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

by Barbara J Robertson

  “Mr. Mason, if your wife will sign for you, we can let you leave now. Better take a few of these with you, though.” The nurse handed him a stack of barf bags. She turned to Rachel. “He was dosed, big time. We haven’t received the full analysis on what they used on him. Those damned gangs down here. Probably saw him on a shiny new speedster, dressed nice and everything, and dosed him.” She shook her head and walked out.

  “They stole your speedster and wallet, John?” Rachel asked incredulously.

  “No, I’ve still got my wallet. But they did take my speedster, Rachel,” he explained.

  “You sounded drunk when I talked with you.” She signed his release form.

  “It was the drug they put in my beer. I’ve been all over the solar system and got mickeyed in Galveston.” He laughed out loud. “Sounds like an old country song.”

  Rachel was not laughing. “I’ve seen you fight dozens of men, John. How many were there?” She asked, leading him to her shuttle.

  “Not sure. Several, but I don’t know how many. I was hit on my head with a crow bar when I started throwing up the drug in the men’s room. My head hurts.” He was still woozy. “They pumped my stomach, even after I told them I threw it all up. It was gross. I feel awful.”

  Rachel got him into the back seat of her shuttle, next to sleeping John David. Victor was asleep in the front seat. Two hours later, she had everyone home and in bed. She locked up the house, and set all the security shields and activated the security droid. She had gone from being angry at him for being drunk to being very concerned about him with his bandaged head. And his prized speedster was stolen. She poured herself a large cognac, and sat on the couch to relax.

  The vid screen alert was blinking, so she turned it on. There was a reply from URE Houston Division of Investigations, offering him a preliminary job interview. What on earth was going on? She would have to wait until tomorrow to find out; he was out cold.

  Mason slept like a dead man all night, instead of his usual 3-5 hours’ sleep. It was a powerful drug they used, and then hit him with a crowbar to make certain he was incapacitated. He could have been killed, Rachel realized, looking at the analysis the urgent care center sent to them. She gently shook him, and he awoke. He sat up, then held his aching head. She took off his bandage to have a look; he showed a tell-tale long bruise from a crowbar across his head, narrowly missing his center implant. She made him an ice pack, and gave him the two aspirins he asked for, the most potent drug her husband ever wanted, now, or on the Hesperia.

  “There’s a reply for you on the vid screen, about a preliminary job interview. What’s that about, John?” She asked, concerned.

  “A man needs a job, Rachel. I can’t just sit at home and twiddle my thumbs. I have a PhD. Surely somebody has a job for me,” he answered weakly. “I applied for an interview for an investigator’s position.”

  She put her hands on her hips. “What on earth are you talking about? You are a Major; a Prime Marine. Of course you have a job. You have a very special job. You are a career officer in the Space Marines.”

  “Did you see the way she looked at me? And asked me if the ONE spoke through me now? She thinks I am a traitor, Rachel. I was dismissed by our Chief of the Joint Chiefs, without orders from her or him. No orders for five days, now. What does that tell you, Rachel?” He asked her, on the verge of tears.

  Rachel now understood his feelings, and fear of a lost career. No wonder he took a ride to the sea. She sat next to him. He continued, “I have no post, other than her Prime Marine. She has always sent me a message where to be and exactly what time to be there. Every day. Do you see anything?” He handed her his wrist comm link. He was correct; no incoming messages for the last five days. “They picked up my shuttle before I got home from our meeting yesterday, did you notice?”

  Rachel shook her head. “Have you called Colonel Tyrone, John? He’s always helped you before,” she suggested.

  “No. I’m too embarrassed. I almost called Admiral Hanson and asked for my old job back. But I didn’t want to be away from you and the kids, on Mars X. It’s a very depressing situation, Rachel,” he said.

  “Go get cleaned up and dressed in uniform, John. I’m sure this is just a miscommunication somehow.” She sounded very positive.

  Mason reluctantly went to shower and shave. For what? Maybe she was right, and he would be called. He got ready quickly and helped her with the boys. Mason went to work with Rachel. He hung out in her building’s coffee bistro.

  He sent Madam Li Yun a communiqué, requesting her orders. No reply. He was still in the lobby when Admiral Mason came down for lunch. He showed her his comm link; no replies.

  “I suggest you request orders from either your Commandant or Admiral Worthington directly, John. This is totally ridiculous,” his Admiral advised.

  They went to lunch together, and Mason did as she suggested. No response from anyone. He sent the requests again; no response. He went home, walking the entire way. He called the base secure hangar to check on his XR-8; it was checked out by a “representative of the High Council.” Someone else was her pilot now.

  So he really had no job, no fighter, no shuttle, and no speedster. At least the speedster was his, and fully insured. The insurance company delivered a loaner to him later that afternoon at home. No matter. He was staying home anyway.

  The next day, Mason swallowed his pride and tried to contact Colonel Tyrone for orders. No reply. He sent out requests for orders to Tyrone again, to his Commandant, Admiral Worthington, and then Madam Li Yun. Nothing at all. Mason showed Rachel all his attempts. She couldn’t believe no one responded to a Major’s requests for contact. Six days. Mason replied to the URE Investigation job, and made an appointment for next week. It was over.

  Mason hung up his class A’s, shined his boots and dusted off his hat. He put them all in the guest room closet with his mess dress uniforms, into storage bags. He hung his utility uniforms in the guest bedroom closet. He shut the closet door with a heavy heart. It was over. Really over. All those years. All those missions. He risked his life so many times. For what, now?

  Rachel could not fathom why he was being treated this way. Was this how they ostracized an officer? Should she intercede, or stay out of the matter? What would her friends say? What scuttlebutt was going around about him? No one would tell her; they would not dare. Her husband advised her to try her best to stay out of it, and ignore the entire situation for her own protection.

  They rose the next morning and Rachel got ready for work. Mason got the boys ready, and the three of them left. He stayed at home, despondent, alone with his thoughts and emotions. The insurance company found his speedster, totaled in a wreck in Corpus Christi. They were sending him a check for full replacement value. They picked up their loaner. He was now house-bound, too. Mason finally called Admiral Hanson; no reply. She always took his calls, even at 4a.m. That was the last straw. The final insult. She must be under orders not to contact him. His depression knew no bounds, now. He wallowed in self-pity.

  At lunchtime, Mason told Rachel the news about his speedster. She said they would get him a new one this weekend, so he would have transportation. To go where, he wondered? Why?

  Rachel came home with her children to a very depressed husband. Seven days without any contact whatsoever. It was unheard of, this treatment. Would she suffer the same ostracizing? Last week, the world was her oyster. Now this. Would she be forced to resign, and find work outside of the military? What would her friends say? Would they be allowed to talk with her? All because of a dream! She became distraught, too. They went out for dinner to try and cheer up, but neither Mason nor Rachel ate much. When they returned home, they had company.

  High Councilman Arepas and two Prime Marines were waiting for them. Mason invited the High Councilman to sit down, while Rachel put the boys in their rooms.

  “How may I serve the High Council, High Councilman Arepas?” Mason asked quietly.

  “We are in need of your help,
Major Mason,” he answered.

  “Begging your pardon, High Councilman, but I have been ignored for seven full days now. No orders, and not even the courtesy of any response; no contact whatsoever with the High Council or the Joint Chiefs. Am I still a Prime Marine, sir?” Mason asked quietly, as Rachel sat down next to him.

  “Yes, of course you are. You are still assigned to the High Council as Special Liaison. We have just today discovered your communiqués, and your calls to Chief High Councilwoman Li Yun. Your communications to us and the Joint Chiefs were blocked after your Monday morning appointment with Madam Li Yun and Admiral Worthington,” Arepas disclosed.

  “By whom, if I may ask, sir?” Mason enquired.

  Arepas answered, “We do not know as of yet. In any case, I am here to ask you if you resigned, Major Mason.” He watched Mason’s countenance change dramatically.

  “What? Resigned? I have been waiting for my orders. No communiqués, no voice responses, nothing. My shuttle was taken back. The XR-8 is gone. I am as a fish out of water. I assure you, High Councilman Arepas, I did not resign!” Mason said adamantly, standing.

  “We thought as much. The fact is, your resignation came through in the morning after your appointment, directly to Chief High Councilwoman Li Yun. She, Admiral Worthington, Admiral Langford, Commandant Richardson, and Colonel Tyrone left for Mars X. They went where you told them not to go. They did what you told them not to do. They went to interview Sukesh.” He paused. “I myself saw the recording of your meeting, telling them your dreams. They went anyway.”

  He sounded dejected, but continued, “They opened the chamber to reach Sukesh, and awakened him. They wanted to interview him, to obtain his confession, and to vid record him. Instead, they opened the way for a raid on Mars Penal Colony. Sukesh has escaped. Many lives were lost, and there has been much devastation. Sukesh has taken his revenge, and has flown back to the ONE.”

  “Who was killed?” Admiral Mason asked.

  “Chief High Councilwoman Li Yun; Admiral Langford; the Prime Marine guards and two senior aides; and Lt. Commander Schmidt. Admiral Worthington and Admiral Hanson were injured, but are alive in Mars Colony III base hospital. Most of the Penal Colony inmates were killed, and all of the guards.” He took a deep breath. “Your Commandant and Colonel Tyrone discovered all your attempts to contact someone.”

  Rachel instantly realized if her husband had not been ignored, he would most likely be dead, as well, from trying to protect Madam Li Yun at the Penal Colony.

  Mason asked, “But that is not all, is it, High Councilman Arepas? Sukesh has been taken back by the ONE, and now knows who tricked, subdued, and captured him. So my family and I are at great risk. Is this not so, sir?”

  “Sukesh was taken less than one hour ago. I have just met with the nine other High Councilmen. I made the decision to come take you and your family to safety. We need your help, Major Mason. We must leave in twenty minutes, Admiral Mason, Major Mason,” he implored.

  “Do we have the other XR-8?” Mason asked.

  Arepas answered, “We do. Please pack and we will complete our discussion in the air.”

  The two Prime Marines went to his shuttle and brought in two cargo trunks and helped them fill them with all their clothing. They packed Victor’s things next, and he jumped into Mason’s arms and held on for dear life. “My son,” Mason said, as he kissed him, and held the boy tightly. Mason went to their safe and emptied it of their valuables, his weapons belt and side arm. He put his utility uniform on quickly, the only uniform readily available, and packed the rest. He gathered John David’s little things and placed them in one of his old gear bags. He used another gear bag for Victor’s games and John David’s toys, gathering at least a few for them.

  The Prime Marines took the cargo trunks, Mason’s gear bags, and Rachel’s suitcases out to their shuttle. She quickly put her uniform and trousers on. Mason grabbed a bottle each of cognac and Woodford Reserve. He took Victor, and Rachel took John David. They escaped in twenty-one minutes flat, and were flown to the XR-8. The fighter was cleared for immediate lift-off. Mason lifted them off from Houston, while Admiral Mason softly cried, holding her baby. They launched quickly towards coordinates the High Councilman provided. They escaped, this time.

  Mason put the XR-8 on auto-pilot, and came back to his Admiral to comfort her. He held her and Victor, until they both stopped shaking. She breathed deeply, and calmed herself and Victor.

  High Councilman Arepas stood, facing them, and said,” Please rise, Admiral Rachel Mason and Major John Mason.” They stood, and snapped to attention.

  “Admiral Mason: you are offered acceptance into this body as High Councilwoman, where you and your family will be protected and secured. If you accept, you will serve the United Republics of Earth as one of their ruling leaders, with full voting rights, and all the privileges and responsibilities thereof. This is a lifetime appointment. Do you accept our offer?”

  “I accept your offer, High Councilman,” she answered, totally aware and focused.

  “Major Mason: you swore an oath as Prime Marine to the late Chief High Councilwoman Li Yun. As she is no more, you are released. I offer you a position as Chief Prime Marine to this High Council, and as Prime Marine to our Chief High Councilman. Do you accept?”

  “I do accept, High Councilman Arepas,” Mason responded.

  “Then meet your new Chief High Councilman, Prime Marine.” Arepas stepped aside.

  From the sleeper emerged newly-elected Chief High Councilman, Jean-Louis St. Clair. He spoke with a thick French accent, “As is your custom, Prime Marine Major John Mason, kneel then, s’il vous plait.”

  Mason knelt before St. Clair. “Do you swear to protect us from all harm, all of us High Councilmen, from within and from without, at all costs, even with your own life?”

  “I do swear, Chief High Councilman St. Clair,” Mason said, with bowed head.

  “Then rise, Chief Prime Marine Major John Mason. Please introduce me to your family,” he said, smiling graciously.

  Mason introduced Admiral Mason, Victor, and little John David to him. “You may call me Monsieur St. Clair, except in formal situations.” Mr. St. Clair was one of the three High Councilmen Mason met at the General Session, and now he was his sworn Chief Prime Marine. He had pure white hair, and tanned skin. His eyes were brown, surrounded by lines of laughter and concern.

  Arepas came forward to sit in the co-pilot’s seat for a while. Mason asked, “What of her parents, Victor’s paternal grandparents, and my family on Mars Colony III? Will they also have protection, sir?”

  “They are being informed of your wife’s acceptance into the High Council as we speak, and will receive invisible shields for their homes, security droids, and 24/7 surveillance. Should more protection be required, it will be provided. Admiral Mason is now a High Councilwoman, and is to be protected at all costs, by you, and the other Prime Marines,” Arepas told him.

  Mason asked, “What will happen to our home, High Councilman Arepas?”

  “You may sell it, after we have moved your personal things out. Most High Councilmen relocate immediately to more secure living quarters. You may live anywhere Admiral Mason chooses, up to four residences. She may travel as much or as little as she chooses. Your sons will be tutored by the finest teachers. Your family will want for nothing, Major,” Arepas replied.

  The XR-8 streaked through the night sky as the moon’s light reflected off her titanium hull. Mason looked at his monitors, and the secret coordinates’ physical location became clear: the Alps, probably western Switzerland. The white fighter’s auto-pilot light flashed, and Mason took over, slowing her down in preparation to land. He hovered her over the landing site, and brought her straight down. When the XR-8 gently touched down, the side of the mountain opened; concealed hangar bay doors allowed Mason to roll in and shut them behind him, unseen. He shut the fighter down and they stood to de-plane.

  The aft hatch opened and Mason took Victor in his arms, and h
eld Admiral Mason’s hand, as she walked with John David. No need to worry about regulations now. They were taken through the mountain to a magnificent stone chateau high in the Alps, where an entire wing was theirs. Their living room opened to a terrace overlooking the mountains, white with snow, and pristine. Their bedroom was half the size of their home in Houston. The nursery was next door.

  Admiral Mason was assigned her private office at the end of their wing, close to the center of the chateau. An entire wall was covered in vid screens, showing many Earth cities on the fifty screens, each one different; three screens were from Mars.

  Mason came to her as she walked to their living room. “I told you to hold out for the High Council, Admiral. Madam Li Yun and High Councilman Arepas talked about you frequently, but I could never mention it. I know you thought I was teasing you, but now you know I was not,” he revealed. “I am so very proud of you, Madam High Councilwoman Admiral Mason.” He closed and locked their door.

  Rachel put her arms around his waist. “My first order is for you, Chief Prime Marine. I want you to kiss me, drive me wild, and make passionate love with me all night long,” she said softly, with a very sexy smile.

  Mason said, “As you command, my Mistress Admiral,” and kissed her tenderly.

  “That’s Mistress High Councilwoman Admiral to you, Prime Marine,” she corrected with a laugh, unzipping his black utility uniform. “And no more of these utilities, either. Class A Special Duty only, Major Mason.”

  “I was in a hurry, Mistress High Councilwoman Admiral Mason. Please forgive me,” he explained, and picked her up in his arms. They christened their king size bed, and enjoyed each other in the safety of their mountain chateau. Their lovemaking was exquisite and very passionate, having just escaped with their own lives, and the lives of their young children. They soaked in their giant spa tub and relaxed afterwards. Mason went to the bar for the bottle of cognac he packed in Houston. He found two snifters, and poured each of them a generous drink.