Alpha 1472 (11 page)

Mr Watkins you have been working closely with the translation banks what is the status at the moment.”

The captain then handed the meeting over to Travis.

“Well, we have had a great day and we have a forty five percent working translation base but not quite enough for the computer to go automatic yet. I have it set at seventy five percent. The translations are not yet perfect but the computer has extrapolated enough of the local language to give us a working structure, obviously the more we hear the better things will get. There were a few anomalies and these occurred when we encountered the military type guys, there were a few odd words that did not fit in with the language structure that is being used by most of the inhabitants. We will keep our eye on these but early theories include the fact that this is a people from an entirely different region which means that with their air of authority, it is entirely possible that they are, or once in recent history, were an invading force and that they form part of some sort of military rule in this area. But this at the moment is only a theory. I believe that our next visit ashore will give us enough for the translations to become automated.”

It also seems that our arrival did no go completely unnoticed. From the conversations that were overheard when JD was outside the inn it would seem that one individual witnessed our arrival. However, we have been lucky on this occasion because his story has been ridiculed by the locals and we do not expect any repercussions from this unfortunate incident”.

“Thank you Mr Watkins, any questions anyone.” Asked the captain and when no one offered any he continued.
“Whilst john was ashore I asked Anne to take over the geology station and I think she has some findings, Anne”

Although Anne homer was the medic for this mission she was also a fine geologist and taking over the geology duties was almost second nature to her. She cleared her throat and addressed the rest of the crew. “Thank you sir, I’ve been examining the topography of the area we are now in. The ledge on which we are now resting is a solid bedrock and as such is quite stable, however the cliff face which rises to the port side of the shuttle has several large boulders which are not so stable, they shouldn’t however give us any problems but we should be aware that they are there and caution should be exercised at all times. It would take quite a force to dislodge them and unless we experience an earthquake or similar we should be O
K. The monitors do not indicate any seismic activity at this time nor have I detected any wave movements that would worry us. I will ask J.D. to check my findings to confirm that things are alright.”

The captain thanked Anne for her research and indicated that John should check things out. He then turned his attention to Marius Hatch.

“Mr Hatch do you have anything to add at this time.” hatch said that he did not and the captain then instructed him to draw up a duty roster for the coming day. J.D. raised his hand, he was acknowledged and the captain invited his comments.

“One thing sir, I think that it was lucky that I found that coin today and it may be useful for any of us out there to be able to purchase things should we need them if nothing else it would help us to integrate a little better.”

There were general nods from around the circle and the captain agreed that it would indeed be a good idea. The problem was how to obtain these coins. It was not a good idea to steal them, they couldn’t go to a bank, and they knew no one they could borrow any from. A lively discussion ensued culminating in the suggestion that they should try to manufacture their own. The few coins that they might need for the next few days would hardly affect the economy of this planet and although it was in effect forgery, it was something that Daniels thought he could sanction in this instance. He gave the job of making the coins to Travis and said that he would confirm the use of them through control when he spoke to them later. He also added that when Travis was making the coins he should use the images recorded that day by J.D.’s camera to ensure that whatever they used were as authentic as was possible, they could ill afford to be questioned on their use by the authorities. They had to minimise the risk of detection whilst they were here. His f
inal instruction for this meeting was that they should each transfer all of the data collected this day to the T file ready for transfer back to control. Daniels then asked one final time if there was anything else, and bought the meeting to an end with a few welcome words to the crew.

“Well if that is all I think you have all deserved a couple of hours to yourselves, we will resume duties at 20.00 hours ship time”

With this he stood up and retired to his private quarters. The rest of the crew went into the recreation area and each chose their own form of relaxation.

In his quarters Daniels slipped of his boots and sat at his desk. The room was small but functional; the walls were padded as was the rest of the ship and the only concession to home comforts was a family photograph taped above the computer terminal. He punched a few keys on the keyboard and the screen flickered into life. On screen were several icons one of which was named captain. He touched the icon on the screen which in turn opened another file containing more icons. When he touched the communication icon he was presented with a security panel requesting a code, on the keyboard he punched in a security number which would connect him to control back home. Within seconds the speakers came to life, crackling. He had no problems with the others hearing his conversations this room was completely soundproof. “1472 Alpha to control, are you receiving me over”

He waited for a few seconds before repeating himself. And again he received no answer. He tried a third time and this time he was rewarded with an answer from home. The reception was sporadic at best, it was almost unintelligible and he struggled to hear the person at the other end. He tried to make a few adjustments to clear the signal but until Hatch had refined the settings he knew that this was probably the best that he could hope for

“1472 this is command, awaiting your report over”

At least he had some sort of communication with them and because this is exactly what had been expected he had prepared a video report to be sent with the transmission reports that they were expecting. The first thing that he did was to transmit the daily report, should this line of communication break down there would be no way to get the information back home. As soon as this was done he asked to speak to Major Hooton or Major General Stewart. The person on the other end said that he should stand by and transferred the communication to Major Hooton.

“Hooton here, go ahead Daniels” Was the
reply or at least he though that was the reply. The channel was so bad that most of what was said was eaten up by static interference which caused the message to break up and crackle. And as frustrating as it was it was the best they had at the moment.

“I hope you can hear me sir, we have encountered a minor problem here, nothing drastic just a little something we overlooked. The people of this planet use a form of currency to purchase goods and services. We at present do not have any of this currency, but we think we can manufacture it right here on board. I need your permission to go ahead and use the coins we make. Its all in my report but on this one I need an answer within the next few hours or at least before our next visit ashore”
For a while it seemed that the entire system went dead, Daniels was just about to make further adjustments when the speakers sprang back into life startling him just a little.

“Can’t give you an ans...
n that one at the mo...nt. we will get b...ou later with an answer…con…t…”

He had trouble deciphering this last communication and had to replay it several times to decide that it was ‘can’t give you an answer on that one at the moment. We will get back to you later with an answer. Control out. Once he was satisfied, he severed the link with control and switched the computer to standby mode, swung his feet onto his couch, closed his eyes and relaxed.

Generally the shuttle was quiet at the moment all of the crew had chose pastimes that made little or no noise the only person that was conspicuous by his absence was Marius Hatch. Everyone else had taken the captains advice and used the time to relax; Hatch was the only one working. He wanted to get the communications network up and running perfectly. He paid no attention to the others, relaxing, and felt no desire or need to follow their lead, and no anger towards them for not wanting to work, this was just the way he was and probably would always be. He was just one of the few individuals who did everything by the book, and beyond.

As they relaxed the atmosphere was good everyone doing their own thing. Mary and Anne had once again made drinks for everyone and
had taken one through to Hatch who had been working in the cockpit area. The two women were now sitting in comfortable chairs chatting.

“I know I saw it on the monitor but what is it really like out there” asked Anne. Mary gave a little thought to what she would tell her. “Its like nothing I have ever seen or experienced. The first thing you notice is the air. It smells so clean, fresh and when you breathe it its like you want to breathe it forever it fills your lungs and you just know it’s so clean. No pollutants whatsoever. It’s worth going just for the air. And the water is crystal clear; when we stepped of the pods it was so warm like a comfortable bath. And the beach, oh the beach is fantastic, no one around for miles and great open stretches of the most golden sands I have ever seen. It was like having your own private place with no one to bother you. The sun is hot around midday but I for one could learn to cope with that. Away from the beach it’s a bit barren and dusty and that makes you feel a bit dirty, let me tell you I really needed that shower when I got back. But all in all it was a magical experience.”

Anne was hanging on every word, and the more she heard the more she wanted to go. She then asked Mary about the people and the town.

“Well the town is nothing to look at just a load of mud huts really but the people, well the ones I met, were great. We had a real problem with the language but even though
, you could tell that they were genuine. They gave me a feeling of belonging it was if I was a long lost friend or relative or something. They didn’t need a lot, it was as if, this is their life and they were content to be who they are. Simple folk with simple needs and they had their little family and to see them together was a joy, you could tell that they really wanted to be with each other, it made me think of my David. I am enjoying this mission but I can’t wait to get back home.”

Anne agreed that she was looking forward to the return journey also. For a while the two women sat in silence thinking about what Mary had just said. Then Anne turned to Mary and almost in a whisper said.

“So how long is before you hear the pitter-patter.” Mary blushed and smiled at the same time.

“We found out just before David’s birthday so next year we will either go out for a meal or spend his birthday in the delivery suite”

They both laughed and Anne said that either way it would be a great present for him.

At this the captain’s voice came over the intercom “Sorry people but we have a lot to prepare for tomorrow so back to work. Daniels
, out.”

With this the recreation area was cleared and everyone returned to their duties.

He sat for a while in his quarters contemplating his next move. Things were certainly running smoothly to this point but he was eager to push on with the mission. Because he, and consequently the crew, already had their mission briefs they had plenty to be getting on with. There was, however, an element of the mission which was on a strictly need to know basis and to find out exactly what this was, he had to be in touch with control back on the home world as often as was possible.

He reached over to his computer terminal and was just about to make contact when they actually contacted him.

“Ground control to Daniels over”

It seemed an abrupt impersonal greeting from home but it was efficient and to the point. Daniels replied
, and was informed that the conversation was being passed to Major Hooton and that he was to stand by.

“Hello
Jason this is Peter how is it all going”

Suddenly the conversation had taken on a more personable air which relaxed Daniels. He relaxed onto his bunk to take the rest of the call
and as he did so he told Hooton that all was well and things were going to schedule.

“Is this a secure call” Hooton asked. Jason leaned over to his console and activated the privacy button which bypassed all records of this conversation being recorded and stored on the computers. Having done so
, he assured Hooton that they were indeed now having a private conversation.

“OK, here’s the deal. The currency thing is
probably an unnecessary evil but we have no objections so there are no problems there, you can go ahead with that one but there is something more pressing. I am going to give you a code that will release a mission brief held within your own orders. To access this you will need to click on the mission logo on the opening screen while holding down the numbers 1472. This will present you with a log in screen where you will enter this code

‘1472/106/daniels/recovery’

I need you to read these new orders and get back to me. Do you understand?”