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PAUSE
This section covers the Students' dinner and the help given to
new friends.
Viewers familiar with this subject may pass on to the next
section.
Please select PASS or CONTINUE.
Wednesday, 20/05/2093
A Special Dinner
Marita and Kerstin went back to Marita's cabin together. George
was already there. He was surprised to see two Kerstins arrive.
He kissed them both equally and was just able to see the difference
between Marita's natural lines and Kerstin's makeup. Marita and
George helped Kerstin with the finer details of Spacer formal
dress. Kerstin said that it was reminiscent of the fancy soldiers'
uniforms of the last century. The white trousers and dark blue
jackets were more decorative than functional. The jacket and the
white vest were cut to fit a formfit collar but otherwise could
have been modelled by an operetta dress designer. The thing that
Kerstin found awkward was the helmet.
Marita said. "In space we always make sure that we have
a helmet within easy reach. We might have less than two seconds
to put it on in an emergency. We carry a helmet under the arm
like this on formal occasions to show that we are always prepared
for the dangers of space. We have very few formal dinners on Earth
but they are regular events on Lagrange Five, on the moon and
on all large ships. The formal dress uniform has had to provide
for a helmet to be carried because accidents can happen during
formal occasions as easily as at any other times."
George said. "Kerstin, you must practice putting the helmet
on a few times because there will be a helmet check before the
dinner is served. Nothing will happen because the helmet cylinder
will only release air when the local air pressure is falling rapidly
or is very low. The gauge inside shows how much time you have
left when active and sleeping."
Kerstin tried putting her helmet on several times before she could
make it lock to her formfit collar. Then she had more difficulty
getting it off. Eventually she got the knack of operating the
release lever as she started to lift the helmet off.
Then George told Kerstin that he would give the order 'Helmets
on!' and Kerstin should put hers on at the same time as he and
Marita did the same.
After several tries George and Marita were satisfied that Kerstin
could put her helmet on and take it off again as if she had been
doing it for years.
Undepoldus rode on Kerstin's collar as they went to the conference
room.
Marita's students looked quite different in cadet uniforms. They
were a little puzzled because Kerstin and Marita were dressed
identically. Admiral Chang came in with Boku and another Spacer.
Rear Admiral Chebychev and Commander Sincayvitch were accompanied
by their wives, Sarah and Eva. Martha, Jane, Rachel, Sil, Lan
Fang and Gurprit formed a nominal honour guard.
As soon as all were assembled, Admiral Chang introduced himself.
"For simplicity I will address you as Marita's students.
I am Admiral Chang. I came here today so that I could personally
thank you for the way you have contributed to the ongoing safety
of Marita, George and Undepoldus. All Spacers are extremely skilled
and able people - they have to be. The rank of a Spacer will usually
indicate her seniority and proven capability in her chosen line
of work. However a Spacer's rank cannot show that she has shown
extreme efficiency, capability or courage when the occasion demanded.
The Spacers League awards some token of recognition to any Spacer
who has performed beyond the normal call of duty. This token may
be a citation or a presentation to show how we honour her among
her fellows. It is often the case that one Spacer may receive
an award while others who worked with her may not. For example,
a pilot might receive an award for getting a damaged ship back
home. She would not have been able to do this without the help
of her engineer and astrogator. Nevertheless, she would receive
an award when her colleagues would not. Saving a ship and its
crew when the engines are unbalanced requires extreme skill in
a pilot. Today we have a similar situation. The Spacers League
wishes to bestow a unique honour on someone who is not yet a Spacer.
She is a part of a very efficient and intelligent team that has
used its combined skills to promote Spacer security. The whole
team's work is acknowledged by the Spacers League and will be
recognised appropriately. Today I have the pleasure of awarding
Miss Anita Kohlvits the Medal for Outstanding Service.
As Miss Kohlvits comes forward to receive her medal, Rear Admiral
Chebychev will read the citation. However, before I present her
award, I wish to announce that you, Marita's students, will be
treated as full Spacer Cadets. Your status is that of junior Spacers
who have all the rights and privileges of Spacers. You may remain
here in London to complete your chosen degrees before transferring
to the Spacers College. None of you will be required to sit the
College entrance examination."
Commander Sincayvitch commanded. "Escorts, to your posts!"
Martha and Sil took their places on either side of Anita as Rear Admiral Chebychev began the citation.
"Anita Kohlvits, you have used your skills in an outstanding manner to observe the enemy and collate intelligence. You have transmitted the information gained in a totally secure manner to the responsible authorities on many occasions during the last few days. Your work was responsible for the rapid apprehension of a large number of criminals who conspired to harm two prominent Spacers. Your prompt actions provided sufficient warning to prevent death or injury to a prominent Spacer and your student colleagues."
The Rear Admiral then sat down.
Admiral Chang kissed Anita gently on both cheeks then held
both her hands together in his own.
"The Spacers League recognises the fact that some talented
non-Spacers have skills that equal or exceed those of highly skilled
Spacers. For such people the Spacers League provides a special
entry into the service. They are neither required to sit examinations
nor to complete the course at the Spacers College. I should know.
I became a Spacer and then studied at the College some years later.
Today I am authorised to announce that as of midday local time,
you, Miss Kohlvits are appointed Spacer, First Class, with the
rank of Lieutenant Commander communications engineer."
Anita was overcome. Tears were running down her face. Rear
Admiral Chebychev beckoned Marcos to come and stand with Anita.
Admiral Chang continued.
"Anita, I am also authorised to announce that your first
tour of duty will be based in London. The location of your next
tour of duty will be decided in July or August."
"Lieutenant Commander Kohlvits, I have great pleasure in
presenting you with the Medal for Outstanding Service. The Spacers
League welcomes you as a person who will bring great honour to
the League."
Anita could not speak. Marcos needed help from Martha and Sil to get Anita back to her place.
Rear Admiral Chebychev spoke. "Lieutenant Commander McInnes.
Please make sure that Lieutenant Commander Kohlvits is properly
dressed for dinner."
Rachel, Martha and Sil led Anita and Marcos out of the conference
room.
When they had gone, Gurprit closed the door.
Admiral Chang said. "Marita's students, I have been told
by some of the best communications experts in the Spacers League
that Anita must be made a Lieutenant Commander before I return
to the USA. They said that if Anita were to fall into the hands
of our enemies, my job as senior security officer would be just
a paper title.
Anita is a genius. I am sure that you must be pleased to be friends
of hers. Anita has had a chance to shine recently but your chances
to shine in your chosen fields will come. I have been told that
you are all as bright as Anita in your own ways so I look forward
the time when you all can make a contribution to the Spacers League.
When I was your age I hated long and boring speeches so I will
keep this one brief. Shortly we will meet again at dinner. This
will be a first for you but one of hundreds for me. At Spacer
dinners we have two rules, one of which you are excused from on
this occasion. The first rule is that all present should be prepared
for a sudden atmosphere loss. This cannot occur here but it could
occur anywhere where there are Spacers in space. We will therefore
have our helmets with us. Before the dinner is served, all Spacers
must check their helmets fit and work properly. The second rule
is that all Spacers at dinner have the same rank as their helmets.
Without our helmets our ranks would mean nothing if there was
an emergency.
I have a Chinese name that means that my family name comes first.
My given names are Tun Wong. When I was at school and after, I
got the nickname 'Chang done wrong'. As a result I did my best
to make sure that this was never true. I think that I succeeded.
I hope that you succeed too, whatever your names are. Thank you
for listening so attentively."
The established Spacers acknowledged the speech with the traditional single slap on the thigh. (It is impossible to clap with a helmet under one arm.) The students applauded until they saw that the Spacers were not doing so.
Rear Admiral Chebychev rose to say. "At dinner, it is traditional for the most senior officers to sit with the lower rank Spacers. Please leave spaces for Tun Wong, his friend Siv, Ivan and myself. We reassemble in the dining room in fifteen minutes. This meeting is now closed."
Two students came up to George, Marita and Kerstin as the three
started to make their way out of the conference room.
Marita said. "Don't be shy Alice. You can walk and talk with
us at any time. What is on your mind?"
Alice said. "Marita, all of us wanted to be Spacers one day
and we had dreams of what it must be like to be a Spacer. We knew
you and what you had done and how good you are as a lecturer and
tutor. Then we found out about you, George, and why you were given
the job of looking after Undepoldus. We met Gurprit and heard
about Boku. The more we learned about Spacers, the more we wondered
if we could be good enough to be Spacers ourselves."
Ryuchi continued: "We knew that Anita was brilliant and would
have a good chance but Alice and I wondered how we could prove
that we would be good enough to follow in your footsteps. Now
we have been given a chance that we never expected to get. Reality
seems to be better that our dreams ever were. Now we wonder if
we can measure up to the high standards that will be expected
of us. Is there any advice that you can give us.?"
George noted the way they presented a single speech with two voices and was impressed. A group of eight had done the same sort of thing earlier. There was something about this way of talking that he could not quite fathom. Rapport between two or more members of a crew was an invaluable asset but too much could lead to presumptions that were not justified. If one said, one, two, three, four, five, would the other presume six when it was not intended or spoken?
He said. "Let others be the judges of your abilities and
your potentials but show what you are capable of when the opportunity
arises. Never presume that anything will occur unless you have
evidence that it is an event that has been seen to occur whenever
the same circumstances have arisen. If you toss an Earth coin
fifty times and heads land uppermost fifty times, is that evidence
that heads will land uppermost on the fifty-first toss? You know
that it is not. However, if a machine tossed the same coin with
the same energy every time, the result would soon be predictable
if the starting state was known. My advice is to make sure that
what you see is what is actually there, not what you think is
likely to be there."
Alice said. "Thank you George. We will try to make use of
that advice. Is there anything else that you would like to tell
us?"
George said. "I have observed the way that you and others
of your group can deliver a single speech with many voices. You
can do this because you have had a lot of practice with your game
of target consequences. Now imagine how you would play the game
if each successive speaker had a different target and none of
you knew this. Would the first speaker have any idea what the
third or fourth speakers might say? Your life as Spacers will
always be like the position of the second speaker. You can try
to influence the third and later speakers by what you say in response
to what the first speaker said. Whenever you are presented with
a new situation that demands action from you, you must be prepared.
You must try to obtain the best result possible within your abilities
for yourself and your colleagues. If you can do that, you can
do what all Spacers do all the time."
Ryuchi said. "Thank you George for making your first point
clearer. I can accept the implied criticism that we might place
too much reliance on the anticipated actions of others. None of
us could have predicted yesterday that we would be here today.
We must now try to follow your advice to show ourselves worthy
of the status we have been given."
Marita said. "Alice and Ryuchi, you have started on the right
foot. It is a rule among Spacers that if you feel that you have
not got the competence to deal with a situation, you should ask
for advice from someone who has dealt with a similar situation
before - if that is possible. You have asked for advice on how
to proceed. You have behaved like Spacers already."
Kerstin said. "I would put it more simply. In my other job
I wear a uniform that says. 'If you are lost, I will show you
the way. If you need help, I can provide it.' From what I have
seen in a very short time, a Spacer's tattoo is as good as my
uniform."
The dining room tables were arranged in a three-pronged fork formation
to maximise the available space. Where Spacers sat, their helmets
were placed on table in front of them.
When all were seated, Jane stood up and gave the order. "Helmets
on!" As luck would have it, Kerstin found herself opposite
Anita. Both succeeded in putting their helmets on and removing
them more or less in time with the established Spacers.
Kerstin asked Anita. "Who did your tattoo?"
Anita said. "I think her name was Martha. She warned me not
to smudge it. I had to have all my hair cut off and I am very
much tempted to feel what it is like to be bald, but if I did,
I might smudge the tattoo."
Kerstin said. "You will soon get used to it. You will receive
a treatment that stops your hair growing altogether and you will
end up bald all over. A few days after you have had the treatment,
any hair you have will start to fall out. I was told to check
my pudenda on the third day and to pull out as much as I could.
I was told that it would be quite painless and it was. I was also
told of the inconvenience I would have if I didn't follow that
advice. As I looked in the mirror it was strange to see myself
as I was when I was around ten with no hair. It is a bit disconcerting
when you have a shower around that time because a lot of hair
washes off and a lot more ends up in the towel. Now I prefer to
have no hair."
Anita then asked. "How did you get on when you first put
on a formfit?"
"It was very strange. The legs are a bit like tights but
a much firmer fit. I was told to put the gloves on before I tried
to put the body stocking on myself. The diamond fibre feels so
soft in one way but it will wear your nails away in no time if
you treat formfit material like ordinary fabric. I found the hygiene
arrangements a bit weird and awkward at first. Now I feel that
using a hygiene station is easier wearing a formfit than not.
Now I come to think of it, how could you fit your helmet without
wearing a formfit?"
Anita said. "I was given a cotton vest with a collar attached
to it. Rachel told me that I would not have to worry about fitting
the helmet on properly because the collar would move when I tried
to engage the helmet. She showed me how rigid her collar is when
she raises her arms to put her helmet on. I asked her why I couldn't
have a formfit like her because she had a new one made while I
was with her. She said that although I might be able to put one
on, I would not be able to take it off again without an anaesthetic.
It would pull so many hairs out that I would scream with agony
while it was coming off."
Kerstin said. "I was told that too. I was not required to
put a formfit on until seven days after I had had the hair removal
treatment. Then I was tested to check that I had no more hair
growing anywhere. As I was blonde, this took more time than if
I had been dark."
Marcos asked. "I would like to know if you can share companionship
while wearing a formfit.?"
Kerstin said. "It is impossible with a standard formfit but
the crews of small ships have specially made formfits. They have
something that is like a sort of removable diaper that is attached
to a belt. They also have special links that enable a couple to
hold position more easily in zero gravity. They are not recommended
for use where gravity exceeds one tenth gee. I think that you
should ask George or Marita about them because I have never been
off Earth so I cannot describe what it is like to wear one."
Jill asked. "Do you prefer to be a Spacer or a policewoman?"
Kerstin answered. "There is no doubt that I want to be a
full time Spacer one day. I can only justify my presence here
now if I spend a lot of my time as a policewoman. At the moment
I have the best of both worlds. I can share all the advantages
of being a Spacer while I am still working as a policewoman. I
can also share George with Marita and Marita has become my best
friend. I am glad that I do not have to make a choice at the moment."
Giovanni asked. "Have you met the queen of Sweden? A Spacer
who looks just like her came in with Admiral Chang. She was introduced
as Siv."
Kerstin said. "Yes, I have met the queen and I have also
met Siv. I am sure that Siv would like to talk to you. Before
our next course is served I will ask Siv to exchange places with
me. Then you can ask her yourself."
Anita looked at Kerstin and pursed her lips for a moment. Kerstin
was aware that the way she had tried to dodge the question could
not work with young people as bright as those around her. Nevertheless
they did not pursue the question further. They were all aware
that Kerstin had information that she could not divulge to anybody.
Marcos asked. "What do you think of Undepoldus?"
Kerstin was relieved that the questioning had taken a different
course. She answered. "To be honest, I don't know what to
think. When I first encountered him I thought that someone had
put a bottle brush in the bed. In a way he looks a little bit
like a bottle cleaning brush and he certainly feels like one.
In some ways he is a bit like a pet dog. He seems to show affection
in his own way and certainly likes to be with George. Most of
the time he does not do much except eat rocks in a rather messy
way but he always cleans himself afterwards. George thinks that
he is some sort of plant and animal combination. He uses sunlight,
water and rocks. He likes limestone, marble and chalk, and he
also likes to try samples of other rocks now and again. He does
not like anything that was once alive like plants or flesh. He
would rather eat a plate than touch any of the sort of food that
we eat on it. George says that his whiskers work with light. Light
goes into them so that he can do some sort of photosynthesis but
also he can see things with his whiskers. He can recognise people
and he can move like a sort of worm. He can produce some incredibly
vicious chemicals that can burn people but if he wants to. He
has given me a sort of kiss. When I first encountered him, George
and Marita told me to lie still so that Undepoldus could explore
my body. It was the strangest sensation I have ever had in my
life. His whiskers were a bit tickly but I had the feeling that
he was both very gentle and very curious. It was a bit like being
explored by a very gentle blind doctor.
I think that you must have heard how a man threatened to shoot
me with a pistol and Undepoldus gave the man such a nasty burn
that he died of heart failure. Two others that tried to break
into Undepoldus House had some of his digestive juices dripped
onto their backs. They will never try to break into Undepoldus
House again.
You asked me what I think Marcos. I think that Undepoldus is strange,
wonderful, mysterious and friendly in a very reserved sort of
way. Does that answer your question?"
Marcos indicated that it did.
Kerstin said. "Now I will keep my promise. I will ask Siv
to join you."
Kerstin approached the queen and said. "The students where
I was sitting would like to talk to you. Would you like to exchange
places with me?"
The queen got up at once. She said to those she had been talking
to. "Please excuse me because some of your other friends
want to talk to me. I hope that you won't mind if Kerstin takes
my place."
The Queen took Kerstin's hand for a moment and then guessed
that she could not touch talk. Kerstin said quietly in Swedish.
"En student har sagt. 'Kvinnan sers ut likaså drottningen.'
Jag har sagt ingenting." ("A student has said.
'The woman looks like the queen.' I have said nothing." )
The queen said "Det spelar ingen roll." ("That
is not a problem." )
Kerstin found herself face to face with Kjell. Kjell winked.
Kerstin blushed.
Kjell said. "Det är svart för henne nuförtiden,
eller hur?" ("It is difficult for her nowadays,
isn't it?")
Gail said. "You don't have to worry Kerstin. it is an open
secret that Siv is the queen of Sweden. All of us know because
we asked Marita a lot about Sweden. We have been keeping her happy
by asking her as Siv about her life as a Spacer. She was a bit
shocked when she asked our names and Kjell said his. Kjell thinks
that she recognised his Gothenburg accent. He knew who she was
immediately and went out of his way to lead us into questions
about her life as a Spacer."
Kerstin said. "I think that she was grateful for that. I
know that she wanted to be a full-time Spacer and was very sadly
torn when her sister abdicated. As a queen she has to play down
her Spacer relationships but I know that she was Admiral Chang's
partner for a long time. Then she thought that she would never
be Queen and could live her life like any ordinary Spacer. The
news must never get out that she was here in London at the same
time as Admiral Chang. The gossip writers would have a field day."
Suri said. "I am sure that we can do something to help. Is
it possible for you to contact your colleagues in the Swedish
Police to arrange for her to be seen in a smaller city like Sundsvall
to scotch any rumours that she was here?"
Kerstin said. "I don't know what arrangements have already
been made. Gurprit or Boku could have a quiet word with the Admiral
to see if a cover story has been arranged."
Jean said. "It is a pity that she is not French. Nobody cares
who has lovers in France. I have a better idea. If Gail or Suri
went over to Admiral Chang, they could talk to him with touch
talk while speaking about something else. Maybe he could be told
that we want to talk to him so he would come here and you could
take his place. Nearly all the senior officers have changed places
between courses so it would not seem unusual. I can arrange that
Anita knows our plans while Siv is with her because she is facing
me."
Kerstin said. "OK Jean, Go ahead. "
After a few seconds Jean had attracted Giovanni's attention. Shortly
afterwards Anita rubbed her eyes as if she was slightly tired.
Jean's movements were very small and unnoticeable unless it was
known that he was signalling. Giovanni signalled back and Kerstin
was able to see that he was relaying Anita's answer. In the meantime
Jill and Marcos were doing her best to hold the queen's attention
so that she would not notice Giovanni's signalling or Anita's
lack of attention.
Jean said. "Boris contacted Marita with the same problem.
Marita said that you have better contacts Kerstin. Both Boku and
Gurprit have been told. Boku will talk to Admiral Chang and relay
his answer to Susannah. We will get an answer shortly. All twenty-four
of us are working on the problem. The difficulty is that our main
contact in Sweden is the queen and she is here."
A few seconds later Jean said. "Leah has received a message
from Boku. Gurprit will contact your embassy immediately after
the last course. He will say 'The ventriloquist has a problem,
please contact the ventriloquist.' I don't know if I have interpreted
the message correctly."
Kerstin said. "It is perfect Jean. I am the ventriloquist
and Boku was my dummy. The Swedish Embassy will contact me on
a secure circuit. I can then tell them what we have been discussing."
Kjell said. "Leah has suggested an idea that will get around
the queen actually being seen. If your ex-colleagues use a boat
off the coast at Sundsvall, they could send out a mayday signal.
The rescue services can be told that it is a security operation
and that the names of the people rescued should not be released.
Then someone could drop a hint to the news services in say Denmark
or Norway that a lady with the name S. Lindkvist has been in a
boating accident and has been rescued. If anyone asks if the queen
was involved, the answer will be 'No comment'. That should get
the Swedish news services buzzing and reporters trying to find
out where she is near Sundsvall."
Kerstin said. "That idea is even better than you think Kjell.
I have a cousin in the sea rescue service at Sundsvall."
Jean had been relaying the conversation verbatim but Siv had noticed
Giovanni's signalling.
Jean said. "Anita has told Siv of our suggestion. She is
very pleased. Gurprit is leaving. Chang knows. Follow discreetly.
Get the Embassy to contact Leonov if and when it hits the Swedish
media."
Kerstin said. "I am impressed. I don't think that many Spacers
know what was going on this evening. Your communication and networking
methods are a great asset."
Shortly after Kerstin left, Admiral Chang took her seat.
He said. "I don't know if your plan will work but I commend
you for trying. I gather that you were discussing the problem
and searching for a solution throughout the dinner. You were very
discreet. Your signalling system is nearly as good as touchtalk
for discretion and conveys information much faster. I must learn
it. I was only aware of what was going on when Boku used touchtalk
to tell me that you were aware of the situation and were trying
to find a practical solution. You reached a possible answer a
few minutes later. I hope that it works. If it does, Siv Lindkvist
and I will pledge our continuing partnership to you all."
Kjell said. "Tun Wong, thank you for the compliments. May
I as a Swede suggest that your partner adopts another name like
Myfanwy Jones or Annie MacDuff. If the Scandinavian media services
hear that you have another Swedish partner, they might draw conclusions."
"Kjell, thank you for that logical suggestion. I thank you
all for your consideration and loyalty. I am moved that you have
tried to do your best to help myself and, um, er, Annie. Shortly
I will have to get on my hind legs again and play the part of
the senior officer present. When I give my speech I plan to make
a reference that you will all understand. Thank you again."
The Admiral went back to the chair he had left. It was clear that he was waiting for Kerstin and Gurprit to return before beginning the closing speeches. He did not have to wait long.
As Kerstin entered she looked at the Admiral and gave him a
smile and a wink.
She had just resumed her seat when Admiral Chang stood up. The
room quietened.
Admiral Chang said. "Tonight we are marking the achievements
of a very talented group of young people. There has never been
an occasion like this before. Sometimes a non-Spacer finds herself
in the position to help the Spacers League in a way that demands
recognition. I was once lucky enough to be in that position. I
was asked if I would like to become a Spacer. I accepted and a
dinner not too much unlike the one we have had tonight was organised
in my honour. I was one individual then. Tonight we honour twenty-four
young men and women whose attributes are outstanding. I have had
the privilege, and I do mean this literally, the privilege of
meeting many of them this evening. Tonight I have witnessed something
that makes it ever clearer that age, rank and experience cannot
always find answers to some of the problems that face us today.
At this point in time I cannot say what it is that I saw but I
may be able to explain it in more detail later this evening. Suffice
it to say for the moment that I have been personally shown great
respect and consideration by some young people who had never met
me before.
As I said earlier this evening, when I was young, I didn't like
long speeches. So out of respect to all the young people present
I will just say that I am delighted that you have joined our gang.
Thank you all."
The door opened and Sancha Alonso showed her face. She gestured
to Boku who went to hear what she had to say.
Boku went over to the Rear Admiral and whispered something in
his ear.
He in turn whispered to Admiral Chang. Then the Admiral stood
up again. He said.
"Spacers all - and I include you in that Kerstin - I have
just received news that we will be visited shortly by the Swedish
Ambassador Mrs. Karin Rasmussen. I have been told that she has
some news that is so important that she has decided to come here
personally to deliver it. As a mark of respect I ask all Spacers
of Swedish origin to stand up when she enters the room. Thank
you."
Commander Sincayvitch stood up and said. "Fellow Spacers.
I have been made aware of a situation that has occurred this evening.
A prominent Spacer has requested that her name be changed in Spacer
records to protect her relatives from embarrassment. Commander
Siv Lindkvist wishes to be known in future as Commander Annie
MacDuff. I ask all Spacers who approve of this change of name
to say Aye and those who disapprove to say No. Please make your
views known." There was a tremendous roar of "Aye".
The Commander said. "Did I detect a No in that answer. If
there was a Spacer who said No, please say No now."
There was silence. The Commander resumed.
"I declare that the vote is unanimous and in favour of the
change. The Spacers League as represented here recognises Annie
MacDuff as a true Spacer with the rank of Commander."
The door opened and Sancha showed her face again. Rachel, Sil,
Lan Fang and Martha formed an impromptu guard on either side of
the doorway. Sancha opened the door wide and announced.
"Please welcome our honourable guest, the Ambassador of Sweden,
Fru Karin Rasmussen."
Marita, Kerstin. "Annie" and Kjell stood up and so
did the twenty-three other students.
The Ambassador stood near the top table and said.
"I gather that all of you or at least most of you are aware
of a delicate situation that has arisen. I have been advised to
choose my words carefully. Your combined efforts this evening
have defused a potentially embarrassing situation for our country.
There was a danger of a constitutional crisis that has now been
averted. If you do not understand the significance of the news
I have to give you, I am sure that your fellows will be able to
enlighten you afterwards.
Tonight there was an accident at sea in the northern Baltic Sea.
We call it the East Sea. The rescue services were called out and
managed to save the lives of all who were on board the sinking
ship. The names of the passengers were not publicly released because
people had to be informed that their relatives were safe. However,
shortly after the rescue was announced in Sweden there was a report
on the Norwegian vidcom service that our queen had been aboard
the ship that sank. For diplomatic reasons the Swedish government
minister for home affairs has stated that he cannot confirm or
deny this report. There was another report from Denmark that the
queen is recovering in a private house in or near Sundsvall. The
minister for home affairs said that he had nothing to add to his
original comment.
These reports, if confirmed, will quash any rumour that the queen
has been seen in London today. There have also been rumours that
our queen might abdicate if she had to choose between being our
queen or a Spacer. None of us want her to have to face that invidious
decision. The two sets of rumours have been linked because this
Club is the biggest Spacers Club in Europe and it is in London.
I do not need to say any more on this subject. Thank you for your
attention."
Admiral Chang stood up and beckoned to "Annie". She
joined him with a face full of smiles and tears.
He said. "Tonight I wish to register my partnership with
Annie MacDuff. I hereby revoke any reference to any partnerships
that I may have had in the past."
Annie said. "Tonight I wish to register my partnership with
Chang Tun Wong. I hereby revoke any reference to any partnerships
I may have had in the past."
At a signal from the Commander, everyone gave the traditional Spacer cheer of Hey! followed by the Spacer song of welcome to a new partnership.
The Ambassador came over to Kerstin who was still standing.
She said in English. "Miss Broberg, you and your friends
here have done us a great service. A similar situation occurred
here in Britain more than one hundred and fifty years ago. Times
have changed but certain prejudices persist. Nobody wanted the
media to be full of speculation about our queen and her relationships.
Your colleagues have behaved with alacrity and discretion. I was
able to inform the minister of home affairs only a few minutes
before the news broke in Norway. He is a very loyal Swede and
I know that he will do everything to keep the sea rescue story
alive for a day or two. I understand that the Spacer's League
will arrange that the queen will be found in Sundsvall in a few
days time. There will be a press release that she wishes to have
time away from public affairs to get over the horror of the accident.
The queen will be assisted by your small friend Miss Adedeyo.
The Spacer's League is looking for a Spacer who resembles our
Queen who can be made up to look more like her. She will appear
to be Annie MacDuff. She will not have to look exactly like the
queen but close enough to convince the news media that she was
the cause of all the rumours. Please introduce me to the students
who helped you tonight. I gather that one of them is from Gothenburg."
Kerstin introduced the Ambassador to Kjell and his partner Gail.
The Ambassador said. "I am very pleased that Sweden has a
representative in what I gather is a very special class of students.
I understand that it was you Kjell who suggested that Admiral
Chang's friend should have a Scottish name and the sea rescue
proposal."
Kjell said. "Ma'am, it was Suri here who first suggested
the cover story that the Queen was seen in Sweden. Because Kerstin
was here and had not long left Sweden, and was known by the Sundsvall
police, I thought that there ought to be a way of producing a
news story that the Queen had been seen in Sundsvall. Our communications
were good tonight. Leah suggested to me that the queen should
be heard about but not actually seen. She understood that Sundsvall
is on the coast and that a boating accident might be reported.
Pietro said that it was not usual for the names of rescued passengers
to be publicly released for some time. This was relayed directly
to me because of my Swedish background and Kerstin was sitting
near me. I knew that all major cities on the coast have sea rescue
services so I told Kerstin about the suggestion. Kerstin also
had a link with the Sundsvall sea rescue service as well so that
part was easier to organise. The whole thing was organised between
us with each of us making a small contribution."
"I am sure that you are being very modest Kjell. How could
your group share information so quickly?
Kjell said. "Ma'am, much of the credit goes to Jean here.
Armand and Clive had produced a sign language that was a development
of that used by the medical profession in France. They taught
us this language so that we could use it in an emergency but none
of us had thought of using it during dinner this evening. Jean
was facing Giovanni and Anita on the next table so he started
communicating with them. It was soon noticed that the sign language
was being used so others used it to spread the information more
widely. You may also know that Spacers have a touch language that
can be used when all other forms of communication are impossible.
The combination of the two silent languages made it possible for
ideas and suggestions to be exchanged quickly without being noticed.
As this was a Swedish problem and Kerstin and I were sitting opposite
each other, it was natural that the collected ideas should be
routed to me. It seemed that I had all the good ideas but it was
very much a joint effort."
The Ambassador said. "I had heard that Marita's class of
students was a very special group but what you have said can only
add to the accomplishments you have been credited with. May I
ask how you arrived at Annie Macduff?"
Kjell said. "That one came from Alice ma'am. Her surname
is Shah. She realised that someone's surname quite often causes
people to think about their origins. Her father was from a mixed
marriage as they called it some years ago. She said that someone
who wanted to be anonymous in any country should have a name that
was recognisably indigenous if it was possible. She suggested
Myfanwy Jones and Annie MacDuff as examples of Welsh and Scottish
names that would be easily identifiable in England. If our friend
wanted to conceal her origins she should adopt a name that would
be relatively uncommon in England so it would be noticed, but
very clearly a British name that had no links with any other country.
Tun Wong chose Annie."
The Ambassador said. "You are such a talented group that
you could control the world if you wanted to."
Jean answered to save Kjell from further explanations. Ma'am,
that is impossible. The world is already controlled to some degree
by the Spacers League. If you doubt that, have a look at a Spacer
coin someday and ask yourself what it is officially worth and
what it can buy. Then check with Marita how much Spacer money
she has. She has enough to buy every major company in Sweden and
possibly Norway too. Spacer money will never be used in that way
but it could be, and every government in the world knows this.
They have a saying here in Britain 'He who pays the piper calls
the tune.' The Spacers League could pay all the world's pipers
and could call all the tunes if they so wished. They do not wish
to, nor do we."
The Ambassador thought for a moment and said. "With such
resources at their disposal, surely there must be a temptation
to use them."
Suri said. "Madam Ambassador, this world is a very small
part of a minor stellar system in an average galaxy among billions
of galaxies. The Spacers League already controls access to our
solar system and its resources. One day, perhaps in our lifetimes,
we will use those resources to go to other solar systems. Taking
over the Earth would provide the League with very little gain
and an enormous amount of responsibility. There is no temptation
to use power on Earth ma'am."
A gradual hush spread through the room as the Commander stood
up.
He said. "Spacers all, you know that I have done my best
to get to know you all so that I can help you with any problems
that you may have. Tonight there was a very special problem to
solve for a very special person. So far the problem has been alleviated
but not solved completely. After studying my records I discovered
that of all the Spacers that I know, one could become Annie McDuff,
at least temporarily. I have discussed it with her and she has
volunteered to take on the job for a few weeks. We have the double
advantage that she is Scottish in origin and has a slight resemblance
to the real Annie McDuff. With the aid of the expertise of Boku
Adedeyo she looks very much like Annie McDuff. However, those
of you who know her well will be able to recognise her by another
name.
In a moment you will be able to see the two Annies MacDuff together.
Images of Tun Wong and the second Annie will be issued by the
Spacers League in the USA in a press release announcing their
partnership. Those that know about Tun Wong might comment on the
fact that his former partner and his new partner have striking
similarities. They will nevertheless notice that they are not
the same Spacer if images of the two are compared. It is hoped
that this action will crush any rumours that a certain lady has
been seen in London today."
The two Annies came into the room and stood side by side. Boku
had done a brilliant job. George was able to recognise Rachel
McInnes because he knew her so well. She had been his share partner
several times. Rachel's ears were slightly larger and further
back. Her eyes were just a little further apart. If the two Annies
had come in separately, one could easily be mistaken for the other.
Without any prompting, all of the Spacers present shouted Hey!
together. Tun Wong and Annie 2 posed with beaming smiles while
Gurprit prepared the holos. Then the two Annies returned to the
places where they had sat previously.
Leonov stood up and said. "This evening was intended to be a happy celebration to welcome twenty-four new Spacers into the Spacers League. You all have contributed to making this evening an even happier event for one very special partnership. Some time in the future a certain nameless Spacer will be officially promoted to the rank of Commander but the confidential records will show that the promotion occurred today. Will you all show your approval for this promotion in the traditional way." Leonov's words were answered by a very loud 'Hey!'
The Commander rose and said. "Before I formally close this dinner I can say that I have been authorised to declare mufti until tomorrow morning. While enough of you remain here in this dining room, robowaiter service will be continued for drinks and light refreshments. I now declare this dinner formally closed."
Annie 1 made a point of talking to all of Marita's students to thank them for their help and to get to know them better. The Ambassador stayed a lot longer than she had originally intended. She spent a lot of time talking to Sarah Chebychev and Eva Sincayvitch. It was more than two hours later when the assembled gathering started to break up.
Undepoldus had spent most of the evening wandering around the tables meeting everyone present but he never said a word to any of them.
PAUSE
The next section covers the events
up to and including one morning in June.
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