Rachel was humming while she dressed. He loved it when she was happy. They called for a bellman, and returned home. She made them some tea. Mason was putting his mess dress uniform away when Rachel called loudly: “John! Come at once!”
Mason ran to her, and she pointed at the vid screen in the living room. It was the Yellow Man. “Hello, John Mason. It has been a while since you and I have spoken.”
“Yes, Dr. James. Why are you in my home? Haven’t you done enough to me already?” Mason asked.
“You are our Perfect Man, John Mason. The ONE want to study you. We already know you are worthy,” the strange man said.
Mason stated, “Your agents had enough fun with me last year. I have absolutely no intentions of feeling that excruciating pain again, Dr. James.”
The Yellow Man explained, “That is why I am here now, John Mason. I have recently learned of your suffering, and that of your comrades, and it saddened me greatly. It was never the wish of the ONE that you or any of your friends or paramour be treated in such a manner. Our agents who took such action are either in your forces’ custody, or have been punished by us.”
Mason was now curious. “It was always my experience that you asked for a volunteer, Dr. James. But we of the Esmeralda did not volunteer.”
“We still ask for volunteers to be tested to assess their worthiness. We want to advance our species together in harmony, John Mason, not brute force. Is it not better to work in peace?”
“Yes, Dr. James. And I ask to be left in peace now,” Mason responded.
“Yes, I know. But I have come to you with a gift and an offer, John Mason,” the Yellow Man said, standing, and walking towards the screen. “You are our Most Perfect Man. The ONE had no intentions of harming you, as we have said. What was done to you was unconscionable. We have punished the rogue agents for damaging you, your friends, and your paramour.”
“How so?” Mason asked, glancing at Rachel. Why did he have to say “Paramour?”
“Our ways will be shown to you, if you decide one day to join us. You will learn what we know. You would be the Father of our new race. We offer you advanced knowledge, vastly increased strength, power, and riches beyond your imagination. You are the Most Perfect Man, John Mason.” The Yellow Man bowed slightly.
“Why do you not seek a Perfect Woman as well, Dr. James?” Rachel asked.
“You are that Perfect Woman, Rachel Mason. The human female is so complex the ONE decided to choose the Perfect Man, and then he would select the Perfect Woman. Natural selection at work, Rachel Mason. You too are invited to join the ONE, as the Mother of our new combined race. We offer you advanced knowledge, power, and riches beyond your imagination. Your work as a genetics specialist would be legendary with the ONE,” Dr. James offered, trying his best to smile.
“We wish to be left in peace, Dr. James. To live our natural lives as sentient beings, free from the interferences from the ONE,” Mason pleaded.
“Very well, John Mason, if that is your wish. But our gift to you is with you now, alive and well,” Dr. James said, trying to smile again.
Mason knew exactly what their gift was. “Will our child be born 100% human, Dr. James? No tail, no scales? I do not wish to father a hybrid.” Rachel looked at him in amazement, touching her abdomen.
Dr. James smiled. “You now understand, Rachel Mason. We reversed the vasectomy performed upon your husband. You carry the son of John Mason and yourself. We restored him as our gift, to right an unjust wrong.”
“My upset stomach lately…” she mumbled.
“I can help you, Rachel Mason.” The Yellow Man slowly passed his hand in front of the monitor. “There. Isn’t that better, now?”
“Yes, thank you.” She sat silently, amazed.
“Your son is 100% human, John Mason, do not fear. All your children are human.” Dr. James opened his arms, and a vast room appeared with many children of various ages playing. All had brown curly hair.
“My children?” Mason dropped to the couch.
“Yes. We have your DNA. We clone at will. The ONE have many children.”
“But they’re all clones, all copies. You want originals, for genetic stability in reproduction,” Rachel surmised.
“Precisely. That is why we want you and John Mason, Mother and Father of our new hybrid race. The ONE offers you everything in exchange.” Dr. James bowed again to them.
“No, thank you, Dr. James,” Mason said. “I am grateful for our gift, however. It is most gracious and kind of the ONE.” He bowed his head.
“We are here to serve and study, John Mason. Call us again when you wish to speak with us.” The Yellow Man went away, leaving a blank screen.
“Call us? What did he mean?” Rachel asked.
“I can feel them, Rachel. Now with these enhanced implants; I don’t know,” Mason said.
“Dr. James can feel you too, John. The Yellow Man knows everything we do,” she said.
Mason held out his hand to her, and she sat on his lap. He touched her abdomen and smiled. “Are we really pregnant, John? It’s a miracle,” she said. “A miracle.”
Mason told her about knowing she was pregnant last Friday, but didn’t say anything to her about it. “I didn’t want anything to affect our wedding.” He paused, and then said, “My nightmare was about fathering a lizard baby, Rachel.”
“That’s why Dr. James showed up, John, to reassure us our baby is human,” she said, mumbling the end of her sentence.
“Well, at least now you have met him, Rachel. He certainly was impressed with you,” Mason said. “I have to send a copy of this communiqué to Admiral Worthington.”
She asked, “All of it, John? Some parts I’d like to keep private.”
“Yes, Rachel, all of it. They would detect any gaps from editing, anyway, and be suspicious.” He was very firm.
“You’re right, John. We don’t want them having any suspicions about us. Send it now,” Rachel agreed, holding her abdomen.
All the tests over the next few days came back positive. Rachel was two and one-half months pregnant, and the fetus was normal. She was elated when she gave John the news. “It’s true, John! I’m pregnant with your baby!” Rachel was so happy she was crying tears of joy. “We’ll have to get our birthing license right away. Let’s call Momma!”
Mason and Rachel received their birthing license. Caitlin and David were very happy for them. “Darn good thing you did get married in Costa Rica, Rachel. Everything happens for a reason,” she said.
Admiral Worthington had not yet responded to the recording Mason sent him of his and Rachel’s discussion with Dr. James, the Yellow Man. Mason found that unusual, but Rachel did not; she was more accustomed to the inner workings of the higher-ups. “He’s mulling over what, if anything, to do, John. It can be interpreted as a personal apology, in actuality. The ONE still want you. You are their Perfect Man.”
Mason was not convinced. “Dr. James said the ONE did not authorize our torture and DNA alteration. Evidently, some of their earlier agents have become rogue zealots, trying to accelerate the evolution of the new species. That is not the way of the ONE. They entice, invite, and reward; not force transformation upon anyone. It’s just strange to me we haven’t heard anything about it.”
As the first light of day was breaking, Mason got up for his usual run through the neighborhood. As he pounded the pavement, he thought about the Yellow Man’s visit, and his offer to them. How many others did he promise “unimaginable wealth” and advanced knowledge to, who took advantage of his offer? He knew the ranks of traitors were growing daily; many would jump at the chance to be instantly wealthy, gaining power and advanced knowledge. What did the Joint Chiefs think of him now; would they also question Rachel’s loyalty, as well? The URE promise of “innocent until proven guilty” was a sham in the military. All they had to do was brand someone a “prisoner of war,” and then they were “guilty until proven innocent.” They did it to him more than once.
XVI
No schedule was set for Mason this Monday morning, an unusual but welcome treat. He dressed and went to work with Rachel. She dropped off Victor at day care, and took her husband to see her office and labs. Their genetics research floor was all clear plex offices. Admiral Mason quickly walked to the end of the corridor, Captain Mason escorting her. Row after row of white lab coats; mostly men his age or younger, and a few women. Now, who should be jealous?
Her office was at the end of the corridor, top floor, with an outside view alongside one entire wall. She enjoyed a view of the city of Houston, gleaming in the morning light. “Beats the hell out of a mining freighter, Dr. Mason,” Mason admitted.
“Yes, it does. But no stars. No Saturn, John,” she said, reminding him of their last full day spent together on that freighter. Mighty Saturn filled the windows of the observation lounge, where they spent so many hours that day, over four years ago. “Have a seat,” she invited him. She ordered café au lait, decaf now; a tall mocha latte for him, scones and a croissant. She took off her uniform jacket and donned a fresh lab coat with “Mason” on it.
“You look so beautiful,” he whispered, leaning a little forward towards her desk. “You look like Head Nurse Cohen again.” Mason was smiling broadly at her.
“Shhh...” she whispered, glancing through the glass walls. No one saw him.
“How many on your team, Admiral?” He asked, in a normal voice.
“One hundred fifty here and another twenty on various bases. We have five of the six floors of this building,” she added.
“That’s a big responsibility, Dr. Mason. One I’m sure you handle with great expertise, professionalism, and aplomb,” Mason said. His admiration for her mushroomed.
“Thank you, John. It means a great deal to me,” she acknowledged. “I feel we are often ignored here,” she added, lowering her head.
Mason looked right into her eyes, and spoke softly, “I have never ignored you. There were times it must have seemed that way to you, I’m certain of it. But it took all my will and concentration to love you enough to let you go your own way, along your own path, choosing another partner.” He paused. “I thank God we have at last been granted the opportunity to walk this path together. I may not always be here with you, Dr. Mason. But I will never, ever ignore you.” Both their eyes were red.
Their coffees and pastries were brought in by her aide. Mason watched the young man serve them, and leave. “What is your schedule today, John?” She asked, tearing her croissant into smaller pieces, and dipping them into her café au lait.
“Nothing until a 2p.m. meeting with Colonel Tyrone. I have a feeling they’re cooking something up, though,” he answered; they both felt another assignment was coming for him.
“My life was so boring until you came to me, John,” she confessed. She sipped her coffee. “I only wish they wouldn’t send you away from me for too long.”
“I’m lonely without you, too, Dr. Mason. At least you have Victor to keep you company. When I’m away from you, I work. I rarely sleep. I live for your vid comm links,” he admitted. “They keep me sane, centered and focused. Seeing your face gives me hope.” He finished his mocha latte. “And now, a baby Mason is growing inside you. How long before we definitively know the child’s sex, Dr. Mason?”
She smiled at him. “Another month or so, John. I gave away all of Victor’s baby clothes. We’ll have to buy them all new,” she added. “More shopping, John.”
Mason laughed. “That’s okay. Either way, pink or blue. He or she will have the most beautiful Mother in the URE. No woman ever glowed like you do, as you do now, Dr. Mason.” He smiled proudly. “In any case, I’m keeping you from your work. Thank you for showing me your office and labs. This is for you,” he said, handing her a wrapped box from his briefcase. “It’s for your desk, if you like.”
“Thank you, Captain Mason. Feel free to visit us any time,” she invited, smiling at him.
Mason saluted her and left her office, and she watched him walk down the long corridor.
Dr. Mason opened her husband’s gift. It was a holographic vid recording of their first kiss as husband and wife, at their original wedding on the beach in Costa Rica. She smiled and gently touched the bamboo frame, with tears of joy in her eyes. She placed it on her desk immediately, rearranging things so it would have the prominent position. Dr. Mason sighed and began reading her reports. Her labs had been researching a test subject’s DNA for nearly three months, to isolate and analyze its unique genome. No one’s name was provided to them; just an encoded test subject’s ID. She looked at Mason’s empty mocha latte cup; could it be his? She buzzed her research assistant to come in. “Have this cup analyzed in our Berlin labs for DNA, my eyes only. Is that clear? My eyes only.” She had to know.
Mason walked to his office, spurred by his coffee buzz and the opportunity to see where his wife now worked. How different from the hospital on the Hesperia, where she had a tiny office barely big enough for its desk. She deserved the fancy digs. She worked so hard over the years. His Nurse Cohen was now Admiral Mason. His smile was from ear to ear.
Colonel Tyrone assigned him temporary duty on Moon Base for three weeks, and he would have to leave in five days. Admiral Mason would be invited to be the guest speaker at a conference there. If she accepted, she could remain there up to one week, the Colonel said. While on Moon Base, Mason was to meet with Captain Hanson and her team from “Mars X.” He received no other information on the Mars situation, but he felt it was significant. He was to gather data and assess the psychological health of the researchers, officers, and crewmen. Something big was up.
Mason took them to dinner at a Chinese restaurant that evening. “Rachel, I want you to have a shuttle by the time you go back to work, and the baby needs to go with you to day care. I don’t want you walking all those blocks with two children in tow. We don’t know where my assignments will take me, or how long they’ll last,” he added.
“We don’t have to buy a shuttle, John. If I became licensed, I would have one assigned to me,” she said. “It comes with the star,” she added, referring to her Admiral’s star on her uniform.
“Then we need to get you licensed as soon as reasonably possible. The written test takes several hours of study; a piece of cake for you. The pilot’s test should be fairly simple, as well. You have the skills to pilot a shuttle. You’ve proven that already,” he surmised.
“So, what’s your upcoming assignment?” She asked, knowing the previous discussion was an intro for her husband.
“In five days I leave for a three week assignment on Moon Base. You will receive an invitation to be a guest speaker at a convention there shortly. If you accept, you can take up to one whole week there with me,” he said.
“Moon Base is close; it doesn’t sound too bad,” she said. Noticing his face, she asked, “Or am I missing something, John?”
“My intuition tells me something big is coming. Something about the whole deal on Mars, Rachel. It’s more what’s not being said about it. Just a feeling I have; for now,” He answered.
“Can I bring Victor to Moon Base with me?” She asked. The boy’s eyes lit up. “I’d like Amanda and Eric Baines to accompany us.”
“If that’s what you want, then tell them so, Admiral Mason,” Mason said. “You’re the one with the clout here. I’m their eyes and ears,” he added. “And their gut feeling.”
“No speaking request has come across my desk yet,” she said. “What topic are they considering?”
“I have no idea, Rachel. I won’t understand it anyway,” he sheepishly added. “But Colonel Tyrone did give me permission to fly us there. Want to ride in an inter-planetary long range fighter, Rachel?” He offered excitedly.
Her stomach churned just thinking about it. “Of course, John. It would be thrilling! And Victor would be so excited!” She tried to sound excited and anxious about the prospect of flying in a fighter. Victor was jumping up and down at the prospect of flying in space, and they had fun plannin
g their trip. Shortly, Admiral Mason received her guest speaking invitation. Amanda and Eric Baines were elated to come along, their first trip off-planet.
On departure, Mason left for the launch site early to prep and check his fighter. All bombs were removed. A few missiles were left attached, just in case. His passengers arrived right on time: Admiral Mason and Victor; the Doctors Baines; and his co-pilot, Space Forces Lt. Commander Black. The Admiral took a shot of stomach relaxant, wondering why she didn’t take the comfy transport instead. She felt better with the Space Forces co-pilot there. At least he had more than one week flight training.
The war bird lifted off from the landing deck, straight up above the base and Houston, and then moved up at an angle above the Earth below. Each of them had a small window; the view was magnificent.
“We will be leaving Earth’s atmosphere in a moment, and the ride will be a little bumpy for forty-five seconds,” Mason advised. A long forty-five seconds for the pregnant Admiral. Then, the fighter smoothed out wonderfully.
“Prepare for hyper-space in 3-2-1, engage,” Mason said, and they accelerated. “Hyper-space 4 and holding. Your seats are now unlocked.” Victor was standing next to Mason in a flash.
“You get fifteen minutes to be my co-pilot, Victor; then we have to let Lt. Commander Black have his seat back, okay?” Victor agreed. The Lt. Commander got up and strapped Victor in, and came to sit next to the window. Admiral Mason could stand it no more. She got up and went to Mason.
“What are you doing, letting Victor sit in Lt. Commander Black’s seat, John?” She asked.
Mason reached in back of him and pulled the jump seat down. “Please. Strap in, Admiral, and observe.” He smiled as she strapped into the auxiliary seat. “I have control.” Little Victor’s eyes were open wide, taking everything in. His hands were on the wheel, holding tight as Mason flew the fighter. He looked briefly at all the lights, indicators and gauges, then out of the windows. He never let go of the wheel, just like a real pilot.
Vengeance of Sukesh: John Mason (Legend of John Mason) Page 21