Lost in Time 22

[Ed Man]

The Judgment
Chapter 22

Josh helped Sherpa into a chair and washed her face of with a cool hand towel. “Sherpa do you know who I am and what just happened?”
[Sherpa] “Josh I been drugged! You saved my life again. Did you get them I thank Hamadryad had me did he?”
[Josh] “Yes he was transported onto the ship you were own just before we shot it down. Do you know who took you?”
[Sherpa] “The last thing I remember is going to see one of the council members that called for me. I sat down he gave me a drink and as we were talking everything went all fuzzy. The next thing I remember is people yelling then I was being dragged then lots of gunfire and then I heard you.”

[Sarah] “The transport ship just appeared in orbit above the planet and requesting an update.”
[Josh] “Give them all we have and a recording of what Sherpa just said.”
A few minutes later Sarah replied. “Josh they are requesting you transport Sherpa onto their ship then the guards and Hamadryad.”
[Josh] “Transport ship you can have everything but Sherpa I’m not transporting her anywhere until I know you have the one’s responsible for her kidnapping. Sarah transport them over.”
[Transport Ship] “Mr. Galen you’re in no position to give orders please transport her over now!”

[Josh] “Sarah have the Judge and Venture and four of the support ship uncloak.”
As the ship uncloaked Josh called the transport. “Let’s just ask Sherpa if she want to go with you now? If she says yes I’ll transport her over if she want’s to stay I plan on doing just that!
Sarah put the camera on Sherpa in wide view. Sherpa the Ancients transport ship is here. They are asking that I transport you over to their ship do you want to go?”
[Sherpa] “No I don’t want to go I’m staying right her with you till I fill better. Open up a line with them I’ll tell them to go away I’m not going anywhere I want to stay here with you!”

[Transport Ship] “Very well Mr. Galen she can stay but I need to return her to the councils main center will you escort her in your ship if we transport it onboard. I will guarantee your safe return to this sector and hers if she wants when she is in her right mind will you do that?”
[Josh] “I’ll do that transport us onboard, but what about my ships?”
[Transport] “If you would have them continue looking for the Pilot until your return I‘ll leave two of my fighters her to help they have scanners that will show if any time jumps open.”

Josh relayed orders to his ships then docked with the Transporter and they jumped away.
After a few minutes the Captain replied. “Mr. Galen we are here our doctor wants to examine Sherpa may we transport him onboard?” [Josh] “Yes.”
Josh met the Doctor and showed him the scans he took when he helped her out of the bank.
The doctor looked over the scans and walked over to Sherpa. “I need to do a deep scan on you Sherpa try and remain still for the next minute.”
The Doctor scanned Sherpa and looked at her saying. “Did you drink something and then felt dizzy and then passed out seconds later?” [Sherpa] “Yes.”
[Doctor] “You’ll be fine in a few hours. You were drugged and their are no deadly toxins in you system anywhere. Drink this it will make you fill better and help flush the drug on out of your system.”
Sherpa drank the liquid and the Doctor stated. “Sherpa come and see me after you get to filling better and let me check you again just to be safe.”
Sherpa waved her hand and nodded her head at the Doctor and he transported of the ship.
[Sherpa] “One of the Council men drugged me Josh I had no ideal how high up this went.”
[Josh] “Where is he now?”
[Sherpa] “If I’m seeing my data pad right he’s gone.”
[Josh] “What doe’s he look like Sherpa.” Sherpa showed a picture of him to Josh.
[Josh] “Sherpa that was the pilot I shot in the arm at the bank.”
[Sherpa] “No, no, no where is he Josh!”
[Josh] “He had a armband on like the one that brought me here. He was reaching for it when I shot him in the arm sending him back and into the floor away from you and Hamadryad then he disappeared. He was about to jump all three of you out of the bank. I couldn’t let him take you or Hamadryad. I didn’t kill him he’s wounded but alive. The ships I had looking for Hamadryad is scanning the area for him now.”
[Sherpa] “Josh make sure he is taken alive the sentence for killing a Council Member for any reason is death or their brain is wiped and they are expelled. If any of your people under you kill him trying to capture him at your orders you’ll be put on trial along with them.”
[Josh] “Sarah we need to contact the Agent and our ships can you get a message through somehow?”
[Sarah] “The Transporter Captain has opened a line and the information has been relayed to all the ships involved in the search.”
[Josh] “When he’s captured what will they do to him? He didn’t drug and kidnap you and take you to a man he helped escape that was trying to kill you so you could works things out!”
[Sherpa] “No they’ll both be rehabilitated and expelled.”
[Josh] “Do you mean they’ll erase their brain and put them in another time and place to live their lives out as normal people regardless of what they done?”
[Sherpa] “Yes that’s exactly what I mean. There is no death penalty for the Ancients or their children. In a way Josh the end result is the same. They’re gone never to be heard of or seen again and the person they were is erased from the mind forever. I don’t know how they do it I just know that they can and that‘s enough to keep all most everyone in line knowing they’ll lose everything along with their mind and the ability to regenerate making them grow old and die. Yes that’s a lot to lose!”

[Josh] “What would make a man risk losing everything he is and has if you got it all to begin with?”
[Sherpa] “Greed, power who knows you were right about the fighting between the Ancients my father got involved with this group and he paid the price and now they will too. If they are any more in their little group they’ll be keeping to themselves for a few years. With three people caught anyone linked to them in any way will be watched including me. The Council has guards that stay with each of us they are rotated every year or so to keep them loyal to the council. No one here trust anyone so everyone watches each other and the Council is right in the middle of it all watching everything and everybody and I still got kidnapped right out of the Councils compound.”
[Josh] “Do you still want to stay you could leave with us if you want?”
[Sherpa] “And what about your woman I think her name was Sherry are you going to go and look for her? I think I’ll just stay here I may get approval to visit from the Council after I get settled in and the threat level is lowered back down.”

[Sarah] “Josh I just intercepted a message. They found the Pilot he just appeared in open space above the planet. He didn’t have a spacesuit on so he died instantly. A fragment of the bullet somehow hit the armband causing it to malfunction and send him into space. They have issued a arrest warrant for you what do you want to do?”
Josh sat in astonishment looking at Sherpa as she heard the news in her earpiece. As tears filled her eyes and her lip quivered as she asked. “What now?”
Josh looked at Sherpa, took her hand and said. “Turn myself in and ask that they send the rest of the ships on through. I acted alone they should not be punished for something I did.”

The Transporter Captain contacted Josh. “Mr. Galen you have by now heard the news. I am bound by my word if you request me to I have to take you back to the sector. But the second you leave the ship I will open fire on you along with every available ship we have.”
[Josh] “No need Captain I surrender I will ask that you return my ship and crewman to my fleet.”
[Captain] “It would be my honor to do so Mr. Galen.”
And within a instant after Josh dropped his shields he was standing before two large Guards saying. “Please come with us Sir.”
Sherpa had returned to her residence and had already filled a protest with the Council about the arrest of Josh.
A man walks up to the Council with a report as the director ask. “Are you sure this is right it can’t be.”
“Yes it’s right he’s one of us. He’s been enhanced with supper abilities but he is one of us.”
[Director] “Then we must Judge him as our own. Does he know?”
“I don’t think so but does it really have any relevance on what we must do?”
[Director] “No he must be judged according to the law or the law has no relevance to anyone do we all agree?”
Everyone on the Council agreed as they tried to decide the fate of Josh for his crime against one of their own.
The Chief Medical Doctor for the Ancients came to the meeting with a few more facts about Josh for the Director. “He has without a doubt been within our regeneration chamber. But the strange thing is his natural design is the same as ours already. He was placed in the chamber at a early age for some reason that I’m not sure of and his design is more advanced than we thought he was born the way he is not altered.”

[Director] “Can you preform the procedure on him or not?”
[Doctor] “Yes but he will stay as he is now I can’t change what he was when he was born. By law I can only undo what has been changed and return him to his natural human state! And he was born as we are now so he stays as he is all we can do is take away his memories.”
[Director] “Thank you Doctor the Council will hear form Mr. Galen now.”
Two Guards escort Josh into the Council chambers as the Director ask? “Mr. Galen the law is clear about what must be done as our Mediator has explained the manner in which we carry it out is up to us. We want to hear from you anything you fill as being important and want to say before the Council.”

[Josh] “Yes director I would. When I was young my mother sat me on her lap and told me the most important thank I ever learned. She told me Jesus loved me and he would never leave me or forsake me no matter what. I never forgot that and have tried to live a Christian life I never pushed my believes on anyone and now I wish I had lived as a believer who went to tell everyone about Jesus that’s my biggest regret as I reflect back on my life. I have tried to do good but that’s only half of what I should have been. I should have remembered what my mother taught me about Jesus and shared it with the ones I loved more than trying to do good. At least that way I could see then all again.”

The Director was infuriated at Josh as he shouted. “Get him out of here now!”
As the Guards took Josh out of the chamber the Director replied. “I must remove Myself from these proceedings the rest of the Council must decide on a sentence for Mr. Galen.”
The Director stepped down and left the chamber as the assistant Director stepped up saying. “Let’s call it a day and pick this issue up tomorrow.” As he slams the gavel down the chamber emptys.

Mitchell and Sherpa are allowed to visit Josh as he sits in his cell.
[Josh] “Good to see you Mitchell I hopped you would have been gone by now. But I am glad to sse you.”
[Mitchell] “You have sure opened up a hornets nest. Your legal representative told us some of the people are terrified of you some want to kill you now before it’s to late and the others want to let you go.”
[Josh] “Mitchell when are you and the others leaving for Hagion?”
[Mitchell] We’re not leaving until we know what happens to you and the Ancients agree to let us wait and send us after the verdict is carried out. Mizar and Kate have decided on staying here and operate the station. We have removed all the technologically advanced equipment from the ships and station and left it to them and a few others that were on the station.”
[Josh] “And the Ancients are alright with that?”
[Mitchell] “Yes they scanned everything and gave us the final ok a few hours ago. They made a lot of cash while the station was going and they have built solar collectors to power the station.”
[Josh] “Good for them I hope them all the best. Sherpa you know I’ll be all right the way I understand it they’ll be sending me to a new place and time to start over I just want remember anything.”

Sherpa placed her hand on Josh’s face as the Guard replied. “No touching!” As Sherpa moved back she replied. “I’ll miss you Josh.” As tears filled her face she stated reaching for Josh. “It’s just no right!” As she was pulled back by the Guard he replied. “Please don’t you’ll get me into trouble I have to raze the containment field.” And with a hiss a field was between them.
[Guard] “You can still talk through the speakers we can’t allow any contact.”
[Josh] “Mitchell have you heard anything from the fleet already sent?”
[Mitchell} “Yes the fleet sent us an update through the probe they placed to keep us connected. They have landed and everything is going as planned. I’ll make sure everything is finish up when I get their.”

Josh under stood what Mitchell ment as he replied. “Good! Take care of everything and keep to the plan.”
[Guard] “Time to go say your goodbyes.”
Josh smiled as he replied. “It’s been a honor to have known you both and most of all remember keep God first in your lives so you won’t be on this side of the cell. I did things my way to many time without ever praying.”
[Mitchell] “Doesn’t it say he’ll work things out for your good? I know you’ll do well where ever you end up at. It has been a honor Sir.” Mitchell saluted Josh and stepped back giving Sherpa a moment alone to say her goodbyes.
Then Sherpa looked at Josh with tears in her eyes saying. “Josh I love you! You sayed my life twice and it cost you yours in the end. I’m sorry Josh.”
[Josh] “You were just along for the ride Sherpa they were the ones in the wrong not you. Find happiness Sherpa you deserve it!”
Sherpa smiled as she struggled to get the words out. “Goodbye Josh I’ll miss you.” And then the containment flield went black and the speaker was dead.
“Sorry that’s it.” The Guard replies as he escorts Sherpa and Mitchell out.

Sarah in the mean time has managed to hack into the Councils computer system and has accessed a way to get in through a backdoor of the system to help Josh by any means to get him through this unharmed and in his right mind.

An hour later Josh had one more visitor. “Hello Josh.”
[Josh] “Dan how did you get here you should be with the others on Hagion. What’s going on?!”
[Dan] “I am one of the Ancients children I‘m sorry I couldn‘t just come out and tell you who I was I wanted to so many times but I didn‘t and I’m sorry for that. I came to tell you I value your friendship and consider you and Mensch as my friends.”
[Josh] “What about Mensch is he alright?”
[Dan] “He’s fine he and Mary are talking about getting married after they get settled in on Hagion. I did tell him who I was before they left. I was instructed to stay here or lose my place within the Councils court. I just want you to know everything is going to be alright Josh. You know the universe is without measure but smaller than you think I belief we’ll meet again someday you’ll show up in a big way somewhere it’s just who you are. Josh you’re the kind of person people want to be like and you thank it just happens to you by chance. You’re the real thing like it or not the big man himself is pulling your strings, I heard the speech you gave the Council. The Director was raised in church when he was at home with his family before they became the Ancients. You realy struck a nerve in him.”
[Josh] “I just said what was on my mind it had nothing to do with him at all. Do you know him?”
[Dan] “Yes he’s my father Josh. He’s a good man that’s let to many political principles guide his way of thinking to long.
I need to leave now Josh goodbye and good luck in the next phase of your life my friend.”
Josh managed to get a smile out as he told Dan goodbye.
Josh started thanking Sherpa had hit the nail on the head when she described what was about to happen to him was like being dead to those you knew and loved. And not being able to remember anyone just made the filling worse as Josh sat in his cell thanking of his loved ones and friends playing his thoughts over in his head before they were all gone while he sat in his cell waiting to be returned to the Councils chambers and hear the final verdict in his judgment of where and what time they would send him to.

Josh has been setting in his cell dreading this moment as the Guard replies. “It’s time Mr. Galen please come with us the Council has reached a decision.”
Josh walks what now seems to be a long trip to the Council chambers as his feet fill like dead weights as he forces himself to move forward every step of the way until they reach the chamber.
Darkness fills the Council chamber again as Josh stands with the spotlight on him. A dim light comes on at the Directors seat as a man stands up looking at Josh as if he could see right though him saying.
“Mr. Galen we the Council have come to decision for your judgment. You are to be returned to your time as we promised. You will be left in a remote sector where the Gate is about to be shut down for five years until the adjoining systems sun leading there is stable. You will be left in the space lanes for a passing ship to pick you up with the wreckage of a small fighter. From the time you are picked up your survival and well being are up to you and your rescuers. Every memory of who you are or where you been will be erased like someone with amnesia. We have taken a name from your past for you used, Peter Stone a ex Argon Navy Pilot I thank you called him Rock.
Guards take Mr. Galen to the Doctor he is ready for him, his sentence is to be carried out as soon as the Doctor is finished.”

Josh sat in his chair as the Doctor gave him an injection and his eyes closed into darkness as his body went numb thanking this is it.


The next series in the story line will be Castaway.

[collins50]

Sorry dision on there part, he was protecting one of there own, and the shot was not to kill, just to wound. I hope Sara can help,
will be looking foward to the next chapter.