The Afterlife of Alice Watkins 2

by Matilda Scotney

  “A physics lesson, Patrick?”

  He laughed.

  “Sorry. You understand why it’s important I go?”

  “I do understand. You’re fond of your engines, aren’t you?”

  “Fond isn’t the word, but the Gravidarums are the legacy of my family. I can’t just trust them to anyone.”

  “But you said Oakes has this Knowledge.”

  “He does, but he’s not me!”

  “Can’t the A’khet simply give it to more people?”

  “I can't answer that. And even so, if it goes wrong, I would feel responsible. I've overseen the installation of all the current engines in the military.” He looked over to the window. “Alice, I must go, the shuttle is waiting.”

  “Then go and do what you must. Contact me at home whenever you can. Good luck.”

  She reached up and kissed him on the cheek. And for once, he didn’t pull her close, just smiled and left.

  Alice showered and dried her hair in front of the image definer. She looked messy. She scrabbled her hands through her hair and made herself look even messier, pulling a face at her reflection. With Patrick gone, she had no-one to play with. Amelia’s new assignment turned out to be very busy, so she didn’t want to disturb her, and it was highly likely Principal Katya might want to spend time with her nephew. Maybe she should go home. She would suggest it to Principal Katya when she saw her later that day.

  But Alice didn't get to see her until dinner. An urgent session in Cloisters kept Principal Katya, and her nephew occupied the entire day, and Alice was left to her own devices for several hours. Principal Katya sent word to Alice that she join her and Principal Ryan for dinner.

  “Alice looked delightful last night, did she not, Noah?” Principal Katya asked, hoping for a little information about their exchange on the terrace the evening prior.

  “If you say so, Aunt,” Noah Ryan was prepared to give away none of his feelings. “I understand little of such things. I suppose she dressed differently from many of the females present.”

  “Noah, you are so stuffy! Do you never cast your eyes about you? See what is under your nose? Do you never relax? Look at you, all uniform and self-importance. You are not on the bridge of your gigantic starship now, you are here, on Earth with your auntie.”

  “Auntie? You’ve mentioned this. What does it mean?”

  “That is what Alice calls her aunts—Auntie. Much more informal and affectionate than just ‘Aunt’, and the way you say it, you may just as well be barking orders at a member of your crew.”

  “I never bark orders, Aunt and I’ve always called you ‘Aunt’. I’m too old to change.”

  “Nonsense. Look at you, regulation slacks and jerkin and your hair slicked back, sitting up as if a metal rod was stuffed up the back of your shirt! You are always on duty, nephew.”

  “You never commented on these things before, Aunt Katya,” he sighed. “I’m doing nothing differently.”

  There was no point in going on the defensive; she spoke her mind both as his aunt and as his principal.

  “Humph,” she snorted and leaned back in her chair. “Do you have plans for the rest of the evening?”

  Dr Langley instantly came to mind. He still wasn't entirely sure why he gave those orders for Oakes to be transferred but reasoned he was merely following Hardy's suggestions. Patrick contacted him late to say he would accompany Oakes to the Accessor. Ryan made noises about him being sure—What about his leave? And, perhaps Oakes could handle it? —but he knew the response. Patrick wouldn't leave those modifications to anyone, just as he knew he was kidding himself, those orders had nothing to do with Hardy's concerns about Dr Langley—only Ryan himself hadn't planned beyond giving them.

  “No, no real plans,” he answered.

  “Good. You will take Alice to Tibet.”

  This was unexpected.

  “Tibet? You want me to take Dr Langley to Tibet?”

  “That’s what I said, Noah. Is my English suddenly not so good?”

  “Why?”

  "A'khet desire it. They came to see her here when she first arrived. She was in their presence centuries ago, but she doesn't remember."

  “She couldn’t have been in their presence, Aunt,” he shook his head. “It’s not possible.”

  “Isn’t it? We know so little of her. As you are not possessed of Knowledge, I am unable to speak more of this, only that A’khet requested her presence.”

  This would be important, possibly imbuing him with information about Alice she might not be ready for him to know. He’d thought perhaps inviting her for a walk in the garden or a trip to the city or theatre, but the A’khet? Tibet?

  “I’m not sure, Aunt. I’m not that well acquainted with the A’khet.”

  He caught sight of Alice as she stepped through the doorway, stopping to speak to Statesman Mellor. She was smiling, wearing buttercup yellow and no less bewitching than the evening before.

  Principal Katya, over the rim of her glass, watched him watching Alice. She kept the glass held up to her lips, pretending to sip her drink, but she was really hiding the fact she was observing him. He saw her and knowing most of her tricks, immediately returned his attention to her. The fact he'd caught her out made little difference, and she held his gaze.

  “Patrick would be a better choice to take her, I agree—but he’s not here—is he, Noah?”

  The knowing in her voice flooded him with guilt. Ryan occasionally wondered if having the psychic A’khet as friends made his aunt more sensitive, but in his gut, he knew she knew what he’d done.

  Principal Katya smiled as Alice, unsure if she would be intruding, made her way towards them.

  “Here she is. Hello, Alice. Sit down.”

  Ryan stood and held a chair for her. Alice smiled and greeted them both as Principal Katya pushed a plate of little chocolates across the table.

  “I might have eaten all these, Alice dear. Chef brought them out for us to try, they are delicious. Try one. Alice loves chocolate, Noah, don’t you, Alice? She eats it all the time.”

  Alice picked up the smallest rosette of chocolate on the plate.

  “I must confess, I do like chocolate, but not all the time, Principal Katya.”

  She popped the chocolate into her mouth before realising they were both studying her. Although she felt self-conscious at being watched, it was too late, and she flicked her eyes skywards, allowing herself a quiet, “mmmm.”

  “Doing that with her eyes means it is heavenly,” Principal Katya explained with a smile, patting her nephew’s hand.

  The corners of Ryan’s mouth pulled a little. Not a blatant grin, but enough of a response that Alice refused another, citing that it wasn’t usual to have chocolate before a meal, knowing full well that such conventions didn’t trouble Principal Katya.

  “I can forget my manners where chocolate is concerned, Principal Ryan,” and this time, Ryan’s unsmiling smile made his eyes crinkle up and gave his mouth a little more movement. She imagined he was laughing, just not out loud.

  “Do you have plans for this evening, Alice?” Principal Katya asked.

  “I thought it might be nice to spend it with you Principal Katya, as you have been in Cloisters. Statesman Mellor tells me you are needed again tomorrow. Perhaps I should go home.”

  “I am afraid you can’t go home, Alice,” Principal Katya said in a matter-of-fact tone. “My nephew plans to take you to Tibet.”

  “Tibet?” Tonight?” Alice echoed, trying to remember where she’d seen Tibet on a map, and wondering why Principal Ryan wanted to take her there.

  “Yes, that’s right, isn’t it, Noah?”

  Principal Katya turned innocent eyes on her nephew.

  “I—well, yes, Dr Langley. It seems the A’khet are curious and wish to meet you.”

  “I did meet one, Principal Ryan. Here at the Tabernacle.”

  “Yes, Alice,” Principal Katya interrupted with a wave of her hand. “But they have heard about you for so long
and followed your journey. Their psychic abilities, though impressive, are diminished greatly when there is only one. A’khet who visited here could not properly get to know you.”

  “Why do they need to get to know me, Principal Katya?”

  “Because you are close to me and to the Tabernacle. If you do not wish to go, my nephew will not make a fuss. Will you, nephew?”

  Ryan gave a mute shake of his head. His aunt was a master manipulator, and they would be going wherever she said they would go. He knew it. His aunt knew it. He didn't doubt Dr Langley—Alice, knew it as well.

  “Of course, I’ll go, Principal Katya…” Alice said. How could she refuse? She never refused, “…if you wish it. I suppose I won’t learn anything about my new world if I stay in one place. I’ve heard of Tibet, but I’m not sure quite where it is!”

  “Good, that’s settled,” Principal Katya’s attention turned to the meal placed in front of her. Alice noted that neither she nor Principal Ryan were offered anything. “The shuttle is waiting out the front, off you go.”

  Alice looked across at Principal Ryan. They’d been dismissed, and it was apparent to them both the shuttle was ordered even before this conversation took place.

  Minutes later, and alone now with Principal Ryan, Alice realised she still felt a little in awe of him. He was an important man, and even though not officially on duty, he wore almost full uniform, and she couldn’t help wondering, if this truly was his idea or if he was merely acting under Principal Katya’s orders. Patrick described him as dull and boring—this might end up a long day if he lived up to that reputation—but he’d been so kind when she stumbled the night before, she decided to make up her own mind about him. She stole a glance as he released the shuttle door and to her surprise, he looked down and smiled.

  Chapter 11

  “Tibet. That’s part of China, isn’t it? Won’t it be dark?”

  Principal Ryan stood back to let her enter the shuttle.

  "No, it's their morning, Dr Langley. Tibet is separate to China now; the only inhabitants are monks and the A'khet. Few receive invitations. You are honoured."

  Alice didn't understand. An honour? Why would A'khet want to honour her? Maybe they think she's Alexis Langley. She could ask Principal Ryan but he mightn't know. Besides, he'd turned his attention to the controls, so she looked out the forward viewport, not sure if he would welcome conversation.

  Meanwhile, although he sensed the distinction between the woman he spoke with the previous night and this more reserved version, he considered her the loveliest woman he'd ever met. Since the incident in the auditorium, he admitted to himself he felt a powerful attraction to her. He had no idea of course, what she thought of him, but not speaking would do neither of them any good.

  “What are you thinking, Dr Langley?”

  “Patrick told me about the different transports,” she smiled, grateful he started the conversation. "This is a Tabernacle shuttle. It can fly at intermediate altitude," she said, echoing Patrick's words, "and can be programmed to fly automatically, but only certain shuttles go into space. All space-going transports need to dock manually with ships in orbit or space dock, except for high altitude automatrans. They're tractored in and fixed to the hull."

  Patrick explained it well enough to make perfect sense to her.

  "Automatrans are always programmed, they're faster and travel in a low orbit," she finished off, surprised at how well she'd remembered what she'd learned.

  “You’re mostly correct, well done. The automatrans is capable of deep space travel, but out there, it’s always piloted, when in use in orbit, it’s generally automated.”

  "I expect I got some of it wrong," she laughed. "But I know the panel in front of you is the flight registry, and the smaller one controls internal systems."

  “You’ve learned a lot.”

  "I seem to remember things a lot better than at first; I think the Eduction chip Dr Grossmith placed in my arm helped. Educator Sebel told me I would get into good learning habits. She may have been right."

  Ryan leaned back.

  “So, it would appear. Would you like to take the controls?”

  She peered out the side viewport. It was evening, and there were houses and schools and buildings to crash into. Ryan saw her hesitation and understood; she turned back to him, her face easily readable with an unspoken, ‘no thank you, I don't think so'.

  “I’ve never even ridden a bike, Principal Ryan,” she backed up her refusal, emphasising how inept she would be. Her mother believed sitting astride a bike made a girl lose her virginity.

  “A bike?”

  “Two wheels and a handlebar, from my time.”

  “It sounds like something Patrick would make. He constructed all manner of wheeled transports as a child.”

  “You admire him?”

  “He’s a brilliant engineer and an outstanding first officer. The A’khet welcome him as a friend and believe me, there are no finer judges of character.”

  “He told me about his family and his father’s accident.”

  "I've known the family for many years," Principal Ryan told her, "although I'm closer to his sister in age. Eileen is a little older than my sisters and me. The Patricks lived on Tabernacle land, and we always visited Principal Katya at recess."

  “He showed me the house. What was Patrick like?”

  “Always inventing things. He made the most amazing go-karts!”

  “Go-karts?”

  “Yes, something like your bikes I would imagine. Primitive transports, toys.”

  “I know what they are. My son…” she quickly corrected herself. “Lots of the boys in our neighbourhood made them.”

  “Well, Patrick’s creations were awe inspiring! Racing down the hill from his house towards the river is the stuff of childhood!” The memory made him laugh aloud, his blue eyes sparkled as he looked across at her and she laughed with him.

  “Are you still good friends?”

  "More colleagues now, I'm several years older, and our respective paths largely went in different directions until the Significator. As children, my sisters and I only saw him at recess. We felt sorry for him, being there alone."

  “How come you are such a young principal? It seems like a job for an older person judging by those I met at the ball.”

  Now they’d got started, Alice found him far easier to talk to than she’d imagined.

  “It’s different in the military, Dr Langley. There are only three other ships that travel as far as median space, the others, including civilian ships, stay in proximal. The Significator is the first ship with the capability to explore deep into threshold space. The program was young and innovative, and the Tabernacle decided on a younger principal. Me.”

  “I’m not clear about proximal and median space, Principal Ryan.”

  He thought about their conversation the night before when she assumed, correctly, that proximal space was charted space. She seemed to have forgotten. Perhaps the odd spell she took out on the steps triggered her amnesia.

  “Proximal space is charted and explored,” Dr Langley. “Median space is charted but not fully explored. Threshold space is uncharted and unexplored. I can show you on a registry when we get back to the Tabernacle if you’re interested?”

  “Thank you, Principal Ryan, I am interested.”

  Alice became quiet. She should probably ask him about etiquette when meeting the A’khet in their home, he seemed quite nice and she didn’t want him to think her ignorant but…

  "Principal Ryan, if I say or do something today when we meet with A'khet, something I shouldn't, I hope you'll correct me. Your aunt..."

  “You can’t say that.”

  “Can’t say what?”

  “You can’t say ‘your aunt’.”

  “Why not? She calls you her nephew.”

  “She can call me Rumpelstiltskin if she wishes,” and he smiled the funny downturned smile Alice realised she found very attractive, then instantly had to make a su
preme effort not to blush at her thoughts.

  “When you refer to the World Principal,” he continued, oblivious to her suddenly turning her face to the side viewport, “you refer to her always as ‘Principal Katya’. She dropped her surname in her address because it’s difficult to pronounce, and she wishes to be close to her people, but she’s still ‘Principal Katya’, even in reference to me.”

  Alice recovered herself and was able to answer as if she’d not been distracted by his smile.

  “What is her surname?”

  “Szypsikoviak.”

  Alice raised her eyebrows. “I’m not surprised she dropped it.”

  “It’s a name native to her principality. My mother’s maiden name as well.”

  “And what made you think of Rumpelstiltskin? Like the fairy story?”

  “One my aunt liked to recite when we were children.”

  “You said ‘my aunt’,” she pointed out, in rapid response to his own flouting of the protocols.

  “Did I? I’m sorry, I should have said, ‘Principal Katya’.”

  “Being read Rumpelstiltskin by a principal doesn’t sound nearly as cosy as it being read by your auntie.”

  He laughed a little, agreeing.

  “I suppose not.”

  As they crossed the coast, Principal Ryan took the shuttle higher, and Alice looked down at the expanse of dark ocean below. Every day she became more and more embedded in this wonderful reality of fascinating people and technology. Alice Watkins would have had trouble dreaming about such things, Alexis Langley, however…

  “You mentioned you have sisters, Principal Ryan.”

  “I do. And would you believe they are the same age as me?”

  “Triplets!”

  “No, my mother's biochip was deactivated at the beginning of the second quarter. I came along the following year. The biomechanical component of the chip resets early during lactation, but my mother became pregnant again within two months, with twins, so my sisters were born 11 months after me.”

  “That’s amazing!” And personal, Alice thought, but he showed no hint of embarrassment.

  Alice knew about chips. Dr Grossmith found one inside her, but its comprehensive purpose needed more explanation. Principal Ryan wouldn't be the person to ask.