The Rescued

World of Rescue deals with old enemy, child predator. Sr officer gets suprise

I don't like kids tables. I like everyone intermixed as one huge chaotic mess with everyone all talking over each other. Kids learning social interaction from everyone. When Wally and Chuck join us with their families we have 8 adults, 6 teenagers (god help us) and 8 little kids. "Table for 22 please.".

Oh yeah, when ENS Charles Warren graduated from OCS, he and Sarphine got serious, married, pregnant, and parents. Two really cute kids, now 4. To go along with Wally and Himosa's 6 year old twins. This was when we discovered that either we've been lucky or human x Varlen always leans toward twins. We got a bunch o kids running around.

Chuck had gone from ENS to Lt Jg to Lt in far less than allowed time especially as he was now at top of LCDR promotion list. He had no pull, Dr's Rittenhouse and Chang, the fathers of military rail guns, however damn well did and they wanted him happy and on their research team and now.

Table at 11 per side is pushing 7 meters. Stupid. I'd have to serve megaphones. I built a 4x4 hollow square table, max would seat 26. I left an opening, overflow seating on inside and cleanup is faster.

Like today, Robby came with his daughter, SIL, and granddaughter, Betty, Kpa'Vaari, and Tesoro. So, 25 for dinner. Robby’s SIL Kpa’Vaari is, like Gillian, Klab. He was tall, aristocratic, 6 fingered hands, pure white hair, large violet eyes, and to quote several of my wives, built like a Greek god. What saved him was he was a hell of a nice guy.

Hmmmm, I reminded my wives that Tesoro was very cute and that Tha'Kor, Kallar, and John had ALL noticed. And her folks had noticed their interest. Eye rolls. I said ladies, do you remember your reactions to cute boys when you were 15? And no-one was watching? Pause. Long pause. They went in search for our nubile teens.

Which reminds me, we think we have the Tha'Kor age issue fixed. When we rescued him 8 years ago, medical set
his age at around 7 or 8. Later a revaluation once he had a consistent upped that to 10 or 11. Today he is biologically around 18 but would be who-fully behind that grade level in school. Anyone looking at him realized he can not be 14. And lacks the social structure for 18 year age group. We compromised, with concentrated tutoring, he is functioning well in 16 year group.

The Earth Thanksgiving has become my favorite due to my immense thankfulness for my life.

Back to poor Robby. By pure coincidence of course, the matchmaking wives had been inviting single women of appropriate age to every damn party, dinner, dance, holiday, birthday celebration, and random get together for a year or so. You know, just to be friendly. Robby and all the other males were watching with amusement. I think it's getting a little old to him. They all seem really interested in being Mrs Four-Star-Admiral, a lot more than Mrs Robinson. He had messaged that, to their vast surprise, he would have a +1, not for dinner due to her scheduling, but for social after dinner.

They all were watching the door like starving cats at a mouse hole. What they didn't know was he'd had his annual physical a few months back and after reviewing standard 'eat better, get more exercise (I guess being able to run with SEALS weekly does not count), yada yada' the hospital commander said the cardiologist wanted additional tests. Wally knew it was useless but tried to bypass, cardiologist walked in and he decided she could run all the tests she wanted. He told me he knew he was in trouble at that exact instant.

Capt Dr Julitta Vo'Panna was a striking 50ish Sabin woman with the 20ish figure Sabin carry all their lives, light almost white complexion, hair so black it really did not have a color, pointed ears high on her head, and her black eyebrows and long lashes framing her huge almond shaped green eyes. Eyes he said he could see any tine he closed his. As the tests progressed, he kept mentioning a casual cup of coffee, not the stuff from cafeteria. She finally said his heart was fine. Murmurs were usually disease, injury, or birth. His was from birth but she'd note it for future physicals. And she liked chasing anomalies during the day rather at zero dark thirty in ER. He said he agreed and about the coffee. And not from cafeteria.

She laughed and agreed. He said he spent much of that time talking about lunch. Lunch became lunches became dinner became dinners became dancing became weekends became a wonderful relationship. And your family? Said Betty told him about time, it had been 22 years and mom wouldn't want him to spend his life alone. Kpa'Vaari and Tesoro agreed. Tesoro was born after his wife passed and really encouraged grandpa to have a companion. When Julitta arrived, she kissed Robby, linked their arms, and said OK Bob, show me this famous house. As I discussed the house built into two 15x30 interstellar heavy cargo containers totaling a stupid 3000 sq meters I could see the cats realizing I knew all about the mouse. Their looks promised retribution later. I grinned.

Robby was not comfortable and when he mentioned a quick word, I took him to office and actually shut the door. He was nervous, unsure, almost scared. Finally he said, did I know Sabin women don't experience menopause? They can and do have healthy babies throughout their lives. Silence. He finally looked at me and I actually fell out of my desk chair laughing. I finally gasped 'hi dad' from the floor and lost it again. He just sat with his head down. When composed, I said really? About two months. Gestation should be around 11 months.

Your family? Sigh, Betty's reaction same as yours, Kpa'Vaari grinned from ear to ear, slapped me on back, and said way to go old man. Tesoro is embarrassed as only 15 year old girl can be. Work? They know nothing. Hospital, the same. I've asked her to marry, move in with me, let me move in with her, get a new place, anything. She is deciding. How do you feel? Ecstatic, I always wanted more children. I lost Betty's mom way too soon. Sabin normally wait until they are stable before kids. She is very happy, practical, planning "what' s next" before announcement. And had mentioned more kids. I really don't know what to do. Well I said, get ready for really surprised and respectful congratulations. I stood, came to attention, saluted and took him back to gathering. Wally looked at me like What? I just shook me head and got a beer.

Chuck and Sarphine came to me and said do you know Sen Gregory Abernathy? I hand signaled 'TO ME, ASAP' to Wally and Robby as I started talking.

Oh god yes I said, when he was a Capt in Corps he was a rich entitled useless loud mouthed back stabbing a*****e, I doubt using daddy's money to get elected Senator from some backwater planet has improved him much. Personally I always know he is lying because of his tell.

And that is? You can hear him. Wally said. He and Robby had joined us.

Robby said the only reason he's alive is due to avoiding anywhere live ammo was issued. Any troops put under his command would have fagged him in 30 seconds.

Military officer Fitness Reports (FITREP) are private, used only by higher ranking officers for guidance, training, and suitability for promotion. His were gleefully copied by his subordinates and distributed openly for entertainment. Comments like; "His men will follow him anywhere but only out of curiosity, Out of his depth in a sidewalk puddle, Started at rock bottom and has been digging ever since, and Used our ship to carry his genitals from planet to planet and fellow officers to carry him from bar to bar" had to be shared. My favorite FITREP said he was a hard working officer when cornered like a rat in a trap and under constant supervision. All in all, one of the most useless treacherous SOB to ever breathe.

Why do you ask?

Well, he's touring 'frontier regions' and is here for a photo ops. Sarphine said she helped out sometimes and they were delivering supplies to the school this morning and he was there talking to kids and we got a really got a bad vibe watching him around the girls.

Girls! My girls? I left running, returning with a combat knife in both boots, carrying a small odd looking pistol and blasters for Wally and Robby. What the hell is that they asked pointing, prototype Chuck gave me. A rail pistol. A WHAT?!?!

Small rail gun, holds a few thousand 0.01 gram needles. High power fires at approximately 0.001 c or 300,000 kps. KE of each strike is about 100 grams of TNT or a half a megajoule. That‘s about half a hand grenade per shot. Guy hides behind wall, just shoot through wall, or walls, or building, or tank.
Low power fires at 1/10 that, 30,000 kps, impact is 'only' one gram TNT or 4500 Joule. Of course on automatic it fires at 10 rounds per second. No real recoil, silent. Current version.

If he touch's one of my kids I'll shove this up his...... Bob! You can't get that or any weapon into any secured area. His security is being run like he is royalty.

I smiled, not a nice smile, and said all plastic except for magnets. Sarphine asked, what am i missing? Everyone looked at me, my wives joining the group, Julitta as well. I checked, NO KIDS. In rural, subsistence farming areas, planets or just areas, arranged child marriage is still practiced. With Bride Price or Bridewealth very much in use. Gregor would find a pretty nubile girl, always very young, sometimes 12 or 13, and marry (buy) her. Leave. Girl would be drugged, molested, raped, photographed, trafficked extensively, sold for torture and finally killed. And then he would do it again. And again. And again. And again. And again. That's enough someone said. Looking at sick crowd checking on their kids, I said tough to hear? We, gesturing to Wally and Robby, got to investigate, gather up remains, and return them to families. 47 times.

Forty. Seven. Times.

When I said if he goes near my kids, I'd kill him I am 100% accurate. Dead. On the spot. I looked at my wives, you all know where my cash is in case his guards get me. The deeds and wills and passwords to online accounts are in same place. People were realizing I was serious. And what those little bits of ribbon on our uniforms sometimes cost (Service. Awards, dismissed as participation trophy). Robby said we were so close, just days from getting him. He got suspicious and finagled an early release from service. It was just just a week, typical request, automatic, easy. And he disappeared behind daddy's lawyers. Wally said he took a week of leave and tried to catch him alone. Then our ship was deployed and we had to leave it unfinished.

I said I didn’t have an active career at risk. I was taking lead. After the dinner, I called some friends who’s post Corps career was a little, well, harder than mine. I had quietly paid them for information and extra security during my problems with the local Capo and Boss over information my freed slaves, now adopted children, had. I knew the guy I was calling well, I’d given him a few Article 15’s and recommended his discharge. I had not pushed for Dishonorable or other punitive discharge. He felt the Other Than Honorable discharge he got was fair. Odd guy.

When I told him that Gregor was back in the picture and I needed cost of detailed surveillance, his voice changed to something that really did not sound human. Gregor he said. You are talking about that pedophile SOB, right? Yes I said and I need to know what…., Who cares he interrupted. I remember him Bob, I remember him well. You had left, chasing him hard but I was on 15 of the recovery teams for remains. You were on all 47? I never understood how you stood it. We watched you jump into a bottle for months but you pulled yourself out. We always respected the hell out of you.

Oh s**t! Oh s**t! I had not known he was on any of the recovery teams. We rotated staff fast to reduce the stress they felt. The stress we were all carrying continuously. I had known he had a large family and several kids he doted on. Bob he said, I need to go, I have a 2 meter hole to dig. I started to say something and he interrupted again, did I ever mention my baby sister, the one who was taken off our street and treated, killed, like the girls whose remains we were collecting? He said it took decades to find and, uh, deal with all the animals who hurt her. And that, no their was no charge to, what, manage our good friend Gregor. He hung up.

I had just effectively although unknowingly condemned Gregor to what I was sure would be a long agonizingly painful death. I sat in my office the rest of the morning listening to my children running through our house playing, safe, unworried, happy, and found that I really, deep down, did not give a damn.

At lunch, my lady wives asked what I was going to do. The worry showing was actually touching. I said nothing, I was going to let it work itself out. Silence. Kinda at same time I heard: BS and liar and no, seriously, what? I have them a completely blank honest face and said, seriously.

It turns out Wally was getting the same from Himora. Robby was having a very long talk about what he’ll done prior to flag rank with Julitta. Chuck was discussing with Sarphine about field work vs R&D in a nice laboratory. As it happened, Tesoro had snuck into back of the discussion at dinner, she was careful not to attract other kids. She has been scared listening and crying later but told Robby she had never been as proud of him as she was now and would welcome any new kids he had, When he called, he was a very happy man. I asked him to come over for drinks and discussions next day and to bring Chuck and Wally. He said I was a damn downer and they would be at my door at 2000.

Next evening they showed up, I told them to get a drink. OK, when we had the little problem with the organization George the slaver worked for, I hired Gatewood for additional security and intel. Gatewood?! Robby asked, The jerk you had run out for being a thug? Well, yes. He had justification for whipping those guys and, frankly, I’d have done the same. That is why I pushed the Less Than Honorable discharge.

I called him looking for 24/7 intel on Gregor’s movements. What I did not know was he was on 15 of the remains collection details. They flinched. And really was upset, then and still. The other thing none of knew was that his beloved baby sister was taken, abused, and killed like Gregor’s victims. He said it took him decades to find and deal with the perpetrators.

He was pleased to know Gregor was on planet. He thanked me but declined the job. He said he had a two meter hole to dig.

Everyone just looked at me. Drink? Everyone wanted one. I said after the call, I just sat right here, in this chair, and listened to my safe, protected, happy children run and play in my house, got a drink, went to dinner with my safe wives, smiled, went to bed and slept like a baby.

As far as I am concerned, the entire issue is closed. I didn’t deliberately cause him any harm. Anything I accidentally triggered was an honest accident. In other words, there are things I regret, this is not one of them.

Silence.

So, Robby, (smiling) ready to share news?

Everyone seemed to take a deep breath and let go of something we had been carrying for years. And it was over, after a decade it was over. Yeah we still had the obligatory news stories about the missing Senator to endure, questioning looks from those who had been involved, but for us, it was over.

Robby gave me a dirty look, took a moment bracing himself for the inevitable, and said, this room only for now OK? Nods. Did any of you know Sabin women do not have a menopause? They can conceive, carry, and deliver healthy babies all their lives. I didn’t. The Sabin species is long lived, about as long as modern humans who keep current on health care, like service personal, around 130 or so. And culturally most wait until their relationships are stable before children. Usually starting around late 40‘s or early 50’s. Wally, whose face was bright red and looked like he was about to explode, said like Julitta‘s age he sputtered? Giving up, Robby said yes. As Wally fell off the couch he managed “hi daddy”. Chuck was looking a 60 odd year old full Admiral who was expecting a new child. He blinked and said he felt like he should salute. We all lost it at that point.

Five ladies came in, mine, Wally‘s and Chuck’s. They said, enough. Looking at Robby with his head in his hands and the rest of us in hysterics, they said, give! Robby said I need to get this laminated. Did you know Sabin women do not have a menopause and can have babies all their lives?

Pause, then instant understanding and smiles, gentle laughter, and baby shower plans. Robby raised his voice, I don’t know who she’s told, HER decision, understand? They looked at him, smiled, and said we’re just going to reach out and left. He watched them for a minute and excused himself to the hall to make a call.

Knock. I went to door, checked surveillance of three twits checking parameter for doors, all of which they tried, windows all of which they tried to look into, and finally knock. I stepped back into office and signaled Wally. He stood to one side as I opened door to chain. One of the twits tried to shove it open, it would stop armed assault much less one idiot. I said nice try moron, what do you want? Lead twit said I’m Cmdr Harrison, aide to Senator Abernathy and you need to come with us right now. I said what does that useless pedophile want? You can’t say that he screamed, the Senator is well respected. I said, in pedophile community and among other scum suckers, yes. I’m not going anywhere with you. What do you want?

As he started to sputter, Wally stepped into view. Harrison, return to base and consider yourself confined to quarters until 0800 when you will be in my office. You can’t do that he said. Robby stepped out, having finished his call. I can. Confined to quarters until 0800 but be in MY office. And JAG will be present to listen to your explanations of your behavior. If the Senator has input, he can drag his pedophile a*s there as well. I am well acquainted with him. He started to say something, probably that the beloved senator was missing, decided against it and left

Knock. I glanced and opened door to Julitta. Robby stepped forward at once, I’m sorry, did they bother you? She laughed saying we were never really keeping secrets, just planning. He smiled and said they threatened me. She said, right, I’m supposed to believe that? Hearing her, the wives descended dragging her off in a cloud of sentence fragments, dates, dress, names, centerpieces, colors, venues, officiant, candle holders, seating charts, gestation length, labor, men’s dress, men’s ties, flowers, invitations, and on and on. Robby said, I’m screwed. Wally said, no, you‘re overwhelmed. Let them plan it. They’re going to anyway, stay out of the middle. I said, gentlemen, the bar. We retired to my recently enlarged bar, not really hidden but definitely out of the way, on lower level with pool, card, and chess tables. And of course draft beers, big screen video, microwave, small grill, and refrigerator. We really enjoyed the rest of the planning. Robby laughingly asked if he could stay. I think he was kidding.

Back on base, Robby said Chief! Aye aye, sir. Total number of my direct reports, staff and line, Captain and up, what, 30?

Looking at data pad, 47 sir. Adding line Exec's?

53 sir. Damn, getting top heavy, different problem. Any of meeting rooms large enough to host that size, including breakfast? One moment sir.

The base mess banquet hall, configured for meals, seats 60. Currently is storage. Smile, great Chief. Looking at calendar, tell Mess Hall to configure for a breakfast meeting next Monday, that gives them a week. And schedule mess staff for full breakfast assuming all seats full. Serving 0730 thru 0845. Coffee and tea thru end of meeting. You will attend. Sir? Smile, be there.

Memo to all 50 odd announcing mandatory breakfast meeting, duty uniform, chow hall 0730 thru 0845, meeting 0900. No answer to any queries.

Oh yes, Chief make a note, Are We Top Heavy in Unit. Determine three officers with experience in management structure. Notify them they are writing referenced paper. Due, glancing at calendar, 60 days. Aye aye sir.

At home, I heard Knock. Looked, suits, familiar. Opened oo find Earth Ambassador. Morning sir, cam I help you? The guy next to him said, where is Senator Abernathy? The murderous pedophile I said? In hell I hope, he is not here. Guy said he was going to search. I asked him if he could do that with broken bones and blaster burns. While he sputtered, I decided I’d had enough. Grabbed him by back of jacket and belt, then heaved him out the door. Nice, cleared steps

I looked at rather amused Ambassador and asked who was that. He said it was some flunky from the Senators office or family looking for him. I said second group looking is he really missing? Yes. Good. Anything else sir? No, thanks Gunny.

I had two more groups of flunkies or co-conspirator, I just told them to PO and did not open door.

Next knock was Police officer O'Malley. I opened the door and said Morning, what can I do for you? The big guy behind him squeezed past and made for interior of house. I grabbed him, spun him to face me and dropped him with one punch. His buddies shock at seeing him casually knocked out with a jab told me I was the first Galactic Marine he had encountered. The permanent embedded enhancements are a shock to most and we try not to expose in public but I was a little irritated, force his way into my house!?!

By that time O’Malley had grabbed the other three, two with his left arms, one with his right secondary. He was actually named Ka'Troum, a Vexian enamored with ancient earth 'movies' depiction of Irish cops. Had his translator altered to produce passable brogue when outputting Standard English. The brogue confused the heck out of everyone else. His clawed, heavily armored, 2.6 meter, 4 armed, 195 kg presence was very calming in any disturbance. He was also looking at me oddly but he had seen me pissed before. This bunch had convinced the police that I was holding the Senator at my home based on my persecution in the past. I told O’Malley we needed to talk once he disposes of the trash. He came and I went over the senator’s history including the 47 little girls the Admiral, Commodore, and I had to scrape up and return to parents. And gave him search sites to verify. I understand the next bunch that went to police were run off ‘with prejudice’.

This crap went on for weeks, I realized they did not care about him, it was actually about him talking. Interesting. Wally called and mentioned Robby’s meeting and would I like to be a guest. Oh god yes. Thanks, I’d love to.

Robby showed up at 0800, got to chow line 0825, got a full breakfast, ate while making small talk with random officers who happened to be at the table with empty chair, got a refill on coffee. It was probably memorable to them.

I was sitting with Wally, still eating and getting side eyes from scandalized old lady officers . Gasp! A civilian? Retired NCO! Horrors!

At 0855 he went to podium carrying his coffee, thumped the mike and said Good Morning Gentlemen.

First, the covering ship on prison moon Kyle 4 B needs a new CO. You know, the posting described as the worst in the entire sector, perhaps the entire fleet. More latter.

Next, as you all know, or should know, I have been, what, dating, keeping company with, Capt Dr Julitta Vo'Panna the chief cardiologist at Sector Hospital. We have been enjoying each others company, my daughter Capt Rebecca Robinson Vordel said, finally dad, its been 22 years since mom died. Granddaughter Tesoro agreed, always important to grandpa. We are very happy together.

Now, a little biology. Did any of you know that unlike almost all other species, Sabin women do not experience menopause? They can, and do, have healthy children throughout their adult life.

Ah, from the faces I see a few of my officers can actually add two plus two. Julitta and I are expecting a child, given the guess work on unique gestation, probably between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. And I am thrilled. To be honest terrified, but still thrilled. My family is happy for us. My friends are apparently plannings a large wedding or small invasion.

That is the reason for this meeting. I just wanted to inform everyone and avoid the really stupid rumors. For those who find this amusing, you are not alone. My friends do and have already said everything. I am NOT going to repeat Gunny Smith. (general laughter). I raised my hand for a minute.

Oh yes, the posting to Kyle 4 B awaits the first officer who says "Admiral Daddy" in my hearing. I thank you for your attention.

(Significant applause).

As Robby started to end the meeting, his Exec, VADM González stood and said STAND, as everybody stood as he said ATTENTION. Once at attention he said PRESENT ARMS. As everyone saluted, he turned to a surprised Robby and saluted. Robby came to attention and returned it with suspiciously bright eyes. González dropped his hand and said ORDER ARMS. After glancing at Robby, DISMISSED.

As they were leaving, one LTCM said Admiral Daddy, that's funny. His CO said, a little louder, you will love orbiting that moon for two years. He wouldn't.... Try him. You know, with a considering look, I thought you were smarter.

At home, I was seriously considering contacting Gatewood regarding intel Gregor could provide on his pedophile ring. Even after I ‘pronounced‘ this mess was over. Dither dither dither. Someday I’ll learn not teach my grandmother to suck eggs. At the time, I decided it was over meant it was damn well over. I let it go. Several months later documentation, including some rather raw clips of Gregor talking in obvious pain and terror, appeared on numerous earth news networks. Anonymously provided. The entire pedophile network collapsed. As rats always squeak, more and more was exposed as arrests continued. Nice. Made all of us feel warm and fuzzy inside.

A couple months after his meeting, Robby and Julitta we’re married in the base cathedral following Sabin and Earth customs. It was really quite tasteful and beautifully done despite requiring full dress blacks including all chest candy. Even at 5 or 6 months the combination of extended gestation and traditional Sabin wedding robes concealed any baby bump, at least that is what my lady wives told me.

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[Mila]

Your writing lives in my head rent free.