Starship Walker

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General Blain looked mortified. "Truly, I can't apologise enough for this outrage! It was very lucky for us that their getaway craft failed." He glanced at Captain Xing. "It's a major diplomatic incident. There'll be denials from the major power blocs, of course."

They were seated in the Captain's conference room: Gillian and her parents, and the usual attendees.

Captain Xing turned to McWhirter on hearing the term, "diplomatic incident", but Mr McWhirter was gazing at the General with what Gillian thought was sympathy. McWhirter said, "I presume the kidnappers haven't revealed their sponsors?"

Blain answered, "The gang claims not to know who hired them. It was organised at second or third hand. Their transport craft is untraceable, stolen from the Central European bloc's military."

Captain Xing said, "Gillian, Mr and Mrs Berry: I want to apologise on behalf of myself and the crew. We never planned for a threat from the boarding party!"

General Blain said, "We will, of course, initiate greater steps to ensure the security of the Berry family for the rest of our mission."

Mrs Berry spoke. "Neither of you are to blame: Captain, General. It was a reckless and pointless escapade - so unexpected!"

Gillian felt depression settling on her. "Are we going to be a circus exhibit in a cage for the rest of our lives?"

When nobody answered, she said, "Well, I suppose we are."

Abel Yegg, sitting between Gillian and David Ho, said, "Walkers have always been a little apart from the normal ship's crew. But the Berrys' are now in a unique position."

Captain Xing nodded in agreement. "I understand that you, the Berry family, have a wealth of ancient, alien knowledge buried within your minds. Perhaps you'll become the leaders of a new renaissance!"

Mrs Berry replied, "The question is, how is this knowledge exploration and distribution to be managed?" She paused, waiting to see if anyone wanted to comment, then continued, "We're under suspicion: Gillian, myself and my husband. And we face threats from people who see profit in keeping our knowledge exclusive. I suggest it's better if we remain aboard this ship for the near future, at least."

Mr Morris said, "We could get a lot of work done with you." Gillian saw excitement in the eyes of the astrophysicist. He was thinking of his specialty.

Gillian liked the idea. A gang of rogue navy marines had attempted to kidnap herself and her parents. If it happened once, it could happen again. There would always be danger from criminals who saw an advantage in locking them away, and from deluded people haunting society's margins. She knew that a secure, comfortable life would be hard to achieve. Remaining aboard the ship offered her a better chance to follow her parents' lead and dig into the knowledge bank claimed to be in her head.

She remembered her safe, happy childhood in the corridors and halls of Hellas Basin. That was what she wanted. When the navy marines had departed, the ship would become more peaceful, more secure for her.

General Blain said to her mother, "You're suggesting the Xing Long Hao should become the centre for exploration of this alien knowledge?"

"Perhaps. Yes - that's sounds like a good idea!"

Captain Xing asked, "You want to turn my ship into an alien university, a research centre?"

"A research centre - yes."

Captain Xing looked disconcerted. "But this is a trading and passenger vessel; it has to earn its living!"

Mr McWhirter said, "But it is an interesting proposal, Captain. This ship is now notorious. That must change perceptions of it. Some people will love to be passengers, many won't. The owners of the present cargo are going to be chasing insurance claims for years to come. That may tie the ship itself up, too. It certainly injures the ship's reputation for the commercial sector."