The soft alternating tone changed to that of a pleasant female voice.
" Ladies and gentlemen. We will be docking with Station Freedom in
ten minutes……… Please return to your seats, and fasten your
restraints…….. Shuttle to station equalization will take thirty
seconds. Once the Indicator lights will confirm docking please move through
to station immigration where you will be reunited with your luggage ………..
Thank you for traveling with the Tralinor division of the Carroll Corporation
".
There was a loud ping and the voice melted away.
The notes of the attention tone had always annoyed Alexi, as he imagined
they must have done countless others during the hundreds of years, on and
off that they had been used.
'You would imagine something better would have replaced them by now' he
thought, but then again, they did serve their purpose admirably. But the
pre taped voice! There were three hostesses here in the compartment, but
they use a taped voice.
He shook his head again, " I will never understand orbit mentality
", he muttered to himself.
Ellis turned to him. " What? " he mumbled sleepily.
" Nothing, just me " Alexi said looking past Ellis through
the window where Freedom now totally dominated the view.
Starting as a mere speck of shadow above the blue and white planet,
it had been steadily growing for the last twenty minutes of their journey.
Now the fifteen-kilometre diameter sphere and it's adjacent array of ancillary
cylinders was overpowering to the mind as well as the eye.
Conversely it pleased him, it was quite beautiful in a surreal way, covered
as it was in countless pinpricks of light; the closest of which were resolving
into windows lined with waiting relatives and friends.
They were so close now that the numeral six that they had headed for
was far too big to conceive as anything more than a painted section of hull,
but decipherable now were the various other codes that meant nothing to
him, but hopefully did to the pilot.
Alexi turned to Ellis; he had fallen asleep again. Sleeping berths had
been provided, but they had both preferred to spend the few hours in the
observation bay.
He touched his shoulder and said softly. " We are here ".
The man's eyes opened slowly, and he turned sleepily in the direction
of the window.
" Oh….. Yes ". He sighed deeply " And our welcoming
party. Are they here? ".
Alexi smiled in answer
" Six months ago members of the council could come and go wherever
they pleased in the system ". Sighed Ellis. " How times have changed
Alexi, since Mars started flexing its muscles ".
The bell rang again. " Ladies and gentlemen we are now docked at
Freedom……... The Carroll Corporation, Tralinor shuttle lines,
the commander and the crew of the Tarnia hope you enjoyed your flight, and
wish you a pleasant stay aboard the orbiter…………. We
are now under station gravity and you may remove your seat restraints……….
Please make your way to the passenger disembarkation port for immigration
processing……….. Thank you for traveling Tralinor ".
" Ladies and gentlemen ", Ellis muttered " There's only
the two of us aboard, doesn't whoever controls that infernal tape not realize
this is a special shuttle flight? ".
" You will have time for arguments soon enough " said Alexi
touching his companions arm, but the door at the front of the cabin dematerialized
before he could say anything more to reveal a young officer of the freedom
security force.
' What a wonderful contradiction of terms ' he thought.
" Good evening ". The officer said politely stepping towards
them, and specifically Alexi while holding before him a small metal plate
" If you would please pass your hand over the sensor ".
Alexi did so confirming his identity genetically.
The man waited barely a second before he smiled and said. " Thank you
Councilor Davenoff "
As he offered the machine to Ambassador Ellis, the part of him that
was still Alan imagined the electrical discharge flashing to the memory
banks in the solar identification center. Instantly they would know everything
there was to be known of Ellis almost from the moment of conception. He
forced the though back into the depths thinking instead on how much they
now were subjected to 'facilitation's' prompted from Mars. They all had
admirable justifications like, 'to aid in the prevention of crime' or 'the
control of infectious diseases', as if any still existed. Throughout history
tyrants had manipulated genuine fears.
One of the things Alexi did not enjoy when visiting Freedom was the
change in gravity. It was only for a short time, while the weight of his
body adjusted to the 'compromise' on the station, but nonetheless it was
uncomfortable, so it was with mixed relief that he strapped himself into
the waiting 'taxi'. Seconds later they were hurtling along the five-metre
diameter vacuum pipe.
As was usual in the cities back on Terran the tube was totally enclosed,
and there was no way of viewing where or how far they traveled. Alexi hated
being in the things, and he wasn't even sure if they were being monitored;
so they sat in silence watching the publicity screen set in the rear of
the vacant seat in front. Brief image clips described the attractions the
station had to offer in glowing terms, but it all seemed so uninteresting
after the hundredth time of seeing.
There was no sense of deceleration, so it was without warning that a voice
announced, 'Office of the Presidium', as the door opened.
They stepped out into one of the assembly rooms that housed temporary
offices for visiting representatives, to be greeted by an equerry. Alexi
noted the man's face well; these men were often career diplomats, and usually
on the way up.
" Ambassador Ellis, Councilor Davenoff, Welcome to Orbiter Freedom
", he said curtly " I am Aondray. I and my aids will assist your
delegation for the duration of the meeting ".
Aondray made no effort to introduce his associates but Alexi knew the term
aid was also interchangeable with security.
" I hope your journey was a pleasant one ", Aondray continued
with a fluent mastery of Russ the common language of all the colonies. "
The chairman apologizes for calling this meeting at such short notice; he
will make that clear himself. Please come this way, the others have been
informed of your arrival and are waiting ".
They passed through to the chamber itself. It was a large circular room
with a hemispherical table facing a podium. At either side, and front and
rear, were the holographic display voids.
Twenty-four seats were equally spaced along the curve of the table, one
each for each colonies representative and one for an assistant.
Alexi noticed there were a number of empty seats, due he assumed to
the extremely short notice of the meeting. Bearing that in mind he noted
how convenient it was that representatives of the distant colonies likely
to support any motion forwarded by Mars, had already been on the station.
The men seated at the table were all known to each other, and were like
Alexi and Ellis past the mid years of their life spans, most after having
devoted a lifetime to serving in some part of the diplomatic service.
" Ah…. welcome ambassador Ellis and welcome councilor Davenoff
", said a distinguished if rather overweight man, rising from the center
of the straight side of the table.
" Thank you chairman Procyon ". Ellis responded with a generous
bow to the half mumbles, nods and gestures from the others assembled. Alexi
was thankful that the Triton colony representative was serving as arbitrator
at this time.
" I apologize at the short notice for this meeting ", continued
Procyon. " ...but I am assured the situation warrants it. Please do
sit down and collect your thoughts. We will begin when you are ready ".
" Then carry on chairman ". Ellis said still crossing to his
usual position. " We are eager to hear the motion ".
" Good. Ehm." Procyon cleared his throat. " I call this
emergency meeting under section thirty-two of the formal protective security
resolutions to order ". He glanced up as if he expected Ellis to speak.
" Right… " He continued when he didn't. " …. I
intend to dispense with general protocol and call this meeting to order
in an informal nature. Are there any dissenters? ".
Immediately a tall thin man raised his hand. It could be said of him
that he had a hawkish face beneath his the black plastered down hair and
he spoke with a heavy Martian accent. " Mr. Chairman, I object to this
meeting being designated informal ".
" Your objection is noted Ambassador KaarLck, but as you will be
aware that general protocol for meetings in relation to section thirty-two
requires full representation. Due to time constraints a number of representatives
are not present. If you wish to continue with a formal objection then we
will have to reschedule the meeting to such time that they can be present
". He avoided the mans gaze and looked at no one in particular.
There was a general murmur of opposition around the table.
" It would be a waste of the representatives present time ".
Said KaarLck, unfazed. " ….if we did not deal with this matter
now…but " he added quickly. " This is still an officially
convened meeting ".
" It is " said Procyon slightly huffily " and it is to
be recorded that although this meeting has been called on an informal basis
we may pass binding resolutions with the authority of the full council…..
if they be justified. Has anyone any questions or points of order? ".
He looked round the table again but his eyes rested on Ellis.
" ….Then if all are in agreement I shall come to the matter in
hand ".
He picked up a memo pad from the table, glanced at it as if to refresh his
memory, then looked up directly at Alexi.
" As you may be aware, the representative from Mars has requested that
a statement be put to this committee of the council. Ambassador Ectar, if
you would like to.... ".
KaarLck stood formally. " I, KaarLck, ambassador for the colony
of Mars address the chair of the solar committee with the authority of my
governing council…….. The matter I am to bring to the council's
attention is most grave, and concerns the direct intervention of the planetary
association from the future in attempting to pervert the administration
of the mother planet, namely the planet Earth ".
He paused for a moment and swept his gaze around the table.
" The item I refer to concerns the act by agent of the Alliance in
administering unnatural assistance to a native of the mother planet; beyond
that agreed by a resolution of this council and in contravention of the
embargo '.
" Ellis moved in his seat the get comfortable. He knew what was
to come next and he knew it would be as drawn out and pointless as some
of the theatrical performances, as ambassador he was expected to attend
" …….The specific charges are as follows. One; that a
murderer….. ".
Ectar looked at the chairman.
" …..Whose identity is unknown to me but who was to be formally
executed for his crimes, was; before a duly authorized officer could carry
out this sentence, removed from legal custody by a member of the planetary
Alliance…… Two; that during this escape the convicted murderer
was seriously injured by guards of the local militia during their lawful
efforts to prevent his unlawful escape, and three….. That subsequently
the same agent of the planetary Alliance did use processes unnatural to
the planet Earth to regenerate tissue ".
He paused for the accusations to be considered, or for the effect.
" ……..It follows that as this agent who is known to members
of the elite inner sanctum of the Alliance…… did firstly, regenerate
a human being against resolution ftr/34/gh34 of the council, secondly did
on a member of a race to which outside assistance is prohibited give that
assistance contrary to council resolution yre/389/we98 and thirdly did remove
from the legal system in force in that portion of the planet a convicted
felon contrary to council resolution yre/389/wk47 ".
He looked around the faces at the table.
" These charges carry severe penalties as the members here will no
doubt be familiar with, including and specifically they require that the
partly if found guilty will be delivered to the offended systems legal process
for judgment there also. Further to this I put a statement to the council
that this convicted felon amongst his other crimes, did further murder a
member of the lawful governments forces of that planet during his unlawful
escape, and that this alone is a crime against the state for which he suffer
their maximum penalty. I also remind the meeting that if these charges were
not to be passed with the full support of the council it may be interpreted
that the planetary Alliance is seen to support armed rebellion, against
that wronged government, or by extension any lawful government. This will
further assist in fermenting unrest among malcontent portions of populations
throughout the system ".
He sat, apparently pleased with his performance
" That doesn't sound like a very informal way to start ",
muttered Alexi to Ellis
All eyes were now on Ellis, and now it was Alexi's turn to move uncomfortably
in his seat.
Procyon spoke. " Senator Ellis, have you knowledge of this matter?
"
Ellis stood." I speak to the assembled members of this committee
with little to add to my colleague's statement. I, or the council that I
represent, can neither positively deny nor confirm the accuracy of the charges,
content or facts relating to the events as they have been described. I personally
and my administration only came to hear of this matter being brought before
this meeting, a short while ago. In the intervening time the information
that has been gathered has not been substantiated and is incomplete; but
I will answer the charges to the best of my ability ".
He lifted a palm reader.
" The convicted murderer referred to in these statements had in fact
not faced any legal system, and indeed had never been formally charged,
or even been required to answer for the alleged crimes.
The information I have been given is that he was found at a location with
good reason, and was by the most tenuous of circumstantial evidence accused
a group of men in an alcoholic stupor. These drunken men were manipulated
into what can be termed nothing more than as the ancient phrase labels 'a
bloodthirsty lynch mob' ".
The Martian ambassador was on his feet, " This is fabrication ".
He snapped. " I have the irrefutable evidence fro... "
.
" Yes ambassador ", the chairman interrupted him. " We have
heard your testimony, and you will have chance in due course to answer or
elaborate, but please be good enough to allow the ambassador to continue
his response to the charges without interruptions ".
With a snort the Martian sat.
" ……..As I was saying " continued Ellis " Not
only was he not a convicted murderer, we have information that blame was
deliberately laid against this person by a representative of this…..
" he paused for effect " lawful ……. government to remove
him for political reasons entirely due to his lineage by birth. That chairman….
" Ellis said pointedly " ……that is the dubiously serious
reason why we have all been brought here so abruptly ".
A murmur of doubt, surprise and annoyance broke out between all of those
present until the chairman spoke again
" Whether we agree with any political ideology or not, it will not
affect the judgment of this council on the matter in hand ambassador ".
" No chairman " said Ellis humbly " I only strive to
emphasize that this was no ordinary man, and no ordinary situation…….
If I may continue? ".
The chairman nodded.
" In reply to the accusation that he was removed from lawful custody.
I point out that he was moved from an illegal gathering, who's sole intention
was to beat him to death without the opportunity for him to prove his innocence
by process of law ".
He looked directly at KaarLck " I wont trouble this meeting by quoting
the relevant breaches of human rights, but I can if the meeting so requires…..
".
" That will not be necessary, " said Procyon " Council
members are aware of the relevant clauses ".
" This so called agent of the Alliance, " continued Ellis
" found him severely beaten, but still alive……. ".
Ectar stood up. " If your 'agent'... ", He emphasized the
agent. " ... had not interfered the criminal would have died ".
He stopped noticing that chairman was frowning at him
" Ambassador this is an informal meeting, but we must adhere to
the proprieties of committee. Please do not interrupt another speakers explanation
".
Once again KaarLck sat down sulkily
Alexi forced back a smile as Ellis began again. " As the Martian
ambassador is good enough to point out there was a very high possibility
that this man would have died. Our agent has taken full
responsibility for this action and has already agreed to face a disciplinary
board within our own council. But as I was about to say, although this humans
wounds were severe, they were attended to with methods in daily practice
within our system, as a purely humanitarian act, and before it is specified
I will confirm that a portion of the brain had been damaged and was regenerated.
Again on humanitarian grounds ".
" There you have an admission. The council needs no more ".
Said KaarLck, but from a seated position
The chairman ignored him and looked at Ellis to continue.
" As I have mentioned…. ", Said Ellis." without
further investigation I am of the opinion that all the charges, bar what
I have spoken of are false. I have been asked to say on behalf of this 'agent'
that if the council finds it a crime to have pity, then he pleads guilty
and throws himself to your judgment ".
Alexi wanted to squirm, but forced himself to remain still.
"….. That is all the information I have other than at the
time of this event I am told the native of the planet was not involved with,
and did not intend to join any organization against the government of the
planet. These occurrences are local and entirely a result of the unjust
situation and treatment that he was personally subjected to ".
The room was silent, as Ellis remained standing.
" ……One more thing…… before I finish I would like
to ask the ambassador for Mars to clarify a matter of another rumor. Which
is that a vessel of the imperial armies of Mars was directly involved in
the murder of another native of that planet ".
Now Ellis sat.
The chairman looked at him in surprise, then turned his attention to
Ectar.
" Ambassador would you like to respond to this allegation ".
" I have only to say that any rumors claiming that the imperial
armies of Mars have any vessel on active duties on or near the surface of
the planet are without justification. They are mischief and pure speculation.
That is all I have to say ".
Ellis looked at Alexi and shook his head before he stood again. He looked
directly at Ectar as if in challenge " I am sure on reconsideration
the Ambassador for Mars will see that there is too much supposition and
doubt concerning both events, and that it would be mutually beneficial for
this meeting to come to a speedy end ".
The chairman looked at the Martian ambassador expectantly as Ectar glared
back at him " We all support the due process of law and Ambassador
Ellis has raised points that require further consideration ", his words
were delivered in a bitter tone " I recommend that all parties concerned
should all confirm their understandings of these events "
He looked around the table. " Do any representatives wish to speak
for or against this motion? ".
There was no indication that they did, and he waited only a few moments.
" Then will you all register you vote on this matter ".
Alexi saw the words 'Proven' and 'Not proven' appear on Ellis's voting
panel. He looked around at those present, remembering their allegiances.
Alexi saw the words 'Proven' and 'Not proven' appear on Ellis's voting
panel. He looked around at those present, remembering their allegiances.
Seconds later Procyon spoke " Mater proven " he said solemnly.
Alexi had a horrible sickening feeling in his stomach.
" It has been noted ". He continued in a clear voice "
That although members of council present are sufficient for a quorum, due
to it's urgent nature several delegations have been unable to attend. It
is also noted that certain relevant and important facts in this, and the
counter allegations have yet to be proven with evidence, beyond the trusted
word of our members. I urge both parties to reconsider the matters in hand
" Again he looked at everyone present yet at no one. " As current
Chairman it is to me to give preliminary judgment ".
As he spoke both illuminated choices disappeared.
" The allegations raised by both ambassadors are serious. I am sure
all here are familiar with the resolutions referred to by ambassador KaarLck,
and I shall not at this time enter into legal arguments relating to them.
We have before us accusations and declarations from persons involved not
the least being the Marshal of the district concerned verifying and substantiating
these accusations.
On the other hand we are faced with a defense having no legal argument.
In this part I accept that the notice has been short, and that a strong
case may yet be put forward. Nonetheless we have been convened to assess
if there is a case to answer for, and it has been demonstrated to me that
that this is so "
Alexi saw KaarLck smile
" ………It is the judgment of this council that the
accused ". Procyon glanced again at a screen in front of him "
Be brought before a duly convened court, at a mutually agreed place, and
at a date to be set within the next seven orbiter days, to answer these
charges. I will not issue a warrant at this time, but as he seems to hold
this person in such high regard I will hold senator Ellis to deliver the
accused to us at the appointed time ".
Alexi was desperate to look at Ellis's expression, but he dared not
show it.
Procyon continued, " Further I am unable to find in any of the
documents supplied to me any evidence that this was an act instigated by,
or approved of by, the Alliance council. Therefore the following declaration
will be published. 'That the council reminds the Planetary Alliance to refrain
from associating itself with any provocative acts in contravention of council
edicts'. I will not impose any censure in this case, but if any further
acts are undertaken the force of this council must be brought to bear on
those responsible. As this emergency meeting was called to discuss this
one matter, I will now close the meeting without further discussion ".
Malcome knocked on the door. He did not enjoy certifying deaths, and
there seemed so many now days. He envied the midwives, they saw life begin,
seeing it end seemed to leave a gloom over him that almost never had time
to leave his shoulders.
The door opened and Alice faced him. She said nothing, neither did he
as she stepped to the side to allow him to enter?
Bertram was in the main room and he just nodded as Malcome came in.
" Shall I go through? ". Said Malcome, he expected no answer and
got none, it was purely to be respectful.
As he opened the door a thought of hot days in the middle of the dry time
swept into, and out of his mind. In the darkness he could just make out
the bed, and the shape of a body draped with a sheet.
Malcome went over the window and drew the blind. Sunlight flooded in
across the room illuminating the shroud, and a vase of flowers on a small
chest beside it. The flowers were drooped and curled. It was strange, as
he had seen Alice place fresh cut ones in the jug night. Now they were withered,
and the transparent container was clearly dry.
He put down the small medical bag and took out the papers to certify
death, still not sure what to write so that she would carry no stigma in
her passing.
The laws required that he test for life signs and went to lift the sheet
from her face. Alice came into the room as he did and he looked up to see
her carrying a large bowl of water. It was their custom to wash the body
when life had official ceased.
He looked back down at the corpse and his body froze. Alice barely noticed
as she respectfully glanced past him to the girls face; then she screamed
and dropped the urn. It smashed on the floor and moments later Bertram came
rushing through the door.
They were both rigid and staring at the body.
Harriet's face was peaceful, not contorted in pain as could have been
expected in such a violent death; but what was even stranger was that her
exposed flesh was enveloped in a pale green aura.
As the shock eased, disturbingly they could all see it was moving over her
body, as a wave moves over the ocean.
" What's…… that….? '. Betram said mystified, and
not a little fearfully.
" I…. I'm not sure " said Malcome slowly. It's like nothing
I have seen…..…but… " He glanced quickly at Betram "
…..When, when I was a child, my father's father told me stories of
his days tending the sick at court. He said of a green mist that he once
saw…. It was just a story, but he said it halted the putrefaction……..
I… I thought it was the fantasy of an old man…but…. ".
Pushing his fear aside Malcome moved closer to the body and looked at her
face.
" This is some sort of enchantment ", Alice said nervously
as he moved the cloth further down the girl's body.
Malcome muttered something
" What, what? " said Bertram reluctantly coming closer to
hear Malcome's muttering
" The flesh…. it should be white….blue, grey, there should
be no colour, but her lips have a trace of pink ".
" Nay " said Alice. " The poor child's blood drained
away. That I, we saw with our own eyes. Didn't it Betram? ".
" I Know " said Malcome as he completely pulled off the covering
from Harriet's upper body.
He gasped, not only because her chest shimmered with the green glow, but
that her arm was stuck to the side of her body with a massive enveloping
scab that covered her side from shoulder to elbow.
Malcome pulled the sheet right off. Other bulbous scabs covered almost all
of both her hands. He looked at Bertram and Alice.
" This is like nothing I have ever seen? " he said disbelievingly
Unenthusiastically he reached for her wrist, above the scab, and as
his fingers touched her flesh the glow it leapt onto his hands racing up
and covering them to above his knuckles.
" Uggg " he said in revulsion dropping her arm, and again looking
at the others. They were looking expectantly at him and it made him remember
who he was. They expected him to be calm.
Again he reached for her hand. Gingerly he touched her flesh again,
and again the glow raced up his fingers. Malcome steeled himself and held
on as the glow slowed and stopped almost as if it was confused. He felt
his hand tingling and warm, whatever the thing was it felt comforting. Slowly
it drew back and settled over Harriet's skin.
Malcome looked at the others, " Somehow this is helping her heal, "
he said in awe.
Now assured he gripped her about her wrist. A few hours ago he had been
convinced she was as good as dead, now he could feel a firm pulse. It was
only half what he would have expected, but her heart was beating, and strongly.
He looked again at her face. He could not be certain but he was sure that
colour was returning almost as they watched.
Suddenly it all fitted, the tingling, the air, the flowers. He moved to
the bottom of the bed and looked across the floor. The pool of water from
the bowl Alice had dropped was shrinking, its edges drying.
" Water, get more water " he said urgently to Alice " Some
alchemy that we have no knowledge of is at work here….. I do believe
this green… is taking moisture from the air and creating new blood
".
Between her rotating day work at the crèche, the retirement village
and at the institute, Victoria had made a wide circle of friends. She wasn't
sure on the authorities policy on how far friendship would go, so she stayed
distant to the male advances she encountered. It wasn't difficult at the
beginning as she still cared for Seymour, though not as much as she had
feared she would. She knew it was pointless thinking he would feel the same
and wait, even if he did how could the head of the Company marry a convicted
murderer.
But as the years passed and her thoughts of fantasy love faded, she realized
that there was more that had held her back; she felt a betrayal that somehow
she could not make sense of.
Then eventually came the day when her locator was removed.
Victoria took an apartment on the first floor, over a small ski hire
shop. There had been several places on offer, but she had immediately gone
for this one. They all had beautiful views, and it confused her why she
had been so taken with this particular one.
It was late afternoon and she was outside trying to juggle a bag of shopping
and while entering her code into the door, when a man came up behind her.
" Can I help you Miss Davenoff? " he said politely
She froze at the name " My name is Windsor, " she said.
" I'm sorry…of course it is, " he said in a way that
made it obvious he wasn't. " My name is Ellis, I would like to talk
to you………. inside? ".
" Mr. Ellis or Ellis something? " she said blocking him from
the door.
" Director Ellis, though I supposed director does not normally
qualify as a forename ".
" Director Ellis, I am not accustomed to having men arrive and
request admittance to my apartment, especially men who are total strangers
to me ".
" Quite so, but although I personally may be a stranger, I am not
unknown to you. Do you remember the Procul? ".
She didn't " The word means nothing to me ".
" Procul is not a word, it is a name, the name of the spacecraft
that brought you here from the planet Earth ".
Victoria's expression changed to a fearful curiosity " Then I suppose
you can come in ". She said allowing Ellis to take the bag while she
opened the door.
A stairway led straight up from the tiny entrance hall into a lounge;
it was small but airy and bright. Ellis followed her to across the room
and into the compact kitchen. He placed the bag on the bench as she took
off her coat.
" It's cold for the time of the year " he said casually "
I think it may be a long harsh winter ".
" Olga will be pleased if it is ".
Ellis cocked his head curiously at her
" She owns the ski shop, ……cold…. Lot's of snow…
more business ".
" Oh yes " he said, " Do you ski? ".
" Yes, when I can ".
" It would be in you blood. Rhea was an excellent skier ".
A bag of Lychee slipped in her hands and several of the furry fruit
fell to the floor.
She dropped down to her knees feeling hot and sweaty and tried to keep her
voice calm " Rhea? ".
" You're great, great grandmother. Actually… " He hesitated
in thought. " I'm not entirely sure without thinking how many greats
".
" I'm surprised that you have even heard of………….
". Victoria suddenly went quiet as a distant memory flickered. "
Director Ellis? " she said hesitantly trying not to look up
" Yes I…. ".
" No it's impossible " Now she did look up at him. Her face
took on curious look. " No…Please excuse me you can't be….
".
Ellis interrupted her " It's a long story " he said "
it not actually tru….., well technically, I am the same Ellis that
sent Rhea and Alexi back to the arcs ".
" That's impossible, " she said disbelievingly.
Ellis said nothing leaving his expression to explain what words couldn't.
Victoria slowly stood leaving at least two of the furry red fruit on
the floor. " Your THAT Ellis? ".
He smiled " you seem to disapprove, but I think I must be. Can
I sit down? ".
" Yes " she said too quickly as she dove down again for the
last lychee it contained, her mind in turmoil. At last she stood trying
to compose herself. " Can I make you a drink? ". She said holding
a packet of coffee in his direction, playing for time.
" Are you making one for yourself? ".
" Yes ". She lied.
" Then thank you ".
For a couple of minutes as she put the things away and prepared the
drinks they were both quiet. Victoria's mind raced as she tried to come
to terms with Ellis's sudden appearance. Had something happened, a bolt
of fear ran through her that she would be returned to prison, maybe even
to Earth, just what did he want? ".
She brought the steaming cups out into her lounge trying not to show her
alarm.
" Director Ellis… "
" Call me Ellis ".
Suddenly a picture of Alexi flashed through her mind " On its
own? ".
" Most people do ".
" Ellis, Why are you here? ".
" Straight to the point, you have much in common with Rhea ".
He began sipping at the drink and took his time to answer, " I am here
Victoria… to ask you to be my assistant ".
" Assistant? " she said both in surprise and relief. "
Not about my trial? '.
" Your trial…… Goodness no, that was over a long time
a….. Oh I see. You thought I was here with news….".
" There was no other reason that I could think of ".
" Well actually it is to do with that, but in a round about way
".
He drank some more and then looked at her deeply.
" Do you know what happened after you…….. left? ".
" No, I know nothing " she felt a wave of unhappiness sweep
over her again. Over time it had eased, but for long after she had arrived,
she had desperately wanted to hear from, or of her family and friends, but
that was the price she paid for her life, she had to disappear totally.
Ellis saw her expression. " I'm sorry it must have been hard? ".
" You can't begin to believe how hard it was, " she said sadly.
He saw moisture in the corner of her eye. " I have an admission
to make " he said slowly " It was by my doing that you were erased
from existence ".
She looked at him confused.
" Please don't say anything, " he said. " The game was
bigger than you, but you were a prominent part of it. You needed to be removed
from play permanently ". He looked around and out to the mountains
" This was the only option other than your death and to be quite honest
you were too important to loose ".
" Fame and prestige, it was always what my fami………
".
" No " he said abruptly. " It had nothing to do with
your position in society ".
She looked at him dumfounded. But, important…I don't see "
she went silent.
" It is because of who you are, not who you were that makes you
special ".
" Then you know more than I do Ellis, because I am no one special
".
" I do, " he said cryptically before changing the subject.
" In her later years you were Rhea's confidant. She told you many things
that she told no other. You do know that? ".
Victoria nodded.
" I would go as far to say that she went as far as to tell you
that although she was near the pinnacle of the Carroll Company her allegiances
were not always true to it? Or something of that nature ".
" What do you mean by that? " she said remembering it was
true.
" Rhea was supplying the Federation with vital knowledge against
the Company ".
Victoria felt herself go rigid with indignation. " You're accusing
her of betrayal? ".
" On the contrary I'm saying she was ultimately loyal. She of all
people knew of the intentions of the Company, and she knew they had to be
stopped…. no moderated ".
Ellis fell silent for a moment.
" But of course she was only one person, she couldn't control what
happened anymore than anyone else could; events were out of hand, and your
planet descended into civil war ".
" Civil war? " she said with a gasp.
" You didn't know? ".
" No… ".
" But it can hardly be a surprise, considering what was happening
in the Americas before you left ".
" No… Yes… but civil war….. The whole planet? ".
" Pretty much. The Americas you would have been aware of. Oceania
soon after your trial, that spread through Asia, and then Europe was between
the two, that soon fell into chaos.
" What happened? ".
" You mean who won? ".
" I supposed I do ".
" The real answer is neither, but the Company survived strongest
through the Carroll line ".
Victoria looked sadly at him. " My family? ".
" Did Rhea tell you about your mother? ".
" My mother. What about her? ".
" She was Federation ".
" No " she said firmly. " She couldn't have been ".
Ellis said nothing; instead he finished his drink.
" You're not serious " she said when he appeared reluctant
to continue.
" I am ".
" Since when? ".
" Since ever, as far as I know. Where do you think you inherited
all your opinions? ".
" Things like that aren't hereditary….. are they? ".
" I don't know, but I suspect your mother and Rhea's influence
was a great part of it ".
Victoria suddenly felt a great wave of loss. She had fought and argued
with her mother over things that they could have agreed on, if only……
" What happened? ".
Your family had to flee before the Company to Oceania. There they held
out for several generations, before they were overwhelmed ".
" Overwhelmed……By the Carroll Company? ", she thought
of one of Seymour's children having a hand in it.
" Not entirely, they were assisted ".
She thought for a moment, it was ridiculous " From the future?
".
" That's quite astute of you to realize so quickly ".
" I have studied political science, it would seem given the capabilities
that those people have, to be an obvious move, if what you are saying is
what actually happened ".
" Then you have learned well, but it wasn't from here, it was from
the future Cor…". He stopped and thought. " …but that
was what you meant wasn't it? ".
Words flew around her mind so that she wasn't sure of what she meant.
" I graduated with honour's, I tell you that not to boast but out of
curiosity, but if this all happened why there is nothing in the records
or the political histories to tell of such? ".
" Things are more complicated than they seem. In the World as it
exists to all around you, they are oblivious to any past on Earth. To them
the place exists only in myth ".
" I know " she said " and believe me it is disconcerting
to get into conversations about the hypothetical, when you know it is the
fact ".
" I can imagine, in fact there are few………. Places
now, where it is still considered such ".
" I often wondered if people thought me a dreamer or crazy to believe
in such a fairy tale ".
" We both know you are neither…… especially as I want
you to go back ".
" To Earth? ".
Ellis detected a note of excitement, so he spoke quickly " Not
the Earth you know. That was part of saving your life. To them you are dead,
and time has moved on. You are to go back to a time after the war has ended,
a time when darkness rules and almost all hope is gone ".
" You are not selling this suggestion very well ".
Ellis smiled. " No, but what else can I say without deceiving you
".
" We used to talk about a post apocalyptic time in dread, when
I…. Once. I'm not sure it is a place I relish visiting ".
" No, but that is what I ask of you as your first task ".
Victoria sighed deeply " You know as a young girl I desperately
wished to help the ordinary people. Of course I had no real idea what that
meant at the time. Now I am one of the ordinary people I find it quite fulfilling
".
" I understand, " said Ellis beginning to stand. " It
is an adolescent trait to want to change the world when you have no power
to do so. When one grows to have that power the adolescent fervour has gone
".
" No " Victoria heard herself say, " Not entirely, it's
just as one grows you see the task as too large and your own part as too
small ".
" No part is too small, I promise you that ".
" But me, what skills have I got? ".
" You have all you need ".
" To do what? ".
" An associate of mine has left something behind. I need it collected
".
" Behind… but if they know where it is? ".
" A fresh perspective is required ".
" So I go back to Earth, go to some place and collect this item.
That's it? ".
" Exactly ".
" Then I can't really say no can I? ".
" No, but first I need some information from you ".
" Information, it seems that you know everything already ".
" Far from it ".
" So what is it? ".
" Rhea told you something, a story about Basilisk ".
The word rang a bell deep in Victorias mind " It was an old fable
" she said trying to remember.
" Like earth? ".
" More than Earth ".
" There was a set of numbers ".
" Numbers……Co-ordinates " she said vaguely
" Yes, co-ordinates. Do you remember? ".
" After all this time, I don't think I do ".
" I wasn't expecting you to have instant recall "
" I'm not sure I can remember ".
"Just think on it, but right now I want you to add a postscript
to a letter for me ".
She looked at him curiously. " Why does this sound harder than
what you have already asked me? "
" It's not "
" Then what's the letter about and who is it to? ".
" The letter is from Rhea and it is to Alexi Davenoff, or as you
may remember him as Jam… ".
" Windsor " she said over him.
"Yes", said Ellis sensing something in her voice. " Obviously
your memory can recall ".
" You are not very perceptive Ellis, " she said with a grin.
" Where do you think I got the idea of the alias I use? ".
" Of course " he said " Yes, it's too obvious "
he smiled back " Do you know much of the man? ".
" Great gran mama spoke of him often, so I believe I do ".
" I fear Rheas opinion of the man may have been more than a little
biased. Elli…I used to refer to Alexi as a loose cannon, he is very
unpredictable. If he became incensed he would act without thinking. Then
he met Rhea, I considered her his shackle, in the nicest possible sense.
She made him think and channel his attributes in a positive way. But when
she stayed on Earth and events unfolded as they did, he changed back. I
could see he was even more dangerous, if I can use that word. If he had
known that she was involved in a war, he would have donned his white armour
and flown off to defend her in an instant ".
Victoria was smiling " I do believe he would " she said softly
" It is an undisputed fact, as was the fact that the planets civil
war couldn't afford any warrior blazing single handed into action ".
He placed a sheet of paper on the low table before them. " The only
way to stop that is to make him think he is not needed ".
" I'm not sure I like where this conversation is going ",
she said suspiciously.
" All I want " said Ellis " Is for you to add a postscript
to a letter she has already written to him ".
" Saying what? ". She said very deliberately.
" Just that she died happy and with no mention of the war ".
" You want me to lie to Alexi? ". She said angrier than she
thought she should have been.
" No. I want you to omit the truth ".
" I can't, " she said coolly.
" I promise I will tell him everything, including you doing this
at my insistence when the time is right ".
" He has the right to know the truth ".
" Yes, but when it won't get him killed, and when it wont play
into the hands of the people who caused you to end up here ".
" I will write nothing that will hurt him ", she said firmly.
Ellis looked at her in surprise " Victoria? ".
She lowered her head a little, " He saved my life ".
" I did too ", said Ellis with a smile " But that's a
different story isn't it? ".
" You said an assistant " she said ignoring the innuendo "
is writing a postscript and collecting lost property what assistants do?
".
" Oh no. My assistant will have more a ……….roving
commission ".
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