Supernal

Chapter 20

10:15 pm Tuesday, 3rd July 2029

Crew Room on the OCF

"Wow! Look at this," Rob exclaimed holding up a meal container.

Charlie consulted the list in her hand.

"Don't you dare eat that, it's for Sara."

"Look at this one. We've never had this one before!"

"Put it down, that one's for Sasha."

"Are there any of these that I can actually eat?"

"Of course, consider the lamb stews all yours."

#

The three men had spent the evening transporting all the new supplies to the crew room while Charlie packed them away. She had taken each of the children something to eat and drink and reported that they all seemed content and engrossed in their favourite activities.

A late dinner was quickly prepared and Summers gave them an account of his trip to Earth and their instructions from the president. Maintaining absolute secrecy was the key phrase. Then he presented Toby with a briefcase he had carried with him on the Spaceplane.

"I brought you a present," Summers said.

Toby opened the briefcase and took out what looked like a swimming cap dotted with tiny metal buttons.

"They're head caps to measure neurological activity," Summers explained. "There's also a portable computer in there that links to them wirelessly. You'll need to produce some data to give to the Mayo Clinic."

"But I don't know how it all works," Toby complained.

"I think there's an instruction manual in there. You can read it tonight."

Partway through their meal, a short alarm sounded and a light on an indicator panel mounted on the crew room wall flashed on.

"Our neighbours are back," Summers observed.

#

"We timed our return to coincide with your Spaceplane's entry into the Earth's atmosphere," Velan explained once Summers had welcomed the visitors. "I expect your mission control will be fully occupied and too busy to notice us."

"Good thinking," Summers acknowledged, "that's the critical stage of the flight."

"Do you have any news from your government?"

"Yes, they've requested that we continue to keep your presence here concealed, but they've agreed to go ahead with your proposed tests."

"Excellent, when will the subjects arrive?"

"They're already here. Three children came up with me today."

Jayal wanted to meet the children right away so Charlie took her to make the introductions. While they were away Summers explained to the other three Manitan the reasons the President had expressed for not revealing the existence of Vitu.

"That is a prudent decision," Velan said. "It will give both our planets time to prepare for possible co-operations in the future. I can foresee an alliance which will be advantageous to us all."

At that moment, the two women came back into the crew room.

"Velan," Jayal said. "I need to stay here with the children. Two of them don't understand English and none of these earth people can speak their languages. They can't communicate."

Velan looked annoyed. "Is it necessary to communicate with them? They are only children."

"Of course, we must be able to speak to them," Charlie broke in angrily. "They've been taken from their parents by strangers who can't speak their language. They have to be able to tell us what they want, or if they are hungry or feel ill."

Velan tapped the table irritably.

"This is irregular, but I suppose it is necessary. But Mutu must also stay ... to help with the children."

"The room next to mine is empty," Rob said hopefully, glancing at Jayal.

"Good," Charlie said, "Mutu can have that one."

#

Toby was alone in the crew room at nine o'clock the next morning when Jayal came in. She told him that she and Mutu had spent most of the night with the children. They had slept for the entire journey to the OCF so hadn't been tired. They'd finally gone to bed around 5 am. Toby marvelled at how Jayal looked so fresh and well-rested.

She sampled some scrambled eggs and then heaped her plate.

"We have this on Vitu," she said approvingly. "We call it whipped eggs."

"Do you have tomatoes on Vitu?" Toby asked.

"Yes, of course."

"Then you should try some of this on it," he handed her a bottle of ketchup. Jayal squeezed a tiny splodge onto her eggs and tasted it.

"Yes, that's good!" she decided and squirted some more.

"Toby, are you married?" Jayal said abruptly.

Toby was taken aback and felt slightly embarrassed.

"No, I was married but we decided to go our separate ways. I'm on my own now. Why do you ask?"

"Charlie told me that men and women on Earth go through a ceremony called getting married to bind themselves together. I just wondered if you were bound to someone."

"Not any more ... how about you?"

"I have no bond at the moment. I was set free to come on this mission."

"Free? What do you mean 'set free'?"

Jayal looked around nervously.

"I shouldn't have said that. It might sound strange to you, but it is our custom on Vitu."

"Jayal! Please ... tell me what you mean."

"Among the Manitan on Vitu, there is a caste system. The higher caste men can choose their partners from lower caste women, or men if they prefer. We call it forming a bond."

"And do these lower caste men and women have a say in this?"

"No, but you must understand it is accepted. It has always been like that."

Toby thought for a few moments.

"Velan is a higher caste than you ... and also higher than Mutu and Nimir, isn't he?"

"Yes. He is of the elite caste. He is in direct communication with the Atikas. Mutu and Nimir are of the trusted caste. Their families have been faithful to the Atikas for generations."

"And you are, what?"

"I am of the academic caste, a level below Mutu and Nimir."

"So, can you tell me who you were bonded to?"

"An elite caste man I don't care for. He is closer to the Atikas than his own people. The breaking of my bond with him was one reason I wanted to come on this mission, that and I ..."

The crew room door flew open and Mutu strode in.

"Jayal! You were supposed to wake me!"

"I'm sorry Mutu, I completely forgot, and I must go and check on the children."

"Wait for me and I'll come with you," Mutu insisted as he chose something to eat.

"I'll see you later," Toby frowned. "I'm going to go and run a few miles in the exercise room."