6 comments/  27567 views/  15 favorites

The Legacy Ch. 01

By: kingkey



I would like to thank Lazlo Zalezac for allowing me to post in his Damsels in Distress universe.



Here I am, lying in a hospital bed thinking for about the hundredth time: 'just what the hell am I going to do now?'

Maybe I should introduce myself, and give you a little background. My name is staff Sergeant Jacob Thompson USMC. I will soon be medically retired after twenty-three years of service as an expert in special weapons, in the Second Recon Platoon, First Marines. We were on one of those 'super hush-hush' missions that no one is allowed to speak of, when we came under heavy fire. Of the eight of us in my squad, only two of us made it out. I've been here in Bethesda Naval Hospital for the last four months.

I was hit three times. Two of them were minor, but the third took a chunk out of my right leg and nicked an artery. They said that even though I had nearly bled to death, they had been able to save the leg. However, due to the extensive muscle damage, I would have to be discharged.

What had me worried, was that I had been in the service since I was seventeen years old, right out of high school. The service was all I knew.

In my last year of high school, I had gotten in some trouble with the law. There had been a fight. I knocked the other man down, resulting in him hitting his head on the curb, and splitting open his skull. That put him into a coma. Although the man lived, they said he suffered brain damage.

The judge ruled that since the man was older, and the evidence said that he started the fight, that I was not responsible for his coma. However, since I had been drinking, and since I had been trained as a fighter, I had the choice of either joining the military for four years, or serving that much time in jail.

My father was a Marine Close Combat Instructor. He had been training me, since I had lost my first fight, in the first grade. He didn't teach combat skills as a sport. He taught how to win.

He had often said that was what he admired most about Bruce Lee. On screen Bruce did the impossible. Off screen, in Martial Arts tournaments all over the "Pacific Rim", he fought to WIN!

The judge gave me the choice of either joining the military for four years, or serving that much time in jail. To me, it was a NO BRAINER. I was sick of school, and only two weeks until graduation, anyway. My father signed the papers, and I was allowed me to join the Marines just three days after graduation.

I wanted to go right away. Dad told that without my diploma, all I could ever get were shit jobs, even in the Marines. So I stuck it out for the last two weeks, and graduated in the top twenty percent of my class.

My next stop was Parris Island S.C., for basic training. I found that I liked it. As for the other recruits, it seemed as though all they did was bitch about how unfair the Drill Instructors were.

I felt right at home. My mother was killed in a traffic accident when I was seven. I was raised by my dad, whenever he was stationed stateside. Dad's brother (also a Marine) and my Aunt Helen took care of me when Dad was overseas. I guess it was inevitable that I would also become a marine.

On the day we had our first Close Combat Class, the Drill Instructor asked if anyone had any prior training in self-defense. No one answered. I knew, at a very young age, the old adage about never volunteering for anything. I figured he was just looking for a practice dummy. I never thought he would know about the trouble I'd had. Those records were supposed to be sealed, as I had been a minor.

After a couple of moments he said, "Private Thompson, I know that you have had training, and that your training is one of the reasons you are here."

I just stared at him for a second and then said, "Sir! This private has never had any formal instruction in any fighting skills. Sir!"

"My source tells me that you were in a fight, and that the other man was badly injured, and that you had special training that made you a deadly weapon. Now are you trying to tell me my source is lying?"

"Sir! No, Sir! This Private has not had any 'Formal Training.' I was in the fight you mentioned, and the judge sentenced me to either join the service or go to jail ... that much is true. But the only training I've had was informal training, at home. Sir!"

"And who gave you this 'informal training' as you call it, Private?

"Sir! This private was trained by his father, Marine Master Sergeant Jack Thompson; and by his Uncle, Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Joseph Thompson. Sir!"

"Your Uncle was one of my Drill Instructors. I meet your father on a few occasions. When you write home. Please express my best wishes to them, and to their families. However, even though I know them, don't expect me to cut any slack with you. In fact, since I now know your background, I'll expect more from you. Plus, if they trained you, I think we can consider it 'formal training.' It's just not one of those pansy-ass fighting styles," he said. The look on his face was like he'd just tasted something really bad. "Since you've had training in what we are here to do today, I'm sure you won't mind helping me demonstrate to the rest."

"Sir! Yes, Sir! How fast do you want to do this demonstration, and how much do you want me to hold back?"

The Instructor said with a smile, "I have been training for many years so go for your full speed. NO kill or permanently disabling blows. This is a demonstration after all, and not actual combat. I'll do the same. In addition, since this is a demonstration, there will be no repercussions. I know how most of you would like to take a swing at a DI."

Thinking that I was probably faster, but he was more experienced, I knew I would more than likely have my ass handed to me. I decided to try to surprise him by doing what was unexpected. When he went for a chokehold, I dropped to the deck and swept his legs. Then I threw an elbow toward his throat, stopping just before contact was made, and holding my position.

As soon as we got back to our feet, he said, "I can see you've been very well trained. There is not much I can teach you about Close Combat that you have not all ready been taught. However, I think you may make an excellent teaching aid ... but don't feel that you will have an easier time of it. You can count on getting a few bruises, and I see, that I will, also. Normally, we have another DI assist. But with you here, that won't be necessary."

Upon hearing this, I silently groaned.

And so it went. As I said, I just breezed through basic. I soon became a squad leader, due to the training I'd had while growing up.

A week before graduation, I was called into the senior Drill Instructor's Office. I found both of my Drill Instructors there, plus Lt. Davis, our Company Commander.

I came to attention, and said, "Sir! Private Thompson reporting as ordered. Sir!"

Lt. Davis said. "Stand easy, Private. It has come to my attention that you have led in all phases of your training, here, and that you will graduate as the Platoon Honor's man, and will be promoted to Lance Corporal upon graduation.

"I have an offer for you to go to Recon School. It's not normally offered to people until after their first tour of duty; however, with your background and recent excellent performance reviews, an exception is being made.

"Recon is purely voluntary, and should you refuse, there will be no repercussions. By graduating in the top ten percent of your class, you will be promoted to be corporal, but don't think that things will be easy. The Raiders take only the best.

"If you fail to make the cut, or decide that it isn't the right choice for you, you will be sent to another field of training. There will be no fault held against you."

After looking and seeing the divers helmet and jump wings on his dress blouse, I noticed for the first time that he was a Ranger.

I said, "Sir! Both this private's father and uncle were trained as Recon! This private wants to be a Raider, too, Sir!"

"Yes, I know. I served with both men. If you turn out to be half the Marine either of them are, you will do fine. That is one the reasons you are getting this chance. But, don't forget, you will only have one chance. If, for some reason, you quit or wash out, that's it. The rule is: no stigma is attached to you. There are some that it's just not the right choice. However, this is a one-time offer, only. There is no second chance."

"Sir! Yes, Sir! I understand that, Sir!"

"I thought you would. Will your father and uncle be here for graduation, next week?"

Since he was speaking to me about personal matters I spoke in the less formal way than that which we were taught.

"Sir, my Uncle will be here ... but my Father was KIA, three weeks ago, Sir."

Looking startled at this, the Lieutenant turned to the others and barked, "Why wasn't I told about this? I could have arranged the emergency leave for this young marine?"

Sgt. Wells said, "We didn't know, Sir."

Looking puzzled, the Lieutenant turned back to me.

"Sir, my Uncle wrote to me and informed me that my father was killed in combat, in Iraq. The funeral was last week. I did not inform the drill instructors, because it was personal. I knew that my father would have wanted me to carry on. He knew that I had a job to do, and would have wanted me to do it to the best of my ability. My uncle understands, and I believe my dad would have understood, too, Sir."

Uncharacteristically, Lieutenant Davis stood and saluted me, then said, "It's good talking to you, Private. I hope to serve with you, as I have served with others in your family."

Over the next week, most of the training wound down. It was now mostly Physical Training, final fittings of our dress uniforms, plus having all stripes sewn on. I had graduated as Platoon Honor Man and was promoted to Lance Corporal. I received my chevron with crossed rifles. As I was standing with my Uncle and Aunt after the graduation ceremony, Lt. Davis approached my Uncle and offered his condolences on my father's death.

My Uncle simply said, "He was a Marine."

That seemed to say it all.

Lieutenant Davis stayed talking with my Uncle Joe and Aunt Helen, while I joined the rest of my platoon, going back to the barracks. I had to pick up my orders, and all my gear that I had packed earlier that morning.

After being released, most of the other Marines had thirty days of leave before their schools started. Unfortunately, my school started in just ten days, so by the time we would get home, I only had a day or two before I had to leave for my next training at Camp Pendleton in California.

Six months later, I met with my uncle for another graduation. This one was from Marine force recon school. I wasn't the top of my class. However, I was in the top 5%, so I was a newly minted corporal when I meet my uncle.

That was twenty-three years, three wars, and more 'hush-hush' missions ago than I care to count. Now it was all over. I was going to lose the only life I really knew.

My family was mostly gone. Uncle Joe and Aunt Helen had retired to Florida to live out their golden years together. I knew I would go there and visit, often, but that part of my life was also over.

I didn't know what I would do with my life.

I felt lost.

The ward orderly came up and said I had a visitor. He said the man was a lawyer, who had things to discuss with me.



Edited By TeNderLoin & The Old Fart

The Legacy Ch. 01



Hello Everyone, 

So in "The Chase" which was released 07/08/12 I mentioned another story. Here it is. I currently have four works I'm working on. I know it's a lot but when you have inspiration it's hard not to write. One of them is not posted on here because it's for a different age group so...

Anyways hopefully I can post soon whether it is for any of the three stories posted on Lit. I appreciate all the comments you guys have given to me so far. Hopefully my previous reader's will be able to see this message. There's is a lot I have learned from the comments you guys have posted. 

WF

All comments and feedback are appreciated.

______________________________

Keara contemplated on walking farther down the path. The small braids that were made from her bangs kept her hair from her face but as of now Keara needed water. She reached for her gourd, a small fruit canteen that her elder brother had just carved for her. She wondered how he had made it. It was from a watermelon but the color never faded and it never possessed a stench. Keara titled her head in thought and then opened up the container. It was empty. She frowned in disappointment and tucked the gourd away. Now she was forced to find a water source. 

Keara scanned the woods around her. Usually only nymphs and faeries lived in these woods, but since she had ventured so far out, Keara wondered if she would encounter any werewolves or vampires. No worries, she tried to reassure herself, you have your own weapon. With that Keara felt the object that was strapped securely onto her back. Yes, the arrows that the priestess had crafted for her would no doubt protect her from any magical enemy. Keara progressed forward, drawing herself closer to the middle of the woods. Suddenly Keara heard a small rustle. She whipped around, already having an arrow ready. Her eyes scanned the trees, glanced over the bushes. Then she spotted it. No, it was a person. 

"Who are you?" she asked. 

The person emitted a loud groan. 

Keara approached cautiously. Her knees were bent and her arrow poised for attack. Keara paused for a moment and drew out her sword. She slashed away at the bush and to her dismay she saw a man bleeding profusely through an open wound. 

The first remark... or rather question that came into her mind was how the man had gotten so injured, but she brushed it off. Keara knew that the healers back at home would be able to treat the man. But before she made any move of helping the man Keara demanded once more who the man was. 

"Andros is my name," the man sputtered, gasping for breath. 

"Where are you from?" Keara pried, "No never mind," she interrupted, cutting the man named Andros off. 

Keara reached for her whistle that was tied to the bottom of her ankle. She blew it and the whistle played a soft tune. 

"I will take you to my home, there you can be treated," she told him. 

Andros nodded weakly in response. 

Keara eyed him with her light green eyes. The man was handsome, there was no doubt in that, she noted. His hair was like her brother's, a bit longer than most men but it was which gave that the strong, warrior like appearance. Suddenly Keara froze. She hadn't bothered to observe the man's armor. She looked at his breastplate. There. There is was imprinted for the whole world to see. The Kurisan knight of arms. Even the slightest mention of the kingdom of Kuris made Keara's body shake with anger. After all it was the kingdom of Kuris that took her late younger brother and mother away. Andros. Keara took note of his name. She wanted to check with her father's spies to see if this Andros was of any importance to the Kuris kingdom. 

Within the minute whatever Keara had blown the whistle for had arrived. Her stallion, a brown haired horse galloped through the woods dutifully, seeking out his rider. The stallion bowed its head in recognition of Keara but sniffed curiously at the stranger. It recoiled immediately, taking in the strong stench of blood. 

"Come, come, Damien," Keara whispered to her horse, gently patting it down. She scratched her horse's head before attempting to lift the man. Keara felt her breath escape from her. The man was unbelievably heavy. She looked over his head to see how tall he was. Her jaw nearly dropped. He was as tall as her elder brother, if not taller. Keara frowned knowing that a man from Kuris was taller in stature that her brother. Perhaps it's that height that gives them the power, she thought, the power to kill. Keara quickly dispelled of the thoughts as she didn't like to have too many bad intentions towards strangers. She didn't even know the man really. Keara placed him back on the woodland floor and carefully started to remove his armor. First was the breastplate, she tossed that away. Then she untied the leg guards and finally the under-armor. Now he was much lighter but still very, very heavy. Keara noted where the injury was and pulled out her dagger. She cut the bottom half of her dress and tore and opening in it. She removed Andros's blood-stained shirt and bound her dress around his open wound. Afterwards, for some decency she put the shirt back onto Andros. 

Although the bleeding was not too bad, Andros was still very uncomfortable. He knew that he had already lost more than enough blood and that if he didn't get treated soon all would be lost. He did however plan to keep his true identity from the girl. 

"Your name?" he asked her, his breathing a bit more regulated. 

Keara gazed at the man, "You do not need to know my name," she rebutted, "You are on Elaman land and you have no right to demand my name."

"But you are my savior."

"We will see about that. I don't have much control over political dealings."

Andros frowned. "Elama only has healers within the palace. Unless you live in the palace or are a healer yourself there is no where you can possibly treat me."

Keara ignored that man and demanded that he stand up. 

"Could you not help me?" he asked as if she had committed a crime for not bothering to assist him. 

Keara extended a hand but quickly realized she would have to use her whole body to help him up. Keara hauled the man up and asked him if he could stand on at least one leg. Andros nodded. Keara wound his tight arm around her shoulder and together they hobbled toward her horse. Fortunately for Keara, Andros was tall and was able to, partly, pull himself onto her horse. Keara climbed on shortly after, sitting in front of Andros as she was the one who knew the way out of the woods. 

They rode in silence for a while before Andros decided that he was able to speak. 

"Can I know your name?" he asked the girl. 

Keara pursed her lips, "I don't know if Andros is your true name but if you want to call me something you can just call me Areema."

"Areema?" Andros echoed. 

"Even if that isn't your true name it is a beautiful name."

Keara bit her lip. It was her mother's name but he didn't need to know that. 

Again the two rode in silence through the woods, slowly nearing a clearing. From there Keara urged her stallion to run faster. They rode through the village that sat at the bottom of an enormous mountain. 

Andros stared at the palace in front of him. Of all the palaces he had visited the one that stood on the majestic mountain was the grandest of them all. The palace, or castle, it was more of a combination of both, was made of a white, stone marble. Watch towers loomed tall and mighty in the distance while large round domes appeared more towards the front. A long uphill stone bridge connected the village to the top of the mountain. Now Andros understood why it had been so hard for Elama to be invaded. The palace was on a mountain and the only way to get to it was through the bridge. Even catapults were unable to reach the top of the mountain; the palace-castle building was practically unreachable. 

Keara noticed how intently Andros was studying her home. She wondered if he was a spy sent to find any breach within her palace. Keara almost scoffed. All the men in the palace were trustworthy; most had been her brother's friends as young boys before they formally joined her father's, the king's, commission. However, it did not mean that the palace care was given to just anyone. Although it was typical for the eldest son to be made general, Keara's older brother was in charge of the palace while their cousin and friend were the only two generals of the army. Keara... well she was just around but was still very involved with the palace. She made sure that the right maids were hired and that no place in the palace was dirty. But still... Keara thought, I want more freedom, freedom that would be outside of the palace. She remembered when she was five, having just discovered a secret passage inside of the palace. At that time she had only been the princess's cousin, now she was the princess. Her uncle, her father's elder brother had to fight a war against the kingdom of Kuris. Keara wondered if her uncle knew he was going to die because he had ordered her father to go into hiding. There were rumors that there was a traitor among the Elaman kingdom. Her family had left to go into hiding that very night her uncle had told them but as they left the palace her mother and younger brother had been shot by arrows. Keara remembered that hollow gut feeling. Her mother's dying eyes as she cried out to Keara to keep riding, all while falling off her horse. Her younger brother too had been shot. Her father forced her to ride on, grabbing hold of her horses' reigns and leading them away from danger. Ultimately Keara's eldest cousin and living cousin, her younger cousin had been killed by the traitor, had been able to fend off the enemy troops but at the cost of his life. His last breath was spent of declaring her father king. Keara's soul hardened at the thought of Andros behind her. Although she could feel his hard, taught body muscles along her back it did nothing to alleviate the amount of hate she had for the man. Keara broke out of her thoughts when she reached the main entrance. She jumped off her horse and called out to one of the guards who stood at the very top of the castle wall. Since the wall was so high, citizens of Elama were required to shoot arrows up to the guards so that they could determine who the person was, or at least what social class they came from. With this in mind Keara drew her bow and shot it up towards the large wooden target where the guards would examine her arrow. 

A short moment later the enormous gates of her palace opened up and Keara rode in. 

immediately she urged Damien, her stallion, towards the healers whose quarters were not too far from her own quarters. 

"Princess Keara!" one of the healers exclaimed when they saw Keara dismounting her horse. 

"Nu-rah," Keara replied, "Please help this man, I found him while I was on my daily walk." Keara saw hesitation in the Nu-rah's eyes. "You will be greatly rewarded," Keara informed Nu-rah, "I will ensure that you can leave the palace for a week to see your family."

Nu-rah's soft brown eyes widened. "Yes," she stammered out, "Yes, I will do the best I can." Nu-rah lifted Andros up, not showing her surprise when she realized how heavy he was. 

"Take him to my quarters." 

"Your quarters? But the king―"

"To the guest room of course."

Nu-rah nodded vigorously feeling like a fool for thinking that the princess meant her bedroom. 

Keara watched as Nu-rah helped Andros onto the bed in her guest room. The entire building belonged to Keara. Unlike most palaces, the royal family, all but the king, lived outside of the palace. Keara and her elder brother both had large complexes built for them near the palace garden. Keara had wanted to be by the garden and her brother wanted to be close by in case there was any danger. There was also a hidden underground passage way but only she and her brother knew that. 

After Nu-rah had removed most of the blood she excused herself and said that she would try to find a shirt for Andros. She quickly measured his upper body with her hands. She would place one hand one his arm and then place the other right in front of the first laid one. His arm alone was five hands. After Nu-rah was done measuring him, she left. 

Andros opened his eyes. "You are the princess," he stated as he stared at Keara. 

Keara clenched her teeth. She had forgotten to hush Nu-rah about greeting her as princess when she and Andros were at the healer's living quarters. 

"Yes," she replied casually, "I don't suppose there is anything I can do about it now that you know."

"Then your true name is Keara," he said dismissing her title. 

"I am Princess Keara Andros," Keara corrected him, staring hard at the man.

"Areema was your mother."

Keara fought down the urge to beat him. The Kurisan man had no right to speak her mother's name. 

"If you say her name with that filthy mouth of yours I can assure you that the rest of your healing time will be spent in the dungeons."

Andros looked away. 

"Anyways," Keara said crossing the room to pull up a chair, "What were you doing on my land?"

"It seems that I have gotten lost."

"If you keep avoiding me I assure you that you will spend tonight in the dungeons."

"I am telling the truth," Andros persisted; at least it was some of the truth.



The Legacy Ch. 02



I sat on the edge of my bed, and observed the orderly bringing in a small man. He looked to be in his early forties. He was dressed in a dark gray suit that was about six years out of style, and was carrying a briefcase.

He introduced himself as Mr. Jennings, of the law firm, Jennings, Jennings, and Talbert. They had been told, by my uncle Joe, where I was and that I was about to be leaving the Marine Corps. He said there was business to discuss with me, concerning the will of my father: Jack Thompson. This had me really interested. I'd never thought of there being awill, as my father had died over twenty-three years ago.

  "I don't understand? My dad was killed more than twenty-three years ago... while in combat... and I am just now being informed that he left a will?"

  "I'm sorry, but we have had to do this, exactly per your father's instructions. According to his will, he left you the deed to a twenty-five acre farm just outside of Wheeling, West Virginia. A sum of one hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred seventeen dollars has accrued from the funds left, after all the taxes were paid. He also left a personal letter for you."

After having me sign receipts that I received everything mentioned in my father's will, he then left.

  After he left, I laid back down on my bunk, to read my father's letter.



  Jacob 

If you are reading this, I'm no longer alive, and you are either out of the Marine Corps or soon will be. The reason I've done it this way is so that it did not interfere with your time in the service. I'm hoping you got as much out of the Marines as your Uncle Joe and I did.

You're probably wondering what you're going to do now, if you are like we were. The Marine Corps became pretty much your whole life. So after talking with Joseph, we decided that when you got out, you would need some sort of direction to point you in the way for the rest of your life.

Indeed the farm is the one where we used to live. If it is been very long, it is probably pretty rundown. It's up to you to either sell it (which I hope you don't do) or fix it back up. If you decide to fix the place back up, you'll discover things that can lead to whole new adventures. I won't tell you what they are. That something you must discover for yourself. However, at least it gives you something to consider.

Love, Dad

  After reading the letter, I was more confused than ever. What did he mean by discovering whole new adventures? How would this point me in a new direction in my life?





  Four days later, I was medically discharged from the Marine Corps. I would receive sixty percent of my pay, for the rest of my life. With that, plus what I had in savings, and the money I received from my father; I was pretty well set, for a while, as far as money went. I knew I would have to figure out some sort of job. I couldn't just sit on my ass for the rest of my life and do nothing. That would get old, very quickly. I figured the first thing to do, was hop a plane back to West Virginia, and check out the old farm. Then I would make up my mind what to do with the place.

  I took a taxi to the airport with just my duffel bag, and small carry-on bag. I went to the ticket counter and told them I needed a flight to Wheeling, West Virginia. Learning that the fare was three hundred-twenty dollars, I just looked at the ticket agent in disbelief. That was nuts! It wasn't like I was flying clear across the country! Besides, once I got there, I'd still be without transportation!

After thinking about it for a few minutes, I decided that it really wasn't that far. Since I was in no hurry, I might just try and find a vehicle, and drive there. It was only about three hundred miles. I would, at the same time, have something to drive once I got there.

  Retrieving my bags, I went back outside and found a taxi to take me to the nearest used-car dealer.

  Arriving at the car dealership I started looking around just to see what they had on hand. After looking around at some of the pickups they had, I wasn't too impressed. 

A sleazy looking salesman came out and started yammering in my ear about what great buys these were. I started to really get mad and told him to take a hike. When I needed him, I would call for a salesman. In the meantime, he should get the hell away from me. He started getting real belligerent, saying I couldn't talk to him that way, and that he would call the police.

About this time, an older gentleman came out, and asked what was the problem. I told him that the slime ball was about ready to let his mouth overload his ass.

The older gentleman turned to him and said, "Ted, go back in the office and wait for me."

  "But, Dad! I was just trying to help him make up his mind," he whined.

  "I've told you, over and over, not to call me 'dad'. I'm not your father. Whatever my daughter saw in you is beyond me. Now, get into the damned office and wait for me."

  Turning to me, he apologized saying, "I'm sorry about that, I've told him over and over that we try to sell quality products here. He doesn't need to try and pressure the customers into buying. I'd fire his ass, except my damn-fool daughter up and married him. He was the big man on campus, and the star receiver of the football team. To me, he's just the asshole she married. Maybe I can help you find something that you would like. What you are looking for?"

  "I was just discharged from the Marine Corps this morning, and was going to fly back to Wheeling West Virginia. They wanted three-twenty for a no-frills flight, which I thought was ridiculous. It's only a little over 300 miles, and I wouldn't have transportation once I got there. I decided to come buy a vehicle and just drive there."

  "Semper Fi! You say you were just discharged this morning? What'd you do, retire after twenty?"

  "Nope, I was medically discharged after twenty-three years with Recon. I was badly wounded on our last mission, and now the Marine Corps says they no longer need me."

  "That's too bad. You shouldn't be treated that way, after being in so long. Just what kind of vehicle were you looking for? I can make a good deal, for a fellow Marine."

  "I inherited a small farm, and was thinking maybe a pickup... but all I see, here, is cheap 'economy' Jap junk."

  He thought for a minute said. "I think I may have just what you want. A couple of days ago I took a 1999 Silverado in as trade. It's not out here, because it had a different color box lid. It's in the paint shop out back, getting repainted. I think you might like it. It has low miles, a crew cab, an eight-foot bed, and four-wheel drive. The lady who had it was a recent widow, and the truck was too big for her."

  Thinking this was just what I mind, I said, "That sounds pretty good. How much are you asking?"

  "I allowed the widow fifteen hundred as a trade on a small economy car. It seems like a lot for a twelve-year-old pickup, but she didn't have any money, and I felt sorry for her. Basically, I just swapped her straight across on this little Honda Accord I had. Since the pickup has just been detailed and painted, I can let you have it for twenty-five hundred. I'll fill both saddle tanks, too. That will give you a hundred gallons of fuel to get you home."

  Thinking this deal little too good to be true, I asked to see it. We went back to the paint shop, and he showed me a two-toned blue Silverado. It looked like it has just come off the showroom floor. Looking inside I noticed that the pickup only had eighty thousand miles on it.

I looked at the engine. It was easy to see that someone had taken very good care of the truck. The engine compartment alone, had more chrome than I'd ever seen put on a work truck. This truck must've been someone's pride and joy. We started it up, and took a test drive.

Pulling back into the car lot, I turned to the gentleman and said, "I think we have a deal."

He said, "That's fine. Why don't we go into the office and do up the paperwork, while my people out here finish the work on the bed."

  "More work on the bed? The truck looks great. What more do you need to do?"

  "Oh, they're just getting ready to spray the inside of the bed with Rhino Liner. Since this is a new paint job, without the liner the bed would scratch up very easily. The paint hasn't had time to really harden, yet. It only takes about thirty minutes for the liner to set, and it should harden enough to prevent it from getting too scratched up, in about three days. You'll have a fine work truck when it's finished."

  This deal just kept getting better and better. What really surprised me happened when we went inside, to fill the paperwork out. The twenty-five hundred included all taxes and licensing, and I wasn't charged for the liner, or anything else. Asking about this, he said that he included the tax and was just giving me a permit, since I would be taking it to another state and licensing it there. He also said that he believed in taking care of fellow Marines.

  "I don't see how you can gain business like this you're giving me this truck for just what you have in it and even filling it with five hundred bucks worth of gas! I don't see how you can make a profit like that."

  "I don't always have to make a huge profit. Besides, the car I traded for the truck only had twelve-fifty tied up in it. So you see, I actually have a seven hundred fifty dollar profit, by just doing a little horse-trading. Besides, fellow Marines should stick together."

  Still not believing my good fortune, I loaded my stuff into the cab of the truck, and headed for West Virginia.





  Since I really wasn't in any hurry, I just drove until I started to get tired. I then started looking for a cheap motel, where I could spend the night. Quickly finding a Red Roof Inn, I got a room. After storing my bags, I went to the Denny's next door for something to eat. After getting my belly full, I decided I was tired, but it was still too early to go to sleep.

I asked the waitress if there was any place close to get a beer? She told me about a bar about half a mile down the road. She said that it usually had a country band on Friday and Saturday nights. I hadn't even realized that this was Friday. I thought it might be nice to go have a beer, and listen to some music for a while.

  I found the place easily. It was about nine o'clock, and was starting to get busy. I found a nice table in a dark corner. I was sipping my beer and listening to some pretty good music when suddenly this big guy dressed as a cowboy starts yelling at the girl he was sitting with. Suddenly, he backhanded her, knocking her out of her chair. She fell onto the floor, with her with her mouth bleeding. I could see that her face was already starting to swell. This really pissed me off. I walked up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention. When he turned, I backhanded him across the mouth knocking him to the floor.

I said, "See? It hurts, doesn't it?"

  This really made him angry, and he started to get up. I placed my boot in the middle of his chest, and pushed him back down.

"You better really think before you get up. So far, you're not really hurt, just a little embarrassed. You get up and try anything further, I'll guarantee the next time you wake up, you will be in the hospital. I don't know how you were brought up but my folks taught me that women should be cherished not beaten. So you just lay there and think about it. If you decide that you really want to fight we can take this outside. But before we go, you'd better call for an ambulance.

  Turning to the woman I asked," Are you okay ma'am? Do you need someone to take you to the hospital?"

As I was asking her if she was okay, the cowboy on the floor and had gotten up. I saw in my peripheral vision that he had picked up a chair, and was going to hit me with it. Spinning on the balls of my feet I hit him squarely in the nose, breaking it. Then I hit him in the solar plexus. That knocked the wind out of him, and put him back onto the floor, trying to catch his breath.

I said, "You are very lucky that I pulled my punch the last moment. I simply broke your nose, instead of killing you! I told you if you wanted a fight, you would be going to the hospital. Now it looks like you'll need to go there and get that nose set. Don't bother coming back."

  He just lay there bleeding as the bartender came over.

"Carl, I always knew you were an ass hole you can consider yourself permanently eighty-sixed from here. You always were a mean drunk. I don't care who your father is, don't come back."

  Finally, he said dejectedly. "Come on, Laurie, let's get out of here."

  Laurie looked at him as though he was something she had just scraped off the bottom of a shoe.

"Carl, I'm not going anywhere with you. Just who the hell do you think you are? You think you can hit me, and knock me down on the floor, and I'll just go off with you like there was nothing wrong? You can just stay the hell away from me. Whatever you thought we had, its over!" 

  I was really impressed! This girl had spunk! She wasn't willing to put up with any shit from her asshole ex-boyfriend. Looking at her. I saw the whole side of her face had started to swell and discolor. Her mouth was still bleeding but not as bad as it was.

Turning to the bartender I asked, "Can you get me a couple of wet towels and some ice to try to stop some of the swelling and bruising, please?"

  After we cleaned her up. We saw that it looked a lot worse than it actually was, although her shirt was half covered in blood. Seeing that, I took off my shirt for her to wear, leaving me with just a T-shirt. She took the shirt into the ladies' room with the waitress, to try and get the blood out before it was stained too badly.

As she came out, she said, "Damn, that ass left with my ride home. Now what am I going to do?"

  After asking her where she needed to go, she said. "I live about five miles south of here."

  Even after realizing it was the opposite direction I needed to go, I said, "That's no problem. I can give you a lift home. Are you sure you don't need to go to the hospital, though?"

  "You know I'll be okay. I share an apartment with two of my sisters. There'll be somebody with me, in case I get worse." 

  With her wearing my shirt, we left through the front door. Just as soon as we were outside, I heard a gunshot report. The back window of the car next to us shattered.

Quickly pulling her to the ground, and making sure she was okay, I said, "Stay here!"

I went stalking whoever had fired the shot. I had a good idea it was our friend Carl. This time, he would not be getting off so easily. I worked my way around behind where I thought the shot came from. I saw people starting to pour out of the bar, to see what the gunshot was all about.

It was then that I saw Carl, with what looked like a nine-millimeter automatic, trying to spot me to take another shot. I came up behind him, and placed a nice solid punch to where his neck intersected with his shoulder, breaking his collarbone. This caused him to drop the gun as his whole right arm went dead. I kicked the gun to the side, out of reach. While watching over him, I hollered to the crowd for someone to call the police, as I had the gunman captured. I also told them to also call an ambulance.

This day had started so well with the deal I'd gotten on my pickup. Now it seemed that just because of one asshole, it was all shot to shit. So much for enjoying a couple of beers and getting some sleep, tonight! We spent the next three hours giving statements to the police.

The police told me, quite confidentially, that Carl probably wouldn't spend much time in jail. It seems that poor little Carl's daddy was the richest man in town, with a lot of pull. So the most the deputy sheriff thought that he would probably get, was six month's probation, with time off for good behavior. After hearing this, I was sorry I hadn't busted him up badly enough to make him spend at least as much time in the hospital, as he should have spent in jail.

The thing that really became the clincher to an already piss poor evening, was the deputy telling me that I would have to stay in town until after the arraignment. It seemed things just kept getting better and better.






Edited By TeNderLoin & The Old Fart



The Legacy Ch. 02



Keara hadn't been able to weed out any information from Andros last night. She sat up in her bed and glanced in the general vicinity of the guest room. Neither her father nor her brother knew that she had brought a guest home last night, let alone a male guest. 

Keara pulled on a long robe and walked towards her porch. The sun had hardly risen, and she could rightfully assume that the only people in the palace who were awake were the guards and perhaps her brother, Damien, who shared the same name as her horse, much to her brother's chagrin. 

Keara received her stallion when she was three years old, and by seven years old, Keara had full mastery of horse riding and begun learning how to use an arrow on horseback. Now at one and twenty, Keara was advanced not only in horseback riding, but also hand to hand combat and swordplay. Given that females were typically smaller than males, Keara made sure to focus on agility rather than strength, gambling to win an endurance battle. 

The brisk morning air greeted her, and Keara sat down quietly on her front steps. Her home was uniquely designed to face the sun, so her home actually faced away from the main palace. She thought it a miracle that the sun was able to conquer her palace walls. Rumored nigh impenetrable, Keara had always wondered why her family had left the palace. They would have been safe inside, safe from all those arrows. Ever since the war with Kuris, nothing remained the same. Though her country, Elama, had defeated Kuris, there was no telling if they could do so again, especially with the losses they suffered the first time —which reminded her, she still needed to talk to her brother about the strange Kurisian man, who appeared on their land. 

The sound of a door opening immediately caught Keara's attention. 

"I would have never expected the princess of Elama to be awake at such an early hour," Andros remarked. 

Keara turned around and looked at the man. With long, sun kissed hair and tan skin, he looked like a prince, or an extremely attractive killer. Andros approached Keara and instinctively she stood up. 

"Stay away," Keara told Andros, "Or I'll have you thrown in the dungeons." Her threat now seem trite, as she had used it twice already against the man. She was proved correct in this assumption when he replied. 

"I don't think jailing the Crown Prince of Kuris would be very hospitable of Elamian royalty." 

Without a pause Keara replied, "For a Kurisian man, titles are null in Elama. You have stole onto our land without formal communication. This action alone is a jail sentence."

Andros reeled at the female's ignorance. Had she no propriety? Well perhaps not, for she did house a male guest. She couldn't have known what he could do —what he wished to do. "I do pray to the gods that your brother and father possess more decorum than you." 

"And I do pray that you are praying to Elamian gods, for it is evident that the Kursians have no gods."

"You will not jest in my presence," Andros demanded, taking a menacing step towards Keara. "You, sweet little princess, have no clue what reality is. You couldn't even recognize the name of the Crown Prince of your neighboring kingdom."

"I chose not to study your people," Keara rebutted. "I know everything else about the other seven kingdoms," she finished pathetically. 

"I suppose your ignorance is a blessing, for not everyone can handle the truth." Andros glared at Keara, or rather Princess Keara, as she was so keen on correcting him last night. 

"I say the same for you too," Keara replied evenly, "I can't expect a male such as yourself, who has never had to flee from his own home in the dead of night and watch before his eyes not only his youngest sibling murdered with an arrow pierced through his neck but his mother slaughtered with five arrows, to sympathize with my reality."

A deadening emotion overcame Andros, and he knew he lost to Keara. Despite what the Elamian people believed, the Kurisians were neither merciless nor were they traitors. For the past five years, Andros had worked with his three younger brothers and eldest sister to uncover who had betrayed Kurisian trust. His father had informed him that the Ji, the highest commanding military officer, of Olyne, the most Eastern kingdom, told his father that Elama had planned to invade Kuris. Provided that Elama and Kuris had always had a hostile relationship, extending back to the arrival of the First Voyagers on the Continent of the Nine Kingdoms, his father readily believed the general. The general had also been one of his father's closest friends —not to mentioned that Olyne was Elama's closest ally. 

However, the past five years were not in vain. Andros uncovered that Olyne had plotted to keep Kuris and Elama as sworn enemies, so that Olyne could overtake Elama. For the past decade Olyne had succeeded. Their tradesman had completely infiltrated the Elamian market, and Elama imported food and other natural resources to Olyne. Known for its barren and inhospitable land, Olyne undoubtedly needed what Elama could provide. Andros believed that Olyne would eventually take what Elama could provide. 

"You were not the only people who suffered losses," Andros told Keara meeting her eyes. 

Keara scoffed and looked away. She had no time for sympathy on his accounts. "Why have you come here?"

"I was forced to enter secretly because you house too many Olyne politicians at court," Andros replied darkly. Could this infuriating female be any more dense?

Keara's eyes furrowed. "What do you mean?" she asked, "Olyne is our closest ally. It is customary to fully provide for them."

"So customary that you would allow them to reside in your own palace when the Prince and Princess are forced to live outside? Tell me, how is it that within the past decade Elamian trade with Olyne has increased five hundredfold, expanding across markets such as clothing, banking, food, arts, and even weaponry. You trade your food for weapons! For the gods, Elama is the only country that does not forge her own weapons." 

Keara glared at the supposed Crown Prince of Kuris. "What you are insinuating is that Olyne has a political agenda." Keara paused and boldly stated, "I cannot believe this." 

"What you do or do not believe is irrelevant. You are simply a princess, and I must speak to your father and brother as soon as possible." A princess to whom he was to offer his hand. 

"You march onto my land, expecting me to allow for your every request. I do not know of a man who is trying to hide his identity, yet clearly wear his kingdom's sigil on his chest."

"I wanted you to know I was from Kuris. This armor, once seen by the king, will prove my identity." 

Keara eyed Andros and abruptly turned away. She had noticed far too much. His long muscles legs and strong arms were not to be her temptation. Returning to her room, Keara was about to shut her door before Andros stopped her. 

"Get away from me," Keara demanded. 

Andros met her eyes again and felt a surge of heat flood through his body as he outlined her beautifully shaped eyes. Those same beautiful eyes narrowed at his lustful gaze. 

"My goodness, you Kurisian scum really are disgusting," Keara said scornfully. 

Andros took a step forward. "Only to Elamians. You are the only kingdom that doesn't keep slaves. Some may call that progressive, yet I think—"

"I am not a slave," Elama remarked. Her face had flushed a violent red when he had mentioned slaves. 

"And yet I think," Andros continued, clearly choosing not to agree with her, "Elama simply doesn't wish to embrace the natural man. Lust is human." He shut the door. 

Keara froze. The tension between them now cackled in her ears. His blue eyes gazed far too comfortably at her being and she was struck speechless. Goodnesss, she thought, if he knew her thoughts, he would think her as some chilly virgin. It seemed she had to play his game. "I know what lust is," she said a little to casually than she would have liked to. 

"Do you?" Andros raid one dark eyebrow, and Keara saw firelight dance in his eyes. She refused to back down. Not now, not ever. 

"Yes," she said through clenched teeth, though she had never felt such a strong pull towards another as she did now. Not that she would let him know. 

"And what about now?" Andros gently lifted his hand towards Keara's face. "Don't tell me that you don't feel this too." 

Nearly breathless, Keara recomposed herself. "You flatter yourself. Perhaps it's best of if rested more, for I fear you have lost more blood than you can afford. It seems your brain is deprived of blood."

"Perhaps," Andros shrugged, "Or it could be that I just want your compliments." 

A knock sounded at Keara's door before she could reply. 

"It's my brother!" Her shock was momentary, for she quickly ushered Andros into a hidden corner of her room. 

"It's hot back here," she told Andros, "But try to be as quiet as possible. Keep the curtain over you and don't move." She glared menacingly at Andros before answering her door. 

"Damien!" Keara greeted joyously. Andros couldn't believe the change in her voice. Suddenly, the dangerous, tempting princess metamorphosed into the innocent, loving sister. 

"Father has invited more Olyne politicians into court. Soon they'll outnumber us three to one," Damien said with a stressed sigh. Andros heard Damien approaching. 

"More?" Keara exclaimed disdainfully. "How many more does Father need? We've already provided for them with the greatest luxury. If more keep coming, the palace will be filled and—"

"That is exactly my point. Father refuses to acknowledge that Olyne is taking advantage of our hospitality. We need to communicate with other kingdoms as soon as possible. I fear for the worst."

"Have you spoken with Mance and Dahari?" Andros heard Keara ask. Though Keara hadn't mentioned those names to him, he knew that Mance, Keara's second cousin, and Dahari, Damien's closest friend, were the appointed generals of the Elamian army. 

"Yes, we are entering our third stage of the weaponry developm—"

"Damien!" Keara nearly shouted. 

A long pause followed. 

Andros heard footsteps approaching him. Suddenly, the curtain was removed from in front of him. For a moment Andros was paralyzed. 

"No!" Keara cried jumping out in front of her brother, preventing him from drawing his sword. "He's Andros, Crown Prince of Kuris," she all but spilled to her brother.

Andros noticed that Damien eyed him with more suspicion that Keara had. He hadn't known that was possible. 

"What is he doing in your chambers?" Damien demanded, not removing his penetrating gaze off Andros. 

"I found him last night, bleeding, profusely. I asked one of my healers to help me with him."

"I see he has healed well. He may visit the dungeons now."

A hollow sense of disappointment flooded through Andros's body. Her brother did not display more decorum than his sister. At least Keara had granted him the opportunity to speak. 

"Prince Damien," Andros started carefully, "Thank you for the kind welcome."

"I don't appreciate false modesty Andros. Drop the act."

"I came to Elama on a mission. My father sent me. He has a letter for you."

Damien didn't move away but nodded his head. 

Reaching into his left pocket, Andros removed a rolled piece of the paper and handed it to Keara's brother. He carefully inspected the royal seal before proceeding to open the letter. Five minutes had passed before Damien looked up. 

"I knew Olyne was conspiring against us," Damien said bitterly. 

"Kuris wants to help," Andros said, "We want to make amends for the damage from twelve years ago." 

Andros noticed the heart wrenching pain that surfaced in Damien's eyes. 

"And how do you propose going about doing that?" Damien asked with genuine curiosity. Unlike Keara, Damien didn't have scorn in every remark he made to Andros. Damien was a politician. 

"I would to offer my hand to your younger sister, Princess Keara of Elama," Andros replied meeting Damien's gaze. 

Keara reached for her hidden dagger.



The Legacy Ch. 03



Wasn't this just great? Here I was, stuck in this little town, until at least Monday. It was going to be another three days before they put that asshole Carl in front of a judge. Then the jerk would probably just plead not guilty and be released on bail. Anyone else would get six months to a year, just for spitting on the sidewalk. 

It wasn't as if I was in any great hurry. What really burned my ass, was the double-standard system!! If the plain working class people should do anything wrong, they get the book thrown at them. Most of them can't afford a good lawyer, so they get appointed public pretender. However, some rich asshole can literally get away with murder, by bringing in a whole team of high-class expensive lawyers. He'll get off with just a slap on the wrist. 

I was still kicking myself for not busting him up good while I had the chance,, but II knew that if I had, it would be me sitting in jail with the just out of school public pretender telling me to just plead guilty and he will get me off with just two or three years. That's justice, in this world.

Now I was sitting in my cheap motel room trying to find something other than soap operas or infomercial drivel on the idiot box. I had already been all through town trying to find something interesting to do. I swear these small towns roll up their sidewalks come five in the afternoon on weekends. I heard a faint knocking coming from the door, opening it I saw a vision of loveliness. It was Laurie from last night, holding my shirt.

"I didn't get a chance to thank you for last night. Here you came to help me when the asshole hit me, and you almost got killed."

"I never thought Carl had the balls to take a shot at me. It's a good thing he couldn't shoot worth a shit." Then, realizing to whom I was talking, I added, "Sorry about the language." 

She laughed and said,, "That's okay, I've heard a lot worse. I'm just lucky he was such a poor shot. I cleaned your shirt for you,, and thanks for letting me use it."

"I couldn't let you walk around with blood all over your clothes. I hope you could get the blood out of that expensive blouse you were wearing last night."

"I didn't even try! Carl bought me that blouse. I think he did it just to turn heads and show people what a big man he was by going out with me. It just makes me sick thinking of the way he treats people. He treated me like one of these rich guys treats a trophy wife. Just a piece of eye candy shouting that's how rich and powerful I am that I can have someone like this."

"What I can't understand is why you were ever with him in the first place. Obviously, besides being beautiful, you're talented and smart."

"At first, Carl was very sweet and attentive to me. But when he was either drinking or hanging out with his friends... that's when he'd become a jerk. I'd heard rumors about the way he really was but I didn't believe them. I guess I was a little starry eyed. He was a star athlete in football and baseball while we were at school. Anyway, he always seemed to hang out with all the elite people. He always had these fancy cars, and went to the best places, and his family is the richest one in the county."

"I hope you don't take this wrong, but you could do a lot better than that jerk. I found out last night he probably won't even be doing any time for what he did. Hell he should get five or ten years for attempted murder. But, after Monday, he'll probably be out on bail."

"Besides returning your shirt that's another reason I'm here. He's already out! When they took him to jail last night, they only charged him with disorderly conduct. He was released to his own recognizance. From what I was told he's driving around with a rifle in the gun rack of his pick up."

"WHAT! Disorderly conduct? That bastard was shooting at us! Come on, we need to get to the police station, and get this straightened out, right now."

With her giving me directions, we found the local police station a few minutes later.

Storming inside, I said, "I just found out that Carl...," realizing I didn't know Carl's last name I turned questioningly to Laurie. She said. "Lewis, Carl Lewis." Turning back to the desk sergeant I continued, "I just found out that Carl Lewis was released last night on his own recognizance, and that he is only charged with disorderly conduct. Since when is attempted murder only disorderly conduct? That asshole took a shot at me, and was trying to find me to take another shot when I disarmed him. Now I'm told he's driving around town, with a rifle in his back window!"!"

"I don't know anything about any attempted murder. All I was told that he was in a bar fight. Carl Lewis is the son of one of our most prominent citizens. Just who the hell do you think you are, coming in here and telling us how to run things?"

"I'm the guy he took a shot at. Now I find out he's not only not in jail, but driving around with a rifle in his truck when he's already tried to kill me once."

"The only charge brought against him was disorderly conduct. Carl has been an outstanding citizen of this county so why shouldn't we PR him?"

"Your so called outstanding citizen has been raising hell around here for years. Just look here. Isn't Laurie also a member of this community? See the marks he made, hitting her in the face. That's what started everything last night. After he hit her, I knocked him on his ass to keep him from hitting her again."."

"You hit him? Maybe I should lock your ass up for disorderly, too!"!"

I pulled out my cell phone and hit speed dial and said, "Bethesda Naval Hospital? This is Staff Sergeant Jacob Thompson can you connect me to the Judge Advocate General Office?"

I easily avoided the desk sergeant's grab for my phone as he said, "What are you doing?" 

"You said you were going to arrest me. I'm arranging for a lawyer to represent me. I think by the time he's done I'll own this shit hole of a town."

"I didn't say I was arresting you, just that maybe I should. It does take two to fight."

About that time, a voice came on the line, so I held up a finger to the desk sergeant I think he thought I was going to tell them to never mind and was surprised when I said,, "This is SSgt Jacob Thompson,, I was discharged medically yesterday from the Naval Hospital there. On the way home I stopped in this little hick town, now I have all kinds of legal problems. Can you recommend a good lawyer?"

I listened to him for a minute and repeated so the desk sergeant could hear..

"So, since I'm a disabled Vet, and medically discharged, the military will represent me free? That's great." Then I went on to describe what had happened the night before and that the police had just charged him with Disorderly Conduct and turned him loose. Now he was driving around with a rifle in plain sight. And, the police were threatening to lock me up!! The man on the phone then asked to speak to the desk sergeant. After handing him the phone I couldn't hear what was said until the desk sergeant gasped, ''Force Recon' and turned white as a sheet.

After he hung up and handed me back my phone he said,, "You could have easily killed Carl Lewis last night couldn't you?"

"It would have been easier than capturing him alive."

"Can I ask then why you didn't? He was trying to kill you."

"It wasn't necessary. He was too stupid the way he was to be able to kill me, though he might have killed someone else."

"Since I am here, I need to a place a formal complaint against Carl Lewis for attempted murder. I'll tell you right now that if daddy's boy Carl tries anything with me he's going to end up either in the hospital or the morgue. At this point I couldn't care which." 

"I'll be watching you. You start any trouble in my town, and you will be sitting in my jail."

"Oh, I won't be starting anything. However, I may just be finishing it. Now where are those complaint papers I want Carl Lewis, to be charged with attempted murder?? There are plenty of witnesses! This time when he's locked up, he had better stay locked up!"

I filled out the paperwork, then turned to Laurie and said, "Okay, I think we're done here. Now show me where Carl's father lives."

Laurie seemed scared to go with me to see Carl's father. So after getting directions I dropped her off at her sister's apartment, and made arrangements for her to meet me later that night, at the same bar. 

Heading towards Carl's father's house, I kept an eye open for his truck. Laurie said it was a red Ford F150. I didn't spot it before I had reached the house. I knocked on the door, and it was answered by an older woman, whom I took to be either his mother, or a housekeeper. 

"May I speak with Carl Lewis, please?" 

She left me standing there, and after a minute, an older gentleman came to the door. 

"I am Carl Lewis, may I help you?"

"I'm looking for your son, Sir."

"He's not here, right now. I think he was going hunting. He came and grabbed his rifle and took off. Is there anything I can do?"

"I'm the one that he tried to kill, last night. I mean to have him back in jail, and charged with attempted murder." 

"Whoa!" the old man said in alarm. "Why don't you come in and explain this to me?"

Going in, I sat and related the events of last night. II told him of how I saw his son backhand Laurie, knocking her down. Then I described how I'd knocked Carl down, and what had led up to him trying to ambush me in the parking lot with a 9mm automatic, and me disarming him by breaking his collarbone. While telling him this, I saw a look of horror come over his face.

"I had no idea that any of this had happened. I wonder why nobody informed me of this."

"Sir, that's easy enough to see. The problem is you being rich and powerful, people are scared of you, and what you may do if you are displeased. The cop I just talked to certainly didn't want to do anything to disturb you. I think Carl has been using that for years to run roughshod over everyone around here."

"Damn!! I guess I am partly to blame. You see his mother died when he was twelve, and I was never around. II was always working, trying to keep busy, trying to keep from missing my Mary so much. I guess I really failed him. Now I saw him come here and get another gun. I hate to say this, but he's probably going to try to kill you again. What are you going to do?"

"I mean to capture him, and put him back in jail," I told him, not wanting to upset him any more than necessary. He seemed like a decent guy, and was not at all what I expected.

"You can do that, how?" 

"I was just discharged, yesterday, after twenty-three years in Force Recon. I'll try my best to capture him, but I'd better warn you I might have to hurt or possibly kill him, if it's dangerous or if someone else's life is in danger." 

"I understand. Please be careful. Try not to kill him. He may not be the best son in the world but he is all I have."

"I will. I just hope that this time they don't just turn him loose again."

"They won't."

"How can you be sure of that?"

Surprising me, he said with a small smile, ,"I'm the District Attorney." 

"No wonder everyone's afraid of you!"!"

"Please, don't remind me. I can see I have a lot of fences to mend around here. I don't like people being afraid of me. I became the District Attorney to try to help people in this county, not for the power or the money. I already had money, and my wife's family was wealthy, also. When she died, all of that came to me, too... though I'd rather have Mary back, instead."

I really was starting to like this guy. Too bad his son was such an asshole. 

I then asked, "Do you have any idea where he may be?"

"He hangs out with Bubba Jenkins and his brother. They have a farm about three miles south of here on Route 5Five."

After getting directions, I thanked him and left to find the Jenkins farm. Soon I was heading south down Route Five and saw a mailbox with the name Jenkins on it. After fishing around in my duffle bag (I know, I know... the Marines call it a seabag) I got my 1911a .45 caliber automatic. I then silently eased up towards the house. II saw what had to be Carl's F150 parked out front. The rifle was still in the rack in the truck's back window. .

I watched through a window, and saw Carl talking to two men. They looked like typical Rednecks but there were no guns in evidence, and they seemed to be trying to convince Carl of something, they were arguing with him. Thinking that this would be a good chance to take them with no bloodshed, and not wanting to be accused of breaking and entering,, I knocked on the front door. 

I stayed out of sight of the peephole. When one of the brothers answered I shoved him back into the other two and yelled ''freeze' taking them all by surprise. I tied Carl's hands with his own belt. 

I turned to the other two and said, "This man is wanted for attempted murder, are you with him?" 

I knew I didn't have anything on them, except for them talking to an asshole.

"No way! Carl was here trying to get us to help him kill some dude, but we weren't having nothing to do with that. No way are we going to prison for him, even if he said his Daddy could fix it."

I said, "Would you put that in writing? You may have to testify in court."

"We didn't do anything!"

"I didn't say that you did. Just write down what you were talking about."

"His Dad is a powerful man around here. He wouldn't like us turning on his son."

About this time Carl started yelling, "My Dad will fix you all for this!"

Seeing that the brothers were starting to get scared I said to Carl, "Who do you think told me where to find you?" 

*

Edited By TeNderLoin, pcbondsman & The Old Fart



The Legacy Ch. 04



I marched the three men into the station.

The fat desk sergeant looked up and yelled, "Wait a minute! Just what the hell is going on here! Carl, are you okay?"

       Before Carl could answer I said, "Sergeant, I want this man arrested for attempted murder. Also, he's to be charged with conspiracy to commit murder since he was trying to convince his friends here to help him ambush and kill me, all because of that little fiasco at the bar last night."

       "Wait a minute! You can't go around arresting people! Carl's family have always been outstanding leaders in this community!"

       Before I could reply Carl Senior entered the station and said, "Sergeant! You will do as this man says! If you had done your job last night, instead of just turning Junior loose, all this would not be necessary! Carl and his friends have been running roughshod over this county for too long! This has got to stop! Lock them up!" Then turning to me he said, "Jake, can I have a few words with you in private? There's a couple of empty offices, over there."

       I followed him to one of the empty offices, where he said, "Jake, I know you are plenty mad, and have a right to be. However, I'm not sure sending Carl to prison is the best thing. You have the final say, though. If you insist, I will have them prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law; but I have a better idea, if you're willing to listen."

       I could see how the thought of possibly having to send his own son to prison was hurting him, so I said, "I'm not sure about prison, either. Most people seem to come out worse than before they went in. If you have an idea that might make him a better person, I'm all for it."

       He started to explain, "After you left I realized I didn't know you from Adam. So I made some calls to some old friends who aren't afraid of me, a couple who used to be on the police forceand they all admitted that everything you said is true. Carl has been getting worse since his mother died. I blame myself, for not being there for him. Then, because of my position, he and his friends think if they can get away with anything. But that stops! Now! So, here's my plan, if it's okay with you. First I'm going to put Carl on trial in front of a judge, who will see that he is sentenced to five years. Then we have that deferred to probation, provided he serves two years of community service. During this community service, he has to make amends to the citizens of this county for all the harm he has done. If he does not do this, I will make sure he goes to prison, and serves his full sentence. However, all this is up to you. I just think it will be a lot better than having him rot in prison."

       "Sir, I think that is a great idea. When I got to the Jenkins' house, I found Carl arguing with the Jenkins brothers. They were saying that they were not going to help him kill anybody. I think they may have been up for roughing me up, but I don't think they should be charged on the conspiracy to commit murder charge."

       "You're right, of course, but I'm going to talk with the County Sheriff. If any of the boys in Carl's crowd so much as spit on the sidewalk I'm going to see that they pull some community service. This should teach them the lessons that the people of this county are not going to put up with their shit any longer."

       With this I shook his hand and said, "That sounds like a good plan, I wish you luck."

       He then said, "Well, Jake, it's been good to meet you. What are your plans now? If you're looking for work, I'm sure I can get you a job with the Sheriff's Department. As you can see, they need a lot of changes."

       "I'm not sure if I would be more of a disturbance to them than a help. My dad left me a small hobby farm in Wheeling. It's been vacant for over twenty years, so it probably needs a lot of work. I'm going to head over there, tomorrow. I'll figure out whether to stay there and keep it, or fix it up and sell it before I move on. In the meantime; that girl, Laurie, has been a big help to me. I thought I would take her out to dinner, to show my appreciation."

       "Laurie's a really nice girl. I've known her since she was a small child. I am surprised that she put up with Carl's shit for so long." He thought for a minute then continued, "There's a nice restaurant just east of town called: 'The Rendezvous'. It's a little fancy, but it's a great place to impress a date. It being the weekend they may be busy but I'm sure I can get you a table. Say about eight?"

       "I appreciate it, but you don't need to go through all that trouble. Laurie seems like a great girl, but this is just to show her how grateful I am for her help. It's not really a date."

       "Nonsense, it's really no trouble at all and I'd like to do it. Besides, it would be something I can do for Laurie, to help let her know that I have no hard feelings about what happened between her and Carl."

       Seeing his point of view, I thanked him. After shaking his hand, I left. I headed back to the motel to finish my packing, so I could leave first thing in the morning. Arriving, I noticed a strange car parked in front of my room. Cautiously, I got out of my pickup. I readied myself in case of more trouble, until I saw that it was Laurie sitting in the car. Coming up to the window I said, "Laurie I was gonna call you what are you doing here?"

       "I heard you brought Carl and the Jenkins brothers to the Sheriff's station. And was wondering what happened and worried that you were hurt so I came here to check for myself."

       "Nah, everything went pretty smoothly so no one got hurt. The Sergeant got real surly until Carl's dad got there, and put him in his place. I don't think anyone is going to have any more trouble with Carl or his friends any longer."

       "Why, are they going to prison? Won't Carl's dad get him released?"

       "No, Carl Senior is pretty fed up about the way they been running roughshod over this county. Instead of prison, he's going to make sure that they have to work for the county; to make right, all of the wrongs they have done."

       "How can they make sure that they will work and not cause more trouble?"

       "Oh, they will work all right, when they know the alternative is five years in prison!"

       "So what are your plans now?"

       "I still need to go to Wheeling West Virginia. I need to look at the farm my father left me. I'm not sure what I'm going to do after that. First, though, I'd like to take you to dinner tonight."

       "Oh, you don't have to do that. You've done so much for me already."

       "Are you kidding? Taking out a beautiful young lady like you will be a pleasure! How about if I pick you up around 7:30, since we have reservations for 8:00 at The Rendezvous! "

       "The Rendezvous is supposed to be a really nice restaurant, although I've never been there before."

After exchanging addresses, Laurie headed for home... or wherever beautiful women went, to get ready for a date. In I entered my motel room thinking if The Rendezvous was so fancy, did I have anything to wear? For the last twenty-three years I'd always worn uniforms, or blue jeans and a nice shirt when I was going out. I thought of going downtown and buying a suit, then thought when the hell would I ever wear it? I was never much for dressing fancy. Finally, I decided: what the hell. One last time I dug through my bags, and got out my dress blues. I remembered seeing a 'One-Hour Dry Cleaners' just down the street. I thought it would make a good impression. I'd walk into the restaurant, wearing my dress blues, with a beautiful woman like Laurie on my arm. It would probably be the last time I ever wore a Marine uniform.

Promptly at 7:30, I knocked on the apartment door at the address Laurie a given me. It was opened by a beautiful slightly older version of Laurie.

She said, "Hi, I'm Jane. Laurie's not quite ready. She's been rushing around like a chicken with its head cut off, all afternoon. Now I can see why. She didn't tell me you were a Marine!"

"Hi, Jane. I'm Jake. I can see where Laurie gets her looks from. It must run in the family. You're both beautiful women."

About this time Laurie came wandering in wearing a 'little black dress' and four inch high heels. Just looking at her took my breath away.

She said, "Oh, I didn't expect you to be in uniform."

"Well, you said The Rendezvous was a fancy place, and I didn't think they would let me in, in my blue jeans. So, instead of going out and buying dress clothes; I thought I would wear this, one last time."

"Well, you sure look a lot nicer than if you were just wearing a suit."

As we walked into the restaurant everyone stopped, turned, and looked at us.

Laurie took my arm and said, "This reminds me of going to the senior prom."

I laughed and said, "I wouldn't know, I ended up going into the Marines before my senior prom."

"That's terrible! You didn't graduate?"

"Oh, it wasn't so bad! You see, in high school, I was one of the bad boys... kind of like Carl's friends. I was always getting into fights. Finally, just before graduation, I got into a fight where I hurt my opponent real bad. The judge found out about the extensive training I'd had in fighting, given to me by my dad and uncle. Even though the other guy had started the fight, I was sentenced to either spending four years in prison, or joining the military! Since both my dad and uncle were Marines... and we have a long family history of joining the Marines... that's what I did."

"That's just awful! They actually made you go into the service before you could graduate?"

"Oh, it wasn't so bad! I already had enough credits to graduate, so I did get my diploma. I just didn't get it to go to prom, or attend the graduation ceremonies, because I was already in boot camp."

"I still think it was unfair! Him punishing you like that, when the other guy started the fight. Even if you did have special training, he should've looked at it as self-defense."

"I kind of think the Judge really did me a favor. If I stayed the way I was going, I would've been no better than Carl, and might've ended up killing someone. The Marines really straightened my life out. They made me a man, instead of just another hoodlum. The Judge only said I had to serve four years. I ended up staying in for twenty-three. I would still be in, if I hadn't been injured."

"So, now that you're out, what are you going to do?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'm leaving tomorrow to check out the farm I inherited in Wheeling, West Virginia. I'm not sure if I'm going to keep it, or fix it up and sell it. Other than that, I have no real plans yet."

"So you might become a farmer? You don't seem like a farmer type!"

I laughed and said, "No, I'm not a farmer type, besides its only twenty-five acres. A farmer would starve to death, trying to farm that small of a piece of land. It's what they call a 'hobby farm'. It's mostly orchard, with a small cleared patch to grow a large garden. It's still got the barn and outbuildings, along with the house, from when it was a real farm. I'm afraid it's going to take a lot of work, though; because it's been sitting for twenty-three years, ever since my father died. I didn't even know I owned it, until last week."

She looked at me kind of shyly and said, "Would you ever consider living here?"

"Carl senior did say he could probably get me on with the Sheriff's Department, but I don't think it would be a good idea. After the situation we've had here, I'm not sure I can work with them. I would be an outsider, coming in. I would like to see you, though. Wheeling is not that far from here, so I can always come up for a visit... or you could come down. We could always call each other."

As we exchanged numbers, I heard some music starting up in the other room. When the waiter came to ask for dessert orders, I asked about the music. 

"On weekends, in the lounge, we have a band for dancing," he said.

I looked at Laurie. She smiled and nodded her head, indicating that she would like to dance. After paying the check, we moved to the lounge. The band was pretty good, but it seemed as though very few couples were dancing. I didn't have much experience in dancing, but after leading Laurie to the dance floor, she molded herself to me. We seemed to just float across the dance floor. After seeing the surprised look on my face she said, "Mama made Jane and me take dancing lessons for five years, as we were growing up. I just love to dance."

I told her, "I'm not much of a dancer, but if you want to risk your toes being stepped on, I'm game."

I was really enjoying myself and Laurie was fantastic company. Before I knew it, it was last call. The time had just flown by.

As we were heading out to my truck I told Laurie, "I've had a great time and wish it could last longer, but it is getting late. I should be getting you home."

Laurie looked at me shyly, "I'm not ready for the night to be over yet, either. I know you're leaving in the morning, but let's go back to your room."

After we returned to my room Laurie went into the bathroom to freshen up. I was a little nervous. I really didn't have that much experience with women, and that was mostly with bar girls. I had never really been in a relationship. While I was contemplating this, the bathroom door opened.

There stood Laurie, wearing nothing but her panties, framed by the glow of the bathroom light. She looked like an angel straight from heaven. I just stood there, speechless. She walked toward me, and I took her into my arms. I softly kissed her and lowered her to the bed.

Without saying a word we came together just stroking and holding each other. Somehow she worked me out of my clothes, and lost her panties. Finally, she reached down and inserted me into her warmth. This was beyond anything I had ever experienced. I was far from being a virgin. I had slept with women all over the world, but never had I experienced anything like this. We just seemed to fit together naturally, to flow together, reading each other's desires without having to say a word. We ended up making love twice, before falling asleep. We just snuggled in each other's arms, and cuddled between the sheets; still without speaking, before finally falling asleep.

I woke with her staring into my eyes. Upon seeing that I was awake, she launched herself at me, kissing me without any regard for my morning breath. We made love once more, as we both knew that we would have to part in just a couple of hours.

We cleaned up, and as I was taking her home I said, "Laurie, you are totally amazing. I know we don't really know each other well, having just met; but for some reason, it seems as if we fit well together. I'd love to see more of you; however, right now, I'm basically an out of work ex-Marine. I don't even have a place to live, yet. If you'd like, I can come up and see you every now and then, or you could come visit me once I get a place to stay."

"I'd like that. It seems as if we are meant to be together. I'd really like to see more of you."

She was crying as I dropped her off. Her sister just glared daggers at me, as she was not sure what was going on. I turned and left.

I hit Interstate 70, westbound, and headed toward a home I hadn't seen in twenty-three years. I was thinking about Laurie the whole time, and wondering if there was any possibility of a future between us. Before I knew it, three hours went by, and I was pulling onto the dirt road that led to the house my father and I had shared since my mother died.

After passing the Wilsons', I soon came into view of the house where I had grown up. It looked to be in better shape than I had anticipated. A tree branch had broken the window in the front room, and had let in the elements. A lot of the shingles must have been missing, because someone had nailed a tarp over the corner of the lower roof of the living room. The upper roof that covered the bedrooms looked to be in good shape, as if it had been replaced in the last few years. I know the lawyer told me that there was a budget for repairs to the house, I just didn't know that any repairs and been made. All in all it looked to be a reasonable shape, from the outside. The lawyer's letter told me that my neighbors, the Wilsons, had been looking after the place for the family, but I never expected this. I'd thought that more than likely they would've just called the police if something had happened, or if somebody was squatting on the place.

Getting closer I saw the barn was missing a few sheets of metal from the roof, and a few of the boards off of one side. The main door looked like it needed one of the hinges repaired but in all it wasn't bad. Of the other buildings, I noticed that one small shed had collapsed, and some of the boards from the fencing were missing. From the outside the place didn't look like it was going to be as much work as I had feared. I would have to do something nice for the Wilsons, for taking such good care of the place. After parking my truck I searched in my AWOL bag, finding the keys that the lawyer who given me.

(An 'AWOL bag', is a Marine term for a small carry-on type bag, similar to what a lot of people use as a gym bag) 

I unlocked the front door to see how bad it was, inside. The first thing I noticed was that all the furniture was missing from the living room. I could see where the roof had leaked, and where the broken window had let the carpet get soaked and was now mildewed. I'd have to replace it, and hope that the floors were not all rotted, underneath. It looked like I would have to replace the sheet rock on at least two of the walls of the living room, depending on the condition of the floors. Moving to the kitchen, I saw that everything looked in good repair. I did notice that the appliances were so old that they were still avocado green in color. I didn't think they'd made that color in twenty years. I wasn't even sure they would still work. They went on, making my list of things to replace. I could already tell this was gonna take a huge chunk of my savings, but what the hell? If I decided to live here I would need them, and if I decided to sell the place, it would be worth more with new appliances.

I noticed the kitchen and dining room still had furniture in them, including my mother's china cabinet. Next, I decided to check the family room. Opening the door, I discovered everything was actually quite neat, although it all could use a good cleaning. There was even an old TV in the room.

Suddenly, I was surprised when I heard the furnace kick on. What the hell? I never expected there still to be power turned on, here. Then I got to thinking. The lawyer knew when I would be released from the service, and when I would be coming here. He must've made arrangements to have everything turned on, before I got here. I'd have to check with the Wilsons.

The only other rooms on this floor were the bathroom, and my dad's den; which, for some reason, I couldn't make myself open yet. When I was a kid, it had always been my dad's sanctuary, and no one was allowed inside. I knew this was kind of an unreasonable feeling, since my dad had passed away so long ago. It was just that for some reason, it didn't seem right. I knew, eventually, I'd have to go in there; but I decided to save it for later.

Moving to the back of the house, I went through the mud room to the back porch. Everything looked okay, except it looked like the orchard hadn't been pruned in many years. A couple of the boards on the back porch were very soft. They would have to be replaced.

After going back inside, I climbed the back stairs to where the bedrooms had been added, to make the upper story. The house had originally been a one-story rambler, but the previous owner had built bedrooms over the back half of the house, making it like a split level.




The Legacy Ch. 04



Opening the first two bedrooms, I discovered them packed with the furniture that was missing from the other part of the house. I was really surprised at this. I figured after all this time, the furniture would be useless. However, it just smelled a little musty from lack of use. I couldn't detect any strong smell of mildew. I may have just gotten off a lucky. Maybe that was the reason the power and heat and been kept on. Uncle Jim had said in his letter that some of the funds from my inheritance had been used for upkeep, but I had never imagined that. I knew my father had some money that he had inherited from his folks, and that he had been very frugal with his money since my mother passed away, but I never imagined it had been enough for this.

Finally, it was time to check the last bedroom. This had been my bedroom, the one I had left so many years ago, when I'd gotten into trouble. Opening the door, I was expecting to see it also full of stored furniture. I was surprised to see it exactly the way I left it. On the desk was an envelope with my name on it.

Opening it, I read"

Clay,

Before we moved to Florida we made arrangements with Tom Wilson to have the place looked after, while you are gone. If you're reading this it means you must be out of the Marines, now. Everything should be in fair shape for you to reclaim. This is your home. It will probably need some repairs, however. There is a trust fund to take care of any major repairs. The trust fund is also paying the taxes, and utility bills. I thought it would be cheaper to pay them, so you didn't have to replace everything. A lot of the furniture are antiques that would be very expensive to replace.

After you read this letter, contact the law offices of Dan Crawford, in town. He should be able to release the balance from the trust fund to you. I also know he has a sealed letter for you, from your Dad. After you receive these, give us a call down in Florida. We will be glad to discuss all of this with you, plus I have a few more things you need to know.

                                          Love,

Uncle Jim and Aunt Helen

This gave me a lot of think about. It was one of the strangest letters I had ever received. It was almost as if there were some big secret being hidden from me.

After reading this, I decided to bite the bullet, and go check out my dad's study. Walking back downstairs I was surprised to find that the door was locked and none of the keys I had would fit. It looked like I was either going to have to break it down, which didn't seem right, or have a locksmith come out and open it for me. As I thought back to the letter, maybe the lawyer would have a key for me, since Uncle Jim had written that he had a letter for me from my dad.

Suddenly, I heard someone pounding on the door. Opening it, I saw a boy of about sixteen years old. He looked familiar, although I knew that I didn't know him. He stood there carrying a shotgun, and demanded to know who I was, and what I was doing in this house.

Then it dawned on me and I said, "You must be one of the Wilson's. My name is Jake Thompson and I used to live here a long time ago. And according to a letter I got from a lawyer I now own this place. I was going to stop by in the morning to talk to Tom, and let him know I was back."

"Tom is my grandpa! My dad told me about you. He said you went to school with him and Mom, as a matter of fact he said you used to date Mom."

"Then you must be Mark's boy. I went to school with Mike and Mark both, but Mike was older. He was still pretty cool, and let Mark and me hang out with him. He didn't just brush us off because we were a couple of years younger. Is Mike still around?"

"Uncle Mike moved to Phoenix, about six years ago. Said there was not enough work around here, and he didn't want to be working in the coal mines. He usually comes back for Christmas or a vacation, every year."

"Well, tell your dad that I am out of the Marines, now. I'm going to be here fixing up the place for a while. Also tell him and your grandpa and I will stop by in a couple of days, to talk to them."

After he left, it was starting to get dark. I really didn't feel like driving any more today. I decided what the hell? I'd slept in a lot worse places. I'd just grab my sleeping bag and camp out in my old room. I'd get started fixing the place, in the morning.

I was just laying out my sleeping bag on top of my old bed when I heard someone knocking on the front door. Opening it, I saw Mark Wilson, with a big grin on his face.

"Jake! It's sure good to see you. Last anyone around here heard you are still in the Marines."

"Mark! It's good to see you, too. Yeah, I just got out of the Marines a couple of days ago. They claimed it was time and I couldn't be a Marine anymore due to a little scratch I picked up. So they discharged me and here I am."

"You look fine to me? What happened?"

"Well, I got a scratch on my leg, and can't march anymore. You know the Corps insists that Marines be able to march in formation and look pretty, so they discharged me."

Mark looked at me funny and said, "Yeah, right, pull the other one... it's got bells on it! Now what's the truth? Why'd they really discharge you? They catch you messing with the General's daughter?"

Laughing, I said, "I can't put anything past you. Actually, I got wounded and fucked up my leg pretty good. Since I could no longer do my job, and would go nuts trying to do a desk job, they gave me a medical discharge."

"While that kind of sucks, everyone knew you would become a gung ho Marine, just like you Dad and Uncle were. Oh well, I guess it's their loss. So what are you going to do now?"

"I'm not sure yet. I don't really have enough skills that cross over into civilian life. The Marines didn't really train me for that. Sure, I can creep up on someone, and find out everything they know... I can hit a moving target at a thousand yards... but somehow I can't see making a living doing that," I said laughing.

"Yup! There's not much call for any of that around here."

"Actually, I ran into a little trouble in Claysville, yesterday. The DA kind of offered me a job with the Sheriff's Department there. I turned it down, because after clearing up my trouble, it was kind of embarrassing to the Sheriff's Department. I thought that after that, it was kinda doubtful that they would welcome me with open arms. It might be something to think about doing around here, though. "

Upon hearing that Mark started laughing his ass off and said, "I can just imagine the look on old Judge Tyler's face... you, joining the police force in Wheeling!"

"Is that old bastard still around? I don't think the judge would be too much against it. After all, I stayed out of trouble and joined the military, just like he ordered."

"No, Judge Tyler retired years ago. His son is sitting on the bench, now. You remember Sid, don't you?"

"Nerdy Sid? He's the town judge, now? I don't think he'd have any trouble with me in the police force. I used to protect him while we were in school!"

"Yes, you did, but that was before you beat Bill Spelman half to death."

"But why would it make a difference to him? Bill Spelman was nothing but a rich bully. As a matter of fact, Sid was one of Bill Spelman's regular victims!"

Mark just started laughing again and said, "Sid may still hate him. But Bill Spelman is now the Chief of Police. So if I was you, I'd be very careful about watching my step in town."

"You're probably right about that. How the hell did he ever become Chief of Police?"

"How do you think? His daddy's money! Bill has made a lot of enemies around here; but he wants to get into politics. So, he's keeping his head down, mostly. I don't think he'll give you too much trouble, unless you give him a good excuse; although, you might think about trying for the County Sheriff. You remember Van Johnson? He's the Sheriff, now. He still hates Bill Spelman; even worse, now, than when we were in school. I think that with your background, he would jump at the chance to hire you, even if it's just for a chance to rub Bill Spelman's nose in it."

I chuckled at that and said, "I'll have to think on that. I'm not really hurting for a job yet. I've got my savings and pension to live on. Since this place is paid off, I've no real expenses, except for what it will cost to fix it. Maybe I'll just kick back and enjoy the life of a retired gentleman."

This started Mark laughing so hard he almost fell out of his chair and said, "You? A retired gentleman? If you're anything near the way you used to be, you'd go nuts within a month!"

"It'll take longer than a month just to fix this place back up. Although, I do need to thank you and your family for keeping an eye on it. It's really not that bad. It looks like you have been doing a lot of work to this place."

"Not really too much. We've been paid for all the repairs, although a storm did break one of the windows last week. I haven't got around to fixing it, yet. Dad still comes around about once a month to check the place over; but he took a fall about six years ago, and can't really do much, anymore."

"I'm sorry to hear about your dad. Tom was always a good man, willing to help anyone that needed it."

"I'm running the farm, now. Mike finally got fed up and moved to Phoenix, so it's just Dad and my family living down the road now."

"I met your son, but I didn't catch his name. He told me I used to date his mother? Just who did you marry, Mark?"

He looked at me a little funny and said, "Sally Nicholls. I know you were dating her when you got in trouble; but after you left, and we knew you wouldn't be coming back, I started dating her. We were married about a year after graduation. We have three boys now. You met our oldest son, Tom. He was named after Dad. He's sixteen. Then there's Matt, he's thirteen; and Jimmy, who's twelve."

After seeing how nervous he was telling me about marrying my old girlfriend I said, "That's great! I don't think you could've found a better girl than Sally. From what I've seen of your boy, you should be very proud."

"Yeah, I'm proud of them, but I gotta keep my eyes wide open. Those sons of mine can be real hellions. They're almost as bad as we were when we were that age."

We sat and visited for a while longer, until there was a knock on the door. Opening it, I found Tom was back again.

"Dad, Mom says she wants you to come home soon. And she said to invite Jake to dinner tomorrow night."

After hearing this, Mark said his goodbyes, and went home with his son. Looking at the clock, I was surprised it was after midnight, already. I shut the lights off, and went back upstairs to my old room. I slipped into my sleeping bag. It took a while to fall asleep, surrounded as I was by all the old memories.

Edited By TeNderLoin, and The Old Fart



The Legacy Ch. 05



The next morning I woke up feeling half starved. While I was rummaging through what was left of the snacks I had picked up for the drive down here, there was a knock on the door. Opening it I found a grinning Mark. 

He held up a thermos of coffee, and a paper bag as he said, "We thought you might be hungry. Sally sent me down here with coffee and an egg sandwich, to help tide you by."

After inviting him in I said, "Sally is a real lifesaver! I was just scratching around, and thought I was going to have to have a breakfast of potato chips and Pepsi." 

Mark laughed and said, "That doesn't sound like too healthy of a breakfast. So what are your plans for this morning?"

"Well, after I finish this delicious sandwich, I plan to go to town after supplies. This place is not nearly as bad as I'd feared. You've done a great job watching out for it, and I really owe you and your family. It could've been a hell of a lot worse, if it wasn't for you."

"It wasn't too much work; besides which, we were being paid for keeping an eye on the place."

"Yeah, but to most folks 'keeping an eye on the place' would just mostly be to make sure it didn't burn down, or somebody didn't decide to squat in it. Your family went way beyond that. I thought I'd end up living in a motel room for the next couple of months, but you have kept this place so I can still live here, while doing the work. It might get a little messy while doing it but I've lived in a hell of a lot worse places. It sure beats living in a tent. 

"From what I can see, a few bundles of shingles and getting that window fixed, will make this place weatherproof, again. I'll try and get that done in the next couple of days. Other than that, it just looks like some minor repairs in the living room, to change out the few damaged pieces of sheet rock and some new carpeting. Then, after I've changed appliances in the kitchen and upgraded the cabinets, the place will be just like new."

"Are you thinking about selling it, or are you going to hang around for a while?"

"I haven't really made up my mind, yet. On the way down here, I stopped in Claysville, where I met someone. I've never really met someone like her, before. I'd kinda like to see where things go with us."

"You mentioned something last night about some sort of trouble in Claysville. What was that all about?" 

"I got tired of driving so I got a motel room in Claysville and decided to have a drink. This stupid drunk decided to beat on his girlfriend, right there in the bar. Well, you know I wouldn't put up with something like that, so I ended up knocking him on his ass. When I was leaving he took a shot at me. I was able to work my way around behind him and disarm him. The police finally arrived and carted his ass away. The next morning the girl, Laurie, showed up at my motel room. She let me know that the police had only charged him for disorderly conduct and released him. 

"The guy should have been charged with attempted murder, but he was driving around town with a rifle threatening to get even with me."

"He tried to shoot you, and they only charged him with disorderly conduct?

"It turns out his father is a powerful man, the District Attorney for that county. Anyway, instead of having to keep watching over my shoulder for him, I went to his house to try and apprehend him again. It turns out his father was unaware of what had happened. To say the least, he was not pleased with his son. He let me know where to find him. I captured him, and the two people he was trying to get to help ambush me. The father's the one that tried to get me to take a job with the Sheriff's Department, there in Claysville."

"Oh, so that's what happened! And what about the girl?"

"That's what I'm still trying to figure out. We went out to dinner and found that we really like each other, and would like to see each other again. The main trouble is she lives there, and I don't really have a place to live until I get this fixed up. So, right now, that's kinda my driving force. I want to get the work done here, so we can see where this goes."

"That really seems fast! Are you sure about this girl? After all you only knew her for two days."

"I know it's fast, but who knows? I'd at least like to see her again."

"Well, I gotta be getting back. I'll stop by this afternoon, after I get chores done, and give you a hand. Sally wanted to make sure to remind you about dinner, tonight, too."

"I'll try to make it, but I have a letter from my Uncle Jim telling me I need to see a lawyer named Crawford, in town. Something about the trust fund paying the upkeep of this place, and a letter from Dad that the lawyer is holding for me. I don't seem to remember a Crawford in town. Of course, Wheeling really isn't that small a town. You got any idea where his office is?"

"Yeah, he's fairly new to town. Been here about ten years, but seems like a pretty decent guy. His office is the one that pays for the upkeep on this place. It's pretty easy to find. It's a big white house just off Main and Sycamore, got a sign out on the front lawn. You can't miss it."

"Thanks. That should be easy to find. I'll go there after I'm done picking up the rest of the supplies from the lumberyard."

"That might take you a while, because the lumberyard's gone. There's a Home Depot just off Main, though. They should have everything you need."

He said his goodbyes, and I told him to thank Sally for the egg sandwich and coffee. After he drove off, I hopped into my truck and headed to town. Driving through town seemed quite strange. There was very little left that I remembered. 

Chuckling to myself I thought, "No shit, Jake, you've been gone for twenty-three years! Things don't stay the same."

I finally found the Home Depot. It looked like nothing I'd ever seen before. This place had everything. Last time I remembered, if you wanted wood and building supplies, you had to go to a lumberyard. Here you can buy lumber, tools, carpet, and even the appliances I wanted. Walking through the store, I noticed that I could even buy the kitchen counters and cabinets, all premade, and the prices were cheaper than I could manage by making them myself. It looked like my kitchen was going to have a complete facelift. After wandering around through the store, I finally located a manager to help me. 

I said, "Hello! I'm not sure how things work, here, but I need a lot of things, including appliances. By any chance, do you deliver?" 

He said, "Yes, we do deliver... within a fifty mile radius. But we charge you, unless it's a large order."

"My place is just outside town. Do you know where the Wilson Farm is? My house is right next to it, sitting back a ways."

"Yes, I know where that is, but it hasn't been lived in in years. Some folks have been trying to buy it, since the last people living there, moved to Florida. But everyone that inquires about it is told it's not for sale. How'd you ever buy it? I know Mark Wilson takes care of the place," he said, then looked at me strangely.

"My family has always owned it. It was my father's home, originally; then my Uncle and Aunt lived there for a long while, before they retired to Florida. Now it's mine."

Still looking at me funny he said, "Jake? Is that you?"

He looked familiar but I couldn't place it until he said, "We didn't know if you were even still living, you were gone so long. It's me, Ron Davis."

I would've never recognized him. Gone was the skinny kid that used to hang out with Mike, Mark, and me, while we were in school. Now he was about fifty pounds overweight, balding, and wearing glasses. Almost as if he was a whole different person.

"Ron? I would've never recognized you. Last I remember you were just a skinny kid who used to follow us around."

He laughed and said, "Jake, you got to remember you've been gone for over twenty years. Whatever happened to you? You never came back. Are you back to stay, now?"

"Yeah, I guess you're right, it has been awful long time. You remember Judge Tyler said it was either prison or the military. While I ended up joining the Marines just like my Dad and Uncle Jim. I only had to serve for four years, but I decided to make a career of it. I've only been out a few days now. I wasn't sure what I was going to do, until this lawyer showed up saying that I still own my dad's place. So here I am. Mark has been doing a good job keeping the place up. It still does need some repairs, though, and there are a lot of other changes I need to make."

"Well, we should have most everything you need, here. What did you have in mind? 

"I know, basically, what I need to start with. My trouble is, I'm not sure I really have the skills to do it. The Marines didn't really teach much about carpentry. From what I've seen so far, I've got a leaky roof, so I need to fix that first. I saw where the sheet rock got wet, and I'm going to need to change about to a half a dozen sheets. Then I'll replace the carpet, at least in the living room. Also, since I'm not sure if I'm going to keep the place or sell it, I'd like to change all the appliances in the kitchen. Maybe add new flooring, counters, and cabinets, too. I'm not sure how long this is going to take, since I really don't know what I'm doing."

"I think we can help you pretty much get everything done. As for the carpentry, we've got a bulletin board with all kinds of people looking for work. It's the off-season, so there are carpenters and handymen just barely making it. I'm sure we can find you someone to assist you that knows what they're doing. Come to think of it, you remember Dave Jones? He's an all-around handyman, and from what I understand, his wife just had a new baby; so, he really needs some work. As far as your flooring and carpet go, we sell that by the yard, uninstalled or installed. Our crew does quality work at a very reasonable price, so you won't have to worry about that, either. The cabinets and counters we also install the same way, so that should take away a big worry."

I thought this would take a lot of pressure off my mind. I knew the job would be done a hell of a lot better than I could do it. 

I said, "Ron, I think it's a great idea you have to keep me from doing everything myself and making a mess of it. Do you have Dave Jones phone number? I'm not really sure what all I need until I talk to him."

Ron took me into his office and found Jones' phone number. I didn't really know Dave Jones, since he was a couple classes behind us in school; but if Ron recommended him, he should be pretty good. I made arrangements for him to come out later that afternoon, after telling him what all was the most major things that needed doing. He said to at least get the pane of glass. We could fix the window today. He said to pick up at least six bundles of shingles that would match the roof, too. That should at least prevent any further damage while we were getting the rest of the house fixed up. 

After talking to him, and hearing his professional attitude, I felt a lot better about hiring him. Ron walked me through the store, while we were picking out the cabinets, carpet, and flooring I wanted. Then came the big-money items: new stove, refrigerator, sink, dishwasher, and a set of laundry machines. I could tell this was going to take a big chunk of my savings. Ron pointed out that if I decided to keep the place, I would need them; and if I decided to sell, it would bring the value of the place up. I kept my mouth shut, as he had a point.

I went ahead and ordered and paid for all the appliances. He said that it would make it a lot easier for the cabinet installer to have all the appliances there, so the man could work around them. It would make the cabinets and counters fit that much better. He also told me that he could have the appliances delivered and installed, later that afternoon. They would even dispose of the old ones. All of this got me thinking. Instead of taking months to have my house livable, it should only take a week or two. I wasn't really worried too much about all the outside repairs. Face it; it's pretty hard to mess up building a fence, or just nailing a few boards, or sheets of metal.

After making all the arrangements for the flooring and cabinet people to come out, measure and give me an estimate, I headed for my truck, feeling pretty satisfied with myself; although my bank account had a serious bite taken out of it.

I started heading back home, when I remembered I still had to stop and see that lawyer. I turned off on the main street, and finally found the house that Mark had described to me. I suppose I was expecting some fancy law office, but this was just like somebody's home. After knocking on the front door, it was answered by a man in a wheelchair. 

When I said I was looking for an attorney named Crawford he said, "I'm Dan Crawford what can I do for you?" 

I introduced myself, saying, "Pleased to meet you. I'm Jake Thompson. I had a letter from my Uncle stating I needed to get in touch with you about the property I inherited. He also said you had a letter for me, from my father."

He invited me into his office and pulled out a folder with my name at the top and said, "I've been handling the upkeep of your property from the trust fund your Uncle set up. It will take me a few days to balance the books on everything, and make sure all the bills are in and paid. Then I will have a check cut to you for the balance, and turn everything over to you. I've also got a sealed letter for you from your father along with a couple of other items." 

He handed me the letter, with a set of keys, and a large sapphire ring. I thanked him for the care which he had given to my family and assured him that if I had any other legal matters I would come to him first.

I had just passed the city limits on my way home, when suddenly blue lights were flashing in my rearview mirror. I couldn't think of anything I had done wrong as I pulled off to the side. 

A young deputy walked up to the door and said, "Are you Jake Thompson?" 

After I handed him my license and registration I said, "Yes, I'm Jake Thompson, what have I done, Officer?" 

He responded, "You're not in any trouble. Sheriff Johnson put the word out, that if any of us ran across you, to let you know that he would like to speak with you." 

I looked at my watch and discovered I still had a while until I needed to meet with Dave Jones about the repairs to the house, so I said, "I got a little time, right now. Where's the Sheriff?"

After following the deputy back to the station, he led me to a door marked 'V. Johnson, Ohio County Sheriff.' 

Opening the door I said, "Sheriff Johnson? I'm Jake Thompson. I believe you wanted to speak with me?"

He said, "Come in. Yes, I did, but I didn't expect you to drop everything and come in straightaway. I received a call from my cousin, Mark Wilson. He said that you might be interested in becoming a deputy. I remember some of when you were here, before. Didn't you get into some kind of trouble, and have to join the Marines?"

He seemed pretty straight up, so I explained about getting into a fight with Sid Spelman when we were in school, and beating him half to death. His father put a lot of pressure on the judge to have me sent to prison because my training made me a deadly weapon. Judge Tyler gave me the choice of either prison, or four years in the military, so I picked joining the Marines.

He chuckled and said, "I can understand that. Sid's an ass. You know he holds a grudge, don't you?

"Sid is nothing but a bully. I'm not going to give him an excuse to use the law against me. But, if he decides to try something; I figure I kicked his ass once, I can do it again."

"So what makes you think you might want to become a cop? Were you with the MPs while in the Marines?"

"No, I spent twenty-three years in force recon. I'm not really sure what I want to do yet. I just thought with my military training, about all I could do was either become a bodyguard or find a job enforcement. I thought maybe you had an opening with a SWAT team or something."

"Hmmm, I hadn't really thought of that. Your training is probably better than anyone else on the SWAT team. Sid won't like it. SWAT comes under the County jurisdiction. We don't need to use it much; so I'm not sure how much work you'll get, besides training. So, you'll have patrol duty, mostly. As a deputy, he'll not be able to fuck with you," he said, chuckling to himself.

After letting him know that I still had a lot of work to do to get my house ready I agreed to work for him, starting with twenty hours a week. Heading home, I got to thinking that he probably hired me mostly to piss off Sid, but that was all right with me. From what I understood, Sid Spelman was still the same asshole now, that he'd been in school, he just had more power.

Pulling in front of my house, I noticed Mark talking to someone in an old Ford pickup. Getting out, I was introduced to Dave Jones. Apparently he and Mark were old friends.

Mark said, "Jake! I see you hired Dave here, to help with some of the repairs."

"I thought since I didn't know shit about how to do these repairs, I'd get an expert. Dave, it's good to meet you."

After all the introductions had been made, Mark headed for home. I showed Dave what all I thought needed done. 

Dave said, "Since I see you've got the roofing material, and a new pane of glass for that broken window; we can at least get the place weatherproof, today." 

Dave had started on the roof, while I started cleaning the broken glass out of the window; when a delivery truck from Home Depot pulled up. They had my new appliances. I went to supervise the installation. I noticed although they hooked up the stove and the washer and dryer set; they only plugged in the refrigerator, and had not hooked up the icemaker, or installed the new dishwasher. I asked them about this, and they said that they would be back to install the cabinets in a couple of days, after the new flooring had been installed. This way, I would be able to use everything in the meantime. Then, after taking measurements for the cabinets, and the new carpeting for the living room, they took off. Going back outside, I saw Dave had finished patching the roof, and was just finishing glazing in the new window pane.

"Damn, you're fast. I thought it would probably take the rest of the day."

"It wasn't really that big a job, just replacing a few shingles. The hard work will start tomorrow with the sheet rock. That will take a couple of days, since we'll need to let the plaster dry before we paint. I got some time left, today. Why don't we go ahead and pull up the old carpet, and check underneath. That shouldn't take too long. We went in and Dave started cutting the carpet in four foot wide strips, so it would be easy to roll it up and haul it outside. 

I thought, 'Damn, I'm glad I hired him. I would've probably just rolled it all up. I'd have ended up with a hernia, trying to wrestle the whole thing out by myself.' 

After getting everything outside, I thought I'd just order a large dumpster to be delivered, instead of making countless trips to the dump. He asked about doing the carpet in the rest of the house, when I told him most of the upstairs was full of furniture from down here. It would be a real pain to get to it, right now. 

Then I remembered the keys I had picked up from the lawyer, and went to check Dad's study. One of the keys fit. When we opened the door, we found that the carpet looked as if it had just been replaced, so that was good. Dave asked about the dining area, so I told him I thought it'd be a lot easier to just have a hardwood laminate installed. It had originally been carpeted, but I thought this would be easier to keep clean.

As we were washing up I said, "Dave, I'd offer you a beer, but unfortunately I forgot to go shopping while in town. I'll have some tomorrow, though."




The Legacy Ch. 05



He laughed and said, "That's okay. I need to get home to the wife, anyway. She'd kill me if I came home with beer on my breath. I haven't had a chance to tell her I was working, yet."

I went ahead and paid him for the work that he had done today, and said, "I sure appreciate what you've done so far. I'm not sure how much work there is going to be, as fast as you work, but I would have certainly been lost without your help."

"This came at just the right time. I start a big job, week after next, so every little bit you have for me sure helps."

When he left, I hopped into my pickup, and headed for the local store. I thought that besides getting a few groceries and beer for guests, it would probably be best to pick up a bottle of wine for dinner with the Wilsons. As I went by their home, I thought it might be a good idea to stop and see if they needed anything from the store. Mark said he would ride along, and Sally gave him a list of last minute items that she wanted. 

We had just entered town when once again blue lights lit up my rearview mirror. I pulled over and who should walk up but none other than Sid Spelman, trying to act tough and important. 

He said, "Thompson, what the hell are you doing in my city? If you're not gone in three days I'll have you rotting in my jail." 

I just looked at him for a moment and said, "I don't think so, Sidney," knowing how much he hated being called Sidney.

"You can't threaten me! I can have you locked up for threatening in a police officer! I'll have you know I'm the chief of police, so you better just watch your step!"

I just glared at him and said again, "I don't think so! I'm a property owner, and I'm employed, so you don't have any call to try to run me out of town."

"I'll do any damn thing I want! I run this town, and you're just another criminal. Who in their right mind would give you a job?"

"Sheriff Johnson. I'm the new deputy who's training the SWAT team! So, I suggest that unless you really want to start something, you get your fat ass back in your car and get the hell out here."

"Thompson, you haven't heard the last of this!"

"I think so. I kicked your ass when we were kids, and I don't doubt for a minute that I can still do it."

After he got back into his car and sped off, Mark turned to me and said, "Jesus, Jake! Just looking into your eyes scared me! It was like looking at one of the four horsemen of the apocalypse. It looked like you were ready to kill him right then and there."

"Sorry. I guess old habits die hard. I just can't stand bullies, especially those that think the rules don't pertain to them."

"You know this isn't over, yet. Slimy Sid isn't going to take this lying down. You undercut his authority. Did you really take a job with the Sheriff's Department?"

"Yup. I'm only working twenty hours a week, to start. I think he only gave me the job to get under Sid's skin. By the way, why didn't you tell me you were cousins with the Sheriff?"

"Second cousins, actually, but family is family. I mentioned to him about you being back, and the relationship you had with Slimy Sid. He thinks with you around, Sid is bound to do something stupid. That will give us an excuse to get rid of him, once and for all, regardless of his daddy's backing."

We laughed about it while heading to the supermarket. Going inside, we started by picking up some beer and wine. 

After finding out which beer Mark liked, and which wine Sally might enjoy with dinner, Mark laughed and said, "I'm not quite sure which wine goes best with meatloaf!" As he continued to pick out groceries he said, "What, you cook, too? I never thought you were that domesticated."

"It's hard to mess up frying a steak, or baking a potato. I also know how to open a can. Just remember, cooking is mostly following instructions. If there's one thing the Marines teach you, it's how to follow instructions."

"Well, I can see you're not going to starve to death, at least. I'm sure glad I have Sally. Otherwise, with my cooking, I probably would starve!"

We headed back to my place to put everything away. After I got cleaned up and changed, we headed to his house. 

As we walked in Sally said, "Van called a little while ago, and wanted to know what you said to piss the chief of police off so badly?"

This set us off laughing so hard that Sally just stared at us, as if we'd lost our minds. Mark finally got control of himself and explained the way the chief of police tried to throw his weight around, and the way he'd backed down when I stood up to him.  

She just laughed and said, "Couldn't happen to a nicer guy! That dumb son of a bitch goes around thinking he owns this town. I remember when right after Jake left, he came sniffing around me like I was some sort of consolation prize. As if I would ever consider going out with him! "

The meal was fantastic, but I think I ate too much. Good food and good friends just made me feel right at home.

After I finally arrived at home, I remembered Dad's letter. Opening it, I read,

Jake,

If you're reading this, I know you're at the crossroads of your life. You're no longer in the Marine Corps, and you're not sure what you want to do now. I know you'll miss the excitement and the challenges that the Marines brought, so the one last thing I can do for you, is to show you your legacy. Put the ring that was given to you, onto your right ring finger. Place all the objects you are carrying on you, on the top of the desk in my office. Then go through the door behind my desk. Your new path in life will be revealed to you. After you are shown your new direction, contact my brother, Jim. He will fill you in further. I have a few notes and things in the office safe, that may also help you, after you talk to Jim. As for the combination of the safe, just remember Tun Tavern.

Love always,

      Dad

What a strange letter! What the hell did he mean, 'the crossroads of my life'? What was he talking about by 'my legacy'? I was tempted to call Uncle Jim right away, and find out if he knew what was going on; but instead, I decided it couldn't hurt to do as Dad said, one last time.

Following his instructions, I emptied my pockets, and put on the ring. Stepping to the door, I thought it was some sort of storage room or closet. Stepping through I felt a momentary sensation of dizziness, and saw an attractive woman who looked to be in her early sixties. 

She said, "Welcome to Crossroads. I am Mistress Eva. May I ask your name, Hero?"

I just stared at her for a moment. This couldn't be happening! This room, alone, looked to be larger than my father's study! There was no way it could fit in that little closet area.

Seeing that I was in a state of shock and confusion, she said, "Please have a seat, Hero," pointing to a chair beside her desk.

I took the offered chair and said, "Just what is this place? I can tell just by the size of it, that it would never fit into my dad's office."

She said, "This is going to take a while. Would you care for refreshment, perhaps some coffee or tea?

"Maybe some coffee, please; no cream, no sugar." 

I was surprised when she said, "Two coffees, black, please," and they appeared on the desk in front of her. As I was starting to doubt my sanity, she said that we were on 'Crossroads', and then explained about the other planets: Cassandra and Chaos. She went on to tell about a catastrophe to Cassandra, which left most of the male population impotent. Then she spoke of the planet Chaos, which was similar to the way the Earth was in the fourteenth century: feudal lords, bandits, slavers, and cutthroats. She told me of the women of Cassandra, otherwise known as Damsels, who were placed upon Chaos. Thereupon they would meet with hardship and danger, leading to their possible death, while waiting to be rescued by a Hero of Earth.

"But why would they put themselves in danger like that? You said they could even be tortured or killed on Chaos?"

"Why it's the grand adventure, and they get to have a baby by the Earth Hero, of course."

"So, let me get this straight. If they are killed on Chaos, they are just transported back here, right. They're not really dead, right?"

"No, dead is dead. The Damsels feel that it is worth the risk for the opportunity to have a child."

"So if the mission is a success the Damsels and the Hero would return to Earth or Chaos to have a family?"

"No they would return to crossroads whereupon the Damsel would proceed to get pregnant by the Hero. Upon announcing her pregnancy she will be sent back to Cassandra to raise her child and the hero would be returned to Earth."

"That's crazy! You would expect me to father children that I would never see or be part of their upbringing? Just why should I want to do anything like that?"

"I know it is a difficult concept to understand but without this the population of Cassandra would cease to exist in about one hundred more years. Remember, the male population is effectively sterile. This is the only chance the women have to have a healthy child. They feel so strongly about this, that they are willing to risk their lives for it. I know it is a difficult decision, but remember, both your father and your uncle were Earth Heroes for many years. They have fathered numerous children for Cassandra."

"Are there any other surprises I need to be aware of?"

She went on to explain about Hero Companions, and what their basic duties were. Then said that there was a problem with three Earth groups that were trying to take over Chaos. She said the first group was the Slavers. There had been a war fought with the slavers who were trying to take over most of Chaos. She went on and explained about the war. 

"There is also a group of Elitists who are trying to take over. They are called the Brotherhood. Finally, there's a group of Industrialists, who are just as bad as the slavers. They are trying to take over the population, to use them as indentured servants. The way this works, is that they hire someone, or loan them money. Then they need to work it off. It sounds good to the simple peasants, but everything they need, including housing, is charged to them by the company they work for, thus keeping them forever in debt. According to Chaos laws, being an indentured servant is legal, while slavery is not, although they are basically the same thing. A lot of Damsels end up kidnapped, and sold as indentured servants, with forged papers. Normally, Heroes work alone, except for their companions. Since the problems have come up with these Earth groups, we are encouraging certain heroes to form groups, to support themselves and allow some dispensations, such as bringing animals like horses or dogs from Earth to help them. They are still not able to bring any sort of weapon with them, though."

After hearing this, my blood started to boil, so I said, "Okay, I'm in. What's the next step?"

"The next step is picking your Caretaker. This is a woman from Cassandra, who will help brief you, and see to your every need as a Hero's Caretaker. Here are three files. Our master computer says one of these women will provide you with the best support possible."

I opened the files and started to read. 

Kelly Hunter: experienced in Outdoorsmanship, Game Hunting, Tactics, and Basic Survival.

Darlene Medic: experienced in Surgery, Battlefield First Aid, Pharmacy, and Herbal Medicine.

Jamie Editor: author of several 'Guides to Survival' on Chaos, including the bestseller: 'The Guide to Survival for Damsels'.

Also shown, was a nude picture of each of the girls. Each one was a beauty in her own right. I read each of the files a couple of times over and shoved two of them toward Mistress Eva. I said, "I'm not really sure any of these would be a real asset; but probably, Kelly Hunter would be the best."

"Oh, dear! I'm afraid Kelly Hunter is not eligible to become your caretaker," she said. She then picked up the other file. After reading it, she said, "There has clearly been a big mistake. Darlene Medic is also not eligible."

"Why aren't they eligible?"

"Apparently a mistake was made when the files were selected. It was not taken into consideration that these Caretakers are related to you. Kelly is your half sister and Darlene is your Uncle Jim's daughter, so she is your first cousin."

"So what happens now? Do they just go back into a pool and wait for the next Earth Hero?"

"No, unfortunately because of the number of applicants they only have one chance."

"That really doesn't seem fair! Through no fault of their own, they lose their only chance?"

"I'm sorry for them, but since there are so many applicants, we have to abide by the rules."

I thought for a minute, then had an idea and said, "Okay, they're not eligible to be Caretakers. What about them becoming my Hero Companions?"

"That is most irregular. Most Hero Companions are from Earth... although, I do remember something about one hero sneaking his Caretaker onto Chaos for a mission." 

Then she gazed off into the distance as if she were speaking with someone. After several moments she seemed to snap back. 

She said, "I've checked with the Powers That Be, and they agree that it is unfair to Kelly Hunter and Darlene Medic to be excluded like this. They will make a special dispensation an allow them to become your companions, although they must then move to Earth, with you. They will essentially become Earth women, then. Are you agreeable?"

"I don't really have much family left on Earth, just my Uncle Jim and Aunt Helen; so, if it is agreeable with them, I'm okay with it."

"That's settled then, let me get you three new folders."

"Why three new folders? What will happen with Jamie Editor?

"The Hero must have a choice of three. She will be sent back, the same as if she was not chosen."

I wasn't too happy with the cavalier way that they treated the caretaker applicants so I said, "New folders will not be necessary. I'll take Jamie Editor as my caretaker."

Upon hearing this, she stood and said, "I'll be right back with your Caretaker and new Companions."

*

Edited By TeNderLoin, The Old Fart & Pcbondsman