Custodian_Monster of Earth Book One

by Patrick F. Johnson

  “Lester, you're not the first and you won't be the last. As far as I know, there has only been one human being that hasn't been paralyzed by fear from those guys.”

  “You?”

  “Yes, sir. And that's how I got the job. Now we're going to analyze these fragments and find a cure for those Marines. Hopefully they'll drop the quarantine soon after. Thanks for your help.”

  “Anytime, Frank. Feel free to drop by for dinner anytime. We have beef for years.”

  “I would, but I'm a vegetarian,” Frank glanced at the orb and smiled.

  “Well, if that don't beat all,” Lester laughed and called Kaitlyn over. “Say bye to Frank. He's got some important work to do.”

  She ran over and hugged Frank around his waste. It was quite a tight squeeze from such a small person. “Bye Frank, Bye Gladys.”

  Kaitlyn watched Frank walk out into the yard with Gladosanthos' remote in tow. He turned to smile at her, pressed a button on his bracelet, and waved. She was amazed to see him fly straight into the air like a super hero.

  “A carpenter, huh?” Lester mused before returning to his work.

  8.

  “Place the fragments in here.” Frank was surprised to see a tiny opening appear in the orb. “I'll use my laboratory on the Main Ship to analyze them fully.”

  “Why don't we all just go to the Main Ship together. You could use your power on our boy in there.” Frank thumbed over his shoulder in the direction of their prisoner, who was in stasis, stuck to the wall.

  “I can't risk you falling under the influence of the Reverence, Frank. I need you to be totally unbiased.”

  “Maybe I just want to see you.” Frank did his best to sound overtly flirty.

  “My appearance has been known to be the cause of much.....confusion to humans.”

  “I ain't scared of a little confusion. Maybe when this is all done.”

  “Maybe.” The orb disappeared through the red circle and headed south. It was soon replaced by another orb.

  “Antarctica.”

  “How did you know? Did Phildan tell you?”

  “Just a lucky guess. I figured you'd have to be close enough for your signals to be so responsive. I had my doubts as to the speed of them through the great distances of space. Does the Main Ship have camo too?”

  “Yes. Right now it's a giant rock.”

  “Any penguins?”

  “A few.”

  “Cool. Phil, help me strip this guys clothes off. It's time to test your lie detector for real.”

  “This is very exciting, Frank. How are you going to get him to talk?”

  “Oh, I'm going to lie my ass off. Fire up the thought projector too. Hey, Gladys, do I know the Sessik language?”

  “Yes, Frank. You know Sessiki.”

  “That is so cool! I already know about whatever it is that the Mingrein speak.”

  “It might hurt your throat if you do it too much.”

  “Aha, I see what you did there. Good one. Here's my plan......”

  * * *

  John Smith regained consciousness to find his quarry, Frank Ford, standing motionless in front of him. He tried in vain to make a move and found himself virtually frozen in place from the neck down. All he could bring himself to do was to lock eyes with Frank. After some time he finally decided to talk.

  “What the fuck is going on here? Why can't I move? And where are my fucking clothes?”

  Frank just stared back regarding him with curiosity, not yet answering his questions. When Frank finally did speak it wasn't English. It was some strange melodic language he'd never heard before. And then Frank let out a chuckle, as if he had somehow amused himself.

  John Smith was quickly losing any patience. “I'm not going to miss next time, asshole.”

  Frank smiled as he spoke, “On my planet, attempted murder is part of the mating ritual. I don't know whether or not to impregnate you, or let my crew eat you.”

  “Bullshit. You're Frank Ford from Indianapolis. You're a nobody that got mixed up in some shit and you need to be eliminated.”

  “Actually, that's Frank Ford.” Frank pointed to the partition to Smith's left.

  Smith looked to his left and saw that there was indeed another Frank Ford right next to himself. The other Frank was also stuck to the wall in a standing position, but he was unconscious. Smith noted that he looked older, more run down, than the free version standing directly in front of him.

  “How the....”

  Frank loudly croaked. Then he growled and hissed. A door panel slid open and two very large bipedal reptilian extra-terrestrials walked in and took a position on both sides of him. “I picked him up and assumed his identity. You see, I require the ability to walk among your people in anonymity in order to complete my mission. But you people keep trying to kill me. Tell me, why do you keep trying?”

  “I ain't saying nothing!”

  “As you wish. But at least tell me if you prefer to be eaten or impregnated?” The two giant lizards laughed the most sinister laugh imaginable.

  “You're bluffing.”

  Frank croaked again. And hissed. At his command one of the Mingrein walked to where the other Frank was standing comatose and with its left hand, grabbed the other Frank's left hand and raised up the limp arm. Pulling his great blade from his belt, the beast cut off the arm just above the bicep. After a step back to its left, the monster was standing directly in front of Smith. It then took a giant bite out of the arm like it was a turkey leg. Smith could see the rows of razor-sharp teeth though the blood and flesh as the lizard laughed while it chewed.

  “You're looking a little pale there.”

  “Oh my god, oh my god....” Smith was in hysterics.

  “Tell me what I want to know or you can watch as they eat you. Starting below your knees of course. Who are you?”

  “Smith. My name is Smith. John Smith?”

  “You expect me to believe that?”

  “It's the truth, I swear!”

  Frank looked mildly amused as the one lizard with the arm passed it over to the other, who then began to gnaw on the forearm.

  “All right then. Who do you work for?”

  “I do freelance jobs. Mostly government work.”

  “Assassinations?”

  “Yes, mostly.”

  “You're such a whore. No impregnation for you. Who is your contact?”

  “Jason Reed. He's CIA.”

  “What's he look like?”

  Smith was noticing a considerable amount of blood accumulating on the floor. “He's a pretty plain looking guy. About six feet tall. Athletic build. Black hair.”

  “What other details do you know? You seemed surprised by my friends here.”

  “It's just a job. I never ask for details. I had no idea there are......aliens.”

  Frank spoke some more words in that strange melodic language. Then he was answered by a soothing female voice. She was nowhere to be seen though. He brought his hand up to his chin as if lost in thought for a few moments.

  “Okay, show's over. Shut down the projector.”

  Smith watched in awe as everything and everyone in the room except Frank faded from existence. The only new item in an otherwise empty gray room was a shiny sphere floating in the air right above Frank's right shoulder.

  “Dude, you should have seen your face!” He was chuckling more as he spoke upward in the strange language again. And this time Smith realized the female voice was originating from the sphere. Frank reached down and grabbed the lower side rail of the partition. Smith was powerless as the bottom of the part of the wall he was stuck too slid out and up. At the same time the top part slid smoothly down the wall. He realized it was being converted into a kind of gurney. The female voice continued as Frank was manipulating some unseen controls and moved the gurney toward the door panel.

  “How did you do that?”

  “Oh, I just pushed a button and it slid right down on it's own.”

  “No, how did you make those m
onsters. And that other.....you?”

  “Oh that? Well John, there really are aliens. And you are aboard a spaceship right now. And they let me play with their toys.”

  “How do I know this isn't another trick?”

  Frank stopped the gurney midway down an unremarkable curved gray corridor. After muttering more words in that other language, he shifted back to English. “I'll just send you back down to the surface. Then you'll see I'm not fooling around.” The gurney slid upright again and Smith just then realized it was floating in the air. Once it was vertical, he looked down and noticed he was hovering above a red circle on the floor. Frank walked a few paces to another red circle and turned back to face him. “Mind that first step.” The circles opened.

  * * *

  Frank watched Smith as they fell to earth. He could tell by the flailing limbs that the stasis was gone and the guy clearly thought he was going to die. Their descent began to slow and Frank spotted his landing and stuck it and strode over to where Smith was now laying naked in the fetal position. They were much closer to the marine encampment now and Sergeant Taylor was marching over to meet them.

  “Frank, why is he naked?”

  “We have a really loose dress code up on the ship.”

  Taylor shook his head, “Are you telling me you're an alien?”

  “No, Sarge, I'm just a guy. But I'm trying to save the world from an alien invasion. By impeding me, this man here, John Smith, has committed treason against all mankind.” Every Marine within earshot stood dumbfounded.

  Coming to his senses, Smith spoke up, “Frank, your phone. They're tracking you by your cell phone. You gotta believe me.........I didn't know.”

  Frank pulled out his phone and looked at it. “Oh, I believe you. You passed lie detection anyway. It's funny though. I barely even know how to use this thing. I only bought it for the camera.”

  “You fly around in an invisible spaceship but you can't use a cell phone?” Taylor shook his head again.

  “I just ride in it. Someone else does the flying. I don't rate my own ship yet. Speaking of my phone, Sarge, can you take down my number and pass it along to your boss?”

  “Sure Frank.” One of the privates quickly came forward with a pen and paper.

  “Have him call me. I'll make sure I keep a signal somehow.”

  “Will do. Oh, and Frank?”

  “Huh?”

  “Didn't you already turn back an alien invasion?”

  “Sarge....that was just a raiding party.”

  Taylor looked out over the pastures toward the ranch house. “Shit.”

  * * *

  Frank raised back into the landing boat having reassured Taylor that he was one of the good guys. Phildan was very pleased with the performance he'd witnessed via his data pad.

  “You could have been a great actor in the more inhabited portions of the galaxy.”

  “We have actors here too, Phil.”

  “Yes, but you would have the adulation of trillions.”

  “That would totally suck. I like being able to walk down the street.”

  “You would most likely still have less people trying to kill you.”

  “Ha! Yup.” Frank pulled out his phone. “I'm expecting a call. Let's stay where I can get a signal. And we need to figure out how to keep people from tracking my phone.”

  Before Phildan could respond, Gladosanthos' orb entered the room. “I believe I have a cure for the sick soldiers.”

  “Is it something I would understand?”

  “Possibly. The closest thing to this phenomenon on Earth would be Mercury poisoning.”

  “We better talk to a doctor then.”

  “Agreed.”

  Just then Frank's phone rang. “Hello?..........Yes Colonel.........We're on our way to Walter Reed with what we hope is a cure for the sick Marines.......Yes, please put in a word.......And pass my number along to your boss. Goodbye.” Frank pressed the button to end the call. “Pull up a map of Maryland. It's on the eastern end of the country.” Frank looked at the image being projected. “No good. There's too many towns. I need to find a regular map.”

  After a short time with his tablet, Frank was able to point out the location on the projection. He realized that he would probably be able to just memorize the whole map now. He couldn't forget anything now, it seemed. As he was studying a layout of the building, Phildan alerted him of their arrival. He removed his knives from his pockets and moved toward the red circle.

  “Is it wise to go unarmed, Frank?”

  “Probably not, Phil. But they aren't gonna let me take them in, most likely. Gladys?” He pulled open his hoodie pocket and she guided the orb in. “Put us down in the grassy area there, between the parking lot and the highway.”

  As his feet hit the ground, Frank's phone rang again. He talked as he walked toward the building. “Yes General, of course........yeah I got a few questions for you too.........do me a favor and pass my number along to your boss. Goodbye, General.” He hung up as he reached the main entrance and he walked in and straight to the information desk.

  “How may I help you?” said the attendant. She was an older lady with a kind demeanor that was perfect for talking to family members of injured or sick soldiers.

  “My name is Frank Ford. I believe I am expected.”

  “Oh yes, one moment, please.” She picked up a phone and dialed a short extension. “Mr. Ford is here.” Turning back to Frank she said, “Your escort will be here shortly.”

  “Thank you, ma'am.” Before he could turn to find a seat, a military police officer appeared.

  “Right this way, sir.” Although the young MP carried himself with confidence, Frank sensed no hostility. He silently led Frank to a bank of elevators where they went up a few floors, then down a long hallway to another bank of elevators. The door opened and they went into a ward where safety was clearly of the utmost concern. A short man dressed in scrubs walked over to greet them.

  As the MP turned on his heel to walk away, the man extended his hand, “Hello, I am Doctor Patel.”

  “Frank Ford.” The man's hand was considerably weaker than Frank's, but then again, most were. Frank was careful not to hurt him.

  “I understand you are an expert on aliens. I have four Marines that have been shot by alien guns.”

  “Is there somewhere private we can talk?”

  “Yes, follow me. The condition of these Marines has steadily been deteriorating. We cannot determine the cause. If it's some extra-terrestrial microbe then I'm afraid we don't know where to begin.” Patel led Frank into what appeared to be his office and closed the door behind him. As they sat down he continued, “We removed most of the fragments but the way they splintered, it's very difficult to get them all. Do you have any insight?”

  “Me personally, no. But I have a friend that can shed some light on the matter.”

  “If you cannot help, then why did you come?” The doctor shrugged in defeat.

  “Okay, Doc, try not to freak out.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the orb. He held it up and let go, and it hovered in place. In Sessiki he said, “Okay, go all British.”

  The visage of the elegant British lady appeared in the open space to Frank's left. The orb positioned itself so it made the sound of her voice come from the direction of the illusion.

  “Greetings Doctor, I am Gladosanthos Mod Suercey, High Minister of Science as Appointed by the Grand Council of the Sessik.”

  The doctor opened his mouth, then closed it, and opened it again. “Astonishing!”

  “Doc, she's the expert on aliens. I just fight them sometimes.”

  “I see.” The doctor's professionalism under the circumstances was commendable.

  “I'm of no use to you two. Would it be alright if I see the guys?”

  “Yes of course. They can get you suited up at the nurse's station.”

  “That won't be necessary, Doctor, it's not a contagious pathogen,” Gladosanthos interjected.

  “Well, th
at's a relief. Down the hall through the double doors and second room on the right.”

  Frank let himself out as they began talking in what Frank could only think of as techno-babble. He slid through the doors as someone in a full bio-hazard suit was walking out. He poked his head in the door to see the four Marines he had been able to rescue lying flat on their backs in four beds lined up in a row. Various monitors and other equipment were scattered throughout the room. The Marine he had carried out first was in the bed closest to the door. His skin was pinkish and was starting to peel off on parts of his face. His eyes opened.

  “Frank?” His voice was labored as if he was having trouble breathing.

  “Yes. I'm sorry I didn't catch your name before.” He pulled up a chair from across the room and sat next to the soldiers bed.

  “I'm Dave Elmore.”

  “Glad to meet you, Dave. What's your rank?”

  “Gunnery Sergeant.”

  “I'm afraid I'll never understand ranks. I met your guy, Sergeant Taylor, recently.”

  “Bill's a good guy.”

  “Yeah, he seemed like a real straight shooter.”

  “Frank?”

  “Yes?”

  “They said we are dying but, I want to thank you just the same for pulling us out of there.”

  “Well, you're welcome, but you ain't dying. Not anytime soon anyway. I brought a friend that we hope can cure you guys.”

  “I don't know what to say. You're like our guardian angel.”

  “Nah, I'm just a guy. A guardian angel would have been able to save your whole unit. I'm very sorry for the loss of your men.”

  “We all knew the risks when we signed up. But no one expected that. Aliens?”

  “I've recently learned that not all aliens are hostile.”

  They were interrupted by Doctor Patel and the stately visage of Gladosanthos entering. Frank was enjoying watching her projection walk around like she was really there.

  “Gunnery Sergeant Elmore, I am pleased to tell you we are assembling a medication that should reverse the effects of what is now known to be a type of blood poisoning. My new friend here has enlightened me as to the nature of the bullet fragments that are still lodged in your leg. If all goes according to plan, you and your men should expect a full recovery withing a few short days.”