The Fall of the Absolute

by Karen Page

Chapter 21

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Chapter 21

"You're back," Reggie said when Jennifer came into the store.

"You've opened up early."

"A few early collections for outfits. This Christmas festival you had. I presume it's really a big deal?"

"Yes. Why?"

"I've not seen a single human on the station the last few days. I think the only one left was Ambassador Harries. I heard that even Rupert went back to Earth with Beth."

Jennifer paused. "With Beth? They shared the same hopper? Or they are a couple and were spending Christmas together?"

"They're a couple, as you put it. Hadn't you realised?"

Jennifer replayed conversations in her mind, but nothing registered as a hint. "How long have they been together?"

"Not long, I think," Reggie responded, considering. "While I was being recruited."

"I totally missed that."

"I only know about it because my grandfather mentioned it. Ambassador Harries had been worried about Rupert. 'Too much work and too little play' she'd said."

"What?!" Jennifer was bewildered. "How does he know?"

Reggie looked at Jennifer like she was dense. "She lives with my grandfather."

"The Human and Reginadde Ambassador are sleeping together?"

Reggie nodded, solemnly.

Jennifer thought her mind was going to explode. She blurted out, "How does that work? Are our species compatible like that?"

"I don't think so. I only know because he came to me for advice about females. Apparently, she screamed and he was worried he'd hurt her. He found out later it was pleasure."

"No more. Please," begged Jennifer. "This isn't something I need to know. Sharing facts is great. But what happens in the bedroom is too much."

Jennifer wondered why Theo hadn't mentioned it. Perhaps they maintained a professional decorum, and it hadn't been visible. She put that aside for a discussion that night when they were alone.

"So, has anybody caught your eye?" Jennifer asked.

Reggie blushed. "I thought so. He turned out to be a recruiter for Reginadde Intelligence set to ensnare me. That's put me off for now."

Jennifer went up and gave her friend a hug. That wasn't nice to be manipulated like that.

At the first lull in traffic, Jennifer asked, "Do you want to do something different after work?"

"Oh?"

"Since it's quiet, go down to Hangar Five." Jennifer gave the exact coordinates. "Let me know what you think."

When Reggie came back, she looked confused. "It is a human ship. It appears to have thrusting engines rather than interdimensional drive."

"It has the interdimensional drive too. Do you want to go out in it tonight? The others will be with us."

If it didn't have an interdimensional drive, it wouldn't have been in that hangar. Reggie hadn't been thinking.

"Whose ship is it?"

Jennifer blushed and looked at her feet. "It seems it is mine."

"But why the strange engines?" Reggie asked, confused. "Isn't that like the rescue ship?"

"I presume my parents want me to be able to get out of most situations. It would be able to get out from the Zone of Silence. I didn't ask for it. I was surprised when I saw it yesterday."

"Can it do anything different?"

Jennifer smiled, understanding this might be reported. "I've no idea. I've not taken her out yet."

"I'll come. Why she and not it? Ships don't have a gender, do they?"

"No, it's an historic thing. Ships that sailed the sea were always referred to as female. I am saying that spaceships travel on the interdimensional tide. Therefore, they are female. Have a think where you want us to go on our trip in Astraea."

Reggie looked shocked. "You can make such a distinction for all the humans?"

"Er, no," Jennifer said, suddenly realising they'd hit a cultural barrier. "I'm saying how I feel. Other humans might feel differently and that's fine. Some human languages like French give gender to almost everything. Others are a lot more relaxed. We might now have a world government, but that is young. You saw a play in England. If you'd gone to France, Russia or Japan you would have had a very different experience. Our history is country based, and hardly anything is the same for the entire species."

"I have a lot to learn," Reggie pronounced.

"Yes. But we never stop learning. I've been on the station such a short time and I'm learning things here. I've not been to your home world apart from that concert we did. I've never been to a Yvestigan world. What could I see if I went to one of the Reginadde worlds?"

Reggie didn't get it. "You want to go to a Reginadde planet?"

"Is that not allowed?"

"Apart from the concert your school did, I've never known it."

"Oh," Jennifer said sounding disappointed. "Perhaps the next Space Racer event at the Reginadde facility I will get to see one of your worlds from a distance."

Reggie nodded. She'd no idea what would happen to Jennifer if she hopped to their home world without permission. She was glad that the human hoppers were designed for specified hopperports. Only the explorer ones could jump in space, and then they were configured to not allow them to go to other species planets.

Jennifer didn't say any more. She hoped it would trigger a report and that Reggie would not feel too bad about it. The last thing Jennifer wanted was Reggie fretting.

Since she'd been away for a few days, Jennifer didn't take breaks. She didn't want Reggie thinking she wasn't interested in the shop. It was therefore a very long day. Aside from the clothes business, human food ticked along. Chocolate and sushi were the two biggest sellers. It varied by species. Alphonians and Reginaddes seemed to go for chocolate. Frotanians were very partial to sushi. Yvestigans seemed to like both.

"I'll see you later for our maiden voyage," Jennifer said as they closed up the shop.

Jennifer went up to see Theo. With no Rupert there it seemed safe. When she went into the outer office, Theo was working away. He looked up and smiled his secret smile he reserved for her. He quickly put back on his professional demeanour.

Jennifer noticed. Even in Rupert's absence he was trying to remain professional. "I'm sorry to disturb you. Is the Ambassador available?"

"I'll check. If you have a seat, can I tell her what it's concerning?"

Jennifer wanted to roll her eyes. "Hamlet." She then said quietly, "Unless you've talked to her?"

He shook his head and went to her office. He wasn't long. "She can see you." Then quietly, "I shouldn't be too much longer."

When Jennifer went in, Georgina Harries stood up from behind her desk. "Jennifer, it is good to see you. Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Yes, it was relaxing. Yours?"

"Likewise. I didn't get to leave the station, but most humans left for Earth or Scorpion, so there were few day-to-day items. Have a seat," Georgina indicated the comfy seats and went across herself. "So, you wanted to see me?"

Jennifer nodded as she sat down. "Thank you for your time. The current Reginadde situation. If it continues on its current path, it might destabilise the Rohastin enough to put EarthGov in danger."

Georgina's eyes twinkled. "Oh, gloves are off. You are no longer hiding in your shop?"

"I was advised you would have a much better understanding of the situation and what might be done."

Georgina raised an eyebrow at that statement. "What is it to me? I don't work for EarthGov. I work for the Worlds Assembly."

"Nominally," Jennifer said trying not to laugh. "On paper, but you really work for the Rohastin."

"Anything else you want to share?"

"A heads up. My parents sent me a rather extravagant gift. She's in Hangar Five. Anyway, it seems she has an updated drive that doesn't get blocked by the Urattr. Apparently, they have a meeting here next week."

"Indeed. Now that is an interesting gift. Is it Eos class?"

"No. It is explorer class, with all the safety mechanisms in place. It has thrusters, just in case I land in a system with Urattr."

"Does it have anchor points in case of an emergency rescue?"

"I don't know," Jennifer responded, and then after a thought said, "Perhaps the Rohastin could come up with some standards. Rather like Earth had for docking adapters. That way if there is an emergency, it is easier for all species. There is a mutual rescue clause, in the Rohastin agreement, but from what we've seen, it is virtually impossible for it to be used. Anyway, that isn't why I came to see you."

"I presume when you said Hamlet, you wanted to discuss the Reginadde situation. The Reginadde Ambassador mentioned the phrase 'Something is rotten in the state of Denmark'. Did you have to spell it out so bluntly to Reggie with a trip to Stratford?"

"Yes, and even after that she was in denial. And it served a different purpose; it got her seen on Earth. To Reginadde Intelligence, she is the go-to person on Humans. It doesn't harm that for them to see her going there. A few Earth First protestors turned up. The people from the theatre weren't happy. I heard a few shouts of Barbarian back at them. Your words stuck."

Georgina actually looked pleased. It was how she'd described Earth First ten years previously when Jennifer's parents had been kidnapped.

"Why discuss this with me?" Georgina asked. "I agree with you, by the way, but it is a Reginadde issue. The Ambassador is just one person."

"In normal circumstances, true. But from what I hear, they want the Rohastin to dance to their tune, rather than being an independent group. With your expertise in politics, I wondered if you had any thoughts on where this might go."

"You are being very open. I expected you to try to stay hidden. Yet you are here talking to me openly."

"I'm sure the Reginadde Ambassador has already told you what happened with the first two attempts on his life. Why not talk to you?"

"Who do you work for?"

"I work with Reggie in the shop. I thought I told you that last time."

Georgina shook her head, not in exasperation, but in resignation. "As you wish. Okay, the most important thing, Reginadde don't have recent experience in this type of ..." Georgina paused trying to find the word. She ended up using English, "Shenanigans. Therefore, they might make mistakes or do something unexpected. Something that wouldn't normally happen, because they aren't used to it."

Jennifer listened as Georgina explained some of the things that might happen next. Her insights covered items Jennifer had never thought about.

"Does that help?" Georgina asked, curious about Jennifer's real job.

"I hope none of that happens," Jennifer said, slightly disturbed by some of the scheming Georgina had covered. Politicians should be labelled as a different species. Nobody in their right mind would do some of what Georgina said, but in thinking back in life, she was sure she was just quoting some mad person's playbook. "This gives me an idea of what to look for. I would never have spotted half of those schemes."

"Thank you for your time," Jennifer continued, getting up. "Oh, when is Rupert back?"

"Not until the Earth New Year. He hasn't had a good break for a few years. Theo has learnt enough that Rupert felt comfortable having a break."

Jennifer felt a warmth run through her. That was high praise for Theo. He must be doing an exceptional job.

Just as Jennifer got to the door, Georgina asked, "If we needed Kantu to visit again, is that something you could help with?"

Jennifer turned around. "I could send an email to Chief Sala. He made sure I had his contact details. But it is a long hike for the elderly through the jungle. I'm sure with warning Eos could be asked to help. Do you want me to ask Chief Sala to make room for Eos?"

"No, not yet," Georgina responded, her face neutral. "We have to see what Star Bright say in the coming days."

This time, Jennifer managed to get through the door. She wondered if the Ambassador had been trying to see if her new ship could jump unrestricted. Theo had finished for the day and was waiting. Together they made their way back to their apartment to eat and prepare to see what Astraea could do.

* * *

Astraea was hidden within all the other ships in the hangar. It was one of the hangars where less frequently used ships were stored. Humans didn't have personal ships. Well, not most humans. What was the point of having a hopper on Earth when a public hopper was never far away. As taxi hoppers took off, there would be even less demand.

Other species though had different rules and expectations. It was obvious that some did have personal ships. Jennifer idly wondered, as she opened up Astraea, if any were long forgotten. Brought here generations ago and abandoned. Owners dying or moving on.

"She has adjustable seats," Reggie said, as she climbed aboard. Adjustable seats didn't mean they moved. It meant their design would change based on the species using them. Not all species had the same shape. An Alphonian would not be comfortable in a human chair.

"My life is in the stars," Jennifer said. "My parents know I need a ship that works across species."

Reggie nodded. She knew Jennifer's parents and how wise they were.

When the door was closed, and Jennifer had stored her rucksack, she said, "Take a seat and let's go. Use a belt, because we probably will be weightless. Kelly, will you sit up front with me. I've not piloted a spaceship like this for a long time and Eos didn't have large engines, just small manoeuvring thrusters."

There were two seats just behind the pilot and co-pilot seats, the rest were further back. Nobody wanted to be away from the action, so Hope joined Kelly on the co-pilot seat.

"Any suggestions for first destination?" Jennifer asked.

Reggie gave a set of coordinates which Jennifer input. They were time specific, as stars and planets moved. You never used coordinates if you wanted to go to an exact location. For bespoke locations, it was either a location/time-based formula or they chose something on the map and the computer worked out the relative position based on the current time.

'Location Restricted' came up on the screen. Jennifer looked where it was. It was within the Reginadde home system.

"I can't fly into claimed space unless authorised," Jennifer explained. "The rescue ship was authorised as it was accompanying the Reginaddes home. We can go to human space, human hopperports, or anywhere in uncontested space. But you gave me an idea."

Jennifer chose a location in space and pressed the button. The interdimensional drive came to life, and they disappeared from the space station. They appeared a few moments later, with a blue planet appearing in front of them. There were gasps from the other human occupants and they leaned forward to see their birth planet of Earth.

"You've been to Earth a few times," Jennifer said, looking back at Reggie who was sat behind the co-pilot seat. "But I thought you might never have seen it from orbit."

"Bring the manoeuvring thrusters online," Kelly said. "Just to steady us. You dropped in with zero orbital velocity. Once we're stable, give the main engines a short burn. We need proper orbital velocity, or we'll start falling towards Earth."

"I'm an idiot," Jennifer muttered to herself. A memory came to her of James showing her how to build in desired speed on exit of the jump. It's how they launched satellites. She found the thrusters and gave them the needed instructions. She had it in assist mode, so she didn't need to know what thrusters to fire. She told the system to orient the ship and keep steady relative to Earth.

"Okay, where are the engines?" Jennifer asked Kelly. Kelly had been part of the rescue crew and knew that part of the system.

"Two down from thrusters in the main panel or press the E button above the panel. That will take you straight to it," Kelly said calmly, making no attempt to take control.

'Stay calm,' Jennifer mentally told herself. Her stomach was churning a bit, and she was unsure if that was the lack of gravity or fear.

She went into the menu and found what she needed. Keeping in assist mode, the main engines came to life. She heard Theo retch behind her, and that set her off. Kelly quickly passed sick bags to both of them.

"I thought my body would have remembered," Jennifer said, when she'd finished being ill. She got a bottle of juice from her backpack to take away some of the taste, and passed it to Theo.

"It does if recent. How long has it been?" Kelly responded.

"Before I joined Hayfield. So, six cycles."

"Exactly. Your body will have forgotten. Reggie, Hope and I were in the rescue ship. We suffered this then. It is soon enough that our bodies remember that weightless feeling."

"Reginaddes get sick like this?" Jennifer asked.

"Yes. Just like you, our brains are used to gravity. Even after a thousand cycles we still haven't been able to stop that reaction. We call it ba'derolg."

Kelly looked across at Jennifer. "You used assist for thrusters and then the engine. In a planetary situation, it works. If you were away from a planet, you wouldn't be able to do that. Today is a pleasure cruise, but I think we need to get you used to manual control."

Jennifer wanted to groan, but she knew Kelly was right. "Okay. But Theo, Hope and Reggie should also get skilled."

"Me?" Reggie responded, her hands giving a small flutter. "But I'm—"

"Part of the team. You don't work for the same people, but we have shared goals. The universe isn't made of absolutes. Just because someone says something and it is true, doesn't mean it is always the full story. We all have agendas."

Reggie nodded, in a human way. "You've been trying to teach me this for a while, haven't you."

"Yes," Jennifer confirmed, totally unapologetic. "If you stay in that line of work, you need to understand that. You have also started to learn to ask for things in a discreet way. You deliberately asked if I could go near your home world to see what safety blocks the ship had."

Reggie lowered her head. "I was asked to."

"I know. Georgina Harries asked me a question earlier, again probing the capabilities. It is what good people do in not accepting the obvious."

Reggie raised her head. "You showed it was blocked. That doesn't mean there isn't an override."

Jennifer smiled. "Now you are beginning to question what has been said. Good."

"And you didn't answer the question."

"That is something new for you to learn. How to answer a question without telling them anything you don't want to but making them think you have. I'm sure you have been told things that you can't tell me. There are things I can't tell you. However, you are curious about the ship, so let me move out. Kelly, if you can keep an eye on us so we don't leave orbit."

Kelly nodded. Jennifer undid her belt and clumsily floated away. She really had forgotten how to cope. But it was like riding a bike; you never totally forgot. After floating towards the window instead of away from it, Hope reached out and grabbed Jennifer and tugged her the right way.

"Thanks," Jennifer said. "Sheesh, I do need to reacquaint myself. Reggie, if you report that I'll be so embarrassed."

"Ooh, report it," Theo said, staying strapped in. "It'll give everyone a laugh."

Reggie looked on in confusion as Jennifer stuck out her tongue. Human teasing was so strange, especially between lovers. Thankfully she'd had practice recently in zero-gravity, so unbuckled and was soon in the pilot seat.

"Why have you put me in the pilot seat?" Reggie asked, confused.

"So that you can do the hop to a forbidden location. That way you know I wasn't tricking you. Let me know if you find anything interesting, it is the first trip out and I've no idea what else is there."

"Is that a little sulk?" Kelly teased.

"A little. We're over Europe. Kelly, remember that group that used to watch the skies? Do you think they're still looking?"

She shrugged. "Perhaps. Nobody else is. Space has become uninteresting again. Ships don't go to orbit; they hop directly to the planet. Some look up wondering what's out there, like you used to. We're too far out to be seen with the naked eye."

All four of the humans stared out of the window as they saw the United Kingdom. Each focused on different areas where they knew their family lived, as if they might get some cosmic connection.

"It's blocked and I can't see any way to circumvent it," Reggie said.

"Were Reginadde Intelligence worried?" Theo asked.

"I'm not sure. I think because Jennifer had talked about visiting, they didn't want any surprises."

"You really have no filter, do you?" Hope blurted out, not knowing that Jennifer had planted the seed deliberately. Though their reaction seemed a lot worse than she'd anticipated.

"What do you mean?" Reggie asked, confused.

Hope indicated that Jennifer should explain this one. "Okay. Let's see. When you found out about the Zone of Silence, you had an implant. It caused chaos, even when you told them it was being dealt with. That was unfiltered intelligence."

"Yes," Reggie confirmed.

"What I reported was that there was an issue, but it was sensitive and being dealt with. I also reported the issues it had caused with the Reginadde and what that could do to the Rohastin. I didn't give the nature of the issue because panic would cause more issues than the jump issue."

"Oh," Reggie responded, looking worried.

"The difference between raw data, and intelligence. Intelligence gives context and meaning," Theo added. "That way people don't jump to invalid conclusions."

"And I mentioned that it would be nice to see your planet and your culture. I was being polite and interested. By the sounds of it, they have taken that as if I'm going to suddenly appear without permission or even invade."

Reggie looked stunned. She'd not realised the full meaning.

"And what happened last time they panicked?" Theo asked. "They tried to assassinate your grandfather. I hope they don't try to kill Jennifer."

"Can we go back?" Reggie asked, terrified what her handlers might be thinking. "I think I need to update them."

"Don't say you were wrong," Kelly advised, setting the ship ready to go back. "Give them your update about the ship. Make it seem they understood the details wrong. They are relying on your knowledge of humans. Make them more dependent on that. Give them reasons how humans work. To humans, different cultures are respected and admired. We visit places to learn and admire, not invade."

Hope said, "Don't sound scared. They will pounce on that."

"I am scared."

"So am I," Jennifer responded. "But do I act scared?"

"No, but you're Jennifer North."

Kelly, Hope and Theo chuckled at that.

"I get scared. I just try not to show it. They think less of you. Act confident. You know more than they do. Make them realise that."

"Interesting," muttered Kelly, as she scrolled through the menu on the panel. It was the first time she'd had chance to play.

"Oh?" Jennifer asked.

"I'm ready. Shall we go?"

"Go," everyone called.

Kelly pressed the button and the interdimensional drive came to life. They arrived at the station a lot quicker than when they'd departed. Reggie was too worked up to notice, but the others had and looked surprised. Kelly put an index finger to her lips.

"Home," Reggie said, getting out of the pilot seat. "And with gravity. Humans need to add artificial gravity to their ships, like Space Racers have."

Theo opened the door, and Reggie rushed out to update her handlers.

"There is an alternative tunnel structure listed," Kelly said when Reggie had gone. "It seemed a lot quicker."

"Evan and Liam are geniuses," Jennifer said.

Kelly consulted the panel, pulling up stats. "That jump took 1.3 human seconds compared to 3 seconds before."

"Wow."

Jennifer was interrupted by the Station. "Jennifer, is your ship okay? It came in very strange."

"I'm sorry," Jennifer thought back in communication with the Station, which was reading her thoughts. "We didn't hurt you, did we?"

"No. But thank you for asking." The station sounded surprised and a bit touched. "You need to be aware that there is a Reginadde waiting for you in the corridor leading to your room."

"Is he armed?"

"I can't detect that she is, but she seems agitated. She arrived soon after you left and has been waiting since."

"Thank you for warning me," Jennifer said to the Station. "I really appreciate it. Do you know who she is?"

"Yes."

"Are you able to tell me who she is?"

"No. She has privacy mode and discreet mode activated. She doesn't want anybody to know she is here."

Different modes? This was new.

"Okay. We will be discreet."