{"id":341,"date":"2015-07-11T12:33:08","date_gmt":"2015-07-11T12:33:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=341"},"modified":"2015-07-12T12:19:46","modified_gmt":"2015-07-12T12:19:46","slug":"legacy-of-the-guardians-part-10","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=341","title":{"rendered":"Legacy of the Guardians – Part 10"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 10<\/span><\/p>\n

Greg practically ran into Jack\u2019s office with the message in his hand. He caught Jack as he was about to head out for lunch, and looking forward to some soup.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmiral, sir,\u201d Greg huffed, handing him the message. \u201cThis just came in.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jack glanced down, then handed it over to Steve who looked on, having seen Greg running to the office. Jack waited until Steve read it over.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we have an answer to one part of the question,\u201d Steve said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Jack said, writing out some orders. \u201cGive this to Vice Admiral Dinen, tell him to go at once.\u201d He watched Greg run out of the room heading back down the corridor. \u201cWell,\u201d Jack said looking over at Steve, \u201clooks like the Startians are involved like we thought.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNor sure it makes me feel better or not,\u201d Steve replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cKnow what you mean,\u201d Jack replied. \u201cNow the question becomes are there more out there and how involved are they?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess now we wait and see,\u201d Steve said. \u201cI hope the teams make to Ahmed\u2019s parents in time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey should, they\u2019ve been assembled for a while now, only waiting for the order to move out,\u201d Jack said. \u201cShould be a simple extraction job.\u201d<\/p>\n

They both looked on, knowing that lunch would be delayed. He pushed for an aide who could bring some lunch to his office. He knew his day really just began.<\/p>\n

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

Captain Sam Uliki slowly made his way down the street in the small Afghanistan town, keeping an eye out for anyone following him or watching the older couple in front of him. He wore a complete outfit which covered his face allowing him some cover. His team was all around, following discreetly from a distance, and took turns to hopefully avoid being detected.<\/p>\n

So far the couple had done some shopping, but not buying much, and what they did buy, they haggled for trying to get the price down and now were heading back home.<\/p>\n

His watch vibrated as he approached the small building his team set up as their headquarters for the mission. He glanced down, looking like he was checking the time, but read the message, they were to extract the couple right away.<\/p>\n

Sam felt the adrenaline rush at the knowledge the mission now was underway. He knew they could expect an enemy at any moment and had to move quickly. They decided only one person would approach them, the rest covering the group. He saw his was closest and approached the couple\u2019s house.<\/p>\n

With a quick message to the team, they moved into positions, now alert, ready to go. Sam walked calmly to the door, knocking, and waiting for someone to answer. The man opened the door asking what he wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cMay I come inside, I have information about your son, Ahmed,\u201d Sam said, so only the man could hear him. He watched as the man\u2019s eyes widen before replying.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well,\u201d he said, opening the door and letting Sam in.<\/p>\n

They closed the door and Sam looked around quickly before turning to them. \u201cYou must come with me, quickly,\u201d Sam told them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy should we?\u201d the man replied. \u201cWe\u2019ve been here for a while.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam expected some resistance, and knew they could not afford to bicker for long. To his surprise, the woman spoke up.<\/p>\n

\u201cAhmed sent you, you are his friends?\u201d she asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and it\u2019s no longer safe here, we must move out quickly, and get you out of the country,\u201d Sam said, explaining quickly to the couple the situation. He noticed their confused expression and took a bit more detailed explanation. \u201cWe believe your lives are in danger, and that the group your other son is involved in means to harm, or kill you because of Ahmed\u2019s mission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what is our oldest son doing?\u201d the man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrying to save the world, and if you\u2019re in danger, it makes his mission harder,\u201d Sam stated. \u201cWe must leave now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d the woman said, bundling up again and looking at her husband. \u201cThis is our chance to leave this place, and start over.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we have no money, how can we live?\u201d he asked, looking at her than at Sam.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I know Ahmed, he has already made arrangement for us,\u201d she replied back to him. \u201cLet\u2019s take this opportunity while we can. We didn\u2019t the last time, can\u2019t make the same mistake again.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam waited a few seconds before the man finally agreed. He quickly communicated to the others they were moving out. The next part of the extraction would be the most dangerous. Not until they were on the base could he feel safe. They moved out keeping an eye out for anyone who might look suspicious. Skartians lived in the area spreading lies and turning people against each other.<\/p>\n

Same focused on the task, as the group made their way down the street. Turning a corner Sam noticed an unusual figure dressed in black, and unable to see if it was human. He felt his adrenaline start to flow as it reached out.<\/p>\n

The time approaches!<\/em><\/p>\n

Sam blinked, shaking his head as the figure which so clearly he saw, now vanished. Had he imagined the entire thing? Quickly scanning the area he saw no one who even looked like the strange figure. Continuing on down the path he made a mental note to ignore this part of the debriefing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have activity in the rear,\u201d an excited voice said over the radio. Same fought the instinct to look behind him, knowing if he did, the couple would also look back and be spotted.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave they spotted the cargo?\u201d Sam asked back.<\/p>\n

\u201cNegative.\u201d<\/p>\n

Same released a breath, but urged the couple to move a bit faster. The danger increased with each footstep as he listened to the surveillance going on behind him. Whoever they were, they entered the now empty house, and they walked back out looking angry. They split up and started running off in different directions.<\/p>\n

\u201cTwo headed your way,\u201d one member of the team said. \u201cTransport on the way, units one and two move in to intercept.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sam heard the acknowledgements from the units but kept himself from acknowledging to hopefully prevent attention being brought to them. They had a transport on the way, which meant they would see a Toyoda pickup. A commotion behind them meant that the men heading their way were now engaged.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeep your heads down and keep moving,\u201d Ha said to them. \u201cWe have a pickup coming, when it arrives, get in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

They continued to move even as gunfire erupted behind them. People quickly moved out of the way, running to get away from the gunfire. Seconds later a pickup truck stopped in front of them. Sam helped the couple into the truck before jumping into the back. It sped away and he took the moment to look back behind them. He spotted several men running towards them, and units one and two had intercepted them. Sam ducked back down, knowing that any shots taken would not penetrate the armor on the truck.<\/p>\n

Looking back up they rode out-of-town, before stopping in a secluded spot to change vehicles. This was done to throw off anyone looking for them, as the Toyoda would continue on to a town., but not one of their trucks, painted black, and looking like a cross between a hummer and a speeder from Star Wars, as the vehicle hovered. The couple looked at it in awe before the man asked what kept it up, and if it was safe to ride in.<\/p>\n

Sam assured him it was, and that it was a top-secret vehicle in testing. The fact if had no wheels allowed it to move faster than other vehicles, and a lot smoother. They left the area quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, who exactly does my son work for?\u201d the man finally asked, looking around at the technology in the vehicle.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not at liberty to say, but I do need to darken the windows, and ask that you follow my orders. Follow all my orders and we\u2019ll be in Canada in less than a day,\u201d Sam replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou won\u2019t tell us how then you are going to do this?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo sir,\u201d Sam replied respectively.<\/p>\n

\u201cTop secret again I suppose?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and it would be best if you never mentioned it to anyone again,\u2019 Sam said to him. He watched him think about that for a second before replying again, even as the windows darkened so they could see nothing outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what I thought you\u2019d say,\u201d the man said. \u201cMy name is Imen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain Sam Uliki,\u201d Sam replied, as the conversation turned to the weather and better times in Afghanistan. Same was amazed at what Iman had lived through.<\/p>\n

The light went on and knew they arrived at the base. Now the hardest part of the trip would occur, and he needed the trust of the couple completely.<\/p>\n

\u201cSir, Ma\u2019am, I\u2019m going to have to put these blindfolds on you for a few minutes while we walk through the base to another vehicle,\u201d Sam said, hoping they would agree. They looked uncomfortable with the idea<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do we know you won\u2019t try to kill us or something?\u201d Imen finally asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t, only my word that no harm will come to you,\u201d Sam said being completely honest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d Imen said, looking at Sam for a few seconds. \u201cYou\u2019ve been honest so far, we shall see if you keep your words.\u201d<\/p>\n

They were blindfolded and led down several steps, then to the elevator and down into the base\u2019s interior towards the high-speed transport. They moved though the ground to a nearby airport used by the EDF. They were led back up and to a waiting plane. Once inside the masks taken off.<\/p>\n

Imen looked everywhere at the interior of the transport, which had lush seats, a TV, an eating area and a place to get an assortment of drinks, from water to liquor.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this a waiting room?\u201d Imen asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, this is what you\u2019ll be traveling in to Canada. There are only a few other passengers, but the entire trip should only take about twelve hours. The stewardesses will help you with anything you need, and don\u2019t worry about the language barrier, everyone here will be able to understand you, even if you can\u2019t understand them,\u201d Sam explained. \u201cI won\u2019t be able to accompany you all the way, but once you reach Canada you\u2019ll be met by Captain Abbuc. He\u2019ll get you settled.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Imen said, as Sam left the plane and the couple settled in for their flight.<\/p>\n

End part 10<\/p>\n

Continued in Part 11<\/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 10 Greg practically ran into Jack\u2019s office with the message in his hand. He caught Jack as he was about to head out for lunch, and looking forward to some soup. \u201cAdmiral, sir,\u201d Greg huffed, handing him the message. \u201cThis just came in.\u201d Jack glanced down, then […]
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