Traveller Probo
94. England

The meeting was anything but diplomatic. With Taylor absent from the quorum of historians, Professor Alexander found that factions had finally come into the open. As acting CEO of Historical Research International, she realised that to keep the group under control was beyond her abilities and her respect for Professor Taylor’s ability to keep these arrogant academics under restraint grew.

To make the meeting even more complex, other interests were present. Accompanying the delegate from the UN were two delegates from the owners - Professor Phil Walker of Helguard Security and Zak Chandler for Woomera Technologies. Perhaps of greater significance was the attendance of two high-ranking generals, one from the United States and the other from Great Britain. The meeting had become even more politically charged.

Professor Alexander continued, “My dear General Connor, the Traveller projects have always been undertaken under civilian direction and control. These are essentially historical missions with the support of Special Forces to ensure the safest approach.”

General Connor smiled and nodded, “We’ve never questioned the ability of our Special Forces, Professor Alexander but only the ability of Historical Research International to provide the expertise that our troops so desperately need. We don’t wish to remove Historical Research International from Transporter Corp but instead we offer our planning expertise to permit a more seamless process, where our troops will be supported from within the framework in which they usually work.”

“We most appreciate the offer of your expertise,” interjected Professor Esther Febvre, “but we’re satisfied with the continued improvements in Traveller project organisation. Our relationship with the various militaries has been excellent and the results outstanding. The only real concerns are with the unpredictability of the time we research.”

“And yet, my dear Professor, our men have continued to become fatalities in these very projects,” offered General Humphrey in his cultured English. “They suffered injury in the Saxon Traveller project and two were murdered in New Zealand Traveller. Add to that the theft of the Transporter by the Ukrainians and we can only suggest that the security record for the Traveller projects is questionable at best.”

There were gasps and a buzz of indignant chatter but Zak Chandler spoke over the buzz. “Please, General, let’s not go there. First of all, why are you both raising these issues? The Traveller projects have been enormously successful if we evaluate them on the basis of the knowledge collected. Yes, with the rest of the world we have agonised over the Battle of Giolgrave and the terrible news of the ambush in New Zealand. We constantly evaluate how to make sure our researchers, our Special Forces team members, can participate in the Traveller projects without becoming victims themselves. But the civilian management of the projects can’t be seen as being at fault. It didn’t cause any of the events you’ve mentioned. Granted, civilian management allowed the Travellers to choose to return to Giolgrave but that was not to fight the Vikings, that decision was made by the troops on the ground. The training of the Special Forces troops allowed more of them to survive in a time when any other researchers would surely have been killed. And I might add that, when I was kidnapped with my staff and the Transporter, the facility was under military guard.”

“Also General, who do you expect to manage the Transporter internationally?” rumbled Professor Konstantin Yumashev. The Russian was in his usual feisty mood. “Do you think that the Russian Military would be the one to oversee the international Transporter projects?”

“No, that’s not the issue,” exclaimed General Connor, his face reddening in annoyance.

“No, it is not,” continued the big Russian. “All know how I fought for the right for Russia to operate our own Traveller Project and then, in a spirit of reconciliation, to merge our project with that of the Ukrainians. Now, we plan our own project, for the Ukrainians have forfeited theirs, as well as their troops it seems. But to expect any specific military to manage this is ludicrous at best.”

“Precisely,” smiled Professor Alexander . “How do you suggest this can be appropriately managed? If left solely to the United Nations, we suspect the influence of the Security Council would influence the impartiality of the selection process. After all, only two of the permanent members of the Security Council, being Great Britain and the United States, have completed or will soon complete a Traveller project. How could the world be certain that the other permanent members, being France, China, and Russia, will not be fast-tracked to have their projects initiated? No, my dear Generals, what you suggest is fraught with danger. We know our processes have been criticised but to turn this over to the military will smack of lack of transparency and too much political influence.”

“Agreed,” added Phil. “While we as a committee are always grateful for the participation of the brave Special Forces who are our Travellers, they do so as volunteers. Don’t forget, they guide the planning for these missions. The Saxon Travellers were responsible for their training while the New Zealand project was as hands-off as could be managed at the time. In both situations the Travellers made the day to day operational calls. We must continue to learn and let the historians control the location and data while the local military control the training and the selection of the troops on the ground. Only by working together can we hope to conduct these missions in a format that holds the greatest chance to see our troops return home.”

“Perhaps of most significant concern is how to ensure the safety of the Transporter,” interjected General Connor, his face flushed in anger. “We don’t want the Transporter to be stolen again, or worse, become damaged or destroyed by terrorists.”

“General Connor, we understand your concerns for the security,” replied Zak firmly. “Perhaps I can speak with experience when I say that there was little that could be done to prevent the theft of the Transporter by the Ukrainian troops. That was a unique set of circumstances as the troops all possessed the appropriate security clearance. Their actions were only influenced by the political climate of the time. There was little more the facility guards could have done. Now, yes, security is tighter and such events shouldn’t take place again. Our lessons will help the US to plan their project better.”

“And don’t forget deaths by accident, such as Lieutenant Wicks of the SAS,” continued Professor Goldman. “As long as we send people into the past, they risk the hazards of an inherently dangerous era. Strangers are often seen as a threat and treated as one. We can, however, be grateful that all involved in the medical mission to Giolgrave returned safely. That, as we know, was another joint mission.”

“But surely with more military control, the missions should surely become safer,” suggested Professor Cowen.

“But of course,” nodded Professor Yumashev with a smile. “Our Russian military will be happy to be the global custodians for the Transporter.” He held his arms wide, “You can be assured that we’ll behave in a non-partisan manner that will solve all of our problems.”

There were a few chuckles and Professor Cowen was forced to smile at the joke.

The two Generals looked frustrated but not angry. Professor Alexander was again confused as to what they expected to achieve. So far, the planning through individual military contacts had worked well, with the militaries included in each project greeting their inclusion with open arms.

As the meeting concluded, the generals shook hands and all seemed amicable. A look from Professor Yumashev caught her eye. He sensed a hidden agenda.

What were the Generals up to?