by Jim Laughter
Suddenly the sky grew dark and everyone outside began to gesture wildly. Agnes ran to the side room again just in time to see an Imperial ship land in the oats. Its hatches burst open and troopers in full battle dress charged out. Many immediately covered the crouching police officers while most of the rest formed a protective barrier around the besieged house.
Another shadow indicated that a second ship had set down on the opposite side of the house near the barnyard. Robert joined his wife at the window just in time to see a trooper-first and a lieutenant exit the hatch and walk toward the director.
“Yahoo!” cried Robert. “That’s Mike Azor!”
“It sure is!” said Agnes with a whoop. The Hassels descended the stairs into the front yard where the troopers had surrounded Prudence Hornbeck.
The lieutenant and the trooper-first were confronting the irate director. “How dare you invade my jurisdiction!” she screamed. “You have no right to interfere with the enforcement of our laws!” She noticed the Hassels approaching.
“Stop those desperate criminals!” Hornbeck screeched. Lunging for a pistol, she tried to bring it to bear. Before either Robert or Agnes could react, two troopers leaped from behind and pinned the director to the ground.
The lieutenant looked down at the struggling woman, and then turned to two of the police officers standing nearby watching. “Gentlemen,” he said, producing the Imperial warrant for them to see. “I think you should take this woman into custody.”
“With pleasure, sir!” they answered. They relieved the troopers of the director, handcuffed her, and put her into one of their squad cars. Soon the vehicle headed toward town, the director’s screaming face pressed against the window glass.
Having stood there silently watching, Agnes now spoke up. “I suppose the empress got our letter?”
“She most certainly did,” Mike answered, “and I’m her reply.”
Azor gathered Agnes into his arms and shook Robert’s hand. It had been nearly two years since they’d seen each other. He introduced them to the lieutenant and explained that he was there to help straighten out the situation with the social agency, Dorn, and Delmar.
“What about the courts?” Robert asked. “Won’t she be able to get free to harass us again?”
“I wouldn’t worry about it,” Mike said with a grin. “I have an Imperial directive to investigate the whole mess and set it straight. She and that judge won’t bother you or anybody else again.”
Robert heard footsteps behind him and turned to see the troopers and police officers walking up together from the fields. There was the sound of good-natured laughter from both groups and all the police officers were smiling.
“I guess we better go find Delmar and tell him it’s okay to come out of hiding,” Robert said.
“Where is the boy now?” asked the lieutenant.
“He’s been hiding from his brother and the social authorities up in the hills,” Robert pointed.
“Do you think you can find him?” Mike asked.
“I know where he is,” Robert said. “But he may have moved after I warned him about the ruckus the director was stirring up.”
“We saw him yesterday up near Double Forks Hollow,” one of the officers offered.
“That’s near where he hides”
Mike thought for a long moment and then conferred with the lieutenant. Turning back to the officers, the lieutenant spoke. “Would you officers be willing to go search for the boy? You know those hills much better than my troopers.”
The officers looked at each other and then Joe answered for the group. “Sure, lieutenant. But I want to have a few of the guys go take care of some caseworkers and another little problem while the rest of us search.”
The group broke up and a couple of police officers got into their ground cars and turned onto the road. The remaining officers and troopers paired up and headed toward the woods.
“Would you care to come aboard?” Mike asked the Hassels.
“I don’t see why not,” Robert answered. Taking Agnes’ arm, they walked together up the ramp of the ship, followed by Mike and the lieutenant.
∞∞∞
Delmar ventured out early gathering extra fruit not far from the rise overlooking the Hassel farm. He knew it was safe to wiggle out where he could see things at this early hour, so he edged out onto an outcropping of rock so he could look down. The valley spread out beautifully below him and he could clearly see all the buildings and equipment of the Hassel farm. An old familiar yearning to sit again at the Hassel’s kitchen table filled him.
The summer mornings had been clear and crisp and Delmar enjoyed them whenever he could. He stayed quite a while taking in the panorama as the sun rose higher, the shifting light detailing different things as they filtered into view.
Just as he was about to go, Delmar saw a number of police ground vehicles speeding up the road toward the Hassel farm, led by an unmarked government car. The cars skidded to a halt outside the Hassel driveway and the occupants formed a line in front of the property. Mr. Hassel appeared in the yard and the boy could clearly see the angry agitation of a woman in the line.
Suddenly, he saw Mr. Hassel run for the house and a few seconds later, he heard the crack of a rifle. Horrified, Delmar watched the scene unfold. He lay transfixed as the group broke up and began to surround the house. It’s like they’re hunting hardened criminals, he thought.
Soon after the men had surrounded the house, several more shots rang out. Delmar could see the glitter of broken glass as it flew outward from a window. He heard another shot and the group still at the front of the property dove for cover.
Just then an Axia cruiser swooped down over the farm and landed in the field beside the house. Combat troopers spilled out and were quickly among the other men. The house was surrounded. Delmar felt terror seize him and he decided to slip back to the cave as the shadow of a second ship passed overhead. Forsaking quiet for speed, he ran for the cave.
∞∞∞
Throughout the rest of the day, several teams of officers and troopers searched the hills and woods looking for the boy. Calling in via port-a-comm radios, they continued to have nothing to report. Robert and Agnes sat in the ship listening to the comm traffic and trying to aid the search with their knowledge of the hills.
Following Robert’s directions, one team finally found the cave but not the boy. They retrieved the gear they found there but when Robert later checked the stuff, he discovered the pocket watch was missing. With the light of day fading into darkness, the lieutenant called everyone back from the search.
The police officers returned to town and the troopers came onboard the ship. Agnes and Robert excused themselves and busied themselves with chores while a couple of troopers repaired the shot-out windows.
Mike told the Hassels he was going to move the ships back to the landing field near Keeler. Robert thought this might be wise because he was concerned their presence might prevent the boy from returning. Mike mentioned that he would send another contingent of troopers out with the local police tomorrow to continue the search. He also said that he would be conducting an investigation hearing of the entire incident tomorrow and he would like the Hassels to be there. As Mike walked up the ramp he turned and gave the couple the Axia salute, his right arm across his chest, palm down. Agnes and Robert returned the salute and watched the great ship close up and soar skyward.
∞∞∞
Huddled under a small, low cleft in the rocks miles from the Hassel farm, Delmar assessed his situation. In his haste to leave the cave, he had only managed to grab his sleeping bag, a few of the books, his pocket watch, letters, and very little food. He had run for hours trying to put distance between himself and the people he saw attack the Hassel farm. It confused him to see Axia troopers surround the house, and he feared he had brought it all onto his benefactors. “This is not supposed to be a police state,” he muttered to himself.
Delmar was still too tense to sleep so he lay in the
cleft and tried to plan his next move. He was sure they were searching for him, and eventually they would run him down. He turned over, looked at the stars, and rejected one plan after another. Finally, in the stillness of space, he saw the reflected light from a ship in orbit. A plan for his escape began to crystallize.
∞∞∞
At 9 a.m. Trooper-First Mike Azor called the hearing to order. He requisitioned a courtroom in town hall and stationed troopers at parade rest around the walls while the gallery filled with civilian onlookers. Seated before him at the defense table was Prudence Hornbeck and the judge who normally presided in this room. At the other table sat the lieutenant and the Hassels. After a brief prayer to the Unseen One offered by the chaplain, Mike ordered everyone to be seated.
Mike read the original report and the instructions from Empress Ane into the record. He handed the supplemental research material from Shalimar to another trooper who read it into the court record. Once completed, Mike called Mr. Hassel to the stand.
“Mr. Robert Hassel, did you submit the foregoing report for review by the empress?”
“Yes sir, I did.”
“Is the submitted report true and accurate to the best of your experience and observations?”
“Yes sir, it is.”
“Please tell the court about your dealings with the social agency and its director.”
Robert told of their efforts to report the abuse by Dorn Eagleman and the way the social agency had blocked their efforts. Describing the visit he and Agnes had with Ms. Prudence Hornbeck months ago, Robert also told about the report he had read on her desk. He then related the threats and intimidation from the social agency, the director in particular, culminating with the attack the previous morning at the farm.
“Thank you, Mr. Hassel. You may return to your seat.”
Mike then called Prudence Hornbeck to the stand. She looked pale but defiant. He asked her to explain the case history of Delmar and Dorn Eagleman. After many minutes of convoluted explanation, she finally concluded her statements.
“So after conducting a thorough investigation, we determined that Delmar is a dangerous delinquent who had endangered his brother, and as a threat to the community should be apprehended,” she said with conviction.
“Did you at any time check with local law enforcement personnel about Delmar or his brother?”
“Of course not! What do they know?”
“Then on whose authority did you undertake your raid on the Hassel farm?”
“On my own authority, you fool! I am the director!”
“Thank you, ma’am,” Mike said evenly. “You may be seated.” He then called the police chief to the stand.
“Sir,” Mike began, “would you please tell us what you and your people know about Delmar and Dorn Eagleman?”
The chief launched into a detailed description of their run-ins with Dorn and the abuse that had been reported to them.
“Why didn’t you act on these reports?”
“Because we were unable to get court authority to act,” the chief replied. Mike excused the chief from the stand and called the judge. The man looked frightened and uncertain.
“Please tell me, sir,” began Mike, “what was your action on the request by the chief for warrants concerning Delmar’s older brother?”
“I refused them.”
“Why did you refuse them?”
“Because internal family matters are out of their jurisdiction,” the man answered. “They fall under the authority of the social agency and its director.”
“Tell me, sir,” Mike continued, “what is the statute or law assigning such matters strictly to the social agency?”
The man thought for a moment. “There is no specific statute or law designating such, but it is the custom of the court to honor such requests from the agency.”
“You may step down.”
After a moment, Mike picked up the gavel and held it suspended over the striking block. “By the power and authority vested in me by Imperial mandate, I find that Prudence Hornbeck acted in wanton disregard of the laws and policies of Galactic Axia. Without legal authority, she endangered a legal ward and other citizens. I also find the judge in violation of his oaths of office and party to travesty of justice. I hereby turn them over to the district attorney for prosecution under the laws of Galactic Axia at a trial commencing within thirty days.”
Both the judge and Ms. Hornbeck sat stunned. “You can’t do that!” she screamed, jumping to her feet. Mike waited while two troopers firmly returned her to her seat and then stood right behind her.
“I can and I have,” Mike said quietly. Then in a louder voice he said, “This hearing is adjourned.” He banged the gavel.
Troopers escorted the former director and judge out of the courtroom. Mike stepped down and motioned for the Hassels to follow him into the quietness of the judge’s chambers.
“Good job, Mike!” said Robert, closing the door. “What do we do now?”
“The same as yesterday,” Mike replied, “search for a missing boy.”
Chapter Eight
The lengthening shadows signaled the approach of another lonely night and slowly covered the brush of Delmar’s hiding place. He had been watching the activity at the small space field for a couple of hours. Trying to determine the patterns of activity around the private freighters had proven to be a challenge.
Delmar lay his head down and rested his eyes. The ride he had managed to catch in the back of a poultry truck helped him cover the distance to the cargo field two districts over from the field in Big Valley, and gave his tired legs a much-needed rest. It also put him farther away from the terrifying scene in the valley. He’d traveled mainly at night to remain safe from those he feared.
Hunger had slowed him a bit after the third day but he finally arrived at his destination. Now he just needed to wait a while before trying his plan.
∞∞∞
“That’s all we know so far,” said Mike as he tossed the small stack of paper onto the desk. Robert and Agnes looked at the pile of reports with obvious disappointment.
The search for Delmar had gone on nearly continuously since the day Mike had arrived. It had been almost a week and they had turned up nothing. Mike had even ordered one of the ships to fly over the woods with its aura detector system tuned to humans. They had spotted several indications of humans and sent ground searchers to check them out, but each had proven to be hikers unaware of the search. Teams thoroughly searched all of the caves in the hills and found no trace. The local police chief also agreed to send out a planet-wide bulletin in an effort to get a lead on Delmar.
“It’s like he just disappeared,” Robert said.
“What if he’s hurt?” fretted Agnes.
“Then we would have found him,” answered Mike. “An injured man can’t run.”
“So the bulletin goes out tomorrow?” Robert said.
“Yes,” replied Mike. “But in the meantime, I need to send an update to Our Lady.”
Other matters in the case had not gone well either. Prudence Hornbeck and the judge had both been dealt with quickly. The new director cleaned house at the social agency. However, in spite of the changes, some things remained the same. Dorn had somehow managed to avoid prosecution, although Mike had been able to cut off his government payments for taking care of Delmar.
The warrants against the Hassels were summarily dismissed, as well as several of the other legal suits the former director had initiated. As a result, the caseload in the courts had eased considerably and morale among local law enforcement personnel was definitely high. Still, there was the nagging problem of the missing boy.
∞∞∞
Using the cover of darkness to slide under the fence, Delmar slipped onto the field. He hid his small pack of belongings, straightened his clothes, and crossed briskly toward the nearest freighter. The ship showed her years of service plying her trade, and though the paint looked new, it did nothing to hide recent repairs.
Delmar approached a group of men loading crates into the cargo bay and pitched in to help. No one seemed to notice him as the loading continued, except that the extra strong back was most welcome. The ship was finally loaded and the ground crew sauntered back toward the operations buildings, leaving the regular crew and Delmar standing near the loading ramp.
“You better get goin', boy,” the cargo master said. “We’re gonna lift off soon.”
Delmar didn’t move. “I was wondering if you could use another hand. I’d be willing to do anything.”
The cargo master eyed him suspiciously. “How old are you, boy?”
“Just turned eighteen, sir.”
“Let me go talk to the skipper,” the cargo master said. “You sure proved you’re willing to work.” Delmar waited nervously for several minutes. Eventually two men came back out.
“Let me see some identification, son,” the ship captain said. Delmar showed him the identification card he had received at graduation.
“Looks like you’ve learned something too,” the captain said. “Why do you want to ship out? You in some kind’a trouble, boy?”
Delmar paled but kept the nervousness out of his voice. “I’ve thought about space travel for several years since my mom died. I’ve also had some trouble at home with my older brother and I want a new start.”
The captain eyed him for a moment. The two men turned their backs to Delmar and moved out of earshot. After conferring a minute, they returned. “Okay,” said the captain. “I’ll take you on and assign you to Cargo Master Preston here. This is my ship, the Malibu. I’m in command but Mister Preston runs the crew. Now get onboard and let’s go.”
Delmar sighed with relief. He ran over to the place where he had hidden his pack, grabbed it and ran back just in time to follow the two men up the ramp.
“Now don’t get your head full of no fanciful ideas, boy,” Preston said as they entered the ship. “I can work 'em out’ta you before we break orbit.” The hatch closed behind them and within minutes, the Malibu streaked skyward.