The Fall of the Absolute

by Karen Page

Chapter 23

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Chapter 23

"You'll never guess what?" Kelly said, rushing into the shop along with Hope. It was just them, and Reggie was using the time to perfect her English. When there were no customers, that was what they now used. They would switch after they'd had lunch and use the Reginadde native language, so Jennifer got practice.

"I've no idea," Jennifer responded, rolling her eyes.

Reggie didn't get the phrasing. "Your parents are on the station?"

"They aren't, are they?" Kelly asked, her heart sinking.

Reggie shrugged. "I've no idea. I was just guessing like you asked us to."

Jennifer stifled a laugh. "So, tell us already."

"We have a team. The paperwork has gone in to register it with the Space Racer Foundation."

"So, who's the manager?" Jennifer asked, wondering if it was Franco's brother.

"An Australian, Robert Potarnus. He has an administrator who is also coming. Sofia Hopscotch."

Jennifer laughed. "Hopscotch? Wasn't that a kid's game?"

"Yeah. I hope they're real names. They did the paperwork from Earth and are visiting here today. A lawyer from Earth is also coming to make sure all is correct."

"They didn't really submit the forms on human paper, did they?" Reggie asked, shocked.

"It's just a saying," Jennifer reassured her. She turned to Kelly. "If they've never come to the station before, you'll need to meet them and get them a device. You can pick them up at the café round the corner."

"I hope their Hytuna is at an adequate level," Reggie said. "Being team manager, you are interviewed by so many before and after a race."

"Are you guaranteed a seat in that team?" Jennifer asked Kelly.

She nodded, blushing. "For now, anyway. I have to keep up my performance. A team can have two racers. I'm one. There isn't another human available yet. Perhaps we will be the first multi-species team."

"Are they going to live here?" Reggie asked.

"I don't think so. They don't need to. It only takes a few ticks to hop to the station for any meetings. At the end of the day, it depends on what they want and how much interfacing they have to do. This is all new for them."

Hope nodded. "For us, our life is here. For them, it's just their job. The only reason they have to come today is to meet with the Space Racer Foundation."

"Are you going to take them to the Stadium?" Reggie asked.

"Is that its title?" Kelly asked, surprised. She'd just referred to it as the Space Racer facility. She'd never heard it referred to as anything but the Space Racer facility.

"It's the closest word to the Hytuna. I'm not aware of a specific translation. The course is the Arena, and the structure is the Stadium."

"We better go," Kelly said. "I don't want them turning up and not knowing where to go. It's going to be a long day. They want to watch a few sessions and discuss sponsorships etc."

With a wave from Hope, they both went off to Hangar Two where the hopper would arrive.

"I so hope this works out for them," Jennifer said with a sigh. "They've worked so hard."

"Kelly has the talent," Reggie said. "We saw that with her certification. We will only see how Hope's been doing when she spots a race. You can't win a race unless both sides of the team work well together."

The shop was never quiet for long. The morning rush started, and they were soon back to speaking Hytuna.

When they shut the shop that evening, Kelly and Hope were still at the Space Racer Stadium. Theo had finished work in good time, so with Reggie, they made their way to watch. It was crowded. Children visiting after school, adults visiting after work. It was one of the main recreational facilities. There were sports areas in the middle levels of the main station which were also popular. At the moment though there were very few human items there. It was where they went to run, but there were no bicycles, footballs or even basketballs.

They saw Hope first. She was in the racing area, a few people with her. When she saw Jennifer, Theo and Reggie, she waved them across.

"Hey," Jennifer said when they got there. She recognised one of the people, standing slightly to one side. "Colin Hood, isn't it?"

"Jennifer," he said with a smile, moving slightly further away from the others so they could talk in private. "You've grown. It's been ten years and you remember me?"

Jennifer wanted to roll her eyes at being told she'd grown, but instead she just smiled. "Why would I forget Sam's brother? I might not have seen you, but I've seen Sam plenty. Anyway, you're still in the news a lot. Opposition leader. At the rate the current lot are doing, future PM."

He shrugged. "It's got less of a ring than it used to."

"So, what are you doing here?"

"A favour for my ex-employer. Before I went into politics, I was a lawyer. I came to check the contracts to make sure things were in order and advise Hope and Kelly."

"Not the team contract?"

"That was done Earth-side last week." Colin shook his head in wonderment. "I never thought I'd deal with intergalactic rules. It's certainly different from when I practised law instead of creating law. Then we would deal with financial penalties. But with no money, things are different."

Jennifer moved back to the main group and Hope said, "This is Robert Potarnus and Sofia Hopscotch."

Jennifer's eyes glazed over when she caught sight of Robert. He was in his early forties, dark hair swept to one side, a slightly chiselled chin and eyes of deep hazel that made her think of hot chocolate.

Theo noticed and gave her a slight kick. Sofia had his attention, not because of her looks. He was sure she could look stunning if she wanted to. What made him pay attention was the way she interacted. The way she looked outwardly to be totally distracted, but her eyes told him she was taking it all in.

"How long have you been following Space Racers?" Jennifer asked, averting her gaze from Robert's eyes.

"Since it came on streaming," he said. "It will be good to have Kelly taking them on. Streaming only showed the top two leagues. I'm sure with a human in the mix, they will start showing the other two leagues too."

"Have you ever been to a race live?" Theo asked.

"Not yet," Robert replied.

"There is one tomorrow at the stadium above Alfare, the Alphonian home world. You will need to get transport from here, but it is nothing like watching it on streaming."

Robert responded, "We got the same advice from Hope and Kelly. We were also invited by the Foundation. We were going to be there anyway. It is the last race before Hope and Kelly start."

Jennifer turned to Hope. "You've signed?"

The grin was the biggest Jennifer had ever seen on Hope's face. It had taken all her willpower to stop the grin when they'd turned up. "Yes."

Jennifer, Theo, and Reggie enveloped her in a hug.

"Ooh, Kelly's starting her practice run against Skopiar," Hope said. "If you excuse me."

Hope dashed to her booth. This was a training session against one of the Frotanians in the entry league. As she neared her booth, she saw the Frotanian spotter. She lowered her arms and lowered her head. He did the same. When they looked up, they fist bumped.

Robert looked bemused. "What was that?"

"The Frotanian greeting," Theo said. "They were being polite to each other. Just like you might shake hands on Earth. If you go to see someone in a different country on Earth, you make the effort to know a few words in their language, or how to greet them. It is the same here."

"I see," Robert said, mulling it over. "I presume each different species has different greetings."

"Yes," Theo said, and turned to Reggie, and performed the Reginadde greeting, which she responded to. Turning back to Robert he said, "Interspecies Services at the Worlds Assembly have information to help you."

The Worlds Assembly was the overarching body that represented Earth and Scorpion to the Rohastin Council. Earth and Scorpion had their own governments administering those planets. The Worlds Assembly was the body that appointed Georgina Harries as the Human Ambassador to the Rohastin Council.

Jennifer gazed lovingly at Theo. He'd taken his job at the Ambassador offices seriously and had been learning all sorts of useful things. Part of his job covered confidential Rohastin Council items which she knew he would never share. But having someone on the inside had already saved at least one Ambassador's life.

"What do you three do on the Station?" Sofia asked, the first time she'd spoken to them.

"I work as an aide to the ambassadors," Theo said. "Jennifer and Reggie run a shop not far from where you arrived."

They watched as Kelly and Skopiar left the docking area, and together they plunged towards the track.

"Good to meet you," Jennifer said. "We're going to watch it from the seats. We'll get a much better view."

"We've got an interview soon," Robert said. "It's good to meet you."

"You seemed to like him," Theo teased Jennifer as they sat down to watch.

Jennifer blushed. "Not in the way I love you," she responded. "Did you notice Sofia? I think there is more to her than it seems. Not sure if she went to a sister school."

"She smiled when she saw our brooches," Theo confirmed.

"If she took extra lessons or not, I've no idea," Jennifer mused. "However, the way she asked questions made me think she doesn't work where we do."

"You work in the shop," Theo reminded her, and she smiled lovingly at him.

Reggie wasn't paying attention, just watching the two racers zipping through the course. The broadcast system was off, so it was whatever they could see with their own eyes. They were in a hidden part of the course, but when she reappeared, they switched their attention back to the arena.

Kelly was slightly ahead, blocking Skopiar's progress. Kelly moved up, expecting a move from Skopiar, but instead he moved to her left, and went around, passing her. The next two turns were sharper than usual.

"Kelly's upset," Reggie noted.

"I agree," Jennifer said and then gasped when Kelly took the next turn at a totally different path to Skopiar. "What is she doing?"

Skopiar and his spotter must have been surprised too, as he moved off his usual track. Kelly darted past and seemed back in her groove. Her lead was short lived as Skopiar was able to negotiate some of the turns at a higher speed and was soon back on her tail. As they neared the final gate, Skopiar took the inside corner and managed to get into the lead. He crossed the line first.

It wasn't a one lap skirmish but five. The Space Racer vehicles were identical, so winning or losing was purely down to the skill of the racer, and the instincts of the spotter to advise on what the other racer would do. For three laps, they were equal. No sooner had one of them got in the lead, the other would be battling to overtake.

Then it changed. Kelly made a different move coming into the tunnel, blocking Skopiar. By the time she came out, there was a gap. It was like she stopped looking behind. The gap continued to open and when she got to the end of the five laps there was a gap of two gates.

"They're both doing so well," Reggie said, her hands fluttering in excitement. "I can't believe how well she won."

Theo, Jennifer and Reggie got up to see them. They saw Robert talking with two people from the media. Sofia was out of the way from the camera but listening. They skirted around them and got to Hope who was talking with Skopiar's spotter. That seemed a rather fraught discussion. Hope was gesturing with her hands, and Skopiar's spotter was remonstrating too.

Kelly had docked and was waiting for Skopiar to arrive. As soon as he docked, he got out and rushed towards Kelly. He said, "That was wonderful. What was that move?"

Kelly shrugged. "It was just a different line. There was no special move."

Skopiar seemed excited. "I tried it the next two laps and couldn't do it. Can we try again in two days?"

There was no accusation that the vehicles were different. He knew they weren't. Jennifer waved to Kelly to get her attention. When Kelly looked across, she mouthed "Hope".

Kelly shrugged and dragged Skopiar along with her to the spotter's area. She saw their two spotters in the middle of a heated discussion. Skopiar shared a puzzled look with Kelly and they both rushed to see what was wrong.

"What's going on?" Kelly asked, her voice sweet and calming.

Frotanians were a very mild species. It was surprising to see one so upset.

"Jiriana was confused about the route you took," Hope responded, trying to be diplomatic.

Skopiar nodded. "I was there. It was unusual, but not illegal. Jiriana, I've asked Kelly to practise with me in two days. Before then, I'm going to see if I can do that path. If so, it might surprise a few at the race tomorrow."

"Sorry I got upset," Jiriana said.

Hope gave him a dazzling smile. "Don't worry. Though if you do it again, I'll punch you just below your shoulder, just about here." Hope touched Jiriana gently where she mentioned.

He winced. It would be like punching a human in the stomach. Hope might look young and sweet, but she could hold her own. That comment also let him know she knew his weak points.

"We'll see you tomorrow," Kelly said to the two Frotanians. "We're going to Alfare."

"I'm going to see my grandfather," Reggie said. "I'm so thrilled that both of you have got on a team. If you race and spot like today it won't be long before you go up a division."

Hope and Kelly blushed. Reggie had been a Space Racer fan since she was still at school.

Robert and Sofia sidled up. "We've been advised to stay the night on the station to make it easier for tomorrow's race, since we have to go from here. Any idea on the process of getting two rooms?"

"Ask your Device," Kelly said instantly.

Jennifer suggested, "Do you have a change of clothes? I work in a clothes shop. I can rustle something up."

Robert nodded. "These Devices can do a lot. I've got a room, and one should be given to Sofia."

"I've got it," Sofia acknowledged. "What do people wear to the Space Racers?"

"Nothing special. Apart from the people running it, like the Space Racer Foundation or the team managers."

"Can you make something appropriate?" she asked. "I'd be grateful. Robert?"

"I'm good," he responded. "Earth is only a hop away to collect it."

"A tip," Hope said. "Get your Device to wake you. The beds are so comfortable you may sleep longer than usual."

Robert looked slightly incredulous at that recommendation, but Sofia nodded, taking the suggestion as a good idea.

Sofia and Jennifer went off to the clothes shop. Theo thought about tagging along, but he'd just be in the way.

"Give me a shout," he said, as they made their way to the Transport Hub. "We can all go for a meal."

When they got to the shop, Jennifer unlocked and she went in with Sofia.

"What type of outfit do you want? Have you decided on a team logo? I could work something into the top."

"Do you need to measure me?" Sofia asked.

"Gosh, no," Jennifer said in surprise. Even on Earth shops had started moving into scanners and generating on demand. "When you walked in, you went through a body scanner. I have all your measurements."

"Interesting setup," Sofia pondered as she looked at the entrance. "All invisible. We don't have a team logo yet. So just something smart casual. Trousers, but not jeans. A dark polo-shirt. The focus should be on Kelly, Hope and Robert. I'm just an administrator."

"No problem. Let me also give you a shoe upgrade. These are based on Alphonian shoes. So comfortable. Especially if you're on your feet a lot."

As Jennifer made the requests, a young Reginadde man came to the door. "Are you open?"

"Not really, but how can I help?"

"I forgot to get my wife some chocolate. I suppose it's too late for today."

He looked quite upset, his hands drooped. As a regular, Jennifer went out of her way. "I had tomorrow's orders in already. I can order some more. The usual?"

"Please. Oh, she will be happy."

Jennifer went out the back and got it. She had a stock, as suggested by Reggie, but she didn't want the customers to know.

When she came out, he'd perked up. "Oh, she will be so happy. She's got to go to one of our young planets. I don't want her going without her comforts."

"I hope she has a pleasant journey," Jennifer responded and he was gone.

"Sorry about that," Jennifer said, turning back to Sofia. "Let's see how your outfit is doing."

It was ready, and Sofia took it. "I think I'll just grab something from the café around the corner. Kelly took us there earlier to get our Devices. It's been a long day, and tomorrow is going to be busy."

"Okay," Jennifer said, locking the shop back up. "I hope you enjoy tomorrow."

"Is that it? No shutters when you lock up? Anybody could still walk through the windows."

"They could. But they wouldn't get far. All premises are protected. My locking up is just turning on that protection."

"Interesting," was all Sofia said. "Thank you for the clothes. I'm sure we will meet again."

Jennifer watched her go, not towards the café but towards the Transport Hub, probably going towards her room. There was something about Sofia. Jennifer didn't think she was from Hayfield, nor one of the sister schools. She might be wrong, but something didn't seem right.