Traveller Inceptio
101

For Murdoch, the news wasn’t good. The spectre of her court martial loomed, though the military hierarchy deemed it more prudent to consider disciplinary action only after the current furore and publicity subsided. Meanwhile, politicians and academics throughout the world began to vigorously debate the benefits of the Transporter and associated historical studies, not only to academia, but also to political careers. Saxon Traveller had inundated academia with historical, anthropological, pharmaceutical, and botanical data that looked to boost academic careers for years to come.

The British Prime Minister declared, “The public needs heroes, and in a world devoid of moon-landing astronauts, the courageous Traveller team members fit the bill and have captured the global public’s imagination.”

Modern life was not all bad for Tatae. Initially fascinated by television, she could not understand its purpose, as nothing she saw made any sense. Some of the images made her laugh, but she found cartoons especially disturbing, so opted not to watch. Instead, she immersed herself in music, which she adored.

Professor Taylor advised Hunter some anthropologists were concerned Tatae could become too immersed in 21st Century culture, that it was an imperative she remain pure enough to return to her own. To be famous and courted by the media might mean she could be caught between two cultures to the extent that she felt she belonged to neither. The issue became how could they prevent her immersion into a culture that was all pervasive and aggressive enough to saturate her.

It was the little things about Tatae that made her adorable. Her inability to come to terms with automobiles and the speed at which the world travelled became a much talked about topic, though she loved the taste of coffee, as long as it was sweet, with lots of milk, and of course she adored chocolate. Tatae’s list of everyday miracles went on and on, but Hunter knew it was only temporary. Her heart craved for his health and safety, and yearned for home.

All too soon, the soldiers of Saxon Traveller were recalled to their regiments. Before he left for the USA, Anderson visited the famous couple’s cottage. Conveniently close to a patch of forest, the location was perfect, as friendly neighbours owned some chickens and, to Tatae’s delight, a cat.

Anderson insisted on speaking in Saxon until mentioning items of news that weren’t for Tatae’s ears. “Yeah, it’s time for us to head home now, good buddy,” he said to Michael as he reclined into the lounge, “’cos the Traveller Projects have been put on hold. I can guarantee it’s not for long. While the politicians are trying to cover their asses about our wounded, they’re beginning to realise how popular this whole thing’s been. Seems like a few other Projects might be on the drawing board.”

“Like a US project perhaps?” asked Michael, but Anderson just chuckled in his good-natured way and said nothing, which meant that something was definitely in the wind.

Michael decided to change the subject. “What of Osborne’s arm? Is his arm back on okay?”

Anderson brushed it aside. “Yeah, yeah, he’ll be pulling his dick again in no time.” They both knew Osborne’s time with Special Services was over. It would take years before his newly restored arm had anything like its full mobility, and would never have its original strength and control. “Kitchener and Poxon have also returned from Giolgrave and are being examined at a military hospital.” Anderson smiled. “Funny, isn’t it? For the first time in many months, no Travellers are in Saxon England. Leishman and Morris have gone home, while the Brits are squared away at their end.”

“So,” asked Michael. “What are the international repercussions of all of this? If they’re making movies and chasing Tatae and I, there must be some political upshot, surely?” He knew that, in the shadowy world of international relations, there would be a lot of interest in what they had accomplished.

“Ha! Well, for a start, the Scandinavian countries have complained about the biased approach our so called research gave the Vikings, who were their esteemed ancestors.”

Hunter groaned and muttered, “Jesus, have someone attack you with a spear and see how they feel.”

Anderson just smiled, as if at a secret joke. “Meanwhile international politicians and academics are arguing that their history’s important too. Seems like there’s a real shit fight in regard to using the Transporter for similar projects in France, Italy, Germany, Norway, Russia, China, Japan, and a bunch of others.”

Michael suppressed a smile at Anderson again omitting the USA in his summary.

“Don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Professor Taylor has become a fixture for talk shows and the media is chasing the rest of us. I know you and Tatae have had your little talk with the media, but it looks like the rest of us might have to do that as well,” continued the American, with a wince.

Hunter looked up suddenly. “Which means complications with the job?”

Anderson nodded. One couldn’t be a part of the clandestine operations of the Special Forces and be world-famous.

As if reading his mind, Hunter added, “I think nothing could be as weird as this. It takes our attention off clandestine ops for a change.”

Anderson shook his head absently. “No, man, you have no idea of some of the weird shit I’ve seen. If this is the strangest thing you have to worry about, be happy with it.”

Hunter glanced at Tatae, who sat on the floor as she happily played with the cat. She was dressed in tracksuit pants and sweatshirt and looked stunning.

He only felt troubled.