Traveller Inceptio
62

“Well, you’ve seen the reports and the footage, and obviously the historians are doing handstands about the data they’re receiving, so it seems that they’re eager to extend the project to include a second solo mission,” declared Murdoch with her usual icy aplomb.

“Yes!” shouted Osborne and Anderson together, and the mood lightened. While their training had continued after Hurley had been Transported, they considered it doubtful any of them would visit Saxon Aengland in the future.

“Now, there’s been a change in the role of a second Traveller,” continued Murdoch. “As you know, the second Traveller was planned to be a support for Hurley, but Professor Taylor requested that the second Transporter base be moved deeper into the forest to avoid the potential of the base-station discovery that Hurley feared. As the technical quandary of creating a second Transporter seems, so far, to be insurmountable, Hurley is happy that the location be moved. A second Traveller will initiate a new research mission in a new area. So the Transporter has already been moved to an abandoned forester shed on a farm some kilometres to the North West. This will place the Transporter point well within the ancient forest. Hurley’s comfortable with a safer location, so the important decision now is who to send.”

“What d’you suggest?” asked Anderson.

Murdoch gave a rare smile. “Oh, I’m happy with tradition.”

In their time-honoured tradition, the next Traveller was chosen by drawing straws. Hunter noted how Murdoch hid her concern for the safety of Hurley as best she could. There were small pouches under her eyes that had not been there before, and at one stage she looked at Hunter and smiled a little sadly. However, one doesn’t begin a relationship with a member of Special Forces and hope for a life of white picket fences.

Osborne held the straws. The recipient of the coveted short straw was Hunter. There was shoulder slapping and ‘lucky bastard’ comments all round while Anderson and a delighted Osborne selected the straws for the reconnaissance.

Murdoch congratulated Hunter officially. “So, Sergeant Michael Hunter, when the equipment is ready and the reccy is completed, you’ll be on your way.”