Jack, eight years old, gazed at his birthday gift with near breathless speculation.
'They're breathing,’ he said.
Elizabeth's attention snapped back to the box where it lay on the kitchen table, to the blonde-haired figures inside. Perfect. Beautiful. Twelve centimetre facsimiles of the human form. Already reeling from the shock that they were not, as she had at first thought, sophisticated toys, she searched for signs of life. For a few precious moments she had thought them dead, comforted by the knowledge that their ordeal was over. Jack was an experienced and sophisticated liar; was he lying now, just to frighten her? Or could they have somehow survived the flight from GT4?
As she drew closer she could see a pulse, the gentle rise and fall of a breast, breathing so shallow as to be almost imperceptible. They were alive. All nine of them.
The letter that had accompanied their arrival lay in her fist, crushed there by incredulous anger. It was from her husband, Stephen, these past ten months on the planet GT4, a geologist with the latest American-funded colonisation project. Outraged by his thoughtlessness in sending these small creatures to an eight year-old child, she found it difficult to come to terms with his callous disregard for their well-being. He didn’t seem to realise that not only had he contravened the rules and regulations of the expedition to the point of criminality, he had transgressed one of the most sacred moral codes known to man.
She glanced at the clock on the wall above the stove. In fifteen minutes he would be coming through on the time slot he had booked on RICOD*. Somehow she had to convince him what he had done was wrong – persuade him to make arrangements for the creatures return. She glanced at Jack. How could she explain to him that he would be unable to keep them?
‘We’ll put them upstairs in the attic until they wake up,’ she said carefully, wary of his displeasure. ‘After we speak to Stephen, we’ll decide what to do.’
He frowned. ‘What do you mean?’
‘We know nothing about them, Jack. They may be disease carriers. They may be feral. Go to the dairy and get Piggy’s old cage. We’ll put the box inside and lock it.’
He shifted in his chair. ‘I want them in my room,’ he said expressionlessly, sucking his upper lip into his mouth, one finger pulling the box towards him.
‘Do as I say now, no arguments.’
‘They’re my present, not-‘
‘Jack, please, your father will be coming through in a few minutes, do as I say.’
* RICOD Laser activated ‘Rapid Interstellar Communication Device’
To give Jack orders was a mistake, she knew this. Yet still she had found no
satisfactory method of dealing with him.
‘You’re not my mother, you can’t make-‘
‘Jack! I won’t tell you again!’ Her eyes blazed into his. Warm and brown like his father’s they were a constant reminder of a man she no longer cared for.
He jumped to his feet. ‘No, I won’t!’
She felt the onset of angry frustration, a tight band around her chest. Her head throbbed with it. It took an effort to remain calm.
‘Let’s see what Stephen has to say, shall we?’ She replaced the lid on the box and picked it up. ‘Go now, I’ll meet you in the attic.’ Without waiting to see if he obeyed, she left the room.
It was hot and as she moved through the hall she felt perspiration break the surface of her skin. The three hundred year-old house retained the day’s heat, despite the thickness of the walls. The air-conditioning unit, a relic from the twentieth century that Stephen had somehow kept working, made little or no difference.
The attic stairs almost defeated her and half way up she had to stop and sit for a moment to catch her breath. There was a moon tonight, bathing her bare feet in harsh light, its reflection through the bannister rails making prison bars against the plain, whitewashed walls. Her mind wandered. It was strange to think that one day, perhaps in the not too distant future, the Earth would cease to be. That there would finally be an end.
It would be a relief, she thought, for what kind of life was it? The constant battle for survival. The soured earth that made growing any edible crop a nightmare of trial and error; the terrible storms that scoured the land to send believers and non-believers alike running for cover. How much longer could they all go on? Everyone had a virus of some kind or another and those poor devils in the cities, forced to breathe the filthy, photochemical smog that hung in the atmosphere, afflicted with the pollution-related asthma that burned into their lungs…. and always the heat that sapped first the energy, then the will…. and yet, there was still some small part of her that hoped, against all the odds, that a solution would be found.
The box was no heavier than a medium-sized book and she straightened it on her lap. And now this. Her hand reached for the rail and she hauled herself to her feet, just as the backdoor slammed and she heard Jack’s noisy presence.
‘Up here!’ she called. ‘Come on, it’s almost time.’
He came to stand beside her as she put the box inside the cage. Without looking at him she turned, waiting for him to leave before closing the attic door. He stood aside and as she descended the stairs she was aware of him, tight-lipped with frustration, at her heels.
The RICOD receiver was in the sitting room, pre-coded, so that when she pressed the button the channel automatically opened to GT4. A moment later the screen lightened and then she was looking into her husband’s face.
‘Beth,’ he said warmly.
‘Stephen.’ Whatever they said they must be careful. Anyone could tap into their link, either by accident or design. She should have reminded Jack. Too late now.
A grin suddenly transformed Stephen’s face as he saw Jack appear.
‘Jack! Did you get the present?’
‘Yes! Thanks Dad, they’re really great!’
‘Stephen’, she warned.
‘It’s OK, I’m in Tom Wright’s office. The link has a security tag on it, we can speak freely.’
Now that she had his attention the words were difficult to find, he’d given her no time to prepare.
‘Whatever made you do it!’ she blurted out.
His smile was calculated to charm. ‘I thought you might be a bit upset initially. But think of it! I couldn’t believe it, I thought I was hallucinating!’
He was more than excited she saw. To reason with him would be a waste of time.
‘Tell me what happened’, she asked, wishing she knew how to deal with him.
He shrugged, throwing her the crooked smile that she had once found so charming. ‘It was my duty for the routine survey. Did I tell you that one or two of the others have begun to experience respiratory problems, so we’ve been warned to suit up? Well, this, of course, means that the terra-forming process will be set back and the argument for biospheres thrown open again – and you know how I feel about that!’
He paused and Elizabeth recognised his need for approval. He was skirting the issue, trying to warm her up so that she’d share his enthusiasm. She searched his face for any sign of regret over his actions. There was nothing.
‘We’ve already discussed this, Stephen, I know your views. Tell me about the people.’
For a moment he hesitated, his eyes searching hers until she saw doubt reflected there. ‘Well, permission still hasn’t come through to go into the southern sector but I thought I’d go as far as the mountains that virtually cut the planet in two. I’d planned only to observe but when I saw a narrow pass about seventy metres up, I decided to investigate. Of course, we knew from the surveys and satellite pictures that the other side of the planet was fertile but I didn’t expect to come across an indigenous race for Christ’s sake!’
He was filled with excitement once more, his handsome face creasing into a boyish smile. Jack laughed with him. With each passing minute her task was becoming more and more difficult. He thought to win her over by leading her through the course of events. He clearly felt no remorse.
‘Go on,’ she prompted.
‘The pass led into a sandy valley, some scrub, a stream, a few small trees, nothing grand. I’d decided to turn back when something caught my eye. God, I wish Jack could have been there!’
Jack pushed her out of the way and began to talk excitedly to his father. Elizabeth moved aside willingly glad of the interruption as she tried to gather her thoughts.
When they’d met in Edinburgh three years ago, she’d been impressed by his achievements in his chosen field. His degree was brilliant and his enthusiastic approach to life had thrown her delightfully off balance. Three years her junior he was that curious mixture of academic and child. Give him the most complicated mathematical equation and he would solve it; ask him to perform a simple task and his impracticality was laughable.
She studied his face, animated now with pleasure as he talked to his son. His emotional instability frightened her. She had confused his simple-mindedness with candour, his cold, scientific brain with brilliance – whereas he was, in fact, no better than a dangerous child. He seemed unable to grasp the true meaning of right and wrong, led only by his desire for things to be as he wanted them.
‘I didn’t think, Beth,’ he said now, bringing her back into the conversation. ‘I just reacted. I’d left my sample case down below so I tore off my jacket and threw it over them. I missed a few, of course, but there was no time to be rational. They were riding animals that looked like a distant relative of the horse, with longer ears and legs – they were far too quick for me to catch, I’m afraid.’
‘How did you get them back to the station – don’t tell me they kept conveniently still and quiet.’
If he recognised her bitter sarcasm he chose to ignore it.
‘They didn’t struggle, just stared at me. No sound. They could be mute, of course. Difficult to say. I had some Chlodral as part of the medical kit and I just put a pad of it inside my case and shut them in with it. They were unconscious in less than ten seconds.’ He shrugged. ‘Roger was coming on leave, nothing could be simpler than to pack them in a box and tell him it was a present for Jack’s birthday. He didn’t even question it.’
He paused and she realised he expected her to congratulate his ingenuity.
'But how did Roger get them through security? Why weren't they detected?' His arrogant laughter increased her anger and she felt the muscles in her face stiffen.
'Who the hell would suspect Roger? No-one who wanted to keep their job would dare question anything he was carrying. Why'd you think I chose him? I told him I'd been making toy soldiers for Jack's birthday. Why wouldn't he believe me?'
‘If you’re caught you face life internment – and Roger.’ How could he in conscience have used his best friend in such a shabby way?
‘How can I get caught? They’re with you now. No-one suspects a thing. Think of it, Beth! What with your love of language and the three years you did in Edinburgh on anthropology and linguistics – you’re always saying you have nothing to occupy your mind. They mightn't be mute. Think of the possibilities!’
The possibilities! Had he lost his reason? And to be reminded of what she’d given up for him – her country, her studies, all she held dear. And for what? A widower and his difficult son. Two years of her life wasted!
‘But what do you know about them? Suppose they carry some taint? Remember the Fabrizzi case? The virus he brought back to Earth in 2143 killed over fifty thousand people. How do you know-‘
‘Calm down, Beth. I had little time to examine them I admit, but aren’t they the most beautiful things you’ve ever seen? They're as close to perfection as it’s possible to get. It's weird, I know, but they're kind of clinically clean. Their skin has a scent to it, sort of flowery...? He shrugged again. 'I don’t think they’re disease carriers, I think-‘
‘Oh Stephen, that’s just it, you don’t think, you haven’t thought, have you? The whole scheme is madness. You know nothing about them, nothing!’
‘Stop getting into a panic and listen to me. I gave them a mild dose of Septatrol before I packed them in the box, they should return to consciousness tonight or tomorrow – all I ask is that you wait and see.’
When she didn’t respond, he frowned. ‘I thought you’d be as thrilled as I am. What’s the problem?’
In her frustration, she almost laughed. His petulance fuelled her anger.
‘You seem to have totally overlooked the fact that, not only have you uprooted these …. these people from their planet and sent them to an eight year old child, you suddenly expect me to be thrilled by your discovery, your conduct…. I don’t know what to say. The whole thing is so fantastic…. Look, it’s not too late. I’ll contact Roger before he returns and give him the box to give to you. You can release them, it’s not too late…’
‘No!’ Jack, seemingly about to have his present taken away, shouted his objection. ‘They’re mine! Dad, tell her… I want to keep them, they’re mine!’
‘It’s all right, calm down, Jack, they’re not going anywhere. Elizabeth, stop being so damned negative. I’m giving you the chance to study an alien species, an opportunity most people would give their-‘
‘For pity’s sake think what you’re asking. You can’t seriously expect me to keep those creatures here – suppose someone should find out. The risks are too great.’
‘Now you’re creating problems. The house is pretty isolated. You have the sea on one side and marshlands on the other. Hardly anyone ever comes there. It’s an ideal spot for research.’
In her panic she’d lost her opportunity. He couldn’t bear to be opposed and now she couldn’t think of any coherent argument.
‘Suppose Jack tells one of his school friends, or worse, a stranger? You know how the Government operates, I’d be arrested.’
He switched his attention to Jack. ‘Jack? This is a secret between the three of us, understood?’
Jack, reassured, smiled and nodded. ‘Understood, dad.’
Elizabeth felt her stomach twist and knot with the effort to stay rational. She drew a shuddering breath.
‘He’s eight years old, Stephen, you can’t rely on his silence. It isn’t fair to either of us. Let me speak to Roger, please.’
‘Out of the question. You’re just panicking, Beth. When you’ve calmed down, you’ll see I’m right – anyway, by then you’ll be hooked.’
She couldn’t just give up.
‘What about The Foundation? You can’t seriously believe they knew nothing of these people – why else do you think you and the others have been kept out of the southern sector? You said yourself conditions there were contrary to the laws of evolution. Don’t be naïve, Stephen. Jonathan Tupperman probably already knows what you’ve done – he may even be listening to our conversation. Let me give them back to Roger, you can explain it was an aberration, or something...‘
‘You’re becoming paranoid. No-one knows. I was nowhere near any of the monitoring devices. And as to Tupperman knowing… there are only twenty of us up here, if he knew about these people, believe me, we’d all know!’ He glanced at his watch. ‘I have to go now, Tom’s due back soon. Write to me with any developments but don’t use the RICOD or the public system, it’s too risky. I’ve already taken a chance in using Tom’s office without his permission. Look, everything'll be fine, trust me. I’ll be home in four months by which time I know you’ll be as excited as I am. Love to you both. Bye.’
As his image faded she became aware of Jack’s sideways glance. He was enjoying her distress, sharing in what he saw as his father’s triumph over her. His expression became sly.
‘I’ll take them to my room now.’
‘You’ll stay away from the attic until they’re awake, Jack, then we’ll be able to see what we’re dealing with.’
His clear skin turned a dull pink. ‘They’re mine, you-‘
‘We’ll decide what to do when they wake up.’ To reason with him was a waste of time, to argue, a mistake.
‘Dad said they’re mine. Not yours. You’ve no right to take them away from me!’
An academic by nature she bore no delusions to motherhood. Nevertheless, she could understand his annoyance at having his birthday present confiscated.
‘We’ll discuss it later. You have an hour before bed, why don’t you watch or listen to something – or even read a book, now there’s a novelty.’
‘I want to see the people!’
‘One hour. Then it’s bed-time.’ She left the room.
As soon as she entered the kitchen, she closed the door and leaned against it. God, but the child almost drove her beyond reason! As often as not she was completely non-plussed by his behaviour forced to accept Stephen’s assurance that it was natural for a boy of that age. And maybe it was. There were so many pressures on children these days, what did she know? But still she remained uneasy. He was a devious child, spoiled and with a penchant for deceit that bordered on the abnormal. Above all he needed love and understanding, a mother – none of which she could give him.
Acceptance of her inadequacy was something she’d learned to put up with, despite recognising it as the cowardice it undoubtedly was. With renewed weariness she moved across the kitchen to sit heavily at the bare wooden table. Stephen wouldn’t give up the people and Jack would use every means he could find to disobey her where they were concerned. She leaned her forehead against her hands. Suppose, before they awoke, she got rid of them? Smothered them, perhaps? She could say they never regained consciousness. Horrified by the thought of such an act, nevertheless the temptation was great and surely it was the kindest and most sensible solution?
Before she could change her mind, she rose and made her way towards the attic, first making sure that Jack was occupied in his room.