HERO
I must give credit to my good friend, Whiteswan, whose "Operation Babysit" listed on this site under the Gatchaman section, gave birth to this idea. She chose to use a toddler as the center of her Gatchaman story, with Ken being granted the majority of the responsibility. Since I'm such a fan of the "Battle…" universe, I chose to remain in it. I thought that a senior citizen, particularly a retired fighter pilot, could be just as much a handful to watch than that of a baby. His connection to Mark's father played a substantial role in the deceased colonel's professional and personal life. Those of you who've read my entries know that I've aged the characters a bit, placing them in their early to mid-20's with the exception of Keye who's 18 here. I've also given them established relationships; they're young adults and thought it would be interesting to see how those relationships might be handled. It's rated "M" for a reason. I hope those of you who choose to read this enjoy it. The usual disclaimer still stands; "Battle of the Planets" belongs to Sandy Frank Entertainment and "Gatchaman" to Tatsunoko Productions.
All five members of the G-Force team had gathered into Chief William Anderson's office at the Intergalactic Federation of Peaceful Planets base located on the outskirts of Bay City. This was supposed to have been the first day of a much long awaited vacation for Earth's finest defense league. Spectran attacks had begun to wane in both severity and quantity; Earth's military forces had been able to thwart alien assaults without back up from G-Force. So it had come as a surprise when they received a priority alert signal from their communicators. They had all made plans for the next two weeks and didn't want to hear from their mentor that their plans would have to either be delayed or cancelled.
Commander Mark Beckham stood with his back facing the team staring out of the monumental high-rise overlooking the IFPP's campus, wondering what kind of disturbance warranted that they all be called to Anderson's office on short notice. He looked over his shoulder and his intense blue eyes met the emerald green eyes of Officer Princess Anderson, sitting on the leather couch next to Keye, her younger brother engrossed in the latest hand-held computer game. She was Mark's third in command and his girlfriend of now two years. Princess smiled sensuously at him, and Mark responded in kind with a roguish grin, tilting his head slightly and rewarding her with a sexy wink. His deep blue eyes drinking in the sight of Princess in the flirty turquoise sundress she was wearing, exposing her sun kissed skin. Unlike the other team members who had planned to leave Bay City for their vacation, Mark and Princess had decided to spend the remaining two weeks holed up in Princess' beach house. Her home was situated on virtually isolated beach property, giving them the privacy they both eagerly craved.
Mark folded his arms and reached up to rub at his chin before cutting a glance back at Princess, who looked at him questioningly from her place on the couch. Everything faded in the background as an image of him and Princess in the Pacific Ocean's surf one warm summer's night a few weeks ago entered into Mark's mind. The frothy water blanketing them as they lay on the wet sand; making love as if they were the only inhabitants on Earth. Remembering the sensation of Princess' tongue gliding across his hot skin, tasting the ocean's salt on his throat while her silken thighs held him a willing captive within her embrace. His mouth capturing her soft moans of pleasure while her body responded to the demands of his. He remembered feeling every hardened inch of himself buried deep within her; his body stoking a fire within the young woman beneath him while she cried out his name to the night. He'd never felt so free, so uninhibited and it was all because of Princess. She'd made him happier than he ever dreamed possible. He valued their relationship and what they'd found together.
Mark smiled brazenly in remembrance and met Princess' beautiful face still watching him, almost certain that she was caught up in the same memory as he; seeing the flood of warmth seep into her face as he watched her told him so. She shifted slightly in her seat, fingered several strands of dark hair behind one ear, and crossed one shapely leg over the other before giving him a smoldering look, her full lips curving into a luscious smile. Mark knew that no one was watching their silent foreplay, discretion having been something they mastered while under the jurisdiction of one the Federation's main authority figures, Chief Anderson. But they were on the verge of their impending vacation and as far as he was concerned a little sexual playfulness was allowed. The young man frowned mockingly at her, shook his head and bit his bottom lip. He was hoping they could re-enact that particular night. Damn I can't wait to get out of here!
Officer Jason Devereaux, G-Force's second in command, wasn't at his usual post-with his back against the wall, arms folded in front of his chest, and legs crossed at the knees. Instead he was pacing with nervous energy, his hands stuffed into his pockets as he walked an imaginary line from Anderson's desk to the center of the room.
"Man I hate this! I absolutely hate this!" Jason combed back a pelt of sandy brown hair from his forehead. "I've got a race coming up on Monaco Island in two days. Rachel and I should've been on that flight an hour ago! What in the hell is so important that it had to interrupt our down time?" Rachel Sheridan was Jason's girlfriend of over a year. She worked in the weapon's division of Center Neptune. This would have been the first time Rachel would've traveled abroad with him to watch him race, and they both had been looking forward to it. Rachel had been wary of Jason's need for speed, believing his role as a Federation officer dangerous enough. She'd only recently been made aware that he was the Condor of G-Force. She was just grateful when he survived an assignment. But his racing was another extreme to her, albeit minor in comparison to his role as G-2. It was imperative to Jason that Rachel understand his love of the sport; he believed this trip would provide her with some insight. He didn't want her thinking of him as an action junkie. Racing was truly what he loved to do.
Officer Jack 'Tiny' Harper, G-Force's pilot and oldest member of the group, shook his head in both agreement and disgust. "Man all I know is that this had not better be another Spectran attack. I've been saying all along that we blow that planet from existence. Allie and I made plans months ago." Tiny and his fiancée, Alicia Blake, were going to do some deep sea fishing off of the Hawaiian isles. Alicia worked as a mechanical engineer at the base of the IFPP. She played a role in the design of the Phoenix, G-Force's stellar aerial battleship.
Officer Keye Anderson, the youngest member of G-Force, continued to play with his hand held computer game; his focus seemingly on fighting alien invaders. "Whatever it is it can't be more important than bustin' up my plans. My friend, Spencer, and I were headed for Malibu. Some great waves were predicted and I was lookin' forward to breakin' in my new board. Not to mention the scores of scantily clad honeys in bikinis that I looked forward to meeting and parties every night." The sound of defeat rang in the air from the tiny device and Keye raised a fist in the air as his final score was tabulated. "Yes!" He turned to his older sibling. "For the life of me Prin, I can't figure out what you and Mark are going to do all alone in that beach house of yours for the next two weeks. I mean how much fun can you two have by yourselves?"
Mark looked over his shoulder quickly and responded smugly, "Would you prefer digital pics or the video?" Jason and Tiny immediately laughed like a couple of frat boys who'd been told a dirty joke. Keye's once clueless face slowly registered understanding. He frowned at Mark's recent statement, gave him the finger, and returned to playing his computer game mumbling expletives under his breath as he blew strands of long brown hair out of his eyes.
Princess threw Mark a warning glance but smiled at his implication. She got up from her place next to Keye and sauntered towards Mark, her arms folded in front of her. "Stop encouraging Jase and Tiny. Are you trying to embarrass me?" she asked cuffing his chin as Mark continued to watch her with warm blue eyes.
Mark laughed good naturedly. "Just giving your brother a refresher course in sex ed." He spoke in Keye's direction. "You see Keye when the male of the species wants to show the female…Oww!" Princess strategically poked Mark in his rib cage.
"You're incorrigible!" she retorted pulling on Mark's shirt as he placed his hands on Princess' upper arms. "I can't believe you said that!" Her lovely face reflected her embarrassment.
"Ha! Ha! Funny bastard!" Keye grumbled as he realized he was the butt of the joke for the moment, the other team members still laughing at their team mate's expense.
Her outrage momentarily forgotten, Princess' large green eyes devoured Mark as she purred seductively for his ears alone, "Just wait until I get you home."
Mark's hands tightened on her upper arms as he pulled her closer and whispered back, "You know I'd bend you over my knee and spank you if I didn't know you liked it so much." His voice had turned Princess' blood to lava; her cheeks burned an even deeper shade of red.
The panel door to Anderson's office slid open and in walked the Galaxy Security Chief. He managed to come in on the tail end of the joke and from the looks of it his son, Keye, was at the center of it. He was grateful for the team's jovial attitude. For now, he mused. The team wasn't going to be happy with the news he was about give them. They were going to be devastated with the announcement that their plans would have to be cancelled. Even more so when they discovered why.
Chief Anderson coughed slightly before venturing further into the room, garnering the team's attention as he stood in front of his large desk and leaned slightly against its edge. Mark walked away from Princess toward the center of the room; the G-Force commander coming to a halt in front of Anderson's line of vision.
"Alright Chief. We're all in attendance. What's so important that we all had to be called in on a moment's notice? And don't tell us it's another Spectran attack." Mark stood with his arms folded in front of his chest, his stance reflecting his determination to let them know what was happening immediately.
Anderson lowered his eyes to the floor and expelled a bit of air between pursed lips before looking at the anxious faces of his G-Force team. "I'm sorry but your vacation plans have been cancelled."
A chorus of obscenities sprang from Jason, Tiny, and Keye simultaneously. Even Princess had to swallow the words that had threatened to erupt from her mouth. Disappointment was evident on everyone's faces.
Mark turned to look at his team mates over his shoulder before returning his attention to the man who gave them the bad news. "Chief Anderson, we've been looking forward to this vacation for weeks. If it's Spectra causing the problem, then certainly our own military can handle them. We haven't had to face a mech attack in months!"
Jason came to stand next to Mark, his face furious. "Mark's right! Chief, what in the hell is going on?" Mark held up his hand in an attempt to stop Jason from saying anything further.
Anderson frowned, holding up his hands to thwart off the barrage of questions from the others in the room. "Now calm down! I'm just as disappointed as the rest of you. We all have deserved some much needed time off." He sighed before removing his glasses and rubbed at his eyes with his right hand's thumb and index finger. "Unfortunately your presence was requested in this particular case."
"Requested?" Princess echoed. "I don't understand. Is this an assignment?"
Anderson snorted before replacing his thin frames back over his nose. "Unlike any we've had to deal with before." He walked purposely behind his desk while the team looked at each other warily. The Chief indicated for them to sit while he did the same. He opened the panel on the right side of his desk and eased back in his chair, teepeeing his fingers as the room began to darken.
A large screen appeared behind Anderson and within seconds the face of man who was the source of their problem appeared. An older man with weathered features only partially hidden beneath his thick white mustache and beard, dark brooding eyes beneath a fierce scowl, and a receding hair line graying at the temples. His face was wide, giving the indication that he was a large man. Mark stiffened as he instantly recognized the face on the screen, his eyes narrowing as he studied the man's appearance. Princess sensed the tension in Mark while sitting next to him, her worried eyes wondering what connection he had with the older man. Anderson's scrutinizing eyes had picked up on Mark's reaction immediately, realizing that he had some knowledge about this gentleman. Rather than dwell on it, the Chief continued. He and Mark would talk later.
"This is General Eli Drake of the elite Rigan air squadron. He's 70 years old, recently retired, and right now in need of constant monitoring." Anderson turned and leaned his elbows onto his desk while sweeping his eyes from left to right focusing on the team. "He'd been assigned as one of Rigan's most top advisors aiding the squadron with his knowledge of Spectran war tactics before his retirement. The wealth of information General Drake has gathered over the years is not only insurmountable but highly valuable. Spectran operatives would consider his capture a major victory in their bid to take over not only Planet Riga but Earth. But lately the general has been behaving in an odd manner." With that Anderson fingered the switch on the panel of his desk. Simultaneously the room began to lighten and the huge screen disappeared from behind the Chief.
"What do you mean by odd?" Jason asked as he caught the questioning glances of Tiny and Keye. He watched Mark sitting on the opposite couch staring fixatedly at the blank space behind Anderson. What in the hell is wrong with him? Jason's dark brow furrowed suspiciously and he lifted his chin at Princess before cutting a quick glance back at Mark. She eyed Mark once more and shrugged her shoulders, mouthing I don't know.
Anderson moved from behind the desk to sit on its edge; his arms folded in front of his chest. "Well he's been speaking out against the Federation Alliance for starters; divulging information to virtually anyone who's willing to listen. He would leave his home and be gone for days without so much as a word to anyone of his whereabouts. And when confronted he's highly defensive about it. Because of this he was forced into retirement a few weeks ago. But he's been even more impossible to deal with now than before. Because of the level of information he holds, the Federation Alliance felt it best that he be monitored even suggesting placement of sorts. But General Drake passed all of the necessary psychological test; he's not considered incompetent. So the Federation decided to send him on an …extended vacation." Anderson shifted slightly under the team's scrutiny. "Here on Earth…in Bay City."
"Wait a minute! Hold the phone! You mean to tell us the reason we're stuck here is so we can watch the old man while he's on vacation?" Tiny ranted, his face contorted in disbelief.
Anderson nodded. "Yes that's about the size of it." It sounded unbelievable even to his own ears. "The Federation insisted that G-Force monitor the actions of General Drake before his return to Riga to be reassessed by their psychologists."
Jason stood from his place on the couch and laughed sarcastically, slapping a hand to his forehead while walking toward one of the office's windows. "Boy the bullshit never ends does it? We've been reduced from soldiers to fucking babysitters!"
"Alright Jason, that's enough," Anderson warned before he continued. "Listen, I want all of you to know that I didn't just sit on this one. I felt this assignment didn't require our attention at all. I even asked the Federation Board to consider using our Internal Security Division to monitor Drake's actions," Anderson added.
Keye looked at his father hopefully. "Well what did they say?"
"They said General Drake is the Federation's responsibility and being that, would prefer that G-Force oversee this assignment."
"In-fucking-credible!" Jason shouted. "Hell why don't we open a damned daycare every time someone goes a little loco! We'll use a revolving door as the entrance! Someone's bound to be in there more than once!"
Mark continued to sit quietly with his elbows on his knees amidst all the fuss among his team mates. Anderson held up his hand again in another attempt to alleviate the rise of angry voices before returning his attention to Mark. The Chief eyed the young commander shrewdly. "Mark you haven't said one word about any of this. Care to share what's on your mind?"
Tiny grumbled as he got up from an adjoining couch, stretching to his full height of 6ft 3 inches before stuffing his large hands into his pants pockets, "He's probably in shock. This has got to be the most ridiculous damned thing we've ever been asked to do! If you ask me this is nothing more than a case of Old Timers Disease!"
Princess touched Mark's shoulder lightly. "Mark? Are you alright? Do you know this man?" Suddenly all eyes were on the young commander in search of a response.
Mark lowered his eyes to the floor. "General Drake was my father's commanding officer," he answered quietly. Understanding began to dawn on Anderson's face as Mark's voice lowered an octave. "My father literally worshipped this man; even emulated himself after him. I remember seeing his pictures with my father's things after he was killed." Mark raised his head and looked forward, his thoughts seemingly miles away from the rest of the team. He remembered his father's abrasive words to distance himself from his team mates in order to be an effective leader. Never get personally involved and how to command respect, never demand it. Mark's dark blue eyes glaciered over. "I never met General Drake but his words were always honed into my psyche."
Mark's team mates' stares shifted from one person to the next. Chief Anderson rose from his seat on the edge of his desk and spoke thoughtfully. "Commander look at this as just another assignment. Granted it's not a routine assignment, but General Drake is a retired Federation officer and deserves our respect and utmost cooperation. If you feel that you can't handle it…."
No one noticed the tall figure standing in front of the panel door as it closed silently, allowing the stranger entrance into Anderson's office.
"If he can't handle it then he's no son of Colonel Cronus!," the figure spoke accusingly in a big booming voice. The large man was dressed in full flight gear; a dark jumpsuit clinging to his massive frame. His look was as bold as his voice, his arrogance evident with his unannounced entrance into the room. Enough to make Anderson and the G-Force members stand at full attention.
Mark's eyes narrowed to slits as he came to stand before the man who spoke in the authoritative tone. The younger man responded in a dangerously complaisant voice as he mirrored the older man's stance. "General Eli Drake."
"In the flesh Commander Beckham," the general sneered as his eyes traveled candidly from the top of Mark's head to his feet before catching the glances of Chief Anderson and the remaining G-Force members behind him. His eyes met the only female member of the team and clung blatantly to Princess causing her to shift uncomfortably. After giving the team and Anderson a thorough sweep with his eyes, the general responded cynically, "I think I'm going to enjoy my stay here after all."
Thanks for reading!
