The End of Time

By Alan W. Staves

The End of Time is the stunning conclusion to the UFO Theory. Operation Time Warp has finally come to an end. Liam Mail is taking a well-deserved break when a stranger turns up, claiming to be his brother. Liam is whisked away on a new adventure, seeking the fabled fountain of youth, which will lead him to the end of time itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Aug 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504941822

Alan W. Staves

Alan W. Staves is now in his fifties. He is married, with two grown-up children. Alan has lived all his life in Sheffield, England. He is a passionate follower of his local football team, Sheffield Wednesday. He likes loud rock music and has been a fan of the Rolling Stones for more than forty years. He is a lifelong friend of the former Geddes Axe and Baby Tuckoo guitarist Andy Barrott. The UFO Theory is his first novel.

Book preview

Time

According to Albert Einstein, time is relative.

Time, according to the Rolling Stones, waits for no man. Time can tear down a building or destroy a woman’s face. Time waits for no man, and it won’t wait for me.

Time, according to Giles Bright, can be manipulated and controlled, but it won’t stop you aging, although you can control when and where you get old.

Chapter 1

While the Cat’s Away

Joe Daniels had been in the space police corps for seven years. He was now twenty-nine years old and felt that he was going nowhere fast. He knocked on the door of Liam Mail’s office.

Enter, Liam called.

Liam was putting together his conclusion to the Hooper report. It had been a very busy few weeks on Moon Base Alfa, with the reported disappearance of a senior British politician and the murder of three German scientists. The space police corps had been stretched to its limits. Liam had insisted that each officer on his force had to write a report on the incident. He had over five hundred pages of witness statements and was now ready to present the conclusion to the WSC, the World Space Council.

Liam was surprised to see Joe Daniels enter his office. What can I do for you, Joe? Liam asked.

I’m thinking of leaving the force, Joe replied.

Liam was taken aback. Why? You’re a fine officer. We could do with a few more like you.

I don’t think I’m getting the opportunities that the others are getting. I don’t think my career is going anywhere.

Liam turned off his computer screen and advised Joe to take a chair. I think you are a good officer. You should think carefully before making any rash decisions.

I’ve been here for seven years and not had a chance to do anything different. I’m still doing the same job I started on. Everyone else has done something different or had promotions, apart from me.

Liam looked in his notebook. Suki and I are going back to Earth next week, as soon as I’ve tied things up here. Teddy will be covering my role. If you want, I will have a word with Turner and see if we can put you in to cover for Teddy while I’m away.

Joe nodded. It would be a start, he conceded.

Liam wrote a memo for Turner. A couple of days later, Liam received a memo from Turner, agreeing to let Liam give Joe a temporary promotion.

Liam put Joe in with Teddy for a week to get a grasp of things.

Liam and Suki would be going back to Earth on Wednesday. Liam always seemed to go on a Wednesday—not for any particular reason; he just liked Wednesdays. It seemed to be a good day to travel, and he would land in time for the weekend.

Joe and Teddy came down to the spaceport to see Liam and Suki off. Tom Bowler was in charge of the checkout. He had only been on the Moon for just over a year. Tom was a short man with a pale complexion and fair, spiked-up hair. Tom was currently living with Clark Warrington. He was gentle and polite. He checked everyone in and advised Liam that he needed to be on board at least fifteen minutes before takeoff. Liam knew this anyway, but someone, possibly Elliot, had told Tom that Liam was a stickler for protocol, and he would be in bother if he didn’t do everything by the book.

Tom never did anything spontaneously; for him everything was by the book.

Joe chuckled when he saw the way Tom behaved around Liam. It was as if Tom was scared to do anything wrong in Liam’s presence. Joe remembered how Elliot had hidden his travel documents when they first came to the Moon with Suki all those years ago.

Although Elliot had never admitted it, everyone knew it was he who had hidden Joe’s travel documents while he was asleep.

Liam and Suki boarded the Galaxy 4 spacecraft. This would be the last flight of the Galaxy 4. It was to be replaced by the Galaxy 5, which had come into operation last year. The Galaxy 6 was also ready come into operation in a few weeks.

The giant spacecraft was raised to the launch pad. The engines roared like a mighty beast, and then it took off, going back to Earth for the very last time.

***

Teddy returned to his office. He had already received a memo from Turner. A meeting with the WSC was scheduled for tomorrow, and Teddy and Joe had to be there.

Very strange. Why wait until after Liam has gone to have this meeting? The WSC were here last week for the conclusions of the Hooper report. Why could they not have had the meeting before Liam left for Earth? Teddy thought.

The next day, Teddy Davidson and Joe Daniels walked across the square. At the other end of the square, just a few yards down South Road, next to the Lunar medical center (LMC), stood a black door on which a brass plate read Chris Turner, Commissionaire for Lunar Affairs.

Teddy and Joe entered through the door. This led to a reception area with four seats and a small, round table positioned in one corner – a waiting area for visitors to the commissionaire. By the far wall, a receptionist was sitting behind a large desk. There was a door behind the desk to the left and steps going up to the right. A nameplate on the desk identified the receptionist as June Morley.

She looked up. Good afternoon, gentlemen. What can I do for you?

Teddy Davidson and Joe Daniels. We are here for a meeting with the commissionaire.

The receptionist looked in her diary. If you go up the stairs, the others are already here, she said, pointing to their right.

Teddy bowed to the receptionist and went for the stairs, followed by Joe. At the top of the stairs, a door opened into the commissionaire’s meeting room. The meeting room contained a large oak table surrounded by several plastic chairs. At the far end of the table was a large, ornate wooden chair, which looked more like a throne and was out of place in these surroundings. Already seated were Chris Turner and Gareth Megson, while Mike Lyons was standing by the wooden throne.

Lyons and Megson were wearing full military uniforms, and Turner was wearing his ceremonial robes. Lyons beckoned Teddy and Joe into the room and asked them each to take a seat.

Teddy and Joe obediently sat down. Mike Lyons then introduced himself and Gareth Megson. Then he gave a long speech about the need to increase the size of the moon base. He then switched on a projector, which was placed at the end of the table. He showed them slides of what the WSC were proposing: the building of a new base to the northwest of Alfa—a cargo base. Ellis Island could not cope with the larger craft, like the Capricorn and the Berliners. A new docking area for the larger craft would have to be built to the northwest of Alfa, with a rail link coming in on the northwest side and linking directly into Ellis Island. All cargo would be brought in and checked by a new customs team, for which the WSC were offering another eight men to the Space Police Corps. Teddy and Joe sat impassively. They listened while Lyons went through the motions of delivering a well-rehearsed script.

When he had finished, Lyons turned towards his audience. Any questions? he asked casually.

Joe had his hand in the air like an inquisitive schoolboy. Turner gave him a scornful scowl.

Yes? asked Lyons. What would you like?

What does Liam Mail think about this?

Lyons looked to Turner for support. He straightened his tie before answering. Mr Mail has gone to Earth. He left it for the two of you to vote through.

Joe shook his head. No, he said. Liam would not go back to Earth with something as big as this about to go down. I don’t think he knows anything about this. If he did, I’m sure he would have stayed.

Lyons looked again to Turner for support, but it looked like he was out on a limb. We need you to vote this through right now, so we can prepare the groundwork for this project.

Without Liam Mail’s authorisation, I vote against this, said Joe.

I also vote against, said Teddy.

You are still outvoted three to two, Megson chipped in.

I have a proxy from Liam Mail. Also voting against the proposal, Joe added.

Lyons looked annoyed. Where did you get this proxy from?

Joe held up a folded piece of paper. I have Liam Mail’s proxy here in my hand, and he votes against the proposal.

It looks like we will need a revote when Liam returns, said Teddy.

Fuming, Lyons and Megson dismissed Teddy and Joe from the room.

Where did you get that proxy from? Teddy asked Joe as they went down the stairs.

Joe opened the piece of paper; it was blank on both sides.

Teddy smiled. That’s a neat trick, but I think we need to see Liam urgently, before they rush this through.

Joe agreed. They decided that they needed to go to Earth and speak directly with Liam.

Teddy rushed back to police HQ. He had to tell Karen what they were planning to do.

Karen was worried when Teddy explained they were going to Earth to see Liam. What do I say if Turner should ask where you are?

You will need to cover for me. Tell him I’m out on patrol or something has gone off on Gamma and I’ve gone to investigate.

Do you need a bag packing?

No, we need to travel light. We have to go and come back as quickly as possible. We don’t need anything slowing us down.

Teddy kissed Karen on the forehead and turned to leave. Why do you think they are doing this now? asked Karen.

It’s the old saying: while the cat’s away, the mice will play. These mice have been planning this for some time. Turner knew Liam was going to Earth, and the WSC have been here over a week. They could have had this meeting with Liam before he went to Earth. They thought that Joe and I would vote it through for them. Then Liam would not be able to stop them.

Teddy opened the door. Karen called him back. He turned to face Karen. Be careful, she said.

As always, he replied.

Teddy rushed into the square, and Joe was waiting for him.

There is a shuttle going back to Earth. I’ve booked us two seats, said Joe.

Teddy and Joe rushed into the space port, where Rick Mason handed them two priority boarding passes for the shuttle.

Teddy thanked Rick. Then Teddy and Joe boarded the shuttle. The shuttle could carry a two-man crew and up to six passengers. Apart from Teddy and Joe, there were three more passengers. Teddy recognised Patrick Murphy, a design engineer from Ireland, but didn’t recognise the other two men. Teddy had a feeling that they had been on the Moon to discuss the plans for the new base with Turner and the WSC.

Joe nudged Teddy in the ribs and nodded towards Patrick Murphy. Teddy tipped Joe a wink; they both knew why Murphy was on the Moon.

Teddy tried to listen in to a conversation between Murphy and one of the other men, but they were talking in hushed whispers and he only picked up on certain key words.

After several hours, they were all asleep. There was nothing else to do, so Teddy closed his eyes for a nap too.

Two days later, Turner went to see Karen. Where is your husband? asked Turner.

He has gone to sort out a disturbance on Gamma.

I’ve just come from Gamma. There is no disturbance over there.

Karen grabbed the phone. I will see if I can get hold of him.

No need to bother, said Turner. He turned and left the office. Karen was now worrying about Teddy and Joe. It was only two days since they had left, and they would not have landed on Earth yet.

Twelve hours later, Teddy and Joe landed in Manchester. Previously they had stayed the night in Manchester before moving on, but today they were in a hurry. Teddy and Joe went straight to the train station.

Joe looked at Teddy. They had missed the last train to Sheffield by about ten minutes. Joe pointed over to the far corner of the station. There was a car hire kiosk. Teddy hired a car and Joe drove them to Sheffield. It took just over an hour to reach Alf Spanner’s place.

Joe pulled up outside the house. Joe had a feeling that there was something that was out of place – there was something wrong. They approached the door. It seemed to be hanging off its hinges. Joe went in cautiously, followed by Teddy. The place was a wreck: the furniture was turned over and papers were scattered about the room.

Where is Liam Mail? said a gravelly woman’s voice.

Joe and Teddy spun round. A woman stood before them wearing a red cape with a hood that covered her face. Behind her were three very large men, each holding handguns.

That’s what we would like to know. We have come here to find Liam Mail, said Joe.

And why would you be looking for Liam Mail? asked the woman.

It looks like the WSC are trying to take over the moon base, Teddy replied.

Why do I not believe you? the woman mused.

She turned to one of the men behind her. Get them, she commanded.

The man produced an impulse stun gun. Teddy and Joe were stunned and dragged from the building, while the third man poured petrol onto the scattered papers in Alf Spanner’s living room. He lit a match and dropped it on to the floor. Flames danced around his feet as he departed the building.

Chapter 2

Cayman

Hooper had been summoned to meet the president. It was just two weeks since he had returned from his ordeal. Axminster-Brown was due in court later that day.

Hooper knocked on the president’s door. Enter, the president called.

Hooper entered the president’s chamber. It was an ornately decorated room. The president was standing with his back turned to Hooper.

Hooper stood waiting for the president to say something. The president remained standing with his back to Hooper. You wanted to see me, Mr President?

Eventually the president turned to face Hooper. How are you, Claude?

Hooper tapped his prosthetic leg. Apart from the leg, I’m fine.

That’s good, said the president. I’m thinking of having a cabinet reshuffle.

Why are you having a reshuffle now? Hooper asked.

I think this thing with Axminster-Brown has undermined your position. So I’ve taken the decision to take you out of the foreign office.

Hooper had not been expecting this and was taken aback by the news. He had been in the Home office (HO) for more than twenty years. Hooper was unsure what to say. He was struggling for the right words when the president spoke again. It will be for the best, Claude.

Where will I go?

I thought about putting you in the treasury.

What do I know about finance?

Probably about as much as Neil Clayton, who is doing the job at the moment.

The president paused. It’s all going wrong in your department. Since the loss of Manning, it seems to be falling apart at the seams.

The president offered Hooper a drink, which he declined. Your unexplained disappearance and the incident with Munroe, coupled with the loss of Manning … it’s quite upsetting. People are losing confidence. I have to be seen to be doing something to put this right. It’s nothing personal, but as the head of the department, you have to carry the can for this one.

Hooper was seething inside. He had been in the foreign office for twenty years. Now he was being put out to grass, out of harm’s way. What made matters worse was that Hooper would have to spend a week showing his replacement Roger Cayman how the home office and foreign affairs department operated. Hooper felt this was like rubbing salt in the wound. The president was playing with him. Seeing how far he could push him before Hooper snapped. Hooper would have none of it. If the president was going to play games with him, Hooper would play his game and see who broke first.

Hooper’s last task was to oversee the transportation of Carole Axminster-Brown from the Old Bailey to the Pentangle Woman’s Institute, a new purpose-built prison just outside of London.

Hooper left the president and went straight down to the Old Bailey, where he was met by the new chief of police, Alison Jarvis. She greeted him warmly as an old friend.

Who is the driver? asked Hooper.

A Frenchman called Frank Le Geyt.

What do we know about Le Geyt?

He’s French.

Is that it?

I’m afraid so.

Hooper was unhappy about having the French driver. He knew the name from somewhere, but couldn’t think where. This was troubling him.

I want to see this man Le Geyt before the van leaves. What about the guards?

The guards are two of my finest officers. I can personally vouch for both of them.

That will do for me. Let’s go and see this French driver then.

Hooper and Jarvis went to the compound behind the courthouse, where the transportation vehicles were parked. They were met by a security guard, Mohamed Majesty. The guard instantly recognised Hooper, whom he had seen many times. Good day, Mr Hooper. What can we do for you? he asked.

I need to see the driver Le Geyt.

You’ve just missed him, I’m afraid.

What do you mean, we’ve just missed him?

The guard pointed to a wagon leaving the compound. That’s him there going out now.

Does he have Axminster-Brown on board?

I can confirm that he has taken out a female prisoner, but without checking my charts I cannot confirm the identity of the woman.

Damn, Hooper cursed.

What’s up, Claude? Jarvis asked.

Hooper had his hand on his head. He was trying to remember something, but it was not coming to him. Claude, what is it? Jarvis asked again.

Le Geyt. I know the name from somewhere, but I can’t think where.

Hooper had to go to meet Cayman. He had an uneasy feeling. He knew that something was wrong, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. He drove over to the HO offices. He was just pulling in to his parking space when it came to him, like a shot out of the blue. He had seen the name Le Geyt in one of Manning’s files. He needed to see the file before Cayman took over.

Hopefully he could keep those files out of Cayman’s reach until Munroe came back.

Hooper entered the HO building. He ran into Clive Bowyer on the stairs. He’s here already, said Bowyer.

Who’s here? asked Hooper.

That man who is covering for Munroe. He’s already asking some pertinent questions about Munroe, Manning, and you."

I have a small task for you to do for me, if you can, Clive. Hooper handed Bowyer a small, round dish of approximately four inches in diameter. Keep this safe. Cayman cannot get hold of this under any circumstances.

Hooper told Bowyer what he had to do. Then Hooper went in to see Cayman.

Hooper entered what had been Munroe’s office. Cayman was sitting at her desk, reading a file on Munroe. He smiled a sickly smile as Hooper entered the room. It’s good of you to drop in, Claude, said Cayman.

Hooper pulled up a chair and sat opposite Cayman. Don’t make yourself comfortable. Munroe will be back soon, said Hooper

Cayman was in his late forties. Most of his hair had departed many years ago. What little he had left was behind his ears and to the back of his head. Cayman also wore round, steel-rimmed glasses. He closed the file which he had been reading and looked up directly into Hooper’s eyes.

I wouldn’t be too sure about that if I were you, he replied.

I would, said Hooper.

Cayman again smiled a sickly smile. It was a false smile, a put-on smile which didn’t suit his face – almost a forced smile. It was there for unsettling people rather than greeting them, and it worked. He had put Hooper on edge. You may find that, if Munroe does come back, she may have been transferred to the treasury.

Cayman then put the file he had been reading in the top drawer.

Hooper stormed out of Cayman’s office. He was fuming. He headed for the exit door. Outside he heard the wailing of police sirens. That’s unusual, he thought. You don’t often hear police sirens in London.

Hooper turned the corner. He heard someone call his name. Hooper stopped and turned around. Clive Bowyer was running after him. What’s up, Clive?

Have you heard about Carole Axminster-Brown?

Have I heard what about Miss A-B?

Clive looked around as a police car sped by, with flashing light and a wailing siren. "They have found the police