I WILL SHOW YOU TO YOUR NEW QUARTERS WHILE I EXPLAIN THE SITUATION IN

MORE DETAIL.

The Sergeants jumped in alarm. Their previous dealings with Marshia had left them in no doubt as to her capabilities.

FOLLOW THE PINK ARROWS.

Walking very close together the two hardened space veterans followed the pink arrows that appeared at intervals in front of them.

*

Vick and Streemly were once more huddled over a dissected piece of quanta-electronics. Streemly’s exceptional inventiveness and ability to absorb new concepts complemented Vick’s vast technical knowledge perfectly. Their mutual lust for knowledge, respect for one another’s intellect and general inability to leave anything alone was enhancing Marshia’s capabilities in leaps and bounds. All this was completely lost on West, who advanced on them unceremoniously waving his note pad. “At last,” he said, somewhat out of breath. “There must be something wrong with Marshia’s paging system. I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”

Vick and Streemly exchanged meaningful glances.

“MisterVick,” said West, “I know you’re not interested in the future security and happiness of mankind, and I know this is very tiresome for you, but in the absence of my being able to locate your brother I really do need to sit down with you and negotiate terms.”

Vick stood and shouted, “LEAVE ME ALONE, YOU WEASEL!”Then turned back to his work.

“Miss Streemly,” West implored, “canyou ...” West was interrupted by Vick who bellowed “DOCTOR

NAIZE!”

“Doctor Naize,” West conceded, “can you have a word with Mister Vick. I have a job to do as well.”

Streemly spoke without turning from her work. “Job, Mr West? What job would that be?”

“I have been instructed by the High Presidium to utilise my perspicacity and compare the postulated contingencies with actual phenomena while maintaining a friendly accord with my shipboard compatriots.”

“You mean,”said Streemly, backing away from a hatch which Vick slammed shut, “you’ve been told to keep your eyes open and stay out of trouble.”

West said, “ Sna,” which was his way of performing a dismissive snort or small laugh.“An understandable interpretation by one of such tender years.”

Vick and Streemly picked up some tools and headed down the corridor. West flapped after them like an owl on a string.

“What my instructions clearly mean,” said West to their backs, “is for me to enter into negotiations with the representative of Earth in order to ease the transition back to recolonisation .”

“Make it opaque, please Marshia,” said Streemly.

UNDERSTOOD.

West continued, not hearing Streemly’s request, “There is also the question of the technology which we must have access to.”

“Perhaps,” said Streemly over her shoulder, “Bev doesn’t want Earth recolonised and doesn’t want to give away his technology.”

“Be that as it may,” saidWest , almost tripping up in his efforts to keep up with them, “this is precisely why I have to speak with him.”

Vick and Streemly turned into a darkened corridor followed by West.

“It is imperative Bev be made to realise the benefits of coming under the High Presidium’s wing. And I

...” West’s voice trailed off as he realised he was in the dark. There was a light hissing noise and an almost imperceptible feeling of motion.

“Doctor Naize?” saidWest into the gloom. “Mister Vick?”

Streemly’svoice cut through the darkness, “All right Marshia,let’s have some light on the subject.”

UNDERSTOOD.

The walls of the transpod cleared.

“Scanner dish 47, please Marshia,” said Streemly.

UNDERSTOOD.

Vick watchedWest intently.

West looked impassively around at the splendour of stars, galaxies and nebulae suddenly unveiled. “If this was supposed to startle me,” he said, “then I am afraid you are going to be sadly disappointed.”

West looked down his nose at Vick and Streemly. “Take me back, please Marshia,” he said. UNDERSTOOD.

“I can see I am wasting my time here,” saidWest , turning to face the approaching docking port. The three stood in silence as the transpod attached itself. A gentle hiss and the port door slid aside. West left. His note pad tucked under his arm and his head held high.

Streemly looked at Vick a little sheepishly. “I suppose it was a bit childish,” she said. Vick nodded and looked at his feet. “Yes,” he said looking up. “Really mature adults would have done a runner while he was in the dark!”

*

West waited until he was sure he was out of sight of the transpod corridor before he let himself drop his note pad and lean against the wall for support. He felt as though the blood had completely deserted his head. The contents of his stomach threatened to re-introduce themselves to the world at large. Tears of anger and frustration pricked at his eyes. Bastards! When will I ever learn? You try to do something, be someone. Try to get a little respect . How dare they !

ARE YOU ALL RIGHT, MISTER WEST?

“Yes. I’m fine. Thank you Marshia.”

CAN I GET YOU A DRINK OF WATER?

“Yes. Please. Thank you.”

Moments later, a glass of watercame gliding down the corridor towards West. He drank thirstily, clinging to the glass with both hands.

WOULD YOU LIKE ANOTHER GLASS OF WATER, MISTER WEST?

“No thank you Marshia. That was nice. Thank you.”

West retrieved his note pad and walked slowly down the corridor, not really thinking about where he was headed. The incident had brought back the taste, smell and sounds of the past. The stuffy science class where a boy half his size, he could not remember his name, had pinned him to the ground. His frustration at not being able to stand had causedWest to burst into tears in front of his class mates. The rancid smell of the boy’s body came to him once more. And years later in the college canteen: Darlene Smart’s voice filled with contempt as she loudly rejected his nervous, halting request that she accompany him to a piano recital.The smell of stainless steel, plastic and boiled vegetables.The burning cheeks and all those mocking eyes.

How many times had he been overlooked at the Presidium? He had done his best.Worked hard. West thought of his father. The last time he had seen him.In the home.Sat in a wheel chair.Confused.Hardly remembering his son. Shouting, “I’m peeing myself! Oh, God. Help me. I’m peeing myself! I’m making a mess!” West had held his father’s cool, fragile hand. “It’s all right, dad. You’ve got a bottle. It’s all right. You’re not making a mess. It’s all right.” A nurse had approached them.Spoken to his father as if he were a naughty toddler. “Now let’s not have any of that nonsense,” she had said. “Stop acting like a big baby. You’re disturbing the others.”

This was his father.The man who had kissed away his hurting knee.The man who had cried with him when he was inoculated.

“ I’m not going to end up like that,” thoughtWest .

He stood tall and strode confidently down the corridor.

*

Bev dashed around collecting information and data about Earth and the various MAIDs around the planet for transmission to Horridoa and Edenia . He skilfully avoided any protracted meetings with West. Managing somehow to ask more questions than he answered, forcing West to spend days seeking out an audience with Captain Phoenix or a High Presidium representative.

Several weeks passed by as exploration teams and scientists from both moons were despatched to Earth to begin verifying Bev’s data. The technology they found on Earth astounded them all. There were MAIDs for just about everything. No single MAID was overly clever. Each one had one speciality plus the ability to communicate directly with almost every other MAID on the planet. And there were hundreds of thousands of them.

The matter transmitter MAIDs were very impressive having a one hundred per cent success rate. The thought recognition MAIDs were by far themost spooky .

They were considered too dangerous for use aboard Marshia as no one could match the mental discipline of Bev and Vick. The initial thought recognition MAIDs experiment was abandoned after an incident with a young scientist being used as a guinea pig. He was performing some particularly dreary and repetitive matter transmitter tests. Using thought to transfer strawberries to and from different boxes. His mind must have wandered because the chief lab technician’s ample wife suddenly materialised on the work bench holding a bowl of freshly whipped cream and wearing nothing but a pair of red high-heeled shoes and a puzzled frown.

*

Kwait spent most of his time using his influence to make sure it would be Marshia who would be sent looking for Django Twip. He secured his own and Streemly’s presence on board. He also made sure West would accompany them but somehow forgot to mention it.

He was sitting in one of Marshia’s smaller bars sipping tea and musing about the forthcoming trip.A trip out there. Not just to a neighbouring star but right out ofhis own galaxy!

Kwait thought about a brief talk he and Bev had enjoyed where Bev had confirmed that there were, indeed, hundreds of thousands of intelligent life forms scattered around the known universe. Most intelligent forms had used their creative abilities to develop technology with the ultimate goal of exploring space.A very common trait, curiosity.

There were one or two civilisations of highly intelligent beingswho had developed differently for some reason. They had used their creativeness to engulf themselves in a lifestyle of almost impenetrable ritual. Customs and complex ceremonies surrounded almost every act. The resulting bonding of the individuals to the society made them the envy of some.And targets for derision by others. Kwait recalled a picture of deep space he had seen recently. A small ten by four had captured the image of over fifty well defined galaxies and nebulae. Hundreds more could be seen dimly in the far distance.Each cluster of light home for dozens of life forms.Unimaginable billions of thinking, feeling individuals. Just like him.

Kwait thought about the people who had died in ignorance. Unaware of the intelligences separated from them by a quirk of time, a small step in technology, a tiny change of attitude. The thought made Kwait shudder violently.

Kwait recalled something Bev had said, “There are some wise ... insects, we would call them, that say they can see as far as they can look. They say we live in the centre of a huge sphere made from the backs of our heads.”

Kwait was woken from his ruminations when Tracy, Captain Phoenix’s pneumatic young wife, slid into the seat beside him.

“Doctor Naize,” she purred.“Kwait. Have you been avoiding me?” Kwait nearly dropped his drink as Tracy gave his upper thigh a squeeze.

“Avoiding you, Mrs Phoenix?” Kwait tried unsuccessfully to remove his thigh.

“Tracy, please,” purred Tracy.

“No ... Tracy. I’ve just been very busy.” He felt Tracy’s finger nails gently scratch the inside of his thigh through his trousers. And, damn it! He could feel his genitals tingle in response. I AM SORRY TO DISTURB YOU, DOCTOR NAIZE.

“ Marshia! Thank God,” thought Kwait. “Yes, Marshia?” he said with a slight crack in his voice. YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.

“Thank you Marshia!” Kwait said a little too enthusiastically. “Thank you.” He stood up quickly. “Please excuse me, Tracy. I have to go.”

Tracy smiled and lent forward displaying her abundant cleavage. “See you soon,” she breathed. Kwait all but ran for the exit.

*

Kwait entered the conference room with Streemly on his heels. “You all right, Pop?” asked Streemly.

“You look a bit flushed.”

“I’ve been avoiding the thought recognition MAIDs ,” he said. Streemly looked puzzled but knew better than to pursue the issue and sat down.

Vick stomped in with Bev gliding behind him. West, Phoenix and Apricot were already seated. A beep from the wall and they all swivelled to face the large holoscreen on the conference room wall. The screen was split vertically into two images. An ancient female face peered back from each side. Kwait vaguely recognised them from news reports as Presidium members from Horridoa and Edenia . There were no badges or insignia on their clothes and no clues in the background so Kwait did not know which represented which moon. In the present strange political climate Kwait thought this may have been deliberate. A label under each identified them as Lady Blake on the left and Mrs Peters on the right. Kwait did not recognise the names.

There were no formalities. “It is my ... our ... understanding that your ship is ready for immediate dispatch,” said Lady Blake with the minimum of lip movement. “Is that correct, Captain?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” said Phoenix.

“And you are quite confident the crew are comfortable with the new systems introduced from Earth?”

“Yes, ma’am.We have done three successful test hops with no problems whatsoever.”

“Hops, Captain?”

“A quick burst of faster than light travel, ma’am.Approximately one light year in distance.”

“I see. So a couple of hops would be a skip. And, ha, ha ...” Lady Blake obviously thought whatever she was about to say next was extremely funny. “The whole journey, ha, ha, would be a jump. Ha, haaaa

...” Lady Blake looked in dire danger of having a heart attach. “So the Armpit Nebula is ... he, heee , ho hoooo ... a hop, skip, and a jump away. Ahaaaa ...” Lady Blake disappeared from the screen as she slipped rather ungracefully under her desk.

Mrs Peters took up the reins, ignoring the sounds of Lady Blake weeping with laughter in the background.

“We have some further instructions for you,” she said as a hand holding a piece of paper appeared in front of her from off-screen. She studied the note briefly. “Ah, yes.West?”

West shot out of his chair to attention.“Yes, ma’am?”

“We have some special duties for you,West .”

“I would be honoured to serve in whatever capacity you see fit, ma’am. I can see you too have perceived a need for my particular talents. The challenge is indeed great. But, and I don’t think I am being too immodest when I say this, the role of Governor of this new and exciting planet will rest well on my shoulders.” West tucked a thumb under his lapel and began striding confidently around the conference room. Lady Blake had recovered. And, although somewhat dishevelled, resumed her position most admirably.

“‘Co-ordination’ is the key word,” continuedWest . “The exploitation of this new planet needs a co-ordinated effort of the highest scientific standards executed with tact and sensitivity. Unlike some I could mention,I am keenly aware of the political pitfalls that await the unwary during this critical phase in the development of Earth.A name, incidentally, which you may consider changing. An obvious name comes to mind but I am farto modest, as the planet’s first Governor, to mention it.” Lady Blake started to chuckle again.

“ Erm, Mr West?” Mrs Peters tried to interrupt him.

“Just West, if you don’t mind ma’am. On completion of the Governor’s Mansion the first order of business ...” Lady Blake was laughing hysterically again, “... has to be Intellectual Property rights on the new M A I D technology, mineral and general exploration rights. I believe there is still some sea life wandering aimlessly around the oceans so we have another exploitable resource there.”

“West!”Mrs Peters cut him off as he paused for breath. “Thank you very much but we do not have the time to listen to excerpts from your new novel. No matter how imaginative and fantastical it may be!”

Lady Blake, her body once more racked with laughter, vanished beneath the desk. Mrs Peters took a deep breath, raising her voice so she could be heard over the gasps and snorts coming from Lady Blake.

“You will accompany the crew of S B C Marshia on their mission acting as observer and, dare I say it, advisor.”

West stood in open mouthed disbelief. Lady Blake’s arm appeared on top of the desk as she tried to raise herself, still laughing, to her seat.

“The two captured crewmen from the scout ship will also remain aboard. We believe they will be of some assistance to you as they have considerable experience of ... well, scouting or reconnaissance or whatever the term is.”

“Understood, ma’am,” said Phoenix.

“Doctors Naize and Naize along with ...” Mrs Peters consulted the paper on her desk, “... Bev andVick, have requested that they stay on board too. We see no reason why not as they will undoubtedly be of immeasurable help to you.”

“Yes, ma’am.Couldn’t agree more, ma’am,” said Phoenix. Lady Blake was back on screen looking as if she had been trampled by a herd of buffalo and found the experience quite amusing.

“It only remains for me to wish you the best of luck,” said Mrs Peters.

“Thank you, ma’am,” said everyone.

“I only hope we don’t cock things up at this end and you have somewhere worthwhile to come back to!” said Mrs Peters, casting a glance in the direction of Lady Blake. Lady Blake just managed to say, “Yes, and now I’m sure it’s time for you to hop it !” before she collapsed heavily to the floor in hysterics.

Thankfully, the screen went blank.

: Pebbles