An Alien Rescue (8 page)

“Wherever I was?”

“Yes, even when you were situated in the Falklands, the small and most insignificant group of troubled islands in the South Atlantic. We would have liked to have contacted you there but it just wasn’t possible.”

“Did you know I was writing a science fiction book about a blonde woman from another planet?”

“In a way, yes, we did know, but it wasn’t clear why or how. I know now.”

Scott looked around the Control deck, but only briefly before he asked, “Do I have another daughter, or is that my imagination?” He really wanted to hear her say, yes, and hoped she would.

“Yes. You do.”

“Blimey, that’s fantastic. I honestly believed that was only part of the dream. I think I’ve seen a picture of her. Frell showed it to me. Does she have a name?”

With a smile, Belinda proudly replied, “Her name is … Skye.”

“My god, it’s perfect. What a lovely name and so meaningful. I would never have guessed. Who chose the name?”

“Frell did, but it wasn’t easy for her,” added Belinda while recalling the bureaucratic struggle that took place.

“Why wasn’t it easy? You make it sound as if there was something wrong with the name,” he said with confusion.

“To make a link with the island, and of course the connection with yourself, is not found to be readily acceptable in our population. We prefer ancestry to be anonymous as much as possible. You see, we are a holistic society, where we are as
one
. We respond to events as
one
unit and not as separate individuals. We all share each other’s feelings and rejoice in the happiness we all have. To connect with an Earthly event can go against the group’s policy of being unique and separate from the destructive tendencies of Earth-bound humans. However, Frell did make it known her daughter was quite unique too and should be allowed a name of her choosing.”

Scott found this little bit of information difficult to fully comprehend, but decided their population was much different to his own and he should accept what he was listening to.

“Skye."  He sighed. “What a lovely name to give her.” Then his eyes opened wide as he asked, “Why unique? Why is, Skye, classed as unique? Is there something wrong with her?”

He waited with baited breath for the reply to this question, hoping he wasn’t going to hear something he didn’t want to know.

Belinda reached forward, taking him once more by the hand. Caressing it gently, she replied, “Your daughter is unique because your genes are the best we’ve ever had from any donor. Your extraordinary level of intelligence, combined with the highest ever rating for aptitude and adaptability to most or any kind of situation or environment makes you second to none. Your daughter is destined to become one of our leaders, someone who will understand and appreciate all there is to know when decisions are made concerning what is best for any given situation… but now we need another… another like… Skye. And this is where the problem begins, because your lover has not been contactable since you were last together, and until she is located the second child cannot be. Do you understand what I have said, Scott.”

Belinda had to boldly ask him because his demure had turned a whiter shade of pale, to the point of appearing like plastic. His blood had evidently drained from his brain and his complexion now looked waxy and drawn. She felt real concern for him now. With his past
comment concerning porky-pies and now this she was extremely worried. Had everything she said affected his mind, she wondered, hoping it was only tiredness that was affecting him.

He stood still for a moment, looking like a slumped mannequin. His broad shoulders had sagged  slovenly and his eyelids seemed half-closed. He slowly regained his composure, loudly inhaling a breath of air. “It never really made any sense, at first; the reason why Frell and I were together. The child, or Skye, as I should now refer to her, was a plot I would never have really known about except for the intervention of the Greys. Oh yes, Belinda, I remember them too, before you ask; and now there should be a second child. I don’t suppose you have any more information than what you have already told me, do you?”

She pulled Scott closer to her, giving him a comforting hug. His muscles were tightening and she could feel how vexed he was and tried to understand how he felt. She wished there was some better news to give him, anything to give him hope; but there was none. “There is nothing to add to what I’ve already said. I’m so sorry.”

Scott pulled himself away from her warmth, saying in a low deep voice, “This makes everything personal. It’s not just Frell and Drang, but there’s a child involved too; and not just any child, it’s
our
child.”

Raising his hands, he ran fingers through his hair, sweeping the short military-style strands backwards, sensing they needed washing. “So what do we do now?” he quietly asked.

“We’re on our way to the Mothership, where you will be fully and officially informed of all I’ve said. There are also a few tests we must carry out.”

“Whatever it takes to get them back, I just hope they’re alive and well. I remember the alien shithead who abducted us. He was tall, brown and really skinny, like an old bag of bones he was, with skin… like... wrinkled leather. I wish I
had
ripped his sodding head off!” Scott smiled as he said this, but underneath the external humour he was deadly serious.

Belinda hadn’t read into his thoughts, she deliberately allowed him to recall the past events privately without any psychological spying from her. She was becoming aware of his personality, a caring and sensitive man with a will to help others whenever possible. There was an
even greater inner strength too, all of which were united to create an exceptional individual. She could easily understand why Scott was deemed so valuable to her kind. If anyone could save the abducted crew it was him.

“What else can you tell me? There must be some background info
’ that I know nothing of. For instance, tell me more about the Grey Empire. There has to something there worth mentioning.” He had asked while trying to think of anything from his previous encounter with the evil Grey menace.

“They are the species responsible for removing humans from Earth over many centuries. The numbers are quite unknown to us, but we suspect many
tens of thousands. Perhaps, even more. We will never know the full extent. The Grey Empire has always had the opinion that space is their personal property, with other species viewed as a temporary problem that needs eradicating. They believe their species have always been present in the cosmos and are an integral part of everything that exists. It’s in their religion, where their own holy scriptures dictates it was their ancestors who formed everything from the darkness, void and silence that permeated space.”

Scott interrupted with a loud sarcastic laugh. “If they formed everything from nothing, where the heck did
they
spring from?” He smirked at the question knowing the Grey’s doctrine was no different from Earth’s own stupid and bigoted religions, complete with their hoards of brainwashed and easily led happy-clapping, tambourine-tapping, bell-ringing fanatics. If the remembered brown alien could have stood in front of Scott at that moment in time there would have been blue-murder going on with plenty of red to throw around, or should it be brown? Scott was beginning to understand the selfish and ridiculous beliefs which the Grey species have by comparing it with those he already knew from Earth. Belinda knew what he thought of Earth’s religions, she had learned it from his thoughts. It was so obvious what he believed about the hypocrisy and the selfishness within some of the oldest and most common holy orders. As far as he was concerned, each and every person on earth was related to each other from a common albeit distant ancestor. He wasn’t sure if he always believed this as much as he did now; but following the previous explanation he received from Frell, where human life first appeared on the African continent and groups spreading outwards to populate the planet, he knew it was absolutely true. How he missed her, and yet, until a short period before then he thought of her only as a figment of his imagination and nothing greater. He released another quiet sigh. Recovering his thoughts back to the present, he added, “Anyway, Belinda, the Greys, you were saying?”

She stood quite still with a blank
expression on her face.

Scott felt nervous. “Is there something wrong?” he asked nervously. “Perhaps I’ve said something I shouldn’t have.”

Scott almost jumped out of his pants and coveralls with shock when a voice behind him said, “Hello, Scott.”

“Bloody-hell!” he cried out in utter
surprise as he appeared to turn around and land after lifting-off the floor in shock. He was looking at another female as he gripped his chest, giving the impression he’d had a shock. His breathing was heavy and erratic as he tried to pull his thoughts together. It wasn’t often he suffered from being surprised, but in these circumstances he felt vulnerable to the extreme.

Belinda spoke softly while trying to hide a grin. She didn’t think about the impact another person entering the Control Deck would have on Scott, especially when they were unannounced.

Scott saw the smirk, saying, “Flaming-heck Belinda, give me a break. You could have killed me with that!”

“
Could I
?” she asked in alarm. “Are you susceptible to death when surprised in this way? I’m so sorry, I didn’t know. Please forgive me. I have never been informed there is a flaw in human health where death can result from someone speaking to you unexpectedly from behind.”

Her answer was so apologetic and honest, Scott wondered if she
might be teasing him, before deciding she wasn’t because her concerned appearance dictated otherwise. He moved closer and placed an arm around her shoulders, giving her a gentle squeeze. “Hey,” he said, “I’m only kidding. I’m nowhere near death and never was. It was just a small fright and I can’t help but be dramatic. There’s no problem with me. Hey, c’mon, cheer-up and smile.”

She
did and almost gave a little laugh. She was relieved to hear him say the consoling words he had. Turning, she introduced the other female, who by this time had backed off towards the opposite end of the Flight Deck. She had herself jumped in fright as Scott had launched himself into the air. She never expected anything like that to happen. Saying,
hello
, will never be the same for her again!

“
Scott, may I introduce this ship’s pilot,” said Belinda as another kind of introduction.

Scott smiled and gave a slight nod, sa
ying, “Hi,” as he pretended his chest was going to give up on him by clasping his hands over his heart. The pilot stepped backwards a little more and her eyes went wide. She was unsure if his antics were for real or not. Scott saw the dilemma and laughed a little as he said he was only kidding. The pilot’s shoulders dropped with relief while releasing a suppressed sigh. She looked at Belinda for another introduction, especially as the last one had quite literally taken her breath away.

Belinda continued with her introduction, “Scott, this is Phyllis.”

“Phyllis? You’ve got to be kidding me! Go on, you’re pulling my leg?” exclaimed an immensely amused Scott.

Phyllis looked startled and turned to face Belinda, stating, “I never touched him. I have not touched
either of his legs.”

Scott burst into loud rapturous laughter, adding, “You never touched my leg! Brilliant! You two should be on the stage. What a pair of comedians!”

Belinda returned Phyllis’s look with a shrug of her shoulders. Scott’s humour was baffling them.

He was almost falling over in fits of laughter. He felt as if his belly was going to burst wide open with the hilarity of the situation.

Phyllis returned her gaze to Scott, and said, “I haven’t touched you, Scott. I think you are mistaken.”

The tears were running down his cheeks as he gripped his tummy
. The humour was becoming far too much for him to handle

“And I fail to see the humour in my name,” Phyllis added with a frown.

Scott was beside himself with laughter. There were painful stitches in his side and the pressure of laughing was becoming unbearable.

“Phyllis, pull the other leg, it’s got bells on it.” Scott felt like collapsing as he struggled to get the words out.

“Bells? One of your legs has bells on it?”

His laughter reached new heights as high-pitched yells of almost hysterical hoots filled the ship’s confines. He was on the verge of losing control of himself. It was all he could do not to empty his bladder as his laughter was so intense. He hadn’t come across such humour before, or what he mistakenly thought was humour. Belinda and Phyllis stood still and silent, watching the man who was a legend to their kind. They waited patiently while Scott laughed himself out of the supposedly funny situation, trying to understand and recognise the cause of such comedy. Phyllis
sneaked a questionable look to Belinda, making a face as if to say she was baffled by Scott’s crazy antics, which indeed she was. Belinda returned the look because she felt the same way. Scott’s tears gave way to exhaustion and his laughter faded. He still found it difficult to look at Phyllis in the face without releasing another scoff, but managed to contain himself long enough as the puzzled stares of the women began to sink in. He thought he could hear voices within his mind.
Their voices
!

“Telepath
ic communication! I can hear you! I recall doing the same with Frell!”

Belinda’s mouth dropped open. “You can hear us?”

Scott nodded with a smile, knowing they were suitably impressed, although impressed was an understatement. Each couldn’t believe he could be enlightened so quickly. They both understood he was an astounding man, someone who was specifically chosen to be a donor of genes for their population, and these decisions are never made easily or with fault; and they were right.

Phyllis stared at Belinda, raising her eyebrows as if to say, ‘
Wow
!’

“I’m only kidding, my leg doesn’t have bells, but you two have sure made my day,” he said with a cat
-sized grin. “I would never have imagined a flying saucer pilot might be named, Phyllis.” He added with a smile while still trying hard not to offend her.

“My mother wanted to name me Heidi,” she replied.

“I’m living a dream here.” He stated it so quietly that Belinda hardly heard him. “Here I am, talking to a blonde-haired woman whose mother wanted to call her, Heidi, while standing inside a flying saucer. I’m either losing the plot, lost the plot, or this is the greatest adventure ever.” Scott turned to face Phyllis, feeling a little ashamed of laughing at her name. “So why
weren’t
you called Heidi then?”

Phyllis had to smile at his question, replying, “As a group of people we do not have what you refer to as surnames. We have only first names and there already was already another called Heidi. I was then given my present name. It was the next available.”

“Which is very nice,” added Scott. “Honestly, Phyllis. It really is a lovely name. I just didn’t imagine it could be the name of a UFO pilot. You just caught me unawares, that’s all. You’re also a really good-looking woman. I hope you don’t mind me saying so?”

“Thank you,” replied Phyllis, “You’re really very kind.”

“Heidi is a Germanic name, I think,” added Scott.

“Yes, it is
. My mother
was
German.”

“Really?” he asked. His expression had changed to one of astonishment. “How come your mother was German? Was she recently abducted?”

“My mother was born in Germany and was quite young during the Second World War, which is when she was picked up.”

“Good grief,” said Scott, still unable to comprehend the fact that abductions had always taken place, even during
world wars.

“My mother was in her late teenage years when Germany was under attack by the allies. She doesn’t speak much about those years but felt I should at least know something of the horrors that had taken place.”

Scott’s ears picked up, especially as he was captured by a true story of abduction while wondering why Phyllis’s mother had been selected. “Tell me more, please?”

“My mother’s name is, Helga, and she had become separated from her family in Berlin, it was a very difficult time for everyone, you must understand. She was attempting to reach the shipping port of Keil, a busy harbour situated on the northern Baltic coastline. This was where she hoped to make contact with other family members. But times were hard and she was all alone so travelling was extremely hazardous in many ways. She carried all her personal belongings in one suitcase, which had already been hit by a stray bullet from an aircraft. Strafed by a Spitfire, she told me.”

Scott listened absolutely spellbound. As a member of the armed forces, and born not too long after the mentioned conflict, he felt he knew quite a bit about what he was hearing.

Phyllis paused briefly while recollecting her mother’s story. “There was one particular incident which my mother mentioned, one that I always clearly remember because it stands out as one of mankind’s biggest mysteries. My mother said she had actually seen the German Fuhrer, Adolf Hitler,
along with his private secretary, Martin Bormann. It was when she was heading towards the port, struggling to escape the murderous onslaught by the Russians, alongside thousands of other fleeing refugees.”

Scott’s eyes widened when he heard both names. His curiosity had been kicked into life with new meaning. What mystery was he about to hear? What revelations w
ere to unfold?

“Hitler and Bormann were obviously travelling together as companions, but in very strange circumstances, according to my mother. She was absolutely certain they were who she thought they were, even though Hitler was missing his little moustache while wearing rags for clothing. Without any hair, the skin on his upper lip was very pale, giving any onlooker the impression
a moustache was still there. That part of the disguise had failed miserably, it seems. Her thoughts at that time were they were travelling incognito while attempting to escape from the advancing allied forces, escaping while they still could. The Soviet Union’s advance force was already knocking on Berlin’s front door and he wasn’t hanging around to personally answer. There was a race to capture Hitler, with the Russians leading. The allies were entering the city from the opposite direction, but ever so slowly. Both armies were fighting every inch of the way, Strasse by Strasse, racing ahead and against each other as fast as they could, especially the Russians, who were by then in almost complete control. Germany was being split into pieces, carved by a political cleaver with the spoils being fought over by the so-called victors. My mother was just one of many refugees who were struggling to survive by running away from the war-torn bombed-out cities, especially Berlin. My mother also mentioned Hitler’s most trusted personnel were using aircraft to enter and leave the city, landing and taking-off from cleared roads close to his Bunker.”