The Last Frontier
by Marina Twelve and Thomas R.

 

Retribution  Part II

The Sandersville Hospital called Adrienne two days later. It was a three hour drive in the ATV from the ranch. Her husband, Leslie, had taken their shuttlecraft to the spaceport the day he left on his ill-fated patrol run to the Sirian Ord belt.

Now Captain Leslie Webber was declared missing in action, after a battle with Syndicate forces and was presumed dead. Adrienne’s only hope for any clues to the ultimate fate of her husband now rested with the strange, delirious woman that she had found bruised and bleeding, two days before. She had been brutally raped and dumped on to their private landing pad, by persons unknown.

The woman knew Adrienne’s name, even though Adrienne had never met the lady before in her life. Indeed, the Doctor’s DNA inquiry identified her as a prostitute who lived on the other side of the Galactic quadrant, and stranger yet, had been officially DEAD for three years. Before the paramedics took her to the hospital, she had briefly regained consciousness and even claimed that she WAS Leslie Webber.

None of this made any sense to Adrienne, but she was determined to find out just what connection the woman had with her husband. The thought that Leslie might have been using her "services" had crossed her mind, but she did not want to even consider that. "Leslie wouldn’t do that to me", she thought to herself, "He’s a good man."

When Adrienne finally got to the hospital, Dr. Merrit greeted her at the door. He began to brief her on the case so far.

"We still have the woman signed in as a "Jane Doe", but now she is fully conscious and is recovering rapidly. She insisted on speaking to YOU. That’s why you are here."

The woman was sitting upright, in bed, when Adrienne was admitted into her room. The bruises were now beginning to fade and her long reddish blonde hair was now combed and pinned back away from her face, which looked quite attractive even without makeup.

Her eyes lit up as she saw Adrienne enter the room.

"Adrienne!", she said "You don’t know me, do you?"

Adrienne shook her head, but carefully walked closer. "But YOU know something about my husband. I am sure of it!" she replied.

The woman was silent for a few seconds, then began to speak again. "I know you won’t believe me, but what I told you at the ranch is true, I AM your husband, Leslie. The Syndicate did THIS to me.---Some kind of alien genetic reprogramming. They wanted me to serve as a warning to other fleet captains who take their role of guardians of the shipping lanes too seriously."

Adrienne listened incredulously.

"Hey", the woman said, noting the look on Adrienne’s face, "Ask me anything! Anything only Leslie and you would know about!"

She had to think for a moment. "Alright, what did Leslie give me when I was in the maternity ward giving birth to our son, Jeremy?"

"That’s Justin! And it was a pink, stuffed bunny rabbit. I got it at the hospital gift store and you complained that I paid too much for it."

Adrienne was stunned! She put her hand to her mouth and reached out with the other to lightly touch the woman’s face. "Oh My GOD! Leslie! That’s really you!"

"I have a hard time believing it myself, Adrienne."

"But what are you going to do, Leslie? What are WE going to do?"

"After I recover from the little "party" that Konstantin’s boys threw for me the other night, I am going to examine the medical options. There HAS to be some way to reverse this."

"Meanwhile, Adrienne, work on getting my identity back. They will need a sworn affidavit from you and other people you can find who know me, attesting to my being Leslie Webber." "Bring them in here, I will answer any of their questions."

"Funny how things work out," Leslie chuckled. "I will still be able to use my own name."

A week later Leslie was finally released from the Hospital. Physically, despite her traumatic experience, She was "none the worse for her wear" and was given a clean bill of health. They were good enough to take her to the spaceport where she was able to retrieve her personal shuttle, she had left there nearly two weeks before.

Leslie wondered what her home life would be like when she returned to "The Ranch" Adrienne was obviously "uncomfortable" about his new appearance. What vexed Leslie the most, however, was the question "How is Justin going to react to seeing his father this way?"

Leslie had discussed this situation with Adrienne during one of her visits. At first they thought that it might be best to tell Justin that Leslie was an "Aunt", but the first time she was called "Leslie" erroneously by either Adrienne or a friend would blow the whole ruse. The Kid was bright, he would have figured that something "funny" was going on. Finally, they decided that it would be best to tell Justin the truth to begin with.

Leslie noted the small figure on the tarmac as he approached the landing pad. It was Justin! He had heard his father’s shuttle returning home and had run out to meet it.

"Damn kid!", Leslie thought to herself. "How many times have I told him to stand outside the red line when the shuttle was landing? I’m gonna. . ."

Leslie caught herself. What WAS she "gonna do?"

She carefully maneuvered the shuttle into it’s landing bay, opened the belly hatch and deployed the ladder.

"Dad! Dad!", she heard the boy shout as she began to descend the ladder. Justin stopped shouting and just stared as he realized that he person emerging from his father’s ship was a stranger. The gray, unisex jumpsuit, despite its bagginess, did little to hide the obvious feminine form beneath it.

"You’re not my father." the kid commented, with a puzzled look on his face. "Where is Dad?"

Leslie was at a loss for words. Apparently, Adrienne had not told Justin anything — Yet.

"Uh . . . I need to speak with your mother", she said.

"Lady, is daddy all right? Sid, at school, told me that my father was dead."

"He’s fine, kid, just a little . . . Uh . . . Injury is all."

Adrienne met them at the door. "You haven’t told Justin?" Leslie snapped angrily. "I thought that we had agreed . . ."

"I thought that it would be best if we both told him together." Adrienne replied.

Justin’s reaction to the story was unexpected. He began to cry. Intellectually, he understood the truth, but emotionally, he knew that he had "Lost his father." In one sense at least.

Even Leslie brushed away a tear. Adrienne gathered the small family together in a mutual embrace as they comforted each other.

The days that followed were even more of a challenge. Leslie no longer slept with her wife. She now lived in the spare bedroom. Justin seemed quite "standoffish" he would seldom talk to Leslie, but would often just stare at her.

Most of Leslie’s time now was devoted to adapting to her new body, learning the proper ways to walk, talk, sit and properly groom herself, so that she could at least fit back into society again. She had resisted the "lessons" at the hospital, it had been just too soon after the incident, but now Adrienne had taken over her tutelage, and SHE was determined to make a "proper lady" out of Leslie.

"Until THIS problem is fixed, you have to make the most of the positive aspects of your situation." Adrienne argued.

Leslie agreed. The doctors told her that it would be at least a year before they would even consider a surgical solution to her dilemma. They would prefer that she learn to accept her "perfectly healthy" female body and thus avoid the controversial surgery altogether. But in any event, a year’s delay would help to insure that Leslie’s final decision was based upon a true psychological need, and not a quick, rash decision based upon the initial "masculine reaction" to the situation.

Leslie was now beginning to realize what she had become. She had avoided looking at herself, as much as possible in the hospital, but Adrienne would not let her shun the mirrors at home. Leslie liked what she saw. At five feet ten inches in height she had an imposing presence. Her 40C 23 38 figure was also quite impressive. Of course, she didn’t like BEING what she was seeing, but there was no denying that she was now one "HOT" chick. In her male days, she would have been proud to have be seen with such a woman hanging on his arm.

There was a positive aspect to the situation. The Doctor’s report said that Leslie’s body was, chrono-biologically, twenty six to twenty eight years old, she had gained at least ten years on her life span as Leslie’s male body had been thirty eight years old.

Kora Horst, the DNA "donor" must have been one of the Syndicate’s special "call girls", Leslie figured. That her DNA was preserved might have some significance. Perhaps Kora had belonged to Konstantin himself. She probably had "disappointed" him in some way, which may have been why she had been "bumped off".

Leslie’s, "female lessons", in the meantime proceeded.

Adrienne had finally gotten her out of the baggy jumpsuits and overalls and into more feminine clothing. Leslie preferred the more "masculine" appearing pants suits, but would occasionally be coerced into wearing a skirt once and a while. She began to wear makeup, and learned about caring for her luxuriant mane of red-blonde hair. She was now glad that Adrienne had forbidden her to cut it like she wanted to do initially.

The Space Command had put Leslie on an "Indefinite medical leave". But Man or woman, Leslie was still in the service. Leslie also had to learn the proper military bearing and rules and regulations concerning WOMEN in the Space Command. Save for grooming standards and fraternization rules, however, they were mostly the same as for the men.

There WAS ONE rule, however, that concerned her. That a woman was not allowed to command a fleet starship.--- It wasn’t based on conservative archaism, but upon the then accepted socio-scientific "fact" that a starship crew allegedly responded much better to a MAN who is in charge.

Leslie was not overly worried, though. She was sure that she could "get around that little rule" based upon her special circumstances. Inside, mentally, she WAS still a man. She had command experience. For her age, 38, she was the most decorated of all fleet Captains, having earned the "double star award" for heroism three times. She would probably be awarded another for this last mission, even though she had lost both the Proteus and its crew in the battle.

Over two months had passed. Leslie was now ready to once again become part of the Space Command. Another thing was also apparent. She could no longer live with Adrienne and Justin. Not only were "appearances" and the "social situation" awkward enough, Adrienne, for all her love and help, could not adjust to having a woman as a "husband."

She seemed very cold towards Leslie and seemed to be afraid to express even the normal affection often seen between female friends.

Justin was having problems in school. He never did accept Leslie as a father. Indeed, if anything, he seemed to be frightened of her.

Leslie and Adrienne agreed to file the legal papers that would terminate their union. "You need a man and Justin needs a father." Leslie told her. The parting was amicable.

Leslie looked every inch the Space Command officer she was as she entered Admiral Simmon’s office. Her hair was pulled back into a tight, militarily correct bun. She wore the proper, dark blue Terran Confederation Space Command uniform, the woman’s cut, of course, along with her medals and campaign ribbons. From every pore she seemed to exude an air of confidence, competence and authority.

The Admiral’s news, however, was not good.

"What do you mean, I can’t have my command back!" Shouted Leslie, as she slammed her fist on the Admiral’s table

Admiral Simmons looked up at her, ignoring her angry outburst. "Now Leslie, you know as well as I do that regulations do not permit women the supreme command of a ship."

"But I AM a qualified and experienced fleet Captain! I have the same MIND that I always had!. You yourself self once said that I was your best man!"

The Admiral looked down at his desk. "I know it and YOU know it Leslie, but your DNA says otherwise."

"Wasn’t this sort of problem settled TWO HUNDRED years ago! As long as the Woman can do the Job. . ."

"I don’t make the rules, Leslie. That is the job of the regulatory board. And there are just as many women as men on it.--- They have refused to make any exceptions, even in your case."

"We no longer live in an idealistic world, Leslie. Fashions in thought and ideas change just as much as fashions in clothing. Sure, women and men are considered as equals in society, but Women and Men are also different.—Not inferior or superior, but different. These differences were taken into account when the command structure was organized. Women can hold any position in space command EXCEPT ship's Captain."

" I CAN offer you first officers position on the Lexington, however. As you know, this is practically a Co- Captain position. Regulations require that a ship be commanded by a man/ woman team."

"Yes, Admiral, but it is not the same. The Male member of the team always has the final word on all command decisions."

"That is true, but first officer is the best position I can offer you."

Leslie straightened up and boldly spoke. "If that is the case, I hereby resign my commission, effectively immediately!"

The Admiral looked up at her. "I will not accept your resignation, Webber. Not now anyway. You need some time to think about it. If you feel the same way a month from now, I will reconsider. Meanwhile, you will be put on personal leave."

"Understood sir", Said Leslie as she snapped a salute. "May I be dismissed sir?"

"Yes,---Oh Leslie, I have just received a communiqué from fleet HQ. It seems that your own first officer, Commander Cordell has been located. She is in the Fleet hospital at Nema two."

"My God! that’s a Mental Facility! What did they do to her?! Is she all right?

"I don’t know any details, Webber, I was just informed to pass the message on to you."

Leslie proceeded to the spaceport immediately. The only ship traveling in the direction of Nema Two was the Irindi & Antaries Transport Ferry 42. It would have to do.

As a Space Command officer, she would at least have a decent cabin and not have to share accommodations with cargo and livestock, like most of the other passengers. It would take three jumps and as many days for the under powered and bulky craft to reach Nema Two. But at least she could get there.

Melissa’s doctors would not tell Leslie anything over the com phone connection. It was a matter of "doctor-patient confidentiality" and no, It didn’t matter if Leslie WAS Commander Connor’s C.O. or not. They would only speak to her in person. Leslie’s mind would be stewing in concern, uncertainty and turmoil for the next three days.

After the ship got underway, Leslie heard a knock on her cabin door. It was Harcourt Anderson, the Captain of the Transport Ferry. The old man looked a bit surprised and then apologetic.

"Oh I’m sorry", he said. "You are not the Captain Leslie Webber that I expected"

‘A lot of people have been telling me that lately." Leslie replied. "Oh! you’re Captain Anderson, now I recognize you."

The man was still confused. " I was looking for The Leslie Webber that rescued my ship from the raiders near Epsilon Irindi two years ago."

"That’s me, but as you can see, I am not quite the man I once was."

Leslie told the Captain the whole gruesome story.

"It’s a shame, a real shame", the old man replied. "So you are considering resigning your commission? What are you going to do for a ship? No captain I have ever heard of would ever be content in life and not be on the bridge of his own ship."

"I thought that I would try my luck in the private sector. Perhaps a passenger liner."

"Hardly! No offense, but due to the situation with raiders, the liners and even most of the transport companies have adopted the military model for their officer placements. I am afraid that you, as a . . . Woman, would get no better deal than you were offered in the Command. My own I & A, Transport Company would hire you though. I could see to it. I owe you a favor"

"No offense to you either, Captain, and I really do appreciate the offer, but being captain of a slow transport ferry would be quite a letdown from having once commanded a real starship."

The Captain thought for a moment. "There is one other option. A & I owns a dismantling yard on the moon of Hobart’s Planet at Aphra. From time to time, various companies, and even the government send their old or damaged ships there to be broken down for parts. It is quite possible that you might be able to find a repairable ship there for yourself."

" And don’t worry about paying for it. You saved this ship and its cargo once, and I am sure that A & I would be willing to at least give you a "junker" and the means to repair it out of gratitude. The company would never have survived the loss of this ship’s cargo if you hadn’t saved it when you did."

"But that was my job", Leslie replied, "no gratitude is necessary."

"Think about it anyway, Captain Webber. I can get you a ship if you need one."

Leslie thanked Captain Anderson for his offer and promised to stay in touch. She was in no position right now to be making such decisions. All she could do is think about her first officer, Melissa Connor.

Konstantin said that he had selected several of Leslie’s crew for "special treatment". Melissa, given her position, would likely have been included in that group.

In addition to being her first officer, the "co-captain" of their ship, the Proteus, Melissa was also Leslie’s most trusted friend and confidante. Leslie had held her second only to Adrienne, as the most important woman in his life.

Leslie dared not think about what Konstintin had done to her, but as Leslie lay In her bunk, trying to sleep, she could not help but speculate. Perhaps she was maimed or disfigured? "No", thought Leslie, as she looked down at herself, "Konstantin has a bit more imagination than that. He would have done something a bit more subtle, though no less cruel or sadistic." "Had he done something directly to her mind? Or did Melissa have a severe psychological reaction to her ordeal?"

Leslie could understand that. The psychological Trauma of having been changed into a woman and the subsequent rape, nearly had been enough to send her "round the bend" herself.

Leslie couldn’t sleep, so she had to take pills to render her unconscious for the next two nights.

Upon arrival at Nema Two, Leslie took the first available shuttle to the Military hospital. She found herself shaking like a leaf. The suspense was unbearable.

Doctor Gershom, one of Melissa’s Doctors, met Leslie in the reception area.

"How is she Doctor?" Leslie nervously asked. "What did they do to her?"

"Physically, she is quite healthy" Gershom replied. "We don’t really know just what they DID do to her, but what ever it was it seems irreversible."

"Something was done to her brain."

"Oh God!" Leslie gasped! How bad is it?

"She appears to have been stripped of her capacity for emotion. She is neither happy nor sad, angry or disappointed, fearful or joyful. She just . . . IS."

"IS?", Leslie replied in frustration over Dr. Gershom,s cryptic statements. "IS WHAT?"

"You will have to see her to understand. Follow me."

Dr. Gershom led Leslie to Melissa’s room. Melissa was sitting in a chair next to her bed and reading a Com Screen. There appeared to be nothing wrong with her at all.

"Leslie?" She said as she looked up. " Excuse me if I am nor surprised at your appearance. I heard about what Konstantin did to you. I trust that you are adapting well."

"Melissa!" Leslie felt like embracing her friend, but "something" about the "blank" look in her eyes held her back.

Melissa did not seem to be especially happy at all to see Leslie. Indeed it was as if Leslie had been there for a week. Melissa just seemed to accept her presence. She registered no indication of the joy of reunion. No look of relief, not even a smile.

"Melissa? What’s wrong? What did they do to you?"

"As near as I can conclude and from what my doctors tell me, My captors have removed all of my capacity for emotion."

Lesley didn’t know what to say.

"It’s not bad, really," She continued. "It has merely served to amplify the efficiency of my mind, that one aspect of humanity that places us above the animals.

"Not bad!",Leslie cried. "How can you say THAT! You will never know joy, happiness or love again!

"True, but I will also never experience anger, hate or fear again either. You cannot imagine what it is like to have one’s mind freed from those fetters. I have never been able to think so clearly in my life."

"Oh! Poor Melissa!" Leslie began to sob, "They have turned you into a . . . MACHINE!"

"Please, don’t cry Leslie. don’t feel sorry for me. I am still here. My mind, that which makes me ME. Has not been affected or diminished in any way. If anything, I have become enhanced."

"The machine metaphor is not all that accurate, you know. I can still feel physical pain. And I can know pleasure too, if that part of my brain is stimulated. But I no longer just simply live to avoid the former and to pursue the latter. Thought is my venue now! And achieving that which should be done has become my sole source of motivation."

"I’ll KILL Konstantin and all of those other bastards for this! I swear!" cursed Leslie, under her breath, between sobs.

"Control yourself Captain. Konstantin thought he was punishing me, he thought that it would be sadistic "fun" to remove a woman’s emotions. He never realized that instead of handicapping me, he significantly increased my capacity for flawless reason and my devotion to a cause. He wanted to destroy me, but instead he only succeeded in turning me into an even more formidable foe."

"Foe? You told me that you couldn’t hate."

"It is not Hate, Leslie, but simple LOGIC. If Konstantin is permitted to live, then many more people will needlessly die and suffer as a result of his actions. I agree, with you, Leslie, Konstantin and his organization must be eliminated."

"That is a lot easier said than done, Melissa. I no longer have a ship and I will soon no longer have a commission. I am quitting the Space Command "

"Then in your case, Konstantin has won." replied Melissa. "How do you propose to "kill Konstantin" without a ship or the support of the Space Command.?"

"I can get a ship. I think."

"You will also need a crew. May I propose that I be your first recruit?"

"But Melissa, are you even suited for service? Your mind . . ."

"There is nothing wrong with my mind, Leslie, nothing at all. I am no child-like retard. I AM still the same person I always was, I remember everything! I can still remember what it was like to have emotions. I can even FAKE them if you like! How DARE you even suggest that I may be incompetent! If anything, I am a superior being, clear of thought and free from fear! You NEED me Leslie! I can be the edge you need to defeat Konstantin!"

Leslie was taken aback by Melissa’s outburst. "for a creature supposedly without feelings, she certainly put on a good show of righteous indignation.

"Was my argument sufficient to convince you?" Melissa continued, but with her usual deadpan monotone.

"I suppose you can come with me. You should. I feel that is my fault that Konstantin did what he did to you."

"Guilt, another useless and destructive feeling I, at least, won’t have to worry about." Melissa smiled, but the timing was a bit off, the effect was unsettling rather than reassuring.

Dr.Gershom turned to Lesley. "Do you think that we should release her? There is nothing more that we can do for her here."

"Please," Leslie replied. "I will take full responsibility."

"I will tell the nurse to prepare the discharge papers then."

Leslie smiled sadly and looked at Melissa. "It looks like I will now have my own "Spock"."

"Spock?" Gershom remarked.

"Yes, Are you not a student of the classics? The old Television of two centuries ago. There was a Science fiction series that allegedly depicted our own age, albeit overly optimistically. One of the Characters was from a planet where the inhabitants had no emotions."

"Oh yes, THAT Spock!" The Doctor replied. Seriously, do not be misled by literature or your own hopeful optimism. I am afraid that you will discover that Melissa is nothing at all like Spock."

" Mister Rodenbury’s Character merely controlled and suppressed his feelings, Melissa truly doesn’t have any. She is purely guided by what she thinks is the correct course of action to achieve her goals."

"She is free from all inhibitions," Dr. Gershom continued. She WILL do whatever she thinks she has to do. You will find that she suffers from overconfidence. Her logic, however, is only as good as her data. These traits can be a very dangerous combination, especially in a combat situation."

"It is for that reason that I am recommending her discharge from service on medical grounds. As she has a service related disability, she will be able to live quite well on her pension."

"Don’t worry about me Leslie, " said Melissa, " He simply does not understand the unfettered mind. I frighten him. I tend to frighten nearly everyone. Fortunately, loneliness doesn’t bother me. But You know the real Me Leslie. I never would hurt a friend. I will still be the best first officer you ever had."

"You always were, Melissa, you always were."

 

END OF PART 2

 

 

 

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© 2001 by Marina Twelve. All Rights Reserved. These documents (including, without limitation, all articles, text, images, logos, compilation design) may printed for personal use only. No portion of these documents may be stored electronically, distributed electronically, or otherwise made available without express written consent of the copyright holder.