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

by Barbara J Robertson

  “You forgot dancing. I can fight, shoot, bully, fuck, or dance my way through any crisis, Admiral,” Mason said, taking her razzing in stride.

  “You never danced with me, Mason,” she complained, still laughing.

  “Not enough room in the pod. We were too busy with other things,” he said, smiling at her, and belted his whiskey.

  “Don’t you smile at me like that, Major Mason. I promised your Admiral I have no designs on you, a promise I fully intend to keep, you cocky son-of-a-bitch!” She smacked the back of his head like a schoolboy, laughing. “Another round of Jack Daniels, bartender!”

  Mason had never seen her laugh like this. He didn’t mind her having a good time at his expense. But she was right; public speaking was not his forte. He hated it. He hated it royally.

  Just then Mason’s wrist comm link beeped, and it was Admiral Mason. “Major Mason here, with Admiral Hanson and Jack Daniels, Admiral.” He smiled at his lovely wife.

  “I see, Major Mason. What’s the occasion?” She asked, holding John David, smiling at her husband.

  Hanson leaned in to the comm link. “Good evening, Admiral Mason. I was just informing your husband the Joint Chiefs have approved his attending graduation ceremonies at UT/Houston, and he can take all of you for a short visit home to celebrate. If it’s not too much of an imposition, I’d like to tag along as co-pilot with you,” Admiral Hanson said, straight-faced.

  “Graduation?” She asked.

  “Yes, Major Mason is to receive his PhD, and give a short speech.” She started laughing.

  “That’s wonderful! John, you didn’t tell me you were having your PhD conferred. When’s the date?” She was happy and smiling big for him.

  “Sometime in June, Admiral. I told Admiral Hanson I’ve never been to a graduation ceremony. They always mailed my bachelors and masters to me. I didn’t know about it, to be honest,” he confessed.

  “Don’t forget your speech, Major Mason,” Admiral Hanson said, playing it straight.

  “What will your speech focus on, John?” Admiral Mason asked innocently. Mason just shrugged his broad shoulders. Hanson burst out laughing.

  “Not my forte,” Mason grumbled.

  “Well, we have time to work on your public speaking, Major. I’m excited for you!” She was smiling at him. “I’ll invite Momma and Daddy, and the Baines, too.”

  Mason shot an evil glance at his CO, who was nearly hysterical laughing. “How did you fare during the storm?” Mason asked, changing the subject.

  “Quite well, actually. They closed schools and day care for the week, so I’ve been home with Victor and John David the entire time. We spent the day at Sarah’s yesterday, and had a lot of fun. We missed you,” she said.

  “That’s great, Admiral Mason. I was very concerned. Well, I’ll call you later, if that’s all right with you. Mason out.” Admiral Hanson was having a ball. Mason finally gave it up, and laughed with her. “Not only do I have to make a speech in front of my wife, who is a great public speaker, but she’s inviting my in-laws, too,” Mason grumbled.

  “And, you’ll most likely see one or more of the Joint Chiefs there, and me!” She added. “But no pressure, Major.” She was enjoying herself immensely. “In all fairness, of which there really is none,” she began, “I’ll help you as well, Mason. Take over the general assembly briefing at eleven hundred hours. It’s something you’ve listened to a thousand times, and should be comfortable delivering. In public speaking, like music and dancing, practice makes perfect. Let’s begin with easy steps. I’ll get you started, and Admiral Mason can finish you off.”

  Mason looked at her, and burst out laughing at what she said, nearly spilling his drink.

  “Now wait a minute. That’s not what I meant!” Admiral Hanson quickly said, and blushed a deep red. Then she joined Mason in a good laugh. They drank their Tennessee whiskies, and ordered one last round. After that one, it was time to go to their separate quarters.

  Mason called, “Major Mason to Admiral Mason.” He tapped his comm link to project her lovely face onto his table.

  “Hello again, John. Looks like you and Admiral Hanson enjoyed the storm,” she said with more than a twinge of jealousy.

  “Actually, she ran me ragged the whole week. We used the time to bring our underground construction projects back on track,” he told her.

  “When did you receive the authorization to attend your graduation, then?” She was loosening up a little.

  “We had thousands of communiqués download when our comm array came back on line late last night. Admiral Hanson got three from the Joint Chiefs, and the authorization to attend graduation was one of those,” he said.

  “I knew you published your dissertation, but you never said anything else about it. So, I never asked,” she said.

  “Honestly, Rachel, I forgot all about it. I’m just happy we get to go home for a few days together,” he said, a big smile on his face.

  “Any chance you can sneak over here tomorrow, John?” Now she looked sexy.

  “I’ll ask permission tomorrow, after I deliver the general assembly briefing. Admiral Hanson wants me to begin speaking now,” he said shyly.

  “What a great idea! I’ll work with you, too, and we’ll have you over this hurdle in no time!” She said happily.

  “I’ll call you tomorrow, hopefully with good news. All my love, Admiral,” he concluded.

  “All my love to you, as well, John.” She clicked off.

  The next day, Mason took over the general assembly meeting, while Admiral Hanson stood in silent observation. He read her briefings perfectly. She was correct; he could have delivered them from memories of a thousand briefings in the past. Afterwards, Mason asked for two days off. She hesitated at first, not wanting him to be gone for a full two days.

  Mason explained, “Our first anniversary took place during the Joint Chiefs’ Inspection, Admiral Hanson. I would appreciate being able to take Admiral Mason out to a nice dinner and dancing to celebrate the occasion, Admiral.”

  She finally acquiesced. “All right, Marine. You may take off at thirteen hundred today. But I’ll need you back Monday, by 0-eight hundred, sharp.”

  He saluted her. “Aye-aye, Admiral Hanson. Thank you so much, Admiral.” Mason called his Admiral later with the good news, flying fast to Colony III.

  “John Mason! John Mason!” Victor cried, running to him, jumping into his arms. He hugged him ferociously, and Rachel ran to him with John David in her arms.

  Mason took them to a fun family restaurant they discovered a little ways from their apartment. They ate pizza and salads, and played holographic arcade games. John David watched and laughed. Victor flew the racing jets through a holographic training course, and did exceptionally well in its simulations. Mason was very impressed; he scored higher than the teen-age boys in the game next door. “You’re a good pilot already, Victor.”

  After they went home, Victor showed Mason his new games and toys. They played for a couple of hours, with Mason holding the baby and leaning against the couch between Rachel’s knees. She ran her fingers through his thick, curly hair, and stroked his neck while he played with Victor. It felt good to be together.

  Their dinner reservations were for eight thirty. They met up with Dave and Sarah at the restaurant, and enjoyed a wonderful dinner with great wine and cognac. Mason danced with Rachel the entire first set. “Why don’t you dance, Sarah?” He asked his sister, sitting with Dave, and looking bored. “That dress really shows off your great legs.”

  “My fault, old man. I’m recovering from a torn ACL. Would you mind taking a turn with her the next set?” Dave asked. Mason was only too happy to dance with his big sister for a couple of dances, and show her off. They had too much fun for Dave.

  “Good thing she’s your sister, Johnnie, or I’d be jealous as hell,” Dave admitted.

  Rachel sat next to Dave and said, “You and me both!”

  “Johnnie and I grew up dancing together, Rachel. He was alwa
ys my best dance partner, at least until he joined the Space Marines. Then he fell in love with the martial arts. I’m just glad he’s discovered he can do both. I know you’ve inspired him,” she said.

  “I didn’t dance much for years after our parents were killed in the accident. It didn’t feel right. Sherrie wouldn’t dance at all; she was too shy. My feet came back to life the night of the Admiral’s dinner, when I danced with you. It was magic,” he told Rachel.

  They stayed until the last call, with Mason dancing alternately with Rachel and Sarah. They flew back to their apartment. Rachel paid the nurse baby sitter, and checked on her sleeping children. She slipped a music crystal into her player in the living room. “This is as close as I can get us to Costa Rica, John,” she said enticingly; a slow samba played. They began to dance much closer than they did earlier. They moved together, not a hair’s breadth between their bodies. They danced so slowly and intimately, for several songs.

  Rachel took off his tie, unbuttoned his shirt and ran her hands along his chest. Mason twirled her out, and twirled her into his body. She slowly kneeled on the floor, held onto his leg, and threw her head back. He bent low and kissed her, and slowly pulled her to him. Their vertical dance was over; the horizontal dance began. Their clothes were quickly strewn all over the living room, and shoes kicked off who knew where. Their passion steamed off the walls of their bedroom and out onto the terrace. Mason and Rachel made love all night, delighting in the unadulterated thrill of orgasm after orgasm. They lay in post-coital bliss, satisfied beyond measure, in each other’s arms.

  The synthesized morning light began to shine its rays into their bedroom, signifying their night was over. A fabulous first anniversary celebration, it was a truly glorious night, one they would remember always.

  XXV

  Work continued on the Great Vault Project twelve hours a day, seven days a week. Any attempt at estimating the time it would take to merely catalog the DNA samples and the crystals was futile. They were unable to translate any of the text or data on the crystals or DNA labels. The language was not any Earth language, modern, classic, or even ancient. The two big black crystals would play upon being touched, but no one could decipher their data stream, or translate their sounds. The smallest crystals, the deep, dark red ones, at times seemed alive; they would glow and make a faint humming sound when a human came close to them.

  “This is much more than the life work of one hundred scientists,” Admiral Mason said to her team. “Our job is to assess what is here to be studied, not to perform the actual in-depth analysis ourselves.” She conducted her weekly senior leaders’ meeting in her private office, staying abreast of the team’s developments, and keeping everyone on point towards their objectives. Her teams back in Houston also played an important role in their discoveries, remotely studying the various color groups of crystals to attempt discovery of the repository originators’ method of classification. Nothing could be assumed. How could the ancients have utilized the same methods modern scientists used for classification; then again, how could they not? The Great Vault was not only the discovery of their lifetimes; it was the riddle of their lifetimes, as well.

  The next few months saw the research team’s regular pattern of cataloging, basic analysis, and pure research kick into high gear. Admiral Mason requisitioned another five science officers sent to the Great Vault to help out their efforts. She now commanded an onsite team of thirty, in addition to her Houston staff.

  Admiral Mason was disciplined, dedicated, highly organized, with “above the line” IQ; she was “near-genius.” She was perfect for this project. Her analytical mind and dogged determination to process and procedure kept everyone focused on their task at hand, and her team never wavered in their objectives. It would have been very easy to have become side-tracked with the plethora of raw data and inaccessible knowledge at their fingertips, becoming overwhelmed with the sheer number of crystals and DNA samples. The amount of data inside the Great Vault was staggering.

  The alien translation device was locked inside Admiral Hanson’s private safe, and only she could open it. As tempting as it was to consider using the translation device for the rack upon rack of data crystals and DNA samples, Earth Command was not willing to transmit data to the Yellow Man and the ONE. The big black data crystals were studied by the team at the Great Vault, and remotely in Houston and in Berlin. All that could be conjectured with any semblance of accuracy was their data and text were compressed into multi-dimensional storage patterns. The High Council decided fumbling in the dark and making their own discoveries was preferable to handing over unknown knowledge to an advanced, proven hostile, alien race.

  The 50 new Space Marines and 20 Space Forces security crewmen arrived. They were all interviewed by Mason, trained quickly and assigned their posts. Vid cams were installed along all corridors, with the Great Vault Project areas receiving double coverage. The big security droids were posted on external access points; they didn’t complain about the night’s extreme cold. Mason assigned the control tower security to the Space Forces personnel, with only two Space Marines guarding the control room itself; those were his orders from Earth Command. This was the only area where his Space Marines assignments were over-ridden, and it made him very cautious. He quietly shared his concerns with Admiral Hanson, and she agreed it was highly irregular.

  At the weekly security briefing, one of his control room Marine guards mentioned the controllers no longer left the tower for lunch, only short bathroom breaks. Usually, the traffic controllers left the tower, if only to get some chow and rest their eyes from their intensive monitoring of flights. Mason informed Admiral Hanson about this development.

  At lunch on Tuesday, the Great Vault senior staff members took their lunches together in the officers’ mess early, and coincidentally ran into Mason. He was invited to have lunch with them, and accepted. “What brings the Great Vault Project team to the officers’ mess so early? We can usually set our clocks by your arrival at 12:05, but today you’re here at 11:00,” Mason asked.

  “There’s some glitch in our computers this morning, Major Mason. So, while Earth Command techs run their diagnostic analysis, we thought it best to eat now,” Lt. Commander Watters answered.

  “I could have one of our techs come assist you, Admiral,” Mason offered.

  “It’s not necessary, but another set of eyes may prove beneficial,” Admiral Mason said.

  The computer tech accompanied Mason to the Great Vault Project research offices with the team after lunch. The entire team had gone to lunch except Lieutenant Haws, who was busy keying in something as they returned.

  “Is the system back up?” Admiral Mason asked him.

  Lieutenant Haws ignored her question and continued keying instructions.

  “Admiral Mason asked you a question, Lieutenant,” Mason said. He saw him give a smirk, and then raised his right hand to hit the “Enter” key; Mason stopped his hand. Haws tried to hit “Enter” with his left hand, and was stopped. Mason pulled him out of his chair.

  “Let’s just see what you were doing, Lieutenant Haws,” Admiral Mason said. She sat down and her jaw dropped. “Arrest that man now, Major Mason. He has sabotaged our computer system. I’ll be in my private office,” she said, running out of the room. “No one touch anything!”

  Mason held Haws in an arm lock until two Space Marines came to get him. “Take him to the brig, and put shackles on him.” He notified Admiral Hanson, who immediately came to the Great Vault Project rooms.

  Mason’s wrist comm link went off. “Major Mason, the traffic controllers have opened the dome for unauthorized fighters to enter th…” and the sound of laser fire erupting was unmistakable.

  “RED ALERT!” Mason ordered. The sirens immediately went off, and Admiral Hanson came out of Admiral Mason’s private office.

  “Unauthorized fighters have been allowed into the dome. We are under attack, Admiral. Code Red Emergency.” Mason ordered the scientists into their protected labs,
and as far back into the Great Vault chambers as possible. Admiral Mason was requested to accompany her staff. Earth Command was notified. Within seconds, laser fire from the attacking fighters rained down on the Mars X base, taking out the security droids and three of the laser cannon emplacements. The controllers were letting a troop transport into the dome now.

  “Mason, I want that tower under our control now, or destroy it and seal the dome. We will lock down immediately,” Admiral Hanson ordered.

  Mason took 12 Space Marines to the armory, and they all quickly suited up in full combat gear, and took as much firepower as they could carry. They used the underground corridor to run to the air tower. All the new buildings topside were bombed out by the four fighters. The troop transport was just landing.

  Second Lieutenant Hwan was sent through the lower tower access with 2 Space Marines to the laser cannon at the base of the tower, to fire upon the troop transport. Mason and the remaining nine Marines climbed up the tower. He sent three Marines into the elevator shaft to climb the last three floors from there, and another three Marines to climb into the control room from the conduit shafts. Mason led the last three Marines to the control room himself.

  They used their laser rifles to ease open the floor hatch, and were bombarded by laser fire. He readied four stun gas canisters and incendiary bombs, got cover from his Marines’ rifle fire, and lobbed them inside the room. After they exploded, Mason led the rush into the tower, throwing flasher sets around to blind the traitors temporarily. He lost one Space Marine, but took control of the tower and closed the dome. Since the tower’s windows were already blown out, the Marines used their position in the tower to fire on the running troops leaving the transport.

  “Mason to Second Lieutenant Hwan. Fire cannon on the fighters. Take out as many as you can, now!” The fighters went down to two, but they were doing as much damage as possible. They obliterated the communications array.

  “Evacuate the tower and cannon emplacement immediately. Regroup in the underground corridor,” Mason ordered. The Space Marines made it out of the tower just before it was blown to hell by the fighters. The Marines on the laser cannon hesitated a few seconds too long, but at least they took out one more fighter before they were blown apart by the last remaining war bird.