At last, Freddie placed the control and the headphones beside the video screen and sought Sam 32nd. He wanted reassurance his mother and uncle were safe. However, Sam 32nd was in mid-conference with about ten other Rats, some in uniform and some in casual clothes, all very intent. Freddie assumed the latter were members of Rat Intelligence units. He sat to one side, well out of everyone’s way, waiting for the conference to conclude. When it did, the military Rats saluted Sam 32nd and all left at a run.
His Highness at last turned to Freddie, his face sombre. “Freddie, I’ve some bad news. Rioters surrounded the platoon we sent to protect your home and killed them all. There are indications that New Cats were involved. We don’t know the status of your uncle and mother because we lost communications with our local Guard unit. I’ve mobilized rescue flights and two armoured infantry regiments, one to protect your house and ensure the safety of everyone and the other to come here to help defend the Embassy. We’re all hopeful your mother is safe, likewise your uncle.”
“Sir—I—thank you. Can I go—I need to help my Mum?”
“The safest and most effective place for you, at the moment, is here. Come with me, I’ll get you set up in the communication centre so you can monitor progress. If we can get you out to join your mother, we’ll do so. Otherwise, we’ll bring your family here. I’ve lost contact with my grandson, Sam 101, as well.” Sam 101 was at Freddie’s house, helping Freddie’s Uncle Charles. “In five minutes I have a call scheduled with the Prime Minister; we need to see how we can bring all this to a safe conclusion without any more casualties.”
The communication crew set Freddie up at a desk, surrounded by equipment. One explained, “Earphones are here, they should fit you. There’s a built-in mike as well, voice activated. Your call sign—Engineer, I think, should do. Please don’t break into tactical exchanges. Names and call signs are on this list. Blue Regiment’s on its way to your home and Rose Regiment’s headed to the Embassy. Plug in here and you can connect to Blue Regiment and to the rescue helicopters, Uplift One and Two. You should be able to hear all communications. It’s all encrypted, so no one outside can listen in. We’re still trying to contact the local Guards team and will channel them to you when we’re successful. We’ll add video to these units when we have streaming from the Blues and the rescue flights. Let me know if you have questions or need help. I’m at the next desk and my call sign is KK.”
Freddie was so worried he forgot to thank the communications Rat. He donned the earphones and listened intently. The voice traffic sounded routine although he was not familiar with all the jargon; it was very different to the exchanges he was accustomed to while flying.
“Blue Scout One to Blue Leader. Two minutes. No contact.”
“Uplift One to Blue Scout One. Above target now. No activity.”
“Blue Leader to Uplift units. Stay high until we reach target.”
“Uplift One to London Flight Control. Please confirm no traffic inside agreed exclusion zone.”
“Thank you, London Flight Control. Please advise intruder at Sector A33 range two miles it is in the danger zone, and both Uplift One and Uplift Two are armed and authorized to fire weapons.”
“Blue Leader to Blue Scout One. Report.”
“We are busy, boss. Can you get here immediate? Out.”
“Blue Leader to all units. Get to the target asap. Be aware Blue Scout One is under attack.”
“Blue Leader to Uplift Command. Can you see Blue Scout One? Look for a bright blue vehicle, marked one. He needs assistance.”
“Uplift Two to Blue Leader. Spotted. He’s two blocks away from the target. Uplift One will counter and rescue.”
Freddie’s concentration was interrupted by the communication Rat. “I’m piping in video from the Uplift units,” he advised. “Middle video unit. Just hit the on switch.”
Freddie switched on the video unit as instructed. The scene displayed was immediately above his home. It looked so serene and peaceful. Then the video camera shifted and brought the Blue scout vehicle into view. It was almost half a mile away. He watched intently as one of the helicopters came into view below the camera and hovered above the vehicle. Suddenly the aircraft veered nose down and weapons along the two short stabilizer wing stubs blazed smoke and fire.
“Uplift One to Blue Leader. We have neutralized some bad guys. They were firing at your scout and then fired at us. Their mistake.”
“Blue Scout One to Uplift One. Thanks for your help. There’s one large beer coming your way.”
“Blue Leader to Blue Scout One. Advise condition.”
“Blue Scout One. They got my spotter when they triggered an ED. It was in a drain under the road. My vehicle is immobile. I need a medic, soonest. My helmet’s badly creased.”
“Blue Scout Two to Blue Scout One. We’re almost with you. Can you see any more bad guys?”
“Negative. There may be EDs in front, between here and the target. Take care.”
By now Uplift One was settling down beside the scout vehicle and Freddie could see Rats rushing from the helicopter. At the same time another vehicle drew up with a sharp braking skid, it had a large ‘2’ on the roof. Within seconds, three more vehicles arrived and he could see Rats taking up perimeter positions, guarding the temporary gathering. He silently urged the Rats towards his home. Uplift Two obviously was gaining altitude and the video camera now was displaying the entire street including his home.
He could not resist and pressed the button to activate his microphone “Uplift Two, this is—ah—Engineer. Can you see anyone at the target?”
“Uplift Two to Engineer. No, no one in sight. The house appears undamaged. All is quiet.”
Freddie did not know whether to be more worried or relieved. Surely his uncle or his Mum would show themselves, he thought, if they were able, once they heard the helicopter overhead. The video scene shifted to the house as cameras on Uplift Two zoomed in. As he watched, he realised Sam 32nd had joined him and was also watching the video intently. KK or one of the other communication Rats had equipped His Highness with a remote earpiece and microphone. The video showed vehicles arriving at the house.
“High One to Blue Leader. Report asap.”
“Blue Leader to High One. Affirm.”
They both watched the build-up of Blue Regiment forces around the house. Emergency vehicles were also arriving, including ambulances and fire engines. The video from Uplift Two zoomed in, focusing on the shed where Charles worked on his models. The door was broken, hanging off its hinges. Freddie held his breath as he watched, and finally remembered to breathe.
KK leaned over the side of the desk. “Blue scouts have video on this unit.” He switched on another piece of equipment, and the screen cleared and flickered for a moment and then displayed the back door of the house. It too, was hanging off its hinges.
“Sir, I need to go there. I cannot watch, I just cannot.”
“I agree. I’ve been waiting for Uplift Three to arrive. We’ll both go—I’ve just received word the helicopter is on approach. It will land on the roof pad in two minutes. Come on, let’s go.”
Normally, Freddie would have been excited to ride in a helicopter; however, he did not remember anything of his flight on Uplift Three. It took only minutes for the helicopter to reach their destination, and the pilot landed very cautiously in a cleared space on the road in front of the house. Freddie saw neighbours watching and thought he should talk with them later. He followed Sam 32nd to the drive where the Colonel in charge of the Blue Regiment was waiting.
“Sir,” he saluted. He nodded at Freddie. His expression was very sombre. “We have bad news, I am sorry. There are no survivors. Your mother and uncle, sir. Young Sam and the Black Guards who were on duty here. All are dead. Shot. As far as we can determine, it was a group of protestors, with a small number of Cats in support.”
Wordless, Freddie and Sam 32nd hugged each other. Freddie’s eyes filled with tears. He could not believe he would never see his M
um or his Uncle, ever again.
***
Chapter 16
A month after the funerals of his mother and uncle, Freddie flew from London to Nepal. Tribhuvan International Airport, the main airport, was disappointing, thought Freddie. Its architecture was nondescript, and obviously the buildings had lacked maintenance, probably due to the downturn in tourism which followed the melting of the Himalayan glaciers and snow cap. Broken down VTOLs littered the edges of the main runway and patched airships struggled in the wind, trying to escape, ever hopeful of reaching greener pastures. The official immigration entry process was haphazard and their wait for luggage seemed interminable.
Climbers still climbed the mountains, although not as many since the UN now restricted the number of tourists tramping the trails in the Himalayas. The UN had even closed Mount Sagarmatha, the highest point on Earth, to all climbers. Of course climbers and even the Nepalese government had reacted vituperatively, and the Nepalese government and Sherpas now received annual compensation payments for the drop in tourists.
The Nepalese officials whom he encountered were pleasant and cooperative, and not at all surprised or discomfited by the presence of his Rat escort. Freddie had a permanent guard now, consisting of a platoon of Rats with a support unit of communications specialists and drivers. The Nepalese government had agreed to accept Freddie’s diplomatic status as a representative of New Rats and, although with reluctance, had allowed his guard to keep their weapons. Rats had earlier established their Rat Embassy in the east wing of the restored Regency Hotel because they had not wanted a permanent base, and the availability of hotel facilities simplified some of the related logistics and maintenance tasks. The hotel had arranged for four vehicles to meet his flight, a sedan and two small buses for passengers, and a truck for their personal luggage and diplomatic bags.
His platoon of guards had taken control of the vehicles as soon as they drove up to the airport, and of course they clambered over and under everything, checking for all possibilities. Freddie had learned to be patient. At last the guard captain agreed the vehicles were safe and proceeded to organize passenger seating and loading of their luggage and bags. As the small convoy drove off, Freddie waved to the bystanders who had gathered to watch the activity. They all waved back, full of smiles.
The hotel was situated in acres of parkland a short drive from the airport. The main building had been re-built and restored a number of times and reflected the traditional Newari style of Nepalese architecture, with a large courtyard, arches, and striking brick work. As the convoy drew up in front of the hotel, staff rushed to assist with luggage and registration, and Freddie again waited patiently while his guards carried out their duties.
Rats were in full control of the Rat Embassy wing of the hotel and, with their assistance, Freddie quickly settled into his suite. He was jetlagged, travel weary, and hungry, and arranged for a meal to be brought from the restaurant, after which he just wished to sleep.
The next morning, somewhat recovered, he visited the Embassy’s communication centre to catch up with messages and to check the Shen schedule for his pick-up.
“Sir,” advised Violet 50, the senior communications Rat, “Shen confirmed yesterday they would be here this morning, at 1100. We arranged with the hotel for their helicopter to land in the gardens. The hotel has few guests at the moment, and their staff marked out a landing area away from the swimming pool and cafe areas, where the Shen can land without damaging anything.”
~~~
Ser Glide was leading a small group of Shen disembarking from the Shen helicopter, and Freddie waited for the Shen to join him on the edge of the stone floor of the small cafe adjacent to the swimming pool.
“Dr. Freddie,” Ser Glide shouted as the electric whine of the engines descended from their landing high. “It’s so good to see you here. Please again accept my sympathies for your family losses, so sad. Oh, my apologies; I need to introduce my companions.”
“Ser Glide, thank you and welcome.”
“My associates are here,” said Ser Glide, indicating each Shen. “This is Ser Jan, our contract adviser, Ser Nish who manages the Shen Ark inventory and glossary, and Ser Pluvius—he likes reading ancient Latin stories and is our linguist. They all wished to meet you first.”
There was a noisy exchange of greetings and handshakes. “Dr. Freddie, so good to meet you,” exclaimed Ser Pluvius. “We must discuss ancient literature. Perhaps when you have a spare evening?”
“Leave him be, the most important thing is the inventory and glossary.” The speaker was Ser Nish.
Ser Jan kept quiet and smiled shyly. Ser Glide took command. “Now, now. We cannot take over Dr. Freddie for non-essential tasks. He’s with us for five weeks, a very short time, indeed. We’ll all have an opportunity to work with him when he’s on board Shen Ark.”
“I’m pleased to meet all of you,” Freddie said, managing to find a word space to interrupt the flow. “I’ve been looking forward to this. Ser Glide, my team’s ready to board your helicopter now, if you like. As agreed, I’ve selected two guards and two communications specialists for this trip. I’ve arranged for technical team members to arrive from London next weekend so they can be with us by the following Monday. Two senior Rats and two humans. I plan to pair a Rat and human for each task, and one pair will handle contract details while the other will work with me on inventory details.”
“Very good. Yes, your team can board. Our helicopter’s ready. We’re ready. But first, I need human coffee. We just cannot produce it the human way.” Ser Glide led everyone to the nearest table in the open-air courtyard. Before Freddie sat down, he instructed the waiting Rats to load the helicopter with all their gear.
“So, Dr. Freddie, you’re building a support team?”
“Only four at this stage. My real interest is the technology; however, I’ll also help with the contract negotiations and supervise the people involved. His Highness asked to be remembered to you. He has some urgent tasks, all to do with security and protecting Rats and Rat properties—protestors now are using some deadly terrorist tactics. He’ll join us if he can get free from his commitments and if we need him. Otherwise, he expects to meet with you at the Embassy in six weeks.”
“Yes, very good. Ser Jan will also attend the Embassy. Perhaps others. Now for our coffee.” He placed orders for everyone including the Rats who had finished loading the helicopter, and all sat and enjoyed coffee in the morning sun.
The helicopter cabin was surprisingly quiet, even when the engine was under stress with the rotors biting into thin air. They had climbed quickly to 25,000 feet. “Dr. Freddie, there is a very famous mountain. No, not the Everest one—or, as the locals call it, Sagarmatha. No, this is Pang Poche, near the Tibet border with Nepal. We need to follow this line for a little while and take care we don’t cross into Eastern Bloc airspace. If we do, they’ll try to capture us. But Shen Ark watches and protects us. If the Eastern Bloc attacks, Shen Ark will take action. Our pilots are very good, they are experienced with shuttles, and were our key pilots on board Shen Ark.”
“Why do you live in these mountains?” The question had been in Freddie’s mind ever since he was first introduced to Ser Glide.
“Easy to answer. We needed a climate like our Shen home world. Also, the remote area is very good for our security. We found an unpopulated valley, no Sherpas, no Ghurkhas, no monasteries, no monks. We secretly negotiated with the Nepalese government. Then we dug stone with Shen tools and built our valley paradise. You have a name for it—it is our Shangri-La. When we finished, we sent Shen tools back to Shen Ark and said to humans, to your United Nations—we are here. They were very shocked. Our stealth shuttles had landed and returned to our starship a great number of times, without detection.”
“Hasn’t the Eastern Bloc tried to invade?”
“We’re in Nepal, and we paid Nepal very large amounts of money for the leasehold and exemption from Nepalese laws. If the Eastern Bloc invade our territory, that
action would be in breach of international laws. Even though Nepal is a small country, and our territory is even smaller, the Eastern Bloc doesn’t want to be taken to international courts. Besides, they know we have some powerful weapons and the Shen Ark is always overhead. We employ Ghurkhas for patrols and local defence, we built them a small village next to ours. We have Sherpas to help with our cultivation. Also we keep some Shen weapons in our paradise, just in case the Ghurkhas fail and Shen Ark cannot reach attackers.”
Ser Glide paused for a moment and then continued. “We have a force barrier, too. It’s just above our tallest buildings. It allows in birds, insects, and other small things, and wind, rain, and snow, of course. It keeps out strangers, stops unauthorized access. We need to switch it off for a very brief period, only for seconds, whenever we fly in or out. We established a pressure layer as well, so we have sea level air pressure under the barrier. The pressure layer is on all the time, so you can breathe without extra oxygen.”
Freddie kept watch out the cabin window as the flight continued. The scenery was very different from his normal London streets and buildings. Extremely tall mountains ranged for hundreds of miles, their edges razor sharp, it seemed, in the exceptionally clear air. The mountains held mystery while the sheltered valleys contained hundreds of years of history in the temples and monasteries. He could see thin, ribbon-like trails along which people trekked from village to village in conditions almost impossible for people like himself, unaccustomed to high altitudes.
The helicopter began its descent, bumping against cross-currents, and Freddie peered down, unsuccessfully trying to pierce the afternoon gloom. As the sun reached mid-afternoon, surrounding mountains blocked the slanted rays and created seemingly solid shadows in the deep valleys. He was unable to see their destination and sat back for the few minutes remaining of the journey.
Shen Ark: Departure Page 13
