. Walker closed his eyes and focused upon the two men. They had made it to a hangar where a small spaceship was waiting for them. They had obviously been planning this for a long time but something was wrong. The ship wasn’t working. Something was wrong with the engine but Walker couldn’t figure it out. He could see Rocco running around frantically, trying to get the ship going. The governor seemed dazed and confused. The android said, breaking his concentration,
“Detective, there’s a big sandstorm coming. It’s headed for the spaceport.”
“Good. They can’t take off in their ship. Something’s wrong with it.”
“Detective, the Marines are approaching the spaceport.”
“Okay. Let me talk to the person in charge.”
The monitor came to life and a big Marine appeared on the screen. He was wearing sunglasses. He said to Walker,
“Detective Walker! What’s the news?”
“What’s your name, captain?”
“I’m Captain Hector Rodriguez, sir. Can you tell me what’s going on?”
“Yes. Both Rocco and Governor Ryan are at the spaceport but there’s something wrong with their ship! It has to do with the engine!”
“Excellent! We’ve jammed their ship so it won’t take off. That’s very impressive, detective! I have a cousin like you! What else do you see?”
“There’s a big sandstorm coming.”
“Right. We have that on our radar. We’ll have to hurry. These sandstorms can be very strong. We’ll meet you at the spaceport in just a few minutes!”
“Okay, captain. See you there.”
The screen went dark. Walker focused his mind upon the hangar. Both Rocco and the governor had left and they were headed for the mine. They both had weapons. It was going to be their last stand for them. Walker said to the android,
“Contact Captain Rodriguez.”
The monitor came back to life and Walker said to Rodriguez,
“Captain? They’ve left the hangar and they’re headed for the mine. They both have weapons.”
“Right, we have that also. We have a drone flying overhead. We can see them. They’re going to make a last stand – just like those old westerns I used to watch as a child! You don’t have to be there. We can handle it.”
“No, no, I want to be a part of this!”
“Okay, no problem. If you see anything else, let me know.”
“Right.”
Just ahead was the hangar and the mine. There was a large building next to the mine and that’s where Rocco and the governor were hiding. Walker looked to his left and saw three massive trucks crossing the desert. Beyond the trucks as a giant red wall of dust, like a giant tsunami. It was getting bigger every second. Walker asked the android,
“Joe, how much time is there before the sandstorm hits?”
“We have less than fifteen minutes, detective.”
“Okay. Increase the speed of the car.”
“Yes, detective.”
The car sped down a dirt road and it bounced as it hit potholes. The spaceport came into view. There were three giant hangars and small spaceships sitting on the ground. The ships looked like silver mushrooms. The car arrived before the Marines. As the car approached the mine, shots rang out. Walker said,
“Joe, drive towards that building over there. They’re on the second floor. Can you see them?”
“Yes, detective. I can see them.”
To the left of the building was a giant hole in the ground, surrounded by cranes and other equipment. More shots rang out and bullets bounced harmlessly off the car. Walker said,
“Okay, Joe, drive around to the side of the building. Once the car stops, I want you to get out and get them. I want them alive – do you understand?”
“Yes, detective.”
The car pulled up alongside of the building. There was a platform and a door. The android got out and jumped up onto the platform and ran inside the building. Walker got out of the car and an over to a truck. He called out,
“Rocco! Give it up! It’s over!”
More shots were fired. The giant military trucks pulled into the mine and the Marines jumped out, wearing their robosuits and helmets. Shots were fired at them and the Marines took cover. Captain Rodriguez ran over to Walker and said,
“Okay, what’s the situation here?”
“The android has gone inside the building. He will capture them alive. Just give him a moment.”
“Right.”
Walker could feel the wind growing steadily and small pebbles and rocks hit his face. It wouldn’t be long now. A moment later, the android appeared in a doorway holding both Rocco and the governor in his hands. The Marines ran forward and grabbed both men and hauled them away to the trucks. The trucks drove off in a hurry. Walker shouted to the android,
“Joe! Come on! Let’s get going!”
Both Walker and the android ran over to the car and dived in. The storm was almost on top of them and Walker said,
“Joe, drive into the building before the storm hits!”
The car drove itself into the building just as the storm hit. The walls of the old building began shaking……
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The wind was howling outsi
de and the building was shaking. Dust was flying everywhere. Walker said to the android,
“Joe, how long before it stops?”
“I don’t know. It could be a couple of hours.”
“All right.”
Thorton said,
“Detective, I’m going out to stretch my legs. Is that all right?”
“That’s fine.”
Thorton got out of the car and began walking around. Walker said to the android,
“Joe, I want to talk to Father Johnson.”
“One moment, detective.”
The monitor came to life and Father Johnson’s daughter appeared on the screen. She said,
“Yes, detective? Can I help you?”
“Yes. I need to talk to your father.”
“I’m afraid that isn’t possible right now. He’s not feeling well. What do you want?”
“Call off the attack on Sin City. It’s not necessary. Johnny Rocco and the governor have been arrested.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible, detective. We go as planned tomorrow. Thank you.”
The screen went dark. Walker said,
“Great. Joe, please contact Captain Parker.”
“Yes, detective.”
A moment later, Captain Parker appeared on the screen. He said,
“Hey, John! Where are you? Do you need any help?”
“No, we’re fine, Tex. We’re just going to wait out the storm. Listen, the followers of Father Johnson are going to attack Sin City tomorrow. I tried to get them to call it off but they won’t listen.”
“Okay, John, don’t worry. We’ll send in the Marines. They’ll straighten everything out. Anything else?”
“No, Tex. Thanks for all of your help.”
“Hey no problem! You did a great job up here! There’s word in Washington about giving you some kind of a medal!”
“Gee, that’s great.”
Captain Parker laughed and said,
“Okay, John. Just take it easy. We have this covered. See you later.”
The screen went dark. Walker said to the android,
“Joe, I’m going to take a nap. Keep an eye on Thorton, okay?”
“Yes, detective.”
Walker sat back and drifted off to sleep. He awoke with a start and found himself standing before a large group of Martians sitting before him in a large meeting hall. It was well lit and the Martians were all wearing tan uniforms. He turned and saw Ka’al standing next to him. He was smiling broadly. He said,
Congratulations, my friend! You have done very well! We are very pleased with you! You will soon be going back to Earth but you will return one day!
What about the boy?
He must learn about your world. He needs a mentor.
I agree. What about Boris Petrov?
Ka’al stood silently for a moment and then said,
Yes, that is a good idea.
Is there anything else?
No. We wish you a safe journey back home. You will always be welcome back to Mars. Good bye, my friend.
Walker woke up with a start. The storm was still raging outside. He decided to get out and walk around. He could hear the wind battering the building and rocks sounded like gunfire. He saw Thorton standing by a window and smoking a cigarette. Walker walked over to him and said,
“Quite a storm, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’ve seen storms like this in Australia. So, detective – what will become of me?”
“I don’t know but I’ll talk to the new DA. You’ll have to keep your nose clean. You do something stupid and you’ll be sent to the Moon for life. There won’t be any trial.”
“I understand. Thank you for all of your help, detective.”
“You helped to nail both Rocco and the governor. What do you want to do now?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Work in law enforcement. Maybe I”ll be a private detective.”
“Yeah, well, good luck. If you need my help, don’t hesitate to ask, okay?”
Thorton nodded and turned back to the window. It was dark outside. Walker walked back to the car and got back in. He said to the android,
“How much longer will this last?”
“I don’t know, detective. I have checked with the weather radar. It’s a big storm. Oh, and there is a call coming from Detective Edwards.”
“Okay, put it through.”
The monitor came to life and a worried Edwards said,
“Are you all right, John?”
“Yes, we’re fine, Sam. We’re just waiting out the storm. It’s going to take awhile. What’s going on?”
“Well, the new DA has finally arrived at Police Headquarters and Johnny Rocco, Governor Ryan, Robert Jordan and Detective Reynolds have all been charged with multiple charges! The list is endless! Is Max Thorton with you?”
“Yes. What has the DA said about Max?”
“He says that his immunity from prosecution will hold up. I explained to him that Max has been very helpful and the DA was pleased about that. The DA is also going after the Tyler Corporation for its part in what’s been going on. I hear the government may be suing the corporation. It’s going to be very interesting to see what happens. So, John, now that it’s all over, what are you going to do? Are you going back to Earth?”
“Yes but not right away. Look, Sam – I want to ask you something. Will you marry me?”
Edwards looked stunned but then she smiled broadly. She said, after a moment,
“Yes, of course!”
“Excellent! Ask Captain Parker if he would like to do the honors.”
Edwards laughed and said,
“Yes, I’ll ask him when he gets back! Hurry home, darling!”
“All right, honey! I’ll see you soon and then we’ll have to talk. Bye!”
The monitor went dark and Walker sat back and smiled to himself…..
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Almost an hour and a half later, the storm finally let up. Both Walker and Thorton were asleep in the back of the car. The android said,
“Detective? I am sorry to wake you but the storm has passed.”
Walker said with a yawn,
“Finally! What time is it?”
“It’s almost four o’clock in the afternoon.”
“Okay. Let’s get going.”
The car put itself into gear and drove out of the building. Everywhere Walker looked, he saw drifts of sand like red snow. The sky was opening up and it was bright and sunny again. The car drove down a sand choked road back to the city. Walker said to the android,
“Joe, connect me with Detective Edwards.”
The monitor came to life and Edwards looked at Walker with a big grin. She said,
“Hiya, handsome! What’s going on?”
“The storm has finally lifted! We’ll be back home in time for dinner!”
“Excellent! Oh and by the way, Captain Parker said yes, he’ll do the honors!”
“Cool! See you soon, honey!”
The monitor went dark. Walker thought to himself that things were finally going his way…..
The car drove into the city. There was sand everywhere. Street sweepers roamed the city, cleaning up the sand drifts. People were walking around. The car drove towards the apartment building and parked itself in the garage. Walker, Thorton and the android took an elevator upstairs. They walked into the apartment and Edwards ran over to Walker with flowers in her hair. She kissed
Walker and squeezed his hand. Captain Parker walked into the room carrying a Bible. He said,
“Well, John! This is it, my friend! Congratulations on a – “
Suddenly the android said,
“Excuse me but there is an urgent call coming from the prison complex on the Moon. It’s the warden.”
Walker said,
“Put it through.”
They all walked over to the wall monitor and the warden appeared on the screen, looking distressed. He said,
“Excuse me for this interruption but I have a very serious crisis here on the Moon! There’s a serial killer loose in the prison complex and I was told that Detective Walker is the only one who can help us!”
Walker stepped forward and said,
“I’m Detective Walker, warden. What’s happening?”
“Well, this is a little hard to explain but prisoners are dying up here in their sleep! No one knows how it’s being done! Can you come to the Moon and help us? We’re desperate!”
“Well, yes, I’ll come. I’ll take the next ship.”
“Thank you, detective! This really is a very strange case! It’s almost like someone is invading people’s dreams and killing them! People are frightened and so am I!”
“Just take it easy. I’ll get there as soon as I can!”
The monitor went dark. Walker shook his head and said,
“This is going to be interesting!”
Edwards said,
“I’m coming with you, John! We can get married on the ship!”
“Fine. Get packed.”
She ran off to the bedroom. Walker turned to Thorton and said,
“I can really use your help Max. Here’s your chance to prove yourself. Are you up for it?”
Thorton was silent for a moment and then said,
“Yes, I”ll help you.”
Captain Parker stepped forward and said,
“Well, John! Good luck and call me if you need anything!”
“Thank you, Tex!”