Escaping the Cradle

by Karen Page

Part 36

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Part 36
DATE:FC+143

"Are we going somewhere today?" Jenny asked her ma when she saw her best dress being hung up on the door.

"Yes. It has been one of the hardest secrets I've ever kept. And that's saying something. Now quickly get dressed. Mum will be here soon, and I need to get ready."

When Becky finished getting ready, Ashleigh was waiting in the lounge. They grinned at each other but didn't kiss. They were both smartly dressed and didn't want to ruin their makeup.

"Are you two getting married today?" asked Jenny when she came down the stairs. Seeing her ma in a dress was something unusual. Seeing her in a smart dress was almost unprecedented.

"No, but we are going somewhere with other people who will be dressed smartly. We don't want to seem the odd ones out. We might meet some very important people today. If we do, you need to be on your best behaviour."

Jenny wanted to say 'duh!' but didn't. She just nodded and agreed.

The car journey wasn't long. When they turned off the A38 towards the factory, Jenny sat up and asked, "Are we going to the factory? Are we going somewhere in Eos?"

"Yes, and yes," replied Becky. "Now remember. Be on your best behaviour."

The security guard was dressed the same as usual, and when they went into the building, Liam, Evan, and Henry were too. Beside them was one of their new recruits looking a bit nervous.

"Looking smart," remarked Liam.

"Are you three going to be okay covering operations on your own?"

"It's good for Paul to get some experience," added Evan. "James and Sam are downstairs ready."

"Thanks," smiled Becky.

Jenny had gone over to look at the wall. She hadn't been to the factory in a while.

"What are you doing?" asked Ashleigh.

"You can't see the bullet holes at all," said Jenny, before following her Ma to go into the basement.

"Bullet holes?" asked Paul in fear.

"Something that happened a while ago. Nothing to be scared of," said Henry. "We'll tell you about it when they're underway."

"That wasn't helpful," said Ashleigh. "You don't want to scare them all away."

"I wasn't trying to scare him," Jenny pouted. "I was just saying."

The ship was unlocked, and when they boarded, they saw James and Sam sat at the front of the ship.

Sam greeted them. "Have a seat, we'll be going in a few minutes."

"Where are we going?" Jenny asked.

"That is something your Ma has been keeping secret from you," Sam said. "And I'm not going to be the one to tell you. You will discover it on your own. What I will say is where we going isn't a playground. You must stay with one of us at all times. Be that your Ma, Mum, James or me."

Jenny swallowed. Sam had never been that firm before, and it reminded her of the time she'd disobeyed her Ma and run to see the aliens. Mum had been firm with her, and she knew the consequences.

James swivelled round in his seat. "Your parents are taking a big risk bringing you along today."

"I'll behave," said Jenny, sitting down, and putting her hands in her lap.

"Good. Your parents think you will too, otherwise you wouldn't be with them."

Becky closed the ship door and took her seat. "Ready."

"We've got a few minutes before departure," said James.

"We've got a set time to pick up some passengers," Becky explained to her daughter.

"Are we going to the alien space station?" Jenny asked.

"Yes," acknowledged Becky. "One thing to remember, they have some strange ideas that I'm someone they prophesised about. I'm a bit nervous that they will make a fuss about it."

"I'll stay with you or mum. I don't want to get lost there."

"There will be security checking the ship before the other passengers get on. So, stay seated so it makes it easier."

"Oh, like Miss Taylor's bodyguards do?" asked Jenny, unperturbed.

"A little, but they don't know us, so there might be a few questions."

Jenny just nodded. She was watching and saw James press the button and the basement disappeared.

"Where are we?" Jenny asked, standing up to look out of the front window.

"Downing Street," Ashleigh responded, nervously and got Jenny to sit down.

Becky opened the door to be met by the police. Two officers swept the cabin with handheld scanners before nodding for the delegation to board. Three protection officers boarded with the passengers, and after Becky had closed the door, they took the row behind Becky, eyes scanning the cabin. They acted as a secure barrier between the delegation and the rest.

"This is so exciting," said Jenny quietly to Ashleigh.

"I know. First time for me too," she responded and held hands as they transitioned to the alien space station.

There was no feeling during the three seconds. It didn't feel like a loss of gravity, just a loss of everything. They didn't float, but they didn't feel grounded either. Before anybody could remark on it, they arrived at the space station. Downing Street, blackness and then the brilliant view of the ambassador ship port all within three seconds.

The only people on the ship that hadn't done that journey before were Becky, Ashleigh, and Jenny. They were frozen for a moment in surprise. They'd all been told about the journey, but it felt different from the planet jumps.

"Thank you for riding Eos," Sam said, opening the ship door. "Wow, that's different."

The protection officers had joined Sam and saw fifty different aliens, gathered by the hanger exit. Separate from them stood three aliens. Sam recognised two of them from their previous visits.

"Vost'am. Quite the crowd," greeted Sam in Hytuna having exited the ship.

"They heard you had three extra passengers. They wanted to see."

Sam went back and said in English to the protection team. "Don't worry, they are here because of Becky. Vost'am will take you to your meeting."

"Perhaps Becky should go first," suggested the Prime Minister. "That might thin the crowd."

"Of course," said Becky getting up. "James, if the Prime Minister is finished before us, can you take her back, and then return for us?"

"No problem," nodded James.

"Good luck," the Prime Minister said, her tone made Becky wonder if she knew more than she let on.

As Becky, Ashleigh and Jenny stepped off the ship, there was a small gasp from the onlookers. Jenny held onto Ashleigh's hand as they made their way forward. The other Alphonian came forward.

"It's an honour," he said in perfect English. "My name is Ro'toran."

"I'm Becky. This is Ashleigh and my daughter Jenny."

"The one in the picture," he said, his eyes widening. The crowd was silent, wanting to hear every word being said.

"Yes. And Ashleigh took the picture," added Becky.

"The Trinity," Ro'toran breathed in reverence. He then called out a word in Hytuna and there were audible gasps from the crowd. The word being repeated between themselves.

Becky glanced at Ashleigh, unsure if the religious term was deliberate or just a coincidence.

"Let me take you to see the doctors," Ro'toran continued back in English.

As they passed the crowd, Becky said in Hytuna. "Thank you."

Ashleigh, who was following behind with Jenny saw the response. It was a religious experience for those in attendance.

"What just happened out there?" one of the UN delegates asked the Prime Minister, baffled, as the crowd dispersed.

"That is the person who came up with the concept of Aurora," responded the Prime Minister. "Vers'am described her as Earth's saviour. Without her, humanity wouldn't have survived due to war or apathy. They see too many species die out. Not able to make it past their issues."

"And you believe this?"

"There is another prophecy regarding me. It doesn't matter what I believe. Others do, which is why the Yvestigans have tried to kill me twice. It looks like we're good to go. Let's meet with the Council and hopefully iron out the last difficulties."

* * *

"Are you okay?" Ashleigh asked Jenny after she'd felt Jenny hold onto her hand a bit tighter.

"I'm worried about Ma. She wants their help but they're making her go through all this fuss. She hates things like this."

"I know. She had an idea it would be like this. We talked about it, but she wants to see if they can help her complete her transition. She didn't want you wondering what was happening, so thought it was good for you to be here too."

"I'm glad she doesn't hide things from me," Jenny agreed.

They stopped at a door, and when Ashleigh had caught up, they went through. They'd expected a medical room, but instead it was a meeting chamber, with five doctors from different races there waiting.

"Nobody expected the Spanish Inquisition," muttered Ashleigh. Becky heard and gave a nervous chuckle.

The Alphonian and Reginadde doctors stepped forward. Ashleigh put a hand on Becky's arm to show she was there. The two doctors talked together in low voices, which nobody could make out, before rejoining their colleagues.

One of the other doctors asked something in Hytuna. Seeing her Ma's blank face, Jenny said quietly, "They're asking how they can help."

She gave her daughter a loving smile. "Thanks. I knew there was another reason to bring you." She then turned to the doctors and said in the Hytuna she'd practiced. "My Hytuna isn't developed. I've written it down."

Becky opened her case and pulled out several pages of paper and handed it across.

"Is that real human paper?" asked Ro'toran in English.

"Yes. Is that an issue?" asked Ashleigh.

He said something in Hytuna, and the doctors were more careful as they poured over it. Jenny laughed. "He warned them to be careful. Paper has sharp edges and can cut. And it is a historic document."

Becky's stomach lurched as she wondered if her medical information would be put on show in some alien museum for the next thousand years.

The middle doctor, someone from a race that Becky hadn't seen before spoke. Ro'toran translated. "This is Shinara the diplomatic doctor from the Frotanians. She is asking why you don't want the human procedure."

Becky bit her lip, trying to find the words to express how she felt. "Can you translate for me?" Becky asked Ro'toran.

"Yes."

"As I described in the document. The human race has two genders. Male and female. I was born with a male body, but a female soul. I take medication to mask the male hormones and other medication to provide female hormones. The next step would be to have surgery to correct my body to outwardly look female in the areas where hormones don't change."

Jenny was listening to the translation and asked something in Hytuna. The Alphonian doctor smiled and answered. She seemed satisfied.

"I am who my soul is. Even if I could change that, I wouldn't want to. Yet I've never had surgery, and it would only give me an approximation. I wouldn't be fully female."

This was translated, and again Jenny asked more in Hytuna. There were a few back-and-forth exchanges before she was satisfied.

"What are you asking?" Ashleigh asked Jenny.

"Some of the translation was beyond my understanding. I was asking for clarification in simpler words. I wanted to make sure it was right. I now understand a bit more Hytuna too."

"I misunderstood a human meaning too," said Ro'toran in English. "For someone so young, your daughter doesn't seem afraid of interacting with professionals. Are all human children like that?"

"No. I think it's because she's grown-up mixing with adults. She's never learnt to fear learning or interaction," responded Ashleigh.

Jenny blushed and looked down in embarrassment.

Shinara asked a question, quickly translated by Ro'toran, "What makes you think we can do a better job than your own doctors. We don't have the same knowledge of your biology."

"There was the virus the Yvestigans used on the Prime Minister."

Ro'toran stood there, shocked and since he hadn't translated, Jenny obliged. There was uproar. The doctors were remonstrating, their voices overlapping, two of them even waved their hands in some type of painful gesture. Becky stood there bemused. Perhaps there was not as much difference between the aliens and humans.

"That was technology used illegally," explained Ro'toran. "To ask them to use it that way is against all they stand for. It could break your mind. They could never risk that with you."

Becky held up her hands. "I'm sorry," she said, remembering the phrase from the initial Hytuna primer. Then when the doctors had calmed down, Becky said in English, "I didn't know. Sorry."

Ro'toran was quick to pass that apology on, and they nodded. The Alphonian said, "What you want would require organ generation or mutation. Even in our advanced state that is the land of fantasy."

The Reginadde added, "But our medicine might be able to do things yours can't. I'm sure humans have techniques we don't. Each time a new race joins, we all get an upgrade to our knowledge and so do they. We can use your entry scans to make comparisons and see if we can come up with a plan."

"Entry scans?" asked Ashleigh.

"Arrivals at the space station are scanned to make sure they aren't carrying anything toxic," Ro'toran explained. He talked briefly with the doctors before saying to Becky. "They suggest you get something to eat while they discuss your issue."

"What about our colleagues on the ship?" said Ashleigh. "Can they join us?"

"They ate a short time ago," he said after a moment. "The delegation is about to break for food too. You should be able to meet them if you desire."

"How did you communicate to know that?" Becky asked Ro'toran as they left the doctors.

"We have a communications implant. It enables us to converse without disturbing others. Where we are going is in the public part of the station. Most will never have seen a human before. I apologise if some seem... " Ro'toran seemed to struggle finding the right word. "...curious."

"Feeding time at the zoo," murmured Ashleigh.

"I don't think he meant it like that," Jenny said. "Sometimes he struggles to know the right words." Jenny then asked doubtfully, "How will we know what anything is?"

"I've no idea," Ashleigh responded. "It's going to be an adventure."

From the corridor, they reached a large set of doors, which opened as they approached. This led them into a large concourse. They walked along, different species going about their business. It was like a mall on Earth, with different vendors. On Earth, glass would separate shoppers from the wares; here it looked open. Yet no sound or scent leaked out; like an invisible barrier existed. There were a few looks from passers-by, but nothing that was too obvious.

"If some were nervous about seeing one or two different species, they'd freak here," said Ashleigh. "I've counted at least a dozen species already."

After a few minutes, they arrived at a large frontage and were shown in. As soon as they walked over the threshold the atmosphere changed. There was the murmur of people talking and enjoying their food, and then there was the smell. It wasn't like anything they'd smelt on Earth. It wasn't spicy, or sweet, but a deep musky scent, and Ashleigh's stomach rumbled in anticipation.

Jenny let go of Ashleigh's hand, and stepped back out of the restaurant and after a moment, stepped back in. She looked up to the ceiling, shrugged, and went back to her Mum.

"The author Arthur C Clarke once wrote, 'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.' I'm beginning to realise what he meant."

"I wish Kelly could see this," Jenny sighed. "Am I okay to talk about it with her? Not the medical thing, but this."

"Of course. She might be jealous though, so broach it gently."

The room was full of diners. They continued along the edge of the room and through a door set into the far wall. This was another room, but with a spectacular view of the gas giant the space station was circling.

Jenny rushed up to Becky. "Look at that Ma!"

Becky nodded. "It makes us look so small, doesn't it. Are you both okay in here? Ro'toran said we could eat where we came in. Some species aren't happy with the view, but he thought we might be."

"It's spectacular," Ashleigh gushed, looking at the multitude of gasses that were gently swirling in vast bands of colour, like weather painted across a planet-sized canvas.

Ro'toran guided them to a table, and someone rushed to them. Six unfamiliar dishes were set down, each steaming or glowing faintly. Another brought three plates.

"I'll leave you to eat. If you need me, I'll be a few tables away. The cooks don't know what you will like, so have brought a selection. Jenny knows enough Hytuna to let them know what you do and don't like."

As they started to discover what the food tasted like, the Prime Minister came into the room accompanied by Vers'am and the Reginadde from the council. Following them was Rupert and the two security officials. There was no sign of the UN delegation.

Vers'am spotted them, and they came across.

"Hello," he said in English. "Can we join you?"

Becky glanced at Ashleigh, who nodded. "Of course."

The Reginadde said something, and the table expanded to allow more of them to sit. Jenny's mouth opened in surprise.

"Molecular reconstruction?" asked Becky, intrigued.

The Reginadde paused, thinking about her words. "I'm not sure what you mean, but if you are asking how the table changed, I'm not sure. How it works is beyond my understanding. That is a science question."

A tray with extra samples was brought for Georgina and Rupert. The Reginadde got up, and when he came back, a young girl was with him.

In Hytuna he said, "Jenny, I'd like you to meet my granddaughter."

Jenny got up and rushed across. "Hello," Jenny said, thought of food abandoned. She quickly glanced at her parents.

"Don't go far," said Becky.

They didn't. They sat on a table behind the group. They had their privacy to chat but were in view of everyone.

"Thank you," Ashleigh said. "I think you've made her day."

The two aliens looked puzzled, and the Prime Minister added, "A colloquialism. You have made her very happy."

"Where are the rest of the negotiators?" Ashleigh asked.

"They weren't keen on the view, so are eating in the closed off area."

"How are the discussions going?" Becky enquired, as she selected something to try, surprised to have been given human cutlery.

"There is a lot to cover, but we are getting there. What about your, erm ... mission?"

"There is a team of five doctors. They're discussing it. I made a bit of a mistake suggesting what had been done to you. I don't think I've ever offended anybody as much."

The Prime Minister turned to Vers'am. "I think we need a list of what is illegal or banned. We don't want to find something we do that causes issues."

The samples were delicious. She chose one, and a full dish was soon brought. This might have been a public restaurant, but they were being treated as VIPs. The service was fantastic and the food out of this world.

Vers'am nodded. "It is part of the pack, but I'll highlight it for you later."

"Thank you."

Ashleigh felt sorry for Rupert. Even though he was getting some food, he was keeping a note of various things.

"I've some news," the Prime Minister said looking towards Becky and Ashleigh. "I'm told the restrictions on you flying to America should be lifted soon. And Earth-1 should be green lit for transport to the UK for final fitting."

"How?"

Georgina laughed and signalled to Rupert to not make a note. "Being caught red-handed leaves you with a very poor hand in negotiations."

"Thank you," said Becky.

"Just doing what any government should do; help the country to do better. You are giving so much in not just helping the country, but the entire world. If I can help, I will. You have my office number and Rupert knows who you are. Now, how will this satellite help us? I've seen what Jessica told NASA, but I take it there is more than upgrading their exploration satellites?"

"Yes. It should be able to be used as the hub for communication outside of humans. At the moment we are just talking to the beacon here. I'm sure there are other beacons, direct to specific races. It will allow that without routing everything via our lab."

"You've only got simple communication going," said the Reginadde. "Rather like the Hytuna has been drip fed, as has communication. Jenny asked about a Pen Friend. We've never heard of that concept, but it sounds like a good experiment. My granddaughter appears to be getting on well with her, so perhaps we can use that as a trial. If you initiate a communications link tomorrow, we will have a document for you."

Rupert nearly choked on his food, his shoulders shaking as he tried to stifle his laughter.

As the meal progressed, the discussion was less of a working meal, but discussions on different cultures. The Alphonians had no concept of music but valued literature and painting as their main forms of art.

"Thank you," said the Prime Minister when she'd finished. "That was delicious. If all your food is like that, I'll have to move here."

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," said the Vers'am.

"And thank you for all the effort. Providing us with human cutlery. Perhaps next time I'll try one of your utensils. There is an Earth saying. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. It means follow the customs of the place you are."

Becky looked across to Jenny to tell her they were nearly ready to go. She saw them talking away but couldn't hear them. She then realised that there might have been a faint hum of chatter, but nothing loud and nothing distinct. It was like each table had a privacy feature, so you were never disturbed. It was these little things that caught her out. How things were so similar, but also so alien.

Jenny must have noticed as she stood up and waved bye. The young Reginadde said something and Jenny responded. The young Reginadde crossed her hands at her wrists and moved her head to one side. Jenny mimicked it and the Reginadde gave a human wave.

"A nice bit of cultural exchange," Becky said to the two alien council members.

"Children do view the universe differently."

"Perhaps we need some children's books introducing the different alien species," thought Ashleigh. "Biff and Chip meet a Reginadde."

"Not just children's books," said the Prime Minister. "We are already talking about waves of public information. We will need to sell this or Earth First will run away with it."

With the meal over, Ro'toran escorted Becky, Ashleigh, and Jenny back to the medical area. The five diplomatic doctors were waiting.

"This is quite a challenge," said the Alphonian doctor. "Each species are slightly different in the way we tackle a medical issue. Gender conflicts are thankfully one of the rarer issues we see, but it is one of the hardest to treat. You have already altered your outer appearance using chemical methods. You call them hormones. But your main organs are still that of your birth gender."

Becky nodded as it was translated into English.

"We found the information you provided helpful in understanding the limitations of the surgery. It creates the correct appearance, but the internal organs would not exist. You would still need to take chemicals to maintain a healthy disposition due to your body not creating them."

Shinara the Frotanian doctor took over explaining. "I was the doctor that analysed what the Yvestigans had done to your leader. How she was infected was unethical. However, it might be possible to use part of that technique to help you, but in a much more limited manner. That virus impacted the brain. You don't need or want that."

When that was translated, Becky gasped and Ashleigh held her hand in support.

"At the moment you take two chemicals. One to stop your male hormones from working, and one to provide female hormones. Is that correct?"

"Yes."

"The first thing we would like to do is to replace that with a nanite regime. They can control your hormones without damage to your other organs. As was mentioned earlier, we can't create something out of nothing. But we might be able to create something with what is already there. We need to do more research on this. But I'd like to get you chemically stable first anyway. It won't change your soul. You will still be you."

"And nanites are safe on humans?"

"Yes."

Becky looked across at Ashleigh. "What do you think?"

Ashleigh gently stroked Becky's face. "You will be the one with the nanites inside you. You've got to weigh what you want against any danger. I love you no matter. Stay as you are, have surgery or go this route. I'll still be there with you."

Jenny came up and looked up to her Ma's eyes. "I love you ma."

Ro'toran had been quietly translating the interaction, so the doctors understood what was happening.

Becky swallowed, and said, "I agree to the nanites."

"Done," responded Shinara. She stood. "I'd like to accompany you home and stay with you a while. Just to monitor."

"Done?" said Becky. "But they haven't injected me yet."

Ro'toran responded, "It's done remotely. They don't use what humans would call a needle."

Ashleigh looked at Becky. "Are you okay? It doesn't hurt?"

"No. I'm fine. If Ro'toran hadn't explained, I wouldn't have realised."

Ashleigh then turned to the doctor. "You want to accompany Becky to Earth?"

"Yes. I'd like to monitor her a bit."

"Border Force will go ape. Ro'toran, can you contact your colleague and get a message to Rupert or the Prime Minister explaining that one of the doctors would like to come back with us."

Jenny giggled. "I'd love to have seen their faces when they're told."