by Clay Moore
The bodyguard that came out of the back seat indicated for John to enter into the limousine. He stopped trying to do things by himself. People wanted to do things for him. Now he was going to let them do things for him.
“This is from A with his regards. He had no doubt that your sports grav-car could take you from here to headquarters faster than this vehicle. This vehicle provides a little more entertainment for any trip. If you please?"
“Yes, I am pleased.” John entered the limousine and hit his head on the ceiling. Sitting in the backseat wearing what she calls her civilian uniform was Rear Adm. Iris Jernwell. She gave John her most knee wobbly smile.
John hopped into the back seat next to her. He gave the bodyguard some room if he needed.
“Sorry, sir. I'm to drive your vehicle back to headquarters. I never managed to drive something like that. Besides if I were there it would be one person too many. Have fun."
John moved away from Iris to get her new civilian uniform at a glance.John always liked light greens. The dress was formfitting. It stopped in mid-thigh. Her décolletage was very much evident.
“Going my way sailor?" John smiled back at her.
“I think all you civilian types have one thing in your mind.”
"Thank God we do. Otherwise, there would be no children."
A trip that would take him 15 to 20 minutes in his grav-car and maybe 30 minutes in this limousine took an hour and 1/2. When he was ready, the limo pulled up to the front of the Eridani Secret Service headquarters. The limousine actually puts its left side near the curb. John stepped over Iris and opened the door. John stepped out, turned around and offered Iris, his hand. She took that hand with elegant grace. John offered her his right on which she made. Together they walked into headquarters. They were the elevators to the fourth floor and walked into A's office suite. Mrs. Murdoch stood up and pressed a button on her desk which opened A's door.
“He's expecting you.”
John looked at Iris and then looked at Mrs. Murdoch. She nodded her head indicating that Iris was to be conducted by the office as well.
John escorted Iris to the door that led into A's office. He opened the door let her enter the small entryway and then followed her inside, shutting the door behind him.
As soon as John had entered his office, They did something that he had never done for anyone else. He stood up. If it been within decorum to clap his hands, They would've done that.
"Go ahead and sit down," said A indicating the chairs in front of his desk.
When everybody had sat, A looked at John. "I just got the information back from our science people concerning the body. Congratulations you killed Anton Hecton.
“Later on the Emir would like to personally congratulate you. I believe he has some honors he would like to give you. But I want to consider whether or not you wish to continue as a Z-level agent."
“What do you mean," asked Iris.
“If the Emir give you what honors I think he wants to give you-you will be useless as an agent. I think you are an agent. I don't see you either retiring or getting behind a desk.”
"I see,” said John. "Then respectfully informed the Emir that I would prefer not to receive the honor until I am ready to retire.”
“The Emir owes me one silver credit," said A. "At one time we were dealing with over 100 situations that dealt with Anton Hecton. With him gone that means we have less to do. So, I'm pre-approving you for some leave. The Navy has indicated that you can ride with the Rear Admiral here. This does not mean that you get to ride for free. The Navy would like to see if having a Secret Service agent on board could help in some tactical or strategic sense."
“That might be interesting.”
“. The length of this mission is going to be one year. I might need you back before then, but I did promise a year.”
“I don't see us having too much to do for a year."
The galaxy kept being regular for two years. Then things got really interesting.
The End
John Hardesty will return in Flaming Arrow.
Broken Wings
from the book "Having Fun in Hyper"
Copyright 2122 Alphacent
Writer unknown
On Broken Wings I fly
Higher than the sky
To go higher I try
Till I slip mortal Limits
When I can no longer see
The brown of dirt, then I see
The blackness of the void
Then the between space I can't avoid
Through the blackness I travel
waiting for the fabric to unravel
Once it does I am going
Where I am there is no slowing