Wonderland

By Timothy Lincoln

The planet Wonderland, playground for the rich and powerful, is threatened by a mysterious object approaching from space. With a lot of people worried, Captain Matthew Bennett is charged with investigating. With his team of elite soldiers, they will answer the oldest question of our modern age. Are we alone in the universe?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Timothy Lincoln
• Release date: Dec 9, 2013
• ISBN: 9781311431875

Timothy Lincoln

Born in late 1989 just outside of London, Timothy started out by writing music with a string of bands. After a few years, and starting a solo career, he branched out into writing short stories and novels.As a self-proclaimed Geek, he spends his time writing, playing guitar and singing, while studying for a degree in Biochemistry.

Book preview

Wonderland

By

Timothy Lincoln

Wonderland

Timothy Lincoln

Copyright 2013 by Timothy Lincoln

Smashwords Edition

****

Chapter 1

Matthew Bennett strode down the street, hands pushed into his pockets against the rain, watching the sharp suited men and women as they passed. It had been a long time since he was last in London, and the first time that he had ventured along Downing Street to meet the Prime Minister of Great Britain. It was a strange occurrence, but one that Matthew wasn’t overly worried about. He could have spent hours tearing himself up over the invitation, but that would never answer anything. All he could do was answer the call.

A police officer guarded the door, eyes tracing the people as they passed. It was mostly journalist and parliamentary figures. Neither rated highly on the officers concerns. However, Matthew was a different quantity. Wearing a thread bare military jacket, allegedly borrowed from the stores, and faded jeans, he didn’t exactly meet the dress code. The officer watched him closely, beady eyes moving slowly up and down him. Given the same position, Matthew would have stopped himself as well.

Excuse me sir, the officer said, taking a step forward and holding out a hand. This is a secure building, he added, I’m afraid that we don’t allow visitors without an appointment.

Captain Matthew Bennett, he replied, reaching into his inner pocket and removing his ID. Twenty Second Special tactics unit, he added.

The officer took the ID, glancing at the picture and comparing it to Matthew. Stepping back, he inserted it into a small scanner and waited for the results, eyes never leaving Matthew. All in all, a reasonable system, but not completely fool proof. Hell, the police were fine, but not massively efficient.

This will only take a minute, sir, the officer said, fingering the pistol strapped to his hip.

No problem, Matthew replied, smiling brightly and thinking through the moves that it would take to disarm the man. He toyed with the idea of taking the pistol from the officer, mostly for the fun of letting him explain to his superiors. After a few seconds, Matthew relented, letting the idea slip from his head. The man was only doing his job. Standing on a door for hours at a time and clearing out journalist, while welcoming politicians, didn’t exactly rate highly on Matthew’s job ambitions. Yet, someone had to do it. Take your time, he added, I’m sure the Prime minister doesn’t mind waiting.

It didn’t get a reaction, but a lot of people probably tried it. They wouldn’t rush security checks. Matthew had heard a lot about the Prime Minister, Jonathan Samson, not someone that took matters lightly. He was a serious man. If it took a few minutes to properly vet people before they arrived at his office, then he wouldn’t mind waiting. Anyone that had survived in a political jungle for four terms had Matthew’s respect.

The machine beeped twice, releasing Matthew’s ID, and flashing green. It was a much simplified system, but one that didn’t leave anything to chance. I guess it flashes red if you have to shoot me, Matthew muttered, taking the small passport like card from the officer.

Been here before then?

Just a guess, Matthew replied, pushing the ID back into his pocket, keeping the smile fixed in place. Just a guess, he repeated.

They’re expecting you in the main office, the officer said, stepping to one side and folding his hands behind his back. The receptionist will show you the way.

Thanks, Matthew said, walking through the now open door and into the main corridor. A woman sat off to the right, watching him as a entered, all smiles and public relations. She wore a suit, skirt cutting off just above the knee and revealing a pair of very attractive legs. Matthew smiled, looking around the large hallway.

Welcome to Downing Street, she said, voice clear and bright. Mr Samson is waiting for you in the main office. If you would like to sign in, we can head up now.

Matthew nodded, walking across to the small desk and picking up the pen. He scrawled his name in the book, glancing at the steel watch on his wrist for the time. Maybe they had a secondary system for detecting covert agents. Making a mental note to test their security at some point, he filled in the indicated spaces, and set the pen back down. The day was starting to annoy him. It was the first leave that Matthew had had for a long time, and now he was standing in Downing Street about to consult with the leader of his country about a mission. Not his idea of a relaxing day.

They walked in silence through the wood lined corridor, weaving their way through throngs of suited people, all swapping papers and talking in hushed tones. Something major was happening. He was not good at politics, but he could read people, and trusted his instincts when reading situations. These were people on edge. The tension was palpable, crystallising in the air, and settling around them. All the signs pointed to something massive.

He contemplated asking his guide, trying to squeeze as much information from her as he could. Yet, she didn’t appear interested in talking. Taking the opportunity to study the people, most of whom he had seen on the news, or various programs that dealt with current events, Matthew tried to deduce what he could from their worried faces. They were tense without being scared. It had to be something that they didn’t understand, or something that was too strange to fully grasp. Both options didn’t give a narrow band of scenarios.

Their footsteps echoed off the walls, bouncing around and filling the stillness pressing in on them. Climbing a flight of stairs, Matthew followed his guide along another long corridor, and stopped at a large oak door. You’ll find Mr Samson waiting inside, she said, tapping lightly on the door with one delicate hand. He will explain the details of our current situation.

Thanks, Matthew muttered, standing by the door as she departed.

Come in Captain Bennett, a voice yelled. It had to be Samson.

Matthew twisted the handle, pushing through the door and stepping into the massive office. Closing the door, he took in the scene, trying to gather as much information as possible before trying to deal with the politicians.

Good morning Captain, Samson said, standing from the desk and walking across the room. Matthew took the proffered hand, shaking it as he fought the urge to crush the older man’s fingers. Samson was around fifty-eight, grey eyes matching the silvery hair that covered his head. Anyone would have thought that he was younger, if not for the wrinkles lining his face. It looked as if he hadn’t slept for a week, or at least forty-eight hours. His skin was pallid and waxy, dark bags hanging beneath his eyes. We have a situation that requires the attention of your team, he continued, indicating the pair of sofa’s off to the right.

What’s the problem sir, Matthew said, falling into the soldier routine of talking to leaders. It was a skill learnt as a Sergeant, one that no one forgot. In reflection, Matthew realised that he had learnt a lot as a Sergeant.

Straight to the point, replied Samson, smiling brightly. A refreshing change from the people that I usually have to deal with. He indicated the desk, walking across and settling into the chair behind. A woman stood off to the left, hands held behind her back and eyes focused intently on Matthew. Tessa recommended you for the mission. Apparently you are the best suited for this particular situation.

We need a scientist, Tessa Bennett said, eyeing her son carefully. More to the point, we need someone that we can rely on. I need soldiers with brains.

That’s what the Twenty Second Specials are for, Matthew said. They were a unique team, set in a similar mould to the SAS, and with all the same combat requirements. However, they had one small difference. Every member of the team held at least a Master’s Degree, most holding a doctorate in their chosen subjects. It was an added spice, and one that made the team unique throughout the world. Not to mention unique among the other worlds now populated by humanity. Perhaps you should just tell me what is happening?

Samson nodded. Leaning back in his leather chair, and pointing to a chart on the table. I wonder if you would tell me what you see here.

Matthew stepped forward, eyeing the chart on the table. It was clearly a star chart, probably taken from a Spacer and marked with heavy red pen. Tracing the small line from the top right of the page, he stopped at a small object, circled with red. It could have been a rock, or a planet wandering through open space, but something told Matthew that it wouldn’t be something so simple. The people downstairs were too tense.

It’s a star chart, Matthew murmured. I would say that it’s a meteorite, something big heading for a populated planet.

Samson glanced at Tessa, tenting his fingers and resting his chin on his knuckles. Maybe it was a test, a way to find out if he was up to the task of tackling the problem. It’s either too big for the planetary defences, or something that we haven’t encountered before. Pausing, Matthew took a second look at the line, following it back with his finger. Sometimes the smallest details were the most important. He needed to elaborate, find an explanation to this test he was being subjected to. Or, it’s under power and not one of our own.

Samson’s expression changed, only a brief glimpse of his true feelings, a wavering of his normally steady mask of assurance, but it was enough. They had found a craft, something that didn’t conform to anything known to the Spacers. We cannot verify the details of the object yet, Samson said, running his fingers through his hair. The observations so far lead us to believe that it is under power. Our science team is limited and we do not want to risk personnel that we cannot replace.

In other words, you have a couple of scientist and expect it to be hostile, Matthew said, translating the political talk. Sending us out doubles the technical ability, while giving you someone that can coordinate defence forces. He paused, glancing at his mother. Well, that’s what we get paid for.

Samson grinned, eyes meeting Matthew’s gaze. Basically, you’re right.

The object was detected as it approached the Wonderland system, Tessa said. Her grey hair was tied back into a short ponytail, eyes clear and sharp despite being in her late sixties. A lot of very wealthy people are getting very worried. As you can imagine, that is a bad thing.

Especially for the next election, Matthew said, trying to stifle a laugh. It all came down to money in the end. People with a lot of cash were worried, therefore the government was dispatching a team to protect their playground. Matthew knew a little about Wonderland. Mostly what he had learnt at school like everyone else. The place was as close to paradise as you could get, a jewel in the empirical crown of the Earthen Empire. There were only two ways to get onto the surface. Firstly you could stump up the millions of credits that it took to buy a place and live there, or secondly you had to be sponsored by one of the wealthy elite that already lived on the planet.

It was a world of beauty, flowing blue waters and tropical forest. The temperature was constant, and the three settlements had already been bought up by a super-rich few. Matthew didn’t care about the money. Hell, even if he lived to a thousand, he could never afford to live on the planet or even visit it for a week. Now the government was prepared to pay him to go there.

I want you to travel to Wonderland, Samson said, Backup the scientist at Blue Bay University and assess the threat level. If it turns out to be hostile, we will need you to coordinate the defence efforts.

Matthew nodded, glancing at his mother. What kind of support do we have?

Local police force, Tessa replied, Mostly ex-soldiers hired by the elite to act as security. Not a lot of crime, and even less reason for people to steal. She picked up a thin folder, passing it across to Matthew. We have a few details, but mostly there isn’t enough trouble out there to warrant a large police presence.

Matthew sighed. Basically, we have a few ex-soldiers and a lot of panicking people.

Not the worst you’ve had, Tessa said, eyes searching his. The planet is small. If you believe that there is a real threat, we can send in the Spacers, evacuate the planet with plenty of time to spare. She visibly relaxed, glancing at the Prime Minister. We could order an army out there, but the wealthy don’t want their planet trampled by a million careless grunts. You are a small force. Take anything that you might need; weapons and armour, along with some better radio gear. The university has all the scientific equipment that you will need.

Sounds like a great time, he muttered, Shall I pack a surf board or just some shorts.

Just be careful, Tessa hissed, gritting her teeth. The civilian scientist will be strung out. You are their relief and their guardians. They are a priority asset.

And we’re expendable.

Chapter 2

Matthew stepped out into the rain, trying to slow the thoughts swirling through his head. The meeting had ended quickly, mostly wild speculation about what the object might have been, or what the motives of the beings aboard might be. Matthew didn’t like to think that it might be aliens. After a few centuries of space exploration, they had yet to find intelligent life. Maybe that was stretching the facts a little. All they had found was mostly empty space and a lot of cold rocks.

Walking along the cold streets, he wondered about the object. A few scientist were trying to deal with an unknown entity, something that was beyond the vision of anything that they had yet to encounter. He needed to get his team together, but that would mean cutting their leave short and he wanted to have a few more facts before he did that. They had two days before the spaceship would leave. Matthew believed in being prepared, in gathering as many facts as he could before making a decision.

People flowed past him, seeking refuge in the rows of shops and cafes that lined the streets. Matthew enjoyed the animosity of London, milling amongst the people as they lived out their lives. He didn’t envy them. His job was his life, one that led him to many places around the world and into the stars. One day his mother would expect grandchildren, but for now he was content to simply follow where his career took him. He was twenty-eight. Many people had families and mortgages at his age, but that was not something that called to Matthew.

The world swept around him. For the moment, he was happy to let it pass, ignoring the bits that didn’t interest him. He was a scientist, a doctor of applied physics, and a reasonable engineer. However, he enjoyed working with the military. The Twenty Second Special unit was a test group, elite in every sense of the word. They developed and tested new weapons, putting together tactics and gear that would give the rest of the army a competitive edge.

Heading along the river, Matthew tried to put together the pieces. No one had told him much about the people that he would be working with at the university. On the whole, it didn’t matter a great deal. His team constituted a reasonable scientific community without having to rely on other people getting involved. However, Matthew didn’t like protecting a team that he knew nothing about. If they didn’t trust him, or refused to follow his instructions when things went to hell it would put his team at risk and that was something that he couldn’t accept.

Death didn’t worry him. Working with the military, Matthew accepted death as a hazard, something that was always close at hand. In war people died. No matter what people said, war caused death. They were two parts to the same equation. Without death, people would not try and avoid war. History had lost count of the people that had been lost to stupidity, fighting and general disease of the soul. Matthew wanted peace, one that would last forever, but knew it was impossible. People just didn’t work that way.

Rain washed over him, sending a chill through his body and plastering his jet black hair to his scalp. No one paid him any attention, passing him by as they hurried off to whatever it was that they had to do. Slowing as he approached the bank of the Thames River, Matthew leant against the railings, looking out over the water as the rain bounced off the surface. A few boats glided across the surface, sails high and billowing in the breeze. No one sailed for anything other than pleasure now. Although, he had been taught as part of basic training to operate a sailing boat.

He watched them, letting everything else disappear from his mind. The white hulls stood out against the grey, bright in the dour weather. A few hours, that was all that he needed. The others would be around, probably kicking around a bar or attending one of the universities that they had populated during their studies. The capital sprawled out around him, filled with a trillion possibilities, all ready and waiting for him to go and find them. Yet, he couldn’t clear his head of the upcoming mission.

All he really wanted was a few hours sleep. It was a simple dream, but one that had been dashed as soon as they landed. Humanity had managed to open up the world, building houses everywhere not covered with ocean. Not to mention some of the shallower parts of the ocean. Overpopulation had been the key, the main driving force behind the expansion. Lunar colonies had been a start, followed by Mars and beyond. Wonderland was a more recent move, only inhabited in the last hundred years. Now there were three major extra solar settlements. Wonderland, Crystal Rock and La Orange made up the three bases for humans.

Everyone was taught the basics about the other planets. La orange was a French colony, or discovered by them at least, and mostly named for the colour of the planet’s surface. It was mostly a giant mining operation. Crystal Rock followed a few years later, building on the industrial harvesting of space for the gain of humanity. They provided thousands of tonnes of export a year, mounting up to enough cash to get onto the surface of the last planet discovered. Wonderland was simply a playground for the rich and famous.

Matthew watched the boats. Some were probably being tested, put through their paces before being shipped out to Wonderland. It was a planet of money, a place where you didn’t have to worry about crime because everyone else was just as rich as you were. A place that you could do anything that you wanted, indulge any hobby that took your fancy.

Blue Bay University was a puzzle. Why would they build a university on a planet designed to be used solely for pleasure? The rich barons and dukes that inhabited the world had never shown an interest in expanding their minds, only their bank accounts. It didn’t make sense. Matthew couldn’t think of a government that would be ready to shoulder the enormous cost of buying the land, and constructing the building. Crystal Rock was sustained by trade, by the raw materials mined from the surface, much like La Orange. Yet, Wonderland couldn’t be mined; there was just nothing there worth exporting.

A couple of women walked past, glancing at Matthew before whispering to each other. He smiled, turning his attention back to the boats and the steadily flowing river. He wanted to put off the moment that he needed to tell his team that their leave was cancelled. However, they had too much to do and only a few days to get it done. Sighing, Matthew faced up to the facts. He would have to get everyone together. There was just far too much work for him to do on his own.

Pulling out his phone, he scrolled through the contacts and stopped at his Sergeant. Sergeant Jimmy Tanson, he was a reliable man, and useful in many ways. In the beginning, God would have created a Sergeant. It saved a lot of work in the long run. Pressing the green button, he listened to the ringing. Hey man, Tanson said, picking up on the fourth ring. What’s going on?

I need you to call in the team, Matthew replied, Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but we have business. Get everyone together and at the base by eleven tomorrow.

Damn it, Tanson muttered, clearly annoyed by the news. No one wanted their leave cut short. What the hell is going on?

Mission from the top, I’ll explain more later, but it’s important. Right now, we need to get everyone to the base for briefing.

I’m on it, but they’re gonna be pissed.

I know. Tell them that we’re heading for Wonderland, Matthew said.

There was a long pause. Tanson was reliable, a physicist by training and someone that trusted his senses. The news was strange and Matthew didn’t rush him. It would take a few seconds for the information to settle in, just like it had done with him.

Wonderland, Tanson whispered his voice slow and unbelieving, drawing out each syllable as if testing it for taste and texture. I must be losing it.

No, we have a job to do, Matthew said, I’ll explain at the briefing.

I’ll gather the team then, replied the Sergeant, still slightly shocked from the revelation.

I’ll see you tomorrow then, Matthew said, hanging up the phone and taking a last look at the boats. He didn’t want to leave yet, but there was work to do, and things to plan.

Walking along the river, Matthew let his brain work. He could find the base on automatic. They needed weapons. The local police force didn’t sound efficient, and they wouldn’t be heavily armed. Rich people hated the sight of guns to spoil their good times. If the thing turned out to be hostile, they would need something to fight back with.

Armour would help. A suit and tie would make them fit in better, but it wouldn’t stop a bullet. Soldiers were no use dead. There would be no backup, just a plan to get everyone out and let his team spearhead the repatriation of the planet into humanities hands. For that, they would need to be prepared for the worst. Matthew wondered how far they would go, what they would do to the planet to ensure the safety of humanity. Everything came down to money. If the elite didn’t want to have their holiday homes destroyed, then there would be little that the military could do to fight them.

People were strange. Matthew had to deal with them a lot, and still couldn’t understand the rules that governed their choices. Some would run into a burning house to save a sofa, but not their kids. People were just strange. As he wandered through the town, Matthew watched the people as they passed, all watching the pavement and hiding under umbrellas or hoods. He appeared to be the only person braving the weather, rather than hiding from the light drizzle.

It was a forty minute walk back to the base, nothing compared to the normal fitness regime, but still enough time to get his brain working. Maybe he would find something in the folder that Samson had put together for him. Not a lot of hope. Politicians had a different perspective to soldiers. Mostly they were looking for votes, Matthew was interested in saving lives. Not always the same goal.

Striding through the chain linked gate, Matthew threw a casual salute to the guard, before heading for their barracks. The base was mostly constructed out of bland grey buildings, a little like cabins put up on building sites, and a few hangers that contained a menagerie of gear. The team was expected to be able to launch an assault at a moment’s notice, and required space to train. Matthew also had a lab on the base, much like the other members of his team.

Threading his way through the buildings, Matthew was surprised at the lack of people milling around the complex. At any given time he knew that there would be around a hundred, maybe two hundred support staff on site, collecting data and carrying out experiments set out by him and the other members of his team. Mostly they involved blowing things up with a more exotic variety of weapons. While others were simple what Matthew labelled stupidity tests. Out on a mission was not a time to try and decide the safe limit of a blast radius. On the site, they tested various shells and explosives, detonating them in a range of imaginative ways for no other reason than to see what happened next.

Matthew barely noticed the blasts anymore. He simply walked through the small wooden door and into the tiny room that he called home. Many people would have called it cosy. Matthew fondly wished to meet those people, preferable with a heavy calibre machine gun in his hands, but that could wait. Kicking the door closed, Matthew crashed into the small cot, eyes closing as he hit the pillow and drifted off to sleep. It was a ritual, something that he did before every mission. They would be expected to operate without sleep, going long stretches at peak performance without much rest. It was better to front load sleep, ready to fill the void with coffee and adrenalin.

Shifting on the lumpy mattress, Matthew dropped into a deep sleep, pushing the worries and annoyances from his mind. One of the first things that any solider learnt was the ability to fall asleep in a matter of seconds, no matter what might be eating away at you. A lot of the time, this was simply because fatigue had curled its thick fingers around your brain. However, most found a knack to clear their head, to let go of anything other than sleeping. Matthew had learnt it on the first day in basic, and now put it to full use every time he was about to embark on an adventure. Soon, he would be in Wonderland, and then the fun would really begin.

Chapter 3

Walking into the large hanger, Matthew scanned the team, trying to decide on a tact to take with them. He had cut their leave short. Some might blame the Prime Minister, but that was no reason for him to skirt the responsibility.

Welcome back to base, Matthew said, striding into the room. Sorry for cutting your downtime, but we have a major problem. He walked across to the head of a steel trestle table set up at the centre of the room.

He stood at the head of the table, meeting the gaze of each soldier, before settling into the briefing. It was just like the hundreds he had done before. None of the team appeared bothered by losing a day’s downtime. While you guys were relaxing, I was dragged down to Downing Street and forced to confront the Prime Minister. We’re being sent to Wonderland. Matthew let the information settle in, before he continued. It turns out that they have a problem.

Jimmy raised a hand, glancing around at the others. Apparently, the Sergeant had been appointed as the spokesman for the group, a matter that made things an awful lot easier. Matthew nodded, folding his arms across his chest. When you say Wonderland, we are talking about the same planet?

Yes, Matthew replied, trying to guess at what other planets might bear the same name. The Prime Minister is sending us to a tropical paradise, to help out at the university. Turns out they have an issue, and we’re the only ones that can help.

They all nodded, swapping glances and smiling. Turning slightly, Matthew lifted a small remote, clicking the first image onto a white screen set up to this left. This is a star chart showing the problem. Walking to the screen, he tapped the small dot and circled it with his hand. We don’t know what the hell it is, and where it came from, but it is causing concern among some very rich people.

Guessing their putting pressure on Samson’s campaign fund, Ellie Poacher said, leaning back in the chair and grinning. She was a Biochemist, or at least that was what she claimed most of the time. Yet, like many members of the team, she appeared to be able to adapt to anything that they needed. Why not just let the planetary defences blow it apart?

After careful study, they decided that it is too big. The chart doesn’t show the distance, but we estimate it at about a month away, roughly forty AU.

Ellie whistled low, shaking her head as she studied the image. The team was small, six members in total, and that included Matthew. They all worked in double roles, mixing up their discipline, and teaching each other about their chosen field. So that thing is about the size of a planet, Tanson said, eyeing the chart.

That’s the best guess that they have, Matthew replied, shrugging his shoulders. There is a second object, he said, tapping a speck just in front of the larger body, nearly lost to the dark background. That is about a week out, he added. We have no data on that one, he muttered, forcing a smile, Because I pointed it out to the Prime minister.

Maybe they’ll name it after you, Ellie said, flicking a bright red lock of hair from her eyes.

I doubt that, Matthew replied. All that we know is that they have two scientist taking details. The other university faculty are tied up teaching or are unable to supply any useful information on the situation.

We leave tomorrow, Matthew continued, leaning against the table. We need to pack weapons and armour, anything that might be useful or that we can make a case for taking. The university has all the equipment that we need, and the government is sponsoring our stay, so make the most of it.

They all nodded. Ellie turned to the man next to her, chatting quietly to the bald engineer. Something that you want to share? Matthew said, eyeing the American, probably the only non-British man in the team.

Rubbing his dark hands together, Samuel De la Rosa lent back in the chair, eyes twinkling in the dim light. I was just wondering what the trajectory was, he said, voice slightly accented by his upbringing in Boston. If we had more images, maybe we can trace the flight path; find out where the hell this thing came from. Hell, there might even be more of them.

A good thought, Matthew conceded, But one that will have to wait until we arrive. Pulling out a chair, he settled down, preparing himself for the long discussion that would follow. They were scientist, geeks with guns, and that meant a certain relaxation with regards to questioning orders. I’m gonna be honest, we have very little information on this and even less about the people working the case. I would have preferred an instant transfer of all the data directly to us for analysis, but that was deemed too expensive.

The irony was not lost of the team. They were being expected to go and fight for the richest and most powerful people in the universe. Yet, they were still being held to a budget and giving them all the facts was deemed a unnecessary expense.

I wish that they would just make up their minds, Tanson said, rubbing the blonde mat of stubble covering his chin. Either they want us to make informed decisions on the available data, or pick random thoughts from the air and guess.

Lodge all complaints with the government, Matthew said, I raised the point, but they didn’t want to cooperate.

Has it changed course over the last few days, asked a small woman, caramel features scrunching up as she studied the picture. Could be a lost Spacer, Rachel Sanchez added, folding her arms and leaning on the table.

They haven’t observed any changes in course, Matthew replied, eyeing the mathematician. It was a reasonable point, and one that the scientist on Wonderland had explored. That doesn’t mean it’s not a lost Spacer, just that they may have damaged their engines.

Or it’s not from Earth at all, Samuel muttered, Or one of the colonies.

We are keeping that as a possibility, Matthew conceded, Not a likely one, but we do have to consider it.

Everyone cheered up at the thought of speculating about aliens. No matter how far the human race had travelled, and how little they had found, people never wanted to give up hope of finding life out in the multi-verse. They couldn’t be the only species to make it through and out into the cosmos. Matthew didn’t really expect to reach a meaningful decision, but he let them speculate, mostly because they had so little to go on at the moment.

Maybe we’re dealing with little green men, Samuel said, nudging Ellie as he spoke.

I hope not, Ellie retorted. If we have to meet them, I’ll clash, she added, rolling a lock of red hair in her slender fingers. Maybe they’ll be like chameleons, she said, Change to match us in every way.

Not likely, Matthew cut in, Camouflage is for people without guns.

We use camouflage, Tanson retorted. Maybe they just use it as a redundant reflex.

There were a billion possibilities. Matthew wondered if they would find aliens, but pushed the thought from his head. It was possible. However, so were a lot of other things that would not happen. I still think that we are dealing with a wandering planet, Matthew replied. If it had a moon, not an unusual occurrence, then that would explain the smaller body. Left to their own devices, Matthew knew that they could circle the thought of aliens until time ceased, and the sun exploded. Feel free to speculate, but we need to be reasonable. The simplest solution is normally true.

Yeah, but usually the most boring, Rachel interrupted. I mean, a wandering planet is a good explanation. Aliens are more fun to think about.

Opening his mouth, Matthew couldn’t find an answer. It was true. Right, Micky any view on aliens or wandering planets? Matthew said, eyeing the last Member of their team. Micky Blackburn sat off to the right, staring intently at the screen, lost with his own thoughts and ignorant of the crazy ideas flowing around the table. He was a surgeon, although he also doubled as a physical chemist, quiet at the best of times, it was easy to forget that he was even there.

I doubt they will be little, he muttered, rubbing the stubble on his chin. Apparently, few of the team had taken the time to shave that morning. "The