The Fall of the Absolute - 8

The Fall of the Absolute

by Karen Page

Chapter 8

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Chapter 8

In the morning, Manuel was back covering the small hotel's reception.

"Sleep well?" he enquired.

"Yes. And thank you for the introduction to Raul," Theo said, handing back the room key. "Rosa cooked a wonderful dish."

"I'm glad." He then looked around and said quietly, "Is it true you showed them how to control those evil spirits?"

"They are just vehicles, just like a car. They just go a lot quicker," Theo responded. "And yes, we showed them."

"And did you really take Rosa to see the aliens?" His voice was no longer a whisper, and his pitch had gone up an octave.

"Where did you hear this?" Jennifer asked.

"I heard Nantu telling his cousin. He'd heard it from his uncle last night."

Jennifer stifled her laughter and she saw Theo was doing the same.

"Yes," Jennifer said. "I showed her how to get there and back. It isn't a secret. It isn't difficult. It is just nobody had shown anybody here how to do it. About thirty people were able to use them last night. Though only Rosa had a passport to leave the country. She can show anybody here who wants or needs to go."

"Raul is waiting outside in his car. He said he would take you the forty kilometres to the trail. I hope you find what you're looking for."

They'd already put on their wet weather hiking gear. Their rucksacks were waterproof as were their footwear. This was something they'd only had to touch on when they'd done the previous camping. As they dashed out to the car, they experienced the Amazonian rain for the first time. It seemed different to the rain they had in the UK where it was cold. Here the rain was warmer, and it seemed to fall off the clothing in strange ways.

Theo sat up front, and Jennifer sat in the back, alongside the two large rucksacks.

"Thank you for this," Theo said. "It saves us a day of hiking."

"I'm glad to," Raul said, setting off along the main road. "It's little compared to what you gave us yesterday. We are no longer isolated. We no longer have to wonder about the rest of the country. Our capital is now a walk to the hopperport away rather than two days drive. A dozen people went out at first light to spread the word to neighbouring towns."

This was different from what Jennifer had ever thought about. She'd grown up in an affluent small country. She remembered reading the book Cider with Rosie. How the small village where they grew up was isolated, and how the world expanded as technology changed. Peru was much larger. The thought of a two-day road trip to the largest city felt so different. Yet that was the world Raul had been in. And now it was changing. She just hoped it didn't cause them problems.

Jennifer tuned back in and heard Raul, "When I get back, I'm showing Manuel how to use the hopper. He has been the one talking to the electric company, but they seem to ignore our pleas for upgrades. It was too far to see them. That's no longer true. And it is obvious that it isn't too far for them to come and fix things when it goes wrong."

When they were dropped off, Raul said, "The first settlement you'll come across is about a day's hike. They have a few Spanish speakers. As you go further in, they will become smaller and more traditional. If they don't want you there, move on. Some fear outsiders."

"Thank you," Theo said, and they hitched on their backpacks, pulled up their hoods and started down the trail.

At first the going was good. It had been walked many times and there was a clear route. After a few hours they realised that it wasn't as easy going. The training in the woods near the school was nothing like the jungle. The trees had gradually become closer, and they were shaded by the tree canopy. Instead of the patter of rain, they suddenly got splodges of it, as clumps of water ran off the leaves higher up.

"You're going to have to go at some point," Theo said, after his second toilet stop. "You'll make yourself ill if you don't."

"I'm fine," she lied.

"You've cut down the amount of fluid. If you keep on like that, you will get dehydrated. If you don't urinate, you'll get a UTI. You have that special gadget."

"I know. And I practiced. It just seems wrong."

"It isn't wrong. It is practical. And if you think it's bad for you, what do you think it would be like for Hope or your Ma?"

"Hope hasn't had the op," Jennifer snapped.

"Okay, that was a bad example," he conceded. "Tina then."

She sighed and turned her back to him, so he could get into her rucksack. "Get it out."

Silently he did and passed it to her. She disappeared around a large tree, worried what he would think of her. It was ten minutes before she came back, passing the small package back to him to put in her rucksack.

"Thanks for looking out for me," she said, as they carried on. "I think I've got the hang of it now."

Neither of them talked about the awkwardness of a larger toilet stop.

It was getting late and the sun starting to become low when they came across some dim lights. They'd discussed making camp but decided to press on a bit further.

As they got closer, they saw a man waiting. "Raul said you would probably come this way. Come. I'm Chief Sala."

Surprised, they made their way in. The path had widened again, and there were about a dozen small huts set on both sides, with some of the trees cleared. They carried on into a large clearing containing several solar panels with wires going into a hut.

"Raul contacted you?" Jennifer asked, surprised.

"We might be remote, but we aren't disconnected. We have a phone linked to satellite internet and last year the government gave us a device to connect to the faster internet. He sent an email after dropping you off. We have a hut at the side of the field that has been cleared so you can stay the night. It is small, but you will be dry."

"Thank you. You are most kind."

He guided them to it. It was small, but there were two areas for sleeping. "Leave your bags here and come and eat. You must be tired after such a long walk."

They followed the man, through a small path to another wider clearing. There was a fire burning in a pit. There were about a dozen people sat around. Two clay bowls were passed to Jennifer and Theo with wooden spoons. They sat down where they'd been told.

"These are the two people Raul mentioned. He said they were from a long distance and had knowledge of far-off worlds. We might not be in a large town, but we learn. We have schools. We like to live a simpler life, but that doesn't mean an ignorant life. Some, like myself, prefer this life. My brother Raul didn't and moved to the town. It is too far for most walkers and we rarely are disturbed. Yet he said you deliberately came here and were planning on going further. Tell us about yourselves and what you are doing?"

Theo indicated Jennifer to answer. "I'm called Jennifer. This is Theo. We are from England—"

"That's Europe. Part of the UK," one of the villagers said, and there was much nodding from some.

Jennifer continued, "We finished school recently, but most of our experience is life near home and school. We know there is more to the world than that and are trying to experience that."

"Yet you didn't stay in town long?"

"Life there is only a little different to back home. Would it be an imposition if we stayed here a few days? Help if we can, but to learn about you all."

"How about an information exchange," he responded. "You tell us about this new technology and the worlds beyond ours, and we will tell you about us, where we've come from and what we believe."

"Sounds good. Where do you want me to start?" Jennifer asked.

"We're aware of the First Contact and the referendum. We all took part in that. That is how this village first got Internet so we could have a voting machine here. Raul said that you took Rosa to the alien space station. Is that true?"

"It is. She has been learning their language. Theo showed Raul how to use the hoppers. They are able to go to Lima in under a second."

"This is using the Interdimensional Drive?" a middle-aged lady asked.

"Yes," Jennifer responded, slightly stunned. She was quickly reassessing her expectations. "It takes about a second to get to New Toronto on Scorpion. That is the human planet on 18 Scorpii. It takes three seconds to get to the Rohastin Station. Hoppers don't come here, do they?"

"No. Chief Sala has cleared an area just in case emergency medicine is needed for someone. We don't have constant power, which would be needed for a hopperport. And if there was a proper hopperport people would come. We like being by ourselves."

"We grow our own food," Chief Sala said. "We catch fish or animals when we need. Food is fresh. Food is pure."

"And very tasty," Theo said, putting his empty bowl down, mimicking what the natives had done.

"Tell us about the Rohastin Station," an elderly man said. His face had many wrinkles, but his eyes shone with vigour.

Jennifer nodded, unsure why they were so interested. "It is a structure built in space. It is very large with hundreds of floors. It is where the Rohastin Council meets. It's neutral territory. No species owns it or runs it."

"Have you looked at the swirling planet it orbits?" the man said, his voice getting urgent. "Have you looked at the creatures trapped there. The Urattr cry for help, but nobody hears."

"For twenty years Kantu has talked about this," Chief Sala said.

Jennifer bowed her head, trying to understand it. At least it wasn't a prophecy about her.

"Help them," Kantu whispered, breaking into Jennifer's despair.

"Let me call someone," Jennifer said, wondering if this was the right move. "Do any of you speak English or Hytuna?"

None of them did.

"Then I hope they understand Spanish," Jennifer said. "I will need to get some things from my rucksack."

The night was upon them, but the small lights from the solar battery gave enough light for her to find the way. She rummaged for her tablet and tunnel device. As an afterthought she also took out the power cell that Henry had given her when she went to Hayfield. It was the same technology that was in Aurora and Eos. It would never run out.

Theo saw the two strange boxes, and he looked at Jennifer. She didn't say anything but set everything up. "Theo, I'm going to ring Rupert. If he doesn't speak Spanish, will you translate my Hytuna?"

"Sure, though I don't want to be in the picture. It might impact independence for my job interview."

"Understood."

Reluctantly she made the call to Rupert. She was nervous about it, but she wanted to ease the mind of Kantu. He seemed so earnest.

"Jenny?" Rupert answered, almost immediately in English. "Sorry, Jennifer. I should have read your profile, but I was so surprised getting your call."

"Do you speak Spanish?"

Rupert nodded, then in Spanish, "Sure. Why?"

"I'm in Peru and I want the people here to understand. Do you know if there is life in the gas giant you orbit?"

"I heard it mentioned once, but I have no detail. Let me ask."

Before Jennifer could say anything, she was placed on hold. A few seconds later, she was looking at the face of Georgina Harries. Human ambassador to the Rohastin Council.

"Jennifer. Great to see you," Georgina said in Spanish. "Rupert says you've been asking about life in the planet we orbit?"

"Yes, Ambassador. Sorry if this has taken you away from your work. Are you aware if there is life there, and if so, what it's called?"

"There is. Contact has been attempted multiple times by the council, but they never get an answer. They call them the Urattr."

"I'm in a jungle settlement in Peru. An elderly man here has had a vision for the last twenty years that the Urattr are trapped. He called them by that name. They've asked for help, but nobody answers."

"Peru. Ah, things make sense now. Are you aware the hopper system in Peru has caused issues in half the world?

"Sorry?"

"The activity for request hoppers from the towns and large villages in Peru ramped up exponentially. It started in the San Martin region and spread across the country. Extra hoppers from across the world ended up getting drafted in. Nobody can understand it."

"We showed thirty people last night how to use them. I heard a dozen went out this morning to tell other towns."

Georgina laughed. "Fantastic. They should have been trained years ago. I've requested a council meeting to discuss the Urattr. Could the person who had the visions come to the station?"

"We are in the jungle. It was a long day's hike to here. I wouldn't want to ask that of him. It isn't on the hopper network."

"Could Eos jump there?"

"Ambassador, can you please wait a few."

The Ambassador nodded and Jennifer put her on hold. She glanced away from the screen and saw that all the villagers sat around the fire were looking at her in amazement.

"I'll go," Kantu said, standing up. "If I'm there, I might hear them better."

Theo spoke up, "Chief Sala. It is your village. Are you okay for a hopper to come here?"

"If Kantu wants to go, then yes. It is the easiest way for him to go. But Eos? Isn't that Star Brights company ship?"

"It is only Aurora and Eos that can jump anywhere. The rest are based on defined hopperports."

Jennifer took Georgina off hold. "He will come."

"Thank you, Jennifer. Will you accompany him?"

"Yes." Theo tapped her and pointed at himself. "Plus my partner."

"Can I have the coordinates? It's midnight in the UK. This isn't going to go down well."

Theo rushed into the clearing and took a reading on his phone which Jennifer relayed.

"I suggest we all move back towards the treeline," Jennifer said. "Are we okay leaving our bags here?"

"Of course. Do you know how long it will be?"

Jennifer was unsure what he meant. "The jump to here from the UK will take under a second, but the people driving her might be in bed. The jump to the Rohastin Station will take three seconds. How long Kantu is in with the council, I don't know. I've been to the station, but I've never been in that section."

It was twenty minutes before Eos arrived. She landed right where Theo had measured. It was close, but just far enough not to touch the fire pit. The locals gaped, never having seen anything like it.

"I suggest nobody goes into that area until we return," Jennifer said. "We don't want to hit anybody."

Jennifer offered Kantu her arm, but he was clutching a paper file. They went to the ship, and Sam helped him in and to a seat.

"I'm not going to be able to hide this from your Ma," Sam said, as the doors closed. "Did you cause the hopper crisis in Peru?"

"It seems so. James, can you hold a second."

"Sure."

"Kantu. When we jump, it will feel like nothingness for three seconds. It doesn't hurt, but I don't want you panicking thinking something is wrong."

He just nodded. James, who'd been watching, turned back around and pressed the button. The interdimensional drive activated, and they hopped the three seconds to the Rohastin station.

When the door opened, Theo helped Kantu out, with Jennifer following. She noticed where they were. "We're in the Ambassador hangar?"

"Yes. Kantu is going to the council. Ambassador Harries authorised it. We will stay here for your return."

Rupert walked up and greeted them in Spanish. "Mr Kantu, it is an honour you are here. I am Rupert, aide to the human Ambassador. Let me show you to the council. In the waiting room, there is a window where you can see the planet."

They walked at a sedate pace down the empty corridor. Jennifer and Theo followed behind. When they got to the council waiting room, Rupert indicated the window. Unaided, Kantu went across to see. Theo rushed alongside to see himself.

"They cry," Kantu said, his voice full of anguish. "They are louder here."

"Can you identify whereabouts on the planet they are?" Theo asked.

"No. But their voices swirl, just like the gasses do."

Kantu turned to see Rupert standing nearby. "You might want to see these. I drew them twenty years ago with my first visions."

There were two sheets of paper. They were drawn in pencil, worn with age. The first showed the space station and the planet behind it. The second were drawings of five faces. Four of the faces Theo recognised. They were of him, Jennifer, Kelly and Hope. The fifth wasn't human, but a Reginadde woman. At the top of each page was the simple motif of a Figure-8 knot.

Theo heard a cry of anguish, and he turned to see Jennifer sink into one of the chairs. She'd seen the drawings.

"Excuse me," Theo said, full of politeness and rushed to Jennifer's side.

"It's another prophecy," she said, holding back her tears.

"It is just a drawing. Yes, it has us in it with a Reginadde. But that doesn't mean anything. It could mean we all like to share a bottle of wine."

"Didn't you see the top of both pages? It was a knot."

Theo shook his head. "I thought it was an infinity sign with some roping around it."

Kantu had sat by them. "Have I caused you pain?"

Jennifer wiped her eyes and looked at him. "No. Pictures like that just make me question where I stand in the universe. You have a gift. Drawing a vision is never bad. It can help, like you might help those trapped in the gas giant."

"For you to walk into my village shows how special you are. You helped those in town. You were willing to talk to us and share your knowledge. Not many people would do that. You are both fine people. Gifted with love. I remember my first vision. I was twelve. I thought there was something wrong with me. I had a vision of a hut being struck by lightning and the chief rushing out. The chief slept elsewhere the following night because of my warning. It was the new hut that was the one struck."

"Never act on a prophecy," said a new voice, in Spanish. They all had been so busy talking, they hadn't seen anybody approaching.

"Kantu, this is the Reginadde Ambassador," Jennifer introduced, not surprised that the Reginadde Ambassador knew Spanish. He'd answered questions in several Earth languages the first time he'd visited Earth. She turned to the Ambassador. "This is Kantu. He is the one who mentioned about the gas giant."

"Rupert mentioned a drawing that contained my granddaughter. Can I see?"

He opened the file and showed the two drawings. The Reginadde ran his finger across the drawing of his granddaughter. "How long ago was this drawn?"

"Twenty Earth Years," Theo said.

"The scar you show on the Reginadde girl. Has that been in the drawing all the time?"

Kantu nodded.

"She got that scar 2000 ticks ago. Kantu, will you please come and talk with the Council. We would love to hear about the Urattr. Theo, will you come and help translate for Kantu."

"Me?" Theo said.

"Ambassador Harries is under the impression you were going to apply for a job working with Rupert. Is that not so?"

Theo blushed. "I was going to."

"Excellent, then let's just say this is part of the interview. Follow me."

Theo looked across at Jennifer who just waved him on.

Jennifer was left in the room with Rupert. "How did the Ambassador know Theo was going to apply?"

"Because of the work he did on the Covid-19 Memorial. With you applying for the shop in Mall-2, it seemed to her that he would apply here."

"How is life here?" Jennifer asked. "Do you miss London?"

Rupert paused. "I thought the Council would be like the government I worked in. It is nothing like that. Theo will understand soon. It is amazing as much as it is frightening."

Thirty minutes later, the Reginadde Ambassador came into the waiting room. "Georgina and Theo are talking with Kantu and The Oracle. I don't think they will be quick. The Oracle is very interested in Kantu's other visions."

"How is your granddaughter?" Jennifer asked him. "You said she has a scar like the drawing. Is she okay?"

The Reginadde looked at her, taking in her genuine concern for his granddaughter.

"She is fine. It will gradually heal over the next year. Things like that happen sometimes."

"When she is finished on your home-world, does she have something to do? I'm planning on opening a shop on mall-2. Would she be interested in working with me?"

"Do you know what she's been doing?"

"I don't know for certain," Jennifer responded.

Rupert laughed. "Ambassador, she is using a human phrase in Hytuna to mask her true meaning."

The Ambassador was intrigued. "Oh?"

Rupert said, "She doesn't know, but she suspects. Or has an idea."

Jennifer wanted to scowl but kept her expression neutral.

"I've worked with Georgina for years and I still forget how Humans hide the truth with their words. You suspect, but you still make your offer."

"Reggie is my friend," Jennifer said. "Sometimes other people's demands can be hard and lonely. Having a friend can help."

He nodded, still unsure.

Jennifer continued. "Can I ask a question. Do you have a Hobitoa? I know it is ceremonial, but did it used to have a different purpose?"

The Ambassador looked surprised, but drew his top to one side slightly, and she saw a jewelled blade strapped there. Rupert looked surprised. He'd worked with the Ambassadors and had never known.

"You really do have a good education. Yes, the Hobitoa is classified as ceremonial. It used to have a darker history, but they haven't been used like that since we joined the Rohastin. You are correct in your assessment. Her scar was made by a Hobitoa. I will pass on your job offer, but I've no idea how quick you will get a response. When do you plan to open?"

"It depends on Theo. If his job here starts soon, then I will be here with him. To be honest, backpacking lost its appeal when prophecies started jumping out at every village we visited."