Vengeance of Sukesh: John Mason (Legend of John Mason)

by Barbara J Robertson

  Round two and Motumbo came out charging. Mason moved just in time to miss a chest kick, and managed to land a head kick on Motumbo. That really pissed him off. He charged Mason again, faking a leg kick and landing a solid karate chop on Mason’s left ribs. Now Mason was in real pain, and Motumbo smelled blood.

  Round three and another charge by Motumbo. But he missed his third dirty kick, and Mason kicked his head again. He was stunned for a split second, and Mason took advantage. He jumped and did a spinning kick to the same spot on his head, landing it dead on. Motumbo kicked out at Mason with his left leg, and Mason caught his big foot, flipped him over and knee-dropped him to the floor. He tried in vain to get up, and would not yield. Mason landed a side kick, and when Motumbo rolled over to grab his side, Mason pushed him onto his belly and double-kneed his upper back. Motumbo was out cold.

  The crowd went wild. Mason saw Pantera come towards him with a really pissed-off look in her eyes. She wore a black leather bustier and a black thong over fishnet stockings, and black high heels. She got right in his face and said, “You just cost me a LOT of money, Mason. You are now mine!” She clamped an iron grip on his arm and led him through the cheering crowd, all the way out of the small arena, and down the hall to the left.

  She pushed him into the lift and hit the light for her floor. She slapped his face so hard it stung, and said, “You lost my $10,000. You will make it up to me, Mason. Come now.”

  She took him to her quarters in the visitors’ deck, unlocked her door, and pushed him inside. He was bruised, sweaty, with a blood cut over his left eye, and Pantera attacked him. She ripped off his gi coat and pushed him onto the bed. She was on him in a flash, pulled off his pants and jock strap, and mounted him. She reached underneath her crotch, ripped her stockings, and tore off her thong. She was off to the races.

  Mason never had any woman like her. She was so pissed off, yet so excited, she came and came, saying, “Keep it up or I’ll tear it off!” When she finally stopped, he rolled over as she started to dismount, held out her arms, and pounded his cock into her. She absolutely loved it. He never had sex this rough before. He didn’t have to be careful not to hurt her with his huge penis; she took it all. The next round he rolled her onto all fours and did her “Roman style,” vaginally from behind, thrusting her with abandon. The harder he thrust, the better she liked it. They finished and he was drenched in sweat, as was she. “I finally have a stallion tonight. You are worth my $10,000!”

  Their rough sex continued for a couple more “bouts,” until they lay panting; Pantera was practically purring. Mason got up to use the head. On his way to her bed, he saw it: a Space Marine officer’s uniform hanging in the closet, silver leaf and all. Oh shit - she was a Colonel. He never saw her name badge.

  “I never knew you were an officer!” He exclaimed. He grabbed his clothes and got the hell out of there, hearing her laugh as he dressed in the hall.

  Mason went to the fight office and picked up his winnings - a cool, $10,000 URE charge crystal, and went to his room, exhausted. In the shower, he started to laugh at his escape, and decided not to worry. He’d probably never see her again. But he’d never forget “Pantera.”

  VI

  The repaired Alexandria released her docking mechanisms, freeing the science vessel from her moorings and access tube on Titan One. Mason volunteered to resume his Prime Marine bridge duty for the temporary Captain, and his offer was gladly accepted. The ship was permitted to travel at hyper-space four towards Moon Base, in order to get the vessel retrofitted earlier than usual for her next mission.

  Mason notified Dr. Baines he was on his way to see her. Her late husband’s parents took sabbaticals from their tenured professorships at Harvard to help her raise their grandson, Victor. The boy would turn three during Mason’s visit, and Dr. Baines planned a party for him to celebrate. Mason was busy designing gifts for Dr. Baines and Victor during his off-duty hours.

  When the Alexandria reached Moon Base, Mason took his gear and went straight to the Earth transport station. He liked Moon Base, the best and biggest base in the solar system, but there was no time to enjoy it this trip. He was excited to see his best friend, Dr. Baines, and meet her son, Victor. He paced on the platform for three hours while waiting for the transport.

  The last time he stood on that platform was three and a half years ago, when he saw Admiral and Dr. Baines off for their trip home to Earth. She was pregnant, and they were so excited to be starting a new “normal” life together at Earth Command Central in Houston. They were all smiles and full of anticipation, as Mason watched his best friends leave him alone and abandoned.

  So much transpired since them. He was down to 100 kilograms, lean as a wolf. His goatee was thick, and looked great on his chiseled face. He knew he aged in the last year from his tribulations, tortures and trials, DNA altering, and subsequent re-engineering to 98% human. What would Dr. Baines think of him now?

  Mason was also excited about Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. The Space Marines only held OCS once a year, unlike the much larger Space Forces, who held quarterly classes in multiple locations. He knew they would run him through the ringer. The officers did not always welcome “mustangs” with open arms. He rose to the top of the enlisted ranks and, to both officers and enlisted, switched sides, for the chance to become an officer. He knew they’d treat him like scum until he graduated. The officers liked nothing better than to kick a mustang out of OCS, and protect their “gene pool.” He laughed—his gene pool was one of a kind.

  Mason was concerned about his scheduled day to testify before the Joint Chiefs with Captain Hanson. He was anxious to see her again, and hoped they were finally and totally redeemed in the eyes of the URE’s highest military leaders. At least he was fully reinstated and wore his Prime Marine class A uniform with pride again, his chest full of medals. He hoped they’d give her another ship to command, but it was not to be.

  The Earth transport finally arrived, and Mason got aboard with the other second class passengers. He splurged a little and chose second class instead of the third class where he usually traveled. Hell, might as well. He received not one but two $250,000 extreme hardship bonuses, plus his tournament winnings of $10,000. He planned to take a real vacation and spend some of the money after OCS. Maybe he could ask Dr. Baines to join him, but he dare not hope for that now. He settled into his comfy seat and took out his com tablet to let Dr. Baines know he’d be there the next day. He had some business to take care of at Tiffany’s before he saw her.

  Dr. Rachel Baines was so excited Mason was visiting her. She lived a structured life since her posting with her late husband at Earth Command, working, raising a baby, and being a good wife. She settled into the routine of their daily lives, until Mason’s phone call to her and his encoded data messages to the Admiral set off the whole chain of events for them. She was able to help the man who saved her life under laser fire many years ago, and it made her feel good.

  Dr. Baines received Mason’s data communiqué that he was on the Earth transport to Houston, and would be there the following day, so she made sure everything was prepared for his arrival. The guest bedroom was made up for him, with plenty of space in the closet for his things. She bought his favorite bourbon for him, Woodford Reserve. She put the bottle on a tray with a glass beside his bed, and sat down to reminisce about her first experience with the bourbon.

  It was on board the Hesperia, of course, the day before her wedding to Captain Baines. Everything was going wrong and she became a nervous wreck. Mason requested the afternoon off from bridge duty, and came to be with her. He made her drink his precious Woodford Reserve until she calmed down, ranting and raving for hours with him. They got very drunk, and became the happiest two drunks in the solar system. Eventually, Mason’s girlfriend Sr. Chief Sherrie Dawson and Captain Baines joined them, making them eat and sober up. She would always be thankful Mason rescued her. She kept his gift of aspirin with his note that read, “Best Bachelorette Party E
ver.” He was her best friend. He had always been there for her.

  She thought about their meeting on the Hesperia and all the time they spent together. In another universe, John Mason would have become more than her friend; she knew that, as did he. But she was a senior command officer and he was an enlisted man, and they could only be friends. To become more than friends would have resulted in her throwing her career away. Another thousand-year old prejudice was still alive and well. She would have been branded as unworthy of her rank, and ostracized by the other officers for “contaminating the officer gene pool.” She worked far too hard for that to happen, and she limited them to being friends, with Mason’s complete understanding and agreement.

  She and her late husband’s lives had been saved multiple times by John Mason. He had not been able to visit them before the Admiral was killed, so she wanted his visit to be special. She watched him on the examination table almost daily for four months, sedated and restrained. Soon she would see him, alive and well, and fully restored to his Prime Marine status. He would be there tomorrow.

  A soft knock on her door sent her running to see John Mason for the first time in years. She opened her door, and there he stood, tall as ever, in his red Prime Marine uniform jacket, holding his gear bag on his broad shoulder. They both smiled and hugged each other tightly, and she said, “I can’t believe you’re finally here! Come in, John. Let me look at you.” He stepped inside and dropped his bags, as she held his hand to check him out. “You’re as handsome as ever, John Mason! Lean, and in need of a few good meals, but you look fabulous!”

  He laughed and she put her arms around his neck and hugged him again. The same gray-green eyes, twinkling to see him, with her dark auburn hair falling over her shoulders. “You are still the most beautiful woman, Dr. Baines. You haven’t changed a bit!” He told her. She still sported a perfect figure, and her famous flat tummy.

  The guest bedroom was his for the duration of his stay, and he put his gear down there. He quietly went in to see little Victor with Dr. Baines, and the boy was sound asleep in his bed. Mason got all teary-eyed seeing him and hugged her again. They left Victor’s room and she asked him if he wanted something to eat or drink.

  “Well, I haven’t enjoyed any cognac since the last time I saw you, Dr. Baines,” he said.

  “I haven’t had anything to drink for months, John, and we should have some cognac tonight to celebrate. If you wouldn’t mind helping me,” she said, leading him to her kitchen and pointing to the top cabinet beyond her reach. “When Victor was killed, I put everything out of sight and out of my reach. I had to be strong for my son.”

  Mason understood. “When Sherrie was killed, I didn’t want to drink away her memory. I owed her and myself more than that.” She nodded at him, fully comprehending their decisions to stay strong and sober through their grieving times.

  He got the bottle of cognac down with two snifters. She led him to the couch, poured some cognac in each glass and toasted, saying “To old times, and the best of friends, John,” as they shared the toast, and began to talk.

  Mason and Dr. Baines brought each other up to speed with their lives the past three and a half years, while they enjoyed the cognac, her favorite drink. It was just like old times, the two of them talking, sipping their cognac, and sharing their friendship and laughter. The afternoon soon turned into evening, and Dr. Baines said, “I haven’t laughed in months, John. It feels so good to have you here. Let me hold you for a moment.” She sat closer to him and held him. She snuggled into his arms, and they continued talking and enjoying each other’s company, and their drinks.

  She poured another round for them, a little heftier this time, and handed Mason his glass. As he took the glass from her, their eyes met. There was no doubt they still had feelings for each other. He put his arm around her, and she nuzzled into his neck. Just then, little Victor came out of his room, and ran up to the couch, to his Mother.

  “Mommy, who is this man?” He asked.

  “This is John Mason, Victor. He is the best friend your Father and I ever had,” she answered. The boy stood with his hands on his hips, staring down John Mason.

  “You look just like your Mother, Victor, the way you’re standing now. Come. Let me see the son of my two best friends.” Mason put Victor on his knees as Dr. Baines laughed.

  Victor showed no fear of huge John Mason; he sat on his lap and stared him down.

  “You were holding my Mommy, John Mason,” Victor said.

  “Yes, I was, and she was holding me. I brought you a present, Victor. Would you like to see it?” Mason asked him, smiling at Dr. Baines.

  “Yes, please, John Mason.” He got down off Mason’s lap and stood beside him. Mason stood up and went to the guest bedroom. He took his smaller bag, rummaged around, and found the black box wrapped with silver ribbon.

  “This is for you, Victor. Open it and I’ll tell you its story,” Mason said.

  They all sat on the bed as Victor took the lid off the box, revealing a shiny, blackish rock encased in plex-glass. “What is it, John Mason?” The boy asked.

  “It is my gift to you, as it was your Father’s gift to me. I discovered it on the Hesperia, and thought it was slag rock. Your Father let me keep it as a souvenir of our adventures on that ship for seven years. I later discovered it is not slag. It is the purest platinum in its natural state. And it is my honor to give it to the son of my best friends,” Mason said with pride.

  “It will be my treasure, John Mason,” little Victor said. “Can we put it on Father’s desk, Mommy? That way, we can all see it and remember him.” He got off the bed, and led them to the Admiral’s den, and gently put it on the big wooden desk. Victor climbed into the leather chair, and stared at his present, as Dr. Baines’ eyes turned red. In back of his desk were bookcases filled with all kinds of books, photos all over the walls, and Baines’ Captain's sword mounted on the wall, directly behind the big leather chair.

  “A very generous gift, John,” she said, subduing her emotions.

  “Do you see this Bronze Star, Victor?” Mason asked, pointing to one of his two Bronze Stars on his chest. “I was given this for saving the lives of your Father and Mother. It is my greatest honor to wear this medal. I used that sword above your head to stop and hold the traitor who attacked your Father.”

  “Really, John Mason? Tell me all about it!” The boy demanded.

  Mason told Victor about the reception on his parent’s wedding day, of the attack on his Father and Mother. “Dr. Hassan tossed his sword to me, and I fought off three more attackers, while your Father fought off a traitor with this sword.” Mason got the sword down. “The traitor used an illegal move against your Father, very foul play, and cut his arm, like so.” Mason gently tapped Victor’s right arm where his Father was cut. “He dropped his sword, and I jumped in to stop the traitor’s blade from touching the Captain. I picked up this sword, drove the traitor to his knees, and held him until the guards took him away. This sword saved your Father’s life.” Mason took the sword from its scabbard halfway, and said, “It was my greatest honor to have served your Father, my Captain. He was the best man I ever knew, Victor.” Mason replaced the sword on its mounts as Victor and Dr. Baines watched him; tears running down her face.

  “Come, let’s see his pictures now.” Mason picked up Victor, and the three of them looked at the photos on the wall. Little Victor identified many of the people in the photos Mason did not know on one wall. On the opposite wall were photos from the Hesperia. The three of them looked at all the pictures, Mason pointing out the officers Victor did not know.

  “And this lady sitting next to Father, who is she, John Mason?” Victor asked.

  "She was my wife, Victor.” The photo showed Captain Baines, Sherrie, Mason and Commander Baines, seated in a booth, having dinner and wine. “She was tall and lovely, don’t you think?” Mason asked him, choking back his emotions. “Her name was Sherrie.”

  “She is very pretty, and tall, like Father and
you, John Mason. Will she be coming to visit us, too?” He innocently asked.

  “No, Victor. She was killed in an explosion from pirate’s bombs. She cannot come and meet you,” Mason said.

  Dr. Baines moved next to Mason, and held him tightly. “Now, what do you say I give your Mommy her present?” Mason asked, intentionally changing the painful subject.

  “A present for my Mommy? She likes presents, John Mason. What did you bring her?”

  Mason took them all to his guest bedroom, and sat Victor down on the bed. He rummaged in his small bag again, and produced a distinctive, pale blue box. He handed her the box from Tiffany’s, wrapped with a silver ribbon. “This was made for you, Dr. Baines.”

  She opened the box, and took out the smaller, dark blue box inside. She opened it, and inhaled suddenly. “They’re beautiful, John. Is the platinum from the Hesperia, too?” She asked.

  Mason nodded, watching her take off her earrings, and put his platinum and diamond earrings in her lobes. “Absolutely beautiful, John. Did Tiffany’s design them?”

  “I designed them, just for you, Dr. Baines,” Mason said. “Do you like them?” He had them made for her yesterday when he first arrived. He stored his remaining platinum in Tiffany’s vault for safe keeping.

  “Like them? I love them! They must be at least a carat each. I know the Hesperia didn’t mine any diamonds, John. You spent a fortune on these.” She continued to admire her diamond and platinum earrings, and looked at him in the mirror. “I’ll treasure them always, John.” She came over to him, and kissed him on the cheek.

  “Thank you for our presents, John Mason. I’m glad you’re here. Will you stay with us?” Victor asked.

  “Just a couple of days, Victor. But I can come visit you and your Mother more often now, if you’d like,” Mason offered.

  “We’d like that a lot, John,” Dr. Baines said, sitting next to him on the bed. “I’d like it a lot, too, John,” she added softly. “A lot.” She put her arms around his neck, and he put his arm around her waist. She kissed him gently, then invited him to dinner.