Patrick nodded. 'I tried to get him out but he fought with me. The place went up. He was killed, I wasn't. I was caught and sentenced to death.'
'You still had the death penalty for murder?'
'No. Treason. Blowing up the factory was considered a terrorist act. All evidence of my father's double dealings was destroyed in the fire so I couldn't prove my innocence. But I escaped and stole the unfinished ship. The Romulus.'
'A lucky escape,' said Paul.
Belle leaned over and kissed Patrick. 'And me and the others were sent to kill you, weren't we sweetheart.'
'But you found me irresistible instead.'
Belle grinned. 'Eventually. You see, Paul, we all thought Patrick was using the Romulus to get his revenge on Earth. His fancy cannon killed many thousands of people, so we thought.'
'A pity that cannon burnt out,' said Patrick. 'We could use that thing.'
Paul was horrified. 'You killed thousands of people?'
'What? No. A bunch of aliens were attacking Earth. I was trying to stop them.'
Belle said, 'We didn't realise it though. Because nobody could detect their drones.'
Patrick said, 'The Romulus was never intended to be a fighter, but it was armed. The long-range weapon I used to take out the alien drones burnt out eventually, beyond repair. That left us a basic laser cannon. Now we have two new cannon we have something to fight back with in a fight.' Patrick suddenly stood up. 'What an idiot I've been. Jazz. It's them. The same aliens. Well, this universe's equivalent of them. That's why we can't always detect their ships.'
'And they often use drones instead of manned ships,' said Belle. 'Paul. It adds up.'
Paul said, 'You know these aliens?'
'Our universe's version,' said Belle. 'Not bad people once you get to know them.'
Patrick said, 'We need to go to the command centre, right now.'
Chapter 72
At Patrick's suggestion, the command centre was empty apart from Paul, Belle, Matlock, Danders, Commander Drakov and the chief controller, Hank Cruise. Toby stayed with April.
'What is it you want to look at?' asked Cruise.
Patrick said, 'I'm making a huge assumption that the planets are much the same here as in my dimension. Let me ask a hypothetical question. If we were looking for a new planet to live on, where would it be?'
Cruise looked up at Drakov who just shrugged but said nothing.
Paul said, 'We were checking two out. Just exploring space. We found two, but the closest one is ninety seven percent ocean. A shame, as it has good air. The other planet would be more suitable, but it would take years to get to.'
Drakov said, 'Earth hasn't reached such a dire state as to need us to go there in person. We sent probes to both to take samples of the ground and such.'
Matlock said, 'They landed?'
Cruise said, 'The one landed on the nearest planet, the other still has a couple of years to go to get to the other planet.'
'Interesting,' said Danders with a knowing glance at Patrick. 'Both still functioning?'
Paul said, 'The one in space is. We lost the signals to the other probe shortly after it landed. It worked well for about three days sending back great data.'
Cruise said, 'We assumed a malfunction occurred.'
Belle said, 'And the alien attacks started soon afterwards?'
'Fifty-two hours after it landed,' said Drakov. 'What are you thinking?'
'That equivalent planet is the one we also sent a probe to, to find a new planet to live in our universe,' said Belle. 'It is of special significance to our aliens. They saw the wars our Earth humans were already raging on ourselves and decided we weren't best new friend material. Not worth communicating with. They decided to inflict enough damage on Earth to keep them travelling in space.'
Paul said, 'Are you telling us you've actually met these aliens?'
'Yes,' said Patrick. 'But they were aliens from our universe not this one. They may be something quite different to the ones attacking this Earth.'
Drakov asked, 'But you managed to reason with your aliens to stop them attacking your Earth?'
'Yes,' said Danders. 'We sent a message to Earth to leave the place alone and the aliens agreed to stop their attack.'
Paul said, 'It's all making sense. We are doing the same here as your people did. Could we try to explain to them we'll leave their planet alone and maybe they'll stop attacking us?'
Patrick said, 'This is all based on assumptions. It could be purely coincidental.'
'We have to try,' said Drakov. 'The lives of millions depends on it.'
Chapter 73
Lieutenant Carver was adamant about it and had no reservations in expressing his opinions. 'It stinks. It's a trap.'
Drakov was still on the fence about the crew of the Romulus, especially Patrick Davron. 'I'm trying to keep an open mind. Their technology...This mysterious gizmo that Belle uses. It happened. Burns himself saw it. She sent her subconscious self from one ship to another, entered the body of Nurse Golightly to heal her.'
'Hmm! Part of their plan to sucker us in. You say they met these damn aliens?'
Drakov sipped his beer and glanced around the military bar which was mostly empty, a bored bartender polishing glasses wishing he was anywhere but where he was. Drakov still lowered his voice.
'Not exactly. It's this parallel universe thing. Everything is the same but different, it seems. In their universe, aliens were attacking Earth because humans had dared to land a probe on their sacred planet. Patrick Davron, if that's who he really is, had an altercation with the aliens and an understanding was reached. The attacks on Earth, their Earth, would stop if humans stayed away from their planet.'
'Crap! Either these people are the aliens, or are working with them. They plan to take over Earth.'
Drakov got up to leave and said, 'I'll not rule it out, but I'm not totally convinced either way. But if they are genuine and on our side, we need their ship and the crew. Don't worry. I'll be watching them. This little talk never happened.'
'Just between you and I, sir.'
'Good. And ease off the booze. We have five ships manned and ready to go, but we may need to send all we have at a moments notice.'
'I'm ready.'
Drakov wondered which he trusted least. Carver or the crew of the Romulus. With that weighing heavily on his mind he walked out of the bar.
Chapter 74
'You are putting on weight,' said Patrick as Muffin landed on his shoulder. 'You won't be able to take off if you get any fatter.'
'He's a very happy young chap,' said Louisa Shale, chief keeper of the primates. Through the reinforced glass barrier, Muffin's girlfriend Peaches was anxiously staring up at them. 'They're very much in love as you can see.'
'Little Muffins one day?'
Shale ruffled Muffin's hair and said, 'I'd be amazed if there wasn't. They're on the young side for breeding really, but I'm sure nature will take its course.'
'Oooooheehaoo!'
'Well. I can see you are settled in, Pal. I only ever wanted you to be happy so I suppose we can tick that box off.'
Shale said, 'He certainly pays his way with increased visitors to the zoo. Kids love him and he loves to show off. He even has his own Baselook page and he's forever being Froogled.'
'See, Pal? You're famous. Ok, Fatso. Go to Peaches.'
'OOOhheaoo.'
Muffin kissed Patrick and flew over the barrier, landing next to a much relieved Peaches. Muffin took her hand and without as much as a backward glance at Patrick, they disappeared into the shrubbery.
'Oh, well,' said Patrick. 'He's one less worry. Knowing he's in your good hands means a lot.'
'My boyfriend says a lot depends on you and your friends.'
Patrick had escaped to the zoo to give himself time to think. He understood the buzz of expectation around the planet he and his friends wanted to call home. He only wished he had some sort of plan.
'We're just part
of a team. I'd love it to find a way through all this and just call in here now and then to see how Muffin is getting on. Jazz will be wondering where I am, so I'd better get going.' He took one last look for Muffin who was nowhere to be seen. He said goodbye to Shale and His Excellency's private vehicle to the luxury home he shared with Jazz Belle and the others.
'Finally,' said Belle, planting a kiss. 'How is he?'
'Like us. Madly in love.'
'That's nice. You do realise we still have to come up with a plan?'
Patrick grinned and said, 'I thought dinner, some of Paul's best wine and an early night.'
Belle jabbed his chest with her forefinger and said, 'I like the sound of that. But can we concentrate on saving Earth in the morning?'
'Yeah, ok,' said Patrick with a heavy sigh.
Chapter 75
'I really think you should stay in bed for at least another day,' Doctor John Pembrose said.
Nurse April Golightly couldn't agree less as she rammed a few personal items into a bag. 'There's nothing wrong with me. I have things to do and lying here isn't one of them.'
Toby Akrins shuffled nervously from one foot to the other. 'Maybe you should listen to the doctor.'
'I'm a nurse. And I know myself better than anyone.'
Sam Golightly also knew his daughter. 'Stubborn. Like her mother was.'
'Dad. I'm fine. don't fuss. Doctor Pembrose. All the tests are clear, right?'
Pembrose said, 'Amazingly so. Doctor Crowe has gone over them with me. He's at a loss as to explain your remarkable recovery considering how injured you were on the ship. Even so, I do think...'
'I'm putting myself back on duty. I'm part of the emergency medical team with Doctor Crowe. Until this alien threat is over, that's where I need to be.'
Akrins said, 'Another nurse can go instead.'
'Not with my space experience. Toby. I'm not backing down on this.'
Akrins wondered if it was possible to love April anymore than he did that moment. 'Ok. On one condition. You stay with me on the Romulus.'
'Where's the sense in that?'
'Well, not to put too fine a point on it, if the Romulus gets hit, we both go together. If you are on another ship and anything happened...' He took her in his arms. 'I couldn't go on without you.'
April kissed him and said, 'But I'm part of the medical team.'
'So? Doctor Crowe and the other nurse can stay together. If anyone on the Romulus needs patching up you'll be right there with us. If you're needed on another ship, we'll get you on it.'
Sam Golighty said, 'That does make sense. At least as much as anything else does around here.' He looked at Akrins, his expression fixed and serious. 'Mr Akrins. If anyone had told me my daughter would be going into space with a dubious bunch of aliens...'
'I'm dubious?'
'Look at it from my point of view. You're from...' He pointed at the ceiling and said, 'Out there. You look human...'
'I'll take that as a compliment.'
Sam said, 'You should. You and your friend Jasmine saved my daughter's life and I'll be forever in your debt. Left to me she wouldn't be going out there again and nobody would expect her to go. I consider myself a good judge of character. You make sure you look after her, Mr Akrins.'
'For the rest of my life. Come on. I'm sure we can get something better than hospital food.'
They were warmly greeted by everyone at Paul Davron's luxurious city home and an excellent meal was organised by Paul's staff.
'No point in trying to change your mind, I suppose?' said Paul.
Golightly was becoming weary with the attention. 'None whatsoever. Friends of mine died because of those aliens. I need to go back out there.'
Patrick said, 'I'm hoping we won't have to fight them. I want to try to contact them once we're in space. Explain that it was not anyone's intention to offend them by landing a probe on Spero and that we'll stay well clear of the place from now on.'
Matlock said, 'Assuming it actually is all about Spero and the aliens here are this universe's equivalent of ours.'
Paul said, 'Even if that is so, all previous attempts to contact them have failed. Why should any other attempt be different?'
Patrick shrugged and said, 'No reason at all. But before, nobody here knew why they were attacking Earth. Now we know, we can apologise and at least try to explain.'
Belle said, 'With their superior technology, slugging it out doesn't look too promising for us. We at least have to try to reach an understanding with them.'
Sam Golightly said, 'That would be my preferred option. You know, it doesn't matter where you're from. I can see you're all human as much as I am. April. You'll be staying here the night?'
'Are you ok with that, Dad?'
Another hard look at Akrins and Sam said, 'Bring April back safely.' He kissed his daughter on her cheek and forced a smile before leaving. Davron's driver would take him home.
Paul said, 'Sam speaks for us all. Come back safely.'
Chapter 76
In the command centre briefing room, Commander Drakov had all the remaining ships crews assembled. Patrick Davron ignored the icy stares he was getting from Lieutenant Carver and concentrated on Drakov's words.
'Major Burns. An update on the repairs?'
'Engineering is working around the clock, sir. Another forty-eight hours should see it completed they tell me.
'Pretty good work considering the damage,' said Drakov.
Burns said, 'I'd like the opportunity to give her a test-flight before we're called into action, sir.'
'If there's time. That depends more on the plans of the aliens than anything else. Let me know as soon as the ship is ready and we'll decide then. Captain Davron. You're itching to say something?'
'Yes, sir. We've discussed trying to communicate with the aliens. Are you still ok with that?'
Drakov said, 'I don't see any alternative. If and when the alien ships are heading our way, assuming we can get a fix on them, all our ships will be taking off. Our regular global forces can take care of any alien vessel coming into our atmosphere.'
Belle said, 'Sir. Our Earth failed with that. They just couldn't pick them up on any radar and when they had a visual sighting, it was too late.'
Carver scoffed. 'Yeah, Belle. Why don't we all just roll over and give them what they want. You'd like that, wouldn't you, you alien freak.'
'Care to repeat that outside, Carver?' snarled Belle, her eyes flashing with anger. 'Man enough to take on a woman without weapons?'
'Enough,' Drakov demanded. 'Lieutenant Carver. We are well aware of your feelings towards Belle and her friends. If you cannot keep your opinions to yourself and be one hundred percent committed to this mission, you can soon be replaced.'
Carver said, 'With respect, sir. I'm ready to take on any threat to our planet.' He glared at Belle and said, 'Wherever it comes from.'
Matlock snapped, 'Then pull your damn head in before I rip it off your neck.'
'Any damn time and place, Matlock.'
'Carver. I'll not tell you again,' growled Drakov. 'I'll say this just one more time. Anyone not prepared to fight alongside Captain Davron and the Romulus, get out now.'
Carver looked about to say something, but instead he forced himself to be quiet.
'Right,' continued Drakov. 'From now on, all crews will remain on their ships on high alert. Except Major Burns and his crew until his ship is fully repaired. Work out a shift system so that each ship is manned at all times. Sleep and rest whenever you can and be ready for action at any time. Dismissed.'
Everyone stood up and started filing out the room when Drakov called out, 'Lieutenant Carver. You stay behind.'
With the room cleared, Drakov addressed Carver. 'Do you want me to order you off this mission, lieutenant?'
'No, sir.'
'Then stop putting me in the position where I'll soon have no alternative. You know I share some of your doubts about Davron and his crew but the truth is, we n
eed them and their ship. If it really is a subtle alien plot they're part of, we're as good as sunk anyway. I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt for now because I have no other choice. I need you to do the same. Understood?'
'Yes, sir. You still want me keeping an eye on them in space.'
'Exactly. Particularly at the time Captain Davron attempts contact with the aliens. So as Matlock said, pull your head in so I don't have to kick you off the mission. Ok?'
Carver said, 'Of course, sir. I wouldn't be much use to you if I didn't go with them. I'll stay on my ship from now on and avoid Matlock and the others.'
'Good. Carry on, Lieutenant.'
Chapter 77
'I'm glad to see you've made a good recovery, April,' said Lieutenant Carver.
Golightly had never liked Carver, and had been relieved when he had finally given up asking her for dates. She did all she could to avoid the man, but he had stepped in front of her as she made her way to join the others on the Romulus.
'I've never felt better, thanks. All the tests were good.' She was about to continue on her way when Carver stopped her.
'Let me help you with your bags.'
Golightly said, 'No need, thanks.'
'Hey. I'm just looking out for you, April,' said Carver taking the biggest bag off her. 'You know I have my reservations about you going on the Romulus with those damn aliens.'
Golightly glared at him and said, 'They're human beings. Not only that, they saved my life.'
Carver said, 'Yeah. By turning green. A really human thing to do.'
'Could it just be that I'm very fond of Toby Akrins by any chance?' She held back from using the "L" word in front of Carver.
'I reckon you could do a lot better, April.'
They were just fifty yards from the open airlock of the Romulus on its launchpad. Toby Akrins appeared at the huge open doorway and looked as if he were about to jump down to help her but he held back when he saw Carver.
Carver glared at Akrins and said, 'Come with me on my ship, April.'
'Not going to happen.'
Carver put the bag down and clasped Golightly's shoulders and put on his best smile. 'I'm sorry. I didn't want to upset you. It's only because I care about you. I'm sure you're right about Akrins and his friends. They'll look out for you.'
Golightly nodded and smiled at Akrins to assure him she was ok. 'I know. Lets focus on the real enemy, right?'