Covert Defense Force: Sake of Time: Defense Force Series, #2

CHAPTER 1

Covert Defense Force Headquarters 1600 hours 29 August, 2035

Major General Robert Tucker and his Senior Staff: Brigadier General Ricardo Pasqualle and Brigadier General Keith Sykes are watching the presentation they are going to submit to the Pentagon. On the computer screen is a simulation of a meteor striking the Earth and causing a planet wide flood.

Impressive, Robert says, and then asks, What’s the cover story?

The observation post on the Space Station discovered the meteor and calculated the impact twenty years from now Ricardo replies.

Do you have the proposal ready?

Keith hands him a binder. Robert opens the binder and begins to read the outline of the proposal. He sees the estimated cost for construction and deployment.

Robert sighs. They’ll never buy it. One hundred million dollars. They’ll think we’ll be using Tinker Toys.

Well, Rich out grew them so I thought what the hell, Keith replies, getting a laugh from the others.

Seriously, Keith. How are we going to do this without giving away the fact we have equipment that hasn’t even been invented yet?

We’re supposed to have a no questions asked policy.

True, and they like the fact we’re a low cost operation; but deploying a hundred satellites for the cost of building one is gonna raise a few eyebrows.

Let me take care of the Pentagon, Bob, says retired General Lyle Kensington as he enters the meeting room. I speak their language.

Penatgonese.

Robert goes to Lyle and shakes his hand, then asks his former Commanding Officer, What brings you here, Lyle?

I heard you were getting ready to go to Washington and get your plan approved. I have a few people on the Oversight Committee that owe me a few favors.

I appreciate it, Lyle, ‘cause we have a launch in January and I’d like to start deploying the Shields and get the Surveillance System in the Space Station up and running.

Something wrong?

I have a feeling our friends may be paying us a visit earlier than expected.

The Henoki?

I’m not sure, but I’m not taking any chances. The prototype for the Shield Generator was just installed around the Base and the Housing Section.

Keith walks over to them and changes the subject, saying If they’re concerned about the price, I can always add a few million.

Lyle laughs and says, Save it for the proposed Lunar Outpost and Mars Defense Station.

"No mi trabajo, Lyle, Ricardo replies, joking, and then says, We have to leave something for the kids to do."

Lyle says, I’ll do everything I can to expedite this through, and tell them to get their heads out of their asses and scrape up the money to get this project off the ground.

Robert laughs and says, Just tell them to lay off the two hundred thousand dollar toilet seats for a year and they’ll have funds we need.

Lyle again laughs, shakes hands with Robert and the others, and then leaves the office.

Do you think Lyle can pull this off without the Pentagon asking too many questions? Keith asks.

He got us sanctioned. I see no reason why he can’t do this, especially for the price.

CDF Intelligence Chief Miguel Herrera enters the room with a report. Robert sees him and asks, Is this about the breach last night?

"Si," Miguel replies.

He hands the report to Robert. As he reads, he becomes increasingly outraged, until he says in a tone of total disbelief, He went off base to a bar and brought a civilian to our hangar and showed her one of our aircraft?!

They were caught in the restricted hangar.

Robert slams the report on the desk.

What fucking idiot did this?

Miguel pauses then tells him, It was Lieutenant Tom Dickinson.

Robert looks at him and starts to say something, but Ricardo speaks up and tells him, Bob. It’s Ryan’s son.

The look on Robert’s face turned from anger to one of horror, because the offender is the only son of his former Commanding Officer: retired Colonel Ryan Dickinson.

Robert’s back is against the wall, because he is bound by the provisions of General Order One and the penalty that is to be carried out.

He wishes that he could give the Lieutenant a two-fisted reprimand, but he compromised the entire operation.

Normally Robert, Ricardo, Ed, Keith, and Miguel have to vote on whether the policy was violated, but in this instance, there is no doubt what-so-ever.

Robert says, General Order One has to be carried out.

The girl? Ricardo asks.

Her, too.

Do you want me to handle it, Bob? Ricardo asks.

I’m the Commanding Officer and it’s my duty to see that it’s carried out. Robert sighs and leaves the room.

That stupid kid, Keith says.

The only thing worse is breaking the news to Ryan.

Ricardo and Keith pack up their briefcases and leave the office along with Miguel, pleased their former Commanding Officer will help them get the plans for the Global Satellite Shield System, code name Rebound, approved by the Pentagon.

They also have regrets about what Robert has to do, but know it’s for the sake of preserving the absolute secrecy of their Unit and their children’s role in the future.

CHAPTER 2

CDF Detention Center - 1630 hours

Robert walks into the Detention Center. He approaches the MP, who salutes Robert, remaining silent. He returns the salute and walks into Dickinson’s cell.

Dickinson sees his Commanding Officer walking in, then sighs and stands up, thinking that Robert is informing him of the Court Martial for his violation of CDF policy.

Dickinson says, Sir, I can explain ...

Lieutenant Thomas Ryan Dickinson. You are guilty of violating General Order One. You are hereby sentenced to death.

Dickinson is totally shocked. He starts to speak.

Robert quickly grabs him, wraps one arm around his neck, grabs Dickinson’s chin with the other hand, and twists the Lieutenant’s head, snapping his neck and killing him instantly. He sets the Lieutenant’s body down.

Sentence to be carried out immediately.

He walks into Allison Parker’s cell.

She asks, Why am I here? I didn’t do anything wrong.

I know. Lieutenant Tom Dickinson violated policy by bringing you here. I’m very sorry, Ms. Parker, but I cannot allow you to leave.

I ... have to spend the rest of my life in jail?

No.

He walks towards her. Allison realizes he is going to kill her. She pleads for her life.

No please! I promise I won’t say anything!

I’m very sorry.

He goes to snap the young woman’s neck but stops when Doctor John Burke of the CDF Medical Staff enters.

General, a moment, please.

Robert hesitates and then lets go of Allison, who slumps to the floor hysterical. He walks to the door and steps outside with the CDF Doctor.

Sir, I heard that General Order One was violated.

Yes. I still have to finish carrying out the sentence.

I may have an alternative.

What?

Dr. Burke produces a schematic for a device developed by his descendant, Dr. James Burke, and tells Robert, I found this in the CDF database, the plans for the Neural Shock Beam.

I know about that thing all too well, Robert replies with a hint of anger. He pauses and says, I’m not going to torture that poor girl to death. It’s bad enough she has to die. I want it to be merciful and quick.

You don’t understand, General. We modified the NSB so we can induce short term memory loss, so the girl won’t remember being here or ever meeting Lieutenant Dickinson.

Can you guarantee that she will remember nothing?

Not one hundred percent ...

I’m sorry, but that’s not good enough, he replies with a tone of regret, and goes back into the cell.

A muffled plea, and then the grisly sound of a neck being broken signifies that Allison Parker’s life has just ended because she was with a pilot who didn’t know how to keep his mouth shut.

Robert leaves the cell feeling extremely guilty for what he has just done. He orders the MP to remove the two bodies and rig a car to go off the side of a cliff and the CDF Examiner will determine the cause of death was injuries sustained in a car accident.

Robert leaves the Detention Center and walks to the Officer’s club to try and drink this memory away.

CHAPTER 3

Robert and Jackie’s home - that evening

Robert enters the house, slightly drunk, slams the front door, and sits on the couch. He leans forward, bows his head, and asks God to forgive him, but he knows he will have to answer for it on Judgment Day.

Robert’s nine-year-old daughter Amanda enters the room and sees her father. The circumstances surrounding Amanda’s birth have been classified by the CDF.

She was conceived in 2217 when Robert and Jackie had a one night stand. They were married shortly after she returned to the 21st Century and discovered she was pregnant.

Hi, Daddy.

Hi, sweetheart.

Why are you crying?

Robert picks her up, sets her on his lap and tells her, Something happened today that made me very sad.

Amanda hugs her father to comfort him. Robert smiles, kisses her, and holds her tight.

Jackie enters the room with their six-year-old son, Steven. She sees Robert holding their daughter.

The pained look on his face tells her he learned about the General Order One violation and carried out the punishment.

She walks over to them and says, Honey, why don’t you take your brother and go in the back and play.

OK, Mommy.

Amanda takes her younger brother by the hand and they go into the back yard to play on the swing set that Robert and

Ricardo built for them.

Jackie sits next to him, takes his hand, and starts to speak, but Robert shakes his head, signaling to her that they can’t discuss what took place.

She kisses him on the cheek and says, A penny for your thoughts.

Trust me. You don’t want my thoughts right now.

Jackie leans against him and rests her head on his shoulder. She starts to speak again as their son Robert Jr. and daughter Sarah enter the house.

Hi, Dad. Hi Jackie

Bob. How many times have I told you not to call your mother by her first name?

Jackie isn’t my mother. My mother’s dead.

Robert curls up his fists. Jackie grabs his arm, and takes him into the kitchen.

Bob, it’s all right.

No it isn’t.

He’s right. I’m not his mother. I know I’ll never take Amanda’s place.

You helped me raise him and Sarah and you deserve his respect.

I know Bob and Sarah love me, but let’s face it; I do look young enough to be his older sister.

What the hell are we gonna tell him when we appear young enough to be his children?

I guess we call him Dad.

You’re not helping.

We’ll deal with it when the time comes. In the meantime, just talk to him. Please.

Robert nods, agreeing that his son’s comments didn’t deserve the beating he was about to give him.

He calms down, then returns to the living room and says, Bob, let’s take a walk. They leave the house.

Robert sighs and says, You know how much it upsets me when you don’t show her the respect she deserves.

Dad, I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but it feels weird calling her Mom, when she’s only a few years older than me.

I know things haven’t been easy since your mother died, and Lord knows you miss her as much as I do. Your step-mother helped me raise you and Sarah. She loves you both very much.

I love her, too.

Then humor your old man and call her Mom. At least for the time being.

OK, Dad.

Thanks.

They go back into the house.

Robert Jr. goes over to Jackie and says I’m sorry for what I said. Mom.

Jackie smiles and says It’s all right, Bob.

She hugs and kisses him.

Robert pauses and says, The next time ...

You’ll open a can of whup ass.

You got it, Robert says in a half-joking manner.

Sarah asks, Rachel and Carla invited me to go to the mall with them. Is it OK if I go?

Sure. Just don’t be home late. Robert tells her.

Thanks, Dad, see you later. ‘Bye, Mom.

Sarah leaves.

Robert Jr. pauses and says, Rich wanted me to help him fix his motorcycle, then we’re going to the track for a while.

Robert pauses and says, All right. Wear your helmet. I don’t want you getting hurt.

I will, Robert Jr. replies, sighing, and leaves.

Robert feels the guilt over what happened today begin to gnaw at him again.

Jackie sees his expression and knows he is going to carry this burden of guilt for a long time.

She holds him tight and starts to speak, but he stops her, feeling that they should end the conversation.

We’ll talk about this in the morning.

Dinner’s ready.

Sorry, Babe. I’m not hungry.

Why don’t you go lie down? I’ll join you later.

He nods, kisses her, and goes to the bedroom, knowing that even the refuge of sleep won’t spare him the demons of his past or the brutal act he just committed.

CHAPTER 4

Mars Defense and Research Out post – 15 June 2217

The Commander of the Mars Defense and Research Station, Colonel Alejandro Alex Pasqualle is in his office, reviewing the duty roster and reports from his long range patrols.

He receives a call from the Stellar Cartography Section.

Colonel Pasqualle. I need you to check something out, the MDF Cartographer, Captain Donna Sheridan says to him.

What seems to be the problem?

Sir. I think you better come and see for yourself

On my way.

Stellar Cartography

Alex walks into the Cartography Section, where a huge computer screen on the wall displays the entire region of the Mars/Jupiter Asteroid Belt, which they simply refer to as The Belt.

The Belt is broken down into thousands of sections and each given a Sector name. One of the sectors, 452 Tango, has something unusual happening.

What seems to be the problem, Captain?

There, sir.

Donna points to a small section of 452 Tango, which appears to be blinking.

What the hell is that?

I don’t know, sir.

Is there a computer glitch?

No, sir. I ran a diagnostic before I called you.

What does Outpost 452 have to say about this?

We haven’t heard from them. Outpost 452 seems to be in the middle of the phenomenon.

I’m sending a patrol to investigate. Transfer the layout of 452 Tango to my office. Continue investigating and notify me the minute anything else happens.

Yes, sir.

Alex’s office - short time later

Alex’s cousin, Captain Roberta Bobbi Tucker and the rest of her patrol enter his office, followed by the MDF Executive Officer, Major Rick Kensington.

Reporting as ordered, sir, Bobbi formally announcing while saluting.

Alex returns the salute and replies, At ease. Major, Captain. I need to brief you individually before I give you your assignment.

Yes, sir, Bobbi states. She turns to her Executive Officer, Lieutenant Samantha Benson-Kensington and says. Have Alpha Patrol stand by in the briefing room.

Yes, Ma’am.

Samantha and the patrol leaves.

What’s going on, Alex? Rick asks.

Alex calls up the scan of Sector 452 Tango.

What the hell? Bobbi exclaims.

Alex replies, That’s what I need you to find out, Bobbi. All we know is that it’s some kind of stellar phenomenon of unknown origin and it suddenly appeared in the past few hours.

I suggest we put the base on full alert, Rick states.

Not yet. I want Bravo squadron on stand by and the defense ready to activate at a moment’s notice.

Yes, sir, Rick replies and then leaves the office.

Bobbi asks, What does 452 Tango have to report?

We have lost all contact with the outpost. That is your primary mission, to investigate the cause, render aid and evacuate the outpost and determine if this is a naturally occurring phenomenon, or artificial in nature.

We will maintain constant radio contact.

Alex goes to her and says in a concerned voice, Be careful out there, Bobbi.

You worry about me too much.

Uncle Ray said if anything ever happened to you, he’d come up here and open a can of whup ass on me.

She laughs, at the same time remembering when an alien race called the Zenaren made the fatal mistake of firing on her WA-10 when she and Samantha were attempting to establish friendly relations with them.

Ray Watson was on Earth when it happened but flew out to the Mars/Jupiter Belt the minute he heard the Zenaren opened fire on Bobbi and Samantha.

He nearly blasted the Zenaren out of existence, yelling, Git back ta the black hole ya crawled outta, ya sorry sum’ bitches!

Bobbi smiles, and then says, I’ll keep you informed.

She returns to the briefing room, relays the orders given to her and then the patrol goes to the hangar, where their WA 10 Widow Makers are being prepared for lift off.

The perimeter of Sector 452 Tango – two hours later

MDF Patrol Alpha has reached the outskirts of the affected sector. The unknown phenomenon that is causing the sector to shift in and out of normal space has nearly doubled in size in the past four hours.

Bobbi checks her radar and sees certain parts of the sector blinking on the screen.

What the hell? Alpha One to all Units, I’m picking up unusual readings. Do you concur? Over.

The rest of the Patrol confirms her findings. She then radios Outpost 452, which has not been heard from since the phenomenon began.

Outpost 452. This is Captain Tucker. Do you copy?

She receives no response from the Outpost. She repeats the message with no reply from the outpost.

She radios Alex and tells him, Alpha One to MDF One. Attempted to establish contact with Outpost 452. Negative contact. Over.

Copy, Alpha One. What’s the situation out there?

Hard to explain, MDF One. The Outpost and the entire sector has disappeared.

Say again, Alpha One.

Outpost 452 no longer registers on my scanner.

Understood, Alpha One. Investigate and report what you have found. Over.

Roger, MDF One. Out. She then radios the patrol. Alpha One to Alpha Section, Activate shields and arm yourselves.

The patrol complies, at the same time turning on the Electron Shield Generators and arming the Fusion Generated Pulse Beam Weapon.

Bobbi pauses then says to Samantha, Alpha One to Alpha Two. See if you can pick up any signs of intelligent life that may be causing this.

Roger, Alpha One. Samantha replies.

She closes her eyes and concentrates, using the telepathic abilities she inherited from her father.

Samantha and her father, Harry Benson are half Human/ half Henoki. Harry’s ancestors were Henoki spies that infiltrated the Terran Defense Force in the alternate future.

His son, Harold Jr. attempted to alter history by killing Robert and Keith’s families, but he was stopped and his ancestor, Velok, posing as American Defense Force Colonel Marcus Holoman was caught and killed, but he already produced an heir, a daughter named Jane, who recently died in a car accident, along with her mother, Yolanda.

Harry survived the time change by being in Ray’s Widow Maker, which had its shields activated, protecting Harry from the alteration of history.

He married Pamela Foster, a descendant of Jackie’s brother, Paul. Samantha was born twenty-three years ago.

Samantha tells Bobbi Negative contact, Alpha One.

Alpha patrol, proceed into Sector 452.

MDF Patrol Alpha flies into the Sector and a short time later disappear, just like the Outpost, along with the asteroids and space debris which inhabit this area of space.

MDF Command Center - the same time

Alex watches the members of the patrol disappear off the screen. He becomes concerned, and then calls Bobbi.

MDF One to Alpha One. Come in.

He gets no response. He calls her again, this time in a more urgent tone. "Alpha One. Bobbi if you can hear me, please respond.

There is no response from Bobbi or any member of her Patrol.

Alex sighs, realizing that he has lost contact with MDF Alpha, and calls for reinforcements from the expert on unusual phenomenon: Colonel Ray Watson of the Terran Defense Force.

Alex figures that he should let Samantha’s husband, Rick know what happened to his wife.

MDF One to MDF Two.

Go ahead MDF One.

Rick, report to the Command Center. I have some news concerning Samantha.

On my way, Rick replies, with concern in his voice.

Alex closes the comm channel and sighs, figuring that Samantha’s husband and her Uncle won’t take the news of her disappearance very well, and hoping they don’t decide to take it out on him.

He calls up the affected sector and studies what Donna has found about the phenomenon to consider the odds of staging a successful rescue.

Rick enters the command center.

Alex?

Alex motions Rick to a quiet corner of the command center, pauses, and then tells him, It seems that Alpha patrol has disappeared inside the affected sector and we have lost all contact with them.

Rick becomes very upset. He tries to compose himself. He pauses then asks with a slight quaver in his voice I suppose we are going to mount a rescue.

Colonel Watson is doing a recon of the sector. We will wait for his recommendation before proceeding.

Rick manages a slight chuckle and tells Alex Don’t be surprised if he tries to take them out by himself.

Alex laughs in agreement, then motion to Rick to sit by him so they can study the readings on the rift, trying to figure out who or what they are up against.

CHAPTER 5

Terran Defense Force Headquarters - Earth

Colonel Ray Watson enters his office.

He has just finished escorting Lieutenants Jackie Foster and Carlos Montoya to the vortex after history was altered and the Henoki-induced disaster was averted.

He is a former Army Captain from the 28th Texas Squadron who disappeared in 2025 along with Robert and the others. He chose to stay behind even though he now has the means to return to his own time.

He married Keith Sykes’s descendant, Rebecca and they have a four year old son, Robert Keith, who is named in honor of his best friend and Rebecca’s ancestor, thanks to a little time doctoring.

He changed events to ensure that Harry Benson and himself would blend in with the 23rd Century people inhabiting Earth, a Lunar Colony on the Moon and the Research and Defense Outpost on Mars.

Ray sits at his desk, looks at the picture of his wife and son, and then chuckles to himself, due to the fact that he sent a message back with Jackie.

He can only imagine Keith’s reaction at finding out that Ray is now his great-great-great-great-grandson-in-law.

He sees some summary reports from the Covert Defense Force made by Robert, Edward Kensington and Robert Tucker the Second.

The report in 2057 detailed how the Terran Defense Force and the Mars Defense Force prevented the meteor from striking Earth at the South Pole.

The reports were left by Harry, who has become the curator of the Terran Defense Force archives. Ray and Harry are the only two that are aware of the alternate time line.

Ray’s computer beeps, signaling a message. He hits a button on the screen and sees the date the message was sent: June 29th 2025 and that the sender is: Robert Tucker.

He accesses the message, and then shakes his head as eight bare asses appear on the screen. Written across their cheeks is the greeting the group had for him:

HI RAYMOND!!!!!

Two of the exclamation points are on the cheeks of the last perpetrator, Keith, who is looking at the camera, sticking his tongue out and flipping the bird, no doubt in response to Ray’s message.

Those sum’bitches, Ray says, laughing.

He also wonders what became of the CDF members, because the only information on Robert and the others are that they were reported Missing In Action in 2025 during ‘Operation Liberty Bell’ and presumed killed in the line of duty.

Ray continues to laugh about the message sent by his former comrades, until his computer beeps again. Ray shakes his head, figuring it’s a follow up message sent by his former Commander and fellow Texan.

He pushes the button and sees Alex, who has a look of concern on his face.

What’s up, Alex?

There’s something going on at the Belt. I need you to come out here and help check things out.

I’ll be there in a bit. Ray closes the channel.

He leaves his office at the same time Harry leaves his.

Harry sees Ray going towards the hangar and his WA-10 Widow Maker - the tenth generation of the aircraft that he and the TDF Mechanics developed in the alternate future.

This version of the aircraft has been specially adapted to operate in both atmospheric and space conditions.

Harry asks, Where are you going, Ray?

"I gotta talk to Alex. He says there’s