Custodian_Monster of Earth Book One

by Patrick F. Johnson

  “Dumb fucker doesn't know he's missing something,” Dave said just before shooting it in the head.

  Frank found Reed just where he had left him, still unconscious. He scooped him up over his shoulder and carried him back to where the other men were still standing with their arms up. He dumped the limp body on the ground and turned to Dave. “What's our status?”

  Three “all clears” came through the headset as the Crew all came together before their prisoners.

  “Okay,” Frank said, “tie them up.” The men all just looked at each other.

  “I don't got anything. You got anything?” Potts asked Jones who shook his head. “Chavez?” was met with another head shake. Dave shook his head as well, feeling like an idiot.

  “Gladys?” Frank shouted.

  The orb flew in closer. “Yes, Frank?”

  “Could you have Phil grab the zip ties out of my room and drop them down?”

  “Yes, hold on,” she answered, and a few moments later she added, “He wants to know what they look like.”

  “They are in a clear plastic cylinder that says 'zip ties' on it.”

  “Okay, he found them. On your right.” As she had stated, the zip ties fell from the sky just to his right. He caught the cylinder and opened it up. It held zip ties of several sizes and colors. He selected the biggest, strongest ones and passed them out.

  “They should be searched. One guy came at me with a knife already.” He gestured toward the other limp body on the ground. Working in an orderly manner, they soon had all eight conscious men tied up. They decided to bind their ankles as well as their wrists, just in case. They then searched and bound the two unconscious men. When it was all finished and the area triple checked for security, they opened up the other trailer.

  The odor punched them in the face. It was a mixture of body odor and human excrement. The men covered the trailer just the same, holding back the urge to vomit.

  “It smells like someone puked in a bucket full of shit,” Chavez commented.

  “Stay focused,” Dave said. “All right, come on out,” he shouted up into the trailer.

  Slowly, nearly three dozen men and women climbed down out of the trailer. Frank was relieved to see there were no children present. From the looks of them, most of the people appeared to be homeless. They mostly wore what appeared to be dirty clothes, and the men's beards were disheveled. The women's hair were all extremely unkempt, and several people had needed assistance climbing down.

  “Potts, get Taylor on the horn. We need medical,” Dave ordered.

  “On it, Sarge.” He trotted several paces away. He actually opted to use his cell phone this time.

  Several of the newly freed people gasped when they saw the mangled aliens and their disabled ship. “Just look away. Everything is going to be okay now,” Frank said, trying to sound as kind and comforting as possible.

  “Excuse me?” The voice came from a young woman who stood out from the rest. Her clothing was much nicer, although it was quite dirty, but she appeared to have been accustomed to caring for herself more than the others. “Are you the Gray Man?”

  Frank was caught off guard. “Yes ma'am.” He thought he recognized her.

  “I'm Denise Blake.”

  19.

  “More choppers inbound.” Potts called out.

  “Please, step over this way, Ms. Blake,” Frank politely requested, steering her clear of where one of the helicopters was going to land. He waited until it set down and shut off it's engine so he could speak in normal tones. Several National Guard men and women were on site administering aid to the rescued people. Frank wanted to ask Denise Blake a few questions before the feds arrived to harass him.

  But before he began, he called out to the orb. “Gladys, do we have any bottled water on the boat?”

  “Yes, on your right.”

  He looked up and caught the bottle out of the air and presented it to Ms. Blake.

  “Oh, thank you.” She removed the cap and drank deeply.

  “So, how did you find yourself in that trailer?”

  “A man grabbed me. I think he used chloroform or something. But I recognized him. He's the same guy that showed up when I was leaving the station with my stuff, and took the tape of your first appearance in Texas.”

  “Is that him over there?” Frank pointed to Reed, who was still unconscious.

  “It kind of looks like him. I can't really tell from here. Who is he?”

  “There is a group of people who are collaborating with the hostile aliens. He's been trying to kill me for some time now. We were able to get the drop on them here though.”

  “What were they going to do to us?”

  “You don't want to know. Well, the party's over. Feds are here.” He looked off in the distance as the black car arrived.

  He watched the two men approach him and was already annoyed by them before they ever began talking.

  “Agents Hogan and McCreedy. Are you the Gray Man?”

  “The name is Frank. What can I do for you?”

  “First off, how were you able to escape your captors?”

  “I had help. It's, uh, classified.”

  “I see.” Hogan was doing all the talking. McCreedy just stood there looking serious. “We'll need to interview everyone, starting with you, ma'am.”

  “I'm not through interviewing her yet. You should be interviewing those assholes over there. Those are the bad guys.”

  “Point taken, sir. We'll leave you to it. Please check in with us before you leave.” They turned and walked over to where the men were tied up.

  “Douche bags,” Frank said out loud. “Sorry,” he then said, embarrassed by his outburst.

  “Don't be.”

  “You've been through a lot. Do you have anywhere safe to lay low?”

  She thought about it. “I just got fired from my job. I don't have anyone. I don't even know where we're at now!”

  “Pennsylvania.”

  She didn't say anything. She looked over at the disabled freighter and was on the verge of tears. Frank patiently waited as she tried to gather herself. “I moved to Texas when I took the job at the station. I never really met anyone there. Or had any friends. I put everything I had into that job.”

  “I'm sorry. I feel somewhat responsible for you getting fired. The government doesn't want to cause a panic, so they had the story buried. I disagree with that policy.”

  “Did you send that last footage then?”

  “My friend did. You've been corresponding with her.” He looked over to see Dave jogging over.

  “We have the green light to leave, Frank,” he said.

  “Dave, this is Denise Blake. I think she may still be in danger, as we don't know how many more cabalists are out there. Should we bring her with us?”

  Shrugging, Dave replied, “I don't know. I guess it's up to her.”

  Turning back to her, Frank asked, “Would you like to come with us? You'll be safe until we can figure something out.”

  Looking back at the crowd over near the trucks, including the Feds, she made a quick decision. “I'd love to.”

  “Ms. Blake, everything from this point has to be off the record. I hope you understand.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Good. Now brace yourself. You'll be pulled upwards, but it's actually fun once you get used to it. Gladys, we're taking her with us.”

  “Okay, Frank.” Gladosanthos was interested in watching the interaction of all the men with this young lady.

  Dave yelled out, “Crew, mount up.” The Crew quickly gathered their gear. Frank noticed the Feds heading back his way as he pressed the button on his bracelet. They were lifted into the boat well before the Feds could traverse the distance.

  * * *

  “Wow, that's quite a ride!” Denise exclaimed as the red circle closed beneath her feet.

  “Fun, isn't it?” Frank asked.

  “I could see where it would be once you get used to it.”

  �
�Dave, will you introduce everyone to Ms. Blake, please? I need to go talk to Phil.”

  “Sure thing, Frank.” He began his introductions as Frank left the room that he now considered to be the living room, and walked out into the circular hallway. He passed a couple of the guys on the way, as the red circles were spread out all over the boat, and everyone else was making their way to the living room. He found Phildan in his workshop.

  “Laying low?”

  “Yes, I didn't want to alarm the female.”

  “You're too damned cool to be alarming, Phil. Come on.” Phildan followed Frank back down the hall and into the living room. “Ms. Blake, I would like to introduce you to my friend, Phildan.”

  “I am very pleased to meet you, Ms. Blake,” Phildan said with a deep bow.

  “Wow. It's nice to meet you too.” Her eyes were wide but she was managing to keep herself together.

  Dave then finished the introductions that Frank had just interrupted. “Last, but certainly not least, is Hiroya Nakamura, the great swordmaster.”

  “And chef,” Chavez added, as Hiro bowed deeply.

  “You may call me Hiro,” he said.

  “Ms. Blake?” Frank asked.

  “Please, call me Denise.”

  “Okay, Denise. I assume you would like to freshen up.”

  “You have no idea!”

  “Phil, I think you would be the best choice to show her how the refreshing machines work. And hook up her clothes for her, please.”

  “Me? Oh, yes. Of course,” Phildan said, suddenly realizing that the young lady might not want to disrobe in front of any of these men. He was still learning about Earth culture and looked forward to finally being around a female human. He led her through what was considered Frank's bedroom and into the refresher room. “Disrobe and hand me your clothing. Stand over there and the automechs will handle the rest. I will have your clothes back to you before they are done.”

  She just stood there, confused. So he added, “It's okay. I am asexual. If I were to happen to look at you, it would be purely in the interest of science.”

  She just smiled and began disrobing. Phildan decided that there wasn't much to learn so he quickly turned away and politely waited. When she handed over her soiled clothing, he said, “I will return soon. No one will bother you in the meantime.” He went off to his workshop and commenced the laundering process.

  * * *

  In the living room the guys were all discussing the success of the night's mission. “Frank, how did you take out the ship and that backpacker so fast?” Jones asked.

  “I don't know really. I guess I just ran really fast,” he answered.

  “We'll just have to look at the film. Frank's always being modest.” Potts said.

  “Damn, did anyone pick up the zip ties?” Chavez asked. Everyone looked at each other before bursting into laughter.

  Glancing to the view screen, Frank announced, “We're here.” He then shouted to Phildan, “Phil, we're dropping out.”

  * * *

  Back in the refresher room, Phildan had delivered the freshly cleaned garments to Denise. She put them on and stood still while the mechanical device finished cleaning her hair. “I will wait until you are finished and guide you through the dropping process.”

  “I'll do it, Phildan.” The voice came from behind him as the orb entered Frank's room.

  “Yes, Mistress. I will join the others.” He turned and left.

  Denise was again wide-eyed, this time at the orb.

  “I am Gladosanthos Mod Suercey. I communicate through these remotes.”

  “I'm Denise Blake. We've been emailing.”

  “I apologize for my absence just now. I had matters to attend to.”

  “I am so happy to finally meet you. I want to say thank you for talking with me. I was feeling totally abandoned.”

  “It was a pleasure. And quite educational. You are the first female human that Phildan and I have spoken with during our stay here on Earth.” She didn't count the women from during the testing process, as they never actually spoke. “The automechs appear to be finished with you. Please follow me.” The orb led her to the nearest red circle. “When you step into the circle, the floor opens very quickly and you fall out. The gravity beam slows you before you contact the ground. It takes some practice but you'll get used to it.” Denise stepped into the circle, and when she dropped to the sand below, she only stumbled slightly. She looked up to see only sky above her, wondering what happened to the ship.

  “It's invisible.” Potts said from nearby. He and Chavez had waited for her. They were both flashing their best smiles.

  “How does it work?” she asked.

  “We have no idea,” Chavez answered, talking around his teeth.

  “Where on Earth are we?” she asked, surveying her new surroundings. “Oh my god, is that a tiki bar?” She ignored everything else and walked straight for it.

  Frank cut her off before she could make her way up the steps. “Denise, I want to prepare you for who you are about to meet inside.” He tried very hard not to dwell on the fact that having been cleaned up, she was far prettier in person than that photo he had seen on his tablet. “We have a Mingrein defector inside. He is my friend, and his help has been indispensable.”

  “A what defector?”

  “Mingrein. The large reptilians from the videos.”

  “Oh shit! Sorry.”

  “Don't be. It's understandable. Right this way.” He led her up the steps, followed by Potts and Chavez, to where everyone was standing. “Denise Blake, meet Bett, the Fisher.”

  “A pleasure to meet you,” Bett said, bowing.

  “It's nice to meet you too.” She was doing well not to scream.

  “Denise, I'm afraid all we have right now is beer.”

  “Yes, please.”

  * * *

  Frank had pulled a couple of the doors closed to dim the light enough to view the projection. Everyone watched intently, making the usual comments.

  “'I just ran fast.' Holy shit, Frank!” Potts said, mocking him in an odd, admiring way.

  “You missed your calling, Frank. You should have been a Hollywood stunt man,” Chavez joked.

  Dave, being serious yet again, said, “Nice job, guys.”

  Frank added, “You guys are a well oiled machine.”

  But Jones broke the silence he had held most of the time since the mission was over. “I wonder how many deliveries they made before we caught them.” Everyone fell silent in contemplation.

  20.

  Jason Reed came to, bound at the wrists and ankles still, in the back seat of a car as it was driving down a desolate stretch of road. He looked up to see the driver, who from the rear appeared to be quite focused on the road as his companion seemed to be sleeping, his head against the glass beside him. He realized what had happened. The hired guns must have fingered him as the ring leader, and these two agents were taking him in.

  “Nice of you to join us,” the driver said, not taking his eyes off the road. Reed sat up just as the car was pulling off to the side. The driver opened his door and stepped out. As the dome light lit up, Reed could see that his companion was actually dead. There was a bullet hole in the side of his head. He quickly surmised that it was a small caliber weapon as there wasn't an exit wound. The driver opened up the back door, and brandishing the pistol, complete with a silencer, said, “I'll be taking your phone.” He reached in and patted Reed down, looking for it.

  “Who the fuck are you?” he demanded.

  “That is no concern of yours. Where is your phone?”

  “I don't know. They must have taken it.”

  The driver seemed very displeased but calmly asked, “Do you have the Senator's phone number committed to memory?”

  Reed was shocked. How did this guy know about the Senator? And why did he kill his partner? “No, I do not.”

  “Then we are finished here.” The driver fired two shots directly into Reed's head. He was dead before his b
ody even began to slump back over into the seat.

  * * *

  “Does anyone know how to open this thing?” Frank was holding Reed's phone.

  “Is that?” Dave began to ask.

  “Jason Reed's phone, yes.” Frank was smiling and then Dave laughed out loud.

  “Let me see it.” Frank passed it over. “Wow, this must be a newer model. You gotta know the pass code.” Everyone took turns trying to figure it out and everyone failed.

  “Hey Phil?” Frank called out. Phildan trotted over.

  “Yes, Frank?”

  “I lifted this off of Jason Reed. We need to know who he's been talking to. Do you think you can break into it?”

  “I shall do my best.” He trotted off while Denise watched him leave.

  “Why does he sound British?” she asked before she emptied her beer.

  Bett was walking from the surf carrying two large fish. He headed straight to where Hiro was waiting and stood by to observe his work. Frank was glad to see them getting along so well. He turned to gather his tools and head out to an empty section of the platform just behind the tiki bar. Jones picked up more items and followed him.

  “What are we on to now?” Jones asked.

  “Now that we got the important part mostly taken care of, I figure we should build a proper dorm. You know, to get you guys out of that tent.”

  “That can wait. We should probably put something together for the lady. A room with a door. A door that locks.” The men both laughed. Potts and Chavez had been showing Denise all the attention she could ever want, and more.

  “Why aren't you in the mix too, Robert?”

  “I don't know. I guess I prefer black girls. Why aren't you? She's been vibing you, man.”

  “I'm old enough to be her uncle.” He looked at the platform for a while until the floor plan formed itself in his mind. “How about one big building and we can then section it off into smaller rooms. That way everyone can have their own quarters, with the women's section separated by the restrooms and laundry area.”