Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 9

---

Part 9
DATE:FC+9

"Good morning, Prime Minister," said Rupert. He was dressed immaculately. His hair styled to perfection.

"Hi Rupert," said Georgina, as he walked into her office. "Are we ready?"

"Yes," he responded, not showing the fear that he was feeling. He'd slept fitfully and thought about calling in sick. However, when his morning alarm went off, he jumped in the shower. Duty called.

"Excellent. Then let's do this."

She turned to look at her deputy. "Lewis, look after the country while I'm away. You have the full backing of the Cabinet."

"Safe travels," he responded.

Rupert led them through the corridors, and they exited through the west door of Number 12. This door hadn't been used for decades, but Rupert had it prepared for this occasion.

"Good job," said Georgina. Her protection team was waiting for them, and they went unseen along the passage next to the statue of Earl Mountbatten. At the end there was a security hut, with a team of police. This was one of the entrances to the secured area of Downing Street and was always protected.

"They aren't here yet," said Georgina.

Rupert glanced at his watch. "We are a few minutes early. There are security fences along Horse Guards Road, but I didn't feel it was a good idea for the ship to be on the ground too long. It might cause panic."

Dawn was upon them, and the dark of the winter night started to fade. It wouldn't gleam directly onto the parade ground for another few hours. There were people jogging around St James's Park, with some coming up to the nearby road. There was a scenic route between The Mall and Birdcage Walk. A mobile outside broadcast unit was at the corner, a single tip given to one of the TV channels. Georgina felt bad it wasn't to Tim, but she didn't want complaints about favouritism.

The police suddenly jumped in front of the Prime Minister. She'd been looking across at the people out towards the park and wondered why security had got into a protective position. She then saw the ship parked in Horse Guards parade. She hadn't heard it approach.

"It's what we were waiting for," said the PM, a bit annoyed at the reaction of the people around her.

"Yes, but it just appeared," said the Sergeant. "It didn't land or approach. One second it wasn't there, and then it was."

"Let's go meet them," said the PM in her authoritative voice.

"We should check it out," said one of the Senior Protection Unit.

"You can come with me if you want," she replied, "But we have asked them for this ride. I'm not going to offend them like that."

A crowd had gathered at the fence. A gleaming metal ship suddenly appearing in Horse Guards Parade was something that seemed to draw the crowds. It was at a slight angle, with the front of the ship pointing towards the corner of the road and the statue.

A door opened, which would not be visible from the road. The Prime Minister and her entourage made their way through the security gates and onto the parade grounds. Her hair blew slightly in the gentle breeze, and she walked with purpose towards the ship.

There were three people visible at the door. "Hi, do you want to come onboard?"

One of her protection-detail went in and came out a few seconds later. "It's just the three crew," he informed her.

Georgina wanted to roll her eyes, but they were just doing their job. She turned to the police and said, "Thank you for your protection duty. I will notify you on my return. Remember, you have all signed the acknowledgement of the Official Secrets Act. You will not speak about what is in this ship or the crew. If asked, you will say you accompanied me and Rupert and checked out the ship. That is it."

"Yes, Ma'am."

They were still angry that they weren't being allowed to do their job. Protocol said that her close protection team should go with her, but there wasn't the room. They tried to veto it, but she overruled them.

Rupert followed the PM on board and the door closed.

"I'm James, the captain of Aurora. Prime Minister and Rupert, please get seated, we will be departing soon."

"Aurora," murmured Georgina in fascination, as she took the seat James pointed to and Rupert took, the other. Rupert and Georgina were sat facing each other. James and Sam were positioned looking out of the front window.

Sam and Evan introduced themselves, giving first names only. Sam took position next to James. Evan stood at the back but grabbed onto a handle on the side.

"This is a test ship," explained Evan, as Georgina looked surprised at him being stood up. "Only limited space."

"We're doing this in two jumps," said Sam. "Are you all strapped in? Here is a bag each, just in case you need to be sick."

"Sick?"

"A good percentage of people get sick when initially in space. Some are just nauseous, others actually vomit. If you do, don't be embarrassed. We've all got our bags, though we have been in space the last few days, so our bodies remember the feeling."

Sam looked around, and said, "We're all good. Let's go."

James raised the cover and pressed the inset button. They vanished from London.

"Where are we?" asked Georgina, trying to get her hair under control.

"Look out front," suggested James.

Rupert and Georgina looked across and saw a planet. It was Rupert who reacted first. He belched and was sick into the paper bag. He so wished he'd stayed home.

"That's Earth," Georgina said, her voice full of wonder. "It looks so small up here."

"We have ten minutes," said James. "You can unstrap if you want to float a bit."

"I'm good," responded Georgina. "I doubt this will be my last time in space."

"Not today," mumbled Rupert, between heaves.

Evan floated to him. "Don't worry, I was like this on Wednesday. It was my first time in space then. Before that, my colleague was up here."

"What happened to him?" asked the PM, slightly worried.

"We take it in turns. I can't let him have all the fun."

"What do you do? Sorry, that didn't come out nicely. I mean James is the captain and seems to be piloting Aurora. What are your roles, Sam and Evan?"

"I'm one of the two scientists. Sam is an engineer. We have another engineer back at base, but Sam hasn't let him have fun yet."

"Was this ship your idea, Evan?"

"Oh no. I'm just one of the scientists working out the details. The concept and ideas came from another person."

"One of the Aliens said Hilda Saunders had been involved?"

"She married the person behind the concept. Actually, they met for the first time the night she was called away. It was luck they found each other again."

"How are you feeling?" Evan asked Rupert kindly.

"I'll survive," he said, slightly embarrassed.

"Your body gets used to it. However, we aren't spending hours weightless, we have places to go," said James. "Evan, thirty seconds."

Evan pushed away and floated back to where he'd stood previously. "I'm good."

Sam gave a countdown, and when they reached zero, the ship once again disappeared. The screen was blank for three seconds and then suddenly they were in a brightly lit room. They became heavy again. There was gravity. Looking out of the window, they seemed to be in some sort of massive hangar, with several ships of different designs visible. Some were larger, but there were other smaller ships.

"Analysing the atmosphere," said Evan at the rear of the ship. "We have 22% oxygen, so slightly higher than back home, but in safe limits. Pressure is also good for us to open the door."

"You've travelled 150 light years?" said Rupert amazed. He'd started to feel better.

"Yes. She is a quick ship," said James, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Have you any idea where we are?" asked Georgina, unbuckling her restraint.

"We matched the coordinates to star system HD 34445. The stars are catalogued how they are seen from Earth, not where they actually are. At least motion and velocity are also part of the catalogue, so we were able to calculate real positions, not where they were when seen."

"Huh?" said Georgina.

"The light from HD 34445 took 150 years to reach Earth," explained Sam. "The relative position of the star has moved over those 150 years. Since we are able to travel so quickly, we needed to calculate the position it is now, not where it was."

"You've created a warp drive?" asked Rupert.

"No," smiled Evan, glad that Liam wasn't there to rebuke them. "This has an interdimensional drive. If this had been Star Trek, it would have taken 53 days to get here at warp 8. We did it in seconds."

"Can you let them know we've arrived safely?"

"No. We don't have communications yet. We started discussions but the concepts are harder. The ship jumps and we have a starting and ending position. The tunnel is one-way. Proper communication needs two-way."

"Am I okay to open the door?" asked Evan.

"Yes. Good to go," said James, looking at one of the readouts.

Evan opened the door. On a ship that travels in space, it has to be airtight, which meant it wasn't something as flimsy as a house door. The whole ship was multiple layers of metal and other materials. This not only kept the atmosphere in but stop heat leaking out and radiation getting in too quickly.

"This ship doesn't have an airlock?" noted Rupert as he disembarked.

"No. It is a test ship. It wasn't supposed to be used like this. Anyway, it can go from planet to planet without going into space."

"You went into space today."

"Yes, because that was the starting coordinates given to us. I suppose it made it easier not being on a rotating planet. Our onboard ship computer can compensate. We also weren't hanging around where people might get inquisitive. Anyway, you got a great view of the planet."

Rupert scowled.

"Ah, we have someone coming to us," remarked Sam, seeming relaxed.

"That's an Alphonian," Georgina stated.

Rupert had stiffened. This was his first glimpse of an alien. Evan, James and Sam had seen one a few days previously, when they'd been given the coordinates.

"Hello," said Georgina, hoping the alien spoke English as well as Bob did.

"Greetings," the alien responded. "I'm an aide to the council. I've been tasked to your needs."

"Thank you. My name is Georgina. The council asked me to give testimony. This is my aide, Rupert."

"Give witness, not testimony," said the alien. "My name would translate as Jim."

"What is your untranslated name?" asked Georgina.

"I don't understand," said Jim rather uncertainly. "Why would you want to know that?"

"Perhaps it is a difference of culture. To me a name is important. It is who they are. I have a given name, Georgina and a surname or family name, Harries. Therefore, my name is Georgina Harries."

"My name is Vost'am. We don't have family names like I heard about in Earth research."

"Well, Vost'am, I'm pleased to meet you."

"Who are your other three companions?" asked Vost'am.

"They are the part of the team that created this ship. We have James, Sam and Evan. I'm sorry, I don't know their surnames."

"We need to verify the ship," said Sam. "It hasn't been on such a long journey before. Vost'am, do you know how long our Prime Minister will be?"

Vost'am paused and after a moment looked stricken. "I'm having difficulty translating to your time. She shouldn't be too long."

Evan and Sam looked intrigued. "How are things different?" asked Evan.

"You count to ten. We count to eight."

They all looked at the Alphonian's hands. They had ten digits, just like humans.

"We weren't the species that created the standard. As you surmised, they have two less digits."

"Octal," said Evan, sounding excited, his eye's gleaming.

"And how you divide your day is also different. You might have questions for the council, and I'm sure they will have questions for you. Sam, would you come to the council too?"

"Perhaps next time," replied Sam, surprised to be singled out to join them. "It is important that I help check the ship."

"I will ask one of our other aides to come. You are new here, and most won't understand you. We are part of the council that assists new members."

"Thank you," said James.

Vost'am paused and turned to them. "Names seem important to you. The aide that is coming is a Reginadde. Please don't ask them their name. They are private things they only share with their life partner."

"Yeah, I did that," said Georgina, turning a bit red. "Not my best diplomacy."

Vost'am led Georgina and Rupert out of the hangar and into a corridor. Georgina had expected it to be busy, but there was nobody to be seen. Rather like the hangar, the walls were white. They weren't polished but seemed to gleam. There were no panels showing information, or switches. Just plain white walls.

"It isn't very busy," she commented, only having seen one other individual walking in the corridor.

"This is the council area. It is restricted to those that have a purpose with the council."

"You said you deal with new members. How often does that occur?"

Vost'am responded with what sounded like pain in his voice. "Not often. A lot don't make the leap."

They went through a set of doors which automatically slid open as they approached. It was what looked like a waiting room. There were various seats but no visible area of work. On the far side was a large window. Interested in where they were, Georgina went to have a look. Outside she saw a gas giant below.

"We're in space? On a space station?"

Rupert sat down on one of the seats, going nowhere near the window. He'd thought he was on a planet. Knowing he was in space made his stomach churn a bit.

"I believe that is what you call them," responded Vosh'am.

"I thought we were on a planet. You have gravity."

"A space station gives control for how much gravity, or the composition of the atmosphere. Not all members of the council are oxygen breathers. It is a lot harder to do that on a planet, especially that one. It is also a reminder to the council that not all sentient life is on planets like yours or mine."

"There's life in there?"

"Yes, very much so."

A movement caught Georgina's eye, and she turned to see someone coming into the waiting room. It was another species, which she'd not seen before. She came across to Vost'am and spoke in a language she didn't know. She gave him a box and departed.

"All business in the council chamber is conducted in Hytuna. That is a language that is spoken by all species in the council. When children grow up, they are taught their local language and also Hytuna."

Vost'am opened the box and removed two small cases. He ushered Georgina back to where Rupert sat. "Since you don't know the language, inside these cases are two translation devices. I'm told they should fit your ears. There will be a small delay as the proceedings are translated. If you need to speak, I will translate your words for the others. However, I caution you not to interrupt the proceedings. You are a witness, in these proceedings, not to give testimony."

"I don't understand."

"The council aren't interested in what you say. They are interested in the remnants of the virus you carry. They are letting you stay, and giving you a method of following along, because you might join the council. I will see what the status of the council is."

"You're very quiet," Georgina said to Rupert when Vost'am moved away. "Are you okay?"

"I feel a bit like a child, unsure of the world around me. A week ago, I knew my place and what was happening. The last week has been different from my last ten years working in the civil service. Today has been like nothing I've prepared for and I'm not sure of my role."

"Do what you normally do. Keep track on what's going on. I'm so glad you've made this journey with me."

"Really?"

"Yes. Now we have to be brave. We don't know what other races are in there, and what they look like. Try your best to keep calm and unphased. I'm lucky that I've met some before and have had time to get used to the idea. I presume things will be said, some of which might be upsetting to us. You must not be provoked, especially not to defend me. We don't want to appear uncontrolled in this setting."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

"You are a professional," she said as her last bit of advice before they were called into the council room.

"What protocols are there?" hissed Georgina to Vost'am, suddenly feeling ill equipped and not at all professional.

"I'll point things out. But just remember, you are a witness so don't say anything unless asked. You will take part later when your role changes."

"Okay."

They walked through a set of doors and into a room beyond. What surprised Georgina was the simplicity of the room. If this were a western debating chamber or even a government building, it would be grand. This was different. It was stark. The waiting room was more anointed than this room. The walls were bare, and the floor was the same utilitarian flooring as used in the hallways. At the rear of the room was a single large window, with a view not pointing to the planet but out towards the stars. By the windows there was a seal, and to the right of it was some writing in a language she didn't know.

Eight aliens, each of a different species, stood loosely around, forming a rough circle. There were no markings on the ground to indicate where they should stand, but a circle was how they were.

"Stand in the centre," instructed Vost'am. "Rupert and I will be stood by the wall. We will join you when you are no longer a witness."

"You are representing Earth," said Rupert. "Make us proud."

That was like a switch. She stood up straight and squared her shoulders. She walked with a steady and deliberate pace to the centre and stood there. After a few seconds, she slowly turned, looking at each of the eight council members. When she'd done a full turn, she clasped her hands and cast her eyes down. She'd recognised two members. One was 'Bob' and the other one of the Reginaddes she'd spoken with. He had what on a human would be called a scar on the left side of his face. It was only small, but it was one way she knew of recognising which Reginadde she was dealing with.

Bob started speaking. A few seconds later, Georgina heard the translation in her ears. "We are gathered to investigate a breach of the rules. I log the sample taken from the witness. If the witness agrees for members to take an independent sample, please raise your right arm."

She raised her arm. A second later she felt two pricks, but it was minor. She was soon instructed they'd finished, and she should lower her arm. She waited, as the results were analysed by members.

"Why?" came a voice that broke the silence. Georgina looked up and saw some of them had turned to face one of the other members.

"That planet shouldn't be allowed to join the council," came a response from the member they were facing. "That planet is in our sphere."

"They are a sentient species. The rules state you can't occupy that system," another voice clamoured.

"But why this person?" asked another.

"Because they had two points of impact. It stopped the meeting with the Alphonian Prophecy. We had an additional prophecy that this person would be involved with their promotion to the council. You can't let them join. Within two cycles they will be the most technically advanced species. I won't let you."

Georgina's head suddenly went fuzzy, and she collapsed onto the floor.