Retired

This is one of those stories that seem to pop into being from some other unrelated conversation or something else along those lines. I am the sole originator of this work or fiction and any resemblance to any person living or dead is purely coincidental and unintended. This story may not be reproduced, copied or retransmitted in any way known or unknown without the authors permission. If you like what you read, please let me know down below and be sure to leave a comment. Be safe out there.

Now on with the story.

12 August 2419

2109 Local

New Oakland, Rancher23c

I hate my newer trailer, really it was cheaply built and where I had placed it on the south ridge of the chunk of land, seemed to always be hot. They'd finally given me this land after 30+ years of fighting in this battle or that star system and more times than I could count we'd managed to pull victory from the jaws of defeat. Most times it had cost me good friends and pilots and it enabled the powers that be to finally do the right thing after trying so hard to lose it all to the Zims.

I was trying to nap after watching the evening news and eating a late dinner, at 62 I really didn't care anymore about what was going on halfway across the universe. I'd done more than enough time and was burned out as a pilot and a person. In short, I really did not give a flying fuck about some big wigs' fucking failures at the negotiation table.

I was lightly napping in the easy chair by the video unit that I'd had mounted on the wall of the living room area, in the background some mindless romcom was making noise. I hated the quiet after 30 years of living on this carrier or that one, the noise never really stopped, if the ship ever went quiet you were pretty much screwed.

The knocking on my door woke me from my slumber, I didn't know who the fuck it could be, I really didn't have an address, my retirement checks were direct deposit, and all mail went to a PO box that was in town. I only went into town once or twice a month for supplies and to pick up my mail, other than that I was more than content to be left alone, all I really wanted was to rest, drink, and try to forget the war that had cost me so much. I had made it hard to find me, mainly because I really didn't want to be found.

I got up and went to the door and opened it, standing in the dim light stood a Marlin, they were humanoid looking with a silvery skin and no hair on their heads, they were also tall well over 2m tall. Generally, around 2.25m to 2.5m tall this one was short, about 1.95m tall.

'Captain Storr, I presume? You're a hard man to find Sir.' He said in a deep resinous voice his golden eyes traced over my unshaved face; he knew exactly to whom he was speaking with.

'That was a long time ago minor ambassador, I'm retired and have no plans to fly for anyone.' I turned around and went back to my seat. 'I'm retired and no longer want to care anymore. I like being hard to find.' I said picking up the remote then started flipping through the multiple channels trying to find something to watch.

He stepped in and closed the door behind him then sat on the small love seat as I found some nature documentary and settled on that. 'Under Admiral K'fal said that you'd say that Sir.'

He said and reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a plain white envelope then handed it to me. "She said that I was to give this to you Sir and no I have no idea as to its contents.'

I staired at it and finally took it from his outstretched hand, I saw my name handwritten on the front in her elegant script, I'd recognize her handwriting just about anywhere. I ripped it open and started reading what was contained therein. It took me several minutes to read the 3 pages, I even went back and reread several parts to make sure I truly understood what she'd written me. I stood and walked over to the cabinet above the sink and pulled out a bottle of whiskey, then grabbed 2 glasses from another cabinet and went back to where the minor ambassador silently sat and handed him a glass then poured him a good splash, then one for myself.

'Your health young Sir.' I said and clinked glasses with him then gulped what I had poured down. I usually sip my drinks, but this was not one of those times. I handed him the letter and sat back down to wait for him to read through its contents.

'I had no idea that it had gotten as bad as the Under Admiral states here in Sir.' He said after reading the letter and handing it back to me. I poured us both another drink and sat back and snorted.

'I can guarantee you one thing it's not only as bad as she says it is.' I said and took a drink. 'It's probably worse and heading down the black hole even as we sit here talking about it.'

I looked over at the far wall and saw the picture of my last squadron, we were all old and worn down by that time but still tried to look young and fresh faced. I saw K'fal standing next to me and a kind of half smile graced my face for a few seconds as I remembered all those times we'd spent drinking, her young rock-hard body against mine after a fuck flight as she called it. Coming back to the boat missing 4 or more fighters and within a few days having new faces to fill their place, the ranks of dead friends and colleges that stood before me every night when I would try to sleep. Once again, I was being asked to put my shriveled up old nuts on the chopping block and dare someone to cut them off.

'When does the Cruiser in orbit leave?' I asked, staring blankly at the video unit, the person was talking about some kind of butterfly that only inhabited a certain area of Signus 3delta, it was very colorful.

'Whenever your ready Admiral, your uniform is aboard the transport, and your gear awaits you in your cabin on the Cruiser Sir.' He said as I finished my drink and turned the video unit off.

I looked around my small trailer one last time and got up and headed into the bathroom, picked up the electric shaver and started trimming up the whiskers on my face. 'Grab that picture off the wall B'tal, I'll be with you in a minute.' I told him and after finishing my shave I looked in the mirror. 62, gray hair, no longer youthful or spry, eyes that had seen too much death and destruction. Why me? I'd been out for 10 years now, retired, I'd run away from those who had caused my pain, at least I thought I had. How does one run away from oneself? I sighed and stared hard at the reflection looking back at me.

'Once more into the jaws of death Jack... Ohhh, you really fucked it up this time didn't you old boy.' I muttered to myself and grabbed a few things from the medicine cabinet then placed them in the small bag that I kept packed in my closet for just such an emergency and headed for the door. B'tal stood there waiting for me.

'A cleanup crew will take care of your trailer Sir, where would you like it stored while your off-world Sir?' He asked. I stopped for a second and saw the 4 other Marlin standing by a small van, I hadn't even heard them arrive, fuck me I was getting old and sloppy, and it was going to get me and those around me killed.

'Put it someplace secure gents, thank you.' I said and got into the back seat of the embassy car that had brought my original guest up here. The one thing I love about riding in a transport made for the Marlin was that even my 6'5", 280-pound frame was comfortable in the back seat. We started down the ridge and I could see the driver speaking to someone via an earpiece.

'The shuttle is standing by Admiral; we should be there in 15 of your minute's Sir.' He said and picked up the speed after we had cleared the top of the ridge. I simply nodded and looked out the tinted window, there wasn't much to see out here. I sat back and closed my eyes and waited for death to come visit yet again.

And here I end the first part of my story, please let me know what you thought about it. Be sure to vote, like, follow and comment below. Be careful out there I'd rather have you reading my stuff than someplace else, have a Merry Christmas too and a Happy New Year.