*
Sarah thought furiously. Had she forgotten anything? There were twenty-two of them, including Bert, a medical doctor, Nanelle and Alan, her major deputies, and the others who were a good variety of specialists and enthusiasts. She had trouble believing this could be happening despite all her foresight and preparation. She had organised a savings fund, sitting at interest, which had now been transferred to a debit card, ready to fund this. Alan had even managed to get them cheap flights even though it was summer and peak tourist season in New Zealand in February. She would bet Alan had just beat the price rise. They had on sold the remaining three pre-paid tickets, to CNN for ten times the price they had paid. That also was Alan’s doing. His qualification for joining SETI was “retired business manager.” Sarah often commented that his budget/calculator/best buy sense was hard-wired in. She felt her heart beat even faster as they started to board. No visas. She hoped that New Zealand immigration had a sense of occasion and wouldn’t refuse them entry.
The jet had left full. Alan had beaten the rush to buy tickets by mere minutes. During the flight, the pilot announced, “We will be landing at Dunedin for security reasons.” But Sarah informed the pilots that SETI were on board. After some discussion, a vote was held on the plane and it was a unanimous decision to land in Christchurch, so long as Air Traffic Control felt it was safe. They landed in Christchurch, shocked at the prodigious size of the spaceship. The Press were right, Sarah thought. It did look a little like a cruise ship but nearly three times the size.
Alan watched Sarah in amusement as she dealt with the New Zealand officials, wondering how she did it. He noted that as usual she Sarah was not pushy or rude, but quietly got her way without upsetting anyone. Sarah was one of those people, Alan had frequently said, who could tell you to go to hell so politely that you would look forward to the scenery.
On arrival, Sarah calmly presented her SETI credentials to still-shocked airport officials. Alan watched her calm demeanour and her assumption that these people would realise that the experts were here and SETI could handle it. Sarah was right. They did. She handed over the names and qualifications of all the team and he was amused to see that no one mentioned visas.
“Don, Bruce, Fiona, Gina and Terri, please organise the luggage and get it to the motels, then get back here. The rest of you follow me,” said Sarah. Looking much calmer than she felt, she went straight to the hangar where the Aliens now were.
Nothing really prepared her for the sight of four Aliens, large creatures, each about the size of a horse, but more the shape and look of a seal with four legs and two arms, but the more familiar two eyes, head in the expected place, a sort of recognizable nose, ears, short fat tails and each a different colour from fawn, to red, with two being slightly different shades of brown. They were sitting on backless concrete park benches that had been brought in for them. There were large foam pads forming the cushions. They were trying to learn English with Jolene the steward, the woman Paswalda had spoken to first, and the three school teachers she had persuaded to help her. Four people who were now instantly recognisable on every media source.
Sarah tried not to stare as she calmly and quietly led her Team in. Sarah had instructed them to quickly sit down, to try to reduce any threat perceived by the Aliens. Sarah eased over, as close to Jolene as she could without crowding any one.
“Are you Sarah?” Asked the uniformed woman.
“Yes. Jolene?”
“Yes. You don’t know how relieved I am to see you! I don’t know what I’m doing here! This is Mary Thompson and Hine Smith, both English teachers and Tom Sutton is a teacher of Latin and English. They were the only volunteers. I was lousy at languages at school.”
“What kind of a working vocabulary do you have?”
“They started with nouns, then verbs, then adjectives. Their knowledge of sentence structure seems to be similar or they, I mean their Translator machines, seem to recognise the basic sense and structure. They can say simple sentences.”
“Could you introduce me please.”
Jolene looked at the red coloured Alien and said, slowly and clearly,
“This is Sarah. She is the top person on this planet to talk with you. It is her job.”
Sarah had come intending to take over from Jolene but changed her mind after a few minutes of watching the interaction. Her impression of Jolene was that she was coolheaded and very competent. She had the confidence of the Aliens and they looked to her. She was the one who had been approached by the top alien, Paswalda.
“If you don’t mind, I think you should stay in charge. They chose you. They might be offended or lose confidence in us if they have to build up a relationship with someone else.”
Jolene was a bit shocked at this but when she thought about it, it made sense. And Sarah would help and advise her.
The next four days of watching the linguists, listening and learning, absorbed Sarah but luck played a part. Just before Paswalda made his announcement, Sarah had headed for the loo and had returned in time to hear his offer. She was nearby and the fastest to react. She was on the spaceship before she really thought it through.
Sarah went through the Cleaner and the Checker, figuring out their purposes and happily handing over her handbag for searching. They kept a few objects. Her perfume was thought to be potentially dangerous it seemed. And the cigarette lighter she kept for others like chain smoking Alan. They let her keep a pad and pen. She wondered what they thought of her make-up. At their direction, she unstrapped her iphone and handed it over. No pictures. Oh well, never mind.
Another Alien who did not introduce himself/herself led Sarah on a long winding walk, up an elevator and through a long wide passage. It pointed to a corridor and indicated Sarah should look around. Sarah saw ‘cabins,’ about fifteen feet by fifteen feet. They had large square or round bag type mattresses, on the floor or (hung up?) on the walls, with a netting over them. Looking around, she saw that they looked like they could be wall mounted. There were no portholes or whatever you call a window in a spaceship. Porthole, she thought. Going to be a little claustrophobic. A Translator had been handed to her.
“What do you use for getting rid of body wastes?” she asked. She was shown a panel that opened and exposed a hole in the floor about nine inches in diameter. There was also no privacy. No wall between the loo and the room. Maybe a toilet could be fitted over it and a screen would work for privacy. There was enough room. It was designed OK for males. Females would have trouble. They would need to be both athletic and good shots. She made a note.
“Is there any water available?”
She was shown a sort of tap.
“Are there any…” she paused. “Is there a way to keep food cold or to heat it up.” The Alien’s expression was so obviously puzzled that she had to refrain from laughing. “We make our food stay good by keeping it cold and we like to eat our food hot.” She wondered if the Translator was translating this accurately.
“No such things,” it replied inaccurately, thinking how fussy this little Alien was and how this one was not going to go to any effort for such a primitive. A primitive with no intergalactic bank account.
Sarah was muttering, “OK, so we need our own toilets, all cooking and eating utensils, some way to keep food cold, some way to heat it etc. Also some blankets and sheets, mattresses are here if people like to share.”
Next, the Alien showed her five large rooms like holds. Again, no portholes. It said up to another five rooms like this could be available if needed. Each was about ten feet high and about 100 feet by 100. Definitely economy class. They too had the holes in the floor with no privacy but they had water. They also had something else in the wall.
“What is this?” she asked.
“Food.”
“Would we be able to eat it?”
“It does not taste good but it is food.”
“Could I try some?” She watched as it turned a knob and pushed a lever. A grey substance came out. She tasted it
. It was right. It did not taste good but if some flavouring could be added if should be edible. Strong flavouring. Curry or mustard type. It was bland, a little like a sour flour paste. It could be sweetened too she thought. She suddenly wondered what she had eaten and if it was poisonous. Oh well, too late to worry now. She noticed some markings in the floor like a tiny door and bent down. She pried it open. There was a hook under the latch. She immediately realised it could be used to hold a tent fastening. They could use tents for their privacy; some sanity! She looked around. They were at about every two square feet. They were also beside the loo holes. Toilet tents!
“Could we use these?”
“Yes,” it said, wondering why they wanted to restrain themselves. Were these going-to-be-slaves going to bring their own slaves? This could be amusing.
Sarah looked carefully through all four rooms. Most problems were solvable but no hot food would be sad. Worse, no coffee. She thought to try again.
“Is there any way we could heat food or water?”
“I could ask. It may be possible but it would cost a lot extra.”
“How much?”
“I will ask.”
“What about cleaning ourselves, our clothes and the dishes we eat with?”
“There are Cleaners but they cost.”
“So does that mean we can’t use them?”
“Yes, unless you pay.”
Sarah didn’t mention that she had no idea what they used for money. And none anyway. She thoughtfully looked around. Best to approach this as if it was a three month camping trip and assume everything was needed except the shelter and water, with holes dug for toilets. She hoped the holes wouldn’t smell. Well, small price to pay.
“Thank you,” she said and was shown off the ship, her property being returned to her as she left. She strapped her iphone back onto her wrist noticing with surprise that very little time had passed. She pondered. The route they had taken had shown her nothing but corridors. She wondered if that was deliberate.
Preparation for Departure
Sarah returned from the spaceship inspection with her list and quickly briefed the still very shocked people who had only turned up for a language lesson. Sarah’s Team were a little more psychologically prepared; but not much. Sarah galvanized them!
“Nanelle, we need toilets, sort of,” she showed Nanelle the drawing she had made. Nanelle collected a debit card from Alan and walked off. Sarah had given the most difficult job to the person most likely to accomplish it. Nanelle was one of those people who worked quietly in the background and got things done; no fanfare, no wanting her achievements noticed, no criticism of others, she just did it. She had 24 hrs to find something or persuade someone to make something, to sit on, over a hole, to function as a toilet. It had to be light as they had to pay for weight.
“The rest of you, get over here.” Quickly, Sarah organised one or more people to get the tents, food, trade goods, bedding, bedrolls, camping chairs and ideas for any other essentials. “I also need to know how many of you want to go.” Almost every hand shot up. Sarah laughed, her eyes dancing. “Right,” she said. “You heard him. Everything you need for five months. Get to it.” She phoned SETI and let them know. There might still be time to get others over here.
“Bert…”
“I’m on to it,” he said and headed to the door, then scooted back for a debit card from Alan. He left with a smile and an accompaniment of laughter from the rest. Sarah smiled, that was Bert. Off at full speed then thinking ‘on his feet’. Bert’s qualifications were Trauma Specialist and science fiction nut plus he was a social charmer who soothed hurt feelings and calmed people down. He was likeable, unflappable and a good organiser. She ticked her list. That was the medical equipment solved.
“Alan, Terri, Fiona, Gina, Sue and Dan, trade goods, camping equipment and food, divide it up between you, allow for 30 get the rest to help except for Anne and Hulio who stay here on ‘language.’ Oh, there is some food on board we can use but it will need flavouring to go with it. Strong flavouring. It tastes like flour paste. Very bland.” Within minutes they disappeared out the door. Sarah was organised. The remainder of the people in the room were still stunned. Sarah went over to Jolene. “Are you interested in coming, any of you?” She looked at the three teachers as well.
“Ah, I’ll pass,” said Tom.
“No thanks,” said Mary.
“I’d love to,” said Hine but I have three kids and I’m not taking them!”
“My problem too,” said Jolene. “Two kids, little ones.”
Sarah looked up at the rest of the people. She saw a variety of feelings expressed. The chief being confusion and indecision.
“Well,” she said. “I’ve got 25-30 ready to go. Who else? Does anyone else want to go?” There was a confused muttering. The media had scattered at the announcement and were now slowly filtering back in.
Sarah sat down. The linguists were still trying to learn, she’d join them. She checked her alarm. Three hours.
An hour later there was a tap on her shoulder.
“Hi I’m Steve. I’m with the Deep Freeze base. We have several scientists that would like to go and the medical doctor that someone asked for. Could I hire you to organise supplies for them as well?”
“The Deep Freeze Base in Antarctica? I thought that stopped a few years ago.”
“It did but it restarted three years ago. We’re combined now, not just Americans. Makes it easier to maintain and fund.”
“How many?”
“Ah, That’s up in the air right now. Allow for 20. Can you do this?”
“Done,” said Sarah. We’ll charge you later when we even out the cost if that’s OK?”
“Done,” Steve said in relief.
Sarah phoned Alan, “We’re up to 50 and counting.”
“We’ve got a deal going with a nearby supermarket.” He said. “They’re open 24 hours and they’ll make up one person packs for us so long as we endorse them. They’ll deliver. I’ve done a similar deal with a camping goods store and they’re busy getting equipment sent in from all over NZ plus some shops in Melbourne and Sydney. They’re allowing for 420. They’ll have a sale if we don’t need them. Endorsement as well. OK?”
“Brilliant,” laughed Sarah. “What are you doing for Trade Goods.”
“Seeds. They’ve got all we want at a warehouse here for King’s Seeds. They’ve even got tree seeds there. They’re agents for Koanga Gardens which is a Seed Savers organization like we have back home. We’ve also got a range of other samples and we’re on our way back. I can’t believe how easy this has been. We collared this old taxi driver outside the airport and he’s been our chief resource. His fee for this is to let his niece join us and he will sort out anything we want. No cost. She’s on her way. He says he knows where everything is in Christchurch. The only thing he’s still working on is the toilets, but we phoned Nanelle and she thinks she’s got it sorted. A local plastics factory will have a sample ready in an hour or so.”
Sarah had expected action from her Team but this was beyond her expectations. She looked at the time. Just over four hours and they were organised. She phoned Alan back.
“Can you get the first 50 packs over here please. I don’t want to leave it all to the last moment and I want to ensure everything’s suitable and we’re onboard.”
“They’re already on the way. I wanted to check too.”
Sarah went back to studying the process of programming an Extra-Terrestrial language into a Translator. Her alarm rang. She took a deep breath and made the call she was dreading. She heard the phone ring in Los Angeles.
“Mum.”
“Hi Katy.”
“You’re going. I heard it on the news.”
“Yes Katy.” There was a long silence. “I’ve made plans for this. In case. You’ll get a letter in a day or so. It gives you access to my bank account and all my savings and income. Until the letter comes, the passwords are under the cutlery drawer. Taped to it.
Add one to every number. Remember to budget. Remember to pay the bills. The income from my books might shoot up because of all this. I hope. You know what I want for you but all instructions stop at this point. You’re on your own till I get back.”
“If you do.”
“Not all instructions, you…”
“I know. No drugs, no booze, no parties, no men overnight and keep my panties on. Same to you!”
There was another long silence.
“It’s all organized Katy. Has been for years. Just in case. And I updated it every year.”
“I know Mum. You have to go. I do understand. I don’t like it but I do understand. It’s OK. You can go. I will be alright. You know me.”
“I love you Katy. More than you’ll ever know.”
“Love you too Mum.” Sarah hung up in tears.
Jolene was looking sympathetically at her. “How old is she?”
“Eighteen. First year at college. Social Sciences. Not sure what she wants to do. Good kid. Bit serious.”
“And her father?”
“Worst mistake I ever made in my life; cheating, lying, gold digging, parasitic…”
Jolene laughed. “Sorry, I shouldn’t laugh. Will he be any help with Katy?”
“Yeah, he will. He does care about her. Cares a lot more about himself though. He’ll bludge off her. I’ve left strict instructions and under no circumstances is he allowed in the house. He’s Trespassed. He just takes things. He’d move himself and his latest girl friend in if he could. On the excuse of caring for Katy. Guess who’d end up paying all the bills? He thinks he’s entitled to things. I can’t understand people like that.”
“Well you know what they say. Those that can, create, others buy or enjoy the creations and others steal or destroy because they can’t create and won’t work.”
“Yes. And I’ve never understood the latter.”
Jolene smiled, thinking what that said about Sarah. They both went back to the Translator.
Jolene wondered again what to do. And how many other goodbyes were being said. She sighed; decisions, decisions. What should she do? Peter said she could go. The airport said she could go. Peter was adamant she was not to take their kids though and she wouldn’t dream of it. Neither of them were risk takers. And here she was thinking about going… He was reliable. So were her parents. And his parents. She didn’t know what to do.