Changing Life

Jack began hauling what he could into his campus in smaller vehicles but some of the larger items had to come in from other directions when they required larger trucks to haul them. Jack was presented with a bill from the county charging him for repairs to the road allegedly caused by vehicles coming to his property. He refused to pay it and was hit with a lawsuit to force payment. He also received notice of several other harassing lawsuits all filed in Knox county. He was being sued for noise pollution, light pollution, the road damage and for operating a dangerous business that impacted citizens of Knox County.

His next contact with authority was from the Federal Government. Several large black vehicles pulled into his parking lot and dark suited men and women tumbled from them. He was faced with people from the FBI, CIA, NSA, DIA and about any other three initial Federal agencies he could think of such as IRS. They all wanted him to stop what he was doing and cooperate with their investigation. He was accused of numerous serious violations of national security and was told he should IMMEDIATELY cease and desist in selling and licensing his supposed inventions until such time as the Government decided what items were to be allowed into civilian use. His whole operation was locked down and crews of men and women began going through his records and investigating his campus. Some of his equipment was carried out and placed in trucks which then departed.

Jack stood in stunned silence and watched his employees being herded out of the building. Each and every person was searched before they were sent on their way to be sure they did not take anything away from the site that might be of interest to the government. As he watched the forced removal of his employees, Jack got a call from Glorious. She said, "Captain, I am afraid this may be the end of our peaceful clandestine operations. Your government is in the process of repositioning two surveillance satellites so they can keep your buildings and land under constant surveillance. If you wish, I can disable them or I can block some of the data they are gathering. My shields will keep them from getting a good picture of me under the water but they will be able to detect the metal in my hull."

Jack thought a moment then said, "If you can do it without being obvious disable them Glorious."

A few moments later Glorious said, "Captain I found a small meteor shower that was predicted for later this afternoon. I can take control of two or three of the small meteors and make sure they impact the satellites. It may look suspicious to your authorities but since astronomers are aware of the upcoming shower they may write the hits off as an astronomical coincidence."

"Fine, if you can do that without detection do it. Will they be able to get any damaging intelligence before the satellites are disabled?"

"I do not believe so Captain. If I have computed correctly they may be able to transmit information about the large mass of metal under the lake before they are destroyed but I cannot say. It all depends on whether or not they are searching the lake before they search other areas."

About six that evening Jack sat on his porch looking at his research center and drinking a beer. He was trying to decide what to do first about the mess he was in. Two large black Expeditions arrived at his parking lot and armed men in dark uniforms got out. They set up a perimeter around the buildings and then began putting out surveillance devices. While they were working the people inside began filing out and leaving for the night. Within fifteen minutes all was quiet once again and appeared almost normal.

About eight p.m. another car pulled up, this time in the driveway to Jack's home. Jack stood and began walking toward the car before it stopped. He was almost to the door when it opened and his secretary stepped from the driver's side. At the same time his head research assistant got out of the passenger's side. Jack had been spending many pleasant hours with these two women both at work and, occasionally, other places. He took them together and separately out to dinner and shows. He saw them many times after work both in his own home and theirs. They were the two most compatible females found in his employees and were approved by Glorious as mates for Jack.

It took Jack several weeks to finally concede Glorious was right when she selected and then informed Jack of the matches. By the time Glorious had confirmed their compatibility Jack had already noticed them using the tried and true "old fashioned" methods that had worked for millennia. He merely talked with them and slowly learned about them from conversations. He was gratified to know that imperial technology agreed the two women were perfect mates for him but he still had some misgivings about having sex with subordinates. The women still did not know about Glorious but that time was rapidly approaching.

Jack walked up to the women and smiled. He gave each of them a hug and said, "I was hoping you would come out tonight. Come on into the house and we'll chat for a while."

After the women were seated in Jack's den he gave them each their usual drink then sat facing them. He looked at them for a moment in silence then said, "Glorious, full security please. Engage shields. Let me know when our property has been recovered but otherwise, listen and if I make an error, please let me know. Has there been any reaction to the destruction of the satellites?"

Both women looked at Jack curiously, then jumped when Glorious said, "Yes Captain. Security is fully implemented, shields are at maximum. So far no further satellite repositioning is occurring however there have been several messages back and forth about the hits. Do you want to listen to them?"

"No that won't be necessary. Let me know if any more surveillance is attempted."

"Yes Captain. Welcome Susan and Emily. It is a pleasure to finally get to speak to you both as myself."

Susan looked around then said hesitantly, "Gloria? I didn't know we were on a conference call."

"I am afraid the Captain and I misled you somewhat Susan. My name is not Gloria, it is Glorious and I am not a person. Please, relax and let the Captain explain; then if you have questions he cannot answer I will do so. Rest assured you are completely safe and we mean you no harm."

By the end of the conversation with Glorious both women looked shocked and scared. They turned back to Jack and Emily asked, "Jack what is going on here? And why did she call you Captain?"

Jack leaned back in his chair and said, "I'm afraid this will be a long explanation ladies. When I received a similar one it took almost six hours so please bear with me. As for the title, it is one I held years ago in the Navy and have recently regained. I have yet to use the title publicly since I was once again given command of a ship. I am not sure I am qualified for the title this time but Glorious is adamant that I am the Captain and that is what she calls me."

Jack launched into the explanation demanded by the women. He used technology installed in his house for audio visual assistance. Finally, just after midnight Jack leaned back and said, "Well, in a nutshell, that is where we are now. I have inherited a Star Ship and its AI insists I am the captain and owner. I am supposedly fully qualified to command and fly the ship but it is still at the bottom of this lake. We have been using my business to purchase needed material for repair and for a conduit for the technology we are releasing into our economy. I am afraid someone has finally decided my "inventions" are too far advanced to be normal and is now looking for the source of this technology. It is now time for Glorious and I to notify the people chosen for crew and see if they are willing to take that job. As I said earlier everyone in the business is either crew or base staff IF they are willing to take the jobs. That includes you two. Emily, you have been chosen to be the Executive Officer if you agree to take the position and you, Susan, are to be the Logistics Officer. Tonight, if you accept the positions, I need you to board Glorious and begin your training. After a couple of nights training for you, we will need to call the employees together and give them this same briefing and see if they are willing to take on their new jobs also."

Emily and Susan sat in shocked silence for a moment then they both began talking at once. They stopped and looked at each other. Susan motioned to Emily with her hand and Emily continued, "Jack I can't believe what you've just told us. If I hadn't seen some of the marvelous things you supposedly invented and if I hadn't worked on them myself I would think you were bat shit crazy. Many of us wondered how in the hell you managed to come up with so much cutting edge technology so fast. We finally decided you were just a super brilliant man that was stifled by your prior employer and opened your own business to market your ideas."

Emily looked around, glanced at Susan and continued, "Now you tell us not only is this technology not from earth but you tell us and expect us to believe you have a star ship? I don't know what to think here."

Jack stood and looked down at the women then said, "Do you trust me? I spend my nights aboard now anyway. Why don't you come with me and let me show you. If you agree to your new positions you will need to board anyway."

Emily and Susan looked at Jack then each other. He could see the disbelief and perhaps, fear, on their faces. He began to wonder if Glorious was wrong in her assessment of the two women when Emily gave him a tentative smile and said, "What the hell, what's the worst that could happen here? I don't think you're crazy and if you were going to injure us you could have done it several times in the past. I'll go."

Emily stood and looked at Jack. Susan didn't say anything, she just stood and prepared to follow. Jack walked down to his small pier and the 20 foot cabin cruiser tied there. He helped the women into the boat, slipped the ropes then started the engine. They slowly moved across the now dark water then stopped. Jack dropped the anchor and said, "Let's go below ladies. We need to get to the ship."

As they were entering the small cabin they felt a jolt then the small boat became almost rigid. They no longer felt the wave action. The small bunk lifted and a hole appeared in the deck of the boat. A light shined out of the hole dimly. Jack motioned toward the hole and said, "After you. After they were all three in the small chamber they watched as first the hatch in the bottom of the boat closed, then the hatch above their heads closed. There was a feeling of movement as if in an elevator. The women looked shocked.

Jack said, "It's ok. We'll soon be inside Glorious and we can get you ready for bed."

There was a slight clunk then a door slid open on the side of the chamber they were in. Jack motioned toward the opening and said, "After you."

Emily and Susan moved into the larger room slowly. They looked around in shock both at what they saw and heard. Glorious said, "Welcome aboard Captain and Ladies. I have some refreshments in the Wardroom and your cabins are ready."

Jack led the women to a small plush room where there was a selection of drinks and snacks. He pointed to a passageway at the opposite side of the room and said, "Our staterooms are down that passageway. Your names are already on the door along with your rank and position. My cabin is at the far end of the passageway but if you need me just have Glorious connect us. Now, shall we have a snack or would you rather inspect your rooms?"

The women walked up to the table and picked up a sandwich and coke. They looked at Jack and headed toward the door. Emily said, "I have all I need. I think I want to see my room and if I can take a nice shower then get some sleep while I think about all this."

After Jack got the women situated he strode to his room munching on his sandwich. As soon as he got inside his room he stripped and went to bed. All three fell into a deep sleep and Glorious began the nights lessons.

The next morning Jack was awake long before the women. He was sitting in the Wardroom drinking his coffee when they came slowly into the room. Once again Emily took the lead in the conversation. She said, "Jack, uh, Captain, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes and been subject to whatever you did to me last night I just would not ever believe this shit." Her eyes were glistening as she looked at Jack. She continued, "Assuming I haven't gone totally bat shit crazy and am in a loony bin somewhere, I would dearly love to be your Executive Officer and Susan says she will happily become the Logistics Officer.

"Before we go ashore can we possibly take a tour of the ship please?"

Jack laughed and said, "Great. Before we take off on a tour though how about some breakfast? I'm starved." Jack raised his head slightly and said, "Glorious, I'll have a Denver Omelet, hash browns, wheat toast, dry."

Glorious said, "At once Captain, and for you ladies?"

After the meal Jack gave a quick tour and was gratified to see how much knowledge the women already had about Glorious. Finally he said, "We really need to get back to the house I suppose. Glorious has kept me abreast of developments ashore and I'm afraid things are not going well at all. The government went crazy last night when Glorious recovered the equipment they took yesterday. We need to get the crew here for their briefing then make provisions for the few who have families before something bad happens."

The three made it back onto the small boat ok. Before he went topside to return to his dock Jack said, "I'm sorry to do this to you but I'm afraid we need to lay a false trail for the spooks on shore."

Jack moved quickly to Emily and gave her a hicky on her neck and the upper part of one of her breasts. He gave her a long messy kiss, sucking on her lips until they were red and swollen. When he stopped she was breathing heavily and kissing him back madly while her hips ground into his. She collapsed onto the small bunk.

Jack turned to Susan and she came rapidly into his arms with a smile. She got the same treatment and looked even harder used than Emily when Jack stopped. Jack messed the bunk up then pulled a set of sheets from a plastic bag and threw them into a corner. The women looked at him with a questioning expression on their faces. He said, guiltily, "If they inspect the boat they need to find some reason for us spending the night on the lake. I'm afraid the sheets in the corner have DNA from all three of us on them."

The women looked puzzled for a moment then Emily said, "OH." She blushed deeply. Susan furrowed her brow as she looked at Emily then she, too, blushed. She then gave Jack a small smile and said, "You think of everything don't you Jack? Just how long have you been planning this anyway?"

"Not long but Glorious and I have been trying to plan for every eventuality. I hope this doesn't embarrass you too much if it comes to light."

Jack and the women were in his office in the house talking when the lead investigator came into the room without knocking. Jack had just told them to contact the entire staff as soon as they arrived to work and have them come in the house until he decided what to do.

The man stood glaring at Jack and the women and said, "Mr. Johnson I don't think you understand what's going on here. You and your company are under investigation for National Security Purposes. You no longer have control of this facility or your people. Those who do not come voluntarily to work this morning will be brought here by my men. You will not instruct them in any way. You will all be held here pending the completion of our questioning today. This facility has been placed under the control of the United States Government. As we speak troops are en route to provide security. I don't suppose you would know what happened to the equipment we took to our laboratories yesterday would you?"

"No I do not. For your sake I hope you have not lost my property. If you have I will sue the government and you personally over its loss."

By mid morning all the employees of Jack's "business" were present. To his disgust, shortly after the employees all arrived the government goons began haranguing them and threatening legal action if they did not come clean about the technology evident in the research and manufacturing building. They were all held under guard and taken off alone for questioning. Some of the people were taken into the labs and assembly area to make them explain their work to scientists. At least at meal time, both lunch and supper, the government provided sandwiches.

Finally about dusk the lead investigator came to the lakeside picnic area where the people were being held and addressed the group. He said, "Those of you we have questioned today were told this but it bears repeating. You are all being held for national security purposes under the Homeland Security Act. When we leave here this evening you will be taken to a government facility where you will be kept until we are finished with our investigation. How long that takes is entirely up to you. Cooperate and it will be over soon. Continue to drag your feet and you may never see your families again. It's your choice."

A loud uproar surged through the assembled personnel after the man's last statement. He just glared at the people and walked away. He motioned and several Marines in combat uniforms took positions around but well back from the assembled people. Jack moved to where the man had been standing and raised his hands. He shouted, "Quiet please. Please be quiet."

After the noise subsided Jack began talking once again. He motioned for Emily and Susan to stand beside him and said, "I wanted to do this in a more orderly manner but the government has forced my hand. Each and every one of you was chosen specially for a job like none currently in existence on this planet. I have every confidence you can perform your new jobs with distinction if you want to accept them. I am afraid actually, that you have little choice in the matter but you do have a choice. You can accept the new job I am going to offer you and go with me to your new workplace or you can throw yourself on the government's mercy. You can also choose to go with me and I will try to find you and your family a safe place to hide from the government if you do not choose to take the job I am offering."

A voice from the back of the crowd said, "You sure don't offer much choice. Go with you and piss the government off or stay here and go to jail for who knows how long. What is this nice new job you have for us anyway and why haven't we been told about it before today?"

"Well, I have to admit, I wasn't quite ready to make this move right now but I have been forced to move my timetable forward by a few days. Now, does anyone here want to go into custody?" Jack looked around and smiled slightly when no one raised their hands. He continued talking, "Ok, I thought not. So I assume you are all willing to accompany me on a new adventure. I guarantee you will work hard and enjoy your new work. It is dangerous but it will be very rewarding. You will make history this day and in the future."

Another voice, a female, wailed from the front row, "What about our families, our children? You can't just expect us to pack up and leave them."

"No Sally, I don't expect you to leave your families. Provisions have been made to safeguard your families and reunite you within a day or two. As we speak your families are being gathered together so they will be safe until they can rejoin you."

CHANGING LIFE

CHAPTER 4

By SwMoHermit

Jack raised his voice slightly so all could hear and said, "OK Glorious. It's time. Surface and enclose us with the shield so we can board."