{"id":330,"date":"2015-07-11T12:34:54","date_gmt":"2015-07-11T12:34:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=330"},"modified":"2015-07-11T12:34:54","modified_gmt":"2015-07-11T12:34:54","slug":"legacy-of-the-guardians-part-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=330","title":{"rendered":"Legacy of the Guardians – Part 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Legacy of the Guardians<\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 6<\/span><\/p>\n

Ahmed blinked his eye open, aware of his quarters. It took a few seconds before he could recall what all happened yesterday. It all seemed like some distant, bad dream. Standing he stretched, looking down at the uniform he still had on, and quickly changed into a fresh uniform.<\/p>\n

After brushing his teeth, and washing his face he felt a bit better, and sent a communications to the bridge asking if anything was needed of him.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, everything\u2019s find captain, but you are to report to Admiral Cave when you get up,\u201d the officer on duty said.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid he say why?\u201d Ahmed asked, curious about the call.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir, just to report to the admiral\u2019s office.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, you will continue to have the bridge,\u201d Ahmed said.<\/p>\n

He knew it was not that important, as they did not wake him. But to be summoned to the admiral\u2019s office, it felt a bit unsettling to him. Checking out his uniform in the mirror he made sure everything was in place and headed off to the Station with information to the bridge that he was off the ship.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Ahmed walked up to the admiral\u2019s secretary, who looked up at him then informed the admiral. She told him he would be with him in a bit and to have a seat. He sat, waiting patiently, yet nervously for what the admiral wanted. Finally after a few minutes she told him to go on in.<\/p>\n

Ahmed had never met the admiral, but heard of his reputation. He noticed right away that the man did have a red beard, and so the nickname was correct. He noticed another man sitting in the room as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave a seat,\u201d the admiral said, motioning towards the empty chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you sir,\u201d Ahmed replied, sitting down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Admiral Steve Terial,\u201d Jack said, nodding over towards the other man. \u201cNow, you\u2019re probably wondering why we\u2019ve called you here. First off, we like to extend our congratulations to you and your crew for their actions in the battle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you sir, but it was the captain\u2019s decisions to remain that meant the most,\u201d Ahmed said. \u201cHe\u2019s the one who ordered us to remain close to the neutral zone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA good crew usually equals good results. But you sent us a message that you\u2019re from Afghanistan, what\u2019s why you\u2019re here,\u201d Jack said. \u201cWe want you\u2019re help in tracking down bin Laden.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a feeling that\u2019s why you wanted to see me,\u2019 Ahmed said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat type of connections do you still have over there?\u201d Steve asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I heard that my brother had joined up with a group of religious extremists, so it might be a bit easier than we think,\u201d Ahmed said. \u201cOr he might see me as a suspicious, asking questions so soon after an attack like this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s better than nothing,\u201d Steve said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t have to capture him, just give us the location of where he is, we\u2019ll take care of the rest,\u201d Jack said, giving Ahmed the impression they would blow it up.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see, are the Americans going to do it?\u201d Ahmed asked, knowing how that would look to his people.<\/p>\n

\u201cNope, they will provide the distraction,\u201d Jack replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe believe there is someone else being it all, a Skartian,\u2019 Steve said, and Ahmed understood where the real thread came from. \u201cThat\u2019s what we\u2019re concerned about, we need to capture that one.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA left over from the war?\u201d Ahmed asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cPossible, we never knew if we captured them all or not, so a very real possibly and danger,\u201d Jack said to him. \u201cPersonally I hope that there is one controlling this militant group, otherwise, I\u2019d rather not think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI understand sir, I\u2019ll be ready whenever you need me,\u201d Ahmed said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, you\u2019ll be with me when we see President Bush on Friday,\u201d Jack said. \u201cGet your stuff ready to head out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes sir,\u2019 Ahmed replied, knowing he was dismissed. He saluted and left the room, a bit nervous about the fact he\u2019d be meeting the President of the United States. Even though no one in the military reported to any political group of any country, meeting such an important man was still was intimidating.<\/p>\n

Walking back through the station he realized he also had to work on his story for his family. They would want to know what he had done for the past fifteen of years. They would never believe the truth. He could still remember that day so long ago.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Ahmed looked up at the sky once more, not hearing anything, no helicopters, or anything else. The Soviets were in their country, and people like Ahmed were fighting to get them out. Of course, what he really wanted, was to get out of the country. Here he would never be able to reach his dream, going into space.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow\u2019s your day been,\u201d his brother said, approaching him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat this war was over, then perhaps I could pursue my dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where would you go to do that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAmerica.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, like they\u2019d hire a person like you, if you\u2019re not white don\u2019t bother, that\u2019s they way they are, you know that,\u201d his brother said. Ahmed noticed another man standing next to him looking on with a bewildered expression on his face.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe, but I can dream, whose he?\u201d Ahmed asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, American observer,\u201d his brother said with a slight laugh. \u201cDoesn\u2019t speak our language yet.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re his translator,\u201d Ahmed said, shaking his head that his brother said something like his did in front of they guy.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, hey, look after him for a few seconds, I need to see someone, you know,\u201d his brother said, motioning his head off to the side.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, go ahead,\u201d Ahmed said, watching his brother say something to the man in English. The man nodded his head, then they watched as he walked off. They stood in silence for a few minutes. Ahmed looked the man over discreetly, he wore clothes that blended in. He looked around very closely before turning to Ahmed.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you want to go into space?\u201d the man said, startling Ahmed, his voice sounded a bit strange, almost mechanical.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you couldn\u2019t speak our language?\u201d Ahmed asked, surprised at the question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not,\u201d he said, holding out a small device. Ahmed realized the man was speaking English but the mechanical voice said something out of the small thing in his hand. \u201cThis is a translator, allows me to speak whatever language I need.<\/p>\n

\u201cTranslator?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, look, if your serious about going into space, then take this card, go to this address, and tell them \u2018the shadow is our nature\u2019, if you make it to the US,\u201d the man said, speaking quickly.<\/p>\n

Ahmed looked shocked, but took the card, and quickly hid it as his brother came walking back towards them. He watched as the two talked a bit then walked off. The man never even looked his way, and if he did not have the card, he would think it never happened. He made a vow that second, he would make it to America, and that address.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cThat went well,\u201d Steve said, looking at Jack after Ahmed left the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019d say so,\u2019 Jack replied. \u201cHe should do real well, especially if his brother can help us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019ll be dangerous,\u201d Steve replied thinking about it for a second. \u201cShould I come down with you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you\u2019ll be needed here in case something else comes up while I\u2019m gone,\u201d Jack answered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought, I\u2019ll go and prepare a shuttle for two,\u201d Steve said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, me and Captain Ahmed, we\u2019ll head on down and meet up with General Ginal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think this bin Laden character is really someone connected with the Skartians, or is he a Skartian?\u201d Steve asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t know, he could be a Skartian, they do some stupid things,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, reminds me of the Skartian towards the end of the war, tried to pass himself off as Marilyn Monroe,\u201d Steve said, laughing at that.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh yeah, gods that was hysterical, she\u2019d been dead for twenty years and he showed up like her and not even aged one day. The guy who stopped him was trying not to laugh. Like we recruit celebrities,\u201d Jack said, recalling that report.<\/p>\n

Steve straightened up a bit. \u201cI hope we grab this guy quickly, need to figure out what\u2019s going on down there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know what you mean,\u201d Jack said, standing up and walking over to the window and looking out at the ships nearby. The Third Battle Fleet was assembling in the area and the lights of the ships were all over the place. The first and second battle fleets had already been assembled and on route to their stations. He had put the eighth and tenth battlecruiser fleets on patrol near Earth for security reasons. They were to block anything heading to or from the surface not scheduled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a plan for when you talk to the President?\u201d Steve asked, causing Jack to look back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe truth, most of it,\u201d Jack said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought, though you know the last President who knew,\u201d his voice trailed off, both men thinking about that fiasco.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Jack said, drumming his fingers on the desk. \u201cBut this time\u2019s different.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink he\u2019ll help?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll need his support, especially if things heat up even more,\u201d Jack said. \u201cWe\u2019ll need the money and help for raising the military again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, people will be able to complain about two hundred-dollar hammers again,\u201d Steve said, chuckling. \u201cIf they only knew about what it really bought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish we could tell them, but those expects on psychology say the average person isn\u2019t smart enough to understand this,\u201d Jack said, disagreeing with that assessment. \u201cThough things are getting closer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, the big things are both some of the scientific community and some religions,\u201d Steve said.<\/p>\n

Jack said nothing, but looked back out of the window then at the time. \u201cWell, ready to meet up with Dinen?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d Steve said, as they both picked up their caps and walked out of the office.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

General Joseph Ginal stepped out of the car which had driven him from the airport. The driver said his good-bye and Joseph walked out, straightening his jacket before heading into the building. A typical office building in downtown. He showed his ID to the guard on duty, as security was tighter than normal due to the terrorist attack a few days ago.<\/p>\n

He continued on through the building, wondering how many would react to the knowledge that a secret military base was under the building. He waited for the elevator, and went up to the top floor. Once there he went to a small corner of the building and through the doors labeled \u2018Office of the PDE\u2019. The company front they used, it really had no value, but to anyone outside, with people coming in and going it appeared they were doing a steady stream of business. If anyone asked they stated it was top-secret for the US military.<\/p>\n

He walked through the door, then waited a second as he was scanned before the secretary let him in. He walked up to the desk ready to give his badge to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood morning, how can I help you today?\u201d she asked, the typical question regardless of who entered the room. He knew they were also highly trained and armed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy name\u2019s Joseph Ginal, I\u2019m here to see Mr. Cave,\u201d Joseph stated, watching as she took his card. \u201cIs he in yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJust a moment,\u201d she answered, running a few things though her computer. He knew she was looking at the arrival list. \u201cYes he is, go through that door, last door on your right.\u201d<\/p>\n

He thanked her and opened the door when it buzzed, seeing a man working at a desk, then walked down the hallway before entering the room. There he met two guards, dressed in military uniforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cID card, step into the scanner,\u201d one said. They both watched as he placed the ID car into the slot and stepped onto the platform. The guards looked at the screen before back at him.<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay General Ginal, Captain Harold is waiting for you sir,\u201d the guard said, stepping aside as Joseph stepped into the elevator. He went from the top floor to several levels underground. Stepping out he had gone from a business environment to a completely military one.<\/p>\n

The base itself was a large labyrinth of hallways and corridors with several high speed passages connecting Alaska with the landing zone in the upper part of Alaska. They used the northern lights as a way to mask landing craft from curious eyes. The Alaska base was the prime spot for landing, and the connecting tunnels connected Anchorage, Juneau and Fairbanks with Whitehorse in Canada. The landing zone was north of Fairbanks, but south of the Yukon River.<\/p>\n

Joseph went through another ID check once he stepped out of the elevator before heading down a flight of stairs where a man was waiting for him.<\/p>\n

\u201cGeneral Ginal,\u201d the man said. \u201cI\u2019m Captain Harold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain,\u201d Joseph replied, as they walked to the tram system. There several levels in the Anchorage base, but most were for training of fighter pilots, they lived and worked in the base.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe shuttle landed an hour ago, and they are on the tram here,\u201d Harold replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d Joseph said, as they made their way past several other officers and military personal. \u201cHow are things?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEh,\u201d Harold replied, with a shrug of his shoulders. \u201cBeen quiet, though we\u2019re on a higher alert at the moment, after everything that went on. Guess we\u2019ll can expect an influx of recruits?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably,\u201d Joseph replied. They would need them if the fighting became serious. \u201cits up in the air, right now we are at war with the Skartians, but how much of a war, no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been getting ready for such an increase, never hurts to be prepared,\u201d Harold said, as they entered the tram station.<\/p>\n

Joseph glanced at the tram indicator, seeing it was only a few minutes away. He timed it just right. He waited a few seconds before the tram came into the station and Jack walked out with another man of Middle Eastern descent.<\/p>\n

\u201cJack, how are you?\u201d Joseph said.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine,\u201d Jack replied before motioning towards the other man. \u201cThis is Colonel Ahmed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSir,\u201d Ahmed said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt ease,\u201d Joseph said, recalling what he had been told of Ahmed. \u201cI\u2019ve heard good things about you so far, keep up the good work.\u201d<\/p>\n

They started towards another tram, to head to Juneau and then to Washington DC.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how is Kaitlyn doing?\u201d Jack asked, mentioning Joseph\u2019s wife.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, worried about everything, and with the idea of a war, she\u2019d scared about Karen,\u201d Joseph said, mentioning his daughter, who was in the military as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, when are Karen and Greg going to set a date for their wedding?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat? Where, oh, right, Greg\u2019s your aid, forgot about that,\u201d Joseph said, having to recall who Greg worked for.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes a fine job, but nothing about a date for when the wedding will happen,\u2019 Jack said. \u201cThought you might know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the current excitement they are waiting a bit to schedule a date,\u201d Joseph replied. \u201cKaitlyn isn\u2019t happy about that, but its not up to her.\u201d<\/p>\n

They walked down a flight of stair to another tram station and waited for a car. Loading in they sat comfortably as it sped off towards Juneau where they would fly out to Washington DC.<\/p>\n

\u201cHope you don\u2019t mind the wait a bit, we\u2019ll be flying from Juneau this time,\u201d Joseph said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThought so, have the flight started back up?\u201d Jack asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but there is still a lot of confusion,\u201d Joseph said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re going to Juneau.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, when was the last time you were planetside?\u201d Joseph asked Jack.<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, have to say it was for my wife\u2019s funeral three years ago, since there saw no reason to come down,\u201d Jack replied honestly.<\/p>\n

Joseph could recall that, in fact he had been the one to make the call. His wife had been in a car accident, a drunk driver ran the light.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, sir, just a thought,\u201d Ahmed said, speaking up for the first time. \u201cIs it wise for me to be going, considering my ethnic background and what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are limited to view in public, we\u2019re not flying commercial flights, but I understand your hesitation. Don\u2019t be too concerned, and we\u2019ll have several guards all around us. And most places we go, everyone there is part of the defense group,\u201d Joseph said, he understood the reasoning, and several of their members with Middle East backgrounds were spending more time inside until things cooled down.<\/p>\n

They still had another couple of hours to go before arriving at Juneau.<\/p>\n

End Part 6<\/p>\n

Continued in part 7<\/a><\/p>\n

Comment below or send to AJMarks01@aol.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Legacy of the Guardians by AJ Marks Part 6 Ahmed blinked his eye open, aware of his quarters. It took a few seconds before he could recall what all happened yesterday. It all seemed like some distant, bad dream. Standing he stretched, looking down at the uniform he still had on, and quickly changed into […]
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