Chapter 15

Bev and Vick listened intently as West gave them a potted history of Edenia , Horridoa , and the events leading up to the war.

Bev looked solemn. “So you are the descendants of the settlers and entertainers put on the two moons and left to die by Django Twip.”

“It certainly looks that way,” West said thoughtfully.

“And we are the sole survivors of a once great civilisation. A civilisation which could be reborn,” Bev said looking at Streemly. She flushed. “I didn’t mean you personally ,” he said quickly to Streemly. “But Earth could be recolonised from your two moons.”

West carried on and described the often tense, but stable, political situation existing between the two moons.

Kwait described his thoughts and the events leading up to the disappearing probes. This led to a discussion between Apricot, Bev, West and Kwait about possibly incorporating some of the incredible technology on Earth with the technology aboard Marshia. Streemly and Vick had a fruitful discussion swapping ideas about improving transporter and scanning technology. Phoenix ate his way through seven varieties of cream and fruit cake. During one of those conversational silences, Bev seized the opportunity to address the whole room.

“Might I suggest a plan of action?” The room remained silent so Bev continued. “You should return to your ship and inform your political masters of the situation. Your prisoners should be released and allowed to do the same.” West began to protest, but Kwait’s firm hand on his shoulder silenced him.

“This is clearly no time for a petty war. We have to join forces and complete two tasks as painlessly as possible.One, recolonise Earth. And two, seek out and punish Django Twip!”

There was a general mumble of assent.

“Well,” said Bev rubbing his hands together, “let’s get to it!”

The world went pop.

*

Cell-man second class Johnson was disgusted. Release the prisoners! He’d never heard of such a thing. Johnson did twelve more push-ups, jumped to his feet and held his wrist checking his pulse.

“Fit has a flea,” he said aloud. His contentment at the state of his heart rate did nothing to change his mood regarding the imminent release of the two vile and fiendish enemy agents .Especially as it was he who would have to break the news to them.

“Unbar the door, please Marshia,” he said, jogging lightly on the spot. UNDERSTOOD.

Johnson jogged from the cell in an exaggerated arc ending at the neighbouring cell door. He came smartly to attention and took a deep breath. His shoulders sagged as he let his breath go thinking about the duty he was about to perform. Let the buggers go! His only prisoners!

“Let’s get on with it then!” he said pulling himself up to his full five feet six.“Marshia?”

YES, CELL-MAN JOHNSON?

“Unbar the door please.”

UNDERSTOOD.

The door slid open and Johnson bellowed, “Prisoners 14725693 and 14725694!Out of your cell at the double!”

Strictly speaking they should have been prisoners 1 and 2. But Cell-man second class Johnson was buggered if he was going to let them know that.

Sergeant George was the first to emerge. “Morning, comrade,” he said amiably.

“Silence, that man!” bellowed Johnson.

“Mister Johnson,” said Sergeant Arthur leaving the cell to stand by his brother.“How nice of you to think of us once more.”

“Quiet in the ranks!” said Johnson. “We have important issues to deal with.”

“Oh, goody,” said Sergeant Arthur. “A visit of the inspection persuasion perchance?” he mocked, coming smartly to attention.

Johnson tightened his lips, ignoring the remark, and said, “I have been instructed to inform you that; due to the changing political situation, vis-à-vis the purported common ancestry and Earth being what as where we all came from in the first place, that your incarceration is to be terminated forthwith.”

There was a lot to take in here and the pained expressions on Sergeant Arthur’ and Sergeant George’s faces where no mean testimony.

“Common ancestry?” asked Sergeant George.

“Earth?” asked Sergeant Arthur.

“Terminated?” asked Sergeant George.

“It will all be explained to you in due course,” said Johnson. “In the meantime, I don’t expect to see you two back ‘ere. So keep your noses clean and stay out of trouble. Understood?”

After no discernible reaction at all from the two men, Johnson said, “Good. Just has long has we understand each other.” Johnson came even more to attention. “Dismiss!” he said doing a smart left turn. Johnson jogged the exaggerated arc back to the adjoining cell where he started doing push-ups more vigorously than ever.

Sergeant Arthur and Sergeant George looked at each other and were just about to voice their confusion when Marshia stepped in.