Chapter 6

Charles Brewster:

I understand that Humans, at least some of them, need a ‘family’ designation as well as a personal one. Where I come from, we have a detailed, digital, designation and a simple one for daily use. So, when I found myself drawn to a human female, and she responded, I followed the logical conclusion and was bound to her in an official way. In that situation, I adopted her family designation and became, for official purposes, Charles Brewster. So far, so good. I had a job, which interested and engaged me, one it seemed I was good at. I was fully occupied between work and my new relationship. But then, we had visitors. I was warned, and it was suggested that Naomi be present too when we met.

Hex Finch came. I know he’s now called ‘the King’, and he’s always been in authority, but we’re quite a small community (yes, ‘we’, I’m a part of it now) and he’s never stood on ceremony. He brought Brigadier James Abercrombie and Takeshi Sumimoto, who used to be the United Planets Ambassador to Andromeda before the falling out.

“Charles, thank you for giving us this time. Naomi, it’s good you were able to join us, as what we’re asking will affect you too. We are interviewing several others, by the way, but you two are our preferred candidates. We need an Ambassador to represent Andromedan interests in the United Planets Council. You, Charles, could be ideal. Naomi would accompany you, thus you would present a perfect example of what our planet now stands for.”

I was shocked. I mean, shocked speechless. Hex didn’t rush me, just waited, smiling slightly. I found my voice. “But ... but I’ve only been a citizen for a year. I’m not human. I don’t know about politics.”

“That,” Hex smiled, “is exactly why you’re perfect for the job. Don’t worry about protocol. We’ll make sure you have good advice, and I’m sure Naomi will keep you straight.”

“I’m honoured,” I managed. Naomi reached and took my hand. She squeezed it. I looked at her.

“I’m proud of you,” she told me, proprietorially.

It was, apparently, a matter of some urgency. A security detachment used the Mat Trans to get to the Embassy on Earth. It was not a fast process. It was decided that Naomi and I would travel by ship, rather than the Mat Trans. I don’t think I minded, but apparently it was more dignified to arrive by ship and be formally greeted. Andromeda had no fold-space craft, and the one F-space ship belonging to Andromeda was Hex’s little courier. Ambassador Trivedi’s Beta 18 would have done, except it was limited in capacity, and needed to be available to her. Quite apart from which, Hex stated, that our Ambassador should travel in one of our ships.

A passenger transport, a hyper-space vessel, was reconfigured, lightly armed, crewed. Naomi and I packed clothes, books (yes, books, print on paper) personal items and devices we didn’t want to travel without. We boarded, Naomi and I. Not alone. A squad of marines to reinforce the security at the Embassy and to ensure our safety between the landing ground and our new home. The Captain greeted us. Captain Whitfield, ASN, apparently a former classmate of Hex’s, who had transferred to Andromedan service rather than stay with United Planets. His co-pilot, though, Grace, was Promethean, female, one of my friends who had opted for the military rather than the ground-based employments that were available. I thought that their relationship might be closer than being merely colleagues.

“The passage,” Captain Whitfield informed us, “through hyper-space will take longer than a fold-space transit. We will be using the theta band, the highest level that is safe for us. That means we will be travelling at about one thousand three hundred times our maximum n-space velocity. Allowing for relativistic contraction, we should take two weeks to reach Earth, thanks to a wormhole transit known to Andromeda.”

“Thank you, Captain.”

“Additionally, we will be escorted by ASNS Jason, commanded by Captain Gladys Ross.”

“Is that really necessary?”

“I hope there is no need, but the escort demonstrates that we are serious about your security.” He paused, “If you wish, you would be welcome on the bridge for the translations. It is quite spectacular.”

I looked at Naomi, who smiled and nodded. “Thank you, Captain. I expect we’ll take you up on that. It will take us some time to reach the hyper limit, though, I believe.”

“Indeed. Approximately ten hours. I, or Grace, will let you know a few minutes before the event.”

Naomi and I settled in to our cabin. It was small, but well laid out. The bed was plenty large enough – I am, after all, on the tall size compared to humans – for both of us, and would fold against the wall when not in use. Seating for three, us and a visitor, desk, a small replicator, and hygiene facilities next door which were shared with a cabin that was the twin of ours. A lounge which doubled as mess, with a larger replicator and a real, actual, genuine coffee machine. I was pleased about that, having acquired the taste soon after my arrival on Andromeda. To be honest, I suppose I’d have to confess to a degree of dependency on the stimulant.

I was impressed some hours later to observe the upward translation, from n-space to the Alpha band, then to Beta, Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta and finally Theta. The operation was carried out by Grace, and Captain Whitfield gave us a quiet running commentary. When the ship was settled in the Theta band and on course, he complimented Grace before telling us, “The upward translation is quite impressive, but not a patch on the downward. You’ll see at the time. We’ll be a couple of days travelling to the wormhole, and if you’d like to observe that transit, we’ll let you know. For now, I’m afraid it’s just a bit boring.”