by M. D. Hall
‘I’m not sure about clearer, most of the time there was nothing.’
‘How sure are you of that?’ asked Alf
‘Very sure,’ Jon replied.
‘What you perceived as nothing points to that being the clearest outcome,’ Alf responded.
The very thought of asking the next question filled Jon with dread. ‘You’re telling me the most likely outcome is one with no Earth, or Solar System?’
‘The most enduring and tangible future, for this region of space,’ answered Jane, ‘is a future where your planet has been, completely destroyed.’
‘Castor and Pollux?’
‘You did not stay long enough to see that there were infrequent flashes, showing your Solar System, as well as what you call Castor and Pollux. But, as with the earlier time frames, the most persistent image is the most likely. Events, between now and the times you visited, will constantly add to the possible outcomes. However, it is probable that, in a little more than fifteen years, your star system will have been destroyed, followed soon after by your nearest stellar neighbours.’
Whatever calming influence they had exerted upon his mind was deserting him fast. He shook his head. ‘This isn't what you said, you told me we were being invaded by the Te, because they want our planet. You went into my head and showed me the reasons. They're hardly likely to go to all this trouble just to destroy the planet, and why go on to destroy everything within fifty light years!?’
‘Everything we have told you, and shown you is true, but there are other issues at stake, far too convoluted for you to fully comprehend. What I will tell you, however, is that the ramifications of what happens to your planet will extend far beyond this galaxy.’
Until now, Jon had wondered why beings with such power would bother themselves with the troubles of his world when, from what they had told him, they had not prevented the destruction of other worlds. He was not so naïve as to think there was anything intrinsically special about his planet, over and above all the other races targeted by the Te. So, why single out Earth? Now he had the answer, damage limitation!
He hoped that one of them would explain, as he was sure they knew what he was thinking, even before he had finished thinking it. He decided to ask them straight out, after all, what did have to lose?
‘This isn’t about us, is it?’
‘Yes,’ Jane replied, ‘more than you can imagine. We have shown you all that we can, for now. The dangers we have alerted you to, are real. How you act in the future will, in part, be determined by what we have shown you. Use the information wisely and you may yet prevail, and know this, if we thought there was no hope for your race, we would not have become involved.’
‘What I saw, and from what you've told me, there’s something beyond the Te, isn't there?’ Jon asked.
Once again, they answered a question he did not ask, almost as if sticking to a predetermined script. ‘As we told you, much of what could be seen in the futures you visited was filtered out. In reality, there were many possible outcomes, overlapping one another. Showing them all would have proven meaningless. We can tell you that whilst the clearest image is the likely outcome, there is a remote possibility that another future might prevail.’
‘A future hidden within the flickering images?’ Jon responded.
‘No, the future I am referring to is far too indistinct for your senses to process, but we know what it means. To us the fleeting figures, and flickering images are more discernible, and the greys…less grey. Accordingly, we have seen both the most likely future and the future with the most hope. We would protect you from one, whilst encouraging the other within the limits we have spoken of.’
‘What limits, I thought that only applied to the Te, and what they want to do to us?’ he asked
Alf took over. ‘Imagine the passage of time as a mountain stream. Drawn by gravity, it travels onward and downward, unless it is dammed. It will meet obstacles: rocks, rubbish left by campers, dead animal carcasses and so on. Most often, the water will flow over the obstructions, or around them, without the entire stream needing to change course, but occasionally it encounters momentous events such as a landslide. In such circumstances, the stream must alter course, if it is to join the river and, ultimately, the ocean. Now, consider that you are able to prevent, or divert the landslide, so allowing the stream to continue unobstructed, or do nothing and let the stream naturally alter its course. If your sole consideration is the flow of the stream, what would you do?’
‘I suppose, I wouldn’t interfere.’ Jon replied.
‘What if your responsibilities went beyond the stream? For instance, your aged grandmother lived downstream, and relied upon the water passing her home in order to survive, what would you do then? Remember, none of the dilemmas we encounter are that straightforward.’
‘I think I get the point,’ he replied.
‘That is why we impose limits upon ourselves.’
Jon went back to the unanswered question. ‘You still haven't explained what the other danger is. If we stop the Te, how do we stop the nothing?’
It was Jane who answered. ‘You are to be congratulated on your persistence. Your reasoning is fairly accurate, but there are reasons why we cannot explain more to you. The Te must be the sole object of your attention.’
‘Why hint at the nothing if you had no intention of explaining it?’
‘We have our reasons, and you must accept that,’ Alf answered or, to be more exact, did not. Either way, the response was final.
Jon remained uneasy, but he was not going to discover anything more, for the moment. He turned his attention to more pressing matters. ‘Perhaps you can tell me about this help I’m getting?’
Alf replied. ‘Her name is Emily, and she has the ability to infiltrate almost any primitive computer system, by which I mean any system you are likely to encounter on your travels, undetected. I have spent quite a bit of time with her and she is very talkative. She has, quite unlike you, a mischievous nature, but she will provide the skills you lack.’
’She will need a lot of skill, then,’ Jon said. ‘You both know far more about all of this, but I can’t help thinking that you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not what you need.’
‘You are not all that is needed, that is correct, but you are critical to a successful conclusion. The outcome of your encounter with the Te may be determined by a simple choice, to release the power of the Artefact, or not,’ Jane replied. ‘That release cannot be triggered by you, without the sanction of those who speak for your world. You are merely a conduit, albeit, a necessary one. As I have already told you, there is no better candidate. If you do not succeed, no one else will.’
‘Why don’t you just go straight to the source, the person who speaks for our leaders? It would cut out the middle man, me, until I’m needed to use this Artefact, and you could just send me there when you’re ready.’
Again, it was Jane who replied. ‘That would be direct interference. So far, the Te have done nothing to warrant such intervention…’
‘Isn’t that what you’re doing through me?’
‘No, the Te have interfered with the natural order of things, creating a sequence of events which would not have occurred, naturally. They are about to present your leaders with an opportunity they will find impossible to resist. If we directly offered an alternative, the outcome would be a forgone conclusion, with no possibility of your people turning us down. We would be removing the element of choice from the equation, thereby breaching our own rules, with ramifications you cannot possibly comprehend.
‘By introducing you into the Te’an sequence, we indirectly offer an alternative which permits a free choice.’
‘Have you heard the expression, a bird in the hand..? Jon asked.
‘I did not say it would be a fair choice,’ Jane replied. ‘What we are doing already encroaches upon the limits of what we are permitted to do. If you would have a fairer choice when the time comes, you must be persuasive.’
; ‘It is time you met your companion,’ added Alf.
Δ ∞
A girl appeared in the room, looking about eighteen, probably as a result of her freckles, but somehow he knew she was twenty-four. She was quite small, only coming up to his shoulder, and skinny with short, spiky red hair that seemed too red to be natural. With large brown eyes, she had the look of a startled rabbit. She wore blue denim dungarees, and a faded black tee shirt emblazoned with the words ‘Born out of my time!’ in white, or what probably started out as white. The ensemble was finished off with red canvas shoes, all of which, taken together, gave the impression that she was someone's rebellious little sister, except he knew she was a single child.
‘Hi, Jonathon,’ she said in a soft Highland burr. He could place her as a native of the West Coast of Scotland, more precisely, Fort William. Her name was Emily Green, and she scraped a living as a freelance computer programmer, or to be more exact, she chose to scrape a living by selecting just enough work to meet her immediate needs. She could be stubborn, and something told him that information might prove useful.
This is weird, he thought. He was remembering things about a girl he had never met before. I’ve never been to Fort William, it has to be Jane's doing. He looked at the Custodian, who seemed oblivious to his attentions, obviously in a hurry. He regarded Emily, and his heart sank. This is the person who’s going to help me? Despite Alf’s recommendation, he could not help himself, they’ve got to be kidding, the fate of our entire planet depends on the two of us!
The newcomer looked at Alf, before speaking again. ‘No offence intended, but he’s not too impressive, maybe its the T Shirt and boxers,’ Jon looked down at himself, great! Even so, he thought, she’s a bit out of order. ‘Sorry,’ he replied. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘Looking at me like I was a stray! I'm saying that you don’t fill me with confidence, either. So what are we going to do about it. Call the whole thing off?’
‘I…it isn’t just you…it’s…’
‘Cat got your tongue?’ She stuck her hands deeply into the pockets of her dungarees and glared at him.
Jon looked at the Custodians, who contributed nothing. He sighed, and looked back at the angry young woman. ‘You're absolutely right, and I'm sorry. It was just that I've had to take a lot in, and to top it all I'm told that the future of our planet is down to me,’ he hurriedly corrected himself, ‘us, and I don’t think I'm really up to it. I was hoping you might…’ the right words escaped him as he dug an ever deepening hole for himself.
Emily completed his sentence ‘Be some kind of voluptuous Amazon, dressed in leather with a whip and a revolver?’ Her eyes had lost their angry glint, and now appeared mischievous.
He smiled, and shook his head. ‘No, nothing like that, I think you’ll be, perfect.’
She smiled back, and looked at the Custodians. ‘Now that the introductions are over, when do we start?’
‘You need to go to Stonehenge. That is where the Artefact awaits you,’ Jane replied.
‘Why is it hidden at Stonehenge?’ asked Jon.
‘It is not hidden at Stonehenge…’
‘I’m sorry, but isn’t that what you’ve just said?’
‘It awaits you at Stonehenge. The stones were erected, because the Artefact chose that point in, what is now called Wiltshire to wait for someone with the appropriate gene. Then, as now, it emitted a field that only some are susceptible to. As I have already explained, you,’ she looked directly at Jon, ‘are one of the remaining few to have this gene. Stonehenge was built because someone sensed the power of the Artefact.’
‘Why hasn’t it been found…made itself known, before now?’
‘Perhaps, it determined that the time was not right. Until that time, it will remain all but invisible. Having revealed itself it can then change its mind and become hidden, if it so chooses.’
‘What if it decides it doesn’t want to help us?’
‘It does,’ there was the tiniest of pauses. ‘We have conferred with the Artefact, and it has agreed to the disclosure of more details, concerning its purpose, which was to be found by one such as you, when matters would have taken their intended, and natural path. It was expected that, once discovered, your race would not only take its place amongst the stars, but ultimately play a pivotal role in the future of this Galaxy. That eventuality would have neutralised the Te’an threat. However, matters have taken a course which we foresaw as the least likely of possibilities, resulting in the need to precipitate such aid as the Artefact is prepared to give.’
Before Jon was able to ask for more details, she added. ‘Time is short, and you both must leave. I will transport you to where the Artefact rests. Once it is in your possession, you must take it to the one who speaks for your race. Remember,’ she looked at Jon, ‘that only you can use the Artefact. Once the representative agrees to utilise its powers, they must be exercised through you, which means that both you and the Artefact must reach your goal.’
He managed to interrupt. ‘How will the…representative see the Artefact if it hides itself?’
‘When the time is right, it will reveal itself to all. Understand that, whatever happens, you are not permitted to release its powers, unless as a conduit.’
‘Who is the representative?’
‘As you are a disparate race you will never, in the time available, get all your people to agree to a single course of action, therefore, the Artefact has made a concession. The Te’ans are negotiating with the man who is, temporarily, the spokesman for all the nations of Earth. They were not prepared to endure the lengthy time it would take for your United Nations to act, hence a small group of the most powerful leaders were persuaded to make the decisions that will bind you all. One of their number has been nominated to speak, and act on their behalf. That man has the power to sign away your freedom, but he may also, through you, harness limited powers of the Artefact. You must make him understand that he cannot do both. It is a straight choice, the Artefact, or the Te. Your people do not see the danger, they are blinded by the incentives given to them by the Te. You have the difficult task of persuading them to give up all they have enjoyed and expect to enjoy, in return for a mere promise.’
‘Bird in the hand, anyone?’ Emily echoed his earlier question. ‘No pressure then,’ she added.
Jane simply looked at her, and Jon felt sure that this must be the Custodian equivalent of reproof.
‘The Artefact expects you, now.’ Jon's eyes must have widened, because she added. ‘Yes, it knows you are here, and sees little point in delaying matters. Remember, it is a sentient being, and no less so for being originally created as an artificial life form.’
‘Who created it?’ Asked Jon
‘Beings with powers you cannot imagine,’ answered Alf.
‘Well maybe you could ask them for help, it would save us all a lot of trouble?’ Emily quipped.
Jon looked at her, and in return was regarded with narrowed eyes. ‘What?’ she asked
‘Nothing, I just think it sounds a little, ungrateful.’
‘You know what they say, shy bairns get no broth,’ his young companion to-be replied, tartly.
Jane, ignoring the repartee, addressed Jon. ‘The creators of the Artefact will not give you any more help. I know all of this is difficult for you, which is why we chose a companion who would not have the immense responsibility of the Artefact. Emily will be your clear thinker. We have every confidence in the two of you. When things appear impossible, remember that.’
‘What about Emily?’ He asked, looking again at the young woman. ‘Will she be able to see the Artefact?’
‘Emily does not have the gene,’ Jane replied, ‘and so the Artefact will mean nothing to her. She will be present when you discover it, and will be aware of its presence. However, the Artefact will not react to her when she touches it. If anything were to happen to you, its powers will not be utilised by her. It will only respond to one who carries the gene. As for others, they will see
it, but it will slip their minds immediately. They will have no knowledge of it, with one exception; when you offer it to the representative, all those present will see it.’
‘What if I want someone to see it?’
‘That is a matter for the Artefact, it may agree, or it may not.’
‘Who is the representative?’
‘The President of the United States of America, Michael Conway.’
Somehow, this disclosure did not come as a surprise to him. After all, TeCorp despite being a multinational, had its headquarters in the USA.
‘As for his involvement with the Artefact,’ Jane continued, ‘he must understand its importance, accept what it is and what it means. Anything short of that and the Artefact will choose to hide itself again, and before you ask, I can exercise no control over it.’
Emily spoke. ‘Before we go I want to know if we've got any back-up?’
‘You will be on your own,’ Jane replied, ‘unless you garner support from those you meet.’
‘Then you’d better send me home now,’ came Emily’s response. It’ll be tough enough to persuade the President to use this thing, without being dumped in the middle of nowhere with no hope of getting to where we need. There’s no way I'm setting off with a guidebook, and a rucksack. You can't have it both ways lady, time is against you, but we can only give you a bus ticket…’ Jon rolled his eyes at the dreadful impression of Jane that she attempted. ‘Well?’ Emily stood, legs apart, eyes narrowed as if daring the Custodian not to help.
‘What would you have us do, remembering our limitations?’
Without looking at Jon, Emily set out her list of demands. ‘Once we've found this thing, I want you to set us down in TeCorp headquarters. I want access to a very quick computer, and you have to provide foolproof papers…’
