Traveller Manifesto
17. London - Today

London – Today.

“Explain this!” demanded British Minister of Defence, Lady Maureen Paddington.

General Humphrey cocked an eye at the headlines of the London Times. He had seen it, of course. It was another piece that described the appalling fact that Michael Hunter, Saxon Traveller extraordinaire, had fled from the village of Giolgrave because of fear of military intervention.

“So, more supposition?” he asked.

“Bloody hell Gerald! Do you honestly think this can continue without comment?” she demanded. “Plus, they interviewed Hurley, of all people. Next thing you know, Murdoch might be dragged into it.”

“Not bloody likely,” he growled.

“Someone has fed the media enough information for them to ask the right questions and I don’t want to start the ‘No Comment’ strategy again.” Minister Paddington shook her head in irritation. “You assured me this was all under control!”

“We do have it under control,” he promised her gently. “This will all blow over. The media are fishing. They have a little information from someone, I’m guessing from the technical end, but they won’t get any more.”

“You think Zak Chandler?” she asked.

“Maybe,” shrugged General Humphrey, “but you must remember that the media had possession of the original statement from Hunter. Since then there has been a whole raft of conspiracy theories based on Hunter and his departure from the Traveller project.”

“I’ve heard some, and none are flattering to this office,” she replied angrily. “The last thing this government needs is to have all of the good relations from the Traveller missions washed away by this rubbish. I don’t need to remind you how Traveller has become a vital part of our Government’s public relations. We don’t want to be known as the government that stuffed up the bloody Transporter situation.”

“We can, perhaps, initiate a campaign to discredit Hunter?” suggested General Humphrey.

“Oh come now Gerald,” snapped the Minister. “How effective do you think that will be? The man’s a bloody hero, and rightfully so. To attempt such a move would be utterly ridiculous. It will only cause us to shoot ourselves in the foot.”

“I’m not sure what to recommend,” the old soldier continued. “All I know is that this is one of the most important tech-sharing programmes we have ever had the opportunity to engage in. The value to us, as a Government and to the British people, is enormous. We have an obligation to complete some sort of mission in Saxon Aengland.” General Humphrey blew out his cheeks. “The Americans have technology that they are finally willing to share. As you know, our scientists have also made breakthroughs that would make a mutual trial viable and would be best conducted in the live conditions the Saxon proposal offers.”

“You have something in mind,” asked Minister Paddington. She was clutching at straws, which had the old soldier inwardly smile. Politicians could sometimes be so bloody predictable.

“Well, I do,” he replied. “We’ve agreed to scotch the contentious Base proposal, but have been formulating other viable options.”

“So, will we have access to the Transporter for this?” she asked.

The General hesitated a moment before he replied, “Well, enough for our plans. The Transporter is in the USA for the Mississippi Traveller project, but we can salvage this.”

The Minister nodded and added, “We had better do something. I don’t want any blowback on this, Gerald.”

“Yes Minister,” he nodded. As she grew more experienced, Minister Paddington was becoming tougher and more decisive. He had to play this carefully.