00046

Osnmo Martin struggled to change into his Security Agent uniform in the cramped interior, bouncing along the way, as Agent Samm sped the van down the hill and into town. Osmo tried to do it while keeping his dignity in the presence of the five other Agents, besides himself, Security Leader Clyden- who sat in the back with the Agents- and Agent Samm the driver.

Meanwhile,. Sec. Ldr. Clyden addressed them. Clyden asked, "Did everybody see the news from Earth tonight? Brother Simon, the head of the illegal house church, made the headlines. It seems he returned to Earth for some reason, which we can guess, and while there, he was arrested for possession and intent to deliver illegal drugs. I don't know how he managed to slip them past our checkers here at the rocketport, but, apparently he took some narcotic for the trip, and then he had a bad experience while under the influence. That alerted the authorities on Earth, who searched his belongings and found Space Trip pills."

One of the Security Agents whistled. "So he took a Space Trip while he took a trip through space. Broo-ther, talk about dumb. How did he ever think he could get away with that?!"

"Anyway, that's another criminal locked up," smiled Sec. Ldr. Clyden. "It's long been suspected that the house church, illegal in itself, also engaged in other crimes. Now we know. That church business is just a cover for selling and distributing drugs."

Osmo Martin thought of Albert and Jane. Maybe these days those two saw things differently from Osmo, but he couldn't imagine them getting involved in something like that, not even unwittingly. Especially Jane Ashton; she judged people’s character fairly well. She sure had him pegged, back during his school days. She wouldn’t let herself and Albert get involved with drug peddlers. He told Sec. Ldr. Clyden, "It seems hard to believe."

"Why, Punk?" Sec. Ldr. Clyden demanded, reminding Osmo in the way that Clyden had snapped at him that the Security Leader never really did like Osmo. "Do they seem too decent for you? You young kids can be so naive! Wait until you're an Agent for a few years, and you’ll see so much rottenness in the fine, upstanding citizens, you’ll be disgusted! You should learn not to question my instincts.”

Another Security Agent inquired, "What is our target tonight?"

"Well, it's like this,” Sec. Ldr. Clyden began- when a bad pothole shook the van and he actually bounced out of his seat onto the floor. Angry, he got back in his seat and continued. "At Sparkle High some teen-age boy always made trouble, complaining about how on the World of Hope we don't allow homeschooling, and how at school they teach too much inclusiveness and speak too stongly against hate speech like religious exclusivism. I guess what his real problem is, he resents being taught to love and respect our government to be a good citizen. And he always argued with the teacher that there's only one way to God. She reported him a few times but nothing came of it. But it was assumed anyone that fanatical must belong to the house church. His whole family no doubt are attendees. So tonight we are going to raid their home, and take them into custody for questioning."

An older, balding man asked, "Are you talking about the Grametz family? My daughter complains about that boy sometimes."

Smugly, Sec. Ldr. Clyden said, "Not after tonight.”

Osmo Martin listened, but still he couldn't believe Al and Jane had made such a mistake about their new friends. Well, questioning the Grametzes might be inconvenient for the family, but if they had nothing to hide, it should be no problem.

The Grametzes lived in the crowded section of the city, where streets badly needed repair and even the posters of Gov. Bright were peeling off the walls of the buildings. The street lamps sometimes lit up, and somtimes just as often blinked back off. But the moons gave enough light on this cloudless night.

The van came to a quiet stop and the Agents hopped out, making as little noise as possible. Clyden had taught Osmo already how to be stealthy, so he, too, moved in silence. With all the singing coming from the Grametz house- a small, cramped twin made from the native stone- this carefulness on the part of the Security Agents seemed unnecessary. Nobody'd hear them over the hymns from in there. What must the neighbors think about all that loud music?

Osmo Martin thought he recognized the song. Years ago, his mother hummed that tune to him when she put him to bed. He didn't like this raid business on a family singing church songs, but, well, maybe he was naive, like the Security Leader had said. What if Sec. Ldr. Clyden's suspicions were true?

The Agents split into two groups, one bunch heading toward the back door, and the other taking the front. When everyone got in place, Sec. Ldr. Clyden kicked in the door and shouted, "Everybody get on your stomachs, and put your hands behind your heads!”

Agents poured into the house with blasters drawn.

There were others inside besides the four family members; probably some of the others must be some neighbors. Quite a crowd for these tight quarters. No wonder nobody complained about noise during the night, what with so many neighbors attending this worship service.

One woman screamed in fright. Most looked startled or shocked. A young boy ran for the exit, but the Security Agents nabbed him effortlessly.

“I bet they didn’t have a permit for such a large meeting!” said an Agent.

“I said, Down on the floor!" Clyden barked.

While the others obeyed, Brango Grametz demanded, "What gives you the right to come barging in here while we are having a songfest?!"

Osmo Martin watched a high-ranking officer push him to the floor. "We'll do the asking! First question- Can't you hear? Security Leader Clyden said to get down on the ground!"

Some Agents stood guard over the prostrate group while Clyden told the rest, "Search this place, see whether they also are not drug dealers."

"That's ridiculous!" shouted Brango Grametz from his position on the floor. "We are Christ-fearing people here!"

"Yeah, yeah, I heard that before," scoffed Sec. Ldr. Clyden. "The latest one to say that is Brother Simon. Punk, come with me to learn how to properly search a place."

Clyden paraded through the house, spilling out drawers and rummaging in closets. Osmo Martin followed, feeling guilty violating these people's privacy. But no sign of drugs, Osmo was relieved to see, until, from another room, one of the troopers called, "Hey, look what we got here!" It sounded like the balding man, Agent Paul Something.

Clyden hurried to see Paul Something’s find. Osmo Martin rushed to keep up with him, running to the kitchen. Paul showed a cookie jar, and under the cookies he pulled out some pills in plastic bags. "See?"

"Ha! Paydirt!" smirked a triumphant Sec. Ldr. Clyden. "Okay, Punk, I guess you now know- these decent folk aren't as decent as you thought. And that's why you should always listen to your superiors and not question them. They know better. Know your place in the chain of command, and obey those above your level. That's what preserves society."

Osmo, dumbfounded, had trouble believing the evidence before his very eyes.

Sec. Ldr. Clyden brought the cookie jar into the front room, where the Security Agents watched over the Grametzes and their guests. "Your little game is up, Mr. Grametz. We are on to you! We have proof, you are a drug dealer!”

“That's a lie!" yelled Brango Grametz. "A filthy lie!"

Sec. Ldr. Clyden said to Osmo Martin, "A containment wagon is supposed to meet us here... So much for these good people."

The Security Leader yanked Brango Grametz to his feet. "Come on, get up, let's go, outside and into the wagon, you and your nest of vermin!"

The Agents escorted the prisoners to the containment wagon.

Mrs. Grametz insisted, "But we didn't do anything wrong-"

Sec. Ldr. Clyden told Omso Martin, "They will be questioned. We'll get them to admit the truth. Once we learn where their usual main meeting place is, we can get them all, and get rid of this blight upon Sparkle City!"

Osmo tried to understand what had just happened. He thought the whole matter confusing, even crazy. Drugs? How can that be? And he worried for his old friends Albert Zoeniga and Jane Ashton. Might they also one day be captured like this?”

(c) 2012 drk