Deborah Hockney (24 page)

‘Goodness knows,’ she remarked at one point setting up another head scanner ‘why we have to carry out all these tests. It’s not as though you’ve been exposed to alien technology.

‘Have you?’ she added as an afterthought, but Jocasta was unable to answer as the robotic assistant reminded her to remain as ‘an immovable object’, otherwise it would be required to reset the monitors for ‘further investigations’ which would be timely and costly.

Quite why it was deemed necessary to imbue a robot with the kind of information that gave it the capabilities to worry about time and cost she couldn’t imagine; but then Jocasta was beginning to realise that her knowledge about the Elite, Mars and the Universe was far more limited than she had realised. Even her understanding of her own talents had been woefully inadequate considering what had happened.

She was relieved when the tests came to an end but instead of being able to return to her own room she was escorted by Capa, the ‘friendly’ robot to a room within the medical centre, where she was informed that she was to rest until the authorities were ready for her debriefing.

Much to Jocasta’s relief it was Lt. Wing Commander Wren who welcomed her into a small ante room and invited her to sit down for the session. Even though Jocasta was worried about the outcome she couldn’t help reflecting on the ‘Jenny’ nickname – another legacy from Captain Jack Sparks – and inwardly smiling to herself. Lt. Wing Commander Wren had quietly told her that the ‘jump’ to the Nabilat’s body had undoubtedly been as a reaction to her anger, and that meant her powers were extremely rare. If she was allowed to stay in the Elite she would have to take special coaching lessons in order to channel her talent and would probably be given special dispensation to see to what extent she was able to take it.

The words ‘if she was allowed’ hung between them for a few awkward seconds. Finally she knew what her gift was. The telepathic capability of inhabiting somebody else’s mind, and shutting them off from any control of their own body. And now she was being faced with the possibility of not being able to explore her talent within the Elite; possibly never at all.

It was with a sense of trepidation that Jocasta finally plucked up the courage to ask what criteria would be used for deciding her future fate, within the Elite.

‘It’s really not up to me, I’m afraid.’ Lt. Wing Commander Wren had replied. ‘Although if my opinion is sought, I will do my best to remind them of your hard work and obvious talent, which might be put to good use in the future.’

*

Jocasta’s spirits were low as she returned to the medical centre, and she was overwhelmed with remorse when she learnt that the robot Capa, who was still escorting her, had been helping to treat the Nabilat whose brain had been permanently damaged by the force of her mind. (Although, as Tara later pointed out, with her usual lack of tact, he’d probably not had much of one anyway.)

But then Ed and David appeared and Jocasta felt a rush of relief that they were together again.

‘Jocasta!’ David exclaimed ‘We’d heard rumours that you’d been dragged off to be flogged or brain washed, or something…’ His voice trailed off as he saw his joke wasn’t having the desired effect, and her eyes filled with unshed tears.

Luckily Ed came to her rescue, giving her a big hug and she managed to clear her eyes before David butted in with mock indignity.

‘Hey what’s that for?’

‘This girl saved my life, remember? I’m allowed to say thank you, aren’t I?’ Ed replied, stepping back and grinning at a now emotionally composed, if a little dishevelled, Jocasta.

‘Yes, well, s’pose so,’ grumbled David. ‘Though no-one gave me a hug for stopping that computer virus getting through.’

With that Jocasta and Ed both pounced on him and enclosed him in a double bear hug.

‘Hey don’t I remember you telling the Elite it was all down to teamwork? Although,’ added Ed, ‘how you managed to deprogramme the mechanism on the plinth in such a speedy way beats me.’

‘All down to quick fingers, a fast brain and incredible eyes, actually. Though I must admit Ed you do have better eye colour than me.’

‘Whoa there, don’t get too personal now,’ laughed Ed.

But the smile soon left his face as they were approached by two Elite officials who escorted them to the next building where they had to report to the disciplinary room. There, they were left in no doubt, by the panel of three, high ranking officials, that their actions had been considered reprehensible. It was only the intervention of Admiral Caitlin Mortensen that they had been given permission to continue with their training. (It was much later that David and Jocasta discovered the relationship between Ed and Caitlin.) All their free Sol Days were to be forfeit and spent doing menial maintenance tasks around the city. Although, as Tara gleefully pointed out; ‘It will be good, character building exercise.’ She luckily managed to duck Ed’s arm as he tried to give her a friendly punch for that remark.

‘Now, don’t you lot go getting yourself in any further trouble,’ she pronounced, with a superior look on her face. ‘I don’t want to have to go on another rescue mission.’

‘Rescue mission!’ Jocasta exclaimed. ‘I’ll have you know, we had everything under control.’

‘Yeah,’ joined in David. ‘We were just waiting for the back up troops, to help out. Hey watch out you two.’ His voice dropped a few decibels as Antigone appeared around the corner. ‘Wonder which one of you she’s after.’ His remark was thrown in the direction of Ed, and Jocasta had barely time to register before Antigone interrupted, a strange expression on her face.

‘I’m not after anyone,’ she spoke sharply but her eyes, focused on Jocasta, were friendly enough.

‘I’d really like to speak to both of you,’ she continued, indicating Ed as well, ‘but without the… uh, baggage.’

‘Oh
baggage
are we?’ Tara interjected, but was quickly escorted down the corridor by David, surprising her by the force of his grip. They could hear her protestations long after they’d disappeared from view.

‘So what is it you’re after, Antie?’ Ed’s voice sounded pleasant, but Jocasta could hear the guarded tension that seemed to accompany their every encounter with anyone outside their immediate circle.

‘I wanted to apologise. And try to explain.’

‘But you don’t owe us an apology,’ Ed replied. ‘Do you?’

‘Let’s go somewhere a bit more private,’ Jocasta suggested. ‘The Starlight’s just along here.’

They opted for some drinks and settled themselves in the corner of the food bar as Antigone continued her explanation.

‘Perhaps, it’s best if I go back to before we all met,’ she said, her words sounding unsure.

‘If that’s what you think is best,’ Ed said. ‘Although I’m still not sure what this is all about.’

Jocasta nodded and Antigone continued.

‘You see, I’ve known about my talent for ages, ever since I can remember really. It was always getting me into trouble and my parents seemed embarrassed, ashamed even, by it. I wasn’t very good at controlling it and when I was small, I’d blurt things out –you know, picking up on people’s thoughts and saying stuff that wasn’t really appropriate.’ She looked at them, checking to see if they understood.

‘Must have been difficult,’ Jocasta admitted.

‘Yes, but then I discovered that if I deflected my thoughts onto someone else who didn’t have the talent; or was unaware of it… I could keep mind closed and wouldn’t get into trouble.’

‘Well that’s good, isn’t it?’ asked Jocasta. ‘But what does it have to do with us?’

‘The problem is, the deflection can cause discomfort, or even pain – and that’s why I need to say sorry to you. I used you to protect myself. I was so worried when I learnt that we shouldn’t be using our talents until we got to Mars, I had to block it and–’

‘It was you!’ Jocasta suddenly remembered the encoun-
ter at the station when they were given their uniforms.

‘Yes we bumped into each other… well almost. And I just picked on you, every time I had a surge of power, I deflected it on to you and I guess caused you some problems. I should have gone to Commander Wren right at the beginning, but I was scared they’d make an example of me, or worse throw me out. It wasn’t until you disappeared that I owned up to it. I thought, at first, it might have something to do with me. Now I know how egotistical that was; but I did go to Commander Wren when you didn’t come back at the end of Sol Time and told her everything.’

‘So it was you who alerted them,’ Ed spoke reflectively. ‘Perhaps we should be thanking you rather than accepting an apology.’

‘But I was a… a… bit jealous too… of your friendship and that’s why I didn’t stop, once we got here, and I could have – I should have.’

Jocasta sensed Antigone’s discomfort and also, her genuine remorse. Realising how hard this confession must have been for her, she reached out and put her hand around Antigone’s.

‘It’s okay,’ she said. ‘We’ve all been through a lot. I think it’s time for a fresh start don’t you?’

Antigone smiled gratefully, and took a sip of her drink.

‘Yep,’ agreed Ed. ‘Time to move on and perhaps grow up a bit. Think we’ve all made mistakes and got a lot to learn and understand. I’ve got a sister I never knew I had and through her, a kind of brother, too.’

‘Oh!’ Jocasta’s hot chocolate jerked a little in her hands. ‘What about Will?’

For none of them had heard from Will, apart from a brief message to let them know he was returning to Earth, with Captain Jack no less, who had been ‘dropping by Earth, anyway.’

‘Oh, I’m sure Will’ll be fine,’ Ed said. ‘You know more than me what he’s like; once he’s got over this little escapade he’ll be planning the next one– probably even more foolhardy than the last.’

‘Yeah, I suppose so,’ Jocasta said in a resigned tone, letting her thoughts drift back to Captain Jack, and wondering, not for the last time, if he had been serious when he’d said that he might find a use for her, in an adventure or five.

ELITE COMMUNICATION – EARTH TO MARS

CONFIRMED AND VERIFIED AUTHENTIFICATION CODE 6729

The Nine have ratified the following Order

Issued by Admiral Caitlin Mortensen

Recognition of the surrendered Nabilat Group – Agreed

Acknowledgement given as being confined without due authority at Alpha City

Nabilat Group to be given amnesty

No charges to be issued if instructions agreed to:-

Leaders to be issued with type 45 spaceship, as requested and equipped for suitable exploration to further systems.

Instructed to maintain open communications with Azure Fleet

Nabilat members wishing to return to Earth will be given safe passage but required to reside in Belasko Province; under the dictate of the ruling body

Nabilat members requiring medical/psychological treatment will remain on Mars, where they will be cared for indefinitely

Any Nabilat not complying with these orders will be restrained and placed under Elite Security Control

Major Weisz reprimanded for inhumane treatment: punishment to be determined at a later date.

Communication ends