Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 10

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Part 10
DATE:FC+9

The dim light, and warm comfortable bed were welcome. Her brain relaxed and she lay there in bliss. Realisation crept upon her that this wasn't her bed. Her bed was never this comfortable and she opened her eyes with a start.

A soothing voice, she couldn't understand said something to her. She turned and saw it was a Reginadde. She put her hand to her ear, but the translation device was gone.

"Prime Minister," a voice filtered through. "Are you okay?"

"Rupert!" she responded, glad to hear a voice she recognised.

She tried to sit up, but the gentle hands of the Reginadde stopped her.

"Not yet," said Vost'am, coming to her bedside. "Relax for another few minutes. Let the nanites finish getting the poison out of your body."

"You aren't going to do anything else to me, are you?" she asked, concerned by their technology.

"No. We would never do anything without your permission," said Vost'am. "I heard that one of the Reginaddes offered to help with your conflict, but you refused. We don't understand why for some that duality is so important. You were changed without your permission. For a doctor, it would be like someone fixing a broken bone."

"I gave permission for them to give you the nanite treatment," said Rupert. "I hope I did the right thing."

"I'd probably be dead if you hadn't. Thank you all for saving me. As for not wanting treatment to reverse the virus that changed me. It is a difficult thing. I've come to regard that duality as part of me. It drives me. Yes, you might be fixing my body and putting it back, but then I'd miss some of it. Then there is a human issue as part of my job. Perception is just as important as reality. If you change me, to some I wouldn't be the same person. I have a job to do. It is my duty. I swore that when I took my job. I don't want anything to risk me doing my job. Who poisoned me and why?"

"That was Trposin, a Yvestigan. She tried to finish the job they failed to do when you got that virus."

"Am I safe?"

"Yes. She has been expelled as their representative on the council and sent back to their homeworld. It will take them a while. Their drives can't take them all the way in one go. They travel about thirty of your light years at a time."

"What is stopping one of the other Yvestigans trying to kill me?"

"They can't. Don't worry about that for now."

"So, what was this about a prophecy?"

"I don't know," said Vost'am. "It is something that only the council know about. I'm just an aide."

Georgina doubted that but decided to ask the council when she got chance. "How long was I unconscious?"

"Only twenty minutes," replied Rupert.

"Am I allowed to get up?"

Vost'am asked the doctor and a few moments later, she was being escorted to the council. A question nagged at her, and as Vost'am led them down the corridor, she asked, "How long will the nanites stay in me?"

Rupert paused, nervous about telling Georgina. She glanced at him and her sighed. "Until you die. They made that clear to me before I gave permission."

"And what will they do to me?"

"I'm told, nothing. They won't stop you aging or dying. If someone poisons you, they will attack the poison. It won't change your body, like that virus did. I'm so sorry if I did the wrong thing."

"Stop saying sorry. You saved my life. It's good they asked someone's permission first. But as with my private medical information, it is private. Understood?"

"Yes, Ma'am. No telling the tabloids."

"Blimey, they'd love to have that story."

As they went into the council chamber, Vost'am handed her the translation device. "You will need this. I will act as your voice."

"Thank you."

"Now go stand at the vacant place alongside the other council members."

There was a gap in the ring, and she went and stood there. Rupert stood just behind her on the left, and Vost'am stood behind her to her right.

"We apologise for how one of the Council treated you," said Bob, the Reginadde member. "They were more interested in their planet, than the council."

"I wish to thank you all for the prompt medical treatment. It saved my life."

"Is there anything we can help you with for your discussions back on your planet?"

"Are you able to provide information on the rules that Earth would have to follow? Also, are you able to provide information on your common language? I think it was called Hytuna. The first would allow us to understand better what we are agreeing to. The second would allow us to start to prepare for our future."

"Certainly. When you leave you will be provided with information. There isn't computer compatibility, so information will be provided on something similar to your paper."

"I believe the team that created the ship that brought me here are working on some form of communication via the interdimensional tunnel."

"How long did your journey take?"

"Three seconds," responded Georgina.

Vost'am said, "I don't understand the time interval to translate."

Georgina counted. "One second … Two seconds … Three seconds."

That started a large discussion which didn't seem to translate through the earpiece. "What's happened?" she asked Vost'am bewildered.

"They are trying to make sense of what you said. They have communications across space quickly, but normal travel isn't as quick as you have it."

The discussion lasted another thirty minutes where the council members found out a bit more about Earth, and Georgina learnt more about the other members. As they left, a case was handed to Rupert. "This contains the information you requested," was translated.

Georgina had forgotten about the translator that was in her ear. "Do you want these back?" she asked.

Vost'am responded, "That is probably a good idea. It might be unseemly for you to have non-human technology when you've not joined the council."

This was the first time that she'd removed it herself. The previous time it had either fallen out or had been removed by someone. She reached up and felt it had moulded to the ear. She felt a small inset and put her nail under it. As she tugged, it shrank and came away without an issue.

"That was easy," said Georgina, placing it into the case and handing it to Vost'am. It might have been easy to remove, but she now felt isolated. She had been able to understand all what was going on around her. The only ones she could talk with were Rupert and Vost'am. All other talk around her she was now excluded from.

The walk back to the hangar was the reverse of their arrival. What the rest of the space station was like would have to wait for another time.

"Hello," said Evan as they got to the ship. "All good?"

"It is now."

"Vost'am. Thank you for your help today. It was really kind of you."

"It was enlightening. Seeing a first interaction. You aren't a species that fears easily."

"Oh, we do. It's just that some have been trained not to always dwell on the worst. There are some on Earth that are worried that spaceships are going to arrive and kidnap us."

"Why would anybody want to kidnap them?"

Georgina thought about films and sensationalist media which reported stories about people having been kidnapped by aliens but didn't know how she could describe them. Instead, she went with simplicity. "They fear the unknown. They fear those that aren't like us. Anything that is different is wrong. It will take time for those people to get comfortable. Humans are a very emotional species. What will happen to the Yvestigans since they broke the rules?"

"It is very serious. If it was an individual, the Yvestigans would be expected to handle any local punishment. But this was their council member. It is as if the government of the Yvestigans broke the rules. They have been removed as council members and will need to prove that this won't happen again before they can rejoin. During that time there will be no technology sharing or assistance unless there was a major catastrophe."

"But if they don't rejoin, could they just continue to attack others?"

"That would be ... unwise," Vost'am said, sounding a bit mysterious, or it could just be his stilted English.

"Prime Minister," interjected Rupert and handed her a letter with nothing on the envelope.

"Ah, thank you." She turned to Vost'am. "Are you able to tell me Bob's name?"

"Vers'am."

Georgina took a pen handed to her from Rupert and wrote it on the envelope after getting confirmation of the spelling. "Please pass this to Vers'am. It is a formal offer to him and other council members to visit, either physically or via hologram. There is a group on Earth called the United Nations. The offer is for them to use that forum to explain more about your group."

Vost'am looked surprised. "I will pass it on. Real human paper – wow." He held it like it was a precious gift to be preserved. "Why are you giving this now? You had an opportunity in council."

"I didn't want to make a show of it in front of everybody. Are you able to deliver it?"

"Yes," he said vigorously. "It will be delivered as soon as you are gone."

"Until next time."

They all climbed in, and Evan sealed the ship. As they were strapping themselves in, Georgina said, "Is there somewhere we can go without causing disruptions. I don't want somewhere cameras will catch the ship. I want to update you with what happened."

"On Earth or in space?"

"If Earth, not where you are based, or where you hid. Just in case we are being tracked. I don't want you exposed."

"I will survive if in space," said Rupert.

"I have a compromise," said Sam. "We worked out some coordinates as we tested a few days ago. Not all were used, but this one was interesting."

"Let's go then."

Sam punched in the details and the computer worked out the new position based on celestial movements. James laughed when he saw the location. "I like it."

A few seconds later, they materialised at the destination.

"Are you okay?" Sam asked Rupert.

"Yes. Where are we?"

"Ganymede. That is a natural satellite around Jupiter. It has weak gravity."

"We're on Jupiter?"

"On a moon around it. You're the first humans to touch down on Ganymede. This ship has no airlock, so we won't be going outside, so you can't get a title of first human to set foot on this body."

"What happened?" asked Evan. "A group of aliens ran ... yes ran, into the hangar and formed a perimeter around the ship. About ten minutes later, they left. The Reginadde that was with us said it was a precaution, but the situation had been resolved. Soon after, a few aliens were escorted into the hangar and departed in their ship."

"A member of the council tried to assassinate me. They were the inventors of the virus that transformed me. It seems they did that to try to stop Hilda from meeting someone."

"That would be Becky, the person behind this ship," said Evan. "So why did they try to kill you today?"

"The Yvestigans had a prophecy. That I would help the humans join the council. They want Earth. They didn't want us to survive so they could have the planet. When I was given the Malachi virus, they hoped to stop both the prophecies coming true."

"And in doing so, probably made them both possible," said James thoughtfully.

"Anything else?" asked Sam.

"I was given some documents on their language. They speak their local tongues but have a shared language across species. I'll get some copies made. I think it is important that you know it as you are our only method of getting to them."

"Henry will never get to ride on this ship," said James.

"He has every opportunity to learn the new language," retorted Sam.

"True, but you speak about a dozen languages already. He speaks some sort of English and lots of strange electronic lingo."

Georgina smiled at the banter. She was sure it went on in her office, but it never seemed to get to her. "Oh, one final bit of information. They were very surprised how quick this ship got there. The Yvestigans can only go thirty light years at a time. I also got the impression that they were surprised our jump only lasted three seconds."

"Interesting. I wonder what causes the limit?" thought Evan aloud.

"Something to discuss later," said James. "Also, if the Yvestigans can only do smaller jumps, and others can go quicker, what are the limits on technology sharing?"

"A good thought to raise in my next meeting with them," pondered Georgina.

James glanced once more that the gas giant before asking, "Prime Minister, will the area in the Parade Grounds still be clear?"

"I ordered it to be kept closed off."

"Excellent. You good Evan?"

With Evan's acknowledgement, James pushed the button and then arrived back in London.

"No time lost," said Evan, as he checked the local time against the ship time.

"Fantastic," replied James and with a grin said to the PM. "Thank you for flying Aurora. I hope you have a comfortable onward journey. Ooh, we have soldiers with guns approaching."

The PM swore and pulled out her phone. "Ron. Why are there troops rushing about in London? Has there been a terrorist threat I wasn't aware of when I left a few hours ago?"

"You're back," her defence minister stated in shock. He gathered himself. "It is just a precaution."

"Well, they better not be pointing at me when I get off the ship. If so, I will be wanting you in my office with the responsible officer, explaining themselves."

"Give me a few minutes," he begged before she terminated the call.

"We will wait a few minutes," the PM said to the crew. "Thank you all so much for today. I hope you got to learn some things too and weren't just a taxi ride."

"Oh, we got to learn," said Evan. "I'm sure it won't be the last journey."

"Probably not," she replied.

"Perhaps skip the orbit bit next time," said Rupert as he unbuckled his straps.

"And miss that view?" responded James. "You are part of a small group of people that have seen that with their own eyes. You were much further away than the space station. Only people who've gone to the Moon have seen Earth much smaller."

"Does your ship have an external camera?"

"Yes," responded Sam, wondering why the Prime Minister was asking.

"If you have a high-resolution picture from our orbit earlier, can you send a copy to Rupert. I'd like to get a large print put into my office."

Rupert dug into his wallet and removed a business card. It contained his email address. He handed a copy to Sam.

"When we've stepped out, I suggest you shut the ship and vamoose," said Georgina.

"Vamoose?" asked Evan at her words.

"Get out pronto," clarified Sam.

"Exactly," the PM agreed.

The Prime Minister used her phone again. "Ron. Is it clear?"

"I'll patch you through to the commander on station."

"Okay."

There was a strange beeping sound, and the call was connected. "This is Major Hilliard."

"And this is the Prime Minister. I'm about to step off that spaceship. I'd be very upset if you shot me or my aide."

Evan slowly opened the door, and the Prime Minister pushed Rupert to one side. She wasn't having him risk himself by going first. She stepped out and saw a line of armed soldiers. No sooner had the Prime Minister stepped off, and Rupert followed, the door to the ship closed and it departed.

The Prime Minister ignored the soldiers and walked briskly towards Downing Street with Rupert rushing to catch up. The checkpoint leading from the parade grounds had opened the gate and they went through without incident.

Instead of going through the side entrance, she stormed into Downing Street. She wanted the Downing Street cameras to see her. The door to number 10 swung open as she approached it. The person on duty was attentive as ever.

When they were inside, she stated. "Find out if there has been a coup while I've been away. I don't like guns pointed at us. I'd like to see Sir John, Craig and Lewis."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

Back in her office, she took out the documents from the bag and flicked through them. She saw one for the ship crew. Oops. She put it in her drawer out of the way. She would find a way of sending that later.

Lewis was the furthest away but arrived first. "You weren't long," was his opening remark.

"Sorry I stopped your fun at the top. Any idea why I had guns pointed at me?"

"The police had guns at you?"

"No. Troops. I rang Ron and I'm sure he needed clean underwear when he found out I was back."

"It wasn't discussed. It goes against everything this government stands for. I'm surprised you're back. Everybody thought you would be a lot longer."

"That is a very fast ship. Time to travel 150 light years is about three seconds. I then was a witness, someone tried to assassinate me, and then I had a meeting before coming back."

"Someone tried to kill you?"

"It seems they were behind the Malachi virus and hoped I'd have died or out of the picture. It didn't work, so today was a last-ditch attempt. The other aliens saved me. Oh, you speak a few languages?"

"Yes. Why?"

She handed him a copy of the primer on the alien language.

"Wow. This is great," he said, flicking though it. "What material is this though? It isn't paper."

"They said it was similar to paper. It isn't though. It's a lot stronger. I also have a list of their rules. A nice bit of bedtime reading. I'll get the language document digitised. Something else for people to learn."

Lewis chortled. "I look forward to learning it."

"Coming back to the main topic. Security is handled by the police, not the army. I will be saying the same to Ron."

With that finished, she went to see Rupert.

"Recovered from this morning's excitement?" she asked.

"It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be."

"Yes. I have some documents that need digitising. However, I don't want them being ruined or split from the current bindings."

"There is someone in the Cabinet office trained for digitising historic government documents. I'll see what I can do."

"Great. Let me have it back as soon as possible. Can you reach out to the Foreign Secretary. I want to brief him and his alien division. Then see if you can get a video meeting scheduled with the US, Russian, Chinese, and French leaders. I know it is late in China."

Craig and Sir John arrived together. They'd been in a meeting discussing the implementation of the alien taskforce. Georgina ushered them into her office and shut the door.

"How long was I gone?" she snapped as they sat down.

"Just under four hours," replied Sir John guardedly. He didn't yet understand her apparent anger.

"Under four hours. Yet I come back to find my standing orders have been reversed."

"Sorry? We only just found out you were back."

"When I landed, I had troops with guns being brandished around. The days of those drug laws are gone. Troops on the street are gone unless there is a terrorist attack. Has there been a terrorist attack?"

"No."

"Then I want to find out why Ron authorised this. Who requested troops? Who was this discussed with, and why wasn't Lewis or yourselves aware?"

"I'll look into it," said Sir John hurriedly. He would also want to know why the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence hadn't warned him.

"I want this done quickly and thoroughly. I can't have ministers breaking the rules as soon as I disappear. Since we know that the trip doesn't take long, hopefully there won't be as much worry if I have to do it again. Now tell me what else happened while I was away."