Starship Armstrong - Season 3

Part 50 - Coincidence and Misunderstanding (VII)

An elongated luxury ground car was parked just beyond the plaza, and the chirpy tour guides ushered the Armstrong delegation inside. The interior was beautiful and spacious, even with so many people piled in. It was a marked change from the grim utilitarianism of a spaceship.

"McAfree," Wagner whispered, once they were seated.

"I don't want to hear it," McAfree hissed back. "I don't care."

Wagner sighed internally. She obviously cared or else she wouldn't still be mad at him. Alright obviously was a strong word but probably. Maybe. He was quite familiar with what McAfree's indifference looked like and this wasn't it.

Wagner couldn't help but feel this was a good sign. At least she cared, right? Or she might, that was better than nothing. It's hard to be upset that someone who you don't even like rejected you, he reasoned. Maybe he could write her a note. It would be harder to interrupt a note.

The group was barely settled when the ground car peeled off.

"Our first stop will be the Museum Of The Universally Acknowledged One True Terra," explained the chirpy woman. "Next we'll go see the Monument To The Birthplace Of The First Human, then finish up with the Terradrome, where you will have the great honor to meet the President of Terra and therefore all mankind!"

Mitzner squinted. This was going to take all day wasn't it?

"I was actually hoping we could speak with the President as soon as possible," said Mitzner. "We were under the impression that this was the purpose of our visit."

"It's no trouble at all!" chimed in the chirpy man. "We're happy to share our great culture with our lost brothers and sister from space."

"But she never-" started Ensign Anhkbayar, but Mitzner elbowed her and she shut up.

"We're looking forward to it," Mitzner forced herself to say.

Her only consolation was that Commander Gibson was currently going through the same nonsense. She smiled while she imagined his frustration.

* * *

At that same moment the Commander was still on the Vostok, on his way to Terra. Given that he was in the nice shuttle he was perfectly comfortable. Six hours after that, however...

* * *

"...and after that we'll swing back around and hit up the Museum Of The Unrefuted History Of The Only Terra again," explained Samedi.

He and Commander Gibson were sat beside one another in the private box above the stadium, watching fully grown adult male kneeball players brutally dominate their preteen opponents. At this point the "True Terran" team was scoring over and over again unopposed, while the "False Terrans" were totally consumed with running and hiding.

The only one who seemed to be enjoying it was Dr. Kang.

"That's a lengthy itinerary," said Gibson. "How long will all this take?"

"Oh not long at all," said Samedi. "We should be finished by the end of the week."

"That's not going to work for us," said the Commander. "The purpose of this visit is for us to speak with the President. We're happy to attend whatever cultural events you have planned but I really must insist on seeing the President as soon as possible."

"One week is as soon as possible," said Samedi.

"That can't be accurate," replied Gibson.

"The President is a busy man," said Samedi.

"We're visitors from outer space," said Gibson. "What is he doing all week that's a higher priority than meeting with us?"

"You're getting dangerously close to insulting the President of All Mankind," said Samedi.

"No offense intended," said Gibson. "If your President isn't ready to meet with us we can just return to the ship until he is."

Samedi sputtered.

"But didn't you send people to meet with the False Terrans?"

"We have people on the planet you're referring to," agreed Gibson. "They're probably meeting with their president as we speak."

Samedi's eyes widened.

"But you're already..."

He stood up suddenly.

"Enjoy the game," he said. "I need to make a call."