An hour later SETI members were sitting in the airport cafeteria when Angus the taxi driver came over with his niece Simone. She was a stunner; with long blonde hair, blue eyes, pale, flawless complexion, tall and with a figure a model would kill for. In her arms was a baby! She sat down.
“I’m all ready to go. I’ve ordered everything but should I bring disposable nappies or cloth? Can I wash his nappies on board?”
“Are you sure you want to bring a baby?” Asked Gina, “this could be risky and we don’t know what the stresses will be.”
A grim look passed between Angus and Simone. “I think they’ll be safer with you,” said Angus sadly.
“Simone looked up, “I’ll pull my weight. I’m a Biologist and I guess a linguist. I speak four languages fluently. I’m German and I’ve notified my Embassy. They’re happy for me to go.”
“Better bring cloth nappies. I know we can wash things. We have organised washing lines, pegs, detergent and large plastic bins to wash things in. We have a manual plastic washing machine coming and we’ll order more if we like it.” Tina thought the baby would be a PR coup; maybe. It could backfire if anything went wrong.
A teenage girl had been nearby and listening. She dragged a woman over.
“This baby’s going?”
“Yes,” Simone replied a little defensively.
The girl turned to the woman behind her who looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.
“The baby’s going. I’m going!” She turned to the others. “I’m Stella Black. This is my mother Kelly. She’s a medical doctor and with Deep Freeze. Well, that’s where she was going.”
Bert held out his hand to Kelly, “I’m Bert. British. With SETI and the other doctor. Personally, I think we should be top heavy on medical staff,” he smiled at her. He was thoroughly amused. The two looked rather alike, both were easy on the eye, both with long wavy brown hair, both slim, both about 5’7” but Kelly had blue eyes and Stella had brown. Where Kelly looked European, Bert wondered what race Stella’s father was. He couldn’t quite figure it out. Eurasian? With a surname of Black?
Stella looked at Sarah, “We will get the standard pack and our personal stuff. What else would you like us to bring? I have several electronic games and Mum and I play Bridge and 500 and just about any other card game. We’re from Vermont. We get housebound.”
“Electronic games and cards would be great. I play Bridge too. ACOL or Standard American?” Sarah decided she liked this kid.
“Both,” said Stella. My grandparents are New Zealanders and taught me ACOL.” She grinned, an ally.
Kelly looked at her daughter and opened her mouth to protest again. She saw the steely glint in Stella’s eyes and decided she wouldn’t win this one. Stubborn, independent, determined…just like her mother. She gave up. Maybe Stella was right. Maybe they should stay together. Stella would be useful. She would be on her best behaviour for at least a few days if she won this one.
Alan suddenly yawned which became contagious. He looked at his watch and said, “Do you realise we’ve been awake nearly 22 hours? How about we work the four shifts (Four hours on, four off). Geriatrics to bed first?” He looked hopefully at Sarah who nodded. “I think half of us should get some sleep and get back in four to eight hours whenever you wake up,” he said and headed off. He turned back, “Ah,” he said looking for Nanelle.
“We’re in The Airport Hotel and the motel over the road. There’s a shuttle that goes every few minutes, over there. It’s only five minutes away,” and Nanelle pointed. Moving quickly, he was out the door and off to bed. Alan was one of those people who was surprisingly light on his feet considering he was rather overweight. Roughly half of the SETI Team disappeared over the next few minutes.
Not much happened for the next four hours. The Deep Freeze team were organised and off to bed. They were ready too. About 80 odd nations were still arguing as to who would go. Sarah thought at this rate they’d miss the boat. As her SETI members straggled back a few hours later, she reported, “No decisions yet as to any official diplomatic team going, but a deal has been struck with the trade goods. The alien arranging the barter loves the seeds and some of the other goods, but wants pictures, translated details as to how to grow the seeds, description of colour, size, growing conditions needed etcetera. I promised these would be written up during the voyage. Apparently the Translators can attach to a printer and print out written language too. Now you lot are back, I’m off to bed.” She left to find the hotel and her room.