Sake of Time

By Gary Wilson

Ten years after the "Triangle" incident, which led to the formation of the Covert Defense Force, General Robert tucker receives an urgent call for help from an unexpected source. he must lead the CDF into battle against an enemy so dangerous, not only is Earth in peril, but time itself is at stake in the action packed sequel to "The Triangle."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gary Wilson
• Release date: Feb 5, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452307992

Gary Wilson

Born and raised in New Jersey, served in the US Army from 1990 - 1993. Disabled vet.Author of 3 novels (so far)"The Triangle",the sequel - "Sake of Time" and the latest in the series - "Time Defense Force: 2025".The Basic Premise:ADF: The Triangle- When the United States faces the threat of a dirty bomb, Major Robert Tucker na dthe 27th Air Wing of the American Defense Force responds to the attack. While fighting enemy forces in the Bermuda triangle, one by one the combatants disappear. They must set aside their differences defeat a common foe and find their way home to prevent a global disaster.CDF: Sake of Time - Ten years after the "Triangle incident" which led to the formation of the Covert Defense Force, General Robert Tucker receives an urgen call for help from an unexpected source. He must lead the CDF into battle against an enemy so dangerous, not only is Earth in peril, time itself is at stake.TDF: 2025 - The year 2025 is a pivotal time in Earth's history. The disappearacne of ten pilots in the Bermuda triangle triggered a chain of events which led to the formation of the Time Defense Force, an ultra secret organization whose purpose is to defend and protect Earth's history. What if these events never took place?A fourth novel in the series "Special Ops Foprce: Temporal Armageddon" is in the works.I currently live in New Mexico with my wife, college aged step-son and two dogs - A Beagle named Buster (Who is a spitting image of the beagle they used in Underdog)and Nika, a lab mix recently adoptedI support Operation E-Book Drophttp://www.operationebookdrop.com

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FOREWORD

This novel is completely fictional in nature. The air craft, weaponry, and Units presented in this novel do not exist at this time. Any resemblance to actual persons, descriptions or accounts is purely coincidental.

DEDICATIONS

This novel is dedicated to the memory of my mother, Marilyn Banford and Florencio Garcia, my wife’s grandfather. Their courage in the face of adversity is an inspiration and they are loved and missed very much.

To my wife, Maria: You are my heart and soul, my reason for being and the light that shines in my life. I love you more and more every day.

To my stepson Andres: We are proud of the young man you have become and know that when you set your mind to it, you will become successful at whatever you decide to do.

To Balto: You fought the good fight, rest in peace, little buddy

Support your local authors. Go to booktour.com for events in your area. http://www.booktour.com

FROM THE FILES OF: THE COVERT DEFENSE FORCE:

The following has been Classified Top Secret and placed under the provisions of General Order One. There will be no discussion of this matter with anyone outside of the Covert Defense force.

By order of Lieutenant General Robert Tucker, Commander, Covert Defense Force.

This file is being classified and code encrypted. It will be declassified on 17 June, 2217.

Encryption code *****-*********-*********- ******-

*********-**. Classified Top Secret.

File sealed by Colonel Miguel Herrera Intelligence Chief, Covert Defense Force on 13 September, 2035 @ 1125 hours.

INTRODUCTION

Earth – 2035

Ten years have passed since the mysterious Triangle incident involving two groups of pilots who were in the midst of an air battle in the Bermuda Triangle when they were drawn into a vortex, which propelled them into the 23rd century.

They set aside their differences, formed an alliance and assisted the Terran Resistance Force to defeat an alien race, the Henoki.

When the pilots returned to their own time, they were isolated by General Lyle Kensington and consolidated into a single unit, the Covert Defense Force.

The CDF is under the command of Major General Robert Tucker. They currently serve out of a top secret base somewhere in the Rocky Mountains.

They are currently developing the Global Satellite Shield System, when activated will act as the first line of defense against the Henoki which will attempt to devastate the Earth in the year 2057.

The plan is relatively simple: launch the satellites aboard the newly designed stealth shuttle.

The satellites will be disguised as communications satellites, due to the fact that the military is no longer able to deploy orbital satellites because of the Disarmament Pact of 2026.

Due to the top secret nature of the unit, they instituted a strict policy, General Order One, which states: No one outside of the Covert Defense Force shall have knowledge of its existence. The penalty for violation is death to all parties in order to preserve the absolute secrecy of the unit. There is no exception to this clause.

Each member has sworn an oath to uphold the secrecy of this unit and pledged to die before revealing any information, including the fact the CDF even exists.

The CDF command is in a meeting to discuss their plans; along with the fact a General Order One violation may have just taken place.

CHAPTER 1

Covert Defense Force Headquarters

1600 hours 29 August, 2035

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

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

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

Do you have the proposal ready?

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

"They’re never going to buy it. One hundred million dollars. They’ll think we’ll be using Tinker Toys."

Well, Rich out grew them so I thought what the hell, Keith replies.

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

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

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

Let me handle the Pentagon, retired General Lyle Kensington says as he enters the meeting room. He is a consultant for the CDF and their liaison with the Pentagon.

I speak their language.

"Penatgonese."

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

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

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

Something wrong?

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

The Henoki?

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

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

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

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

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

Robert laughs and says, Just tell them to lay off the $200,000 toilet seats for a year and they’ll have funds we need.

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

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

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

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

"Si," Miguel replies.

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

He slams the report on the desk.

"What fucking idiot did this?"

"Lieutenant Tom Dickinson." Miguel replies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The girl? Ricardo asks.

Her, too.

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

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

That stupid kid, Keith says.

Dickinson was caught in the Restricted Hangar with civilian Allison Parker, giving her a tour of the facility and bragging about the sophisticated Aircraft he is going to fly: the WA-01 Widow Maker.

They were arrested immediately by the MPs, and Miguel, the Duty Officer was informed that General Order One was violated.

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

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

CHAPTER 2

CDF Detention Center - 1630 hours

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

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

Dickinson says, Sir, I can explain …

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

Dickinson is totally shocked. He starts to speak.

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

He sets the Lieutenant’s body down.

Sentence to be carried out immediately.

He walks into Allison Parker's cell.

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

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

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

No.

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

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

I’m very sorry.

He goes to snap the young woman’s neck but stops when Doctor John Burke of the CDF Medical Staff enters. He walks to the door and steps outside with the CDF Doctor.

Sir, I heard that General Order One was violated.

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

I may have an alternative.

What?

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

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

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

"Can you guarantee that she will remember nothing?"

Not 100 percent …

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

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

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

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

CHAPTER 3

Robert and Jackie’s home - that evening

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

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

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

Hi, Daddy.

Hi, sweetheart.

Why are you crying?

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

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

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

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

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

OK, Mommy.

Amanda takes her younger brother by the hand and they go into the back yard to play on the swing set Robert and Ricardo built for them.

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

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

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

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

"Hi, Dad. Hi Jackie."

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

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

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

Bob, it’s all right.

"No it isn’t."

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

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

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

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

I guess we call him Dad.

You’re not helping.

We’ll deal with it when the time comes.

She kisses him. In the meantime, just talk to him. Please.

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

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

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

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

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

I love her, too.

"Humor your old man. Call her Mom. At least for the time being."

OK, Dad.

Thanks.

They go back into the house.

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

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

She hugs and kisses him.

Robert pauses and says, The next time …

You’ll open a can of whup ass.

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

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

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

"Thanks, Dad, see you later. ’Bye, Mom."

Sarah leaves.

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

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

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

Robert feels the guilt over what happened today begin to gnaw at him again. Jackie sees his expression and knows he is going to carry this burden of guilt for a long time.

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

We’ll talk about this in the morning.

Dinner’s ready.

Sorry, Babe. I’m not hungry.

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

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

CHAPTER 4

Mars Defense and Research Out post - Mars - 2217

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

Alex receives a call from the Stellar Cartography Section.

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

What seems to be the problem?

"Sir. I think you better come and see for yourself."

On my way.

Stellar Cartography

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

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

What seems to be the problem, Captain?

There, sir.

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

What the hell is that?

I don’t know, sir.

Is there a computer glitch?

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

What does Outpost 452 have to say about this?

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

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

Yes, sir.

Alex's office - short time later

He is waiting for the members of MDF Patrol Alpha to brief them on their mission to observe and report the strange phenomenon occurring inside of Sector 452 Tango.

His cousin, Captain Roberta Bobbi Tucker and the members of her patrol enter his office, followed by the MDF Executive Officer, Major Rick Kensington.

Alex briefs them on the situation, then gives Bobbi and her Patrol their orders: investigate and find the cause of this phenomenon.

They are to report to him immediately if it is plot to attack the MDF. He finishes the briefing, ordering Rick to report to Stellar Cartography. Rick nods as he leaves the office.

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

You worry about me too much.

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

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

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

He nearly blasted the Zenaren out of existence single-handedly, yelling, Git back ta the black hole ya crawled outta, ya sorry bastards!

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

She joins the rest of her patrol, who are already on the way to the hangar where their WA 10 Widow Makers are being prepared for lift off.

The perimeter of Sector 452 Tango

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

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

"What the hell? Alpha 1 to all Units, I’m picking up unusual readings. Do you concur? Over."

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

"Outpost 452. This is Alpha Patrol Leader. Do you copy?"

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

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

Copy, Alpha One. What’s the situation out there? Alex's voice responds.

"Hard to explain, MDF One. It appears the Outpost disappeared."

Say again, Alpha One.

Outpost 452 no longer registers on my radar.

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

"Roger, MDF One. Out. She then radios the patrol. Alpha One to Alpha Section, proceed into Sector 452. Activate shields and arm yourselves."

The patrol complies, at the same time turning on the