Alerted to another completed download. He moved across the console and checked the latest information flooding the computers. The ship had recently arrived at a coastal town from mainland Europe following the flight paths of Earth. He had already gathered much information on the different populations of this world. And Tah had already dismissed parts of it as too difficult or unknowledgeable to be useful in the early days. Shockingly some cultures almost ancient in their knowledge and mysticism and ‘magic’. Tah shook his head in disbelief. Others were so entrenched in war, animalistic behaviour and domination that it reminded him or his own ancient history, and would be hard to see how they could be reasoned with and be allies and bridge worlds. Tah seethed. What was he meant to do with this? It was likely that the military of this world were likely to be the biggest challenge to overcome. Re-calling what he had observed from their own history, it was clear their natural sense of protection made them cautious and tended towards instigators of aggression. Strike first, ask questions later. Tah knew all about that, his own history was littered with such actions. His people having advanced passed their animalistic early development. Although Earth’s fire power was not close to the Bataarian’s and the use of it, he reasoned, antiquated in methods and materials, it still packed a punch and some, were so barbaric, that they would end worlds if used. Tah shook his head again. It was clear from the electronic information, that Humans were a determined people, a force to be reckoned with and it was imperative that his mission of co-operation and exchange was accepted. The Bataarian’s had much to offer Earth as did Earth, to the Bataari. Tah wondered again, how the ‘batac’ he was going to do this.
“How had this world developed and fractured so differently”. He pondered aloud, not used to seeing such huge differences in cultures and behaviours in peoples it had shocked him. The Bataarian’s all held the same beliefs and social systems. Tah thought back to his learning days. In Liandara their home world, all were equal and added to its culture and welfare. The historic records on board the Bilaara, the Kings ship, were open for all and were used in education of the young. Tah did not know if he’s people were prepared for this. It seemed a backward step to him. It would take time and Tah thought only the learned elders would really understand how different things were on this new world compared with their own. It didn’t help their cause that it had been so long since they last stood on their home world that many had placed it so high on a pedestal that nowhere was likely to mirror it. This situation was going to take a lot more planning than any of them had anticipated he realised. Yes, they had considered a world not as advanced as them or even a world that surpassed them but this, such diversity and division within each other, so much anger and hostility, so little evolved, they had not expected.
Tah frowned and rubbed his forehead, this was not even the most concerning issue. The females of Earth. Tah’s frown deepened. He had done his research. They were not the care givers of his home world. In many of the cultures he had witnessed and studied, they did not defer to males in the main. Many were leaders as well as having off spring. Many were warriors in many different guises. Many choosing not to pair but to be alone. To be so lucky to meet your compatible mate, weather male or female was treasured in his culture. To want to be alone, was such a strange concept for Bataarians, they longed for such unions. The males and females did not leave their couplings. They were cherished and wanted. It was rare, unusual for it not to be. Many of the females on Earth were alone as their males or females had left them or even more strangely, the women chose to leave their partner. This was unfathomable to Tah. Something that was indeed alien to him. In his culture, if you were blessed with a paring, it was for life. No male of worth would give up his female. No female would walk away from a pairing of worth. Tah realised that the fact that many Earth cultures allowed for changing partnerships would also be very shocking to many of his race. Why does this happen? Tah thought. Did that not cause distress and unrest to family units? How was the paring not binding? Did that not affect the young? Tah realised he had many many questions and very little in the way of answers.
His feelings of inadequacy in being able to advise his people on this only rose. It was all very troubling and would present situations his warriors were unprepared for. Situations he was not prepared for. Tah realised with some urgency that he needed those answers and quickly. Without those, he would not be able to advise his people. “Computer, list all known social elements of children and family support systems that work with children and adults in relationships that have broken down, within this location of the planet known here as Earth”. “Compiling, known departments that work with children and families in Southend on Sea Essex England. Completed. There are seventeen organisations that are known as aiding with family difficulties and working with children and adults. Out of those seventeen, twelve are local agencies responding to the social issues of their time. Four are designed to support adults with addicted personalities, two of those are combined with their legal systems, three are services to lone mothers and or fathers with children and within that, two are government led official departments. One for children with disabilities and one for Children and Families.”
Tah considered the information. This was going to take some time. “Computer, list one at a time, each of these seventeen organisations and high light their function, capacity, staffing, revenue and outcomes, I wish to know, who pays for these services, who is who in them and what is their role within each organisation, I will take the government organisations last”. “Compiling, listing in Earth alphabetical order”. Tah settled himself in, it was going to be a long night.
***
Alex listened to the case presentation being given in the conference room on the 7th floor. The tower block of offices was a mixture of local government offices. Open plan encased in glass. Each floor held a different department. All joined by the central lift system. The 7th was the Department of Children and Families. Alex looked around at the 8 members making up this case conference. She knew all of them. They worked in different organisations with the family of this case. Each, had brought something to the table. This was a challenging case. The social worker, one of Alex’s best and a former student of hers, was extremely experienced and competent. The more Alex heard, the clearer the picture became. Jo was a logical thinker. Her summing up argument clear and concise. She had outlined the problems, had presented her plan of action and how on each step, it had failed. She had back tracked and re-engaged the parents and tried a different approach, the parents had agreed to it, only for it to fail again. You could sense her disappointment. Her willingness to make it work and yet, for all the work everyone around the table had put in, it still failed. At the point where it was clear that the parents were now dis-engaging from her support and children were at risk, Jo had rightly, arranged this presentation. More serious decision needed to be made.
Alex addressed the meeting. “Thank you Jo. It is clear that you have tried to achieve an effective plan and it’s been blocked by the parent’s unwillingness to understand or make change. So, moving forward what do you think you need ……”
***
Tah woke up slumped over his desk in his rooms. A nasty case of drool down the side of his chin reminded him he’d slept there. Wiping his face Tah felt exhausted and unsettled. Had he slept much at all? He certainly didn’t think so. His mind continued to go round and around on the information he had gathered on the families and adults of Earth. Yet again, he felt frustrated and unprepared for this mission. These inhabitants were cruel. Did terrible things to each other. This was not unknown to Tah, his own people had those that had broken laws and rules. Most of which were now long dead. These were a complex people with a myriad of differences. Yet, were also possible of creating some amazing things too.
Exasperated at his King placing him in this position Tah shook his head and started to paced. His personal space was a mess. There were information displays all over the place and he hated it. He like
d things neat, tidy and predictable. Organised. Nothing was neat, tidy or predictable about this job. He realised he needed to get down there and mix with these people. Find out what makes them tick. Tah knew he couldn’t do that from his ship, factual information was one thing, actually seeing it first hand and being involved in it something else. Subtle differences in beings in body language and speech could mean different things.
Frustrated. Tah leaned in the doorway holding onto the top of the doorframe with his hands, an easy task for him being tall even for his kind. He worried. What would be the cost of his actions? What if he was discovered before the armada arrived, what if he gave something away by walking the Earth. Tah slammed his hand on the doorframe. “I can’t be discovered and that’s all there is to it”. He had his wits and skills and his camouflage but even so, physically, the Bataari did look much like Earth males. Earth cultures were already very diverse in looks and Tah was just taller, bigger, with longer than average male hair. He understood his look would not be ‘fashionable’ and he had stronger features than most. His colouring would fit in. His hair was long, thick and black, hanging down passed his shoulders. His eyes a violet blue, which could be passed off as Earth contacts in his eyes and his skin colour was considered tanned by Earth standards. He was larger than the general male population. Not just in muscle but in size. He was just…. Big. Tah reasoned he could pass for what he is, just a much larger Earth warrior if need be. He would have to hide his weapons but that wouldn’t be too difficult, he was after all, a warrior. He could go down and interact with the indigenous people. Look around a bit. See how things worked. Just enough to get a feel for how life was lived on this Planet. “Yes” He thought aloud. He would have first-hand experience to share when his King arrived. This was perfect he told himself. What could be better?
“Computer, provide the organisations local information for personal research on the ground, location and infiltration information”. “Compiling, requested information, uploading to PID”. Tah check his Personal Information Device, his PID, held in the arm brace of his uniform and started to tack up. All Bataarian’s had the same uniform. His legs were covered in a toughened metal mesh that looked similar to Earth leather. It was unbreakable, difficult to penetrate with even the largest of weapons and it would pass for Earth trousers. His top was standard issue. The same material in a softer version for better manoeuvrability. It would pass for a casual Earth high neck top and was dark grey as well. His personal camouflage, his camo, would hide his PID along with himself. He would go unseen. Tah checked the information as it appeared to be listed on his PID and he engaged his camouflage. “Computer, drop at discrete first location and await further instruction via PID, secure ship”. “Compiling, calculated drop requirements and will drop in 3, 2, 1 drop complete, ship secured”.
Tah materialised in a gap between buildings with no windows or doors. It was a good location that could not be overseen even if he had not used his personal camouflage. Tah reeled back. The smell. What was that. Tah looked around him. “They left their rubbish on the streets, by the goddess, that is disgusting”. Tah spoke aloud in shock. Tah looked at the floor. It was covered in what passed for food, drinks and was that Human and animal waste Tah thought staring at it in disbelief. “Batac. These people”. Tah was disgusted. Did they not understand that living like this brought death? Gagging and holding his breath, he checked his PID. The information was clear and he had the directions to the first on his list. He moved quickly. Did all of Earth stink and look like this? This was no paradise. How were his people to live here? It didn’t look this bad on vid he reflected. Raising his nose trying to get above the smell he started to jog to the end. His people would not understand this way of living. No respect for the environment, no respect for themselves or what sustains them. This pained Tah. He was a little less hopeful that this world would provide the answers he needed. With determination, he headed to his first stop.
***
Alex sat back in her chair and looked around at the empty office. She was always amazed when she looked down the open plan office just how large it was. Keeping your head down tended to warp your sense of space. Your desk became your bubble. No pictures of children or husband on her desk. No hand drawn pictures from the kids. No, not for Alex. A noddie head smiley character. Her personal mug. Stacks of paperwork full of useful reference material. Two screens. 3 Phones. 5 Systems on line. Legal documents and a pen holder. A bowel of sweets for the staff who passed her desk or came by for a chat. That was her desk. Alex smiled at the last of her staff who heading out the door “You go home too Alex” Emma, Alex’s admin called out to her, Alex waved them off. “Sure thing on my way now too”. The staff knew Alex had a rule. If the staff were still working so was she. It made for an interesting life. Unpredictable and challenging. Alex swivelled her seat and turned back to her desk. She looked out the window. It took a very special man or woman to be able to put up with that crap. You couldn’t make plans. She’d tried many many times and often ended up paying for tickets and not getting there. You just couldn’t guarantee what time you’d be home. Couldn’t guarantee you wouldn’t be up all night re-writing court paperwork for the next day.
It was ironic. This job was to support relationships and family. Yet, so many were broken by the demands of the job. Partners not understanding the pull and drive of it or that they had to take a back seat when needed. It takes a very understanding and secure person to be able to deal with that and not question that your not ‘out partying’. Sadly, Alex reflected that it had affected many of her staff’s relationships as well as her own. The demands of the job outweighed the paid hours 2 to 1. No. Relationships were not easy in this game. As if. Alex snorted. Who had the energy for that. It was a great view from her desk on the 7th. It was getting dark earlier now she noticed. The night’s drawing in and cooler nights were in the air. Winter will be here all too soon thought Alex. The different changing seasons always brought work to her door. No matter what was going on in the world, people were still the same. Well, not today it seems. She’d be leaving on time. She could definitely do with that glass of wine when she got home. Alex rolled her shoulders. Yep, definitely time to go she told herself turning off her computer and screens, she filed her papers, forwarded her phone, picked up her bags and headed for the elevators. She was done.
***
Tah was reeling. He’d returned to the ship moments ago after visiting three of the locations on the top of his list. He had remained hidden to all eyes but what he had witnessed and heard, he had little words for and those he did, made him want to punch something. Tah was angry, his control on his emotions slipping as he headed for the training room. He was in serious need of exercising some rage. “How could they let that happen”, he shouted to no one, the same question over and over again. Tah burst through the training room doors, looking for someone to combat. Remembering he was alone on his craft. Dam it. “Computer, simulation warrior Tah two”. “Compiling, warrior simulation Tah two”. Bouncing on his heels, Tah stripped off his weapons and PID and eagerly waited for the sim to start. Human behaviour left him feeling cold, angry and sad. Tah realised this was not all the people of Earth but there were plenty like this. He would eradicate all those that posed harm. With a primal roar Tah engaged the sim.
Two hour’s later exhausted but feeling more in control of his emotions, Tah made his way to the showers, ordered nourishment, ate and fell into a dreamless sleep. “Tomorrow had better show promise” he murmured as sleep took him.
***
Tah was irritated. The last 4 days followed a similar pattern. He shadowed three organisations a day. Returned to the ship. Beat on some training equipment, showered, ate and slept. The information he had gathered told him nothing but the worst of Human nature. Tomorrow was a ‘weekend’ Tah had learnt. Time worked differently on Earth. Many organisations did not work the days know as Saturday and Sunday. But he had overheard some of the workers talking excitedly about meeting up after wor
k on Friday evening to what they called “blowing off some stream”. Tah smiled at this saying, they had a similar one on board ship. It was clear they had plans to meet up with people they worked with from other organisations and have what they called “down time and a few laughs”. Tah understood letting off steam with follow warriors after much hard work. This social event with a mixture of alcohol and company could be both enlightening and eventful. Tah raised his eyebrows. Certainly, if it is anything like his troops ‘down time’ it would be. Decision made, Tah headed for a change of clothes after his meal ready for a drop. This is going to be fun he thought.
“Computer location of Sid’s Wine Bar, up loaded to PID, drop and secure ship”. “Compiling, uploaded information to PID, drop in 3,2,1 drop, ship secured”.
***
Alex dropped into the bar chair. Was it really Friday night already she thought. Ha Ha. There was a god after all but it felt like it had taken an age in getting here. Alex took a quick look round the bar that had become important to those in social care. A mixture of departments was present. Some from different services too. Alex recognised most of them. The bar wasn’t much, not posh or spic and span, a bit rough round the edges, a place to let off steam and relax but clean with good bar staff and company. More importantly the food was good and for those that wanted it, the drinks not overpriced or watered down. Alex noticed about half her team letting off steam, she would leave them be. She liked the bar. If they wanted her to join them they would ask. No insult given none taken. Who wants their manager round them all the time? God knows, I don’t she told herself. “There you go Alex, one spritzer heavy on the lemonade”. Alex looked up into the smiling face of Ryan. An ex-employee who now worked for one of the organisations. “Thanks Ryan I could do with it, haven’t seen you for a while, how’s the family and how are you doing”.
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