Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

(follows on from Aurora)

---

Earth is the cradle of humanity, but one cannot remain in the cradle forever.
- Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, 1912.

Prelude

Out in the deepest depths of space, an alien race received communications by their secure comms unit, in an area where a race of beings lived on the third planet from the star. Something that should not have, had indeed happened just outside the planet's atmosphere, within the blink of an eye, their intelligence operative noticed a portal open then immediately close, a short while later it happened again.

In their guttural language on the alien's planet, they immediately conferred and decided to send a craft to try and find out what caused the portal to open and close and to see if it was still in the area.

That species was not supposed to have this type of technology for decades, so who or what managed to open a portal twice. If it was the inhabitants, how did they come across this technology so fast, they had been watching this little blue dot for decades, and the latest intelligence from their planetary assets did mention some little blips on their scanning equipment but was not sure, as it lasted milliseconds and so small it was hard to detect.

They had to find out if their enemies were encroaching on their own plans for that species and the planet. They didn't need that specific atmosphere for their species to live, but there were not many planets that also had oxygen and a large body of surface water, which was vital for their species to not only live but thrive.

The small blue dot was in their region of space, but could they get to it first before their enemies? They immediately despatched five of their own portal-based scout ships. One to make contact while the other four searched the solar system for signs of their enemy. They had to know one way or the other.

Part 1

"Yes?" mumbled Tim Harper sleepily as he answered his mobile. The number was withheld, which wasn't that unusual. A lot of his contacts didn't like their number to show.

"It's Tom", the voice identified himself. "Just thought you would like to know; the Prime Minister is back early.

"What?!" exclaimed Tim, suddenly very awake. Tom Harrison worked in the Downing Street press office and was one of Tim's old friends from university. The Prime Minister had been at Davos and wasn't due back for a few more days. "What happened? Why's she back early?"

"I know no more than that. I just got a phone call to tell me my holiday was cancelled and get into the office ASAP. When I got there, I saw Georgina Harries rushing into her office."

"Okay, thank for the tip. If you hear anything, let me know."

Tim Harper couldn't believe that he'd been caught on the hop. The Prime Minister's plane had touched down from Switzerland without anybody knowing she was flying back. He did a quick search on the wires, and internet, but nobody was talking about it. If it hadn't been Tom, he would now have been thinking it was a windup, but he knew that Tom was ultra-reliable.

"What's up?" Andrea, his wife asked sitting up in bed.

"I'm not sure yet," he responded. "Let me check something, but I might need to go into the office. Sorry for waking you."

"Let me make you a coffee."

Tim scratched his stubble in deep thought. Something was up, but what? He thought about ringing his boss, but he wanted more information. If the Prime Minister isn't in Davos, had anybody else left?

Ruby, their economics correspondent, answered her phone within two rings. "Hi," she answered. "Isn't a bit early for you?"

"A bit, but always good to talk to you," responded Tim. "How is the conference going?"

"Missing the Prime Minister?" she laughed back. "I know she's always doing sit downs with you. I'm hoping to get fifteen minutes with her before she leaves."

"So, nothing juicy for me?"

Tim made some small talk but didn't hang around for long. He wanted to get into the office. Something was up, and he wanted to make sure he got the story before Sky.

As he got himself shaved and ready for the day, Andrea appeared with a coffee in a travel mug.

"Oh perfect. Thank you." He kissed his wife and was soon out of the door.

Thirty minutes later he arrived at the office, all clean and ready for the day. Stubble might be a modern designer thing, but it was frowned upon by the owners. All presenters had to look the part. He'd spent the taxi journey calling contacts he knew would be awake, but everyone he spoke to talked as if the Prime Minister was still in Switzerland.

Even at five in the morning, the newsroom wasn't quiet. It wasn't as busy as it would get, but there was always a background hum. News didn't sleep just because most of the United Kingdom was in slumberland.

Tim didn't bother going to his desk but went straight to Robyn, the news editor.

"You're in early," she commented as he saddled up.

"The Prime Minister is back in Downing Street," he murmured. Robyn had been a political reporter when she was younger and instantly understood the gravity.

"Are you sure? I've not heard anything."

"A source I have in Downing Street saw her an hour ago. He is reliable, but I've had no confirmation from elsewhere. Ruby thinks she's still at the WEC, as do two MP's and a minister."

"Keep at it," Robyn urged. "We can't go live with this until we have confirmation and understand what it means. Just saying the Prime Minister snuck into the country isn't a story. If she is here, something is up, but what?"

Tim sloped of to his desk and booted up his computer. Time to check the wires to see if anything else stood out. He didn't get chance to finish booting up before he saw Larry stand up. "CNN has just announced that there been mass mobilisation of the American National Guard."

Tim continued his digging. Something was happening, but things were just individual events. Over the next hour, Russia and then China went on alert. Yet other indications didn't seem to indicate an issue. There were no press briefings of issues. In fact, the press offices in the major governments were a lot quieter than normal.

All the foreign correspondents were pressing their contacts for details, but they were coming up blank. Nobody was talking or didn't know what was happening. It was too late for any White House briefings, and their correspondent stated that there wasn't any more movement that normal. Yet there had been the National Guard mobilization.

It was early in Russia, and there were troops on the corners of their main streets, but there didn't appear to be any military planes flying which might have indicated war. In fact, there was a distinct lack of any military flights on the popular tracking apps. Were they all flying with transponders off or was it unusually quiet.

The ping of his phone distracted his trawl of the wires. He looked at it was Tom. "PM to make historic announcement from the dispatch box. Will be announced in fifteen minutes."

"How historic?"

"White House, Kremlin and major governments will be advising their media to cover it."

"Thanks for the heads-up. Any idea on the subject."

"No."

There was certainly something happening. He could sense that. There were too many things wrong. Little things, but when it was added up, it amounted to something major. Tom had used the word 'historic'. Perhaps a cure for cancer. Perhaps an historic peace agreement; after all, the three major powers appeared to be colluding. But why was the PM making the statement and not one of the superpowers?

Tim grabbed his phone and rushed to tell Robyn, the news editor.

* * *

Unusually for a late Wednesday morning, the Prime Minister was at the dispatch box for 11:30am. This was a time normally for regional or international development questions, but not today.

After morning prayers, the speaker took his position and rose. "Order. As a change to the order paper, we have an urgent statement by the Prime Minister. She has asked that questions wait until the end of the statement. Prime Minister."

The speaker took his seat, and the Prime Minister, Georgina Harries, rose her eyes flickered across the full house. She always wanted his life to have meaning. She'd always wanted to serve. She got a first at Cambridge and had a life planned out when she got the calling for negotiation. It wasn't until after the fateful transformation that she got into politics.

"Thank you, Mr Speaker. With your permission, I would like to update the house on some quite extraordinary events that took place yesterday. These events have the potential to have a significant impact on society. I'm going to split this statement into two parts. The first covers a simple statement about what occurred yesterday. The second part outlines the response."

The Prime Minister was dressed immaculately. Her hair had just the right amount of wave that it looked stylish, but still professional. She knew this speech wouldn't just be seen on UK television but in other countries. It would be a speech that would become one of the defining moments.

The chamber was normally a raucous, but if it was the grave nature of the Prime Ministers statement, or something else, the chamber was quiet.

"At 7pm UK time, while I was in conference with some other leaders at the World Economic Conference, two alien lifeforms projected their images and made an offer to us."

The stillness in the chamber was broken by several exclamations of incredulity, but before the speaker could chastise the house, it was again silent.

"Confirmation that this wasn't a hoax was made via a secure connection with the Space Station. They confirmed the existence of a spacecraft in orbit. It wasn't visible on any trackers. We were approached as our technology level means we could soon start to reach beyond our solar system. Humanity has been invited to join an alliance of worlds, but part of that stipulation is a unified representation covering the entire world. This has never been an issue as nations came to arrangements between each other and there were forums like the United Nations. If somebody had suggested a world government before this, I would have laughed. Yet now this is something that doesn't sound so ridiculous."

There was some muttering while the Prime Minister took a sip of water.

"It was reported this morning that some countries raised their defence levels. This was purely a cautionary measure, due to worry on how people might take this news. I have faith that after the initial shock, most people will understand that this is an opportunity. We are being recognized for our achievements."

"The UN Secretary-General was the first person to be told, as per plans in place. I was the representative asked to break the news to the public. This statement isn't just for parliament, nor just the people of the United Kingdom, but the world. There will be regional meetings of leaders across the world and in parliaments. If we are going to take up the invitation, we need to work out a way to unite. We are one species. We have more in common now that we've ever had.

"There will be some people who will think we should shoot first and kill any aliens we find. This has often been the history of humans. Kill those that are different. Protect from any perceived risk. Our history is full of this. Kill those who are from the wrong country, the wrong faith, the wrong skin colour, or even the wrong sexuality.

"Our recent history is full of television shows and films with lifeforms from other planets. Could it be like Star Trek, where it brings prosperity and good? Or could it be like Independence Day, where we send a welcome wagon, and they are blown out of the sky? Perhaps it could be like Babylon 5, where a sign of respect could be misinterpreted and cause a war? Just remember, those examples are fiction. This contact is real life.

"We should be cautious. They have technology that is way beyond what we have. There are two main questions. Are they benevolent? If so, would joining this pack help humanity, or would it rush us too fast and cause us more trouble. There will be some who think we should have nothing to do with aliens and put Earth first, or their country first.

"This is a topic I never thought I'd be discussing, and the ramifications are huge. We can't put the genie back in the bottle. We now know we aren't alone. There is no denying this. No matter what happens from now on, we know that our world is no longer the centre of the universe. This will change who we are, and what we feel about life. We have a choice. Do we stay on our own, with our internal bickering and strife, or do we look out and seize this opportunity to reach for the stars?"

The prime minster sat, and the speaker immediately indicated the leader of the opposition, Paul Smythe.

"I thank the Prime Minister for the prior copy of her statement. As she stated at the beginning of her statement, this wasn't something I thought would ever be discussed in this place. I feel much more information is needed before a true discussion can take place. So, I will keep my remarks short. I will leave aside if this is a good for the UK or the world.

"Mr Speaker, is this something that is truly possible? We left the European Union, so this place was again supreme for making our laws. The SNP still want Scotland to leave the United Kingdom and there are factions in Wales that want to leave too. Those desires for separation are just what's happening here and is quite civil. There are struggles around the world where areas want to have more autonomy and more regional power. This proposition is for a world government, which seems to be the opposite of what some countries desire. I beg that time is given to fully understand the ramifications before any decisions are made."

As Paul sat, Justin Petterson, the government chief whip, stood. "A point of order, Mr Speaker. I beg to move that this House do now sit in private."

"Order. Order," bellowed the speaker over the uproar of the house. As they quietened down, he continued. "Order. The question is that this House sit in private. As many of that opinion say aye."

There was a cry of "aye" from the government benches, as they followed the instruction they'd been handed before coming into the chamber.

"The contrary no."

A large cry of "no" rang out.

"Division! Clear the lobbies!"

The division bell rang across the parliamentary estate, but it signalled to nobody. There wasn't an MP that wasn't in the main chamber.

"This is extremely rare," said the commentator on parliamentary television. "The house hasn't sat in private since 2001 and prior to that it was 1958. If this passes, there will be no broadcast coverage of what they debate, and nothing reported in Hansard."

Tim closed the app he was watching on. He could have watched it on any channel; they were all covering the speech. His phone pinged. He glanced at it and saw it was an old friend from school wanting to meet up. He responded that he couldn't at the moment, too busy. He wanted to arrange an interview with the Prime Minister.

* * *

"Hey David, it's been some day today," said Tim Harper, joining David at one of the tables in the small corner café. It took Tim a few minutes to spot David. It wasn't a big café, but David wasn't looking like Tim remembered, and that was only a year previously. David waving helped.

Tim had received a message for a meeting. At first, he'd said he was too busy. When David had said it was relevant to today's announcement, he decided to accept. He knew some of what David did, and when they'd talked once previously, David had provided some astounding but highly accurate information. The type of information that nobody should have, but that when followed up unlocked the type of story you got awards for.

"You think it's crazy now. It's going to get a whole lot crazier."

"Really?"

"Really. I have a favour to ask. I'd do it myself, but I don't have the contacts you do."

"Oh, you have contacts, just different ones. You've never asked for anything before, so what favour do you need?"

"When you get to interview the PM, I'd like you to ask her a question. What race were the aliens?"

David took out a slip of paper and handed it to his old school friend. On it were two words. Tim didn't deny that there were discussions between his editor and the PM's office to try and get an interview. He took the paper that David had offered him and glanced at two words.

"What's this?"

"Those are the two prominent alien races."

"I don't have time for jokes. "

"This isn't a joke. This is deadly serious. Also, if the name matches, the PM might open up more to you."

"If she gets an interview arranged. I need a bit more than something from an old school friend. How did you know about this?"

"You can't use me as a source. If my name gets out, I won't be able to continue to do my job."

David half expected a query about what he did do, but a muted nod was the only response. Tim folded the paper and placed into his coat pocket before saying, "I came across the code you said to look out for on the wires. I wouldn't do anything to stop the work you do. Was Turkey you?"

"Not me personally, but I know who it was. Totally messed them up for a while, but I saw them briefly a few months ago and they were recovering well. One other titbit. When the PM said that we were about to reach out of the solar system, that is what caused this reveal. A test of a new spaceship happened. If she asks, you can tell him that."

David continued, "Now something for you. Be careful with this though. I presume your science correspondent is going to be overwhelmed but ask them about the space station Pudsey Bear incident and the NASA investigation."

"That was just a stunt, wasn't it?"

"I thought you were a better journalist than that," said David sadly. "There were two other things, but if you start digging into that, you might get some very unwanted attention. And I don't want you or Andrea to get into trouble."

"But that's my job."

David paused and then said, "Find out what I gave you, I'll then give you some inside scoop. Your editor is going to want more than I can give you though."

* * *

"Hi Storm, how're you doing?" asked Tim to the science correspondent.

"What do you think!" she retorted. "Every news report wants me on explaining the science of how aliens could get here, and how they used holograms. Please don't ask me something else I can't help with!"

"You have contacts at NASA, don't you?"

"Oh sure, but they don't have a clue what's going on either."

"Go back to November. The teddy bear on the space station. Did Huston find out who smuggled it?"

"It was just a stunt," said Storm.

Tim just shook his head.

A conversation like this, she knew he was giving her a major tip. Tim never joked around with things like that. She grabbed her phone and scrolled through her extensive list of contacts. She checked the current time and mentally subtracted six hours before ringing.

"Jim, it's Storm Daniels. Yes, I know the time, but I wanted to talk to you before you got to the office. I wanted to talk privately."

"I don't know anything about aliens."

"It isn't that. Just a quick question. Are NASA going to fire the astronaut who smuggled that bear onboard the space station."

He sighed and eventually said, "No."

"Why not? Isn't that the NASA policy?"

"That's the policy."

"Was the bear authorised?"

"No."

"Then you aren't making sense."

Jim sighed and said softly, "Look, you didn't hear this from me. There was an investigation. No astronaut admitted their involvement. NASA reviewed the last six months videos of everything that was sent. It wasn't there."

"So how did it get there?"

"Nobody knows."

"Has that ever happened before?" asked Storm in shock. What got sent into space was tightly controlled. They didn't want anything that could cause a fire, cause some allergic reaction or disintegrate and have bits all around them.

Another pause. "No, not before."

That evasive answer sparked alarm bells in Storm's head. "Since?

"Look, I'd get fired. Make a request on the health of Randy Rowlins."

Jim hung up before Storm could ask something else. She turned to Tim. "What the f–?"

"I have a contact who implied the bear was not a stunt. Somehow it got to space, and nobody knows how. Don't ask anybody about Randy but do some digging. Was he supposed to do any events, but they got rescheduled etc?"

His editor, Robyn, came rushing across. "Tim, I've just had the call. They are asking for you in person to do a one-on-one interview. They want it to go out live."

"I'll get Aaron on it," said Storm the smirked. "Go talk with your friend."

Tim ignored Storm's friend comment. Tim interviewed lots of politicians, but for some reason the Prime Minister seemed to favour Tim for interviews than any other journalist. He didn't know why, and he didn't really want to ask the PM. That would just be awkward.

"Why live?" Tim asked Robyn, as they made their way back to her desk.

"She feels that it is such an important topic and doesn't want any of it edited."

* * *

The Prime Minister, ever wanting the backdrop to be relevant decided that they would give an interview to Tim Harper at the old Royal Observatory at Greenwich. January wasn't a time to be sat outside, so it was staged with one of the eighteenth-century telescopes behind them.

All that people would see on the screen were Tim and the Prime Minister talking. In reality, there was an entourage on both sides. For Tim there was sound, makeup, lighting, camera people, let alone the producer who organised everything. This would be a nice cosy discussion, with twenty close observers and a few million watching live.

After Tim made his opening remarks, recapping today's announcement, he moved onto the actual conversation.

"Prime Minister, there are two parts to the announcement you made. You talked a bit about the encounter, and then you talked a bit about proposals. I have some simple fill in the gap questions, before some more detailed ones. It feels wrong to call them The Aliens. Like saying, that black guy, or that white woman. Do the alien race have a name?"

"Yes, they call themselves the Reginaddes. It seems they are part of a larger community of different aliens."

Tim paused for a second. That was one of the two names on David's list. Now he was really glad that he'd gone for a coffee. What else did David know and how?

"And why did they make contact now? In your speech you mentioned about us going beyond our solar system. I didn't think we'd sent people much beyond The Moon with some ambition to get to Mars. Sure, we've sent satellites all across the solar system and two have left that, but they are centuries from going to another star system."

"The Human race is full of ingenuity. Look how much we've grown over the last century. The rate of progress keeps growing. We should be proud that we've got to a position that they think we can take part in something like that. We've always thought about ourselves as the country we lived in, or the religion we believed in. Now we can think what a great species we are. We have reached a level where other species have noted us and are interested enough to make contact."

"I went for a walk earlier, and it is all that people are talking about. I didn't see any mass hysteria. Are the countries that sent troops on the street overly paranoid?"

"They did what felt right for them. A lot of countries have discovered it hasn't led to mass riots or panic. There have been a few emergency calls where people thought aliens had landed in the back gardens, but mostly the British have been very British. We keep calm and carry on. I'm sure there are people nervous out there. I'm nervous myself. It is something new. It's something different. It's the unknown."

The prime minister paused for a moment, and Tim let her gather her thoughts. She continued, "But the only difference is our knowledge. We aren't alone. We never were, but we just didn't know it. We now do. The situation hasn't changed, just what we know. There aren't alien spaceships floating around the planet. They stated they would leave us alone to make our decision."

"Have they been here before?"

She gave a small shrug, "They probably have. They know our languages. They have made an assessment on our progress. They couldn't have done that without visiting Earth before."

"These aliens, the Reginaddes, introduced themselves and invited us to join their club. Just like that?"

"Just like that. Rather a surprise to everyone in that room."

"I bet. And the only stipulation to us joining their club is having a world government? What if we don't join? Do they ban us from exploring the galaxy?"

"No. There were no threats. They have technology far superior to ours. Perhaps they've got past the need for war. At the moment we know little about them. What we do know is that we aren't alone. We can't continue to fight over limited resources. There are more opportunities for metals and minerals in our solar system. When the great explorations like Marco Polo, Christopher Columbus and James Cook set sail to discover new lands they brought discoveries we had no idea about."

"Isn't that a bit simplistic?" challenged Tim.

The PM smirked a bit. "Not really. There have already been probes looking at the makeup of asteroids. And we now know it is possible to travel between the stars. Think of how this will encourage science and research. We know something is possible, just not how. Instead of wondering if something is possible, they just need to work out what to do."

"You mentioned about a world government. What form is this going to be in and do you think it is feasible?"

"There was no request on the form it should take, just that there was a single rule for the planet. It would be Earth that got admitted, not individual countries. It's less than twenty-four hours since we met them. If the public accept a world government, the format will need to be agreed. So, let's not get ahead of ourselves looking at specifics. At the moment it is coming to terms with our new reality."

Tim decided to play devil's advocate. "There are some out there that are saying we should just stay on Earth. Put Earth first and not expand. Space travel is a waste of money and resources."

"We could do that, but as I said, there is finite resources on Earth. I'm not talking about going to Mars and setting up a big drilling operation there. I'm talking about asteroids. A new frontier. I mentioned names earlier like Columbus, the explorers of our history books. This will be the time for new explorers and new hope. We aren't alone, but it doesn't mean we have to cower."

"The Moon Treaty of 1979 has only 18 signatures and even one country that withdrew. Even the UK never signed it. Is that a good starting position?"

"I'm sure, just like you, there have been a lot of reading on the status of space law. For a lot of countries, it was never relevant. Yet back in 1967 the Outer Space Treaty was warmly received and is signed by over a hundred countries. That is the more fundamental principles that bind us together. That and the treaty on mutual rescue. We are one species. Gender, Religion, Sexuality, Race, Creed. They shouldn't matter."

Tim couldn't agree more. Where he'd gone to school those were the type of virtues that were instilled in them. But he was a journalist, and he couldn't let his personal judgement cloud his job. Well not too much.

"That's a nice sentiment–" started Tim.

The prime minister didn't let him go further than that. "No, that isn't a sentiment. That is how I feel. I'm sure there are people out there that don't feel that, but I can only express my personal feelings. It is my job to lead, not to tell others how to live their lives or how they should feel."

"One final question. Does a world government mean a world currency and a single language? "

"I'm not going to be drawn on the technicalities. As I stated earlier, this is something that isn't even been discussed yet. I'm not wanting to pre-empt those types of discussions."

"You mentioned this morning in your speech to parliament that you wanted the population to have their say. If they don't know what is being suggested, or the options, how can they make an informed choice? "

"And informed they will be. This process has only just begun. I've spent this afternoon talking with other world leaders, just has the other people that was in that room. This isn't something that has been planned for. But it does have our full attention. I challenge the viewers to start to think where they want our species to be, not just on this planet, but beyond."

"Thank you, Prime Minister," said Tim, wrapping up the interview. "Today has been a momentous day which Holly Preston is going to discuss with her guests."

The red, 'live' light winked out. When the sound equipment has been disconnected, Tim offered his hand. "Thank you for giving us your time."

They shook hands. "Tim, please walk with me."

"Certainly," he responded, glancing across at his producer. He just nodded.

They went down the corridor and when they were out of earshot, the Prime Minister said, "You didn't seem surprised with the name of the aliens."

"I obviously didn't spend enough time playing poker while at uni. No wonder why Tom always took my money," responded Tim, taking the slip of paper from his pocket and handed it to the PM.

"What's the other name on here?" she asked after glancing at it.

"I was told those were to two prominent aliens in this region. Even though my source is top notch, I thought this was a bit unlikely. You proved me wrong."

"That's one heck of a source," the Prime Minister agreed, handing the paper back. "Anything else this source can share."

"They said that a new type of spaceship was tested. I've no idea who tested it, or where it was tested or how it is different from any other spacecraft. Anyway, they think this test is why you were approached."

"Two alien species. Did your contact say anything else about them?"

"No. Just it was important to know which one you met."

"That makes it sound like one is better than the other. This concerns me. I'm itching to know more about your contact, but I've learnt that sometimes it isn't a good idea to know where some information comes from. You have Tom's number if your contact thinks there's something I need to know."

"You want me as a conduit?"

"If you want to put it like that; yes. We don't want to make a bad mistake in this. To be honest, we are very much out of our depth. They seem to know about us, but nobody I or any of the heads of government I've talked to have any idea about aliens. All those rumours about area 51 and Roswell seem to now show to be just that; rumours."

"Okay, if I find out more, I'll contact you via Tom. In the meantime, may I suggest you keep that second name to yourself for now."

"Yes, it's always good to have a few cards up our sleeves. This, I think, is our first."

Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 2

---

Part 2

"Is barn three still empty?" asked Tina over the phone.

"Yes. Why?"

"Can I store something big in it for a bit?"

"Of course," Emma said without hesitation. There was no question about what it was.

"Thank you. I'll see you soon."

As Tina made her call, the ship was loaded with spare parts and vital equipment. Once she finished, she helped with the loading. The area was deserted except for the activity around the ship.

"You're getting your ride in Aurora without your ma," said Tina to Jenny.

"She will be okay, won't she?"

"She better be. I should have gone with them, to protect them."

Jessica laughed, "You don't go with someone while they're on a date."

Evan and Henry had composed themselves but were not entirely focused on their duties. Liam was assigned a seat and instructed to ensure everything was prepared. That stopped his panic. Sam, Jessica, James, Tina, and Jenny were fully engaged in their tasks.

"What about the guards?" asked Sam, as they shut the ships door.

"I sent them off as soon as you got here," said Tina. "It was pointless them hanging around with armed mercenaries on the way. Their job was to stop casual intruders, not determined teams. The automatic building security will cause them some issues. If they get too far into the building, then there is a failsafe."

"Tina, do you have the coordinates?" asked James.

"I have what I hope are what we need. If I'm a bit out, we're going to materialise within the frame of a barn. Any idea what would happen?"

"It should push it out, " said Evan. "But that is theory, we've never tried it."

Tina's phone pinged. The message read, 'Ten minutes'.

"Everybody, please switch off their phones and watches. They must stay off where we are going. We don't want to be tracked."

When everybody had complied, she said, "Let's go."

Tina fed in the coordinates. James raised the Perspex cover and pressed the indented button underneath. The ship disappeared from within the underground ship factory and reappeared elsewhere. The screen in front went from a wall five meters away, to blackness.

"I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore," quipped Sam.

James flicked on the external lights and whistled. "That looks close. Let's hope the barn was clear."

"Open up," requested Tina. "I'll go say hi and then come back for you. Keep the ship shut just in case you must leave without me. It's a ten-minute walk to the farmhouse, so I'll not be back quickly."

She grabbed one of the walkie-talkies and gave the other to James. A cold winter evening in rural Wales wasn't the place to hang about outside, so Tina rushed down the path. At least there was a moon, or finding the way would have been difficult without a torch. Without her phone, she couldn't use the torch facility.

As per previous instructions, she slipped through the back door and into the house. There was no need to ring the front doorbell. If the house was locked, she had a key.

"Hey hey," called out Tina.

There was a clatter of footsteps and Paula appeared. "Blimey Tina, you look a bit windswept. I didn't hear the gate. Did Emma let you in?"

"No, I didn't come by car. I have a few people who might need a place to stay for a few days. They're still up in your barn. Is it okay to bring them down?"

"Sure. Two questions. One, how did you get here and two, how many?"

"Four single men, Sam and Jessica, a seven-year-old girl and me."

"And my first question?" asked Paula, as Emma came into the room with their adoptive son Jay.

Tina sighed. "We came by spaceship. We'll tell you about it later."

"It's a good job someone paid to put in a few holiday homes for us. Strange how that happened. Let me grab a few torches. Do you need night clothes?"

"Please."

"Jay, can you grab night kits for four men, three women and see what you can find for a seven-year-old girl."

"Yes mum. Do you want me to meet you at the cottages with the keys too?"

"Sounds good. We'll be at least twenty minutes, probably a bit longer."

Tina thought they probably thought she was being sarcastic when she said she'd come via spaceship. Either that or they'd heard so many tales at Christmas gatherings that they didn't get phased. Since they were accompanying her to the barn, they would soon find out the reason.

"It's me," called out Tina into the handheld radio as they approached.

"I thought you were teasing," said Paula in awe at the sight of Aurora. Emma just gawped.

"Sam!" called out Emma when the ship doors opened, and she saw her old school friend at the entrance.

"Are you okay with us staying a few days?" asked Sam.

"Of course. Come on out and we'll show you where you're staying."

"Leave your tech in Aurora," instructed Tina. "That way they can't be turned on by accident."

When everybody was out, Liam secured the ship.

"Where's your mummy?" Emma asked Jenny.

"Her ma is with my sister," quickly said Tina before Jenny could retort that her mother was dead. In a hushed voice she whispered, "Her mummy was Hilda."

"Oh," said Emma, now fully understanding the foot-in-mouth situation she'd almost got into. "Let's get down to where you'll stay. You can then tell me how you managed to put a spaceship in our barn without damaging the roof!"

"It's magic," said Jessica.

"No, it isn't," protested Jenny. "It's science."

"Oh, and one bit of good news for you Jenny. You'll have additional people to practice your French with."

"I think it's only Evan, Liam and Henry that can't speak French," said Jessica.

"Can we use Aurora to go and get Ma and Miss Thompson?" asked Jenny.

"We don't know where they are. Your ma has a predefined rendezvous to meet up with assistance. You shouldn't worry. She also has my sister helping."

"Miss Thompson doesn't have training like you," responded Jenny, not taking Tina's reassurance for granted.

"I'm worried about my sister too," said Tina. "But they were after the ship tech. They probably didn't know where your ma and my sister were."

"This is the farmhouse," introduced Paula. "You're all welcome to come and go there. Just stay on the ground floor. We have some holiday homes where you will be staying."

They continued for another few minutes, and there they were. A group of four small buildings. "Each have three bedrooms, a small kitchenette and lounge. They are all linked via rear passages to a shared entertainment area behind them. There are settees, books etc. People on holiday can relax on their own or relax with others."

Jay was waiting for them when they got to the first building. Silently he handed out the bags until he got to Tina. "I missed you this Christmas, Mrs Poop."

"It wasn't the same, not being here. But sometimes it isn't possible. Oh, and Jay, please don't tell your friends from school that we're here."

"Of course not," he said indignantly. "I'll also stay away from the barn."

Jenny was looking in the bag she'd been given and then glanced up at Jay and gave a small. "Thank you."

It was decided that Evan, Liam and Henry would share one chalet. Sam and Jessica would take one of the rooms in the second along with James. Tina took the third with Jenny.

"Are you guarding me?" she asked Tina as they went into their holiday home.

"A little. But more of an aunt for now. You are too young to be on your own.

"You've been here before?"

"A few times," smiled Tina. "Let's sit on the settee for a few minutes and I'll tell you a bit more about things."

When they were seated, Tina continued. "You know I'm an investigator, right?"

"Right."

"Well sometimes we can't be home for the holidays. Just like this year, Luke was away."

"Okay."

"Well, those of us that are on our own normally gather here. Emma and Paula are farmers. This is their farm. They were in the same year as David and Helen at Hayfield. Only a few train as investigators and the other pupils aren't told about it. They know some do additional things, but not what or why. Anyway, because something happened while they were in their first year, all the pupils in David and Helen's year found out what they did. Emma and Paula decided that if they ever got a farm, they would allow Investigators there to hide if needed. It gradually became more."

"And we're in hiding now? What happened to the factory?"

"I'll find out later what happened to it. But yes, we are hiding. This is the first jump the ship has done since the first test. I think Evan will insist it is checked out. Make sure that the fix they did worked."

"What'll we do for clothing?"

"They have some stashed for emergencies, but I've no idea if they will have anything your size. We'll work that out tomorrow. In the meantime, I want to show you something. Come on, leave your night things there."

Tina guided Jenny through a door at the back of the room. It was a passageway. They walked a short distance. The other chalets connected to it, and they proceeded through the door at the end.

Jenny gasped. "That's a huge piano."

"You can use it," said Tina. "Why don't you go try it out."

The shiny black grand piano was totally different from the old battered upright that she normally practiced on in the pub, or the slightly newer one that Becky had installed in their house. The lid was up, and after peering inside tentatively pressed a few keys to see how it sounded. Convinced that even though it was bigger than her normal piano, it was still a piano. She sat down on the piano bench and started to play.

While she did, Tina went to the bookcase on the left-hand wall. It would be out of Tina's sight. She removed a few books from the third shelf and pressed a hidden switch. It swung out revealing a secure door. After entering the access code, it opened. The shelves were covered with instruments. Another security keypad was on the far wall which Tina started to put in the code but had second thoughts and turned away. She took three instruments from the room and closed it all behind her. The books she'd removed put safely back on the shelf.

"This is my spare clarinet," explained Tina as she went to Jenny who was still trying out the piano.

"Did you enjoy going to Hayfield?" enquired Jenny, stopping playing.

"Yes. At first it was hard. I was away from everything I knew. But it was somewhere that gave me the freedom to learn and grow. At some schools they pick on people who are good at learning. At Hayfield you are expected to learn. It is respected and cherished."

"It sounds perfect."

"It's far from that," said Tina seriously. "You are away from family. You don't go home in the school holidays. You wouldn't see your ma while you were there."

"No Ma at all? "

"You can write or email. They don't know where the school is, so can't visit. It is like a bubble. You learn there, not just academic things but about yourself, life, how to look out for others. The first thing is learning how to learn and how to take personal responsibility."

"Before Christmas, I was told I was being selfish about Hayfield. Do you think that?"

"It depends. If you demanded to go, because your mother used to work there, then I would agree. However, if you take the test, and you pass the interview then you have earned the place and aren't being selfish. You haven't stolen someone else's place, but they deem you a good fit and that the school will help you."

"You have a lot to learn before you even think about that," added Tina.

"Learning the piano?"

Tina laughed. "No. Courtesy and respect. You already have the respect down, and you are learning about courtesy. You are learning about social norms. For instance, you ask how people are. When you are a bit older, you will be able to offer them a drink when they visit. Here is something you can do to help. There is a bigger dynamic of people in a stressful situation. Why don't you watch and observe them. You'll then see how that is different to normal."

"You don't seem stressed."

"I'm a lot less stressed than a few hours ago. The difference was I didn't panic. Panic blinds you and stops you working efficiently. Actually, you didn't seem to panic. Why not?"

"Mummy taught me that panicking didn't change the problem. She said I was to use my energy to work on a solution, rather than worrying about what I couldn't change."

Tina smiled. "She might have told you that but doing it in practice is something else. Well done."

There discussions were interrupted by James, the ex-RAF and ex-ESA employee, coming into the room. "Wow, look at this."

He walked further into the large open room and slowly looked around. "I bet the view out of that large window is fantastic. It looks so stylish yet relaxing. Like it would be used by people who live the good life. Yet I bet you are so far from London that you wouldn't get that many out here."

Tina shrugged. "It surprisingly has very good internet and phone signal. In summer, it is a place the jet-set like to use to get away and commune with nature. It's winter – not much call for that then."

"Did you go to a military school?"

Tina laughed. "No. It was a music school. Why?"

"I know that you, Sam and Jessica went to the same school. I expected Sam to be good under an attack, but you and Jessica didn't panic. Henry, Liam and Evan reacted more like I expected."

"Jenny, why don't you get the others?" suggested Tina. "We need to plan."

Jenny disappeared.

"Do you play an instrument?" Tina asked James.

"Many years ago, I played the trombone."

"Nice. Were you good?"

"It wasn't something I'd have managed to do for a career. I enjoyed it. I was more a jazz trombonist than classical or big band. You said you went to a music school. How good were they?"

"We played concerts around the world, though mostly in Europe. I remember when I was in year three and we played in Strasbourg. Most of the top EU officials came to that concert. When we played in Bangkok, the king was in the audience."

"Okay," James drew out slowly. This wasn't what he'd expected to hear.

"The school was also very academic. I completed my A-Levels when I was sixteen. I finished my first degree by eighteen."

"Yet you are a part time teaching assistant and hanging around your sister in a frankly secret science project. Am I missing something?"

Before Tina could respond, Evan, Liam and Henry entered and gazed in amazement.

"I thought our rooms were plush, but this. Wow."

"Wait until you see the view," said Tina.

Sam and Jessica were followed the scientists in. Tina indicated the instruments to them, and they beamed.

"Where's Jenny?" asked Tina, putting her clarinet back on the sideboard next to Sam and Jessica's. She knew she wasn't going to get to play it yet.

"She told us to come up here," said Liam. She then shot off.

"She can't have got far, " said Jessica. "We're in the middle of nowhere."

Before anybody could react, Emma and Paula came in. Jenny in tow. Jay wasn't with them.

"You are so unfit," grouched Emma to Jenny.

Tina laughed. "Have her help you with the sheep. A few days of that will help."

"You have sheep here?" asked Jenny. "My friend at school has cows."

"Did you know that sheep have shorter front legs?" said James. "It's so they can walk up the hills easier."

After a few seconds, Jenny said, "Are you teasing? Because they'd fall over coming down.

"Yes, I was teasing. I should have known you wouldn't fall for it."

That lightened the mood a bit, and then all took seats.

"Okay, some practicalities," said Emma. "By the looks of it, you left wherever you were in a hurry. We've provided things for tonight. Does anybody have clothes with them, apart from what you are wearing?"

Everybody shook their heads. Emma took out a small book and passed it to Liam, who was closest. "Put your name, and size. I'll see what I can do. It'll be underwear, socks, jeans, t-shirts and pullovers. All very generic. It's surprising what guests need. The groups that come up from London sometimes don't pack very sensibly for the raw countryside. They want to get away, but don't have appropriate clothes."

The little book got passed from person to person and ended up back with Emma.

"Our first booking isn't until June, so there is no rush if you need to be here that long. If you're still here by March, we can cancel them if you need longer."

A few mouths opened in surprised, though that wasn't any of the ex-Hayfield students. If someone was in need, they always took precedence.

"I hope we're not in your way that long," said Evan. "Tina?"

"I haven't called anybody yet. I was waiting for the situation to become clear. I think it all boils down to today's announcement."

There was no need to say more. The Prime Ministers commons speech and the interview later with Tim Harper was all that was being talked about.

"The PM said the aliens had made contact because we might soon leave the solar system," said Paula. "Is this your ship that caused this?"

"Probably," said Evan. "I'm not aware of another spaceship capable of that."

"Why did you bail?"

"I got a call that a team of mercenaries were on the way. The best way to get out was to take the ship. It protected the personnel and stop the ship falling into the wrong hands. The ship can be rebuilt. Life can't be."

"Anything else?" asked Emma.

"We have three people that will be trying to find us but can't."

"Three?"

"Becky, Ashleigh and Luke."

"Luke?" asked James, puzzled.

"Her husband," filled in Sam. "He's been away and was due back tomorrow."

Paula dug into her bag and pulled out a phone. "When we moved here, David left me this. He said to save it for an emergency. He said would be untraceable for ten minutes. How, I don't know."

"Yeah. If he said it's untraceable, then it will be. Okay. Let me make two calls."

Tina moved away from everybody else and made the first. "Emergency connection to Bravo Bravo Niner."

Nothing more was said at the other end before she heard a, "Hello?"

"It's me. We bugged out. Can you tell me anything else?"

"They made a mess, but whoever installed the defences did a top job. When they attacked a comms blanket came down, and they were deaf to the outside world. They didn't manage to penetrate more than the ground floor. It isn't safe to go back until the bodies have been removed."

The phone started beeping. Tina had a glance at the screen. It showed 'Backtrack in progress. Step 1 of 30'.

"Are you tracing me?" asked Tina.

"No. You know I wouldn't."

"Someone is. I've not long. Can you contact my other half, inform him of the situation."

"Will do. The two that weren't there, are in the wind. No sign. They followed protocol and have disappeared."

"Thanks. Don't search, just in case. I'll contact you again when I can."

"Good luck."

Tina hung up. The tracking had got no further than 'Step 3 of 30'. She wanted to make connection with Luke, but if that emergency connection was being tracked, she didn't want to take the risk. She removed the phone battery. When Tina got back to the group, Paula handed her a signal blocking box, which Tina placed it all into.

"You really have stocked up with essentials, haven't you?" murmured Tina to Paula.

"And?" asked Henry.

"The assault of the factory wasn't successful, but apparently it is a mess. We can't go back there until it is cleared. Someone tried to trace that call. I don't know who or why."

"A mess?"

"The team that built the structure of the building added a level of security. The stairwells have shutters to stop easy migration to other floors. The one to the basement is shielded the most. That barrier would have taken them hours to get through. There were also some armaments and electronic defence."

"So can we go back?" asked Jenny hopefully.

"As I said, not until it's cleared. I'm sure an investigation team is already on the way to check on the bodies before the police get called."

"Dead bodies?" croaked Jenny. "Like mummy and Ryan?"

Jenny was suddenly surrounded by the three scientists and Tina. Evan had lifted her onto his knee, and Tina was knelt in front."

"No," said Liam. "Not like Ryan and not like mummy. Ryan and mummy were good people. The people that were coming today wanted to take. They had guns, not to defend themselves, but to hurt us all.

"But they shouldn't die. Just because they were doing bad things."

"It's one of those things, Jenny. People die. They die when they get too old for their body. They die from disease or illness. People die due to accidents. They die in wars. You can't stop everybody dying. If nobody died, the planet would be full of people, and not enough food to feed them."

"But we're not doing anything to help that, " said Jenny. "We've built a spaceship. Why didn't we do something to stop people dying?"

"It will," said James from across the room. "Some people go to war because they're egotistical. They want more people under them. They feel they have a right to something. However, for most of history, it has been about getting access to limited resources. They need more land for food or want access to minerals that they don't have. This spaceship will introduce energy for people, giving heat and light to people who don't have that. It will also introduce new areas for people to get minerals, such as asteroids. They don't need to squabble over land anymore."

"Thank you," muttered Jenny, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.

"You are all quite something," said James in wonder. "Jenny had an issue, and you all rally around. Such a display of unconditional love."

Tina looked across at him. He looked uncomfortable and she wondered if he wasn't used to this type of support.

"Are you okay now?" Tina asked Jenny.

Jenny nodded and got off Evan's knee. "Thank you all."

She then tottered across to James. "And thank you for explaining how we're doing good."

James was surprised when she led him towards the main group. "Please don't sit away from everyone else."

"But I'm just the pilot."

"You were just the pilot," said Henry. "Now it looks like you are part of this team."

"So, what now?" asked Jessica.

All but James looked at Tina.

"Why me?" complained Tina.

"You're the investigator," said Paula. "Why are you reluctant?"

"I'm supposed to be recovering from Turkey," said Tina quietly. She was sat next to Paula, so only she heard.

Paula understood the reference, as the abuse scandal had been all over the news. She leaned across and gave Tina a hug. "I'd have shot them."

"Okay," said Tina, looking around. "This is going to be quick as Jenny needs to get to bed. I'm sure Emma and Paula will want to get back to Jay. And as my sister reminds me, 'Rest is a weapon'. So, nothing else is going to happen tonight. Tomorrow, after breakfast, can Henry and Sam check out the ship. Make sure the fix held, and our move here didn't cause any issues. If we need to move again, I don't want to wait. Everybody else, relax and if you want to help with the farm, I'm sure your help will be welcome. Any questions?"

There wasn't, so Tina and Jenny walked back through the corridor to their cottage.

"It's really helpful that when it splits there is a sign for which passage goes to which cottage," said Jenny.

"Yes, or we might go to the wrong one," agreed Tina. "It could be really embarrassing if we wander into the wrong bedroom."

Tina was hoping for a giggle, but Jenny just nodded solemnly.

"Okay, grab your night pack, and let's find you a bedroom."

They went upstairs. There were five doors. "Those are the three bedrooms. The other two link to the neighbouring cottages in case of a fire. Which bedroom do you want?"

"Where's the bathroom?"

"Each room has its own."

Jenny looked in each room. They were basically the same. "Can I have the middle one?"

"Sure."

"Which one are you taking?"

"The one closest to the stairs. I'll leave you to get ready. Shall I come back in say ten minutes?"

"Thanks."

While Tina waited for Jenny, she went downstairs and put on the television. Emma or Paula must have enabled the security menu, as it was there when Tina looked. She was able to see the area in front of the cottages, and the main drive from the road.

She wanted to go back to the entertainment room and play on her clarinet for a bit, but she put that thought out of her mind. The others might hang about together for a bit, but Jenny needed someone to be with her. She'd lost Becky and Ashleigh. None of them were part of her instructions. She was there to keep an eye on things. There had been no indication of trouble but when the warning came, they had very little time to get out.

After she'd made sure that Jenny was settled for the night, she grabbed a blanket from the top of the wardrobe and took it downstairs. She wanted to be close to the front door. If someone wanted to grab Jenny, they would have to get past her.

Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 3

---

Part 3

Their phones had been off while watching the film. As the titles rolled, Becky and Ashleigh turned on their phones, just like most of the audience. The ping of messages being received echoed through the auditorium.

"That was fantastic," said Becky. "Thanks for this."

"My pleasure," said Ashleigh, leaning across and giving Becky a chaste kiss. "You got the last film. It was only fair."

Becky swore when she read her message. Ashleigh had just started reading hers and she swore too.

"Let's go," said Ashleigh and they made their way slowly out. A hundred people in front of them slowing them down.

"Switch off your phone," said Becky quietly. "We don't know if they'll track it."

"Do we go to the factory?"

"No. Tina said they were using Aurora to get out of there. There is a protocol for this. Let's go to the toilet. It's going to be a long night."

When they eventually left the cinema, the temperature had plummeted. A late evening in January wasn't the time to hang around. Ashleigh was looking forward to getting in the car into the warmth, but Becky had another twist to the evening's entertainment.

When they got to the car, she got into the passenger seat. She didn't just open the glovebox but pulled it out and placed it onto the car floor. Using a small torch, that she retrieved from the glovebox, she shone it over the now exposed electronics.

"Ah, there it is," she muttered, and using a small pin, removed the sim card.

"Cars track you," she said, putting the glovebox back. "There is a constant stream of data being sent to the car manufacturer. Your location, your speed, how erratic you're driving, the contacts on your phone etc. They sell that data to others. I don't want to chance someone tracking the car that way."

For the first time on this project, Ashleigh felt shocked. Becky was talking about things she'd never considered. To her, a car was just something that you used to drive from one location to another. What Becky was talking about would have been something someone wearing a tinfoil hat would proclaim. Yet this was something she was now hearing. Paranoid or not, someone had or was raiding the factory. She didn't want to think what it was like at her home.

"How's your map reading skills?" asked Becky, as she signalled Ashleigh could now get into the car.

"Rusty. Ah, no satnav."

Becky passed her an old-fashioned roadmap. On it there were routes highlighted. "Those are routes without ANPR or cameras. A lot of country lanes."

"It never rains but it pours," sighed Ashleigh. "Okay, you tell me where we're going, and I'll try my best to get you there. It looks like you were prepared for this circumstance."

"Laura sent someone to see us about two years ago. I thought they were being paranoid but reluctantly listened. I wish I'd been more attentive."

"You seem to remember the basics."

The journey was slow, but they gradually made it along the backroads. There was no music in the car. For some reason, without the sim card the entertainment system just showed an error screen. At first the conversation was slow with nothing more than Ashleigh giving directions and Becky following. Gradually though the chatter picked up and their ease at talking together won through their adversity.

After nearly two hours of driving, they pulled into a delipidated pub car park. There were more weeds that cars, but the pub looked open. Not knowing if they'd need to move to the alternative meeting point, Becky plugged the car into a highspeed charger but used an emergency prepaid card rather than her normal debit card.

"This is our first attempted rendezvous," said Becky. "Let's go in and get a drink. I could do with the toilet."

The walked in and the subdued chatter stopped and everybody stared. It was a local's pub and someone not local was a surprise. After a few moments, their conversations resumed. While the inside was a setup like a traditional British Pub it was clean and bright. It was like the outside was a way to keep visitors away.

"Two glasses of red wine," requested Ashleigh. Becky had spotted the toilet sign and went to use the facilities.

"Are you driving?"

"Yes."

The barman put a packet of 'Drive Safe' onto the bar, next to the two glasses. Ethanolase was a mandatory drug provided free with any alcoholic purchase, but nobody called it the drug name. It was known everywhere by the brand name.

"A whole packet?" gasped Ashleigh. Normally a sealed pill would be provided for each person.

"This is a locals bar," said the barman. "I rarely have to give it out, but head office sends boxes of the stuff with each purchase."

"You don't have Drive Safe Plus, do you?"

He laughed. "No. It hasn't made its way to us yet."

The plus version included an anti-tiredness formula. There was no excuse for drink driving, and soon there would be no excuse for falling asleep at the wheel.

"That announcement was something," the barman said, trying to strike up a friendly conversation as he prepared the drinks.

There was no need to ask which announcement. There was only one that everyone was talking about. The announcement was the Prime Minister announcing that aliens existed.

"Aliens, who knew," said Ashleigh, eyeing up the bottle the barman was pouring out of. It looked like it had been open for weeks, if not longer. She began to wish she'd ordered something else.

"Not just that," he said. "The bit about us soon leaving the solar system. Just imagine that, exploring the galaxy."

"An intergalactic barman?"

"Who knows. It's like a new avenue has opened. New possibilities."

"Yes, I hadn't thought of it like that," said Ashleigh, looking at things in a different light. It was hard when you'd seen the ship with her own eyes and knew that what the barman was talking about was more of a possibility that he could imagine.

Ashleigh took a sip of her wine and was surprised to find it tasted fresh. After paying, she went and took a seat. The little round tables were slightly unsteady, but she placed Becky's on it, while nursing hers.

Becky wasn't long and joined her. "Any sign?"

"No. I've got a feeling we're being watched, but I've no idea if that's just my imagination. Not an ideal third date."

"I don't know," mused Becky. "I get to spend extra time with you."

"Tina's going to be mad," said Ashleigh. "She'll be blaming herself."

"Jenny is going to be worried. She's very clingy since–"

She tailed off. Not wanting to mention Hilda's name. This had been a date.

"Hilda isn't a name to dance around," said Ashleigh putting down her glass, and looking Becky directly in her eyes and holding one of her hands. "You can't change your past. I'm just glad that we found each other after all these years. To be honest, it might not have worked out back then. We were both finding ourselves. Now we know who we are, it will be easier. When we find this contact, they might know where Jenny is. We will find her."

A woman wearing a thick coat came across from where she'd been playing cards. She sat down next to them and asked, "Are you two love birds lost?"

Instantly Ashleigh let go of Becky's hand.

"We're just having a quiet drink," said Becky.

"Since you normally spend your days in a pub, it's not much of a change. Well, I suppose this one still serves drinks."

Ashleigh looked at the person in front of her. There was something about her that was familiar, but she couldn't place them.

"Are you here for us?" whispered Ashleigh.

"Yes. I'll tell you about it on the way."

"Where are we going?"

"Somewhere safe. Drink up and let's go. Both of you go empty your bladders, we have a long journey, and I don't want to stop. I know the way, so will drive."

Ashleigh was on her guard. This mysterious woman seemed to be waiting for them. It was unlikely on the of mercenaries would have had someone at a remote country pub, on the off chance they would stop there. But she wasn't taking any chances.

"How do we know you aren't a baddy?" asked Ashleigh and then frowned at using the word 'baddy' in a normal conversation.

Becky had started to get up but quickly sat down again. She'd assumed that because the woman was there, she must be their contact. Ashleigh was being more cautious that she was.

"You don't even recognise your own brother-in-law?"

Ashleigh quickly put her hand over Becky's and shook her head not to respond. Ashleigh then asked, "What was the fourth gift you opened at your wedding?"

"It was a gift from Caroline, and I'm not going to explain what it was."

"Luke," she breathed.

"I prefer Lisa when dressed like this."

"When did you get back?" asked Becky.

"A few days ago. I had some things to do before I could come up. I was supposed to arrive tomorrow. Now go to the toilets, we have a long journey ahead of us."

Becky joined Ashleigh at the toilets, even though she'd just been. All too soon, they were leaving. Lisa put a rucksack into the boot, then walked slowly around the car, checking for anything unexpected. Finally, she was happy and got into the driving seat.

As they made their way down another set of country roads, Ashleigh asked "So why Lisa? Even if you were en-femme on your investigation, wouldn't you have changed when you got back?"

"I was male on my investigation. However, in that pub this is how I'm known and not as Lisa."

"Have you heard about Tina and her issues?"

"Yes. Thank you for being there for her. When I heard, I was upset that I couldn't have been there."

Ashleigh noticed that there was no regret about not being called. It was part of the life they lived. And she knew Tina would have been very upset if her husband had to leave an investigation.

"Have you been told more about the project?" asked Becky.

"No. Just that a group of mercenaries planned on attacking the factory. Last I heard, they attacked but they only succeeded in becoming target practice. Did you know it had defences?"

"The team that built it was one of the sister companies, so I'm not surprised. I knew the stairs between floors had shutters, but that was it."

"Anyway, I was told that Tina and the project team, including your daughter, bugged out. The person who contacted me didn't know where they'd gone. It was only a few hours ago, but I know where they will probably go. We are on the way there. I've no idea if we'll get there first, or them."

Becky laughed. "They'll be there first by a long shot."

"Okay. Then I better make sure my approach is obvious, and signal that it's us. Tina will be on the defence."

"I bet Sam is too."

"Sam? Is there someone new on your team?"

"Sam Hood. Two years older than you at Hayfield, transferred to an American school. I think the word was Study Partner to Jessica. We also have a James Partridge ex RAF."

"Oh, that Sam and Jessica. Yeah, we never met but I'm aware of them both. It's interesting they're around. I thought Sam was in the US Navy."

"US Navy retired was on the résumé. So where are we going?"

"Hopefully somewhere safe."

The sound of the car against the tarmac lulled the two passengers to sleep. Even though Becky was used to working late, that was when her mind was active. This monotonous journey even impacted her, and it was soon just Lisa who was used to driving alone. Solitary journeys were nothing new for the investigator, but there was normally the radio for company.

As they neared their destination, Lisa called "Becky."

Becky stirred but mumbled that she wanted her sleep. Ashleigh woke and looked across at Becky. "Becky!"

Becky instantly woke and sat up straight. "What?!"

"We are nearly there," said Lisa. "Let's take this very slowly. If the gate is shut, then I will put in the code. It will alert everybody there, but the code will identify me. We drive in and get out of the car. The camera there will identify you to anybody watching."

"You think there will be?"

"Definitely. They bugged out. They will be on alert."

The gate was shut, as Lisa had predicted. It wasn't one of the standard farm wooden gates, but an elaborate metal gate with spiked tips at the top. A three-meter wall ran in each direction.

"This looks rather formidable," remarked Ashleigh.

"I don't see any cameras," said Becky.

"Oh, they're there," responded Lisa. "Let me put in my code."

Lisa lowered her car window, leaned out and tapped in her code. The gates stayed shut.

"Okay, they are really being careful. Get out and look at the brick post, just to the right of the gate."

"Huh?" said Ashleigh, her brain not having fully awoken.

Becky was awake quicker than Ashleigh. She got out of the car and stared where requested. She even gave a little wave.

Ashleigh shrugged and followed suit. The crisp clean air wasn't like where she'd lived the last several months. There was no tang of water. It was clean, so she knew she wasn't in the city, but where she had no idea. Wherever they were, it was cold but looking up she saw the most dazzling view. When she lived in the city, she saw no more than a dozen stars. Near the lab, she saw perhaps fifty. Now, there were so many. Wow.

There was a slight creak and groan as the gates protested at being opened. Then they smoothly opened the rest of the way.

"I'll drive just inside the gates," said Lisa. "We will walk slowly to the house."

When they all were inside, the gates swung shut. Ashleigh felt like they were being watched. When she put her hands inside her coat pocket for warmth, Lisa quickly told her to keep her hands visible.

"This is some driveway," said Ashleigh.

"STOP!" was called from the dark.

They all froze. Becky had taken the torch from the car and shone it into her face. She then passed the torch to Ashleigh who did the same.

"It is Becky and Ashleigh," came the voice of Sam.

"I vouch that the person next to me is Lisa," said Ashleigh.

There was the sound of running feet, and next thing Tina appeared with Jenny.

"Ma," Jenny squealed and flung herself at her remaining parent.

Tina rushed to Lisa. "You gave us all a scare, appearing like that."

Lisa didn't respond but just took Tina into her arms and they kissed.

"Okay, the funs over," said Sam. "I'm going back to bed."

"It looks like everybody's flown in the ship apart from us two," said Becky, lifting her daughter into her arm. "How was it, Jenny?"

She shrugged. "It was okay. Nothing to it really. One second, we were there, and next here. I thought it might have been more exciting."

"And safe?"

"They are going to check Aurora over in the morning," said Jenny, stifling a yawn.

"Let's get you back to bed," said Becky.

Ashleigh looked around and saw that James was stood with two women she didn't recognise, but she concluded they probably owned the place. The only ones not there were Evan, Liam and Henry.

James was staring at Tina and Lisa. He looked confused.

"Hey James, do you want to introduce me to our hosts?"

"Ah, sure," he said, averting has gaze. "This is Emma and Paula. They live with their son at this farm. They have some holiday cottages they're letting us stay in."

"Don't tell me, you went to school with Tina," said Ashleigh.

"Well, we were a few years above them, but yes."

"Thank you for having us at short notice. I'm Tina's sister."

"The hockey player?"

"No, that's the other one."

"Well, we're back to bed," said Emma, putting her arm around Paula. "When Tina has put down Lisa, I'm sure they'll show you where to go. See you in the morning."

"What's up, James?" asked Ashleigh, now they were alone. "You seem distracted."

"I thought Tina was married to a Luke."

"You're an officer, right? So, a gentleman and someone that has seen a lot of different things?"

"Yes. I was RAF. We are the best there is. Why?"

"That's Luke," said Ashleigh, softly. "Or Lisa when dressed like that."

"Oh."

"Do you have an issue with that?" asked Ashleigh with a firmer tone.

"No, Ma'am. I was just a bit confused. I've known Tina over the last few months and Luke was mentioned earlier. Jenny was very worried about Becky."

"Becky was also very worried about Jenny." Ashleigh then called out, "Tina, can you put Lisa down and show me where I'm sleeping."

Tina didn't break away but removed her right hand from Lisa's back and raised her middle finger.

James laughed. "Come on, I'll show you where they are. Let's leave those two to freeze."

They made the way to the four buildings where the evacuees were staying. "Each have three bedrooms. Liam, Evan and Henry are in one. I'm in another with Sam and Jessica. There is a spare room in that one."

James, then pointed to the third cottage. "Jenny is in that one, with Tina. Though by the looks of it, Tina was using the couch. When the alert sounded, she was already ready. She stayed back to protect Jenny."

Ashleigh smiled. This was her sister. In her eyes, a hero.

"Someone mentioned the word Investigator in conjunction with your sister. I don't understand. I thought she was a teaching assistant. Yet she handles herself like she's been in the military."

"No, she's never been in the military," said Ashleigh. "Anyway, good night."

Ashleigh went in, the door unlocked. The downstairs light was on dim. There was a blanket on one of the three large settees, with the television showing video outside the cottages. On it she saw her sister on the way in. Lisa appeared a few moments later, driving the car up.

She went upstairs. The first door was open, and she spied an unoccupied room, but the duvet was missing. The next door down, she opened and the light from the hallway shone in. Jenny was in there, with Becky lying next to her. Ashleigh quietly shut the door. The next bedroom was also unoccupied.

She went in and slid the door shut. This has been a long day. 'Rest is a weapon' she reminded herself and got ready for bed. As she slipped under the duvet, it reminded her of her university days. Sleeping in just her knickers. They were safe. For now.

Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 4

---

Part 4
DATE:FC+1

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."

Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 5

---

Part 5
DATE:FC+5

Over the weekend, some protests had started. A new movement had developed out of India. Earth First. There was even a splinter movement that wanted to ban all travel in space, though that didn't have much traction. No more trips to the moon or even the space station.

Other things had changed. There were queues at the old Royal Observatory at Greenwich as people wanted to become familiar with the night sky again. This was repeated over the world. The night sky had been something of a background that nobody really cared about. In the cities it wasn't really visible, the light pollution blocking it out. But now people were going outside to look at the night sky and the dark sites that remained were getting crowded. Nobody saw the alien ship, but that wasn't due to the lack of observers.

Some television stations started scheduling reruns of old programs such as Carl Sagan's Cosmos, or The Sky at Night. Stores were doing brisk trade of telescopes and something that had been niche was becoming more mainstream. Something that wasn't of interest, because it had no impact on them, was now more interesting due to the current events.

Today's debate on the rolling news channel was the impact on religions.

"Remember our bible," crowed the preacher. "Genesis 1:27. So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. We are created in God's image not these aliens. They are inferior to us. Don't listen to them. They should be answering to us."

The Prime Minister snorted and turned down the volume on her television. She was finding the television debates more enlightening that the discussions with other world leaders. Most thought it was an opportunity for the world to turn to their view of how things should be run. This was just Monday and there was a whole schedule being posted on upcoming discussion points.

"Prime Minister. Is now a good time?"

Stood to one side, were two of the aliens. They looked the same species as last time, but the Prime Minister couldn't distinguish if they were the same two as previous.

"Of course," the Prime Minister said magnanimously. "I'd offer you a seat, but you aren't physically here."

The two aliens thought for a second, before one of them responded. "Sometimes your phrases take us a little to understand. That was a nice thought, something to sit on. Yes, when we visit in person that would be kind."

"Is our atmosphere compatible for you?"

"It is. We don't have precisely the same mixture of gasses, but we wouldn't be hurt. You would also be able to breathe in most of the planets occupied by council members. How are your discussions going with other world leaders?"

"Slowly. Your arrival has caused much debate. Humanity now knows we aren't alone. I've been told that there were some that already know of your existence."

"You have many different forms of government. We know this must be hard. I'm glad no wars have been caused over this. We know it takes time. We can wait. We only ask for knowledge that if you do join our council, that you speak as one with us. You speak for all your planet, not a single country. How your planet is run is still your business."

"Thank you, you phrased it slightly differently. That clarification helps. Can you tell me more about your council? If we can find a single representative, would it be possible for them to visit your council to get first-hand experience. It might help us to decide."

"The Rohastin Council is a body where the different races meet. It is where we decide the rules on how we coexist. It is where we work out issues if they arise. It is also a place where ideas are shared."

"Do you trade between each other?"

"Some, but not as much as you might think. Each of us occupy more than one star system. As you expand, you will find your resources aren't as much of an issue as you think. Trade is different from how you think about it now. As for visiting us, that is fine. I believe you only have one ship capable for that journey. We will make sure they know where to go."

"Do you know them?" asked the Prime Minister, eager to know more about who on Earth had created a spaceship without anybody knowing.

"We know of them. We don't know where they are or their designations."

"Why me? There are other leaders in the world, but I haven't heard you've visited them."

"As we said the other day, we will deal through you. You are special. You have a drive that most don't have. You have an internal conflict but have never given up. You had your life changed but didn't look back."

"How do you know about that?"

"To us, you standout like a pulsar in a sea of stars. You have strength of character to persevere. We know your life changed, but not how. Can you explain it?"

The prime minister shrugged. "I used to be a peace negotiator. I would try to resolve wars where people are killing each other. Do you have wars?"

"We have conflict, but we don't kill each other. We think that a species can't grow if they are fully at peace. They don't have the same push to expand. They generally wither as nothing changes. Wars kill the body. The body is a temple. It should be respected. You were saying how you changed."

"Yes. Several years ago, I contracted a virus. It was a manufactured virus that targeted individuals. A scientist had been paid to try to stop me negotiating an end to a conflict that had been going on for a long time. The virus changed my body. Transformed it from one gender to another. I wasn't the first, but I was the last. They sent a psychiatrist, which is a doctor of the mind, to help me. When I awoke from the transformation, she spent time with me. If it wasn't for her, I wouldn't have survived."

The two aliens chatted away excitedly before asking. "Can we have a biopsy?"

"Why?"

"We want to see if there is any trace of the virus."

After a moment of consideration, Georgina gave a nod. She wanted to show trust. "Okay."

"Stay still ... done."

Georgina blinked. She hadn't felt a thing, and there had been no sign of a device to take a specimen.

"And?"

"You still had some in your bones. Please wait a moment."

The two aliens shimmered, and faded, but didn't fully disappear. It was like she was put on hold, without the awful music. After a minute they were back. "One of our scientists just analysed it. How did you survive that?"

"How do you mean?" asked Georgina, marvelling at how quickly it was analysed and understood. A biopsy on Earth would take hours to just get a basic outline."

"They say it would have been very painful, and it would have broken your mind."

"It made me unconscious. I was rushed to hospital and was in a coma until the transformation finished. As I said, a psychiatrist then helped me to not lose my mind."

"Will you please wait a few minutes. I want to bring someone else to hear this."

The image of the Reginaddes shimmered and this time fully disappeared. The Prime Minister got up and went to refill her glass of water. She wasn't enjoying the trip down memory lane, but it seemed to be building a rapport. For the first time in years, she desired to drink something stronger, but she knew that alcohol wasn't the answer. Hilda Saunders had been very firm about that. Now and again, she'd been tempted to have a drink, but she'd resisted. She'd not had a drink of alcohol in just over nine years.

When the aliens reappeared, there was a third alien with them. The new alien looked very different, and Georgina knew in her heart that this was a different race.

"Hello. I'm Georgina Harris," said the Prime Minister in greeting.

The new alien bent their head slightly in greeting. "If I were to translate, my name would be Bob. I'm from the planet Alfare and we are often called Alphonian. I'm one of the senior council members."

'A name,' thought the Prime Minister. This was the first alien to give a name, and it was Bob! And here was the second race that Tim had mentioned.

Bob continued. "I have just been shown a sample of the virus that infected you. It has all the hallmarks of a minor race in the council. Would you be willing to give witness to the Rohastin Council?"

She swallowed. "How far is the council? A human was charged with the crime. Are you saying they didn't do it?"

"In your terms, the council base is 150 light years away. The base recipe might have been given to them. They decided what they were going to do with it but were aided to achieve those goals."

"Have your two races influenced the humans?"

"Yes," said Bob with no remorse.

"I'm sorry?" asked Georgina with incredulity.

Bob gave what must have been an alien sigh.

"When a race gets to a certain level of development they often wither or die. They either get to a level of peace and stop growing, or they get too violent and destroy themselves. There is a very narrow path to reaching space and spreading before it is too late. We've seen too many races die out because they couldn't make that leap. We have implemented two subtle tactics to help. The Reginaddes show an influential person what would happen through stagnation in peace. They cause mayhem. We show someone would happen if there were too much chaos, and they calm things down. Activity and flourishment occur, but without destruction."

"So, there are two groups running around the planet dancing to your tune?"

"Not big groups. They can't get too big, or they risk discovery. At one stage there was some concern if there was too much mayhem, but the group calming things down appeared to do their job well and no intervention was required."

"Do the Reginaddes have names?"

"Yes," replied one of the Reginaddes, but offered no more.

Bob made a strange noise. "You have a lot to learn," he said. "The Reginaddes have names, but they never voice them. They are a private thing that they reserve for their mates."

"You were telling us about the person who healed your mind," said one of the Reginaddes.

"She was an expert in gender issues. She'd been consulted on the previous transformation attacks and was brought in when I succumbed. Hilda was kind. She was the kindest, most understanding person I've known. When I got angry, or upset, she sat there and helped. She wasn't afraid of what we call tough love. She told me the truth, even when I didn't want to hear it. She wasn't afraid to call me out, when I moaned or got depressed."

"Do you have an image of her?"

Georgina went to her computer and did a search. "Oh, she died last year. I wasn't told. If you can see my computer, you should be able to see what she looked like when she saved me, and one that looks like it was taken a few years ago. I've no idea who the person is with her on the newer picture."

The Prime Minister felt a stab of pain that she'd not kept in contact with Hilda. She was a wise lady, and Georgina knew she wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for Hilda.

The three aliens suddenly started talking in a language that Georgina didn't recognize. When they stopped, it was Bob who talked. "She not only saved you. She found humanities saviour. Without her, it is doubtful that humanity would survive another hundred years."

'A saviour?' thought Georgina. She had too much to think about than ask about that. She stored that thought away for another chat.

"This race that you want me to give witness about. Do they have a name?"

"Yes. They are called Yvestigans. They are the nearest race in the council to this star system. Do not underestimate them."

"Are they dangerous? I thought civilisations like yours would be beyond war."

"We normally are, but they are expansionists. They would love to have your fertile planet."

"Thank you," said Georgina.

They nodded and vanished.

The background talk from the TV news channel filtered back into the Prime Ministers hearing. Strange how she'd not noticed its absence while the guests were there. Did they mute it or had they been in some sort of bubble. She didn't know, and in some respects she didn't care. This was beyond anything she thought she'd ever have to deal with.

She buzzed her principle private secretary.

"Prime Minister."

"Rupert, can you get me Tom. Then I need Craig."

Craig was an old colleague from her time as a negotiator. He was now her chief of staff. He made sure Number 10 danced to her tune.

It wasn't long before Tom came in. Rupert came in to take notes. "Sorry Rupert, can you leave us."

"Prime Minister, notes should be taken."

"I know, but not this."

"Yes, Prime Minister."

When they were alone, Georgina said, "Tom. I hate to use you as a conduit, but I need you to have a discrete word with Tim."

"Oh?"

"Can you get a message to him in person?"

"Sure. But why?"

"He has a contact that he needs to pass the message to."

The Prime Minister took a scrap of paper and scribbled on it. 'The third is called Yvestigans.'

Tom took it and pocketed it without looking. "He mentioned he was going to a concert tonight at the Royal Albert Hall."

"Good to know. I've not been for a bit and might be a nice change."

"It'll be delivered," said Tom, knowing that he was being dismissed.

As Tom left, Craig came in. "Prime Minister."

"I wish you'd call me Georgina," she said. It was a ritual. He was her friend. Heck, she went to his wedding. Yet he was always respectful, especially when in her office.

"I've just had a visit."

"Yes, I saw Tom leaving."

Georgina smiled. "No. I've just had the aliens visit."

"Oh," he said, his eyes widening. "Anything new?"

"I met a second race today. This one gave his name. Bob."

"Bob?" laughed Craig. "Are you serious?!"

"He said it was the nearest translation to his name. I need some discrete research. Is there someone you can get two files without blabbing?"

"What do you need?"

"It's something one of the aliens said. They seemed concerned about the virus that changed me. Can you get me two files. One on Malachai Ben-Aviv, and one on Hilda Saunders."

"The person behind the virus, and the shrink who looked after you after?"

"Yes. I want full histories, movements from before to after. I saw on the system that Hilda died last year."

"I bumped into her a few times in London after you were well enough for her to leave. She then moved away, and I never really thought about her after that."

"Nor me."

Craig thought a moment on who best to do this research. Only one name came to mind. "Okay, I will get Jamie onto this. How urgent is it?"

Georgina shrugged. "I might not need it for a week, or I might need it in a day. I've no idea."

Discussions then moved onto other items. When they had finished, Georgina followed Craig out and went to the private office. "Rupert. My private box at the Royal Albert Hall. There should be tickets available for tonight's performance."

"Yes, Prime Minister. Are you attending?"

"That is the aim. I'd like the car ready for seven."

"Of course. Will anybody be accompanying you?"

"No. It will just be me."

"Do you want your usual interval drink?"

"Yes. Thank you, Rupert. Oh, and can you see if the Prince of Wales room is available in case I need to make any calls?"

"Of course, Prime Minister," said Rupert. It wasn't an issue. It was always part of the security setup. The Prime Minister was always on call and a place where discrete calls could be made in an emergency was part of the deal.

The Prime Minister visiting anywhere was never a simple affair. Even though this was a private visit, she always had her police protection with her. It wasn't her first concert that she'd been to since she'd become Prime Minister, but she often had guests with her. This was the first time she'd be going solo and not in an official capacity. She was going as Georgina, not the Prime Minister.

It was the middle of the afternoon that she got chance to look at the link Jamie had sent. It was just a confidential document store secured for just the two of them. There were a few documents in there, but not much to go on. Malachia's file was mostly from the inquiry after he'd jumped from a bridge while being pursued by Italian police. The authorities from Gan Ha'Or hadn't been able to provide much detail. A lot was lost in the awful destruction of that area of the world. Major oil reserves destroyed because it was used a lot by people they didn't like. Three countries that wouldn't be habitable for a century, even with the ongoing cleanup. Millions of dead and many more millions severely injured. The initial damage and strife caused by radical groups, but then when the governments got involved, they wanted to make sure it was the last war, and the destruction became absolute.

Georgina wept for those that were involved. The fact that euthanasia centres were opened in the refugee camps was even worse. It was a mercy for some people. Their pain was beyond what they could continue with. For years she had wished that she'd been brought in to negotiate a peace treaty before that event, but neither side were ready or willing. It was only with the scale of their hubris that they realised they had more to gain in peace, than in war. Even then there were some that branded their leaders as traitors.

Georgia picked her phone and dialled her UN ambassador. It was time for him to start getting agreement for someone to visit the alien council. There were several names she had in mind. Most from smaller, more neutral countries that might be less disagreeable to the four superpowers. As with all these things, it wasn't always the best person, but the best person who someone couldn't object to. If they couldn't find someone to investigate what was being offered, how would they be able to put their differences behind them.

Driving was one thing she didn't miss and having a driver was a perk she'd come to love. It did mean she never went anywhere on her own, but her driver was much better behind the wheel that she had been. It also meant that she didn't have to contend with The Tube. Though the Royal Albert Hall was easily walkable, security would have had a fit if she'd said she was taking an evening stroll. It was also never an issue with traffic as her vehicle was always escorted, with traffic held where needed.

The Prime Minister wasn't making a grand entrance; the driver took them underground into the bowels of the hall. There she was greeted and escorted through the labyrinth to her box. There was only a small route where she was exposed to the public and that was temporarily closed. It didn't matter that this wasn't an official engagement.

When they got to her box, there was a lady waiting.

"This is Hope," introduced the venue manager. "She will be looking after you."

"Is there anything I can get you?" enquired Hope.

"A program?" asked Georgina.

"Already in your box," replied Hope smoothly.

"Thank you," smiled Georgina and went in, the door being closed by her protection team.

She always like to have a glance through, even though half of it would be adverts. She half wondered if there would be a note in it, but there wasn't. She hated being in a box, but there was no way that she could have sat in the stalls. It wasn't possible when she was in the public eye when she was a peace negotiator. There was no possibility when she was Prime Minister. Her security was more important.

When the lights dimmed, the Prime Minister forgot all about things. The playing was spectacular and for the first time since aliens had appeared, she relaxed. This wasn't one of the main London orchestras, but they were rather niche. They played abroad more times that they played locally and not just in major places. Their outreach program was also very high on their activities.

At the interval, there was a gentle knock on the door, and a waitress appeared, carrying the drink that Rupert had requested. It wasn't Hope though.

"Thank you. What happened to Hope?"

"She was taken ill. I'm Sally."

The PM knew that Sally would have been checked, so didn't really worry. "Thank you, Sally."

As Sally placed the drink on the small table, she said quietly. "And thank you for the third name. Seven tomorrow morning."

Georgina's heart skipped a beat, but before she could say anything, Sally had straightened up and had gone. Feeling disappointed, Georgina took her seat. She'd hoped to find out more, but she'd just got a thank you. As she stretched out her feet, they knocked against something. She looked down and saw an object. She reached down, and there was a phone with a yellow sticky note on it saying "Secret".

It hadn't been there earlier, and she hadn't seen Sally place it there. It could be a bomb. Taking a risk, she put it in her handbag. If security knew, she would get another lecture about her safety. They would try to track where it came from, and that might expose a source. A source. It made her sound like a detective. She was many things, but that wasn't one of them.

After the interval concluded, the concert continued, but even the music wasn't able to distract the Prime Minister. Her mind swirled with thoughts about Sally. How had she managed to drop the phone, or was it there earlier and she hadn't noticed it? What would they tell her? How did Sally manage to get on the crew with that short notice or was she a standard worker that they got to do her bidding. From a security perspective, it was unconscionable. Yet there were two groups that had been operating for decades and had managed to stay hidden from all security services. How?

"Bob", she said quietly while there was applause. She'd had a crazy thought that he might be listening. She looked around, but there was nobody there. She didn't know the Reginaddes names, so Bob was her only call. She sighed. "If you are there but not showing yourself, this is what on Earth we call music. Or one of the types of music. It is a way of expressing ourselves."

The singing grabbed her attention. She'd flicked through the program but hadn't really taken note on what was to be played. The singers voice ached, and the sad tone tugged at her heart. She knew the music. It had been popular when she was younger. Symphony number three from a Polish composer called Górecki. She flicked through the booklet at found the singer. An American called Monica Miller. She'd never heard of her, but that voice sounded so haunting.

Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 6

---

Part 6
DATE:FC+6

At exactly seven the next morning, the phone rang. The Prime Minister had debated if to take this in her study or up in the residence. She decided this was better upstairs away from her office.

"Hello?" answered the Prime Minister.

"Prime Minister."

"Who am I speaking to?"

"You can call me Sally."

Georgina knew that the name was likely fake, but it served its purpose. It was the name used the previous night. Sally also seemed unphased that she was talking with the elected leader of the country. That made her stand out from the crowd.

"Fair enough. Thank you for the risk you took making contact last night."

"A more direct method of communication was needed. Are you able to tell us more of your conversations with the aliens?"

"Yes, but then I have a few queries for you."

"I'll give you what I can."

Georgina knew that Sally was being cagy. She didn't know what was going to be asked. But relaying information received wouldn't cost her anything, so decided to.

"I had another visit from them yesterday. Two of the Reginaddes at first. They were interested in the virus that transformed me, and I let them take a biopsy. The virus originated from that third species. An Alphonian was asked to join. He gave his name as Bob. I was asked to give testimony at their council. They said they work together to keep maturing planets from either stagnating or destroying each other."

The Prime Minister then outlined what Bob had said about them preventing planets from stagnating or getting too violent. How the two teams played against each other to thrive.

"Do the two Reginaddes you've been dealing with have names?"

"Apparently, they are reserved for their mates. They never speak them at other times."

"Good to know. I suppose someone should create a book on interstellar etiquette. Anything else?"

"Yes, two things. Firstly, they asked about how I stayed sane after the virus changed me. I mentioned the psychiatrist who looked after me, Dr Hilda Saunders. They got excited when I showed a photograph from a few years ago of her with another woman. They said the other person was humanities saviour."

"And the second thing?" prompted Sally when the Prime Minister paused.

The Prime Minister had expected some reaction about humanities saviour. Either it was something Sally already knew, or she was very good at not giving anything away.

"They said that there had been a ship designed that could take me to give testimony. Do you know anything about this?"

Sally paused before replying. "Yes. I know about the ship. The crew have only done one test flight, and then their factory was attacked. They fled and are in hiding."

"Is this in the UK?"

"Yes."

"This happened on my watch, and I've heard nothing about an attack like that."

"I'm sure you're much too busy to hear about every crime. It hasn't reached the press, and the police are being careful not to panic people. Having thirty-armed mercenaries attacking somewhere might cause people concern."

"Is everybody okay?"

"The mercenaries were the only ones physically injured. Everybody on the project got out. Some were sent away, but the main people took the ship and hid. To say they are skittish is an understatement."

"I was told the Yvestigans are expansionists."

Sally paused. "That doesn't sound good, but we've had invalid impressions regarding the aliens before. We thought the Alphonians and Reginaddes were enemies, but it doesn't appear to be the case. I don't think we can assume that the Yvestigans are behind this without more knowledge. When you next speak with Bob or the Reginaddes, can you ask them if there is a method the Yvestigans can track the ship? That is the only way I can think they were found."

"Okay. Is there anything I can do to help secure the crew and the ship? Would an army unit help?"

"Are you offering? At the moment it was secured by obscurity. If others know where it is, then that has gone. But it is private development. For some it is a science experiment. For others, it is their dream. Hilda gave her life to make sure that dream came true."

"Gave her life?"

"Yes. Look, leave it at that. It isn't fair on others to delve into that and there is a child involved."

"If there is only one ship, would it be better to build more? Share the knowledge so someone can't stop it?"

"That has been discussed, but it causes other issues. At the moment there is one. It forces the single Earth situation. If every country had them before there was a single representative, would there be the same impetus?"

"That is a high-risk strategy."

"We know," sighed Sally. "When they call in again, I will let them know they need to taxi you to the alien council. Do you know how far it is?"

"150 light years. I've no idea the location. They said they would notify them."

"Okay. I will ask."

"We've not even gone past Mars, and you don't seem phased by a journey that far. Hang on, I've not heard of any rocket launches from the UK."

"You wouldn't have. It has a unique propulsion. One final question. If it is agreed, do you want to go quietly, or in a blaze of publicity?"

"How do you mean? "

"It needs to be in a controlled area where we know we aren't going to land on someone. We could land in say Horse Guards Parade. The public would see. We could land in the courtyard at the Foreign Office. You might get a few excited workers, but it would be hidden from the public. Or we could meet in a remote field."

"That is something for me to think about," pondered Georgina. "Can I ask you where you fit into this? You seem to know a lot about what is going on."

"I'm an investigator. I'm part of a team that is tasked with trying to keep things stable. We are sent to companies, or governments, where there are issues which aren't being resolved through normal means. This may or may not be caused by the Reginaddes."

"That sounds very generic. Can you give me any examples? Obviously without compromising any individuals."

"The most recent one that you may have heard about is Turkey, back in October last year. Going much further back, there was the disclosure of nuclear technology being sold to Iran."

"How do I know that was you though?"

Sally said, "We work in the background and pass information to others. We don't advertise what we do. There are a few people who have some ideas, but it wouldn't be fair on us, or them, to mention their names."

Georgina considered that. It made sense. They wouldn't have stayed in the shadows if they published what they did. They wouldn't be able to continue their work if people knew they existed.

"I get it," said Georgina with a tinge of frustration. "Thank you for the information. I hope what I've told you helps."

"It does help. Are you okay if I ring the same time on Wednesday? It should give time for the crew of the ship to make contact again."

"Yes. Thank you. I feel bad asking for a lift in the ship."

"It's the only one around and I think they'll find it pushes them."

The call ended and Georgina got up and went down to work.

* * *

"I think we need to create a team handling non-Earth matters," stated the Prime Minister. She was having one of her regular meetings with Craig, her chief of staff, and the cabinet secretary, Sir John Jones. Rupert, was sat at the side, taking notes.

"Is there that much work?" asked Craig.

"Not yet, and there might not be if this is handled at a world stage. But I've noticed there are things that aren't covered in other areas.

"Perhaps someone from the Foreign Office?" suggested Sir John.

"Why them?"

"They deal with non-UK issues. They are used to different languages, cultures. They have protocols for learning how we should interact. They also are our interface with the UN."

"Craig?"

"Yes, though I think it needs to be a dedicated team there. It is something so new, you don't want that job being passed around."

"There are also some things that I'm still keeping to myself. The two races I've met are wanting to go through me."

"You can't keep doing that forever," responded Craig calmly. "You are the UK Prime Minister, not the envoy to the stars."

"There are reasons. There is another thing. I've been asked to attend their council."

"You're going to go?" asked Sir John, slightly agog. This was unusual for the country's top civil servant. It took a lot to surprise him.

"How?" asked Craig, sounding a bit pissed.

"I don't think I'll be away for long, but there needs to be things put in place. It's no different than when I went to Davos."

"It's a lot different," snapped Craig. "You were contactable. You could be home in a few hours. If you're out of touch, it needs to be treated like you were unconscious having an operation. Have you talked to Lewis about this?"

"Not yet. I wanted to discuss it with you two first."

"You have responsibilities here," said Craig.

"I know, and I do them. I'm glad I'm Prime Minister," said Georgina. "However, sometimes there is a bigger picture. This is important for the UK. Also, this is important for me. I've been asked to give testimony regarding the virus that infected me. That is why I have to go."

"Do you want me to book an appointment with Lewis?" asked Rupert, speaking for the first time since the meeting had started.

"Please. Later today would be great. After we finish this conversation, I'd like you to get the Foreign Secretary on the phone."

"Yes, Prime Minister. I think I should accompany you on your trip," said Rupert.

"Great. When I find out when, and for how long, I'll let you all know. John, I think you need to organise a cabinet meeting for tomorrow morning. They need to know what's happening."

"You didn't answer me earlier," said Craig, slightly less crabby. "How are you getting there?"

"I presume it will be by spaceship," said Georgina. She was glad that Craig was often a voice of reason, but he was pressing all her buttons today. "I'm waiting for confirmation. I don't really have them on instant messenger."

"Intergalactic email," mused Sir John.

"I suspect their system is totally different. How planets communicate is another unknown to add to the list. In some ways, it makes me feel like a child, trying to understand why my parents did certain things. It's all shiny and new and strange. Yet I'm sure there are wonders and perils that we can't even imagine."

It was early afternoon that Lewis arrived. His easy swagger always made the PM smile. Him being gay made some in government uncomfortable, but he never stopped. His hard work and natural skill had made his rise assured. Being Home Secretary and Deputy Prime-Minister was an accomplishment. She knew there was more to Lewis. His history was there if someone looked. But since nobody had questioned that part of him, they'd not looked. Either the press didn't know, or they'd never had a reason to blab.

The Prime Minister took Lewis towards her discussion area, which was two three-seater settees. She had a single seater at the end. Rupert was also there, but he stood to her side.

"Did you enjoy the concert?" asked Lewis.

"Yes," Georgina replied. "How did you know I went?"

"Security stopped me attending. With all that is happening, they didn't want us at the same place in public."

"Oh. I'm sorry."

Lewis waved it away. "I'll go to the next one and I've heard Monica sing before. So, what can I do for you Prime Minister?"

"I've been invited to visit the alien council meeting. I'm going to announce this in cabinet tomorrow, but I thought you should know before."

"You're planning on going then?"

"Yes. Rupert offered to come with me."

Lewis looked across at Rupert, got up and shook his hand. "You're a brave man."

"I'm just doing my job," stammered Rupert, surprised at Lewis's reaction.

"Offering to go to an alien world is never 'just doing your job'," said Georgina.

"How long will the two of you be away?" enquired Lewis.

"Unknown. I'm told we will be travelling 150 light years. I've no idea how long that will take."

"I hope the spaceship can travel faster than light, or you'll be gone a long time."

"I had the Chief Scientific Adviser see me on Saturday. He's in a total dither. He said that speed of light was an absolute. His theory is the aliens might live for a lot longer than us or have hibernation. I asked him to consult with experts and come back to me when they had more ideas. I've not seen him since."

"Ouch."

"His background is more biology and genes. I'm sure he would be interested in the actual aliens rather than how they move. But his job is to know the experts and come to a consensus."

"So how do you want me to run things while you are away?"

"I want you to shadow me for the next few days. We can then discuss specifics as we move forward. This is if the cabinet agree. I'm also going to see His Majesty to discuss. Now, let's discuss what we think the reaction of each member of cabinet will be."

Rupert gave a small cough. "Do you want me to step out now?"

Things were moving from a government discussion to a party discussion. Rupert knew that Georgina didn't like him being involved with things like that. A separation between party and government.

"Yes, thank you."

The conversation was wrapping up when there was a knock, and Rupert came in. "Prime Minister, sorry to interrupt."

"What is it?"

"The press office have just notified us that a news item has just been shown discussing the Earth ship. They have announced that it is British. The first test was the Pudsey Bear that went to the space station."

"Okay, thank you for letting me know. Get them to send me an email with the recording. I'll review it when it comes through."

"Yes, Prime Minister. Anything else?"

"No, that's all for now. Oh, who announced it?"

"Storm Daniels."

"Thanks Rupert," said Georgina, and Rupert departed once more, closing the door behind him.

"Do you want to see it?" Georgina asked Lewis.

"Sure."

They went across to the Prime Minister's desk. The video from her watching the security footage of Sally was still on her screen. Lewis blanched. Georgina found the waiting email but didn't run it yet.

"You know her?" asked Georgina. It had been impossible not to notice Lewis's reaction.

"She looks like someone I know," he responded cautiously, mentally castigating himself.

"Oh?"

"I'd rather not discuss her," said Lewis carefully. "And I'd rather you didn't ask questions to others about her either."

"I haven't, but why are you so nervous? Is she bad news?"

"No, but she is ... a rather private person. How do you know her?"

"She managed to get to see me while at the Albert Hall. I came across one occurrence of her after reviewing the concert replay on the orchestra's website. She was on her own."

"So, you didn't get security or anybody else to look into her?"

"No. She left me a phone. She called me this morning, and we swapped information about the aliens. She seems to know the people behind the ship that can go beyond our solar system. The aliens have suggested they take me to the meeting. Can I trust her?"

"Yes," he said with utter conviction.

"Fine. If we mention her, she used the name Sally, which I'm sure isn't her real name. You seemed to be right about Tim Harper. He seems a solid journalist. I asked Sally for references. She gave me two that the group she works with have been involved. A recent one and an older one. The recent one was the child ring in Turkey. The older one the Iran nuclear parts scandal."

"I can confirm Iran. Turkey sounded like them, but I have no proof."

"So why did they risk exposure? They could have given you the phone to give to me."

"They could, but they probably didn't want you thinking I worked for anybody but the government."

"And do you just work here?"

"Yes. I swore my oath when I became an MP, and I take that very seriously. I have no side jobs, and all my interests are noted. We never talk business if we meet for a meal. Just life."

"Just asking," said Georgina putting up her hands in surrender. "You do seem to have a rather eclectic group of friends."

"You know where I went to school, don't you?"

"Sure. I was fortunate to see one of their concerts before I got into politics. Why?"

"It wasn't just a great music school. It brought out the best in everybody that went there. We were encouraged and helped to grow. We were never belittled but taught how to take personal responsibility and help others. Tim was a few years older than me."

"You and Brian appear to have done equally well. Didn't I see somewhere that Brian has been promoted?"

"Yes," smiled Lewis fondly. "He seems to be doing okay."

"Doing okay. He's now a senior director in one of the biggest accounting firms in the country."

Georgina clicked the emailed link, and they watched the announcement, including a replay of the video from the previous November. "This is the first test we can find of the new propulsion system in the spaceship the Prime Minister mentioned. I explained it to a few eminent scientists, and they are trying to work out how it works."

The Prime Minister looked through her contacts on her computer and sent the link to Martyn Miller, her Chief Scientific Adviser. She asked him for his thoughts for 8am the following morning.

"Do you have any school friends that want the job of Chief Scientific Adviser?" she asked Lewis.

Lewis laughed. "No. I could give you a professional billiards player, a travel writer, farmers, oboist and logistics."

"Oboist?"

"You saw her last night at the concert. Well, she was quite well hidden behind the strings, but I went to school with the principal oboist."

"A music school, and only one that went into music?"

Lewis shrugged. "Music was what bound us, but we all had our own passions. I was probably one of the last in our year to decide what I wanted to do."

"So, is there anything I need to be aware of in the land of the Home Office. Say a potential terrorist attack and thirty dead mercenaries?"

Lewis gaped. "Yes, but we've kept it very hushed, so not to panic people. Two security guards from there are assisting the police. MI5 have the bodies, and things are wrapping up on site. The investigations are ongoing into who they were and why they were attacking. I've been kept informed, and at the moment doesn't appear to be a wider issue that requires ramping up the Threat Level."

"Good. When will the police be finished onsite?" asked the PM. She wanted to ask where it was, but she didn't feel she really needed or wanted to know.

"Later today. Can I ask how you know about this?" asked Lewis, puzzled. This incident had been discreetly handled to not cause panic. For the PM to know, there was a leak.

"Sally told me."

Lewis chuckled, no longer concerned. "Oh, what a tangled web."

"I presume you have a discrete method of letting Sally know when the police have finished."

Lewis didn't feel comfortable with that query, but when he glanced up at Georgina's face, he saw it wasn't a request. He said the only thing he could, "Yes, Prime Minister."

Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 7

---

Part 7
DATE:FC+6

For the project staff, a routine developed. The daytime was a mixture of work, music and walking in the grounds. They all tried to pitch in with the farm, but Emma told them to relax. In the evening, Tina, James and Sam would take the ship back to the factory so Tina could contact David.

Tuesday's evenings call though was different. When Tina got off the call, James and Sam noticed her demeanour wasn't the same as usual. She looked more resolute.

"What's up?" asked James, looking away from gazing around the ship room. It never changed as the room was still sealed from the rest of the factory.

"There have been developments."

"Good developments or bad developments?"

"Developments. I'm not going to explain to you and then everybody else," huffed Tina.

Sam laughed. Every trip they tried to needle some information. James punched in the coordinates for the farm, and they vanished.

When they got to the communal lounge, the team were waiting. Jenny always made sure she'd finished her piano lesson before they went, so she was prepared for them coming back.

"Tina has news," said Sam, as they sat down with the rest of the team.

"Two things. The second part, I may need to relay the answer."

"Okay," said Becky. "Start with the first part."

"The bodies have been removed, and the police have finished on the site. We can go back. The cars that were in the car park have all been damaged and are being repaired. Temporary cars are in the car park, with keys at the security hut."

There was a general feeling of relief that they could go home.

"And the other bit?" asked Ashleigh.

"The Prime Minister has had an invite to the alien council. They said she should come on the Earth spaceship. Are you okay ferrying her? It is 150 light years."

"We've only done a single jump into space, and we had an issue," said Evan. "We've only done small hops since. I think we should do some further tests before we take someone."

"We won't have communication. Heck, the furthest we may get a comms signal would be High Earth Orbit," pointed Liam.

"I think even that would be sketchy," said Evan.

"What about the new communications ideas you've been discussing?" asked Ashleigh.

"It's very early days," responded Evan. "We have been thrashing out some theories, but we don't have the equipment to experiment here. We won't have anything for months."

"So, if we agree to this, we won't be in touch while we are away," concluded James.

"And we've only done that single jump in space," reiterated Sam, reminding them what Evan had said, just in case they'd forgotten.

"How long will the jump take?" asked James.

"We've no idea," said Evan. "Liam did the previous space test. I'll do this one."

"We need to make sure we have plenty of spares," added Sam. "We've no idea if their tech is compatible."

Ashleigh smiled. It was just like them. They saw the issues, but they also seemed excited, seeing this as an opportunity for a long-distance test.

"Miss Thompson, if Ma goes to space, will you look after me?" suddenly blurted out Jenny.

"Of course," Ashleigh responded, surprised. "I thought you didn't want your Ma to go without you."

"I didn't. But I've travelled in Aurora, and it seems safe. It doesn't seem fair for her not to experience her dream because of me."

"It isn't a big ship," smiled Becky. "After all it is only the test article. With James, Sam or Henry, and either Evan or Liam, in the ship, plus the PM; that is going to be four people. There are four seats."

"Let's hope that's all that is going," said Luke.

"Well, if there is anybody else, they'll have to stand," said James rather tartly. That caused some laughter.

"Let me get this right, you are willing to do this trip?" asked Tina. In some ways she was surprised. They were scientists, not explorers. Yet they'd been through so much and never backed down.

"I have some conditions," said Becky. "We will need the coordinates where this council meeting is taking place. Also, a few days for us to do some space trials locally. I don't want us breaking down with a VIP on board."

"And that's it?" said Jessica, slightly surprised at them all. "You agree to take someone to a place that's about 1400 trillion kilometres away. No plan. No worry. You just agree to it?"

"Well, I did state some conditions," said Becky. "I think some extra testing is needed, but yes. Who else would take them?"

"I worry that you might be gone months or years," said Jessica, not ashamed of her feelings.

"I've been away for long periods before. Why are you worried now?" asked Sam, taking Jessica's hands.

"Even though you've been away, and sometimes out of touch, there were people that knew where you were. If something happened, I would be told. You are going away and if something happened, I would never know. I wouldn't know if it was just a long journey, if you'd been attacked or just got lost."

"So that we can get some timings, when we do our tests, why don't we do some going further out in the solar system. We can then see how much time gets added based on the distance," suggested Liam.

"Yes, but always from the base. It's pointless going out from our previous destination as each would be just small hops," added Evan.

"Doesn't your physics show how long the tunnel is?" enquired Luke.

"No. We know how to open the hole into the dimension and use it. At the moment we don't have a good understanding on what that looks like or how to calculate the length. And before you say we're being reckless; we are a bit. We know that. But rather like how countries went to space for fifty years without fully understanding the build-up of plasma. They knew the causes and mitigated risks, but they didn't really understand how to harness that until a few years ago."

Luke looked aghast, but the other scientist just nodded.

"It is the reason we spent so long testing the drive," said Liam. "We wanted to make sure it was predictable."

"And not set things on fire," added Jenny.

"Hey, we only had that one fire," protested Becky.

"We might have had another on the first space test," said Sam gravely. "That showed you haven't got it all perfect."

"That was a ship build issue, not an understanding issue," said Henry.

"Tina, no earlier than Friday," said Becky. "The crew will be James, Sam and Evan."

"When can we go home?" asked Jenny, snuggling up to her Ma.

"We have the ship to pack. That will take about an hour. It's going to be longer if Tina's zips back to relay the message. We could go tonight, or in the morning."

"It'll give me chance to strip the beds and put on some washing," said Ashleigh.

"If we leave tonight, I'll wait until we go back to let my contact know," responded Tina. "They have a cleaning service, so leave the bedding. I'll go let Emma and Paula know we're leaving. Jenny, do you want to say bye to Jay?"

"Yes," said Jenny, jumping up. "Perhaps they'll have some bags for our clothes."

"The bottom draw under the television unit should have some," responded Luke, having had many happy Christmas's in these holiday homes.

"It'll take me a while to drive back," said Becky.

"No chance," said Luke. "You'll fly back in Aurora. The mercenaries might be gone, but the people behind them are still around."

"Oh, how I love your reassurance," said Ashleigh sarcastically.

Tina's eyes travelled over the assembled people. They seemed to be ready to go home. "There will be two investigators joining us for a few weeks. I don't know who. It seems there is need of a teaching assistant at Jenny's school."

* * *

It was late when they got back. Tina was the first out of the ship and surveyed the shiproom. The lights were still on, as they'd been when they'd departed several days previously. It was the same as when they'd left. The exit was still sealed.

"I'm going to check out upstairs. Stay in the ship with the door closed," ordered Tina. "If you need to, leave. I'm going to be at least twenty minutes, may be more. If I've not returned in an hour, leave."

When she saw the ship was closed up, she undid the shutter. Slowly she made her way up the stairs. The door above was also shuttered. Carefully she opened it and made her way out.

The building was dark. Being remote, there were no streetlights, though she expected to see the car park lights, but it was dark. Tina pulled out her phone and turned on its torch. It lit up the area in front of her. The windows by the entrance were gone, with it boarded up. The glazier hadn't been yet to put that right. This was why she couldn't see any light. She looked around and saw bullet holes peppered across the walls. The floors were littered with debris, but no bodies.

Not wanting to cause alarm when she left the building, she phoned Jim. He was the head of nighttime security, and she knew he would be manning the booth.

"Hi Tina," he said, answering his phone.

"Hi. Just so you are aware, I've arrived back. I didn't want to cause you or George any worry when I exit the building. Is it safe?"

"Before you step out, I've been told to ask, 'What is the scariest place in the UK?'"

"Hyde Park," responded Tina. She had various places she could give, and they would denote different meanings. If she'd responded with 'Alton Towers', it would have meant she was compromised.

"Good to know," responded Jim cheerfully.

Tina went to the door and paused. To be asked a question like that meant there were other investigators there. She'd been told two were coming, but not who. They must be there already.

She pocketed her phone and made her way out of the door slowly. She made sure her hands were visible. Half expecting to be dragged out of the door, she was surprised to find there was nobody there.

She paused, looking carefully around. They'd obviously predicted what she thought they would do, and they didn't do it. Don't do the obvious. This was almost the opposite of what had happened when Lisa had turned up with Ash and Becky. Everybody was being cautious.

Tina slipped back inside. She wasn't happy. It could be colleagues, or it could be someone else. The code request was theirs, but could someone have overheard it and be relaying parrot fashion?

There was nothing special upstairs apart from the offices. The building security had sealed it, but there was no reason apart from stopping movement. She unsealed the door and made her way upstairs. She continued to the offices, and up through to the roof. This was an entrance that hadn't been sealed, and Tina made a mental note to get that upgraded for future.

She crawled to the edge of the roof, and taking her binoculars, looked out. The driveway had been cleared, though there was a pile of rubble to one side. She spotted the old gate flung over it. There was a new gate, and a new security hut. In it was George and Jim. Just outside she saw Alberto and Luca having a discussion. There was nobody else visible.

She took out her phone and dialled the office system. "Connect me to India-Six-Two" she said.

In a second, Luca took out his phone. "Si?"

"It's a good job I'm not a sniper," said Tina. "I'd have a very good shot. Since you two are having a chat by the gate, is all secure?"

"Why did you go back in?"

"I didn't see anybody, and I was a little spooked. I'll see you in a minute."

She made her way back downstairs, switching on the lights as she went. When she exited the front door, the two Italian men were waiting.

"What's your tasking?" she asked bluntly.

"To back up you and Luke. We've no idea what else. We were told that you would tell us."

"Fair enough. We are on babysitting duty."

They groaned. "Stop joking."

"Look around. Do you think I'm joking. Thirty armed mercenaries stormed this building, and I took the scientists somewhere safe. Luke swept up two that weren't here."

"Okay, so what's so damned important? We never get tasks like this."

"You saw the news about aliens?"

"Yes."

"You saw the bit about a spaceship capable of leaving the solar system? Well, that is what you're protecting. There are two bases. Here and a bit further north. Come with me. I'll introduce you, and they'll explain where they live. Two of the people went to the Manor but aren't investigators. When did you get here?"

"About thirty minutes before you rocked up. We just started getting the low down on the place from George."

They went back to the basement. The ship was there all closed up. Tina waved, and Sam opened the door.

"Who are the two new guys?" asked Sam.

"Oh, them. You'll love them," laughed Tina. "Everyone. I'd like you to meet Alberto and Luca. They are going to be stationed here to help with your security. Treat them nice, they are away from their other halves."

Tina waved Becky to follow her. "What's up?" she asked Tina.

"Come with me. I want to show you something."

Jenny went to follow her ma, but Sam asked her something which she went to help with.

When they got to the top of the stairs, Becky gasped at the sight. "I was thinking about getting Aurora to drop you and Jenny off at the business park."

Becky looked around and moved towards the entrance to look elsewhere. "No. She needs to see this. She needs to understand what happened. She needs to walk into her future with eyes open."

"Are you sure?" gaped Tina.

"Very. Like it or not, the next year is going to be unpredictable. We've already been in a panic room and had to run from mercenaries. She wants to go to Hayfield, and you and Luke seem to be preparing her, just in case she gets in."

"What I'm doing is preparing her for life. Playing an instrument isn't for Hayfield, but to give her a mechanism to channel her emotions. Languages are so she has a method to interact with more people than just in the UK. Again, nothing to do with Hayfield but something that will benefit her in future."

Tina continued, "She will take the test in a few years. If she gets accepted, will you allow her to go? As a parent, it is your decision. Someone two years below me got a different study partner, because the one the tests indicated had parents that refused."

"That's a lot to take in," said Becky. "Okay, let's go get everybody home. We have a busy few days preparing to be a taxi service."

They went back down to find everybody was out of the ship. The ship door was closed and locked.

"Be careful when you are upstairs," said Becky. "It is still messy with debris around."

Jenny skipped to Becky's side, and they went up the stairs. When they got to the top, the mess was evident. Jenny didn't scream but went to look a bit closer at the bullet holes.

"Are those from the attackers, or the building's guns?"

Becky was shocked how matter of fact Jenny was. Tina responded, "Mostly theirs. The bullets from the building system would have been still embedded in the bodies or have lost momentum as they exited."

"They made a real mess," she said, as if discussing someone spilling some ketchup.

"Are you okay? I mean with all this?"

"Not really. People died," she said sadly. "But I already knew that. I'm getting tired. Can we go home now?"

Since tests were happening over the next few days, Liam, Evan and Henry decided to stay at the house near the factory. Therefore, it was just Becky, Jenny and Ashleigh that got into Tina's car.

After dropping Becky and Jenny off, Tina went with Ashleigh to her house.

"What's wrong?" Tina asked Ashleigh when it was just the two of them. "You've seemed down."

Tina pulled out her anti-eavesdropping device.

"It's nothing," said Ashleigh, glad to be back.

"Don't pull that one on me."

"I don't think the relationship with Becky's going anywhere."

"It's still early. You've only just started dating," reassured Tina.

"I know, but I thought something might have happened while we were away."

"You were hoping she'd sleep with you?"

Ashleigh blushed. "Perhaps. I–" she trailed off.

"I get it. But didn't you think she might have been concerned about Jenny? Just as you were there for me when I had nightmares, Becky was there for Jenny."

"I didn't think Jenny had nightmares."

"And perhaps some of that might have been due to the reassurance that her ma was there. I know she asked Luke some things while she was having music lessons. The situation was certainly playing on her mind."

"I now feel like a total idiot. I was just thinking about myself and not how others were feeling."

"At first I was quite surprised how relaxed Becky was, letting Jenny see the bullet holes," said Ashleigh.

"That is why I took Becky upstairs before you all came up. I was going to suggest James took the ship to the industrial unit. However, Becky wanted Jenny to see it."

"But when I've thought about it, it is no different from how she's treated Jenny for anything else. Don't hide the facts. Don't shield. Don't let the imagination of what could be. Put it straight out in front and deal with any ramifications as a family or a group."

"Yes," agreed Tina. "Also, nobody had a total meltdown. A few had issues before we got to the destination, but that was because there was an imminent threat. Once they knew they were relatively safe, things were a lot better. For some it was almost a holiday."

"How soon before Luke gets here?"

"It depends on how much of a detour he makes. I'd say at least four or five hours."

"Did you contact Laura and whoever you were talking with?" asked Ashleigh

"Yes. Laura is glad we're back. It seems Helen managed to get a phone to the PM, so conversations could be had directly. Just in case it comes up, she is using the name Sally. Three meet up points were suggested, including one very public. Seems David has been dropping hints to the press. The ship might be going public."

"How's Laura taking all of this?"

"She's attempting to guide the situation in order to maintain progress. She is also trying to find out why the factory was attacked. Since that attack there has been no further attempt. It doesn't compute."

"The next few days are going to be very intense at the factory," said Ashleigh. "I doubt anybody wants to travel 150 light years without doing some more tests. Especially with a VIP on board."

"Yet again, I'm going to be missing out on it," said Tina. "I'll be at school with Jenny."

"I'm sure she is conflicted. I bet she'd love to watch the tests, but I know she's missed school too."

"Ah, the hard life of an almost eight-year-old."

Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 8

---

Part 8
DATE:FC+7

"Nothing has changed," Becky reassured her daughter. "I will still take you to school and either myself or Miss Thompson will collect you. Mrs Poop will make her own way to school and back."

"Yes Ma."

"Good girl."

"Are you going to do one of the tests in the ship?" she asked.

"No, I'd just be in the way. I'll either be on the console, or in discussion about communications. I'm sure Mr Poop will be making sure all is okay with me."

"Too right," said Luke. "Don't worry about your Ma. You need to concentrate on your schoolwork. You missed a few days."

"I'm not going to be in trouble, am I?"

"No. You were away due to a family emergency. I didn't outline the emergency. As long as you don't say where you were, then all is good."

"It was an emergency," agreed Jenny.

"The word is paltering," said Luke. "It's still the truth but shaped to fit the boundary of what they asked. It isn't lying; it was a family emergency. You just aren't telling them the nature of the emergency. It isn't likely they would ask."

Jenny frowned. "Isn't it still deceit?"

"It's restraint. You aren't lying. You are answering their question with the truth. It is just giving them enough information that they will be happy with."

"Ma isn't going to be happy with you," said Jenny, climbing into the car. It was still complaining about the lack of a sim card. It obviously hadn't been put back together.

"I know," said Luke, glancing at the fuming Becky. "I'm not asking you to lie. I'm just suggesting you limit how much you tell them. Becky, when someone asks you what you do, what do you tell them?"

Becky sighed, knowing where Luke was going. He wasn't wrong but she hated to admit it, especially in front of Jenny. "I tell them I work on designing computer systems for control electronics."

"Which is the truth," said Luke. "Why didn't you tell them exactly what you're working on."

"Because they didn't need to know. To protect the project and the people in it." Becky looked out of the window and said almost to herself. "How long have I thought like this?"

"You still told them the truth," said Jenny, looking at her Ma. "You didn't lie."

Ashleigh, who was sat at the front next to Luke, reached across and stroked Becky's leg.

When they got to the school, Jenny grabbed her bag and jumped out, eager to be back. Ashleigh got in the back with Becky.

"Have I lost my moral compass?"

"No. You only think you have," said Ashleigh. "I remember when we knew each other when younger, you hid certain things then. You can only try to make Jenny better than we are, but she has to live in the real world."

"And what type of world is that?"

"One that she can reach her full potential. You have instilled such goodness into her."

"And you have too," said Becky. "She knows she can always go to you, and you'll help her. She told me off last night for not spending more time with you."

"We do spend time together," protested Ashleigh.

"I'll tell you later," she said, indicating Luke, who had been very quiet throughout the conversation.

When they got to the factory, Luke turned to them. "Go and have a walk and discuss things. You two aren't talking and letting each other know how you feel. You get confusion when that happens. When I did that at school, Tina and I got a rather large telling off from Dr Ruiz. You either are in a relationship, or not. Don't let it drift."

Before the two women could respond, Luke got out of the car and left them to it.

"I–" started Ashleigh and Becky at the same time.

They both paused to let the other person speak. The silence was replaced by nervous giggles. They then started to talk again at the same time, which caused even more laughter.

Becky, her upbringing still engrained, indicated that Ashleigh should talk.

"I'm worried," said Ashleigh nervously. "I worry if things don't work between us, it could cause issues at work. I worry you aren't ready for a relationship. I worry if I'm the right person for you."

There was silence for far too long, and Ashleigh looked across at Becky and whispered, "I love you."

"I know," said Becky with a rueful smile. "I worry I'm not good enough for you. You are full of spirit. Full of adventure. I'm just a computer nerd who has got this project. I have feelings for you, but I still have all these other emotions regarding Hilda, and then what Tina mentioned about the prophecy. I just don't know if I can go much further until I get my head around it."

"You want to break up?" asked Ashleigh, forgetting to breathe.

"No!" exclaimed Becky and Ashleigh started to breathe again. "I want to keep dating, but I don't think I'm ready to sleep with you. Not yet. I think you wanted me to sleep with you while we were on the run. Sorry."

Ashleigh thought about it and nodded. She thought a bit of humour might help. "We're going to slow down, and when you're comfortable, that's when it's going to happen."

To her credit, Becky got the film reference and gave a smile. "I don't think my legs can compete with Annette Bennings."

"Becky, to me you can. Anyway, what is here." Ashleigh placed her hand on Becky's heart. "And here." She moved her hand to Becky's head. "Is far more important. I love you for you."

Becky looked at Ashliegh in disbelief.

Ashleigh continued, "I've been in a few relationships over the years, but there has always been something that stopped them going forward. I just didn't feel the same as the one when I first knew you. It wasn't the love I felt then. And now that feeling is back. I now understand why. There may have been a spark with them, but it was never the flame I have with you. You are my soul mate. You are the one I want to be with forever and I will wait until eternity to wake up beside you."

This was too much for Becky, who started to cry. She hadn't heard words like that. Ever. She'd loved Hilda and she knew Hilda had loved her, but this was confusing. She didn't know why, but she leaned across just as Ashleigh leaned across and their lips gently touched. And like adding fuel to a fire, their embrace ignited into something more primeval. They were all tongues, and hands.

Slowly, they parted. Both panting to drawn in oxygen into their deprived lungs. They'd kissed before. They'd made out before. But it had always been slow and tender. This was something new. Something raw. It hadn't been initiated by just one of them, but it was a desire that had exploded in both of them at the same time.

"Wow," uttered Becky, trying to catch her breath

"Wow indeed," responded Ashleigh, wiping a tear from her eye.

The moment was disturbed by Becky's phone ringing. It was Evan.

"Hi," panted Becky.

"Hey Becky," he said, with a tinge of humour in his voice. "I just wondered if you were going to give us a hand with the test planning, or going to make out with Ashleigh all day?"

Becky blushed. They must have noticed. Luke said to take a walk, but they were still sat in the factory car park. Other cars had arrived. They must have been seen.

"We're on our way," Becky replied, and finished the call.

"Work calls?" asked Ashleigh as they got out of the car.

"This is going to be so embarrassing."

They stepped into the lobby and conversation stuttered. A few grins, a couple of thumbs-up. Becky flushed.

"Right," she said, grateful for the bullet holes as a distraction. "Let's get the glass booked and the rubble out."

Evan coughed, trying to hide his laughter.

"If we get the front glass replaced, and the holes repaired, we might be okay for the rest of the office staff to return," thought Ashleigh aloud. "I'll organise that today."

"I can fill the holes," offered Jessica. "That way it won't look too bad for the decorators. I can't do painting. I think the rest of you are going to be pretty busy with other things."

"We can help," said the two Italian investigators at the same time. Luca continued, "If you get the glazier here tomorrow, they won't see anything amiss."

"Luca did an investigation as a decorator," said Alberto. "It will look real nice."

"Thank you," said Becky. "I believe it will. So, Ashleigh, the rest of the staff can return tomorrow. See if you can find a company that can remove the rubble that's outside. The rest of us, let's go see the plan that Evan created last night."

"Who blabbed?" Evan pretended to be mad.

"Just an educated guess," laughed Becky and Evan joined in.

Ashleigh went off to deal with the logistics, while the scientist and ship crew crammed into a meeting room. Evan pulled up the list of tests onto the large screen.

"It looks quite comprehensive. How long do you expect it to take?"

"We've no idea, as longer jumps may take a long time."

"I've got a question I've been mulling over," said Sam. "How's this going to be impacted by time dilation. Does the tunnel connect to a point in space, or a point in spacetime. Say it takes us an hour to travel a light year. When we jump back it will have taken us two hours. But will it be two hours on Earth, or two years?"

"This is a big unknown. Hopefully we will find out today. Our longest test is to Pluto. The worst-case scenario would be a ten-hour gap for you."

"So, if it is the worst-case scenario, then the trip to the council could mean you would be gone one hundred and fifty years?" asked Henry.

"Three hundred years," corrected Evan. "One hundred and fifty each way."

"We'd be long dead," pointed out Becky.

"If that is the case, then I'll go," said Henry. "It wouldn't be fair on Sam and Jessica."

"Let's not jump to any conclusions," said Evan. "We are scientists. We work on facts."

"Let's unload the ship and make sure we have everything we might need," said Sam.

"And do a comms check to make sure all is good before we start these tests," added James.

"Becky, if you work on the coordinates for the first three tests, this will give us chance to do the unloading," said Liam.

When they left the room, Ashleigh was coming down the corridor. "What's up?" she asked Becky. "You all looked very grim coming out of there."

"Come to the control room, and I'll explain. I've got to work out the coordinates for the first jumps. They are going to prep the ship."

"Okay."

When they got there, Ashleigh closed the door behind them. If there was some bad news, she didn't want it spreading. She then remembered there was hardly anybody there.

"Sam asked a question that a lot of us have been avoiding asking. You sort of touched on it back at The Anchor. How would time change over a jump."

"Yes, when you did the test there wasn't any noticeable difference. I remember getting a stopwatch."

"We don't know what will happen over longer distances. Basically, Einstein's theory of relativity comes into it. Speed makes time slow down compared to a person not moving. We don't know if this is going to have an impact on us or not. Is the jump really quick for the people in the ship but takes years for those on Earth. Henry offered to go instead of Sam. Sam didn't object."

"That's heavy."

"Actually, gravity can also distort time, too."

"So, Becky, what is your thoughts?"

"The idea I had was a connection over space, not spacetime. Yet it is all theory. Today we will know the answer."

Ashleigh got up and gave her a hug. She felt the tension in Becky.

"Is there anything I can get you?"

"No. Will you be in here when the tests are run?"

"Of course," replied Ashleigh. She would have been anyway. These were her friends, and she wanted to know immediately if there was an issue. "Oh, the glazier for the front door will be here at 8am tomorrow and someone to collect the rubble this afternoon."

"As efficient as ever."

"You're biased."

"Not when it comes to work. When we are working, I leave personal stuff behind."

"No, you don't. Sam is the much better ship engineer. Henry is much better in the lab. Yet you made no intervention when Henry suggested taking Sam's place."

"It wouldn't be fair on Jessica."

"I know. But it shows you have a good heart, as does Henry."

"It might all be academic. We don't know if there is an issue with time dilation. Heck, we don't even have the coordinates yet."

Ashleigh turned on the large monitor, so they could watch the activity in the basement. Becky started work on the calculations. The first was easy. A short hop 350km away, replicating the first space test.

"Laura called me this morning," remarked Becky as she worked away.

"Oh?"

"She's glad we're back safely. She had no idea where we were. I thought she'd paid for those cottages, but perhaps not."

"Anything else?"

"Yes, when these tests are done, she wants Henry and me to visit somewhere. She sounded very mysterious about it."

"Am I sacked yet? If the project is finished, will I be needed?"

"We've the communications to work on. I don't what you need to do ending soon. It will change, which is what I suspect Laura wants to talk about."

An hour later, all was ready for the first test. The ships clock was synchronized. James, Sam and Evan had suited up. This was a flight into space. Luke was stationed by the entrance to the stairs to the basement. His job was to make sure nobody went down during the test. The front door was locked, and the guards at the gate were instructed that during the tests nobody was permitted onto the site.

"Take a seat," said Becky to Alberto and Luca, pointing to the guest chairs. "I thought you'd like to see what is going on here. There are headphones on each chair, so you can listen in to what's being said."

The visitor headsets had no microphone. Ashleigh noticed that hers and Jessica's now did.

"Thanks. How do you get the ship out of there?" asked Luca, taking his headphones before sitting down.

"You'll see," responded Liam, a knowing grin on his face. It was a question that most asked the first time. Well, if they did a landing and launch in public, then that would stop the same question. It was Liam's first time watching the ship disappear. The previous times it had gone from here he'd either been in it or safely hidden in Wales.

"Aurora," called Becky over the radio. "Are you ready?"

"Affirmative. Coordinates are entered and she is shipshape."

"Ships clocks are synchronised with base," confirmed Henry.

"The board is clear here. Go when ready."

"Mamma Mia!" exclaimed Alberto as the ship disappeared.

"Base, we're at coordinates," said James.

"Confirmed," said Liam. "Tracking has you exactly where you should be. How's the ship?"

"No issues with the ship," responded James. "Give us a minute to confirm everything, and we'll return."

"Where are they?" Alberto asked Jessica.

"350km in space. That's about the same altitude as the Space Station, though it is doubtful they will cross orbits. They are trying to stay hidden at the moment."

"350km?! But rockets take about eight minutes to reach space and then longer to get to the space station. You were there in seconds."

"In less than a second, but it took time for tracking to confirm and for the radio to connect to one of the satellites."

"All systems are showing green on telemetry," said Henry.

"Acknowledged," responded James calmly. "We are just giving time for some acclimatisation."

"Understood," responded Liam.

He changed to a private channel and updated Henry and Becky with what was happening.

Ashleigh suddenly heard a lower beep on her headset before she heard Liam speak. "This is a private channel. Can you order some paper bags. Like they have on aeroplanes."

"Oh," responded Ashleigh, now understanding the issue on the ship. "They are on the shelf in the stores. Sam asked me to get them after the first test flight. James put some in Aurora this morning."

"Great," responded Liam. "Thank you."

After a few minutes silence, James spoke again. "Sam has concluded testing the new restraints. They appear to do the trick. Ready to return."

Becky glanced at the monitor to double check the basement was clear. If was unnecessary, is if someone had got past Luke then the door opening would have triggered an alarm.

"We are ready to receive you when you're ready," responded Becky.

The ship blinked back on the monitors. "Status?" asked Becky immediately.

"Ship and crew are all good," came the response. "The clocks are still in sync. We are ready for test two."

The coordinates were given. "Do a radio check when there, but I think this will be beyond the limit."

"We'll try. We will spend ninety seconds there and then transition back. Is that an acceptable wait time?"

"Sure. Make the wait time whatever you're comfortable with. Just let us know before each jump. That way we have expectations."

"Okay, coordinates are dialled in. We will jump, take several pictures over a ninety second period and jump back. We can repeat for each jump going forward."

"Agreed. Jump, ninety seconds and jump. Clear to go when you are ready."

When the ship jumped, a countdown clock started on the screen counting from the time it left. The second jump was fifteen hundred kilometres.

"Thank you for letting us see this?" said Luca, as the ship returned ninety seconds later. "We will get on with the work downstairs."

Luca paused and then asked. "Is this a connection in space or spacetime?"

"A good question. You've obviously been thinking about the science," said Liam. He was no longer surprised by the investigators. He knew they'd all been schooled well.

"And?" asked Jessica, suddenly realising the implications of what Luca had asked.

"We think space," replied Becky. "But we will know as today's tests go further. We are checking clock synchronisation between jumps. The small jumps might have shown something small, but it hasn't. As the jumps become longer, we will see if that shows drift. If there is a large drift, Henry offered to go instead of Sam. If there is too much difference in time, then it wouldn't be practical for Friday's jump."

"Sorry if I seem selfish," said Jessica, feeling slightly ashamed.

"No, not selfish. You're used to Sam being away at times, but not where he might have aged one day, and you thirty years. That isn't acceptable to anybody here. I wouldn't allow it."

Becky turned and went to her console. "How has it been so far?"

James responded. "All systems appear to be working as expected. Ship is still airtight. Do we need to still use spacesuits?"

"Let's keep using them for now. Are you ready for a longer jump? Say to Mars?"

There was quiet for a second, and then, "Yes."

Becky fed them the coordinates, and they disappeared once again.

"This will tell us a lot," she responded. "Mars is not in a good position relative to Earth. It is fifteen light minutes away. So that is a half hour there and back at the speed of light. It won't take them that long. But it might seem that way to us."

Ninety seconds later, the ship reappeared.

"YES!" screamed Liam and Becky, jumping up and high fiving each other.

"Aurora. Can you confirm you went to Mars?"

"Yes. It was an instantaneous jump. We waited ninety seconds and returned. How long were we gone?"

"Ninety seconds."

"Really?" they heard Evan in the background.

"Yes. We are quite relieved over here," said Liam.

"Have you ever wanted to see Saturn?" asked Becky.

"Sure, but not too close to the rings," said James. "I heard they are beautiful, but you get the best view from afar."

Liam looked over the location Becky suggested, and he nodded. "That's great."

"Aurora. This should be more towards the moon Enceladus. Any photos of that as well as Saturn would be great."

"You keep getting further away," remarked Jessica when the ship had disappeared. "How far is this?"

"Just under ninety light minutes. So yes, this is another large leap."

After ninety seconds, there was no ship. Ashleigh's heart picked up speed. This was the first time today that the ship hadn't returned after ninety seconds.

When it reached the two-minute mark, Ashleigh got up to stand looking directly at the large monitor of the ship room. It didn't alter the situation. There was still no ship.

Liam, Henry and Becky were silent. They had screens up trying to pick up the ship telemetry. Just in case the ship had come back to the wrong place. Nothing. The screens showed no connection.

Jessica sat where she'd sat since the tests had begun that morning. She was as calm as ever. She sat with her legs not crossed, and her hands in her lap. She was watching the screen intently.

Ashleigh stood, gazing at the screen. Willing herself to not blink. In a blink the ship might appear, and she didn't want to miss it. The first trip into space, a few weeks ago, had a delayed return while a problem with the electronics was fixed. The crew of the ship had the advice and expertise of the control room. This time they were alone. There was nobody to help. There was nobody to talk with.

They could be in trouble. They could have been destroyed. They could have been kidnapped by evil alien creatures in much larger ships. No matter how any of them willed, the ship room stayed empty.

At almost three minutes, the ship reappeared. Ashleigh looked across at the others in the room to make sure it wasn't just her seeing it.

"Aurora," said Becky. "What's your status."

"Sorry about the delayed return. The clocks are still in sync."

"Roger that Aurora. We'll stop testing for a bit if you want to disembark. We need to assess the readings."

"Understood."

Becky removed her headset. "Jessica, shall we go down and berate them together? Since the clocks are still in sync, the issue of their delayed return wasn't the science. They stayed 176 seconds instead of 90."

At the door, beyond which there were the stairs leading down to the basement, stood Luke. "Thanks Luke," said Becky. "We're stopping for a little bit."

"How did the tests go?"

"We've done four tests. It looks like Friday is a go. Do you want to let your contact know? We don't have the coordinates yet. We need to know the pickup point."

"I'll let you know," said Luke standing aside.

Jessica and Becky went into the ship room, as the team were disembarking. There was excited chatter.

"What happened," said Becky with a tinge of anger. "You knew we would be worried. What caused you to delay?"

"We were visited by an alien and provided the coordinates for Friday," said James smoothly. "It ... distracted us."

With that all the anger dissolved out of Becky's body.

"Do we know that it is the right alien race? Could it have been the one that's tried to kill us?" asked Jessica

"It is something that they said," said Sam. "It was an Alphonian."

"Great news. It looks like everything is set for Friday. Sam, based on the results so far today, are you happy to do the larger jump of 150 light years?"

Sam glanced across at Jessica. "Sure. As long as the tests we do later today give the same results, then I'd be honoured to be part of that crew. It does prove one thing though. The aliens must be able to track the jumps. If it is all jumps or just larger ones, I don't know, but we were there over thirty seconds before they appeared."