Tah frowned and rubbed his forehead, this was not even the most concerning issue. The females of Earth. Tah’s frown deepened, frustration and concern etched his face. He had done his research. They were not the care givers of his home world. In many of the cultures in this new world he had witnessed and studied, females did not defer to males in the main. Tah huffed. If at all. Many were leaders as well as having off spring. Many were warriors in many different guises and many choosing not to pair but to be alone.
This had shocked him to his core. To be so lucky to meet your compatible mate, weather male or female was treasured in his culture. To want to be alone, was such a strange concept for Bataarians, they longed for such unions. The males and females did not leave their couplings. They were cherished and wanted. The bond strong the connection unbreakable. It was rare, unusual for it not to be. Many of the females on Earth were alone as their males or the females left them or even more strangely, the women chose to leave their partner. Preferring to be alone. Tah had so many questions. Were the females that unhappy? Why would a partner, a mate allow that to happen?
This was unfathomable to Tah. Something that was indeed alien to him. In his culture, if you were blessed with a paring, it was for life. No male of worth would give up his female. No female would walk away from a pairing of worth. Neither would want it. Their desire and craving for each other never diminishing. Tah realised that the fact that many Earth cultures allowed for changing partnerships would also be very shocking and confusing to many of his race. Why does this happen? Tah thought. Did that not cause distress and unrest to family units? How was the paring not binding? Did that not affect the young? Tah realised he had many many questions and very little in the way of answers.
His feelings of inadequacy in this mission, of being able to correctly advise his people, only rose. It was all very disturbing and would present situations his warriors were unprepared for. Other Worlds had had their differences too and the Bataari had honoured them and moved on. But this, was different. They were here to stay. It would lead to mistakes and dangerous situations. Situations he knew he was not prepared for and that was not acceptable. Tah realised with some urgency that he needed those answers and quickly. Without those, he and his people were blind.
“Computer, list all known knowledge on the fracturing of family units and social elements of children. Then all family support systems that work with children and adults in relationships that have broken down, within this location of the planet known here as Earth”.
“Compiling, reading information on the breakdown of family units completed. Known departments that work with children and families in Southend on Sea Essex England. Completed. There are seventeen organisations that are known as aiding with family difficulties and working with children and adults. Out of those seventeen, twelve are local agencies responding to the social issues of their time. Four are designed to support adults with addicted personalities, two of those are combined with their legal systems, three are services to lone mothers and or fathers with children and within that, two are government led official departments. One for children with disabilities and one for Children and Families.”
Tah considered the information. This was going to take some time. “Computer, list one at a time, each of these seventeen organisations and high light their function, capacity, staffing, revenue and outcomes, I wish to know, who pays for these services, who is who in them and what is their role within each organisation, I will take the government organisations last”.
“Compiling, listing in Earth alphabetical order”. Tah settled himself in, it was going to be a long night.
***
Alex listened to the case presentation being given in the conference room on the 7th floor. The tower block of offices was a mixture of local government offices and information port for the public on the ground floor. It was open plan encased in glass. Each floor held a different department. All joined by the central lift system. The 7th was the Department of Children and Families. Her department. Her team. Alex looked around at the 8 members making up this case conference along with her staff member and one of her admin. She knew all of them. They worked in different organisations with the family of this case. Each, had brought something to the table. There was no doubt this was a challenging case.
Alex smiled. The social worker, one of her best and a former student of hers, was extremely experienced and competent. The more Alex heard, the clearer the picture became. Jo was a logical thinker. Her summing up argument clear and concise. She had outlined the problems, had presented her plan of action and how on each step, it had failed. She had back tracked and re-engaged the parents and tried a different approach, the parents had agreed to it, only for it to fail again. You could sense her disappointment. Her willingness to make it work and yet, for all the work everyone around the table had put in, it still failed. At the point where it was clear that the parents were now dis-engaging from her support and children were at risk, Jo had rightly, arranged this presentation. More serious decision needed to be made.
Alex leaned forward and addressed the meeting. “Thank you Jo. It is clear that you have tried to achieve an effective plan and it’s been blocked by the parent’s unwillingness to understand or make change. So, moving forward what do you think you need ……”
***
Tah woke up slumped over his desk in his rooms. A nasty case of drool down the side of his chin reminded him he’d slept there. Wiping his face Tah felt exhausted and unsettled. Had he slept much at all? He certainly didn’t think so. His mind continued to go around and around on the information he had gathered on the families and adults of Earth. Yet again, he felt frustrated and unprepared for this mission. These inhabitants were cruel. It appeared to be part of their DNA. And when they embraced it, it did terrible things to each other.
This was not unknown to Tah, his own people’s history had those that had broken laws and rules. Most of which were now long dead. Those unbalanced enough to hurt their own or others, that could not control the Battle Blood, were moved to uncivilised areas where they could no longer hurt others. They had been given choices. So had their families. They never hurt anyone again. These were a complex people with a myriad of differences. Yet, he had seen glimmers of hope, they were also possible of creating some amazing things too.
Exasperated at his King placing him in this position Tah shook his head and started to pace. His personal space was a mess. There were information displays all over the place and he hated it. His head was banging. He’d done so much reading he felt like his head would explode if he saw another piece of text, his eyes so sore, he was sure they were blood shot. He was not researcher this job required.
He liked things neat, tidy and predictable. Organised. Nothing was neat, tidy or predictable about this job. He realised he needed to get down there and mix with these people. Information only got him so far. He needed to find out what makes them tick. Tah knew he couldn’t do that from his ship, factual information was one thing, actually seeing it first hand and being involved in it something else. Subtle differences in beings in body language and speech, could mean different things and written information, was from the prospective of the writer.
Frustrated. Tah leaned in the doorway holding onto the top of the doorframe with his hands, an easy task for him being tall even for his kind. He worried. What would be the cost of his actions? What if he was discovered before the armada arrived, what if he gave something away by walking the Earth. Tah slammed his hand on the doorframe.
“I can’t be discovered and that’s all there is to it”. He had his wits and skills and his camouflage but even so, physically, the Bataari did look much like Earth males. Earth cultures were already very diverse in looks and Tah was just taller, bigger, with longer than average male hair. He understood his look would not be ‘fashionable’ and he had stronger features than most.
His colouring would fit in. His hair was long, thick and black, hanging down passed his shoulders. His eyes
a violet blue, which could be passed off as Earth contacts in his eyes and his skin colour was considered tanned by Earth standards. He was larger than the general male population. Not just in muscle but in size. He was just…. Big. Tah reasoned he could pass for what he is, just a much larger Earth warrior if need be. He would have to hide his weapons but that wouldn’t be too difficult, he was after all, a warrior. He could go down and interact with the indigenous people. Look around a bit. See how things worked. How they ticked. Just enough to get a feel for how life was lived on this Planet.
“Yes” He thought aloud. He would have first-hand experience to share when his King arrived. This was perfect he told himself. What could be better?
“Computer, provide the organisations local information for personal research on the ground, location and infiltration information”.
“Compiling, requested information, uploading to PID”. Tah check his Personal Information Device, his PID, held in the arm brace of his uniform and started to tack up. All Bataarian’s had the same uniform. His legs were covered in a toughened metal mesh that looked similar to Earth leather. It was unbreakable, difficult to penetrate with even the largest of weapons and it would pass for Earth trousers. His top was standard issue. The same material in a softer version for better manoeuvrability. It would pass for a casual Earth high neck top and was dark grey as well. His personal camouflage, his camo, would hide his PID along with himself. He would go unseen. Tah checked the information as it appeared to be listed on his PID and he engaged his camouflage.
“Computer, drop at discrete first location and await further instruction via PID, secure ship”.
“Compiling, calculated drop requirements and will drop in 3, 2, 1 drop complete, ship secured”.
Tah materialised in a gap between buildings with no windows or doors. It was a good location that could not be overseen even if he had not used his personal camouflage. Tah reeled back. The smell. What the ‘batac’ was that? Tah looked around him.
“They left their rubbish on the streets, by the goddess, that is disgusting!” Tah spoke aloud in shock and looked at the floor. It was covered in what passed for food, drinks. Was that Human and animal waste? Tah thought staring at it in disbelief.
“Batac. These people”. Tah was disgusted. Did they not understand that living like this brought death? Gagging and holding his breath, he checked his PID. The information was clear and he had the directions to the first on his list. He moved quickly. Did all of Earth stink and look like this? This was no paradise. How were his people to live here? Their sense of smell would be their undoing. Living like this would not be easy for their kind. It didn’t look this bad on vid he reflected. Raising his nose trying to get above the smell he started to jog to the end. His people would not understand this way of living. No respect for the environment, no respect for themselves or what sustains them. This pained Tah. He was a little less hopeful that this world would provide the answers he needed. The salvation his people needed. With determination, he headed to his first stop.
***
Alex sat back in her chair and looked around at the empty office. She was always amazed when she looked down the open plan office just how large it was. Keeping your head down tended to warp your sense of space. Your desk became your bubble. No pictures of children or husband on her desk. No hand drawn pictures from the kids. No, not for Alex. A noddie head smiley character. Her personal mug. Stacks of paperwork full of useful reference material. Two screens. 3 Phones. 5 Systems on line. Legal documents and a pen holder. And a bowel of sweets for the staff who passed her desk or came by for a chat. That was her desk.
Alex smiled at the last of her staff who was heading out the door.
“You go home too Alex” Emma, Alex’s admin called out to her, Alex waved them off.
“Sure thing, on my way now too”. The staff knew Alex had a rule. If the staff were still working so was she. It made for an interesting life. Unpredictable and challenging but her staff never doubted her support. Alex swivelled her seat and turned back to her desk. She looked out the window. It took a very special man or woman to be able to put up with that crap. You couldn’t make plans. She’d tried many many times, and often ended up paying for tickets and not getting there. You just couldn’t guarantee what time you’d be home. Couldn’t guarantee you wouldn’t be up all-night re-writing court paperwork for the next day.
It was ironic. Alex told herself leaning back in her chair. This job was to support relationships and family. Yet, so many social workers were broken by the demands of the job. Partners not understanding the pull and drive of it or that they had to take a back seat when needed. It takes a very understanding and secure person to be able to deal with that and not question that you’re not ‘out partying’.
Sadly, Alex reflected, it affected many of her staff’s relationships as well as her own. When she interviewed for new staff positions, she was always honest with them. There would be times when you had to do after hours work, it would be at short notice, you needed child care, if you had them, in place in case you needed it and sometimes you would have to cram the weekends. It was the job. They were an Intake Team. It was the reality. The demands of the job outweighed the paid hours 2 to 1 at times and would wear you down.
No. Relationships were not easy in this game. As if. Alex snorted. Who had the energy for that anyway? It was such a great view from her desk on the 7th. The sun was setting, it was getting dark earlier now she noticed. The night’s drawing in and cooler nights were in the air. Winter will be here all too soon thought Alex. The different changing seasons always brought work to her door. No matter what was going on in the world, be it economics or politics, people were still the same. Nothing trumped nature.
Well, not today it seems. She’d be leaving on time. She could definitely do with that glass of wine when she got home. Alex rolled her shoulders. Yep, definitely time to go, she told herself turning off her computer and screens, she filed her papers, forwarded her phone, picked up her bags and headed for the elevators. She was done.
***
Tah was reeling. He’d returned to the ship moments ago after visiting three of the locations on the top of his list. He had remained hidden to all eyes but what he had witnessed and heard, he had little words for and those he did, made him want to punch something. Tah was angry, his control on his emotions slipping as he headed for the training room. He was in serious need of exercising some rage.
“How could they let that happen?”, he shouted to no one, the same question he had asked himself over and over again. Tah burst through the training room doors, looking for someone to combat. Remembering he was alone on his craft. Dam it.
“Computer, simulation warrior Tah two”.
“Compiling, warrior simulation Tah two”. Bouncing on his heels, Tah stripped off his weapons and PID and eagerly waited for the sim to start. Human behaviour left him feeling cold, angry and sad. Tah realised this was not all the people of Earth but there were plenty like this. He would eradicate all those that posed harm. With a primal roar, Tah engaged the sim.
Two hour’s later, exhausted but feeling more in control of his emotions, Tah made his way to the showers, ordered nourishment, ate and fell into a dreamless sleep.
“Tomorrow had better show promise” he murmured as sleep took him.
***
Tah was irritated. The last 4 days followed a similar pattern. He shadowed three organisations a day. Returned to the ship. Beat on some training equipment to vent his anger and frustration, showered, ate and slept. The information he had gathered told him nothing but the worst of these Human’s and their nature and yes, also some of the best. People willing to go to great lengths at their own sacrifice sometime to help those in need. That had been humbling to see. But the fact remained, they wouldn’t be needed if the situation didn’t exist. Earth was failing at dealing with these issues. Politics often getting in the way. It wasn’t working and yet, no one was willing to stand up and do something radical.
Tah hit the sim hard. Tomorrow was a ‘weekend’ Tah had learnt that from several people he had overheard. Time worked differently on Earth. Many organisations did not work the days know as Saturday and Sunday. But he had overheard some of the workers talking excitedly about meeting up after work on Friday evening to what they called “blowing off some stream”. Tah smiled at this saying, they had a similar one on board the fleet ships. It was clear they had plans to meet up with people they worked with from other organisations and have what they called “down time and a few laughs”.
Tah understood letting off steam with follow warriors after much hard work. This social event with a mixture of alcohol and company, could be both enlightening and eventful. Tah raised his eyebrows. Certainly, if it is anything like his troops ‘down time’ it would be. Decision made, Tah headed for a shower and change of clothes. After his meal he would be meeting up with those people. This is going to be perfect. He told himself.
Galactic Cyborg Heat Series Book Bundle 1-4 Page 48
