Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 4

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Part 4

Tim had only just got into the office when Storm accosted him.

"Something is off," said Storm.

"And good morning to you," responded Tim. "Hey, aren't you wearing what you wore yesterday? Haven't you been home?"

"Not yet. Aaron did some initial digging and what he found made no sense. We've managed to put some of it together."

"Okay, walk with me," said Tim, guiding her towards his desk.

"Well from what we can gather, it looks like one of the astronauts on the space station got ill. He did some media events but didn't look his normal self. Then they stopped."

"Right, and how does this not make sense? I'm sure they get ill sometimes."

"Sure, though not as often as you'd think. Astronauts are quarantined before they go up to make sure they don't take any viruses with them. Anyway, a cargo launch was supposed to go up a few days later, but it got delayed. Rumour is they wanted to add something extra to the cargo."

"Okay, so you suspect some medication?"

Storm shrugged. "Let's go with that premiss. Anyway, the rocket failed to launch. One of the engines had an issue and it was de-stacked. Then the weather closed in."

"Okay, so whatever they were sending up got delayed. When did it go up?"

"Ten days later. However, by that time Randy Rollins was back looking better."

"I'm sure they have medication up there for all sorts of illnesses. Perhaps one of those worked on him."

"Logon to your computer and look at the video I've sent you."

Tim did. It was of the space station. There was a school Q&A with some of the astronauts. While that was going on, another of them was going past carrying a bottle. The video paused and zoomed in.

"That has a shelf life of thirty days from manufacture. It isn't one of the standard medications on board. It is normally only used when other antibiotics have failed. There have been no deliveries to the space station thirty days prior to that."

Tim leaned back in his chair. "Okay, to summarise. We've had two occurrences where things have gone to the space station, but nobody knows how. The first is a Pudsey Bear, which is very much a British item. The second some medication which appears to have been sent up to cure one of the crew there. Since the illness wasn't broadcast, how they knew is another question."

"Do you think this has anything to do with the aliens?"

Tim pondered on this. "Not directly. I certainly don't think they've been sending teddy bears to the space station. I think NASA is very twitchy about this and until we know more, I think we shouldn't mention it. We can't report speculation."

"Okay. Anyway, we have our morning briefing with Robyn."

"Blimey," said Tim looking at his watch. "Let's go"

They were the last two into the meeting. They weren't late but were just in time.

"Yesterday we spent most of the afternoon and evening analysing the announcement. We need to move on. I want two work teams in each department. Business as usual – what is happening in the world apart from this. Second, how does the announcement impact your area of responsibility."

Robyn paused looking around at the editorial team. "The rest I want as discussion points that we can air during the next few days. Specials as it were. Economics, what is the impact of a single currency? What happens to trade, housing etc? Can states still set their own interest rates? What is the impact on tourism? How many job losses when there aren't any currency traders etc? "

"If there is a single government, will this mean no borders? What will happen to migration? Will there be floods of cheap labour until economies equalise?"

"What about religion. One for you Dave. Has there been any comments from the Vatican, from Canterbury or the Muslim council of Britain?"

"Not yet. There have been enquiries, but silence. We can do a panel with several religions and theologists."

"Great idea. Now science. Let's have some speculation where these aliens–"

"Reginaddes" called out a few people.

"–have come from," continued Robyn. "What might the ship look like. What propulsion might they use."

"We discussed that thoroughly yesterday. Many experts admit it's beyond our understanding."

"What about the bit where the PM said we were at the cusp of leaving the solar system. Do you have anything on that?"

"We've only just got back to The Moon and had humans land on Mars once. The return to Mars project keeps getting put back. There's no new spaceship to do that. Not even a test–"

Storm and Tim looked at each other. "A TEST," they cried out in unison.

"Do you want to share this with the rest of us?" asked Robyn, a bit impatient at being interrupted.

"Just some speculation we've been trying to validate," responded Tim. "A source gave me two tips yesterday. They both seemed improbable. The first I validated and I'm working on the second with Storm's help."

"The PM's media guy?" scoffed Robyn.

"No, not him. A different source. The first tip was the name of the alien race. Confirmation was obtained from the Prime Minister when he answered my question during the interview."

"You got that name, and you didn't say anything?"

"Of course not. You would never let a rumour like that go out without corroboration. I got the PM to say it, on screen, with our logo on the top right. Every news agency in the world has picked it up and are replaying it; with our logo in full view."

Robyn didn't look pleased at that. He was right, but she didn't like things being planned without her knowledge. It was her job to know.

"And the second thing that you and Storm seem excited about?"

"This is about the reason the Reginaddes gave for making contact. That the human race would soon venture outside the solar system. I heard the teddy bear on the space station during Children in Need wasn't staged. Everybody seemed to think someone got NASA to do it. NASA was always quiet about it, so that rumour stuck. It seems they were quiet because they didn't know how it got there."

"I don't follow," said Dave, the religious editor. "Surely it went up with one of the cargo runs."

"Not that they can find," said Storm.

"But it isn't the first time someone has smuggled something aboard. Look at that time on the ISS with the gorilla suit."

"That wasn't smuggled. NASA knew about it and authorised it. It was just the other crew members that didn't know. NASA have a standing policy about smuggling items. If you smuggle, you get fired."

"That sounds a bit harsh," said Herby.

"In one of the early launches, an astronauts took a sandwich on the flight. It crumbled and bits could have got into vital equipment. It's a safety thing. On Earth, gravity would have made the bits fall to the floor. In space, they just float around and get where you really don't want."

"So how does this relate to the announcement?"

"This tip was given at the same time as the name of the alien race. We aren't aware of any spaceship capable of taking humans out of the solar system. Yet the Reginaddes seem to think we soon will. So, is there something in development that we aren't aware of? We think the teddy bear might have been a test disguised as a stunt."

"And a very clever test," added Storm. "It isn't something NASA would ever talk about. Their assumption would be that it was a prank one of the crew had pulled. Which is what happened. They had a huge investigation and found no answers."

Robyn gasped. "They're British. They could have sent anything, but they sent a Pudsey Bear on Children in Need Day. Okay everyone, keep quiet about this. No talking about it with anyone. We don't want Sky getting this. Tim, are you angling to interview them?"

"No. If we do find out who they are, it should be Storm who does that."

"Okay, moving on. Heidi. What's the latest from America?"

When the meeting finished, Robyn asked Tim to stay behind.

"I don't like being kept in the dark like that," she said. "Yes, it is good that you use your initiative, but it isn't good when the others think they can go behind my back."

"Okay, okay," said Tim. "To keep you in the loop, I'm going to meet an MP. I want to find out what happened in The Commons yesterday, when they sat in private. See what the mood is."

* * *

"Thanks for coming," said Laura Taylor as she entered the room to find Stacy, Andy, David and Helen waiting for her.

There was a general shrug from the four investigators. A call to see their boss was unusual, but not unheard of.

"We might have more of these over the next few weeks. You four, along with Tina and Luke have been our primary investigators for several years. I think you will bring some perspective on what's going on."

"I've just talked with a contact I have in the Reginaddes camp."

"Poppy?"

"Yes. They have as much contact as we have with the aliens. None since initial contact. They were given facts showing what would happen if Earth stagnated. How they should stop that from happening, they weren't told. Just as you weren't told how we should protect Earth or find The One."

"And Becky is The One?" asked Andy.

"Yes. Hilda confirmed that. But Becky isn't aware of the fact," said Laura. "I had the opportunity to tell her last November, but it didn't seem right. How do you tell someone that your wife initially met up because you were someone they were looking for. Hilda fell in love, and I think telling the back story might diminish that. On the other hand, I don't want to seem to be lying. If she found out another way, it might be upsetting. She might feel used."

"In some ways, she was used," said Stacy. "You might even say that we were used. Both races have got humans dancing to their tune. Yet even if the Reginaddes hadn't done what they did, bad people would have still done bad things. I bet not every company or government we've investigated has been driven by those Reginadde sympathisers."

"I gave up trying to work out which ones were," admitted Laura. "You were sent were you needed to be. You've done so much good."

"The team at the factory upped sticks and left in their ship," said Helen. "How far can it go?"

"We don't know. Testing had only just started. They did a single hop to 350km into space. They had an issue which they fixed. That was the longest time in my life. I was so relieved when the crew came back in one piece."

"Who went up?" asked Helen. "All four of the project team?"

"No. I didn't want to risk them. I got in a test pilot and engineer. You might know of the engineer – Sam Hood. The pilot was ex RAF and ex ESA."

"SAM?"

"Yes. I was surprised to see that name on the list of possible engineers for the job. When there was an issue, it was Sam that did most of the hard work to get them home. I couldn't have asked for a better test engineer. They'd been working on a resolution to the issue and were going to start testing when Tina got a call that mercenaries were on the way. Mary Beth was on the ball with that one. I got a call from one of the guards. Tina had told them to scram. I presume they took the ship somewhere."

"So, it could be anywhere on Earth or somewhere in orbit?"

"The ship is called Aurora. They could be at the other end of the galaxy," responded Laura.

Andy's jaw dropped at that.

A message beeped on Laura's phone. She had a look and sighed.

"Luke sent a delayed message. He is off grid."

"Good," said Stacy. "He is following the plan. He'll pick up and look after Becky and Ashleigh."

"What?!"

"You had security give some training to Becky on how to disappear if needed. While we were there, we gave a few rendezvous points."

"This is so out of control," moaned Laura.

"No, it isn't. Don't try to find them. That will just cause others who will be watching to take note. Trust that Luke will do his job."

"I do trust Luke. I just want them all safe. I shouldn't get like this, but to me you are all family. That project is so important."

"If they have overcome the issue that happened in the test, perhaps you should get Aurora demonstrated in public. It might take the pressure off them."

"It might," mused Laura. "I'll bring it up with them when they resurface. I'm sure you have an idea where they might go."

Andy winked and Laura relaxed. Her primary teams were being cautious. She wasn't surprised. Some of the investigators were very close and they trusted each other more than they trusted her.

"This situation is rather fluid," said Laura. "I don't plan to send any of you four on an investigation until things are a bit clearer. Tina is still recovering, and Luke is AWOL."

"I wouldn't say AWOL," said David. "I'd say he is doing exactly what you want him to do. He's just keeping the exposure low."

"Okay, you're all up to speed with the background. The Reginaddes coming out like that was so
unexpected."

"Yes, but looking back, perhaps not. They were as caught up in the prophecy as everybody else. Now it has come to pass, they probably feel emboldened. And stipulating a world government is going to cause chaos. All the major countries are going to want to have their philosophy as the one that wins."

"Perhaps that's the answer," said Helen. "Nobody should win. Perhaps they need to find a new world point of view rather than what is currently there."

"But in the meantime, will it cause conflict?" mused Andy.

"Oh God, I hope not," said Laura.

"That's another thing," said Helen. "I bet all the religions are panicking about this too."

"I spoke with Tim," said David. "He came through with the name of the aliens. I've given him another hint. Unless we're unlucky, give that a few days and he should piece together the test in November."

"Great," said Laura. "Get it out in drips. So, when it's shown to the public, it shouldn't be too much of a surprise. The hull of the second ship is already under construction at a site near Bristol. When the project team are back, and finish the tests, it will be good for that to be fitted out. It is larger and has an airlock."

"Does Becky know about it?"

"No. The shell of the ship isn't important. The drive and the power are the important bits. Hopefully Becky will be happy to see it."

* * *

Ashleigh awoke feeling strange. The bed wasn't hers, and the smell wasn't right. There was no tang of the river. Her brain kicked in, and she remembered what had occurred the previous night. She felt a pang of disappointment that Becky hadn't joined her but quickly pulled herself together. Now wasn't the time for things like that.

Knowing she had no clean clothes, she didn't bother showering. There would be time for that later. She just put on the clothes she'd had on the previous evening. Downstairs she saw that Becky and Jenny were sat at the kitchen table with Luke, eating breakfast. Becky had on jeans and a top. It certainly wasn't the things she'd had on for their night out.

"Where did you get those clothes from?" enquired Ashleigh, as she joined them.

"I had a go bag in the boot. A few days clothes for me and Jenny."

Jenny looked lovingly at her ma.

"You didn't happen to have any of my clothes in there, did you?"

Becky gave an impish grin. "No, but I'd be glad to have your go bag next to mine."

Ashleigh raised her eyebrows and said rather tartly. "I hope we don't need it again."

Becky's grin widened.

Jenny looked between her ma and Ashleigh. She knew something was going on, but not what.

Luke said to Jenny, "Why don't you let me hear you on the piano."

"Is that okay?" Jenny asked her ma.

"There's a piano here?" asked Becky.

"Yes, there is a big room in the back. Mrs Poop even found a clarinet."

"Okay, I'll keep Miss Thompson company while she has something to eat. We'll come and find you when we're finished."

When they were alone, Ashleigh said, "Not an ideal first time away together."

"It isn't that we don't know each other," replied Becky. "You are so strong though. All the time we were running, you didn't break down in tears."

"Nor did you. You were so capable. You remembered what you'd been shown and kept us both safe."

They sat there, looking at each other. They were interrupted by a knock on the front door. Ashleigh jumped.

The television was still on, tuned to the security cameras. It showed one of the ladies they'd met the previous night. Knowing it was safe; they went to the door together.

"Hi," smiled Becky, as she opened the door. "Thank you for having us."

"I'm just dropping off some clothes. I have sizes for Tina and Jenny. If you give me your sizes, I'll see what we have."

"I'm okay, I had a few things in the car," said Becky. "Though I think Ashleigh might need something. We fled just after a night out."

"Ah. Hence why you were found by Lisa. I think Sam and a few of the others are up in the barn checking your ship, making sure there aren't any issues. Something about wanting to be ready if you need to move again."

"I hope it doesn't get to that," replied Becky. "I don't want you in trouble."

"Don't worry, we know what we got ourselves into when we offered this place as a bolt hole. It's become quite the place for a few of them to come each Christmas but has been just used as holiday cottages most of the other times. There's nobody wanted to holiday here during the winter."

"Where exactly are we?" asked Ashleigh.

"In the mountains of Mid Wales. You're surrounded by sheep and open hills."

"Ooh, good to know. It was dark and mostly we were in country lanes. I fell asleep at some stage. You say a few of the investigators used to come here for Christmas? I take it Tina and Luke came?"

"Oh yes, one or both of them come most years. Both Tina and Luke were on assignment this year. So, where's Tina?"

'Tina on assignment?' thought Ashleigh and then it dawned on her. Tina hadn't just stayed for recovery. When she'd recovered enough, instead of going home, she stayed as protection. Just in case something happened. Which it had.

Ashleigh answered, slightly reeling from her thoughts. "Asleep. She kept watch most of the night and Luke then swapped. I think they're happy that for now we are safe. Jenny is showing Luke her piano skills."

"Listen to her and Luke. They are very good at what they do. "

"I know. They protected us in the middle of last year. They rushed me to a panic room when unwanted people were approaching."

"You've certainly been having fun. Give me your size, and I'll see what we have. These tourists coming from London never pack correctly."

For the first time since getting there, Ashleigh laughed at the exasperated tone. She gladly gave her sizes wanting something a lot more comfortable than the dress she had on.

"I'll drop them off soon," she promised. "One final thing, don't panic if you see a teenage boy. That's our son Jay. He's at school at the moment, but I don't want you worrying that there are strangers around."

When Ashleigh had finished breakfast, they went exploring. They followed where they'd seen Luke and Jenny go.

"Wow, look at this," said Ashleigh to Becky as they walked into the room. It wasn't the well-furnished room, or shelves of books that caught her eye, but the view from the window.

Her eyes then moved to the grand piano, with Jenny looking small on the large bench seat. It was large enough to seat two adults. From somewhere, Luke had a French Horn, and he and Jenny were playing something together.

Ashleigh and Becky stood by the door, watching Jenny play. She hadn't heard them enter, though Luke had spotted them as soon as they entered but continued playing without missing a beat. When Jenny and Luke came to the end of what they were playing, Ashleigh and Becky applauded.

Jenny whirled around and saw them standing by the door. "It's my first time playing with someone," she exclaimed.

"How was it?" asked Becky.

"It was great," enthused Jenny. "It's totally different than playing on your own. I found it hard to listen and play, but Mr Poop gave me some great tips."

"She's a fast learner," admitted Luke. "Jenny, would you like to play with the others too?"

"Perhaps Tina," responded Jenny after a moment of thought. "I think she wanted to play last night but never got the chance. That French Horn has a lovely sound. Is it easy to play?"

Luke looked over at Becky, who gave a nod of acceptance. "Okay, Jenny, let's find a better chair than the piano stool for this test. I know, why don't we do this in the unused cottage."

"See you later," said Becky brightly, and Jenny followed Luke back towards the holiday homes.

"Why are you upset?" Ashleigh asked Becky, when they were alone.

"I'm not upset."

Ashleigh raised an eyebrow at that.

"I'm not. I'm a bit worried. I don't want to be split from her again if there's another issue."

"Is that why you slept in the same room last night?"

"No. I lay on the bed and was going to get up when she was asleep. I fell asleep too. It was quite strange when I woke up this morning by her opening the curtains."

"I'm surprised she isn't upset about not being at school."

"She was. Luke set me up with a method of sending an untraceable message to her school. If we are here for more than a few days, I will do some lessons with her. I'm sure some of the others will help too."

"Count me in," said Ashleigh with no hesitation.

"This is some place," said Becky, walking towards the large window. The landscape beyond them showed they were on the edge of a hill. The hill opposite could be seen, with a large valley between them.

"What now?" asked Ashleigh, siding up to her girlfriend.

"We wait for news. I've been pondering what Laura said back in November. Is this what she meant that more information would be revealed. Did she know about the aliens?"

"Does it matter if she did?"

Becky shrugged. "I've no idea. But if Aurora sparked this outcome, were we used?"

"Again, does it matter? You have invented a ship that can go places no human has ever gone before. It was your idea, not Laura's. She just funded the development and protected you back in July and again now. It will help humanity. The human race could be extinguished in a single war. If Aurora, and ships like her, help humanity reach out to other planets and stars, isn't that a good thing?

"Do you remember my school friend Robert?"

"Wasn't he your friend on the football team?"

"Yes, that was him. Anyway, his cousin is gay. He applied to GCHQ for a job. It wasn't an issue, because he'd been open about his sexuality. They didn't like people who were 'in the closet'. That makes them open to blackmail."

"Okay, and?" queried Ashleigh, wondering where this was going.

"Is the lure of Aurora because she is secret. Are we only in danger because she is an unknown?"

"How long would it take to build more?"

Becky scratched her nose as she thought. "A year. Factory is probably not a good word. It is where the ship was made, but it isn't a production line. I'm sure one could be created that built versions of her. The shell itself isn't complex, nor is a lot of the equipment. For that, it is making sure it is fit for space and isn't going to leak. The secret sauce is the drive and the energy cell. I'm sure people will want to get their hands on those too."

"I'm surprised they got everybody in the ship. I thought it only had four seats."

"I'm sure a lot of them were standing. They wouldn't have felt anything, or so I'm told. I've yet to have a ride yet."

Ashleigh laughed. "Jenny beat you to it."

"The minx."

"Do you know where the ship is?" asked Ashleigh.

"Not exactly. Jenny said it was in a barn at the other side of the farmhouse."

They wandered back to the cottage to grab their coats just as a few pairs of jeans were being dropped off.

"Oh, thanks," said Ashleigh. "Sorry if this is stopping you with your farm work. Is there anything I can do to help you?"

"Perhaps tomorrow. Jessica helped me check on the sheep this morning while Paula took Jay to school. Life starts early on the farm."

"Can you tell us where the barn that Aurora is in?"

"Ooh, the ship has a name. I like it. Aurora is in barn three. I'll show you."

"She was named by Sam and James. Can I just change. I want to get out of this dress."

Ashleigh wasn't long and they set off. As they went outside, a border collie got up and came to stand next to Emma. They were just setting off when Jessica came out. "Anything else I can do, Emma?"

'Emma', thought Ashleigh. 'Emma, Paula and Jay.'

"No thanks Jessica, but thanks for the offer," she called back.

The collie kept at Emma's heals as they made their way along the driveway to the farmhouse. "You weren't around yesterday. This is our house. Feel free to come into the downstairs. Upstairs is our personal area and would appreciate you respecting that."

"Sure," said Ashleigh and Becky together.

They continued and she stopped outside a brick barn. "Eugene, stay." Emma called and the dog sat, looking patiently at his master.

"An interesting name for a sheep dog," said Becky.

"It's in remembrance of someone who died while we were at school."

"Did you go to the same school as Tina?" asked Becky, her voice sounding a bit odd.

"Yes."

It then dawned on Ashleigh what was being said. Eugene was the other person that Hilda had tried to help but he had still died.

"A fine name," said Becky, her voice slightly choked, before wandering into the barn.

Inside, there was more activity than Ashleigh had expected. There was a pile of items in the corner of the barn, with even more being taken out.

"It looks like they brought a lot of spares," mused Becky. "I suppose they didn't want to risk anything falling into the wrong hands."

"You arrive just as we finish emptying," puffed Liam as he and Sam carried a large item.

"And you didn't have to put up with hours of dark country lanes," responded Becky, rushing to help.

"Can I look inside?" asked Emma.

"Sure," said Becky. "Just be careful though. I've no idea of the state inside."

"Henry has already started to pull up some panels," said Sam. "Might be better to wait until tonight or tomorrow. She should be back straight by then."

"Oh, no rush. It's just my first flying saucer."

"She isn't a flying saucer," said Becky horrified. "She is so much more than that. Anyway, she isn't round."

There was laughter from the others in the team. Emma wasn't the first person to call Aurora a flying saucer. Emma left to get on with her work with Eugene beside her.

The day went quickly. While the ship was checked, Becky, Evan and Ashleigh catalogued what they'd brought.

"The only thing we don't have is anything for telemetry or communication," said Evan.

"Of course not," said Becky. "That was on the other floor. You didn't have time to grab things like that. Anyway, we couldn't connect to the cloud system for ship tracking and voice. Anything like that could show where we are."

"I'm glad you're thinking about security," said a voice from the door. They whirled round to see Tina there.

"Hey sis," said Ashleigh looking warmly at her sister.

"I found Luke giving a French Horn lesson to Jenny," said Tina going to her sister, and Becky. "He's got the patience of a priest."

"I'm sorry," said Becky, slightly mortified.

"Nothing to be sorry about," smiled Tina. "We've all started with an instrument and have someone go through the basics. Once she gets the hang of it, she'll be fine. At least she can read music already."

This brought back a memory for Ashleigh. Back when Dr Ruiz had helped Tina, there had been a mention of Sarah Smith when encouraging Jenny and her music. Again, there seemed to be extra encouragement, and Ashleigh began to wonder if there was a connection. Sarah Smith was a popular name, so took some digging, but Ashleigh was confident she'd found out who Sarah Smith was. The bit about going to the same school as Luke helped. But the reference made no sense, and she'd forgotten to ask Tina about it.

"Sarah Smith," murmured Ashleigh, when Becky and Evan had moved away to check something out.

"I'd hoped you hadn't remembered that name," responded Tina.

"You aren't planning on using Jenny to catch a serial killer, are you?"

Tina blanched and tugged her sister's arm to get her to follow her. When they were outside, she continued a bit away from the barn. "No. And Sarah Smith wasn't used either. She was going to join Hayfield but was killed."

"But she died before taking the test."

"Sometimes you are so annoying," sighed Tina. "Can't you just let it go?"

"Would you?" retorted Ashleigh. "If it was to do with your job, I wouldn't be asking. However, this is Jenny we're talking about. Becky's child."

Tina looked stricken and debated what to do. With a sigh she said, "This is for you only. Not for Jenny, and not for Becky. Do you really want that burden?"

"If I feel they need to know because it might be dangerous for them, then I'll tell them. Otherwise, I will keep it to myself."

Tina nodded in acceptance. "Now and again, maybe once every two or three years, the school spot a student before they take the test. The test just confirms what they've already discovered. David was one. Sarah Smith was another. The student or parents can always say that they don't want to go to the school. I know that this happened for one potential student a few years younger than me."

"Are you saying that Rachel told you, in some type of code, that they are interested in Jenny going there?"

"Yes, and not due to influence."

"But she would be pleased to know this."

"She can't know that there is a preselection for some students. Luke found out by accident. Jenny might not pass the test, or the interview. Hence, she can't know. And Becky can't know. And now you have the burden of knowing and not being able to act any different."

Ashleigh swore, and Tina laughed. "Welcome to my world."

"Becky slept in the same room as Jenny, as she didn't want to be apart. There are quite a number of years before Jenny takes the test, but it might come down to Becky not wanting to be apart from her remaining child."

"As you said, many years to go before that."

Later that evening, they were all gathered in the second cottage. The dining table had been extended, and everyone was sat around it. Even Emma, Paula and Jay had joined them. There was no talk about the project or the farm. It was just like Ashleigh remembered family meals when she was younger. A group of people sitting around, sharing food and enjoying each other's company.

"That was fantastic," said James as they all cleared the table. "I don't think I've had a meal like that in years."

When the table had been cleared, and the dishwasher was processing its first load, Emma, Paula and Jay left. Ashleigh wasted no time in moving things back to work.

"How many of the tests have been done on Aurora?"

"All," said James. He was captain of the ship. "She's ship shape and Bristol fashion."

"So, if we needed to bug out, we could?" asked Tina.

"Exactly," confirmed Henry.

"Would you be happy to take this ship out and back here? Say if I wanted to make a call, which I know would be traced. I would want to do that somewhere else and then zip back here."

"As long as it's not in space, then we should be good. Sam put in some sensors into the ship. We should know if there is a problem when we get to the destination. If so, don't make the call. As long as it isn't somewhere populated, we should be good."

"At the moment we are safe here. But until we can find out what is happening, we can't move forward. There should be minimal risk, unless the ship breaks down."

"I'd go just by myself, but I don't know how to fly it," stated Tina.

"I'll take you," said James.

"And I'll go too," added Sam. Jessica didn't object but nodded in acceptance. "We've already put the emergency spare parts back in. I'd say to leave the rest in the barn. It is out of the way. Since we're not going to space, do we need to take Liam or Evan? It would minimise the risk if they didn't go."

"I'd say the science is proven," said Becky. "Evan? Liam?"

"I'd be happy to go," said Liam. "But I think Sam has got a very good understanding. It would have to be something catastrophic with the drive, outside known parameters, for Sam not to be able to fix."

"Same," said Evan.

"Then just the three of us," said Tina. "James, you'll have to teach me how to fly Aurora sometime."

"Oh, what we're doing is easy enough. It is punch in the destination and press the button. It's when you're flying in space that things are a lot different. No atmospheric drag. Have you ever flown a plane?"

"No."

"Then you won't have the comparison. It might be easier. Less to unlearn."

"Are you trying to make Andy and Helen jealous?" laughed Luke.

"No. Just interested," retorted Tina. "I just thought it would be good in case James got ill due to your cooking."

They all laughed at that. They knew that the ex-Hayfield students could all cook really well."

Jessica asked, "While Tina is off making safe contact, can the rest of us talk about communications? Becky, you said you had some ideas."

"Well yes, we can talk about it I suppose, but we can't do any experiments. I'd want that done in the lab. The issue comes down to the tunnel only being one way. It makes it easier for the ship, but not two-way communications. I suppose for data dumps and email it would be fine, but not for real-time communication or telemetry."

"You don't need to do all the hard work yourselves," pointed out Jessica. "There are the CCSDS standards. This will just be a different transport layer within that."

Ashleigh zoned out at that. Tina grabbed her rucksack and went through the door at the back of the cottage towards the communal lounge. Ashleigh went to follow but Luke held up arm which stopped her. He said, "She'll be back in a few minutes."

"Okay," shrugged Ashleigh, wondering what was going on. She didn't have to wait long before Tina returned, the rucksack over her right shoulder.

Tina turned to Sam and James. "Are you sure you're okay with this?"

"Let's go," said James, ignoring the question. Sam just followed, after grabbing a torch from near the door.

Ashleigh also grabbed a torch and followed them. Luke stayed behind which didn't surprise Ashleigh. His job was to protect Becky and Jenny, though they weren't as attentive as they had been at The Anchor. Perhaps they knew this site was better protected than when they lived just off the road. How well protected she didn't know, but the glimpse of the security she'd had, it seemed a lot more secure than a common farm.

When they got to the barn, Sam said, "If you're going to wait for us, don't go anywhere near where the ship is. When we return, we don't want to squish you."

"Is that likely? "

"Liam doesn't think so, but I wouldn't want to chance it. Tina would be upset, and Becky heartbroken."

"I'll stand by the door, to make sure Jay doesn't come in."

"Good idea," beamed Tina. "Hopefully we won't be long. If for some reason we don't come back, follow Luke's lead."

Ashleigh swallowed, trying to reign in her emotions. She wanted to hug her sister, but knew they had to get going. As Sam opened the ship, Ashleigh rushed across and hugged her sister. "See you soon."

"Thanks," said Tina. "Be safe too."

Ashleigh stepped back and stood by the barn entrance as they closed Aurora's door. She waited, and a few minutes later, she became the first person to witness the ship disappear without watching via a monitor.

There was no sound, and no rush of air. Just one second it was there and the next, the barn was empty.

"Hello," a voice called out from behind her.

Ashleigh whirled around to see Paula approaching.

"I saw a light up here and came to investigate," said Paula. When she got as far as Ashleigh, she spotted the barn was empty. "The ships gone!"

"Yes, Tina, Sam and James have gone somewhere. Tina is going to call someone, but she didn't want to do it here."

"I suppose that makes sense. When are they due back?"

Ashleigh shrugged. "If they just go somewhere, and ring it might be a few minutes. I supose it depends on how long the call takes."

"So why are you stood by the door, and not inside?"

"I was warned not to be inside when the ship comes back. I stood by the door just in case you, Emma or Jay came up here."

"Jay has been told not to come into the barn. He knows not to disobey an instruction like that."

"He seems a fine boy."

"We think so, but perhaps we're biased."

"So, what got you into farming?"

"Before we went to Hayfield, Emma lived on a farm. Her parents were farmers. It was in her soul. There was a farm just next to the school, and we were invited to see their lambing. It was obvious to everyone that Emma came alive in that environment. It was also plain that she knew what she was talking about with farm life. We did work experience there while at school. I got to love it as much has Emma."

"So, the school helped you become what you wanted?

"Oh yes. Just because we'd finished our A-Levels when we were fifteen to sixteen didn't stop us learning. Some did an Open University course, others other type of learning. We also had to learn how to look after ourselves. Cooking and things like that which we might have learnt at home, but not something you'd learn at a boarding school. After we finished, we went to agricultural college. It was then that we really realised how more advanced we were and how much preparation that Hayfield had given us."

"If Jay had been selected for Hayfield, would you have let him go?"

"That is a difficult one. He'd only been living with us for a few years when he took the test. I'd like to think we'd do what was best for him, but when Jay came to live with us it changed our lives."

"Sorry, I thought he was yours or Emma's."

"That didn't work out. Jay's parents were ex-investigators. They stopped when Jay's mother became pregnant. Unfortunately, they were in the wrong place, at the wrong time and someone killed them along with a group of others. Jay was at school when it happened."

"Oh no."

"We were named legal guardians in their will."

"Wow, that shows some trust."

"The alumni are quite a tight group. I know we are named in other's wills. We aren't the only ones named either. Anyway, back to your question. Would we have allowed Jay to go. I really don't know. He would have done well at the school. It would have pushed him. But if he'd have felt pushed away, since he hadn't lived with us long, would also have been a major factor."

"I see."

"Are you thinking about Jenny? There is such a small chance of her being accepted, I wouldn't worry."

Before they could discuss further, Aurora reappeared.

"Wow," said Paula. "If I hadn't seen it."

"You and I are the only ones to have ever seen her reappear with their naked eyes. When the tests were run, it was in a secure underground room. We all watched via large televisions."

It wasn't long before the door opened and the three of them came out.

"Any issues?" asked Ashleigh.

"No. She behaved. James and Sam took us there. I made the call which took longer than expected, and we came straight back. No side tours to look at Saturn up close."

Paula gasped. She knew the ship could go into space but hadn't thought more about it than that.

"I'll tell you all about it when we're with the others. Paula, can we stay a bit longer?"

"Of course," she responded without hesitation. "As long as you need. I'll let Emma know there weren't burglars in the barn."

Paula rushed off, leaving the four of them to trudge back to their temporary accommodation. Sam and James rushed ahead.

"They saw the torch lights and Paula came to investigate," explained Ashleigh.

"Don't let them fool you in thinking it was just Paula there. When they're checking things out, the other is normally hidden away. Probably with Eugene."

"Did you know the pupil that Eugene was named after?"

"He was three years younger than me. The whole school was devastated when he died."

"What happened to his, what did you call it? Ah yes, study partner?"

"After the funeral, Ben asked if a new one could be found. Rather ironic really. Jennifer was supposed to be his study partner originally, but their parents didn't let her go through to the interview stage. She was Eugene's cousin. Her parent's circumstances had changed, and they were researching a boarding school, so they let Jennifer join Hayfield. They were Jay's parents."

"What the–" gasped Ashleigh in shock. What a tangled web.

"I know. They were such a nice couple. But Jay was lucky that Emma and Paula were able to take him in."

"It's like you're all a larger family. Always there for each other."

"Yes, it is a bit like that," mused Tina. "I'm so glad that Mum and Dad let me go there."

"I think they'd both have heart attacks if they knew what you get up to."

"I'm surprised you've been so good about it. I think you would have fitted in well there."

Ashleigh shrugged. "I've no idea, but there are limited places. If I'd gone, someone else wouldn't have. I also wouldn't have met Becky."

"True."

They'd gone past the farmhouse and were approaching the holiday cottages. "Oh, one thing before we go in. I don't want you to confirm or deny, because it deals with Hayfield. This is just me, telling you, my thoughts. I think you transitioned at school. I also think you probably had your final surgery there. If that was the case, good."

Not waiting for a response, Ashleigh went into the cottage, leaving a stunned Tina on her own outside. She felt good as she went inside; glad to get it off her chest. Where she expected the others to be waiting, it was empty. Smiling, she went through the door at the back of the cottage. She held it open as her youngest sister quickly caught up.

In the communal lounge, they found everybody. Jenny was having a piano lesson from Luke. Sam and James were both looking over at the bookshelves, and the others were huddled around in deep conversation.

Jenny stopped her playing and rushed to see Tina. "Where did you go?"

"Jenny, stopping in the middle of a lesson like that is rude," said Ashleigh.

"I'll tell you in a few," said Tina. "Now finish your lesson. I'm not saying anything else until everyone can take part in the conversation."

Jenny turned back and apologised to Luke. He just nodded in acceptance and patted the piano stool to signal the lesson would continue.

"You really know how to make life difficult for me," said Tina quietly to her sister.

"I mentioned my thoughts. I asked you not to confirm or deny. Why is that making life difficult?"

"Because it is. I don't think anybody expected so much interaction between us two. I'm used to working in projects where I disappear afterwards. I'm used to my life being segmented. Family not knowing what I do. You're different. You not only know what I do, but you are starting to patch together other things. It's ... unsettling."

Ashleigh hugged her sister. "I'm sorry. I did it to get my thoughts of my chest. I didn't think how it would impact you."

"Look, several years ago there was a security breach, and the school had to move. This had happened a few decades previously at a sister school, so they'd got a plan just in case it happened again. The move caused so many issues and made some of the pupils very upset. At least they had somewhere to move to, which lessened the drama. I don't want to cause any other issues."

"Understood," said Ashleigh full of remorse. "Who found them?"

"The same team that came to investigate the Lab. You know, the time you sheltered in the panic room."

Ashleigh gulped. "What am I involved in?"

"We'll come to that in a minute. Let Jenny finish. What I've got to tell you is going to blow your mind. Make sure you're sat next to Becky."

"That doesn't sound good."

"It is mostly historic stuff, though you already had a taster when I saw Rachel last November."

"Oh?"

"Why Hilda died."

"Oh no! You aren't bringing that up, are you?"

"I'm afraid so. It is important for the discussion. The only one I'm really concerned about is James. Is he staying on the project?"

"Ask. I think it might be hard to exclude him though. It would make it really awkward. He is our only pilot for space."

When Jenny finished her lesson, they made their way towards the group discussing distant communications. They must have heard the piano going quiet, as they all looked across.

"Nicely played," said Liam. He played the piano and had been the one who started giving Jenny lessons. He'd been busy with communication conversation, so Luke had offered to stand in.

"Thanks," beamed Jenny. "It's a really nice piano to play."

"Don't get too used to it," said Becky. "I don't think we'll live here forever, and we've no room for a piano like that at home."

She didn't want to mention the cost of a piano like that either. How a pair of farmers had been able to afford a grand piano, or four luxury holiday cottages, was beyond her comprehension too.

Ashleigh sat next to Becky and looped her arm through Becky's. "Tina mentioned that some of what she learned overlaps with what Laura told you in November about Hilda."

"I knew there was more," sighed Becky. "I just hope it isn't bad."

"I doubt it will be. But no matter what, I'm here for you and Jenny."

"I know. Thank you."

When they were all seated, Tina started. "James, Laura brought you on as the test pilot. You've stayed on with us as there are more test flights to be done. Are you okay to stay with all the danger you're facing?"

"The RAF never back down. Its motto is, Per Ardua ad Astra. Through Adversity to the Stars. I think that's rather fitting to this situation. I don't think I'll find a sweeter ride than Aurora. Well, the alien ship that also has holographic technology might be, but I doubt I'll get access to that. So, if you'll have me, I plan on staying. Anyway, none of you know how to fly in space."

That got a chuckle.

"Okay. Some of what I'm going to say might be difficult. It was for me to hear but often facts are hard to come to terms with. Anyway, we flew back to the factory. The basement is sealed, so we knew we would be safe. It was also somewhere we knew coordinates for and knew nobody would be there. We didn't leave the ship. I called one of the other investigators –"

"You were called that yesterday," said James. "I thought you were a teaching assistant?"

"I'm an investigator. I go undercover. I'd been on an investigation abroad which screwed me up a bit. I'm also a trained and qualified teaching assistant. It helped ground me after my last tasking."

James looked confused and Tina mentally sighed. She said, "Look, let me tell you what I've been told is happening. I was also given some background. Some of which impacts you all and some of you more than others."

Evan who was sat next to James said to him, "She saved our butts last summer. She saved them yesterday. Give her a break."

"You've all heard the news about a race of aliens making contact?"

There were generally grunts and nods with a few verbal 'yes'.

"That isn't the first contact between humans and aliens. There was an encounter in 1923 in a Swiss village with a race from a planet called Alfare. They made a prophecy that on the current path, humans wouldn't reach the 22nd century. Since humans are naturally territorial, the only way to guarantee the survival of the human race is to develop space travel and setup roots on difference planets. We weren't ready for that tech. If they gave it to us, we would kill ourselves quicker."

Tina paused and bit her lip. Nervously, she continued, "A drawing was made. It showed a woman with her daughter, stood in front of a spaceship. The woman would create the tech needed. Laura compared it. The drawing matched the photograph Ashleigh took."

"You mean this was destined," said Becky. "I had no free will?"

"No," said Evan, surprising everyone when he jumped in. "Think of time as a tree. There will be thousands or millions of time branches where you didn't create the ship. You are sitting in a timeline where everything came together."

"There's more," said Becky. "I didn't always look like I do now. How did Laura know?"

"I'll come to that in a minute," squirmed Tina. "Anyway, I was mentioning about the meeting in the 1920's. They warned that there was a second race of aliens that might interfere from a planet called Reginadde."

"Wasn't that the one the Prime Minister mentioned last night?"

"Yes."

Jessica gave a low whistle.

"Back to how they found me," said Becky.

"The aliens didn't want this all to be left to chance. They said it was such a slim possibility of you doing this. They gifted sixty gold necklaces with a blue thread running through them. It would help the wearers find you. For some it also gave extra gifts. For Hilda, that extra gift helped her help Ryan and Eugene."

"How?" asked Liam.

"How what?"

"How did Hilda help Ryan and who is Eugene?"

"I found out in November that Hilda had a gift to help heal others by giving some of her lifeforce. I've no idea how, but it seemed it was that damned neckless she never took off. Anyway, Ryan was born with a terminal illness. When he died the doctors were amazed that he'd survived more than a few months."

Henry broke the silence. "Are you saying that Hilda gave a bit of herself to Ryan? Hilda basically died giving her life to Ryan and with Ryan getting no more, he died too?"

"You're okay with this mumbo jumbo?" said James.

"James. You've sat in and guided a spaceship through an interdimensional passage," said Sam. "I bet if some had told you six months ago that you would take a ship into orbit in under a second, you would have said it was mumbo jumbo."

James laughed. "Fair point. It's a bit of a mind fuck."

"Language," called out Jenny, who'd been listening carefully. She'd heard a lot of this back in November.

"Sorry," apologised James, turning a bit red.

"Ma, remember it was you who went to mummy's talk. It was you who took her to a bar and talked to her for hours about space travel. You found her, not the other way round."

"Do you know when she knew?" Becky asked Tina.

"I hear it was on the helicopter. She'd had her first kiss with you. She knew after that kiss you were trans, and it didn't upset her. She was thinking about it and realised the meaning. You then bumped into her months later."

"Literally," giggled Jenny having often heard the tale of how her parents had met, lost touch and found each other.

"Helicopter?" asked James. "I thought they were all grounded post the oil crisis."

"ETP," said Ashleigh. "Armed ETP."

James's mouth dropped open. There had only been a few ETP flights, and only one armed one. They were replaced with full electric when that technology improved. "I was the pilot who took her from Cheltenham to London. That was your wife? Wow, she was so brave. ETP weren't for the faint hearted."

"It's a small world," said Sam.

"You know who she went to help, don't you?" continued James.

"Yes," said Tina. "She went to save the person who is now our Prime Minister. The person who the Reginadde's have reached out to."

"So did your contact have a plan?"

"I believe so. Some information has been deliberately leaked. Hopefully the press will start putting things together. It will probably take a few days. They hope we might be able to do a public landing. There is one fly in the ointment. The people who came to invade the factory aren't from any known group. How they found the factory is unknown and if they will be able to find us here, is also unknown."

"What's happening at the factory?" asked Evan.

"The police are there, conducting their investigations. They only have access to the ground floor and are being chaperoned by the two security guards, Jim and George."

"The guards are fine then?" asked Ashleigh.

"Yes, Tina sent them away before the mercenaries turned up."

Becky and Ashleigh breathed a sigh of relief. The others were aware of that.

"When can we go back?" asked Jenny, eager to get back to school.

"Probably when the police have finished. If we rock up now and unseal the basement, there might be a few enquiries we don't want. Staying here a few more days will also give time for the investigation into who hired the mercenaries and why. Laura doesn't know where we are. The person I spoke with didn't ask but probably has an idea. The number of people that know of this place is limited. If anybody traced the call, it would have gone back to the factory, which is why I went there."

As the meeting broke up, Ashleigh turned to Becky. "Are you okay?"

"It wasn't really a surprise. In some respects, knowing it was the necklace that gave her that gift helps. I was worried she wasn't human, and what that might have done for Jenny."

"Mummy was so brave and selfless," said Jenny. "She was always helping others and now we found that she was also helping save the human race."

"Yes, but I wish she hadn't died."