The Fall of the Absolute

by Karen Page

Chapter 20

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Chapter 20

On Christmas Day, all had been dressed as women, apart from John and Paul as they were children and not investigators. Today they were all going to be dressed as men.

After showering, Jennifer started her preparations. Her suitcase had the appropriate items. Bindings and compression vest were the first items removed. There was no fear or trepidation. This was something done many times. Over the years she'd got better at it, and quicker with the transformation. Theo lay on the bed watching. He always found it fascinating. In a lot of ways, what Jennifer was doing was a lot harder than what he'd done the previous day.

When the transformation had been completed, Theo whistled. "You get better at this each time you do it."

Casual male dress was what the schedule had. Jeans and tops were what they'd both gone with. In some ways it was easier with smarter wear. A suit jacket was a lot easier to hide in than a thin T-shirt.

"I'm glad I'm not getting worse," came the response.

"Watch your voice," Theo said. "There was still some Jennifer in it. Think Richard."

"Is this better?" Richard asked.

"Yes," Theo said, getting off the bed and giving him a kiss.

After a few minutes, they broke apart. "Fantastic. Now, let's get some breakfast. I'm going to need to do this more often. I'm getting rusty."

"Only ten minutes slower than your quickest. It's been over six months. I think you did well. Though it might not be the presentation you want for the shop."

Richard gave a chuckle that was a bit throaty. "I've no idea how Reggie will react either, but that's something for another day."

Franco and Manuel, the two Italian men, were at the kitchen table. Richard smiled and went to say hello. They saw Theo, and someone coming down the stairs holding hands was a sure giveaway.

"So, what's happening today?" Theo asked as they sat down with a bowl of cereal.

"We have a day mostly playing music. Relaxing before we go back and face whatever our investigations give us. What type of thing do you do on the station?" Franco asked.

Richard frowned. "Listening is our tasking. However, between us we've also stopped two attempted assassinations, and been involved with a week-long rescue of a stranded ship about a thousand light-years from base. Not bad for three months."

Keith and Zack joined them. Kelly and Hope were not recognisable.

Manuel whistled. "Not a cushy duty then."

Keith snorted. "No. And that's all while we still do our cover jobs and pray nobody notices us doing anything we shouldn't. Our main jobs are public enough that most won't suspect."

"Any idea who's going to conduct?" Theo asked, putting his bowl into the dishwasher.

Nobody did.

"I didn't think music was the thing for the Italian school. Do you play?" Zack asked.

"We do. It might not have been the shared ethos at the school, but for some reason the Beta team were encouraged to play an instrument. It wasn't until we came here that we realised why. We might not be up to your standard, but it isn't like we are going to be playing in a concert."

"If you put as much dedication into it as you do the rest of your life, I'm sure you'll be fantastic," Richard said, knowing how dedicated the investigators were. Whatever they did, they did with all their conviction.

"Keith, what is Space Racing like?" Franco asked. "I have a brother who's a Sporting Director for a famous Italian racing team. I just wondered how different it is."

Keith shrugged. "It's a lot smaller. There's no engineering. All the Space Racer ships are identical. Painting and decals are about the limit for modifications. It's just me and Zack on race day."

"When do we see you race? I saw you qualify. I was investigating a company, and everyone was watching. I'd no idea I was watching a colleague."

"We've not been picked up yet," Keith sighed. "It seems most teams are species based, so we might have to set up a team. We'd need a manager to look after the interface with the Space Racer Foundation. Miss T said she'd find someone."

After breakfast they all rushed back to their rooms to collect instruments, and they made their way into the communal lounge. All the settees had been pushed to one side, and seats had been set out with music stands.

Theo gasped, and Richard turned round to see Andy and David, with two other men. With them were three boys. That was unexpected.

"Everyone," Andy called, and the room went quiet. People looked up from setting up their instruments to see what one of the most senior investigators had to say.

"I'd like you to meet Tommy. I want to make it clear; this is something Tommy wanted to do. We didn't suggest it. Today, Tommy is going to help me with percussion."

There were a few calls of "Welcome, Tommy". Andy had made that speech so there was no confusion. He didn't think anybody would accuse them of steering their child, but he wasn't taking any chances.

"A task for you," Richard heard as he went towards where the French horns would be sat. He whirled around to see Luke.

"Uncle Luke. Stop sneaking up on me like that."

Luke laughed. "Learn another instrument. Then you can play that when there are more players than slots."

"I play the piano, but I don't think that'll work. Viola or Cello?"

"Either or both. David is going to play the trombone today and Mike will move from trombone to cello."

Richard thought about it for a few seconds. "Oh. How complex. And it all depends on who can make Christmas and what players are there."

"Exactly. Anyway, it will be a nice chance for me to play with you. I've not had this opportunity in eight years."

As they set up, Luke asked, "Does your Ma know what male name you use?"

"Yes. When I got invited for the interview, I asked my parents. They were quite surprised I was thinking about that. Ma knew about Mix Up Mondays. The surprise was me wanting to use her dead name. I explained it was to honour her. I would one day get married and no longer carry on the surname Head. It was a way of still being connected. The next day they said that if I got a place and accepted, then yes, I could use it."

"Well, Richard North, let's see how well you play."

John, the eldest of the children, was sat next to Marcus. Paul, the middle child, was next to Christopher. They both seemed comfortable in the orchestra next to their cross-dressed parents. Fleetingly Richard wondered if any of their children would go to Hayfield and what their parents would say if there was an invitation made.

It was a day playing, eating mostly leftovers from the previous day's feast and relaxing. Snow still covered the ground, but no new flakes fell from the sky. The media were talking about a 'beast from the east' arriving in a few weeks' time, but media always said that over winter. It rarely happened. The world might have shrunk, and aliens become our friends, but nobody had managed to forecast the weather any better.

"And?" Richard asked as they finished the last piece that afternoon. "How was my playing?"

"Fabulous," Luke responded with a grin. "But I wouldn't have expected anything else. You did go to Hayfield Music School after all."

"Do you have more days off, or are you back to work?"

"We have a few more days. We are going to stay a few days in Gloucestershire visiting your parents."

"Have fun!" Richard responded, feeling a small pang of regret not to be going. Three and a half years remaining.

"Time will fly," Luke responded, knowing how Richard felt, having been in that situation himself many years ago. "In some respects, it was easier for me because Stacy had reconnected with our parents. Your parents know and understand."

"Did you know that Theo's dad saw me and Theo on the news when we went to Stratford? He tracked down my parents. He spent Christmas with them. Kelly's parents were there too."

For a moment, Luke looked shocked and then burst out laughing. Not gentle laughter, but loud hysterical laughter. When Theo came across, Luke's laughter seemed to increase in intensity. When he calmed down, he said, "Being part of a famous family is certainly giving you a different experience."

"We better start making our way back to the Station. It's getting late there. If you are ever on the Rohastin Station, don't be a stranger."

"As long as it doesn't break a cover, no problem. We are family, so that gives some excuses. And I've been there with you when you were younger. It would be harder for others, even if they are almost extended family."

"I know, that is why I've never said to others. I feel so fortunate in life to have met such wonderful people. You and Tina. Your sister and her family."

"The universe moves in mysterious ways," Luke said, with a small chuckle.

Luke and Richard hugged. Richard looked around for Tony and bounded across to give him a hug too. It might have seemed strange two men hugging, but Richard didn't care. Family was family.

Once changed, they made their way to the Transport Hub and made their way back to London and onward to the Rohastin Station. The journey back seemed more tiring and even though it would still be early in Wales, it was late on the station. They'd had a few days break and it now was over.

"Back to work in the morning," Theo sighed as they stepped off the hopper at the Station.

"Back to training and learning," Hope sighed, feeling the same as the others.

The hopper departed back to London. Reflexively they all turned on their Devices with one hand and dragged their suitcases with the other. They would need it to tell the Transport Hub which floor to take them to.

Jennifer suddenly stopped and Kelly, who'd been turning on her Device, bumped into her.

"What the..." Kelly trailed off as Jennifer put up a hand. They all crowded around her. It was obvious someone had contacted her as soon as she switched on her Device.

A few seconds later she turned. "That was the Station. We need to go to Hangar Five."

"What's in Hangar Five?" Kelly asked.

"I've no idea," Jennifer said. "I presume we are meeting a ship."

"Our favourite bar is just by that hangar. Shame we've got our suitcases," Hope thought aloud.

"I'm not lugging my case through that small gap," Kelly said firmly. "No way."

Laughing, they made their way to the Transport Hub and down to Hangar Five. Hangar Five was no different to any of the other hangars. The only differences were that Hangar Two was where the request hoppers of all species came in, and the Ambassador hangar, which was restricted to Ambassador ships and special dignitaries.

"So where do we go?" Theo asked, as they all stepped from the Transport Hub into Hangar Five. There must have been a few hundred ships parked up. The Station, knowing the incoming ship's dimensions, had sent the ships to a relevant pad, like a ship jigsaw puzzle.

"Row twelve, slot six."

They made their way along, admiring the ships as they went. They came and left the station via hoppers to Earth. They never came to the hangars otherwise. It was unusual for them to actually walk among the vessels. Such different styles, and probably different metals.

Eventually they got to row twelve and walked along to the ship Jennifer had been told about. In a fancy font, the word Astraea was stencilled on the hull. Jennifer bit her lip, and didn't say anything, but her heart was pounding as she stared at the name. They didn't see anybody waiting for them. They left their suitcases by Astraea's door and slowly walked around it. At the back was a large engine and two small ones.

"It's a human explorer vehicle," Kelly said in awe. Normal hoppers didn't have engines like that. "What's it doing here? And what does Astraea mean?"

"Astraea was the Greek goddess of the stars," Theo responded. "Jen, try the door. There is only one company that builds ships like this and would have given it a name like that."

Bracing herself, Jennifer walked back to the ship entrance and placed her hand on the palm reader by the door. There was an acknowledging beep and the words, 'Ship ownership transfer completed', before the door opened.

The other three had been watching and Kelly gasped when she saw the words. With the door open, Jennifer stepped inside and the others waited politely outside. The inner door had been left open. They were in a room with standard oxygen. There was no need for the inner airlock to be shut. Again, it wasn't like a hopper, which only had a single large door and never went anywhere without an atmosphere. This was like a traditional spaceship. It could hop but was configured for the more dangerous task of travelling in the vacuum of space.

"Come on in," Jennifer said, when she saw she was alone in the ship. "There's plenty of room."

She looked over the rear cabin. There were six species-adjusting seats. They were well spaced out with room for storage or equipment. The front cabin had two seats facing the window, and two sitting facing each other behind. Again, they were all species adjustable.

"Kelly, you are hereby designated as chief pilot when we're using those engines," Jennifer said, her eyes still wide with surprise.

Kelly laughed. "Good choice. I am the best human Space Racer."

"No fancy moves in this ship," Hope pleaded. "Anyway, it probably doesn't have thrusters like that."

"Are you sure?" Jennifer said, pointing to the array of controls. It was at this point she saw a flashing light on the console opposite the pilot seat.

Kelly and Hope left to examine the outside of the ship. They wouldn't be able to get on the roof, but they'd be able to examine the sides to get some better understanding.

Jennifer slid into the pilot seat and put her palm against the pilot reader. A message came up on the console. Theo stood behind, ready to give support if needed.

"Merry Christmas. After the adventures you've had recently, we thought having a ship of your own would help. It has remote call, so if you were, say, stuck in the Peruvian jungle, you could get Astraea to come to you. It is also equipped with an upgraded interdimensional drive for the ship and communications. We will be coming to the station next week to discuss our upgrades with the other species."

"The destinations list is locked to the human network. It has a bespoke destination system, like Eos and Aurora. This is locked to your biometric even if you grant access to the ship to others in your team. Hops in space are not restricted. Hops to non-human designated systems are also restricted to you. We love you. Ma and Mum."

The message disappeared, and Jennifer smiled. Her parents cared. They knew she worked with people like Tina but had no idea what she did. And they'd found out about Peru and the emergency hop that James and Sam had done. Oops.

"Sit in the co-pilot seat," Jennifer said to Theo. "I'm going to authorise you."

"Really?" he said, clambering into the seat.

Jennifer went through the menus and was glad to see they were similar to Eos's. However, when she got to the list of authorised personnel she stopped and stared. With a shaky breath, she carried on and added Theo. "Press your right palm onto the reader."

"What's up?" he asked as he placed his hand on the reader.

She swallowed hard to try and regain some composure. "My parents registered me as Jennifer North."

"Wow."

"Yeah. Seems Ma has got over her shock."

Kelly and Hope reappeared. "There are thrusters all over the ship. I've no idea what stress this ship could take though."

"If it's like Eos, it will have safety to stop you stressing it too much. There were overrides in that for emergencies. Though Eos didn't have a big engine on the back."

"Did you fly her much?" Kelly asked. It wasn't something Jen had brought up much.

"No. James gave me lessons in the months before I took the Hayfield exam." Jennifer halted as a thought came to her. She sat back in the chair and reviewed the run-up to her joining Hayfield.

"What's wrong?" Theo asked, breaking through her musing.

"Just a revelation. I'm either paranoid or blind. I don't know which is worse."

"Can I help?" Theo asked.

"No. I need to send a few probing messages later. Anyway, let's get Kelly and Hope registered."

"Do you plan to register Reggie too?" Kelly asked, as she supplied her palm print.

"Not yet. It's getting late now, but do you fancy a run in her tomorrow evening? With or without Reggie?"

"With," they all responded.

When Hope had been added, Jennifer shut up Astraea and they collected their suitcases, which were still standing outside the ship. On Earth, it would have been an unthinkable thing to do. On the station, they knew they were safe as the Station looked out for anybody committing a crime against anyone.

At the Transport Hub, they went their separate ways. Kelly and Hope lived on different floors to Jennifer and Theo. Perhaps one day they'd find neighbouring apartments available. There were always people moving in and out of the station but finding space on the same floor had been impossible, let alone two apartments nearby.

"So, what got you all upset on the ship?" Theo said, as they started unpacking their suitcases.

"I was thinking about when James taught me the systems in Eos. There was a lot happening over the years before we took the tests. I was thinking about it and had the silly thought that I'd been manipulated. Been prepared for Hayfield."

"You made the choice to join the school," Theo reminded her. "You could have said no."

"True, but if I had been manipulated, what does that say about the tests? Are they all fake?"

"I don't think so. As Beta One, you saw the reviews because of potential future Betas. Everything seemed to be based on the tests."

Jennifer nodded. "True."

Theo then said softly, "And if you hadn't said yes, we might never have met. I had already been offered a place and would have had a different Study Partner."

He didn't have to say what that would have meant. Study Partners were highly compatible. A person they could be open with. A person they could depend on with their lives. A person that virtually all found to be soulmates and someone they would spend the rest of their life together with.

They went and sat on their apartment settee and Jennifer cuddled into Theo. "I wasn't saying that. I'm pleased I joined the school. I would never want to change that. It's just what happened before I joined that I feel a bit miffed about."

Theo put his head back a bit as he thought. "To me it sounds like they were preparing you for life. For school or not. If you hadn't joined Hayfield, it would have been as useful for life as if you'd joined. But if you really want to know, send an email to Tina or Luke. I don't know what good knowing the answer will do."

"It stops me worrying about it. Thinking if I'd missed something."

"And what is your definition of manipulation? You potentially joining the school? Your family educating you?"

"I don't know," Jennifer said in anguish. "I just don't know."

Theo removed his arm from around Jennifer and twisted around so he faced her. "What is it you think happened with the school? You said earlier you thought you'd been prepared by your family, but nothing about the school."

"I think I was pre-chosen. I deliberately fluffed up the second test and still got an interview."

"That sounds circumstantial at best, but okay. You fluffed the second test but still got a place. Why? Did they treat you any differently from any other Hayfield student? Apart from becoming a beta like I was, Kelly was and Hope was. Do you think I and the other two were preselected?"

She shrugged.

Theo ploughed on. "Okay, let's take this conspiracy back a bit. When you joined Hayfield, you played two instruments. The piano and French horn. Not many others played. Were you told to pick up an instrument?"

"No." Jennifer screwed up her eyes at the pain of those events that started her on her journey.

Theo put his hand on Jennifer's knee but didn't say anything. He knew better than asking when she got upset.

Trying to hold back her tears, Jennifer continued. "The day after my birth mother died, my younger brother died too. I told you about this when I got upset when they talked about Eugene dying at school. Anyway, my Aunt Donna, that was my birth mother's sister, said it was Ryan's fault she died. I was upset and wanted to know more. I couldn't find anything but discovered she'd worked at Hayfield. I thought I might find a clue there."

"Hang on. When you were really little, you wanted to go to Hayfield?"

Jennifer nodded. "Anyway, when I was seven, six investigators turned up to protect us, and I found out a bit more about the school. I decided I wanted to play an instrument so I could go. There was an old piano in the office and I decided to learn that."

"And the French horn?"

"Soon after the first test to orbit, mercenaries attacked the factory. Aunt Tina hopped us to The Farm just before they turned up. It is the first time I heard Uncle Luke play the French horn. I liked the sound and started to learn while there. He taught me the basics."

"So, you wanted to go to Hayfield, and you learnt multiple instruments. When did you stop wanting to go?"

"When I was told there were limited places and if I went because I wanted to go, someone who needed to go wouldn't get the place. I was being selfish."

Theo laughed. It was so absurd.

"You're laughing at me," she pouted.

He stopped laughing. "I wasn't laughing at you. I was laughing at the situation. You wanted to go but weren't selfish. You didn't use your aunt and uncle as a method to get in. You didn't use your birth mother. You got the place on merit."

"But was it via the exam?"

Theo threw up his arms in exasperation. "Who cares! You qualified for the school. If they have a separate channel to choose students, it doesn't matter. You weren't selfish, you got in because you fitted. You were the perfect Study Partner for me. I needed you then. I need you now. Why are you suddenly so het up about this?"

In a small voice, Jennifer said, "It's like the Trinity and other prophecies. It's like my childhood was also destined."

It all became clear to Theo then. He shifted around and took both her hands. "What is the job of a parent?"

Jennifer frowned, unsure where Theo was going. "To bring up their child safely. To prepare them for adult life."

"That'll do," Theo said, with a small smile. "Did your parents do that? Did they prepare you?"

"Yes," she responded with a nod.

"And do you think any of the things they taught you would not have been relevant if you hadn't gone to Hayfield?"

"No, nothing was Hayfield specific. I made my own choices. I learnt to play instruments. I decided to sit with the scientists and listen in and learnt high levels of science via osmosis."

Theo smiled, almost triumphant.

Jennifer then continued, almost in a daze. "Apart from the last three or four months. It was like they were cramming things in."

Theo pondered for a moment. "Your parents obviously let you make your own choices. They also seemed to be people who didn't live for the moment. Your parents thought ahead and planned. Could it be they saw the upcoming exams and knew the possibility you might be offered a place, and that you might accept? They planned for the possibility rather than the certainty."

Jennifer sat there, her mouth open.

"At the end of the day, you chose to go to Hayfield, not your parents. Sure, Kirsty framed things in a way that would appeal to you, but it was your choice. What about joining the beta program? Was that your choice?"

Jennifer gave a small smile. "It was ours. As was joining GS."

"And it is our choice if we decide to continue. If we wanted, we could hand in our notice and go back to Earth or Scorpion. We don't have to be here."

"I want to be here. I'm making a difference," Jennifer said, sounding more certain.

Theo nodded. "We are making a difference. Then we stay. Again, our choice. We aren't letting prophecies guide us. The Oracle has his visions and so what. Ignore it. Let us live the life we want. A life of helping others not only because we can but we want to. It isn't because someone has said we should."

Instead of sending a message asking if they'd prepared her for Hayfield, she sent a message thanking them for the rather extravagant gift.

----

For those that haven't read previous stories here are some of the cross-dressed names:

Normal Name	Cross-dressed Name
Stacy	Marcus
Andy	Brenda
David	Jayne
Helen	Christopher
Tina	Tony
Luke	Lisa