The Alien's Secret Volume 2. Robert M. Doroghazi

he is not being actively followed or pursued by any government agency, law enforcement, or any others who might wish to do him harm, he routinely employs aliases. So far we’ve been able to document five, although, of course there could be, and probably are, more. These include A. J. Hidell, Alex J. Hidell, he has a second passport in this name, L. Osborne, D. F. Drittal and O. H. Lee. He’s registered under the last alias at the boarding house.”

      Hoken continued to scan the data as Gunnerr talked.

      “Many of the official government forms he has completed are riddled with falsehoods. It’s clear, Major, that these are not errors due to his spelling difficulties and dyslexia; they are overt, intentional lies. Even when he doesn’t make an outright lie, he exaggerates or doesn’t describe events accurately. To take this even further, many times, in situations or circumstances of no significance whatsoever—where there is nothing at all to be gained by lying—he still lies.

      “We’ve come to the conclusion that he has the capacity to risk all in cruel and irresponsible actions, anything to gain his place in history. He is intelligent. He handles weapons well. Lying and deceit are part of his personality. He was chosen as the one whose body you will possess because his personality is so contradictory and unpredictable, sometimes bordering on the bizarre, that no action you take prior to ambushing Rennedee will surprise anyone. Everyone avoids him because he is so unpleasant. He is the perfect cover for your operation on Earth.”

      “Computer, pause transmission,” said Hoken.

      Hoken remembered General Ribbert’s comments from the Special Missions Lab when they originally discussed #1. “Major, this man’s an idiot. You must look stupid, act stupid, and say as little as possible. You must act dumber than you ever imagined you could be. Fortunately, it’s infinitely easier for a person of intelligence, dignity, and civility to act beneath themselves, to be coarse, uncouth, and uncivilized, than it is for a stupid person to raise themselves to a higher level. Just as you must not allow your super-human strength and senses to betray you, you must not allow a show of intelligence to raise suspicion. In addition, an act of compassion or empathy, anything suggesting consideration for the feelings of others, would be so out of character for this man that it would blow your cover completely. Major, this man is a stupid, dumb, cruel, worthless being. You must act the part.”

      When I decided on a military career, thought Hoken, I would have never believed I would receive orders like that.

      “Computer, resume report from Captain Gunnerr. Display files of Human #2.”

      “Major, this is the information on Human #2, the human that Rennedee will possess.”

      Even before Hoken could question in his mind how and why Gunnerr knew this would be Rennedee’s target, Gunnerr said, “Major, General Raton himself told me this would be the person that Rennedee possessed; this was where we were to direct all of our efforts. He didn’t tell me how he knew and I wasn’t about to ask any questions. He told me just to get to it. The minute we started to investigate #2, we knew the general was right.”

      (The information was from Rodomontade, Rennedee’s number two, himself. Part of the deal for his “Get Out of Jail Free Card,” if Rennedee failed in his mission to Earth, was that he had to cough up the name of the human that Rennedee would possess.)

      The files and pictures of #2 came on the screen.

      “What a difference, isn’t it, Major?” said Gunnerr, “He’s at the opposite end of the spectrum of humanity from #1. He’s literally the flower of manhood. Born into a good family. Bright. Successful from the beginning. He is intelligent and ambitious. He attended the best schools. Distinguished military career: he received one medal for bravery and one for being wounded. From our study of the action, he deserved them.”

      Hoken of course, was impressed with that. This man risked his life for his country—for the men he commanded, and what he believed in—just as Hoken was doing.

      “He is married with a loving and very sophisticated wife and two lovely children,” continued Gunnerr. “Because of his family’s position, and because of his ability and his hard work, he has risen quickly in society. General Raton was right; #2 now holds a position that is perfect for Rennedee’s aim of causing political and military instability.”

      Hoken looked at the data. There were many images of #2, from the tiniest baby to one from within the last week. The largest one, in the center of a group of twelve images, was a straight-on bust photo. Handsome, well-dressed, slight smile, a strong jaw, and eyes that twinkled brighter than the stars outside the Gunslinger. The picture radiated self-confidence and epitomized the success he had already achieved.

      As Hoken looked into the man’s eyes, he saw him for what he would be in less than a week. Just another casualty of war, of a bloody, terrible revolution on a distant planet he never even imagined existed. This man’s existence would disappear from the Universe as soon as Rennedee took over his body. Hoken would not be killing this good, successful, hard-working man, he would be destroying the shell that encased an intergalactic war criminal, who had already caused tens of thousands of deaths, and who was willing to inflict billions more on two planets in his own personal lust for power.