Captain Justo Saga, Captain Justo From the Planet Is Log 1.3: Homeland Attack

By Stephen Miller

Marion James Justo, a starship captain from a galaxy billions of light years away, may not be the only alien currently visiting planet Earth. Is Uncle Cenric a brilliant billionaire tech genius. . . or is he actually an alien pirate who is selling little pieces of advanced technology for his own mysterious purposes?
While Captain Justo continues making repairs on his golden starship he gives Christopher and Daniel Sterling each a powerful training tool called a Dream Teacher. The device sends training materials directly into their subconscious mind. Their training goes well until their worst enemy, Benny Strong, steals one of the Dream Teachers, setting off a dangerous chain of events.
Home Land Security is closing in, Uncle Cenric is acting increasing dangerous and to make matters worse their father has collapsed in a field and is unable to wake up. Do they dare take their father aboard the starship to try and wake him, or will Captain Justo have to turn himself over to Homeland Security to secure their safety? And worse yet, will their boy crazy sister, Amber, discover what is going on and ruin everything?

• Language: English
• Publisher: V&E Enterprises
• Release date: Aug 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370374250

Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller was born in the USA and now lives in Canada. After graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1968, he moved to Vancouver to concentrate on creative writing and theatre, starting as a stage carpenter and working his way up to becoming an actor and scriptwriter. A Game of Soldiers is his first thriller. He is presently working on a second book which will again feature Pyotr Ryzkhov, this time in the immediate aftermath of World War One.

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Three days passed, and neither Christopher nor Daniel had any contact with Captain Justo or his ship. The boys were getting anxious about his absence, but there wasn’t anything they could do about it. Things had calmed down, though. Benny had stayed away after the fight and even the weather was starting to change. It hadn’t rained all summer and even though it was the beginning of September, it had been unbearably hot.

Then with the first rain of the season came the first rest from the heat. Because of the wet weather, everyone needed a ride to school that particular Monday morning. The two younger girls were strapped in their car seats in the back, Eva still in her pajamas, sitting together with Bethany and Daniel who were ready to go to school.

Amber was the first to be dropped off. I have play practice again tonight, she announced. Can you leave me some dinner in the refrigerator?

No problem, Mrs. Sterling said. But don’t be home too late.

She hopped out of the vehicle, running quickly into the high school to avoid getting soaked.

How long do you think we can keep all of this from her? Christopher asked.

For a little while longer, Mrs. Sterling sighed. She suspects something, but she’s been so busy she hasn’t put it all together yet.

I’m not telling her anything, Daniel promised. I hope she never finds out. Having Bethany and the other girls know is bad enough.

Be nice. We’ll tell her when Captain Justo tells us to.

Does Dad know? Christopher asked.

I haven’t been able to tell him yet. I’d be happy just to be able to talk to him every night. Every word we say is recorded, so I don’t dare tell him anything.

Bethany asked, When are they going to release him? I really miss him.

So do I, dear, Mrs. Sterling smiled. He should be home soon. Uncle Cenric refuses to talk to the investigators until they release him. When they do him let go, I’ll have a lot of explaining to do.

I’ll help, Daniel offered.

I’ll help, too, Christopher said energetically. I’d like to see his face when he sees us all on a spaceship. I just don’t want Amber to know. This is the first really cool thing I’ve been able to enjoy without having her take over.

Mrs. Sterling sighed, but her eyes twinkled as she said, "If I survive the two of you it will be a miracle."

A few minutes later Christopher was dropped off at the junior high, then Bethany and Daniel were delivered to grade school. Mrs. Sterling headed home to get the next group going and an hour later she dropped Eva and Hannah off at their school which met at a later time. She was relieved to have only four-year-old Katie to look after for the morning.

Pulling into her driveway, she was startled to find a large moving truck parked in the back of the house.

The words Piggly Wiggly were painted in bright colors on its billboard-sized trailer. Mrs. Sterling started to panic and was about to put the Suburban in reverse when she recognized the driver standing drenched in the rain.

Marion, you about scared me to death, she called out the window. What are you doing with that huge truck?

Captain Justo ran and huddled near the door. I came to see if you’d help me. Do you have a few free hours?

I guess, she said. Where’s your ship?

It’s in the back of the truck. He yelled over the pounding rain, Come in and I’ll show you.

Mrs. Sterling parked the Suburban, grabbed Katie, and ran to the back of the large windowless box trailer bed. Captain Justo hurried and opened a door he’d installed and helped her up the bumper and into the back of the truck.

To her amazement she beheld the Isian strapped to the bed of the truck. She stood in awe, soaking in the beauty of the ship. This was the first time she had really been able to look at the Isian exterior.

The ship was indeed made of gold, glistening like a polished ring. Studying the six-foot-long ship, she looked at the nose, where two large lenses stood out like eyes on a sea monster.

What are those eye-looking things? They look a little menacing.

Those are the optical sensors of the ship, Captain Justo answered, shaking off his wet coat. They sense what is outside of the ship and direct the energy from inside to minimize and maximize things. We need to take you and Katie into the ship for a few hours to help me out a bit. Can you come?

Come where?

Aboard the ship, he stated boldly. It won’t hurt, not even Katie.

You’re going to shrink us like you did my two boys on that first day?

I’m afraid so, but since we’re going to do this in a more controlled way, you won’t feel a thing. Just put these on first. He held up a pair of bright golden boots. And here’s a small pair for Katie.

I don’t wear anything that needs an earring post, Mrs. Sterling joked. But seriously, I know they’re boots, but what are they for?

Captain Justo grinned. Now I see where Christopher gets his sense of humor. These are environmental protection boots. Put them on, and you won’t gag for air when you’re minimized.

That would be nice, she agreed, taking off her own wet loafers and putting on the golden boots. She stood up and walked around in a tiny circle. They are comfortable. Do you have anything in black?

Katie giggled at her mom’s joking around. I want to play. Put mine on.

Captain Justo smiled and helped the young girl put on her own small boots. Stand over here. I’ll initiate the minimizing sequence. Boom, do you copy? Captain Justo spoke into the air.

I read you loud and clear, Boom responded efficiently.

Minimize, the Captain commanded. Almost instantly red, yellow, and blue lights came streaming from the optical sensors of the Isian; then a blast of sound surrounded them, sending a tingling sensation up and down their backs. After a flash of white light Mrs. Sterling and Katie looked up to see the Isian in its true dimensions. The beautiful spaceship was taller than a five-story building. Mrs. Sterling lost her breath for a moment... then recovered her composure.

Amazing, she whispered under her breath.

Captain Justo picked Katie up and carried her toward the ship with Mrs. Sterling following. As they approached the solid hull, a door opened and a set of stairs slid out, resting lightly on the bed of the truck.

Ladies before gentlemen. Captain Justo motioned to the stairs. Mrs. Sterling tiptoed up the stairs and entered the warm interior. Captain Justo followed with Katie, then the stairs retracted, and the door closed securely behind them.

I can’t believe I’m doing this, she said in a soft whisper, her heart beating hard and fast. Even though she trusted Captain Justo, she was frightened to her very core.

Are you sure we’re safe? she inquired meekly. I’ve heard about that crazy leg thing. I’m not sure I want to have anything to do with him.

He’s a lot better, Captain Justo assured her. We have him programmed to be partially civilized. He won’t hurt anyone; at least I don’t think he will.

That’s reassuring, Mrs. Sterling said, frowning.

They reached the stairs leading up to the command center and Captain Justo led the way up the tall spiral staircase.

"Aren’t we going to take an elevator?

Not today. We only use the elevators under emergency conditions. Walking up and down stairs is one of the best exercises you can get on a spaceship.

All right, as long as you’re carrying Katie, she said following the Captain up the long, sweeping staircase.

After a few minutes they all arrived at the top of the stairs. Captain Justo was humming cheerfully to himself, but Mrs. Sterling was trying to catch her breath after a long and somewhat grueling ascent. She was about to enter the Command Center when an obnoxious stench confronted her nose.

What stinks, Mommy? Katie asked.

I don’t know, dear. Aiming the comment at Captain Justo, she said, It smells like a cesspool in here.

Captain Justo said, I can barely smell it. After days of flooded toilets, backed up sewer lines and sulfur dioxide clouds from the bacteria pods, this smells like a bouquet of flowers.

What is causing this? Mrs. Sterling asked in astonishment as she walked into the command center. As she got her first look at Boom, she started to panic, and instantly pulled Katie closer.

That’s not him, Captain Justo assured her. This is Boom, my navigator.

It is a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Sterling, he said as politely as his programming allowed.

Let go, Mommy, Katie complained. You’re hurting me. He looks like a nice robot. Just say hello.

Mrs. Sterling gathered her composure and managed to squeak out a weak Hello.

Katie broke free from her mother’s death grip and ran over to Boom and gave him a big hug. Boom didn’t know how to respond and stood motionless as she held on to his arm.

Who’s making all this stinky smell? You don’t smell bad.

Crazy Legs, our starboard holographic computer, of course, Boom said, not minding her touch. Give him two milliseconds to himself and he can access the complete sanitation program, causing the most horrible damage.

I’m not meeting this crazy starboard thing, am I? Mrs. Sterling said apprehensively as she pulled Katie back into her arms.

Marion avoided her question. Boom and I have a plan. Do you know the song, ‘Something’s Gotta Give by Francis J. Burke and Johnny Mercer?"

I think so, Mrs. Sterling said confused. Isn’t that one of the songs on the Ella Fitzgerald album I let you borrow?

That’s the one. Crazy Legs loves that song. Every time we play it we get almost all of his attention. The only problem is, we need all of his attention. So, here’s our plan. I’ll play the accompaniment, and you sing. Do you think you can do it?

What? she said laughing. You brought me here to sing?

That’s right, he said and handed her the sheet music. I hear you are a choir director; you do sing, don’t you?

Of course, she said, but I sing to people, not to computer programs.

Thinking she was afraid, Boom tried to reassure her. The holographic humanoid will be contained inside the circle of the holographic imager at all times. You will be completely safe as long as you stay out of the circle. He indicated the circle, then moved back to his controls, fearing he might have said too much.

Mrs. Sterling went pale for a second. That’s a rather small circle.

It will be perfectly safe, Captain Justo said confidently. I promise I wouldn’t bring you or Katie here if I thought there would be danger.

Captain Justo turned his musical console toward Mrs. Sterling and gave her a good look at his instrument. It was a console with seven levels or manuals of white and black keys. The chair swiveled from side to side, so the player had complete access to a range of foot pedals.

"It’s like Captain Nemo’s concert organ aboard the Nautilus," she mused.

Who’s that? Captain Justo asked.

Oh, just a fictional character from a Jules Vern science fiction novel. Things didn’t turn out too well for him if I remember right. She was about to back out when she saw the pleading in Marion’s eyes.

Oh fine, she finally agreed. Is there a safe place for Katie to sit? I don’t want her to get slimed by this monster.

She can sit there, he said, pointing to a nearby seat. I’ll activate the acceleration protection device so she won’t be able to get free. Is that sufficient?

Mrs. Sterling nodded. You get to sit right here in the big chair, she told Katie, and helped her hop in the chair.

This is fun, Katie said with excitement.

It’s going to be something, Mrs. Sterling retorted. Just one more thing, show me this computer monster before I start singing. I don’t want to faint and fall into the center of his cage.

Captain Justo gave her an admiring grin. You’re great, Mrs. Sterling. Stand over here by me. Boom, are you ready?

Yes, sir... ready to activate the holographic imager on your command.

Three, two, one... mark, Captain Justo commanded.

Boom entered a few short codes onto his console and the room filled with light coming from the center of the holographic imager, but nothing else was happening.

Call for Fanny and see what the problem is, Captain Justo sighed.

She says he has locked himself into the bacteria pods and refuses to come out, Boom said smartly. I’ve given her permission to use the necessary force to remove him.

Captain Justo looked over at Mrs. Sterling, giving her a sheepish grin. Just then, a mustard yellow cloud snaked out of the ceiling vents, invading the room with a terrible stench. Down the hall, toilets started flushing loudly and wildly by themselves as a trickle of gray