Pest Control: Book of the Guardian, #2

By Ben Winston

John and his friends discover that his new home is being used as a spy base for humanity’s enemies. Will the group of friends be able to rid the planet of the aliens without them destroying it? Will the whole situation blow up and start another intergalactic war?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Space Publications, LLC.
• Release date: Jun 5, 2015
• ISBN: 9781513030159

Ben Winston

Ben Winston (1965 - ?) was born in Iowa and grew up in Minnesota on the family dairy farm. Upon reaching adulthood, he joined the United States Army as a communications technician. Before getting out of the military, he decided to go to school for computer electronics. Shortly after getting out of the military, and after getting a new job with an over-seas company, he was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. A month after beginning the new job, he was laid off due to budget over-runs on the project he was hired for. Upon returning to the United States, he had difficulty maintaining employment because of the chronic illness. He began writing as a form of stress release, from being home bound and not being able to work, and found he liked writing erotica. Ben wrote a trilogy called the Talosian Chronicles (Currently in rewrite to remove the graphic sex and finalized his vision of the story). The first book, Star Dancer, won awards and was nominated for many others by the online communities where it was posted. Ben Winston returned to school for literature, after completion, he began writing professionally. Being an avid fan of science fiction he focused on this genre. He was, and still is, influenced and inspired by Gene Roddenberry, Anne McCaffery, David Weber, Isaac Asimov, and Ray Bradbury. Some of his favorite movies and TV shows are; Battlestar Galactica (both versions), Andromeda, Star Trek, Firefly, Star Wars, and many of the B-rated movies that were actually box-office bombs.

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Disclaimer

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All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

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Dedication

This work is dedicated to all of our brothers and sisters, parents and children that have served in the armed services - past, present, and future. Without whom we would not have our many freedoms.

Chapter 10

It’s good to see you again, John, Chloe said as she pulled him into a hug.

John returned the hug, and then introduced the newcomers to his two companions.

So who took over after I left? John asked.

No one officially, Major William ‘Will’ Curran said. Chloe is the leader, she always was when you weren’t around so nothing has really changed. He paused to gather his thoughts. I appreciate all of you accompanying me on my Last Mission. I’m sure Holly would be pleased too.

John put his hand on the man’s shoulder. Will, we’ve all been friends longer than we can remember. It’s the least we can do for you and Holly.

Will nodded.

Major Alice Joslin cleared her throat. So what’s the situation down here? Do you know what’s first?

I’m going to go grab two people that we know have some knowledge about what the Lizards are up too. Just so you know, those people are Gloria’s parents, John replied.

I’m not happy about it, but I understand it needs to be done, Gloria said. If they have information, and it does look like they do, then they need to tell you.

Does your father eat lunch at home? Major Carl Holland asked.

No, he and mother eat at the diner so people can approach them if they need to, Gloria said. He tries to keep himself available to the people.

Sounds like he’s a good man, stuck in a bad situation, Will said.

Is he still working on the fire? John asked.

That’s right! Now I remember! Both of them are out there today, they got the fire under control yesterday, and they were going to send some of the equipment back today. Mom was going with him, to serve coffee and lunch to the fire fighters, Gloria said. That would be a good place to grab them.

It’s only a couple of klicks down the road, John said.

All Marines wear a special watch that has multiple uses, John used one of those uses now as he directed his implants to display a holographic map of the area for the small team.

Chloe nodded. Let’s go get them. We can jog there in about five minutes.

John chuckled. Concealed side arms only. Remember, we’re supposed to remain a secret. We don’t want our presence discovered by the Lizards. Acquire the targets and wait for them to be alone. Stay in contact with each other for coordination. Get them to their vehicle and return here. All team members will then return, and we’ll question the couple. Questions?

When none said anything, John and the four other Marines, got their weapons and set off. Mary and Gloria returned to the barge. They wanted to make sure that they were out of the way once the small group returned.

So, what’s the deal with John and Major Diamond? Gloria asked. The tabloids claim that they’ve been in love since they met. Carl Holland and Alice Joslin, are called the second longest surviving relationship.

Mary smiled, and nodded. Yeah, there is something there that needs to be resolved. She went on to tell Gloria about the conversation she and Chloe had that morning.

––––––––

While the two girls were talking, John and the team arrived at the entrance to the preserve. He found them together, talking during a lull in the traffic. John had the team fan out and surround the area, while he approached the couple.

Constable? How are you today? John said getting the man’s attention.

John! Bailey said turning around and seeing the man. I’m good, say, I’d like to introduce you to my wife, Lisa. Lisa, this is John Ashland, that friend of Gloria’s that she was talking about.

Something that looked a lot like fear crossed her face briefly as she realized who he was. When she smiled and extended her hand, the fear was gone like it had never been there.

Mr. Ashland! It’s good to finally meet you. Gloria talks about you all the time, she said.

It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Mrs. Saint. She has spoken well of both of you as well. She loves you both very much, John replied. I’m sorry to bother you, while you’re both busy here, but there is a problem with Gloria, and she would like to see the both of you.

I thought she was at home, sick? Bailey asked.

She was playing hooky today, so she could spend some time with Mary and me. But we got to talking about our families, and stuff, and she got really upset. She asked me if I could come over here and ask you two to come to my place to help calm her down.

How did she get that upset? Bailey asked.

I’m not exactly sure, I was hoping that one of you might have an idea. All I do know is that she asked for the both of you, so here I am, John explained.

Uh, I think I know what the problem might be, let’s go over to John’s house, and take care of our daughter, Lisa said knowingly.

I’m needed here. I can’t just take off unless it’s really important! Bailey said.

"This is important, and it shouldn’t take very long; if she is asking for both of us, we had better both be there, or she won’t calm down, Lisa said. Just let control know you have a personal emergency you need to take care of, and you’ll be back in an hour."

Bailey nodded acceptance. Okay, we’ll head over to your place as soon as I’m covered here. Thanks for coming to get us, John. You’re a good man.

Okay, see you there. Lisa, is there anything I can do for her until you get there? John asked.

Do you have any muscle relaxants, or pain relievers? She said with a small smile.

Yeah, I do, but... Oh! I think I’m beginning to understand. I’ll get that going for you, see you both soon! John said. I uh, don’t have anything else for that...

Bailey looked lost, but Lisa knew what he was talking about. She should have that with her, if not, then I’m sure Mary has something. Don’t worry, she’ll be okay until we get there.

Okay, I’ll head back then, John replied. Thanks for understanding. Via his implants, John issued orders, knowing that his team had been listening to the conversation. Will, shadow the cruiser back to the house. Everyone else, return to base and stay hidden.

Everyone acknowledged their orders and moved to carry them out. John excused himself and headed back to his house, while the Saint’s walked over to Bailey’s patrol unit.

As soon as he was out of site, John broke into a run, and made it back to his house at the same time as the rest of the team.

John, the Saint’s went back into town, and stopped at a pharmacy. Only the woman went inside, Will said over the comm. 

Understandable considering the excuse I used to get them here. Looks like you get some exercise today, John replied.

Will snorted. I haven’t even broken a sweat yet.

Once they get here, how do you want to handle this? Chloe asked.

Alice looks like Gloria from the back. We’ll put her in a room upstairs facing away from the door. Carl and Chloe will wait in the room across the hall. Once both of them are in the room, Carl and Chloe will exit the room, cutting off their retreat. We’ll then subdue and question them.

Simple, Chloe said.

On the surface, you know as well as I do that no plan survives contact with the enemy, John replied. Let’s try to do this as painlessly as possible. I don’t want to hurt these folks if we can help it.

In that case, we should get Gloria in a chair in the room, and threaten to harm her. That should make them talk, Chloe said. As John was about to veto the idea, Chloe held up her hand. I don’t mean actually hurt her, just threaten too.

He sighed, then nodded. "Ask her, but make damn sure she