Marine 3: Island of Dreams (Agent of Time)

by Tanya Allan

  ‘Hey Honey. Trouble!’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’m not sure, I think they’re government. I’ve just got home and two men are waiting in a car outside the house.’

  ‘I’ll be right home.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll stall.’

  I pulled the Cherokee onto the drive, leaving enough room for Ed’s Mustang. I got out of the car, picking up the bag of students’ books I had brought home from school to mark. As I walked towards the front door, the two men in suits got out of their car and walked towards me.

  “Dr Ryan?” the one with the slight limp asked.

  “Yes. Can I help you?”

  “Dr Ryan, I am Special Agent Howard Miller, and this is Steve Bailey. I am with the FBI, and I was wondering if we could have a few words with you?” he said, showing me his wallet with badge. I examined it, but for all I knew he bought it in the market this morning. The other man made no effort to show me his badge, but I realised that he was not FBI. My gift was beginning to make me aware of more every day.

  “Mr Bailey, I take it you are with another Federal Department?” I asked, and his eyes showed his surprise.

  “Yes ma’am, I am with the Department of Defense,” he said.

  I stood and stared at him, so eventually he produced his identification. I took it from him and looked closely at it. Once again, I had no idea what I was looking at.

  “I take it that neither of you have any objections if I make contact with your respective organisations and verify that what you tell me is correct?” I asked, being as snotty British as I could.

  The men looked uncomfortable, but shook their heads.

  “Then please wait here while I do just that,” I said, going into the house. I telephoned the local FBI number to be informed that Howard Miller with the relevant number was indeed an FBI agent. The Department of Defense also verified that Bailey was one of theirs.

  I opened the front door, and watched with relief as Ed arrived as the Mustang pulled onto the driveway.

  ‘The tall one is FBI, Howard Miller, the other one is Dept, of Defense, Steven Bailey.’

  ‘Okay honey. You know why they are here?’

  ‘The store?’

  ‘That and the leg. I have been half expecting them for some time now.’

  ‘How do we play this, innocent?’

  ‘No, with power.’

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘Stay ultra cool, and watch.’

  “Mr Bailey, Agent Miller. Please come in,” Ed said, while both men paled visibly at his use of their names.

  The men sat on the sofa, so I offered them coffee, which they accepted.

  “So, gentlemen, we have been expecting you before this, how come it’s taken you so long to come and see us?” Ed said.

  ‘Gilly, try to focus on Steve. I need to know who his boss is.’

  Bailey looked at Miller so I smiled and concentrated on Bailey.

  “Ah, well, Sergeant Major, these things take time to get a hold of,” Miller said.

  “You mean you have spoken to the members of the expedition, the surgeon and the police at the store incident?” Ed asked.

  ‘Colonel Walter Benson.’

  ‘Good girl. Well done!’

  Miller looked very disconcerted.

  “That’s right, yes sir,” he said, defensively.

  Ed turned his eyes to Bailey.

  “How is Lieutenant Colonel Walter Benson these days?” he asked, and I thought Bailey was going to choke. I turned and hid my smile, as I made them some coffee.

  This was not going to plan, I could see the almost panic in both men’s eyes, and so could Ed. He smiled, rather like a crocodile watching a nice plump water buffalo.

  “Okay, time to put our cards on the table. You are here to see if my wife and I have any paranormal powers. Now you know, and you don’t like it. The facts are simple; I am a Sergeant Major in the US Marines, while my wife is a respected teacher with the local high school. She is head of a department, and I am the senior Instructor for recruits to the Marine Corps. Neither of us will disappear, and our powers would make it very dangerous and unpleasant should anyone even think about trying.

  “You thought that we may just have some small fluky gifts that would make us a cool cabaret act, but now you find that even your innermost thoughts are as an open book to us. I knew your names as you walked across the grass towards my wife. I knew your colonel’s name, and can even give you his internal phone number and Email address. My wife can instantly communicate clearly with me across an infinite distance, and she can literally stop a man in his tracks, rendering his motor nerves inoperable. Just ask the robber from the mall.”

  They stared at Ed, their coffee mugs forgotten in their hands.

  “Now, you have got to ask yourselves, why did you ever bother opening this can of worms? We are unique, so you two are the only people who know that we have powers, the extent of our powers, and the fact that we know that you know. What do you intend doing about it?” he asked them.

  “And gentlemen, please do us the grace of telling the truth, as we would instantly know if you lie,” I added, just to twist the knife.

  Miller recovered first.

  “I honestly don’t know,” he said, quite truthfully. “My brief was to ascertain whether there was a rational explanation for what occurred, and if so, what it was. If there was no scientific explanation, then I had to evaluate it as best as I could!”

  “Mr Bailey was brought in because I am a serving Marine!” Ed said. It was a statement, not a question.

  “Yes sir, the Department of Defense has taken over the case, but as Agent Miller has done the background work, he has stayed with it to date.” Bailey had found his voice at last.

  “Has it not occurred to you that we have the power to completely wipe your minds? We could implant false memories, so that you can go back to Washington convinced that it all was completely explained, and was a simple misunderstanding,” I asked.

  ‘I like that one. You are getting the hang of this.’

  ‘Thanks, but how to we play them?’

  ‘Like fish. We let them wriggle, and give them an out.’

  Both men were looking exceedingly nervous and worried.

  “But we won’t do that. We won’t because we are not criminals, and neither do we have any intention of harming any citizen, or to further our own ends. I am a Marine, gentlemen, and I have served my country as effectively as I can for many years, and will continue to do so. My wife, whom I might add is two months pregnant, is as loyal a citizen as you could hope for. Her ambition is to be a US Citizen and a mother to our children, who will probably serve their country just as I have done,” Ed said.

  The men were frowning.

  “I am offering the United States Government a deal, I am requesting a contract, bound in writing and in law, for us, as a couple, to assist in any way shape or form, the said Government in whatever capacity that is considered appropriate. With the proviso, that no potentially dangerous action or assignment be allocated to us, without a full risk assessment being first carried out, and the freedom to refuse is clearly understood.

  “Also we propose, with certain conditions, to undertake whatever testing that the powers feel appropriate, again with the freedom to refuse as a matter of course.”

  Agent Miller smiled, he was still worried, but he saw the way out that Ed had given him.

  ‘Gilly, I need to know what room number Colonel Benson works from.’

  “I will instruct my superiors, sir. I am relieved that you are as understanding about this.”

  ‘1098.’

  ‘Well done.’

  “Do not mistake our offer as a sign of weakness. Colonel Benson is at this moment in room 1098 in the Defense Building, thinking about how to coerce us into such service. If we can see that from here, we can see right into your minds as you report.”

  The men left. I have never seen men leave a house so quickly without actually running. Neither had touched
their coffee, and I smiled.

  “Will they be back?” I asked.

  “Them or men like them. It was inevitable, and I knew it as soon as we had gotten involved at the store. Regrettable, but who knows, this may be the beginnings of a whole new adventure,” he said, as he took me in his arms.

  “Just how powerful do you think we can be?” I asked.

  “I don’t know, it is beginning to dawn on me that we don’t even know the half of it.”

  Two weeks later, Ed had just returned from work, while I was marking some essays. The doorbell rang. Ed looked at me, and we both sensed that the government were calling again.

  Ed answered the door, and the same two from the last visit stood there, Bailey and Miller. A third man stood behind them, older and looking out of place in a civilian suit.

  “Come in gentlemen, and you Colonel Benson,” Ed said, opening the door wide.

  The Colonel’s eyes widened with surprise at being identified so quickly, but he followed his minions into our home.

  “Coffee?” I asked, and they accepted the offer.

  ‘Ed, how are we going to play it this time?’

  ‘Carefully and playing for time. A friend is going to be dropping in.’

  ‘Oh. You called him, then?’

  ‘They say a dog can’t have two masters.’

  ‘I guess so, but where does that leave me?’

  ‘You’ll be fine, I swear.’

  I put the kettle on, and Ed invited our ‘guests’ to sit down.

  Some small talk was attempted, but neither of us played that game.

  “What do you want, Colonel?” Ed asked, as I handed the mugs of coffee round.

  “I passed on your offer, and…”

  The doorbell interrupted him. Ed nodded at me, so I went and opened the front door. A tall man wearing a military uniform stood there. It was a US army uniform, he had three stars on each epaulette. He smiled at me.

  “Hello, Dr Ryan, it’s good to meet you at long last. I’m…..”

  “Michael, yes, I know. Please come in. I know Ed is expecting you.”

  He paused to kiss me gently on the cheek, his smile unwavering.

  “May I add my somewhat belated congratulations for your nuptials and forthcoming babies? I’m sure you will be relieved to know that everything will be fine. Oh, and by the way, Ryan says that I’d be a complete idiot not to offer you employment. So, shall we deal with the Neanderthals?”

  I couldn’t help grinning as I led the way through to where the others were at in an uneasy silence.

  The sudden appearance of a three star general slightly threw the men from the Department of Defense and the FBI. All stood as Michael walked in.

  “Ah, Colonel Benson, good to see you again. Has your son recovered from his motorcycle accident?” Michael said, shaking the stunned Colonel’s hand. I noted a subtle change to Michael’s accent. From being English with no discernible regional accent at all, it now had a Mid-Atlantis drawl.

  “Uh, yeah, I guess, sir, yes, uh, thanks,” said a baffled colonel who would have sworn that he had never seen this General before in his life.

  “I thought that I’d come in person, as telephones and the channels of messages amongst the Pentagon can be diabolical at times. It came to my department’s attention that you were interested in a man who has now been picked up to work for my department in counter-intelligence and national security. You can rest assured that you can leave this place now and never have to think of Ed Ryan or his pretty wife. Do I make myself clear?” he asked, looking directly at me.

  I nodded and concentrated very hard.

  Ten minutes later all the three men had gone, leaving us with Michael. They had yet to drink any coffee in our home.

  “How?” Ed said.

  “It helps being who I am and what I do,” Michael said. “I did a little fiddling with reports so that the report of your knee and the silly Wal-Mart incident never saw the light of day. In a land smitten by conspiracy theories and cover-ups, we can breathe easy again.”

  “Isn’t that going to interfere with the free flow of time and upset the time/space continuum?” I asked.

  “Goodness gracious me, you have been reading far too many science fiction movies, doctor. When it comes to our agent’s security and integrity, we are free to undertake whatever rearranging that is necessary.”

  “But I’m not an agent,” I pointed out.

  “Ed is.”

  “I’m not,” I persisted.

  “Raise your right hand,” he said.

  I did so.

  “Now say, ‘I do,’ in a clear voice.”

  “I do, in a clear voice.”

  Michael chuckled and shook his head.

  “Okay, I can see how you and Ed get on so well. You have absolutely no regard for authority. Now you’re an agent.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Well, for a start, you’ll be the only husband and wife team that we can assign together.”

  “One condition,” I said.

  “Yes?”

  “We only work together.”

  Michael arched an eyebrow and glanced at Ed.

  “That’s right. The trip to the island managed to sort us both out in so many ways. We’ve become completely interdependent, and almost as one. So, think you can still use us?”

  “My dear fellow, how wonderful. You never mentioned that to me on the phone. I’m so pleased, as we had a little jaunt planned for your alter-ego, but now your dear lady can go in that guise and you can trot along as backup. Or, perhaps you might both like to take opposing roles, just for fun?” he asked.

  “Not this side of the babies, if that’s all right. I think we’ve both earned a rest.”

  Michael smiled.

  “Of course, as you know, we’ve all the time in the world.”

  “Um, sorry to piss on your parade, but don’t I have to undergo training or something?” I said.

  “Ah, indeed, you have been around this chap for too long already. Yes, my dear, but that can be done before we send you both. Talk it over with your husband, and I’m sure he’ll fill you in. Anyway, I have to go. I have a lot to do.”

  “Won’t you join us for a meal?” I asked.

  “Thank you, but no. I really am on a short fuse. Perhaps another time. All the best for the little ones when they arrive. Toodleoo.”

  Ed and I were alone.

  “Is he really a three star general?”

  He shrugged as he took me in his arms.

  “Who the hell knows? Probably, but in a different time. That’s an awesome power you have there, Mrs Ryan.”

  “That’s Doctor Ryan, to you, Sergeant Major!”

  He grinned and kissed me.

  “Do you think we’ll gave the gift when we go through the time barrier?” I asked.

  “As long as you’re with me, who cares?”

  “It’d be fun, though, wouldn’t it?”

  “I can certainly see many advantages.

  Chapter Eleven

  ED

  I stood in front of the assembled recruits, as they stood in the hot sun. They were all looking at me, and I knew exactly what was going through their minds. I knew that my uniform was immaculate, and that my boots were gleaming. I knew that I looked the meanest son of a bitch they had ever seen!

  They were lined up on the drill square, still in their civilian attire, and looking lost. I walked slowly up and down the lines, looking into the soul of each one of them. Not one would meet my gaze! I returned to the spot in front and to their centre, I turned and faced them.

  “My name is Sergeant Major Ryan, US Marine Corps. You will call me ‘sir’. For the next few months, I am one-step down from God, as far as you are concerned. You will learn to hate me. You will learn to respect me, but above all you will learn to obey me, because what I teach you now will mean the difference between life and death later. Do you hear me?” I said.

  “Sir! Yes Sir!” They shouted, in unison.

&nbs
p; “I cannot hear you!”

  “SIR! YES SIR!” They shouted louder.

  “Platoon Sergeants, carry on!” I said, and smiled as I watched the latest batch start their first day as Marines.

  It was a heck of a long time ago that I had stood where they stood - a lifetime. No, several lifetimes, I thought as I grinned at the memories. So many faces and so much had happened, and yet, I was eager to start a new adventure, this time with Gilly at my side.

  I immediately thought of her, belly swollen and yet so cheerful and happy with her lot. We had met as two miserable souls lost within our own darkness, and that trip to the island had brought sunshine and freedom.

  I was acutely aware that virtually all those transgender folk have to carry their burdens until they are surgically changed or die. For some, even the transition carries potential danger and does not fulfil their full anticipation. Many, however, don’t get the opportunity to transition, either through personal circumstances, lack of opportunities, lack of funds or simply fear.

  For me, it would have been a combination of all the above, plus the fact I did not want to be a six foot Transwoman whose past would continually haunt me. Call me a coward, but that was where had been at.

  The island changed it for me.

  Gilly would claim similar pressures, and yet even now we both were haunted by our old feelings. Not that they returned, but that we almost didn’t believe they had gone. The impossibility of what we had experienced was just so unreal that it was hard to wallow in disbelief.

  It was my knee that carried it for us. I had it sealed in a lump of clear silicone and mounted. We kept it on our mantle, just to remind us that I was walking and should be.

  Every time doubt hit either of us, we’d go and take a look at the mangled thing that had been my knee. There were new X-rays of my knee, looking perfectly normal and healthy. That was the clincher, for I knew my original knee bones and patella were long gone, probably incinerated by the hospital.

  The Navy doctors wanted to investigate further, but I refused. All the investigations in the world wouldn’t uncover what happened. I doubted that Russak could have told them, even if he wanted to. No, miracles were simply miracles, and defied explanations or investigations. As far as I was concerned, I was now walking, so I didn’t care how it happened.