The Fall of the Absolute

by Karen Page

Chapter 14

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Chapter 14

When they came out of the Zone of Silence, Reggie gave an audible gasp as she was once again connected to the Reginadde network.

"We're out," she called, knowing before anybody on the ship that they were in a position to jump.

Sam said urgently, "Reggie, please remind them not to jump. We need to detach first."

"Fantastic," James said. "We don't have to go as far as we expected. The exploration vehicle tried periodically and was quite a bit beyond the interference. Reggie is obviously a better monitor. I'm so glad she came."

Kelly and Hope blew raspberries at James and Evan laughed. Reggie thought for a second and realised the meaning. She then tried to mimic it. She didn't do too badly for her first attempt.

"Okay, Kelly. Unhook us," James said.

Kelly nodded, her heart rate picking up. James had hooked them up, and he said Kelly would do the reverse. She'd planned what she was going to do, so there was no fretting about that. The screen showing the connection had been on since they'd started the journey. It was the area they were constantly monitoring.

There hadn't been a need for constant thrust. Instead, they'd used gentle thrust to negate the pull from the gas giant they were near and then let nature take over. They knew they had enough momentum to get out of the zone, but they stayed latched, just in case.

Kelly gave a small burst of the manoeuvring thrusters, rather than the large ones at the back of the ship that had got them out of the planet's gravity well. Slowly, they came apart. The design had been crude but effective. The Reginadde ship had a small loop on its roof used for lifting during construction. They'd fitted a hook on the underside of the rescue vehicle and slotted in. A simple solution often was the easiest in an emergency.

As they gently drifted apart and came clear of the loop, Kelly gave another small burst to move them upward. It lasted less than a tick. Just enough to move without causing a big reaction to the Reginadde vehicle.

"We're clear," Hope said as they drifted further apart.

"Null out your reverse drift," James suggested. "You don't want to end up drifting back into the Zone."

Kelly did, and with James's nod of approval took her hands from the controls. She dropped them to her knees and wiped them on her trousers. James might have noticed, but she'd seen him do the same after they'd connected to the stranded vehicle.

"How are they?" Sam asked Reggie.

"Relieved. Ready to go home. They seem to be a bit better now they aren't disconnected."

That was a vast improvement from when they'd initially arrived. The Reginaddes were stranded. No communication. A finite amount of food and water. They thought they were going to die. They hadn't seen the human ship arrive, and it wasn't until Reggie made contact that they understood they were being rescued. That was their first hope that they might survive and they clung to it. Reggie and Hope's constant communication kept them going. A human had made the effort to learn their native language.

A day before they exited the zone, the Reginaddes ran out of food. They still had some water left, but it reopened their depression. It was Hope that stood for none of their wallowing. She told them that scientists didn't behave like that. It was a new experience for them, and they should record their findings, so they had something additional to give back to the Reginadde science community.

"I've informed the Rohastin Council we are safe," Sam reported. "They've told me they are working on a drive upgrade, so it doesn't happen again."

Kelly opened a communications tunnel to the Reginadde ship and got their hop sequences for their home world. It was too distant for a single hop, even for human ships. The human ship could have gone straight back to the Rohastin Station to drop off Kelly, Hope and Reggie, but they wanted to accompany the Reginaddes. It had been a traumatic experience for them and that little bit of extra company might make the difference.

They jumped into orbit just outside the Reginadde home world. What was strange, though, was that the Reginadde science ship was further away than they'd been after previous hops.

The captain of their ship came through, his voice very formal. "I wish to thank you for rescuing us. You put yourselves in personal danger and our whole species is humbled by that. A senior Signatory has invoked Safety Order Six. The planet will witness their safety being retained."

"NO!" Reggie yelled, the only one understanding. However, before she could say more, the Reginadde ship exploded.

Kelly didn't hesitate but set a random destination away from the planet. She'd no idea what they would do to them.

The jump to safety was over in the blink of an eye. Kelly turned her chair, so she was looking at Reggie. In a shaky voice she asked, "What was that?"

"There are laws for exploration. Someone decided that they might be a danger to the public. If that is determined, the rule is absolute. Once that order was issued, that is it. You don't question an order like that."

"Why didn't someone tell us before we spent days rescuing them?" Sam said angrily.

"Because the only way that would have worked is in the full view of everyone," Kelly replied. She then said sarcastically and with more than a hint of bitterness, "Look how we're protecting the public."

"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark," Hope said.

James looked at Hope with surprise. "You know Hamlet?"

Hope and Kelly shrugged. They got a wide education at Hayfield.

"Is it safe for us to go back to the Rohastin Station?" Evan asked.

"Let me ask," James said, his voice slightly husky. He'd not been expecting that to happen. The conversation wasn't long. "We've been given a different return location. Once we've arrived, we are to remain inside the ship."

"It's still at the station," Kelly said, looking at the coordinates. "But not our usual place."

"Take us in."

When they exited the interdimensional tunnel, they were in an enclosure that wasn't much bigger than the ship.

"I hope this isn't a coffin," Sam muttered.

Kelly's device connected. They were on the Rohastin Station. The device informed her that the ship was inside a forcefield and within a sealed container. The ship was being checked to make sure there weren't any undesired guests.

"I hope they aren't going to scan us too," James said. "I've not had a shower for a week."

"Do you remember the time we set the scanners off at the factory?" Sam said to James, reminiscing on one of the early hops while still testing the first ships.

James chortled. "I hope Ashleigh never hears about this."

"I remember Evan giving me and Jennifer a cautionary tale about that," Kelly said. "I never thought I'd be in a similar situation."

"They really need red flashing lights," James added.

"I'm sure there will be if they find anything."

"I sense a story here," Hope said, stretching her legs across several seats and resting her back against the ship wall.

"That is a story Kelly can tell you one day over a nice glass of wine."

Kelly snorted. "I don't know when I last had alcohol. We've found a nice bar, but we only drink non-intoxicating drinks. I don't want to be banned from racing. Anyway, if you ever get a week on the station when you are definitely not piloting a ship, there are non-human drinks that will get you buzzed a lot quicker than beer, wine or spirits."

"We did all that to save them, and it was for nothing," sighed Evan, his eyes focused on the floor. He'd not spoken since they'd jumped into the Rohastin Station and had only vaguely been listening. He'd been trying to process what had happened. "It seems ... a waste."

Evan was a scientist. He was the purest one in the ship. James was ex-RAF. Sam had been in the US Navy. Kelly and Hope were trained to be undercover investigators, and Reggie had been recruited by Reginadde Intelligence. It wasn't a surprise that Evan was having difficulty finding the right words to explain how he felt.

"It was a waste, but not ours," James responded. "We have shown we were willing to step up where nobody else could. We got them out. The science has moved on, and it sounds like a solution to stop us getting stuck again is being worked on. Them being ordered to blow themselves up was out of our control. The Reginadde have their systems. I personally think it is a waste of life, but I'm sure the Reginadde think some of the human rules are inexplicable."

"We are cleared," Kelly said, having had updates on the progress. "I'll hop to the main hangar bay. Reggie, Hope and I can then depart. Are you heading back to Earth?"

"Yes. And hopefully I can get that shower before Justin comes home from school," James said.

* * *

Jennifer finished reading Kelly's report and then read it again, not believing what she'd read the first time.

"What's up?" Theo asked, at Jennifer's reaction.

She passed him her tablet. "Read it yourself."

He scanned the report, then put her tablet down. "That's... Hytuna needs some better expletives. I can't express my feelings properly."

Jennifer nodded. She'd not expected anything like that. She had been sent a copy. The report was sent back to Miss T on Earth. "I've sent a message to my Mum suggesting she check on Evan. Sam has Jessica."

"What about Reggie?" Theo asked, moving next to Jennifer. "This is a two-bedroom apartment. Should she be on her own after something like that?"

"Are you sure?" Jennifer asked.

"She's our friend," Theo said. "I've no issue with her staying if she wants to."

Jennifer sent a note and got a quick response. "Thank you. Kelly and Hope also reached out, but all I want to do is get a good night's sleep in my own bed. See you at the shop tomorrow."

"It seems so wrong," Theo sighed. "But it is their rules. Is our job here over? We found what everybody was trying to discover."

"The Urattr are still here. There is a discussion about changing how the tunnel is formed, but that seems to be about them not getting blocked. There has been no urgency on helping the Urattr stranded here to leave. Our job isn't just this crisis. It's being here for the next one. We are long-term agents, not tactical. We aren't like my aunt and uncle. I run a shop. You help with the day-to-day at the Rohastin Council. Kelly and Hope are based with the Space Racers. We all listen."

"What could be done about the Urattr? The ones trapped here," Theo mused.

"There is a really simple solution, but it will never happen. Shut down the transit and communication beacon on the station for a short time. It will give the Urattr a chance to escape. But there is no agreement that it is the Urattr creating the third tunnel. They just see them in the gas giant clouds. They know they are intelligent, but see no sign of technology."

The next day Reggie was in the shop before Jennifer got there. She was busy with a customer, showing some patterns as examples. It was a relief to Jennifer that Reggie appeared okay.

A Reginadde came in to pick something up, and Jennifer was busy, but the customer didn't head to Reggie.

"Can you see my colleague?" Jennifer said, as she was trying to place an order for sushi that the previous customer had ordered.

"I'd like to deal with you," he said after a moment's hesitation.

"Oh?" Jennifer said, glancing up. "Ah, you were after a case of cornflakes. Do you have an issue with my colleague?"

The man looked uncomfortable. "I've been told she went somewhere dangerous and not to approach her."

"I see. She went to rescue a ship. Who said she was not to be approached?"

"It was on the news this morning," he said, thinking he was helping her. "I'd be careful."

Jennifer leaned towards him. "Did you know when she returned, the ship was checked and so were the occupants. Nothing was found."

"The edict is that anybody who visits a system with that species in should not be approached."

Jennifer paused. Was this a translation issue? Was she misunderstanding that Hytuna phrase? Edict sounded a bit strong.

"The species is on the planet this space station orbits. It has been from before I was born."

The Reginadde gave a croaking sound. "That can't be. If I'm unsafe—"

"Ask your Ambassador. Now, let me get what you ordered."

When the customer had gone, Reggie said, "You shouldn't have done that. There will now be mass panic in the Reginadde community."

Jennifer took a moment to calm down. As she did, she realised what she'd done. "I better ring Rupert. Mass hysteria of a significant population of the station isn't what I was aiming for."

Reggie gave a small snort as she tried to control herself. Laughter was rare for Reginaddes, but Reggie seemed to have gained a small sense of humour. Jennifer smiled, glad Reggie wasn't as worried.

"Hey Rupert," Jennifer said. "I'm sorry, I think I might have just caused a big problem with the entire Reginadde community. I didn't mean to cause mass panic or worse."

Rupert sighed. "What have you done?"

Jennifer outlined the situation. She finished with a, "I'm so sorry."

Rupert stayed very neutral. "Let me talk to the Reginadde Ambassador. I'll contact you when that's done."

As she waited, she fretted. Reggie seemed a lot more relaxed about it. She stood up straight and lowered her head as if she was listening. When she raised her head, she said, "The Reginadde Ambassador made a statement to all Reginaddes in the station. He reminded them that all the Signatories were on the station when Earth officially joined. Nobody has suggested the Signatories were infected, therefore nobody here will have any infection from the Urattr."

"Is that it? Is it over?"

"My grandfather is very good at his job," Reggie said proudly.

When Rupert contacted her, he said, "As you probably know, the Reginadde Ambassador made a clarifying statement. Early indications are that it was successful." Rupert paused and then said more quietly, "He also says thank you for standing up for his granddaughter. We all look forward to seeing the reaction from his home world."

Soon after, the Reginadde customer from earlier appeared. "I wish to apologise to you both. We all misunderstood what we'd been told."

"You didn't misunderstand," Jennifer said kindly. "The people who told you misunderstood. Now, have you tried human chocolate yet?"

"Oh yes. My wife loves it."

"There is a secret recipe that humans have called Chocolate Cornflake Cakes. Let me tell you about it. And perhaps you can share some Reginadde recipes with me."

When he'd finished with Jennifer, he went across to Reggie and spoke some words in their native language.

When they were alone again, Jennifer asked Reggie, "How are you doing?"

"Much better than earlier," Reggie admitted. "You also look happier."

"I am. When my friends are hurt, it hurts me. You, Kelly, Theo and Hope are my best friends. Working with you has made my job so much easier than I thought."

Reggie didn't know what to say about that. She moved towards Jennifer and paused. "It was so busy earlier we missed out on our morning drinks. I have a few questions for you. Can we talk in the café?"

"Sounds good to me," Jennifer said, so they shut the shop and ambled to the café. With their drinks ordered, they settled down in two chairs opposite each other.

"I've been learning your language, English, over the last few years. But I'm having trouble. Hope said something which James said came from Hamlet. I looked it up. It seemed like it was English, but the words were all ... wrong."

"Humans have grown rapidly over time. We are quite a young species compared to a lot in the Rohastin. We've only just learnt to create an interdimensional drive. We've only just formed a central government. Different countries still speak different languages."

Reggie nodded, having been to Earth several times.

"Keeping it in your octal, about 700 cycles ago there lived a man called Shakespeare. He wrote plays. They are stories enacted on a stage, like when you saw me play in an orchestra on a stage. His plays still have meaning today. Sometimes humans like to quote Shakespeare as a way to give extra meaning to what they're saying."

"So why is it so unreadable?" she asked, confused.

Jennifer smiled kindly. "The English language has evolved. You might have picked an original version. His plays are so popular, the words have been translated to current English."

"I'll have a look tonight. See if I can make sense of Hope's words."

"There is something rotten in the state of Denmark?" Jennifer enquired, remembering what she'd read in Kelly's report.

"Yes," Reggie said, glad Jennifer knew. It also showed they talked, which she filed away for more thought.

"Just to give you some context. Denmark is a country."

"Okay. Denmark is a country. That might help. Thank you. Do you agree with what Hope said?"

Jennifer rubbed her nose in thought. "Yes... but that's from our perspective. What we are seeing might be normal or expected for the Reginadde. If you understand Shakespeare, then it only tells you what it means for humans. It might not help you understand what it means for you."

"You're being very cautious and not giving a straight answer."

"I am being careful. And perhaps that is why Hope quoted Shakespeare. Think of it like a code. James understood what she meant, but you didn't. She didn't want to influence you. You are your own person. A true friend isn't someone that tells you what to think, but points things out and lets you make your own decisions."

In the middle of the afternoon, Jennifer got a message from her mum, Ashleigh. Part of her unwritten job specification was to look after the welfare of the scientists. They'd got a tendency to get engrossed in their work and forget to eat or sleep when things got too interesting.

"Thank you for thinking about Evan. I also got a message from Sam and one from James raising the same concerns. It's great that even when you are far away and are older, you still worry. He explained what happened. It was such a shock to hear. To them though, it might have been an honourable act. A perceived danger can cause as much panic as real danger."

"Liam had an idea about the tunnel. Your Ma and Evan are in the lab with him. I've no idea how long this will take. Liam didn't think it is that hard since they already understand a lot more about how the interdimensional tunnel is formed. Evan thinks Liam must have eaten some strange food while on the Rohastin Station for such an idea. I sense much midnight oil being burnt."

The message then went on to personal items about the village and the latest from Caroline, Ashleigh's older sister. There was nothing at all about Tina, Ashleigh's younger sister. Jennifer pondered what Tina might be up to.

Thinking of Tina made her think about Christmas. On the Rohastin Station there was no change of the seasons, but it was getting late in the year on Earth. She sent a message asking if they should be on station during the Christmas week. If so, Theo would have to wait another year for Christmas in the Welsh mountains.