CHAPTER 7
That expedition had been under the command of Andrea Toyne, who had with her the botanist Tina Smith, chemist David Harper, engineer Nina Werner, geologist Suzanne Aumonier and specialist cartographer Michael Roberts. Perhaps fortuitously, Michael was a photographer and had brought a small supply of film and his developing kit with him from Earth. As soon as the expedition arrived back at Gifford Andrea sent him to develop his film. While he was away, Andrea despatched Nina to find Nikki while the rest of her small team waited aboard KonTiki.
Nikki arrived with Nina very quickly. Nina had told her nothing, so Andrea immediately took Nikki aside. Nikki then sent the team out to bring Fiona, Bryn and Louise in from whatever they were doing. Meanwhile, Michael developed his pictures, enlarging them as much as he could with the limited equipment that he had.
One by one the team leaders arrived, mystified. They realised that something serious had happened by the concerned looks on the faces of Andrea's team, a realisation confirmed by Nikki's expression.
"When is someone going to tell us what's going on?" Louise asked, perfectly reasonably.
"Andrea has told me something," Nikki replied, "and luckily Michael has some photographs. As it may be nothing at all to worry about I'd prefer to say nothing more until Michael has finished developing and printing the pictures. He shouldn't be long."
They waited in silence as the minutes passed. Nikki and Andrea had a brief whispered exchange, not overheard. Finally, Michael returned and handed his pictures to Andrea. She and Nikki looked at them, their expressions conveying deep concern.
"OK," said Nikki at last, "I think Andrea had better tell us all what her expedition saw. Andrea?"
"We had been out all the first day with nothing unusual happening. As we approached the mountains on the second day everything was still normal - we hadn't even seen a boar even though we'd been travelling close to the edge of a big forest. When we stopped around midday both Suzanne and Nina said they felt a bit uneasy, but we dismissed it and got on with our work. It was Suzanne who saw it first - she said she'd seen a flash up in the hills, but had just caught it out of the corner of her eye, so she couldn't be sure it was anything real. Then, perhaps five minutes later Tina saw a movement only half a mile away. We all thought it must have been a boar, but she said it was far too big. I sent Michael and Nina off to have a look, and followed myself with Tina a hundred yards or so behind, leaving Suzanne and David with the transports. We'd been walking for quite a few minutes when Michael and Nina suddenly dropped to the ground - they could see around behind the first hill but we couldn't. Michael had his camera out. We caught up with them, moving as quietly as we could, and sat with them." Andrea paused briefly.
"Across the valley, perhaps four or five hundred yards away, there was a figure climbing the hill, darting from place to place trying not to be seen. It kept looking back as if it was trying to see where we were, but couldn't see us. It looked human. It was certainly running on two legs and seemed to be wearing some sort of metallic outfit, from that distance it was difficult to be sure what it was but it seemed to be very shiny, and looked sort of gold coloured. We watched for as long as we could and when we were sure it had disappeared over the next hill we went straight back to the transports, turned round and returned here as fast as we could. These are Michael's photographs, enlarged as far as possible." Andrea laid out several pictures so that everyone could see them.
These were studied in detail for several minutes. They showed a human-like figure which looked to be female with long straight blond hair. It was wearing a garment which seemed to be of a gold metallic fabric and boots of the same material, but its knees and thighs appeared bare. Its behaviour had suggested that it was intelligent and its apparel suggested that its race had a manufacturing capacity. Nikki moved away from the pictures and sat down, and the others waited for her to speak.
"We've heard what Andrea has said and now we've seen the pictures - thanks for your work, Michael - so what are our reactions?" Nikki seemed calm, if concerned. Nobody spoke, so she went on.
"This looks to me like a human female. It can't be one of us, obviously, so there must be people - aliens - already here. We have a problem, don't we?"
"Perhaps," Bryn said, "since we've discovered nothing that would allow us to produce clothing like that. But if they, whoever they are, can produce such materials it seems to me they could produce much more. It strikes me as reasonable to assume that they could knock us off this planet if they wanted to, and I feel comforted that they might have chosen not to."
"That's one view, Bryn," Louise said, "but it could be that they have only now discovered we're here, and we could be overrun today, or tomorrow. It's worrying."
"Worrying, Louise? It's very, very frightening."
"I don't think we need to be frightened, Fiona," Bryn said in his calm voice. Look at that face. It, or she, is pretty scared to think it's been spotted - maybe they're more frightened of us than we are of them."
"You might have a point," Nikki agreed, "particularly if we look at us from their viewpoint. Where did we come from? Who are we? They have to be concerned, don't they?"
"Maybe, Nikki, maybe," Louise said, sounding worried. “But I don't see what we can do anyway. Perhaps we should try not to appear aggressive as a first step, because if we assume, as we surely must, that there are a great many more of them than there are of us, contact is going to happen sooner or later even if they don't come storming in here armed to the teeth. If it's possible I'd like to try co-existence even if our own history is littered with massacres just because some humans are a bit different to others."
"OK, I agree," Nikki declared, "but how do we move forwards? Should we try to contact these beings, or wait for them to contact us?"
"Before we do anything," Bryn reminded them all, "there are our own people to be told. We have children to think of now, too."
"You're right of course, Bryn. Let's get everyone together as soon as we can and I'll speak to them. I'm not going to enjoy that." Nikki was clearly thinking of how she was going to explain the latest development as the meeting broke up so that the whole community could be gathered together to hear the news.
She was allowed an hour while the community gathered together. As soon as she was told that they were ready for her she went outside and, standing on KonTiki's access ladder, began to speak.
“I'm sure that most of you will have realised that something important has occurred, and I want to end any speculation before it starts by giving you the facts as we know them. One of our expeditions returned today with a sighting of what appeared to be a human being. It was not one of us, so we are forced to conclude that somewhere on this planet there are human-like aliens already living here, probably more advanced than we are. We do not think that they have any hostile intentions, but I have to say we could be wrong. From now on, no-one should wander off alone, nor should any off-base assignments be carried out without someone acting as a lookout. If anything remotely unusual is seen it must be reported immediately to me, Bryn, Louise or Fiona. Whilst we should avoid reacting negatively, and certainly we must avoid appearing aggressive, please be aware that this news does represent a potential threat to us. Louise's team will be doing whatever they can to establish who these people are and, as we find out more, we will keep you all informed. We'll also answer any questions you may have as fully as we can, but don't be surprised by lots of 'don't know' answers. Let's not overreact, but just be on your guard at all times. I'd like the Base patrolled at night, and I'm sure Louise would love to have some volunteers, wouldn't you, Louise?"
"I would, yes. Anyone prepared to patrol at night should let me know please, and I'll organise a rota." And, she thought, a vote of thanks to Nikki for dreaming that up on the spur of the moment. Nikki did apologise later for springing it without warning.
The next sighting was just over a week later, on Louise's third overnight expedition. Suzanne Aumonier spotted the telltale glint in
the hills and quietly told Louise, who looked carefully but could see nothing. The team went on with its work, but with one eye constantly on the rocky hillside. A brief movement caught the light and Louise suddenly waved at the being on the hill. They could now see it clearly, watching them, and as they carried on with their tasks each of the team occasionally looked up. If anyone saw anything, they waved in what they hoped would be interpreted as a friendly greeting. As the day progressed the figure became bolder, apparently being quite happy now to be seen. It made no attempt to approach.
The next few expeditions also saw a figure, and, after another ten days of being watched, two figures together were seen. In what was seen as a significant development, one of these waved back to the expedition team. This was debated at length when they returned to Gifford, the debate leading to Louise suggesting a plan to make contact. She was sitting with Nikki, Bryn and Fiona on the beach in the sun when she decided to announce what was in her mind.
"I have an idea, but you might think me crazy, or reckless, or both." She had said this casually, now pausing for any comments. None came.
"I want to see if we can make contact with these aliens because they are gradually getting bolder, as we know. So what I propose is this. I take a couple of people, ideally Andrea and Suzanne if Bryn doesn't mind, out to the hills where we've been seeing the figures." As she paused briefly Bryn interrupted.
"You and just two others? Isn't that risky? You don't know how many of these aliens may be lurking."
"It comes down to trust, Bryn. You were the one saying the positive things, remember. Anyway, they'll watch us, and we'll all wave to each other. We'll make more than the usual show of our meals, laying out three lots of food each time we eat on the first day, and in the morning of the second. Then very conspicuously we'll lay out food for six once they realise there's only three of us. With a few gestures we should be able to demonstrate that the extra is for them. Maybe they'll come, maybe they won't, but our experience suggests that whatever they do in response will be delayed until they've studied us. Andrea and Suzanne have both said they'd be willing to try - I don't think we should have a man with us as these beings are much the same shape as our females but I will only go if you three approve. There you are, that's it."
"It's a novel idea, but I share Bryn's misgivings about the risks." Fiona certainly looked worried. "You could find that there are dozens of them and that they're violent when they have us outnumbered."
"Even when there have been six of us they would have us outnumbered. I really believe they won't harm us."
"OK, Louise," Nikki said, picking her words carefully, "I think, even if you are not attacked, you are going to have problems. How do you explain to them that there are a lot of us back here, we just want to live peacefully and co-exist with them?"
"I haven't a clue, frankly. But the time has come when we must do something to communicate with people who seem to be our hosts on this planet. Sharing food always used to be a typical way of starting a male/female relationship back on Earth, and I'm just extending that principle. Maybe I can convince them that we're not a threat to them, perhaps even bring them back here to meet you. If anyone can get a dialogue going, it's you, Nikki!"
"Am I supposed to take that as a compliment?" Nikki was smiling, to Louise's relief, "I'm inclined to agree that we must do something, and it seems pretty clear that a large group of us going out there is not going to achieve anything. I am concerned about the risk but otherwise I can't see much else that we can do. What do you think, Fiona?"
"I'm a vet in charge of feeding us all, so my input isn't necessarily all that relevant. Having said that, it does seem that there are people already here, possibly living quite close, and contact is something that needs to happen if this community is going to grow. In my opinion, we should establish communication with these beings earlier rather than later. For all we know we could be living in someone's garden and if we have to relocate the sooner we know about it the better. As for the plan that Louise has suggested, I think it's very brave and if the three of them are prepared to put themselves at risk I will support them as I don't think the risk of physical harm is that great. The point that Louise made earlier is taken."
"OK, that's a positive vote. Bryn?"
"They'll be well away from here, but the transport is fast enough to outrun anyone on legs. Subject to an undertaking from Louise to get her people out fast if there's a hint of a problem I say she should try her plan. I accept the need for contact and I can't think of anything better."
"Good. There we are, Louise. Bryn's in favour, as is Fiona. I want to talk to both Andrea and Suzanne but in principle I agree with Bryn and Fiona. The expedition will be limited to two nights away, though, Louise."
"I'd only planned to be away for two anyway. I'll send the other two over to you, Nikki, then we'll start packing for departure early tomorrow."
Nikki's conversation with Andrea and Suzanne convinced her that both of them, who had of course seen the aliens as closely as anyone, felt that they were not taking a great risk in going along with Louise's plan. They appreciated that if anything went wrong they could not contact Gifford Base, but they were happy to accept this. Nikki knew that there was no alternative to making an attempt to contact the aliens, and gave her blessing to the trip.
The little expedition set off early the next morning, loaded with far more food than was necessary for the three of them. Nikki stood alone watching the transport kicking up dust as it drove off into the distance until it finally disappeared completely from sight. She turned and went back to try to immerse herself in the affairs of the community for three days, knowing that it would be impossible.
The atmosphere on the transport was very different. No-one felt at all nervous, nor, curiously, did they feel particularly excited. They had a range of tasks to perform, to make everything appear as normal as possible, and managed to carry out some basic work when they arrived close to the hills later in the day. It wasn't long before they saw familiar figures looking down on them, waves being exchanged.
For the midday and evening meals that day they were careful to set out places that were clearly, even from a distance, for three people. They knew their rituals were being observed, and repeated the same scenario when they rose the next morning. After a morning spent testing soil and plant samples the midday meal was prepared with extra places, food being laid out and arms were waved to try to suggest that some of the aliens should join them. It didn't work, but it seemed that this new scenario was discussed at length by the aliens watching them from the rocks.
The whole procedure was repeated that evening and again it seemed to be the subject of discussion on the hill. Still, however, there was nothing to indicate that the message had been understood. Louise, Andrea and Suzanne retired to bed that night a little disappointed, but more sure than ever that no harm would come to them
When they rose the next morning they noticed that the aliens were already about, and that there were at least four on the hillside. Again, places were laid for six and much arm-waving and pointing at the meal followed. Suzanne was first to notice two aliens standing much more visibly than ever before, then two more started to approach, slowly, finally stopping only fifty yards or so away from the little camp. Louise exchanged slightly nervous glances with Suzanne and Andrea, but nothing at all was said as they studied the beings just those few yards from them. They were all tall and all had the same long blond hair, but there were discernible facial differences. They all seemed to be female, by human references, wearing the now familiar gold coloured boots and what now seemed to be short dresses. The five studied each other for a few minutes before another alien rose from the hillside and began to walk towards the three humans, passing its colleagues on the way with a brief, undecipherable comment. The third was perhaps a little taller, but was dressed in the same way and appeared to be in charge. As it approached, Louise slowly rose to her feet, followed by Suzanne and Andrea. Louise didn't
know how the others felt, but her mouth was dry and she was almost shaking with nerves. The alien stopped in front of Louise, smiled in a friendly way and spoke. As it did so Louise's jaw dropped open in amazement - she turned first to Andrea, then Suzanne - their reaction to the words had been exactly the same.
"Parlez vous Francais?" the alien had asked, "Do you speak English? Sprechen Sie Deutsche?"
"We speak English," Louise said automatically, stunned into disbelief by the alien's words.
"I see you are rather surprised," it said, "and I should explain. Long ago we visited your world and we learned your languages. We have been unable to return for many of your years but we knew you would eventually come here. We maintained our skills in your languages to be ready to greet you."
"I am amazed,” Louise said, still feeling that this was an unreal experience, "my name is Louise Ryan and this is Andrea Toyne.”
"Andrea, I am very pleased to meet you.”
"And Suzanne Aumonier."
"Suzanne, Francais? Comment allez vous?
"Bien, merci, but I rarely speak any French now."
"I am called Plisfou and my friends behind me are called Zeftio and Kanmai. The others still on the hill are called Ussida, Ostiwa and Bavex. We come from a small city on the other side of the hills called Botijjo #2 where I am, in our language, the Roxxakique. The equivalent in your language would be, I think, attack commander but do not be concerned, we bear you no ill-will. Zeftio and the others are my Roxtamol, or attack troops."
"We also wish you no harm. My position is, officially, defence commander, which really means that I am supposed to draw maps. Andrea is my assistant and Suzanne studies the rocks of your world - she is a geologist."
"There is much that we need to learn about each other, and much that we have to tell you. My instructions were to observe you, and to contact you when I believed it to be safe. I have now done this and see we pose no threat to each other. Now, Louise, I have to return to Botijjo #2 but in a short time, perhaps four or five days, we will meet again. My Jukkakique, or strategist commander, would, with your permission, like to meet you at your base here on Aupes - it means in our language homeworld - so that we can tell you of the dangers here and plan how we may live together well."
"I am certain, Plisfou, that my chief, Nikki Weaver, would be delighted to have you join us. We will go back today and make the arrangements."
"Good. I am now looking forward to meeting you again and to meeting your friends. I hope my friends will become yours and yours mine." Plisfou turned, as if to leave.
"Before you go, may I ask something?"
"Of course."
“We are human females but are you all female as well?”
"We are females, yes. Unlike you, we do not allow our males outside the city, except to perform supervised work. They are too few, and too valuable, to lose."
"Thank you. Goodbye, until we meet at what we call Gifford Base."
"Goodbye, Louise, goodbye, Andrea, au revoir, Suzanne.”
The alien, Plisfou, turned and walked away, turning back when she reached the others waiting for her and waving. The wave was returned happily by Louise, Andrea and Suzanne, the three of the standing in silence watching the departing aliens until they disappeared from sight. It seemed that nobody wanted to break the silence, or perhaps make any comment just in case it was imagined.
Louise looked at her two colleagues who seemed overwhelmed by the experience.
"If we go back and explain what's just happened, will anyone believe us?" Louise asked.
"I don't think I believe it, and I'm here," Andrea replied, "did they really say, in English, that they'd been to Earth?"
"And that they'd learned our languages because they expected us to come here?" Suzanne spoke slowly, as if her mind was somewhere a long, long way away.
"Well, we all heard it. She, Plisfou, said they'd visited Earth and that they expected us to arrive here. Now we've got to convince the others that we really experienced that meeting and that we didn't suffer collective sunstroke or something. Thinking about it isn't going to make it any easier, so shall we pack up and head back? In a few days, they'll turn up at Gifford and everybody will know then that we're right. Oh, hell, I hope they do turn up!"
None of them were entirely convinced that the remarkable events of the past hour had actually happened, but as they all seemed to remember the same things, they decided that on balance the meeting must have happened, no matter how unlikely it was going to sound. The transport was loaded and they set off to drive back, each rehearsing what they were going to say.