'I...I wish I...'
One of the armed men stepped forward. 'Enough. It's time to go.'
'Now look here, you big ox. I'm with medical, not military. You have a problem with me, go to the Director Of Health and Safety.'
'Out now,' said the man grabbing the nurse's arm.
'Hey,' said Akrins. 'Leave her alone, shit-head.'
The man let the nurse go and strode over to Akrins who held his ground.
'What did you call me?'
'Me? I paid you a compliment. I called you a shit-head.'
The man raised a fist to strike Akrins but April grabbed it with both hands.
'Stop it.'
The man shook her off and she lost her balance and fell against the wall.
'I warned you,' snapped Akrins, thumping the man in his belly. The man's knees buckled, then the other three armed men stepped between them, one pointing his weapon at Akrin's heart.
Matlock stepped forwards. 'Big men with guns. Care to take us on without them?'
'Don't get them angry,' warned April.
'You should listen to her,' said the man recovering from the blow to his belly. He stood toe to toe with Matlock. 'You and I have unfinished business.'
Matlock glared and said, 'I can hardly wait.' He read the name tag on the man's chest. 'Lieutenant Carver.'
The armed men backed out of the door still with their weapons aimed at their prisoners. April got her trolley and followed them out of the door, but not without smiling at Akrins. The door was slammed and a few minutes later, the hanger lights went out.
Chapter 34
'His Excellency has retired for the evening. Come back in the morning, Commander Drakov.'
'Miss Fathershom. I realise as his Excellency's personal assistant, you are his first line of defence. But I have urgent news for him that cannot keep. Furthermore, I am quite sure that if his Excellency learned that you delayed me imparting this vital information to him, well...I'd rather not be wearing your high-heels.'
Fathershom was actually a little taller than Drakov in her heels, and she stood eyeball to eyeball with him. 'Everything is so damned urgent with you military types. Never just important. It has to be urgent or vital.'
'Miss Fathershom. This has been a very long day and I suspect it is far from over. Go...wake...him...up.'
'On your own head be it. Wait here.'
Fathershom left Drakov in the annex and entered the elevator which went to his Excellency's private city quarters. Fifteen minutes later she returned with his Excellency, who was tying his silk dressing-gown about him.
'Commander Drakov. I suspect this is news of the highest importance.'
'Indeed, Sir. And probably for your ears only.'
'I see. Miss Fathershom. Time for you to call it a night.'
It was rare indeed for Fathershom to be excluded from important developments. She had been the personal assistant for over two decades and totally trustworthy and loyal.
'Very well, Sir. Goodnight.'
'In here, Commander.'
They entered his Excellency's suite of offices, eerily silent after the activity of a busy day when over two-dozen people looked after the daily administration. Through that they came to a solid steel door that opened only when a scanner read the retina of his Excellency. They entered and locked the door behind them.
'I needn't tell you this had better be important.'
'Sir. I have the D N A results. The one who calls himself Patrick Davron. He is Patrick Davron.'
Chapter 35
They were woken up by Muffin screeching when the lights of the main hanger lit up. Five groggy humans stirred themselves and rubbed their bodies where they had lain against the steel bunks.
'I'll not be leaving a tip when we book out of this joint,' moaned Akrins.
'This doesn't like a hotel porter coming our way,' said Belle staring through the window.
'It's him. Mister Personality,' snarled Matlock.
'With a few armed playmates,' said Danders. 'Dale. Please don't provoke him.'
'My chance will come.'
The door opened and the leader, Matlock's nemesis Lieutenant Carver, entered the room backed up by three men.
'You come with me,' Carver told Davron.
'No need for me to get special privileges,' said Davron. 'I see you're not wearing bio-safety suits. No plague. No viruses. And our blood tested clean.'
The man snapped, 'You talk too much. Out. Now.'
Belle stepped forwards. 'You listen to me. Patrick's done nothing wrong, you hear me?'
'Quiet, woman. We're just going for a little walk. If he behaves himself, I might bring him back in one piece.'
Matlock couldn't resist saying, 'Still a big man with a gun and armed back-up, Carver.'
Carver stepped in front of Matlock, fixing him with an icy glare with no mistaking how he felt about the big man. 'I so look forward to you and I having a private conversation.'
'And when we do there won't be much talking being done,' replied Matlock.
'Dale,' said Danders. 'Don't give him an excuse.'
'Yeah. You'd be wise to listen to the little lady.' He turned to Davron. 'Are you going to walk out of here or do I have to carry you?'
'I could do with the exercise. Let's go.' He turned to Belle. 'I'll be ok, Jazz.'
Muffin jumped up and down anxiously as he watched Davron being escorted out of the room. The door closed and locked and Muffin went to the window watching them walk to the end of the hanger until the lights went out.
'Oooheeahooo.'
Belle put her arms about him. 'It's ok, Muffin. He'll be ok.'
She said those words but had trouble convincing herself they were true.
Outside, artificial lights illuminated the area. A dark blue vehicle glistened with the recent rain. The back door was open and two armed men stood in black uniforms either side of it.
Carver ordered, 'Get in.'
Davron stepped inside and the two armed men followed him, one waving to the bench fixed to one wall. Davron sat as the door was closed up and the men sat opposite him. The look in their eyes told him having to shoot him wouldn't be a problem. There was a slight sensation of movement as the vehicle drove away and no words were exchanged until the vehicle stopped. The door opened and the men stood and Davron knew what was expected of him and stepped outside. They were in an underground parking lot. Davron noticed all the vehicles were the same dark blue as the one he had just been in. They were all military vehicles, several with weapons he was unfamiliar with.
They walked in silence to a row of four elevator doors, the first three marked one two and three. The fourth one was unmarked and one of the men waved at a security camera above the door. The elevator door opened and they entered. The door closed and the elevator ascended. There was a 'ping' sound and the door opened. A man stood waiting, also wearing a black uniform but with the insignia of a high ranking officer.
Commander Drakov said, 'Follow me.'
Davron followed the officer with the two armed men three steps behind. At the end of the corridor was a large steel, ornate door. The officer looked up at a camera and the door opened. They entered a room with a plushness that surprised Davron. Everything screamed power and wealth and stated, here lives a very important man. Don't you dare forget it.
A voice came out of a hidden speaker. 'Commander Drakov. You and your men may go.'
'But your Excellency.'
'That will be all, Commander.'
'Yes, Sir.'
Drakov left the way they had entered and the door slid shut leaving Davron standing alone. He didn't have to wait long when another door opened. A man in a silk robe entered, then stopped just inside the room.
Davron gasped. 'Father?'
'According to the D N A results, yes.'
Chapter 36
'Of course we have cameras on all of you, so I know what you look like' said Paul Davron,
'but seeing you here before me now still comes as one almighty shock.' Paul went to an antique cabinet on which stood a collection of expensive bottles and cut-crystal tumblers. 'I'm partial to a rather nice brandy. Care for one?'
'Normally I would decline, but after the shock of seeing you, perhaps a small one, please.'
Paul poured and passed Patrick a tumbler, pausing as he did so. 'Remarkable. Had it not been for the D N A test, I still wouldn't believe it.'
'At least you have the advantage of a D N A test. I'm looking at a ghost.'
Paul sipped his brandy and said, 'Ghost? An interesting choice of words from a dead man.'
'From a dead man? One of us two died, but it sure wasn't me.'
'You...you think I'm dead?'
Patrick nodded and said, 'You were when I last saw you.'
'Sorry. It must have slipped my mind. On the other hand, your death I remember very well.'
Patrick couldn't look at his father any longer and took his drink to an observation balcony which was fully enclosed with a semi-sphere of toughened glass. There he had a spectacular view of the city. But this wasn't the city he remembered. This was like no city he had ever seen in his life.
'How did I die?'
Paul chuckled and said, 'I was just about to ask you how you think I died.' He joined Patrick enjoying the view. 'I never tire of this vista. Spectacular sunsets from here.'
'My death?'
Paul sighed. 'I blame myself. You captained a ship in a small fleet going after our enemy. Nothing I could do could persuade you not to go. You were determined not to use your privileged position as my son to stay safe. You put up a good fight, but your ship was destroyed.'
'Hmm. Was that confirmed?'
'It was. You and three crew. Patrick, Patrick. Every day since I have lived with losing you. But I think we must agree. Something is seriously wrong.'
'And I think I know what it is.'
'Anything you can share?'
Patrick said, 'On one condition. Free my friends and I'll tell you what I think happened.'
Chapter 37
'Come with me now,' snapped Lieutenant Carver.
Belle said, 'Where's Patrick? What have you done with him.'
'Just do as you're told.'
Matlock stepped forward, his fists clenching and unclenching involuntarily. 'I swear if any harm's come to him...'
'You'll what? Attack me. I'd love an excuse to blow your brains out, if you have any. Out!'
Matlock passed the man with the gun, fighting the urge to grab him by the throat and choke the life out his body. Four armed men parted for them to leave the room, Muffin jumping up into Akrins arms, deciding to put their differences aside for the time being.
'Not the monkey. He stays.'
Akrins practically crackled with contempt. 'Ape. He's an ape. A distant cousin to humans, but I suspect he's quite closer related to you than the rest of us.'
Akrins left the room with Muffin blowing raspberries at the man with the gun. With the tension close to breaking point, they walked through the hanger to the open doors at the far end, their footsteps making a strange cacophony of angry sounds. They didn't need telling to climb into the open door of the vehicle. They sat in silence in the windowless truck for the few minutes it took to reach their destination. Through the underground car-park they walked to the elevator, which became uncomfortably crowded crammed with nine people and one ape. They were all relieved to hear the ping as the elevator reached the top floor.
'Your Excellency?'
'You and your men may go, Lieutenant Carver.'
'But your Excellency. You should be under our protection with these...'
'I'll be quite safe, Lieutenant. You may go.'
Carver looked as if he were about to protest some more, but the look in Paul Davron's face told him that would not be wise.
'Goodnight, Excellency.'
The door of the elevator closed.
'Follow me.'
They followed him into the office suite where they found Patrick. Muffin jumped down from Akrins and Patrick caught him in his arms.
'Hey, pal. So good to see you. All of you.'
'Got it,' said Matlock. 'No. That's just crazy. Davron. Paul Davron.'
Belle said, 'Yes. Of course. But you're dead.'
Paul sighed. 'I suspect it could get quite tedious being told that. I assure you all, I am very much alive.'
With one suspicious eye on Paul, Belle went to Patrick and kissed him. 'I was so scared something had happened to you. Are you ok?'
'I'm fine, so far. Say. It's almost sunrise. Beautiful from there, apparently. Join me, Belle.'
Belle realised Patrick wanted to do more than admire the view out of the curved window. They stood together, Muffin refusing to let go of Patrick.
'Am I seriously supposed to believe he's your father?'
'The D N A test confirmed it. Listen. He's told me I died in a battle in space in a ship. Some alien threat going on. But I haven't told him I killed him. We might want to keep that to ourselves.'
'But how...what...?'
'I've a theory of sorts. Come on. I'll try to explain it to everyone.'
Chapter 38
They sat in the sumptuous lounge, a stark contrast to the shell of a room at the end of a hanger. Belle couldn't help notice the physical similarities between Paul and Patrick, even though she knew they couldn't possibly be biologically related, whatever the D N A tests said. Paul was staring at Patrick, drinking in the illusion of having his son return from the dead.
'I can only apologise for the way we have treated you. We had our reasons, but even so...'
Danders said, 'As long as we don't have to go back to that horrible place.'
'Oh, certainly not. For the time being you will be my guests in my city home here. Much more comfortable. I am so eager to learn all about you and get to know you. And I am totally bemused by this little chap.'
Patrick said, 'I rescued him. He's been with me ever since. The wings were part of a cruel experiment. He can fly but had a mishap as you can see. He's on the mend.'
'He looks very well cared for. So. Do you fly around the heavens together looking for adventure?'
'Unintentionally,' said Belle. 'We were trying to find a halfway decent uninhabited planet to make a new home.'
Patrick said, 'Even before we landed I think we suspected this couldn't be our Earth.'
Paul suddenly sat bolt upright with the shock of that statement. 'Not your...What? Did I hear you correctly?'
'You...we both realised I can't possibly be your son. To you I died in a battle in space. And yet here I am.'
'I'm not sure what you're saying. The D N A results...'
'Ah! Now that really is a mystery. Until a couple of hours ago, you and I never actually met. So we cannot share the same D N A. And yet I'm told the tests suggest otherwise. That aside, I was not born on this planet.'
Paul said, 'You are not from Earth?'
'Oh, I'm that all right. Earth-man born and bred. Just not this particular Earth.'
Akrins said, 'Oh, get real. Are you saying what I think you're saying? The Romulus took us into...what exactly? Another dimension? A parallel universe?'
'Correct. It's the only logical explanation. When we had the problems with the engines, we lost all control of the ship. Somehow we went through from our universe or dimension, to end up with this one.'
'Impossible,' said Paul Davron.
Patrick said, 'The father I knew would not have ruled anything out as impossible. In fact, it was my father, my biological father, who made it possible for the Romulus to go faster than the speed of light that crossed us over from one universe or dimension to another.'
Paul said, 'I'm no scientist, but even I know going faster than the speed of light is the stuff of fantasy.'
'Conclusive proof you are not my father. Now he was a scientist. An engineer. Probably one of the most brilliant of all of them on Earth. My Earth. We were onl
y looking for a new planet to live on. Coming here was purely accidental.'
'You really thinks so?' said Paul. 'You say you crossed over from one universe to another to land up on my Earth? Well. I'm assuming your universe is as endless as mine, and yet you end up here on an alternative Earth, talking to your alternative father? You can call that an accident if you like. I say it took planning of the highest order.'
'Serendipity,' said Akrins.
'Indeed,' agreed Paul. 'This, was meant to be.'
Chapter 39
Belle said, 'Sir. You have us at a disadvantage. You know far more about us than we do about you. I heard you being addressed as Excellency.'
Paul chuckled and replied, 'For my sins. A hereditary title. Unfortunately not just some quaint monarchistic leftover from a bygone age. I actually have to do stuff.'
Danders gasped, 'Like some sort of a king?'
'Well, yes. Sort of. My kingdom includes several countries. Of course we have our government for the day to day business. Ordinarily I would not be dealing with you. But, when the name Patrick Davron came to my attention, I assumed personal responsibility of the situation. Commander Drakov and Lieutenant Carver are members of my personal guard.'
'Hey wait a minute,' said Akrins. 'If your title is hereditary, then that makes Patrick...'
'Prince Patrick,' said Paul.
'How about that,' said Patrick. 'A promotion already.'
Paul shook his head and said, 'That would be true if you were my son. Regardless of the D N A tests, we know you are not.'
'That's me told,' said Patrick.
'Look,' said Paul. 'There are rather more pressing problems to deal with first. Such as the survival of Earth. We don't understand why these aliens are attacking us because they refuse to communicate with us. The United World Alliance have fought together against this alien force but their ships are more advanced. Our combined fleet has been seriously depleted. We have very little left to resist more attacks.' He leaned forward in his chair. 'Quite frankly, you and your ship The Romulus could be all that stands between our survival or total annihilation. I need to ask. Will you fight with us against the aliens?'
Before anyone else could speak, Patrick said, 'No. I'm sorry, but this is not our fight.'
Chapter 40
His Excellency Paul Davron stood, his shoulders slumped and his expression forlorn. 'That sounded quite adamant.'