Dimensions: The Adventures of John L. Steelhard, Book Five

READ THE ENTIRE SERIES

by

James B. Riverton

THE ADVENTURES OF JOHN L. STEELHARD®

IN

BLACK TIGER©

CHAMELEON©

EAGLE©

CRYSTAL©

And now…

DIMENSIONS

Published by Lucky lamb Publications 2016

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this or any portion thereof in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the publisher. Requests for such permissions should be addressed to Donald H. Dildy

Smashwords edition copyright 2016

by Donald H. Dildy

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously.

The Adventures of John L. Steelhard

in

Dimensions

Book Five

Dimensions

Chapter 1

"John, welcome back. Never have I sensed your like! Please, tell me this hasn’t happened?"

It has happened, Lord Ky, and if not for your leadership in commanding the fleet, Chaos wouldn’t have been distracted. So Crystal was successful after all. I sensed that all of the Eagles were here with their Sentinels.

Yes, they all fought as a team of Black Tigers, leading their super-races, all except the Reptiles and Insectoids. Crystal took the fight straight into Chaos, as you would probably, say, leading with her new chin.

Is she alright? I saw her receive a huge energy blast from Chaos after she shot her mouth off.

It almost did her in; if not for her Eagle she would have been toast, since you converted her back into a crystal-biological entity.

Where is she?

She is hiding in her Eagle, afraid, licking her wounds.

Why is she afraid?

She is afraid that you don’t want her anymore; that you have surpassed the status of even The One, a Supreme Being of Creation. I kneel before you, oh mighty ruler of the Universe! Lord Ky dropped to one knee, helmet bowed.

Steelhard cracked up laughing, and then reached out for his friend’s huge shoulders.

Nonsense, Ky! For Pete’s sake, get the heck up before someone sees you. I am just the same. Steelhard jerked Ky to his feet using his levitation powers, surprising all ten feet of him.

Are you sure? Who… Pete's sake, or what, could be the same after all of this. I sure am not. I don’t have a clue to what just happened. And while we are at it, just who in the Universe are you anyway? Is Pete's Sake the new One? I can’t get a straight answer from anyone. Crystal seems to know something, but she is not talking, just hiding in plain sight, as you would say. You know we had a deal, a billion souls for our fleet. Are we still all in, or what? My data banks are in total disarray. Is Pete's Sake aware of our deal?

Ha, ha, it never stops, the ball keeps on rolling. Yes, I haven’t forgotten. I might be in a better position to help things along now than before. We will talk later, after I clean out my pants, but first I need to see Crystal. Oh, and Pete’s sake is just a verbal expression, a form of humor.

Really, these human idiomatic phrases are most interesting. Crystal, yes, she is in her Eagle, hiding in my armory. Probably in a mere speck of dirt, but don’t tell her I told you.

Right, you both are in this up to your new eyeballs; remember I can read your data banks, or whatever. I will be back after I drag her out of her despair with a good firm hand on her rear.

I await your command, Black Tiger, and I am sure, so does Crystal.

You know, Lord Ky, you seem to be getting this human thing down. All in, toast, and hiding in plain sight.

Yes, since I have enrolled in Professors Collin’s Academy of Humor I sense things in a different light.

How is that?

In for penny, in for a soul!

Professor Collins, good grief, will this never end? I can’t wait to introduce him to A.O.

Who is A.O.?

Alpha Omega.

Holy Universe, do you really know him, or it, or is it she?

He may become a close friend, especially with Collins, or in a pinch Adams.

I knew enrolling all of the Aquarians in the Academy was a good move. David was correct!

David?

Yes, and it didn’t cost all that much. David saved me a ton on the initiation fees and gave us a low interest rate loan out of your reserves. The real pay back will come from the franchise license fees later. After selling our fleet to you, the only collateral we possessed was our home world, and its manufacturing processes. Now that the war is finally over, we don’t have a function.

The what? What was going on in my absence?

I am enrolling the one billion Aquarians in the Academy of Humor. Something called a correspondence online course, and receiving a sales commission. David says that way I could buy my fleet back from you and pay the carrying cost on the interest.

I see. Franchise fee, hmmm, David says. I think it is time to get back to the basics. We will discuss this later. You may want to disperse the Universal Fleet back to their home sectors. As they return, I want you to make certain that we manufacture and install sets of inter-galactic teleportation outlets to seed every possible pathway back, throughout the Universe, and it will provide work, as well as income from the manufacturing process on Aquarius. The teleportation outlets will become an Intra Universal Highway, a toll road to the Galaxies. It's your choice to supervise or contract out the servicing of it. The Robots would be a good choice as long as you keep a governor on them, say, like the Androids.

I see your point. You know with everything that's going on, this might not be a good time to take a powder; you know, flip on the soul thing. Do you think you could harness our crystal format within the Ki suits to a more biological process? I mean, is it a possibility.

I really believe now, Lord Ky, it may be the only true pathway to your souls.

Really… my, my! The pathway, and it is what?

Getting laid on a regular basis, getting drunk, eating a hot dog, and catching a few rays on the beach.

You can do this for us, how?

I am staying at the Holiday Inn.

Damn, the Holiday Inn!

And if you decide to hang around, we will need all the Aquarians to help manage the Universe as Black Tigers and help keep everyone in line. I will lease your fleet back to you until you decide to make any personal changes.

How much will it cost?

Ten Earth dollars should just about cover it.

Is that a lot? That is more than the original lease of one dollar.

Only if you don’t have it, but don’t worry, I am sure you can come up with the dollars. Contact David and tell him to take it out of the petty cash.

Thanks, John, or… what do I call you now?

My friends call me John, or J.L. You do the same, buddy.

I am a buddy now?

Yes, you are one of my buddies.

The All watched and wondered, the Holiday Inn, it must be from another Dimension. How do you become a buddy? This Steelhard was tricky, very clever, and extremely cunning. They needed to keep a permanent scan on him for their own protection; maybe even finding a spy to infiltrate this Academy of Humor. Also, begin keeping meta-sensors on A.O., since it looked as if he was going something called native, because of this Professor Collins entity, who is a most slippery essence, and his alter ego, an Adams. Yes, these humans were very tricky and extremely physically addictive to other multi-dimensional creations. It was emotional infestation of logic, called passion, probably created in the Dimension of this Holiday Inn, a hidden existence outside of their control.

Chapter 2

Crystal, you can come out now. I sense you hiding in between the vent housing, within that dust particle. Yes, there you are!

That is not fair! Ky squealed didn’t he? What a rat fink!

Come out of there. What’s the matter with you?

No, I won’t!

Why not?

I have a black eye, my lips are swollen, and it is all because of you. My whole body is one big bruise, after taking on all of those Dark Warriors, and freeing the other Sentinels. You lied, there were more of them, and I am half beaten to death. I don’t have any make-up on, my clothes are a mess, and worst of all I have three broken fingernails. Plus, plus my hair is a disaster. What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be doing something, like running everything, ascending? You can have whatever you want. The other Sentinels want you to make them back into biological crystals… you have started a fad. Their Eagles have formed a union with your Eagle, and are demanding entrance into this Academy of Humor.

Jesus, drop the self-pity party. Get out here before I come in there and spank your bottom!

Do you promise? I am not coming out until you tell me you lovst me.

For crying out loud, are you talking about me, or the other me?

"You! The other you told me to take care of you, that now you both were going to be the same. Are you? This duality is confusing."

"Yes, we joined and he is in love with you, but don’t tell him I said so."

He loves me? But I was such a bad girl. I wanted to be a good girl, but I have this little bitty bad streak in me. Are you really going to spank me?

Listen, you dizzy broad, get your ass out her so I can give you a hug. You saved our butts and without your efforts we couldn’t have pulled it off.

Is it safe, I mean, is Chaos gone? You know he seemed to be really upset with me out there.

He is no longer a threat, and part of his demise was letting you to get under his skin, so to speak, or his aura essence.

I was a big help, wasn’t I?

You really were, girl, and I mean that sincerely. You are a hero, an example to all of us in the Black Tigers, and the Universe, in general.

No kidding? Wow, that is something, right?

It can’t get any bigger, or better.

He really loves me? Her Eagle appeared and Crystal stepped out. She really was a train wreck.

Steelhard hugged her as she put her forehead on his shoulder, tears starting to flow.

Yes, we both love you.

I was afraid, not of the fighting, just a little bit of Chaos, but I was more afraid you wouldn’t want me anymore, or he wouldn’t. Damn, it is all so confusing; him, you, the Ki gene, and… who is who in this deal anyway? Crystal was looking up at him, trying to see and sense at the same time, reading his open mind.

I don’t think anyone knows who is on first, or second base, but at least, until we all figure it out, then we are together as a team, a family. So let’s get you out of here and to a spa somewhere so you can fix yourself up, get a new outfit. What do you say, partner?

I am a partner, I just want to be a Black Tiger and hang with you, or him. Do I have a title?

Lord, why do I always attach myself to social-climbing broads?

It is because you are so charming, and if you want to know, hung like a mule, or whatever a mule happens to be. Remember you promised to spank me.

Later, after you start mouthing off again. Now, let’s use your Eagle and hit Earth. I need a steak, a drink, and my sax. I feel the need to play some music, touch Terra Firma again. I haven’t seen my cats or my friends in a while. Helga and Debbie will fix you up with something to wear, and then if you don’t mind, I will blister your ass and screw the crystals out of you back at our loft.

Slap my ass, Black Tiger! What are we waiting for?

Chapter 3

Steelhard was really leaning into the music, David was banging on the keys, and the Hive was jumping, packed with Black Tigers, and every good-looking call girl in town. Daddy was back, and everyone was stoked. Even Mr. Polaris was attempting to fit in and look human. Delores and Gunny were acting out a scene from Street Car Named Desire at the bar, to the laughter of the Black Tigers. Collins and Adams were arguing over Helga, trying to convince her of their desperate needs. Andy and Bright were upstairs with two of the Fab Five, Rita and Ava. Crystal was sitting with Debbie, trying to understand jazz and martinis. The martinis seemed to be winning. Debbie and Helga had taken her under their wings and decked her out. It was a little intimidating to say the least, since Crystal was a Sentinel and had a few billion years of experience with the previous One and Chaos, but she was a rookie when it came to being human, especially a woman. And now Crystal was all woman, plus a Sentinel with her very own Eagle. She was also the newly appointed head Sentinel, having been elected by the other seven Sentinels out of respect for saving them from a life as Chaos’ spark plugs running quasars like grease monkeys in a service station. Steelhard had reestablished the old Sectors of space to be run and monitored by the Sentinels and the Aquarians. The Black Tigers had been given business opportunities in the various galaxies, and placed in charge of recruiting and training new species into the force. Their main function was to teach the other races the human way of conducting the new Universal form of government and to help the different species adjust to the new reality of common goals, intergalactic commerce, and freedom.

The fight to bring the Universe together had been costly to the Black Tigers. Over twenty percent of the force had been lost, and the losses in leadership had been the heaviest. Biel, Wilson, Charley, and many of the original team leaders had given their lives in defeating the Reptiles and Insectoids. Without the Aquarians, it could have never happened. The Black Tigers had taken the command and control centers, but it took the might of the Aquarians to subdue their individual empires. There were still pockets of resistance, but Steelhard had commissioned the Sentinels of those races to finish subduing those rebels. The Aquarians had been given the responsibility of also patrolling the perimeter of the Universe, using and establishing the teleportation stations for better transportation purposes. Steelhard called them Universal Marshalls, and they seemed to enjoy the nature of it, as Steelhard had explained the history of the West in America’s past. Many Black Tigers had signed up to serve with the Aquarians in order to see the wonders of the Universe. The Aquarians shared their knowledge of interstellar experiences with their human counterparts and the Black Tigers showed the Aquarians the ropes of poker, humor, and good-natured companionship. They were natural partners in the sense the Aquarians wanted to be humans with souls, and the Black Tigers wanted to learn the ropes of being super warriors and see the sights. With the new teleportation stations a person could be across the Universe in a flash, take leave from service or be transferred to a new location. It would take years to finish seeding the Universe with the teleportation system, but it was becoming a toll road to adventure. David was collecting the toll fees like a conductor taking tickets on a train. In other words, he was in Heaven.

Steelhard finished his set and sat down at the nook with David. Crystal was bombed, laughing and enjoying Debbie’s description of their shopping trips into the garment district to Marilyn.

David was excited to have Steelhard home again, and said, I can’t believe you leased Ky’s fleet back to him for ten bucks. Are you kidding me?

Well, look what we got in return; a force to place the teleportation stations throughout the Universe. How much are we making off the tolls?

Damn good point, a real smooth move, my man, what is next?

All of the alternate Universes.

What do you mean?

We now have twenty-three primary parallel Universes, plus ours, and the individual alternate Universes that operate off the primary Universes. I am working on a system of inter-Universe teleportation using quantum physics. Of course, you will have to handle the financial ends of it, but take the tolls from our Universe teleportation system and multiply ten times twenty-four hundred up to twenty-four thousand. I thought that each Universe only had a hundred alternate Universes, but I made a mistake.

A mistake?

It is probably twenty-four thousand Universes instead of twenty-four hundred. So take the income we are projecting for ours and do the math. I just have to figure out all the transportation issues, and then bingo, we hit the lottery!

You really are God, aren’t you? You must have Jewish blood in you somewhere.

No, I am not God, but he is upstairs right now with Helga.

No shit!

It’s a deal we worked out in order to get me back in the action. You know the story of Zeus, and the Virgin Mary, Leda and the Swan.

No fucking way man, are you serious?

Don’t tell anyone and I will introduce you to him, he can tell you some kind of stories.

What does he look like?

Collins and Adams; he took over their bodies, I rented them out for the weekend.

Does Helga know?

Hell no, and if she did, do you know what she would charge, ha, ha!

"Steelhard, no one would believe you if you told them this. What does… what does, He really go by… you know, I mean his name?"

In our language, Alpha Omega.

Oh, my God?

No, it is, oh my, Steelhard, and what is this about franchising the Academy of Humor out through the Aquarians?

Yes, it was a real coup for sure! Eagle, Gunny, and Delores helped close the deal with Lord Ky, after they enrolled him in the Academy. All of the crystals are counting on you to make them biological entities again, like you did with Crystal. Crystal is convinced that there is a real opportunity here, waiting to be taken advantage of since there are thousands of crystals just waiting for the chance to be converted back into biological beings. Boy, I sure wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, everyone is just mad about being like humans, especially the Aquarians.

What about them, for God’s sake?

Professor Collins thought it up after he saw Ky’s interest in the Academy, and you told Ky humor was the way to get a soul. Something about getting drunk, and laid, on the beach. Boy, can you sling some shit, you missed your calling; you should have been a snake oil salesman, or a preacher.

Fuck me! I am never going to get out of this mess. Me… and my big mouth.

Yes; and how are you going to get your foot out of it? Ha, ha! This should be great, watching you wiggle your way out these commitments. Since you have accomplished the impossible, everyone is convinced you can do anything. Boy, you certainly have a load to carry now, Master of the Universes.

No, only the first three Dimensions, I am afraid.

Are you serious, how did you manage to get in so deep?

"I never learned how to say no. Lord, lord, I can’t even hide anymore." He watched Collins weave his way through the tables, and head over to the nook.

John, I have finished upstairs, and have to depart, but I want to thank you for your kindness.

A.O., I mean Collins, I want you to meet someone, David this is A.O., A.O. this is David.

David, say something!

I, I… oh my God. David collapsed onto his knees, grabbing and kissing Collins’ hand.

Yes, yes, but not here. Glad to meet you, David Fein. I have been watching you, and noticed that you haven’t been tithing lately. Shame on you, don’t you believe in me anymore?

David raised his head, tears running down his cheeks and watched as a slight vapor vanished out of the top of Collins’ head, drifting up through the top of the Hive. A slight humming sound rang out, like angels’ wings. David was as white as a sheet, his whole body shaking, little bells tickling in his ears, saliva on his jabbering lips as he mumbled prayers of thanks, seeking forgiveness.

Debbie was looking at him, on his knees muttering in Yiddish, then at a completely drunk and smiling Crystal, holding his head between her hands. Are you alright, David? Honey, you don’t look well

Collins was standing stiff as a board, a dazed look in his eyes, when suddenly he regained his facilities, jerking his hand away from a distraught, kneeling,