Reality Zero

Chapter 19

  ‘She clearly didn’t like what I said’ announced the Admiral.

  Thirty minutes later, the screen came to life again. Supreme Adviser Hinde was in front of the camera. The President was no longer present.

  ‘I apologise for Her Eminence’s abrupt departure, Admiral, but she wishes to consider what you have said. In the circumstances, it seems there is merit in your statements. We will contact you again tomorrow at this time’

  ‘Thank you, Adviser. We will be here. Before you go, as part of our previous visit to your reality, we were obliged to take a prisoner, a Technician I believe, called James Meredith, who would like to return to this reality. At some point, it would be helpful if this could be arranged.’

  ‘Thank you for letting me know, Admiral. I’m sure we will be able to discuss this later.’ The screen went blank.

  ‘Commodore, we have two options. We stay here in case anything should happen, or we return to our reality. Any thoughts?’ asked the Admiral.

  ‘I suggest we stay here. It’s unlikely they will call us early but I’d rather we were here if they do. There may be some sort of power struggle down there. The President seemed not to know about the fact that they had been exploring other realities, never mind why they were doing so. If we stay here, we can’t be ambushed.’

  ‘I agree. It’s no great hardship being here a little longer.’ The Admiral turned to the Captain ‘Captain, could you inform the crew that we may be staying here for a while longer and inform HQ of our intentions? Although we need to keep an eye out for attack, I think we should be safe to remain here. Please ensure a transcript of my discussions with the President are passed to the Governor so that she is aware of what’s happening here.’