Traveller Probo
99. 11th Century England

Hurley stood ready to make his journey home. Helen would be waiting with little Cynthia. He was tired of too many trips through the Transporter. Maybe it was time to hang up his seax, as he had often joked

Hunter was the only other person in the glade, where he sat wearily. Hurley looked to his friend and smiled quizzically, “Are you okay old son? You look all done in.”

Hunter nodded as he gently patted Latis who sat with a dopey look on her face. “I am mate. But not why you might think,” he added quietly.

Hurley raised his eyebrows. The Transporter was not going to be ready for about ten minutes. He was eager to be gone. He looked across at Wicks’ grave, where flowers had been scattered.

“I’ve had a lot happen of late,” began Hunter.

“You certainly have! Welcome to the sleepless nights’ club,” replied Hurley with a chuckle.

His friend gave a smile. “Thanks but sorry to say, most of the stuff I’ve been sleepless about has been to do with Command and their orders.”

Hurley fell silent and only nodded.

“I’m extremely concerned about the missions they’ve planned for Giolgrave,” continued Hunter.

Hurley bowed his head and wearily placed his face into his hands. When he looked up he replied quietly. “I haven’t told you yet but I’m going to offer my resignation. I don’t think I’ll be back.”

His friend frowned and asked, “When were you going to tell me?”

Hurley looked to his friend, “About the same time you were going to tell me.”

Hunter look as sad as Hurley had ever seen him. “Okay, well I think you know my thoughts then.” He rubbed his weary eyes. “I can’t allow their plans to go forward, mate. I can’t allow our military to set up a base here, in one of this people’s most sacred places, and engage our hunters to teach them. That doesn’t even include their plans to test weapons.”

Hurley simply nodded.

“Not only that but I heard another rumour,” continued Hunter.

“What’s that?” asked Hurley warily. He noticed that Hunter had removed his camera and spoke off-record. He seemed to do that a lot lately. Hurley unclipped his and placed it into his pouch.

Hunter waited until he had finished and then nodded in gratitude. “You’ve heard the Super Soldier rumours, I’m sure. The drug and implant enhanced concepts that have been going on for years now?”

Hurley said nothing but continued to look into the forest. He then shrugged, “What are you going to do?” he asked.

Hunter looked earnestly at his friend, “Not sure. Just leave, I think. Without me here, the Generals won’t be able to ensure participation from the hunters and the rest of the village. Godric is tired of visitors, despite the fact they’ve been helpful. I think he wants life to go back to how it was.”

Hurley nodded. “What about baby Genovefa? Do you think it’s wise to drag your daughter around Saxon Aengland? Not to mention Tatae, who’s needed by the villagers?”

“Perhaps more than ever!” Hunter agreed. “Now that Brother Horsa wants to take the rest of the monks with the relic and psalters to Snotengaham, it means a lot of change. My main concern is Godric, for he’ll lose a good number of his community when they go.”

“Including you, his advisor, and Tatae, the village healer,” interjected Hurley.

Hunter nodded slowly. “I know. But what can I do? Do I let a base be set up in the forest and have the hunters coerced into cooperation? How will that effect the time-line, if there is such a thing?” He looked away and shook his head. “Tatae has a couple of acolytes who already have the skills to act as healers and spiritual guides. They’re in awe of her. You should see them. She’s treated like Jesus on a stick!”

“Well, I can only tell you that a lot of resources are being allocated to future Transporter development and Traveller missions,” replied Hurley quietly. “Not only for the study of history though. There’s some pretty weird shit being planned for testing here. I don’t know all, of course but I do know that the Americans want to test new drones with advanced weapon systems.”

“What kind?” asked Hunter, with a frown of concern.

“Not sure,” Hurley replied. “But I get the impression they’re looking at disease as a drone launched weapon. Also there are tiny drones, like bugs, that are rumoured to be used like a homing bullet. Perfect for assassination.”

“But how will they test them here?” exclaimed Hunter. “Who are they thinking of using as targets? The Vikings? The villagers? The Vikings have been setting up peaceful settlements now and, so far as I understand, have established a degree of peace in the land.”

“I don’t know,” replied Hurley quietly. “It’s all very hush-hush.”

“And illegal,” responded Hunter angrily. “How dare they seek to use my home as a testing ground for illegal weapons? This is my home! It’s my wife’s home, my daughter’s home. The people of Giolgrave are a gentle and peaceful people. They seriously expect me to participate in this?” He chewed his lip and shook his head in disbelief.

Hurley nodded thoughtfully and asked, “So, no details given to you as yet huh? I haven’t told you a thing of course. Just a quick thought though, and I know this won’t at all help but I don’t think the military are the only ones behind this. There are some big corporations involved.”

“Contractors?” asked Hunter. He looked almost despairing.

Hurley could do nothing but place his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I hope that helps.”

“Yeah, it means I’m bloody trapped,” replied Hunter, who looked uncharacteristically pale and uncertain. A man suddenly appeared in the Area of Convergence. It was one of the corporals - Tippins. The soldier opened the false stump, removed the Base Station and then placed the new Base Station into the vacant slot. It all took a moment. He waved and Hurley stood to go.

“Goodbye my friend,” he offered quietly and held out his hand. Hunter clasped Hurley’s arm in the traditional greeting between warriors.

’Goodbye my friend,” grimaced Hunter with a nod. “Give our love to Helen and little Cynthia,” he added firmly.

Hurley moved into the area of Convergence with Tippins and raised his hand in farewell. He watched Hunter as he sat sadly in the beautiful, magical glade.

And then he was surrounded by white walls and technology.

He was home.