Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 11

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Part 11
DATE:FC+26

The rules and a primer for Hytuna were soon distributed to every government. They hadn't been in just one language, but in five different languages. The UN had taken the responsibility of translating it for everybody. There was even an appendix highlighting the standards for counting, time, dimensions, weight and various additional standards. Websites soon started popping up with the details.

The rules were quite an eye opener. They were all about respecting other territories and not encroaching on developing species. There was nothing about how a planet should be governed. For some countries, this was a major win. Worries about being told what to do by aliens seemed to be forgotten by many. There were minor groups that grouched that we should follow no rules that other species created. They were a minority but seemed to be able to scream the loudest.

Then there were the benefits if Earth joined. The technology sharing, the knowledge of this local section of the galaxy and a bit beyond. The scientists were enthusiastic about that, but there was mostly a shrug from the rest of the population. What was in it for them?

Applications and websites that dealt with teaching languages took the Hytuna information and created learning. It had become a race between them on not only which was going to be first, but the first that passed the language course certification that the UN had created. They weren't to release it until it had been proved accurate. Nobody wanted a mistake while dealing with any group of aliens.

As the days went on, it was a language that all the project team took to learning. They felt it would be important as their ship was the only one that could go beyond the solar system.

After a few weeks finishing off checks and tests, they finished at The Factory. The admin staff there would continue to work there, but the scientists were back at the Anchor. Aurora safely stored and the basement door locked. With nothing to do, James took the week off to visit his old friend in America, who was due back from the space station.

* * *

"We're back," called out Henry jovially as he made his way into The Anchor. He'd been out with Becky for a meeting with Laura Taylor.

"What news?" asked Liam. Jessica had been working with them, reviewing the paper that Evan and Liam were planning to submit on interdimensional travel. It had enough information to further science, but not too much to ruin their trade secrets. There was no paper on the power technology.

"They've been building another ship. It is slightly bigger." Henry paused and then said with awe. "It has an airlock."

"Who's built it?" asked Ashleigh, slightly confused.

"Miss T got it built in one of her construction companies near Bristol," said Henry, having picked up the way of talking about her from Tina. "She knew we would need a bigger one after Aurora had been tested but didn't want to distract us with it until now. It is just a shell. It has no electronics yet. It certainly has no drive, nor power plant. We'd got plans for larger ships but hadn't thought about when to build them. She took those plans and built the next size up."

"Will it fit in the basement at The Factory? What about Aurora?"

"Both will fit," said Becky. "The basement was designed for three ships and the testing chamber. Henry will work with the fitting team that did Aurora, to get the drive and power installed. He will be asking you to get some replacement stock for some items. We then can jump it back to the factory for the main work. I am more worried about communications and the implication of this."

She brandished a letter.

"Oh?"

"It's from the aliens. It contains information on how to interface our communication system with theirs. It's in Hytuna. The PM managed to get it to 'Sally' who passed it on. Laura gave it to us today."

"Can I have a look?" asked Jessica, excited about seeing some Hytuna that wasn't the primer and also the thought of communicating with another species.

The document was handed across and she scanned it. "Oh. I see. This is quite technical, isn't it. There are words in here that I can't remember in the primer. We need more advanced words and phrases. However, I think we might be able to make some educated guesses based on what we are trying to achieve. It's almost like a test. Can we elaborate on what we have and what we were given. It's also a backdoor into their technology. They say they won't share it yet, but give hints based on protocols to give us a hand."

"Go on," encouraged Evan.

"We were thinking about how to do this with only single direction. There was an old network protocol called FTP. There was a control request, and a data channel would be opened up from the other side. If I remember correctly, David talked about how it used to cause all sorts of issues with firewalls. Anyway, this sort of reminds me of that. If we work out the concept on transport and linkage. We then can work out the higher layers later."

"Let's go one way, and then work out how we return," said Liam. "Let's start on opening a very small tunnel between two areas and keeping it open. We then can see about sending light through. A laser perhaps?"

"I'll create a list of parts with Henry," said Jessica. "There are infrared communications on the LEO satellites. That might be an easy, almost off the shelf method. Once it's working, we then can optimise it for the ship and office."

"Yay, more shopping," said Ashleigh.

"I have the items to create the link," said Henry. "It will take me a few days to assemble that. We're back in science mode! Becky, will your program from the early tests be able to do a small opening?"

"Yes. It should be good."

"If we get the parts in, we should be able to confirm the rest of the setup with direct infrared transmitters and receivers," said Jessica. "Sam could do that while Henry works on the rest. We might need to change things around when we've worked out the frequency they transmit the data, and how it is packaged."

"Liam and I can discuss the details of the tunnel while you do that," said Evan.

For Ashleigh, it reminded her of her early days at the project. She was working upstairs, and science was happening downstairs. Apart from Jessica being there, it brought back memories of easier times.

In the afternoon, Becky was able to go and get Jenny. When they came back, Jenny bounded up the stairs to see Ashleigh.

"Miss Thompson," squealed Jenny. "It's great you're back up here."

"I know, right. So close to home."

"And not so far from school. Mrs Hayburn is back from maternity leave, which means Mrs Poop won't be needed there.

"Tina said it was her last week," confirmed Ashleigh.

"Ma was telling me there is a bigger ship being built. Do you know if it has a name yet?"

"I've no idea if the ship has a name yet. I only found out about it this morning when your Ma came back. It is just a shell at the moment. It needs the drive, power and all the wiring added. I've ordered some parts for a test. Most should be here tomorrow."

"Can I do my homework in here?" asked Jenny.

"Sure. I hope I don't disturb you."

"Oh, it's not hard homework."

They both worked away in silence. After about thirty minutes, Jenny said, "Done."

"Do you want me to check it?"

"Thanks." She passed her book to Ashleigh, who went through it. "I'm looking forward to next year when we're allowed to do this online. It's only school stuff that's pen and paper."

"I think they don't want the youth to forget how to write," replied Ashleigh.

"I suppose that makes sense to someone," sighed Jenny. She paused and then said quickly, "Do you love Ma?"

"Yes. Are you okay with that?"

Jenny sighed with relief. "Oh yes. I was thinking. Mummy was Mummy. Will you be Mum? Mummy, Ma and Mum."

Ashleigh was silent. This wasn't a question she'd ever expected to be asked. "Is your Ma okay with this?"

"I've not told her. I wanted to see how you felt and how it sounded."

"I'm happy, but please be careful with Ma. She is still coming to terms with your Mummy's death."

"But Mummy is gone," said Jenny as simply as saying the sun rose in the morning.

"How do you feel about mummy?"

"I remember good times with her. I sometimes get jolts of memory when I do certain things. I then remember she taught me how to do them. I have pictures of her and me on my phone, but I sometimes don't remember where they were taken."

"You are young. I don't remember a lot of my time when I was your age."

Jenny yelled in anguish, "But I don't want to forget mummy! I don't want to forget Ryan!"

"They will always be part of you in your heart. You have pictures of them and reminders of them."

"But I won't create new memories."

"If you close your eyes, can you see your brother and mummy?"

"Yes."

"Can you draw?"

"A little."

"Why don't you draw a picture of your brother and mummy. It will help you remember them better."

"I can try," she said doubtfully. "I should have asked Alberto or Luca to teach me while they were around."

"What about music. Did Ryan like music?"

"Yes. I remember when he was little, he used to love something mummy sometimes streamed on her phone. I don't know what it was though."

"Can you sing it, or hum it?"

"Yes."

Ashleigh grabbed her phone and found the app she wanted. "Go ahead and sing it."

Jenny did, and Ashleigh realised it was the first time she'd heard some music come from her mouth. It was just her la-la-ing, but it was clear.

"I don't need the phone for that one. That is Eine Kleine Nachtmusik by Mozart. That is German. It means, A Little Night Music."

"I don't know German," said Jenny.

Ashleigh smiled and did a web search. "Do you talk with your Ma about your fears about forgetting Mummy?"

"No," said Jenny, shaking her head. "Ma has enough worries about Mummy. I don't want to make her sad."

"Well, you can always talk to me," said Ashleigh. "And don't forget people like Mr and Mrs Poop knew your Mummy too, though not in the same way as you did."

A minute later, her printer started. "Let's go and disturb them downstairs."

Ashleigh grabbed the paper from her printer and passed it to Jenny. "Why don't you give it a go. This is an easy arrangement."

"Okay," said Jenny, perking up a bit.

When they went into the discussion area, Becky, Evan, Liam and Jessica were having a conversation. Henry was in the lab section, starting to assemble the devices for the interdimensional tunnel.

"Let's have a break," said Liam spotting the sheet music in Jenny's hands.

"Sounds an idea," said Jessica when she saw where Jenny was heading. "Is this something you've not played before?"

"I know the tune, but I've not played it."

"Then take it slowly," advised Jessica. "Do you want us to move next door so you to practice a bit."

Ashleigh saw the enquiring eyes of Becky and moved to her. Ashleigh said quietly, "She was a bit worried about not remembering her Mummy or Ryan. She said this piece was something that she remembered for both of them."

Becky sighed. "She never comes to me about anything like that. When I ask how she is, she says she is fine."

"I'm sure she is most of the time. I think it just sneaks up on her now and again. I'm sure it was just because I was there that she told me."

"It's okay," said Jenny, lifting the lid to expose the keys. "You lot carry on and let me play a little."

Becky moved back to the table where Evan, Liam and Jessica were, and they continued a muted discussion. Ashleigh continued to watch as Jenny looked over the music, and her fingers traced over the keys, as if she was getting an understanding of what she was going to play.

When Jenny started it was slow, and uncertain. However, Jenny soon gained confidence, and the tempo increased slightly. It was half-way through the third play that she suddenly stopped. Her hands paused over the keys for a second before she gave a small sob. She wiped away a few tears with the back of her hand before rushing out into the back garden.

"Give her a few minutes," said Evan. "Give her chance to process it."

Evan had worked with Becky long enough to know what that piece was, and its connection to Hilda and Ryan. Jessica was the only one in the room that didn't have that knowledge, but seeing what had happened, she had a very big clue.

"Are you okay?" Ashleigh asked Becky, gently rubbing her arm.

"I'm worried about Jenny."

"I know, but apart from that."

Becky thought for a few seconds, trying to work out how she did feel. "Yes. Surprisingly I am. It brought back memories, but good memories. Come on Ashleigh, let's go find her and make sure she's okay."

"Are you sure you want me with you?" whispered Ashleigh.

"Very. I'm sure you gave her the idea. You therefore have to be there."

Ashleigh laughed and together they went out, hand in hand.

Jenny was stood at the wall, her arms on it, looking at the river. The tide was coming in, and the water was funnelling the wrong way. Becky and Ashleigh stood next to her and waited for Jenny to talk when she was ready.

"You're not upset with me playing that, were you?" she asked eventually.

"Not at all," replied Becky. "It was what Mummy often played to Ryan. He loved it and he got all excited when she played it. It was their song. It made me remember happy times."

"I don't want to forget them."

"I don't want to forget them either," said Becky. "We haven't taken down pictures of them at home, have we?"

"No," said Jenny, putting her head against her Ma's arm. "But perhaps you need to put up some newer ones too. I don't want to forget, but I don't want to live in the past either. I think we should put up the one of us in front of the ship."

"Do I live in the past?"

Jenny thought for a moment. "Sometimes."

"I don't know how to let go," confessed Becky.

"Perhaps Mum can help?" At a confused response from her Ma, she continued, "I decided I should call Miss Thompson Mum. Mummy, Ma and Mum. I asked Miss Thompson if that was okay, and she said only if you were."

Becky gave a wry smile. "Mum it is then. You are becoming quite the schemer."

"I'm not scheming. I'm just helping you both."

"You're sort of scheming," said Ashleigh. "If it is deliberate, or natural, we shall see over time."

"Will you move in with us now?" blurted out Jenny.

"And there it is," responded Ashleigh. "I will move in when we are both ready. My not moving in isn't to do with you calling me Mum or not. It is to do with Ma and me being ready. Less than a hundred years ago, most couples didn't live together until they were married. Times have changed, but it is a serious thing."

"We love each other," said Becky. "But we aren't ready for that step. Though if you want to call Miss Thompson Mum, then you must treat her so. Agreed."

The huge grin was enough to light up the area, but she responded and said so too.

"Great, now that's sorted, let's get to work."

"Can I sit in on your discussion?" Jenny asked her Ma as they went back in.

"Sure, though you missed some of it. I'll catch you up when we get home later."

There wasn't anything they could do for the test until the parts came in, so the discussion moved back to the letter in Hytuna. Jessica went to the whiteboard and started to jot the translation down. Leaving the bits in the alien language they couldn't yet translate. She placed it in blocks based on the expected processes.

"Perhaps seeing it like this might help us fill the gaps," she said as she scribbled away.

When it was structured, it became clearer. "These areas they've used simple Hytuna to explain the concepts. However, in these two areas, the language is a lot more complex and not something we can understand."

"So, it looks like there is the structure of the tunnel. That's fine, we've got that. And this is the location to open. That's useful. But this, what is this?"

"The frequency? We call things in the electromagnetic spectrum specific names. We've been doing it all day. Radio waves, infrared, microwave. Also, the frequency would be in their octal. There are these numbers here. Could that be a frequency?"

Liam translated base 8 to base 10 and scribbled on the board next to it.

"That doesn't make sense," said Jessica.

"To us it doesn't," said Liam. "We measure the frequency based on the number of peaks the wave passes per second. What if they measure it differently."

"How?"

"I've no idea, but we are basing it on our concepts. Theirs might be different. Ah. Their measurement of time is different. We measure per second. But a second is just a fraction of Earth time. They measure intervals differently. And it might be numbers of waves per time, or they might measure say the amount of time per interval. The inverse of how we do it."

"What a pain," said Evan, his eyes glinting with excitement. He wasn't upset at all. It was raw science. It was what excited him about the whole project.

"I'm sure our time system must seem very strange to them. Twenty-four hours a day, sixty minutes in an hour and sixty seconds in a minute. We grew up with it, so it seems second nature, but I'm sure it doesn't convert well for the aliens."

"Do you know why our time is measured like that?" Becky asked her daughter.

"There's a reason?" asked Jenny.

"Ancient Egypt used base 12. Being close to the equator, they had twelve hours daylight and twelve hours night. Hence twenty-four hours a day."

"So where does sixty minutes come from?" asked Jenny, her curiosity peaked.

"The Sumerians. They used base 60. They actually had sixty different symbols for each number. They took the hours from the Ancient Egyptians and divided twice. Hence sixty minutes and sixty seconds. It was also used in the creation of angles. There are sixty arc minutes in a degree and six lots of sixty, or 360 degrees, in a circle.

"When they moved to base 10, why didn't they change time?"

"Look how America can't move their measurements from feet and inches. They are comfortable. Look how long it took the UK to move from miles to kilometres? Things like clocks and time are something across the whole planet. Imagine trying to change something like that. People don't like change."