Primus-One Legion: Book 2

By Joe D'Aulerio

Several Months have passed since the harrowing adventure and near fatal mission to save the planet that left Jim Lexington in need of some rest, but now he returns to find mischief, intrigue and danger. Jim and Sarah encounter a talented flamboyant and somewhat rebellious young lady, Samantha Slate, who falls victim to the power of a second Cent

• Language: English
• Publisher: LitFire Publishing
• Release date: Nov 8, 2019
• ISBN: 9781640455429

Joe D'Aulerio

"Joe D'Aulerio after releasing his first two books in the 5-star epic series of intrigue and adventure, Primus-One, has release this third adventure in this ongoing series. A former KSC employee, Joe loves talking about his days at the Space Center and the biggest point he likes to make is how we can come together and accomplish almost anything if we really set our minds to it, like landing a man on the moon and returning him safely back to earth and yes even authoring a novel also. Joe currently resides with his wife in Central Florida.

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Primus - One, Legion

Book 2

Copyright © 2018 by Joseph William D’Aulerio

ISBN: 978-1-64045-542-9

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Although every precaution has been taken to verify the accuracy of the information contained herein, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for damages that may result from the use of information contained within.

Printed in the United States of America

LitFire LLC

1-800-511-9787

www.litfirepublishing.com

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Primus - One, Legion

Book 2

A Novel By

Joe D’Aulerio

Contents

Dedication

Innocence

Discovery

Promises

The Trap

Damage Destruction

Power

Death

Surprise

Acknowledgement

A Final Thought

Edited by: Holly Gauthier, RTGT

Dedication

To my Parents, Herman and Florence.

They are resting now, but continue to inspire me through my memories.

I can do whatever I want. Who here can stop me?

Innocence

It was noon and Samantha carried her lounge chair out to the pool deck and set it beside the crystal clear, shimmering, patio pool. A folded beach towel was tossed onto the left arm of the chair, but slid off. A trip back to the house and Samantha returned with a large glass of iced tea and a portable phone. She set them both on the ground, right beside the chair. She kicked off her shoes, walked over to the pool and dipped the first three toes of her right foot into the pool to test the water’s temperature. It was still too cool for her interest in taking a swim, but the day was sunny and warm, especially for this time of year. Samantha walked back over to the lounge chair and removed the sheer throw that hung casually from her shoulders and revealed a perfect twenty-eight-year-old body, clothed in a skimpy two-piece bikini bathing suit. She reached over to the nearby patio table and grabbed a tube of tanning lotion, applied a generous application over her body, then reclined in the lounge chair. She adjusted herself to get comfortable, placing the towel beneath her head as a pillow and then removed the top portion of her bathing suit. There was a six-foot stockade fence that ringed the back yard which provided Samantha with the privacy she was quite comfortable with, so she relaxed in the chair and dozed off.

Forty minutes later, the phone rang. Samantha, trying to wake, fumbled on the ground looking for it and then felt it under her fingers. She grabbed it, instinctively finding the talk button, and pressed it. The phone stopped ringing and she said, Hello.

Hello, is this Samantha Slate? the voice asked.

Yes, who’s calling?

This is Roberta Emmit from Elliot Aviation. I have you listed as a passenger aboard a chartered flight to Los Angeles tomorrow at 2 pm. Is that correct?

Yes, replied Samantha.

Ms. Slate, I’m calling to inform you that the flight time has been changed. The new departure time is now 12:30, and the aircraft will be making a brief stop at Las Vegas, then continuing on to LAX. Please plan to arrive here at least an hour before the flight.

Okay. Are we still leaving from the Elliot Aviation hangar?

Yes.

Will there be any parking available, or should I use the Satellite Lot, and if so how do I get a bus?

You can park your car in the lot in front of the hangar, right where you turn in from Cargo Road. You’ll take Cargo Road off Longfellow and we’re on your right. You’ll see the sign.

Okay. Thank you. Is there anything else?

No, ma’am. Please do be on time. Good day. And the phone went silent.

Samantha laid back down and tried to go back to sleep, but her mind was filled with thoughts about her trip to Los Angeles and the assignment she’d been given from work. Samantha had a Master’s degree in Behavioral Psychology, but she didn’t act like it. At twenty-eight she was still trying to enjoy her youth. Her boss, Tom Klemens, had hired Samantha a year ago, as a favor to her father, after she finished her Master’s. Tom and Samantha’s father started the general consulting business, Slate and Klemens, many years ago, and Samantha’s father hoped she would, one day, take over the business. But, Samantha wasn’t really interested. She enjoyed the fact that she had a rather well-proportioned figure, tall, long blond hair, and all the right curves just where they needed to be. Even though she was going to Los Angeles on assignment for her father’s consulting firm, she was hoping that, like many other young women, she might get the break everyone wants and get into show business or modeling. Samantha tossed and turned and decided to roll onto her stomach for a while. She undid the ties on her bikini bottoms and dropped the back part between her legs to reveal a perfect bottom that she hoped would get a golden tan. Her mind continued to review the plans for her trip and the curious new stop in Las Vegas. She also thought about contacting the real estate agent who was to meet her at the plane when it arrived in LA. She wished now she had asked the lady at Elliot Aviation if they were still planning to land at the same time. Samantha didn’t know anyone in Los Angeles, except for Amanda Burkhart, the agent she called to help find an apartment for her three to six month stay. They had become good friends by phone, but had not met face to face. Samantha knew what Amanda looked like from the picture on the internet from her real estate page. Amanda was, by Samantha’s estimate, probably twenty to twenty-five years her senior, but she felt more like a big sister. They had been conversing for about a week and a half while Amanda was locating available places to live that were within her budget. As they talked about the different properties, they talked about other things, as well. It was only yesterday they had found a place that was perfect by Samantha’s standards, but slightly above her budget. Samantha thought about approaching her dad for a little more money, but Amanda suggested renting one of the three bedrooms in the Santa Monica Villa to offset the higher rent. For Samantha, it was just too good to pass up, and from all accounts, the location was unbelievable. With a golf course on one side and a view of the ocean on the other, well, she thought, if I have to go to California, I might as well go in style.

It was a little after three in the afternoon and there were sounds in the house that Samantha knew meant that her parents were home. That meant it was time to get ready for her trip and a farewell dinner engagement planned for later in the evening with her parents, her boss and his wife. Samantha got up, and as she did, the bikini bottom dropped to the floor revealing a completely naked and beautiful young lady. She bent down, picked up everything and strolled into the house. She made it a point not to cover any part of her body. As she walked into the house, her mother was the first person she saw who told her to cover up, but Samantha just smiled and walked by. On the way to her room, she walked through the living room where her father was preparing to sit and read some papers. He just peered over his glasses at her in disbelief as she walked by casually. Samantha just smiled at him as he shook his head from side to side.

Samantha had packed three substantial suitcases and a large duffle for her trip. It was approaching five-thirty. She hadn’t paid any attention to the time, nor the fact that she hadn’t taken her shower and was still parading around in her birthday suit. Dinner was at seven, and she still had no idea what she was going to wear, which usually meant an hour of just figuring that out. Today, that time might not be as long, because just about everything she had was packed. Or, then again, it might take longer depending on her mood and what statement she might want to make. Being naked all afternoon, though, had taken the flirtatious interest out of her mind. She had sort of half-planned that with her naked afternoon by the pool. So, a business attire was more in her frame of mind for the evening ahead.

Reginald and Crystal Slate were patiently waiting in the car for their daughter, who was putting on some finishing touches with her makeup. Along with the perfect body, she had to have the perfect appearance as well, and if that meant taking a few extra minutes to make sure every hair was in place and not one smudge was anywhere to be found, then so be it. Her parents were used to it. Samantha finally came out of the house, and both Reginald and Crystal were pleased. She was dressed in a conservative, tasteful, dark blue dress with a white collar, normal high heel shoes, instead of the six-inch stilettoes she was accustomed to, and her hair was done in a nice style, becoming of a professional woman. Reginald commented to Crystal as Samantha walked to the car, Quite a nice transformation from this afternoon I must admit. And Crystal couldn’t resist, Yes, she looks good even with her clothes on, doesn’t she? And they both chuckled.

Samantha got into the car. As they took off for the restaurant, her mother commented on how nice she looked. It was quiet for the rest of the thirty-five-minute trip.

Arriving at the restaurant ten minutes past seven didn’t make Reginald happy. He hadn’t seen his former partner in several months since his retirement, and being late was not something typical of him. They parked and walked in. The restaurant was an exquisite place, one of the most elegant in Minneapolis and required reservations four to six weeks in advance. But Tom was still in the high-level ranks among prominent businessmen and managed to not only get a reservation, but one that provided a table in a quiet part of the restaurant. The room was beautifully decorated with the warmest furnishings, softly lit and adorned with portraits of prominent businessmen of the past. Tom and his wife, Rachael, were sitting in chairs beside a lovely fireplace which provided ambiance and warmth. They had their favorite drinks in hand. As the Slates entered the room, Tom and Rachael stood to great them.

Good to see you, Reginald, Tom said as they shook hands.

Crystal and Rachael were good friends, too, and hugged as Samantha stood by.

Tom motioned to everyone to be seated, We have plenty of time, and called the waiter over motioning for him to get their drink orders. Well, I must say Reg, you’re looking good. I do believe retirement is suiting you well.

Retired? Reginald said, as he waved his hand, I’m working more now than ever. You keep sending over all those papers for me to look over.

Oh, Dear, you just look at the stack and place them on your desk, Crystal chimed in as everyone chuckled.

Tom then turned to Samantha, Samantha you’re looking stunning as always, he said, as he raised his glass, I’m sure you’ll represent our firm well in LA.

Samantha smiled, nodded her head and raised her glass in acknowledgement, then took a sip of the chardonnay within it.

This was a great idea, Tom, and I see you still have a few strings you can pull, Reginald said, as he motioned to the plush surroundings.

With you being retired, we have to work harder now to fill those shoes you left behind. You could do something like this with no effort. You’re a highly respected man, Tom said.

We, Reginald corrected, as he took a sip from his glass.

Tom nodded in appreciation.

Are you boys going to pat yourselves on the back all night long, or are we going to eat? I don’t know about you, but I’m famished, said Rachael.

Everyone rose and went to the table. The waiter provided each with a menu and then proceeded to tell them the specials of the day, as well as the chef’s recommendation.

With the orders in, the conversation was mostly catching up for the Slates and the Klemens, as Samantha listened. Some reminiscing, and always a few old war stories that were somewhat embellished, made for a pleasant evening.

Dinner was served and everyone was enjoying their entrees. Noticing that Samantha had hardly spoken a word all evening, Rachael asked, Are you ready for your trip to LA? Are you excited?

Oh yes, quite, replied Samantha.

Samantha, I can’t tell you how glad I am that you’re going to LA representing our firm. What you’ll be doing is exciting, said Tom.

Crystal asked, I’m not really sure what she’ll be doing, but I’m sure she’ll do it well. Everyone laughed.

Tom commented, Crystal, your daughter with that new Master’s degree, will be representing our company as the country discusses plans for the Lexington and how to integrate it into our world society. Samantha will be there to observe the discussions and participate in helping people understand what others are thinking.

The Lexington? Isn’t that that ship from space that was in the news several months ago? I remember there was a lot of hype about it. People were going crazy for a while, thinking the end of the world was near.

Reginald chuckled, Yes, Dear, that’s correct. But, it was a serious situation.

Rachael asked, Whatever happened to that ship? I haven’t heard much about it in the last several months.

The ship stays in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center. Occasionally, it goes off into space and returns, but does very little of anything else, commented Tom.

That’s why our daughter here is going to LA. There’s a team of prominent people gathering to figure out what needs to be done with this ship, said Reginald.

Dad, said Samantha, You know that this whole thing is most likely a big waste of time.

No, it is not, replied her father.

Samantha continued, You know the ship only communicates through the Vatican. Whatever we do will have to go through the Vatican, and I don’t think they want our input. Besides, just about every country is doing the same thing. Do you really think we have any better chance of getting anywhere at the conference?

You’re twenty-eight, her father went on, and you have a Master’s in Behavioral Psychology, yet sometimes I think you still act like a teenager. Samantha huffed at her father like a child. See! You’re right though. But, we have to come together as a people and work on cooperation. At some point, things will change and we need to be prepared.

But, are we the right people to be doing this? asked Samantha.

There are many people working on plans. When the time comes, we will be ready, along with all the others.

But, I believe the people on the ship talking to the Vatican don’t want to be associated with the government. That seems rather clear.

The government is stepping back to give us the ability to think as a people, not as a government, commented Tom.

Samantha pulled out her professional side, We know the government will not remain mute in this matter. They’ll be working to persuade the people to think their way.

And so, my dear daughter, you will be there to watch and report on what you see. If there is a strong governmental presence, you need to speak up so things will proceed in the right direction. You’ll need to be very keen with your senses and use every bit of your educational experience to get through it. Can you do that?

Samantha sat quietly for a moment, then nodded, I suppose so.

Good, said Tom, as he reached for his glass which was almost empty. He lifted it to propose a toast, To Samantha. Let the vim and vigor stirring in her remain vibrant. It’s her strong point and one that will make us proud.

Everyone tipped their glasses. Samantha just looked down. For her, this was more than vim and vigor stirring within her. She really didn’t know if she was up for the task.

The next morning came around before she knew it, and it was time to leave for the airport. On a day with no traffic, the drive from her home would take forty-five minutes. But, this being a weekday, she could count on some kind of delay. So, leaving an extra thirty minutes early was an easy decision.

Samantha’s parents were on hand to see her off. There were tears from her mother, and even her dad’s eyes were welling up. She couldn’t hold back either. They were crying up a river. The thirty minutes of extra time dwindled down to twenty-five, then twenty, before the car actually pulled away. It was a good thing she’d left early. Although there were no accidents, the traffic was still heavy, but she arrived at the Elliot Aviation hanger right on time. Samantha took her luggage to an area designated for the airplane she would be boarding, but the looks she got from the mechanics servicing the plane were mixed. They couldn’t keep their eyes off her, yet were mumbling under their breaths about the amount of luggage she had. Eventually, they started to load the luggage onto the plane, but left two pieces in the holding area. Samantha was becoming stressed, worrying they wouldn’t load all her luggage and she would arrive in California without some priceless garment she knew she would desperately need.

The flight crew arrived and did their equipment check out. They met with the mechanics by the baggage compartment, where they stood talking for what seemed to Samantha like an eternity. The announcement over the PA system alerting the passengers that they would be boarding in a few minutes only heightened Samantha’s stress. All the luggage, except her two pieces, had been loaded onto the plane. She tried desperately to see which pieces they were, to determine what was in them and what she would be without if the pieces didn’t get loaded.

Ladies and Gentleman, we will now begin boarding Elliot Aviation Charter service to Las Vegas, then on to Los Angeles. Please make your way to the aircraft, said a voice that was familiar to Samantha. It sounded like the voice of the lady that called her yesterday. Samantha picked up the duffle she planned to carry onto the plane with her. She walked out of the office complex waiting area, into the hangar and up to the plane. Just as she was about to climb the stairs to the plane’s door, a man in uniform stopped her.

Miss, we should stow that piece of luggage in the cargo hold. I’ll be happy to take it for you.

Samantha grabbed hold of the duffle tighter, then thought for a moment of how that must look. Then, she released it and handed it to the gentleman, Those two pieces of luggage over there, they’re mine. Why haven’t they been loaded yet? she asked.

The officer smiled, We need to determine the amount of weight we’ll be carrying onboard, then we can adjust for the extra pieces. We should get them stored once we have everyone onboard.

Samantha flashed a quick smile at the officer, then proceeded to climb aboard the plane. The inside of the Lear Jet was a bit cramped compared to the jumbo jets she had flown on in the past. She took a seat by the window, where she could watch to see if they loaded her last two pieces of luggage. The cabin door was closed and secured and the engines were started. The plane pivoted towards the open hangar door and waited. The sight where her luggage had been was now out of her view and, as much as she wanted to stretch across the aisle and look out the windows on the other side of the plane, she knew that wouldn’t be wise. Then, she could hear the bulky doors of the cargo bay being closed and secured. The last two cables attached to the aircraft were removed, and she could see one of the mechanics walking ten feet from the wing, alongside the aircraft, as it taxied out of the hangar. Once clear of any possible hazards, the mechanic waved off the pilot and turned to walk back into the hangar. The plane continued to taxi toward the runway. Once there, they were cleared for immediate takeoff, and before she knew it they were airborne.

The flight was event-free, although Samantha couldn’t help but keep wondering if her luggage was onboard. She could tell they were approaching Las Vegas because the ground was quickly getting closer off the horizon. Samantha could see the large buildings of the casino hotels. As the ground quickly approached, the speed of the aircraft was more apparent. The wheels touched the ground, the plane slowed and they taxied to a private area and stopped. The engines were shut down. The pilot said over the intercom that the passengers should remain seated. This stop would be no more than five minutes. Out the window, Samantha could see the mechanics attending to the plane. The cargo bay doors were opened and then closed again. The cabin door then opened and two people, an older couple, boarded and took the seats in the aisle beside her. They looked familiar, but she couldn’t quite place them. Within ten minutes, they were back in the air and on their way to Los Angeles.

Hello, my name’s Jim, and this is my wife, Sarah, said the gentleman across the aisle from Samantha.

Hi, my name’s Samantha.

Nice to meet you, Samantha. Are you going to LA on business or pleasure?

Business, but I don’t think much of it.

Oh, well, I hope things work out for you.

Samantha smiled at the gentleman and turned to look out the window. She wasn’t in much of a mood to talk because she felt certain her luggage had been left back in Minneapolis.

An hour later, the Lear jet touched down on the LAX runway right on time and taxied to a hangar on the south side of the airport, which was quiet and secluded. Once the plane stopped, the engines were shut down and the cabin door was opened. One by one, the passengers departed the plane and went to the side to pick up their bags. Samantha decided to be the last to exit the aircraft. As she went down the steps, she looked to her left wondering if her luggage would be there. When she got to the bottom of the steps and turned to go to where the mechanics had placed the luggage, there in front of her, were her three large pieces of luggage and the big duffle. Unbeknownst to her, the officer who had spoken to her in Minneapolis stepped up behind her, I believe all your bags are here. Are they not? he said.

Samantha turned to see who was behind her. She smiled when she saw the officer, Yes, it looks like they are. Thank you so much.

The officer tipped his hat, smiled, then turned and walked away.

Samantha walked up to collect her bags. One of the mechanics offered to help, but the luggage all had wheels and she was adept at moving them. So she stacked the bags and left to an area designated for waiting. A couple minutes later, she was standing face-to-face with Amanda Burkhart.

You must be Samantha. It’s nice to finally meet you in person.

Yes, Amanda?

Amanda reached out and gave Samantha a hug, Let’s get your luggage into the car. Gee, I should have brought the Suburban, she said with a chuckle.

They got into the Mercedes Benz coup after just barely squeezing all of Samantha’s luggage into the trunk. There wasn’t an inch to spare. As they were leaving, Samantha noticed the older couple who had been seated next to her on the plane, leaving the hangar area in a small, red, Italian Fiat. No one was with them which seemed odd. Surely someone had driven the car to them.

It took a good hour to make it to the villa from the airport. All the while, Samantha was intrigued by what she saw. Everything was so different than what she expected. Basically, it was normal. She was expecting to see so many things she