Traveller Probo
68. 11th Century England

Michael and Tatae’s arrival back to the glade was met with surprise. The previously pristine forest floor was scuffed and forlorn, barren of the medical facilities and festivities. Most of the visitors had Travelled and only a few villagers were to be seen. Michael was surprised at how efficiently all had been moved but then remembered he had been gone all day.

Colonel Grant spotted them and stormed across and, from the look on his face, Michael could tell he wasn’t in a happy mood.

“Hunter! Where the hell have you been? The Generals headed back mid-morning. We wanted to discuss more matters with you and you just decided not to show? I understand you and Tatae head out of camp before it was even light. It’s the end of the bloody day! What’s going on? Are you trying to piss us off?” As usual Colonel Grant was calm and his voice reasonable but Michael had never see his former commander so angry.

“Some things came up sir. We hadn’t planned to be away for the day.”

“Look, it’s too late for that now,” Colonel Grant responded with a frown, “but you have some cranky people to contend with. I don’t have to remind you how powerful these sorts can be, do I? They also feel they’ve been begging you for the completion of tasks that are not theirs to beg for. Quite some money has been committed for this programme and you act like you have the freedom to treat them as you bloody well like!”

“Colonel Grant,” interceded Michael firmly, “I’ve never in any way behaved in a way that I construed to be offensive to the Generals and to yourself. If my behaviour was, in any way, considered to be offensive, then I apologise. However, it is my responsibility to consider the best way to achieve things while at the same time minimise the impacts we are beginning to have on these villagers.”

“What you obviously don’t understand is the military operational parameters under which these Traveller missions are beginning to operate,” Colonel Grant added.

“Military?” frowned Michael. “I understand the military emphasis on training, I don’t understand how the historical research priorities of this and any other Traveller project has become a military prerogative.”

Colonel Grant looked slightly uncomfortable as he glanced to the few remaining people in the glade, and then to Tatae, who watched like a hawk. Michael knew Tatae had only a rudimentary understanding of modern English but she could tell by the tone of the conversation that her husband wasn’t pleased. He felt Tatae tense and placed a placating hand on her arm.

Colonel Grant continued, “Yes, well, military leaders in a number of participating nations have decided that since their personnel are the main operational assets in the Traveller projects, and that they should have more of a say.”

Michael recalled Anderson’s warning about the ‘shadows’.

“Colonel, you and I know that’s crap. The benefits the Saxon Traveller project has given to the 21st Century society are countless. I’ve supplied masses of data on the Saxon people, their knowledge of native plants and animals, and samples of extinct species. Because of this project, I have been advised that a top-rating television show and movie has captured the imagination of billions. Now, I know, I’m just the man on the ground but I also know how Tatae’s knowledge has seen the creation of a natural medicine empire. Saxon Traveller has created new industries, expanded knowledge, and has, for some people, generated a lot of money. None of these benefits are military. I appreciate that some of the skills developed during the training programme and here in Saxon England have helped the Special Forces but this project model is based on cooperation between civilian and military specialists. You know if they fall under military management, the emphasis will change and they’ll fail. What’s really going on?”

Colonel Grant looked perplexed and then nodded to Tatae as if to dismiss her but Michael shook his head. “Tatae has a right to know. Most of the money made has been as a result of her. We’re happy to work with the organisers as you know but I think bureaucratic bullshit is beginning to make its way into this Traveller project. We want to know where we stand.”

“I’m not giving away any secrets by telling you that the whole Traveller thing has become a political football,” replied Colonel Grant carefully. “Nations everywhere are fighting to access the Transporter for their own ends and the lynchpin to all of this is the training given to Special Forces.”

“But the Transporter’s managed by the corporations who created the device and also the UN. Right?” asked Michael.

“Well that’s true, so far,” conceded Colonel Grant. “There are some very powerful people out there who maintain that the Transporter is too important a discovery to be managed simply by the owners. Control of the Transporter has become a matter of national interests for many.”

Michael frowned. “Who? The device is jointly owned by a US and an Australian corporation. Surely only the nations of the USA and Australia are in the position to make such claims, yet other senior military personnel seem to be involved.”

“Yes but we know it’s never as easy as that, don’t we?” replied Colonel Grant a little testily. “The US believes that nations who make the best use of the Transporter not only gain ancient knowledge but can also make claim to historical lineage and influence.”

“Says a nation only just over two hundred years old!” exclaimed Michael in growing exasperation. “If a nation was to operate on such assumptions, the USA and Australia would hand over a lot more of their most significant decision-making to their aboriginal peoples, or to the Brits. Look, Colonel, with respect sir, I’m not an idiot and though you no doubt can’t give me all the reasons behind this attempted takeover, the fact you can’t come clean to me indicates it won’t be in the interests of these people. If it’s not for me to know, or for us to have a say in what happens, what do you really want from me?”

Colonel Grant glared at Michael a moment before he cut to the quick. “The training of the Special Forces representatives, as discussed, will take place. This will be a test run for a concerted training programme which will be centred in this forest. We’ll set up a base here in the glade and the people of Giolgrave, especially the hunters, will train Special Service personnel in their reconnaissance and survival techniques. Most importantly, there are weapons and other sensitive equipment that will be tested away from the prying eyes of those who might consider this work to be contrary to national interests. Now, for Australia, this is quite a coup, as we’ll become signatory to some very high-tech stuff with the USA and the UK. Canada is also signatory, as the four nations have been part of the original Saxon Traveller project. Your role is to train our first wave of specialists, who will become trainers for the remainder of our troops.”

“How many troops?” asked Michael quietly.

Colonel Grant shook his head, “Can’t say for the moment.”

“Okay,” nodded Michael, “But I need to be able to plan for the needs of the mission. Are we talking platoon or company strength?”

Colonel Grant appeared relieved that Michael was getting down to operational matters. “It looks like, after the initial trial run, that we’ll start as a platoon and increase that to a company once we get started,” he explained. “The emphasis will be to live as lightly as possible, have minimal contact with the locals, and test the gear we hope to perfect for future Traveller projects.” They watched as the last pair of soldiers carrying modern weapons and packs winked out of sight. A strip of fluorescent tape acted as a barrier to keep locals from wandering into the Area of Convergence by accident.

Colonel Grant continued, “With the successes of the Traveller projects, there’s been a rush on the development of innovative weapons and equipment for troops who will act as a new generation of explorers. Because of the sensitivity of the training and equipment, the four nations will share technology and intelligence. We’re in the position to train and lead Traveller teams for future missions throughout the world.”

“Most nations won’t like that!” suggested Michael.

“After the debacle that was New Zealand’s effort, I don’t think many nations will have a choice,” corrected Colonel Grant.

“Yet I understand that those men acted in a most professional manner. No amount of training or equipment could have helped them,” replied Michael.

“Yeah, well, each has their version of the events,” offered Colonel Grant quietly as he turned to leave.

“So, what’s this really about?” asked Michael.

Colonel Grant gave a laugh heavy with irony. “What’s it always about mate? Control of course!”

At that, he nodded a farewell to Tatae and wandered back to the Area of Convergence. He checked his watch and then simply vanished. Michael stood quietly and glanced at Tatae who looked to him questioningly but he was in no mood to discuss the situation. He had to gather his thoughts.