Traveller Probo

Phil Walker checked his Rolex and glanced impatiently at his assistant, Monique, who responded with her exasperated look of frustration and a shrug. The journalist, Pauline Diamond, casually checked her notes and made minor additions on her computer notebook while one of the camera crew adjusted a spotlight and moved a reflective panel to make sure the lighting on her was perfect. Phil was growing increasingly annoyed. They had scheduled the interview for half an hour earlier and, though important from the public-relations viewpoint, the tardiness on behalf of the media crew was going to delay important appointments for the rest of his tightly scheduled day.

Monique moved to chat with Ms Diamond’s assistant and they engaged in an animated discussion, soon to result in mutual head-shaking and more shrugs.

Diamond, one of America’s highest paid celebrity journalists, continued her preparations as her stylist fussed to ensure her hair and makeup were perfect. A gloss stick over her lips preceded the dusting of a few pieces of imaginary lint from her jacket and blouse, which looked to be authentic JSL or Armani. All designed to highlight her image while championing the truth for the public. Phil knew she privately referred to them as ‘sweaty, working-class drones’.

With a show of drama as the camera recorded, Diamond placed herself with great authority into the plush interviewer’s chair and crossed her shapely legs, leaned back a moment and touched her designer pen to perfectly capped teeth. Phil knew she and her network’s public relations team had crafted quite a media profile for her. She was portrayed as sharp, perceptive, and a journalist for the people. He had heard unkind whispers that she really received her journalistic break because she had dropped her knickers for the right people. Though that may or may not be true, he wasn’t fooled. He suspected that her dawdling was designed to antagonise, knowing that if he slipped-up with her, she would turn him into minced meat.

Once her preparations were complete, she beamed her signature smile and they exchanged obligatory pleasantries, with the odd flirty touch on his wrist. Phil knew that the camera was on him the whole time. His facial expressions and pauses would be edited to add drama to the final, edited story. Diamond’s facial expressions would be added later, filmed after he had left the room. Her voice was deep, melodic, and with the trained accent that hid her Southern roots.

“Professor Walker, the Helguard Transporter has been hailed, by some, as one of the most important inventions humanity has ever devised. As head of Transporter Corp, how do you determine who is to use the invention?” she asked.

Phil smiled his friendly, patient smile. “Well Pamela, I must clarify that I’m not the head of Transporter Corp, as the organisation is actually an amalgamation of parties with vested interests in the Helguard Transporter. The organisation was created to ensure an impartial decision-making process to determine the best use of the invention. Though I represent Helguard Corporation as one of the actual owners of the Transporter, other representatives include my fellow inventors from Woomera Technologies, representatives from Historical Research International, and of course the United Nations.”

She smiled as she continued, “Yes, the inclusion of the United Nations has been considered to be controversial, where some governments see their inclusion as to potentially run counter to the interests of the international community as a whole. How do you feel about the wisdom of making the United Nations a part of your organisation when, by so doing, they became an interested party in the monies which are charged to use the Transporter?” Pamela raised her eyebrows inquisitively, knowing full well what he was about to say as they had this discussion only moments earlier.

“Well of course I approve the decision,” replied Phil. “In fact, I was one of those who initiated the inclusion of the United Nations as they’re the ultimate global diplomats. Their participation means that every nation, no matter how wealthy, has a chance to use the Transporter through the Scholarship.”

“Yes of course. The Scholarship is another controversial decision when other paying nations are waiting their turn”, she continued.

Phil resisted the temptation to roll his eyes, as the question must have been asked at every interview over the past six months. “The Scholarship is, of course, the means by which the scores of nations throughout the world can hope to engage in Transporter-based historical research for their people. While the wealthier nations no doubt have impressive projects planned, the Scholarship allows smaller countries to access the Transporter for shorter-term projects. They are expected to produce a wealth of valuable knowledge that might be lost or delayed indefinitely. The first country to use the Transporter since the Saxon project is, of course, New Zealand, currently in their research phase. They’ve already found exciting evidence of human habitation in New Zealand some hundreds of years earlier than previously accepted.”

“That is exciting for New Zealanders no doubt,” agreed Diamond dismissively as she gently touched the screen of her notepad, confirming the question from her checklist. “How is their research progressing?”

“It seems any country using the Transporter will come up with surprises in their past,” agreed Phil. “That is the nature of this amazing research tool. We understand that New Zealand has made some ground-breaking discoveries that, no doubt, will soon be released to the public. However, as a strictly no-contact project, their findings are obtained through automated cameras and the personal observations of a small team of researchers who are under strict ‘look but don’t touch’ guidelines.”

Diamond nodded and continued, “Dr Walker, what are your thoughts on suggestions by some that the Transporter can allow mankind to resurrect lost species, as mooted for the New Zealand Moa and other species that have been made extinct over the past thousand years?”

Phil steepled his fingers. So far there was nothing that hadn’t been asked before but he could never relax. His experience with media interviews warned that something was coming. He could feel it. “We remind each nation to treat the Transporter with caution and the past with the greatest respect. Some would suggest the resurrection of extinct species may be a good thing, as many species such as the Dodo and the Passenger Pigeon were killed off through overhunting or introduced species. In the case of the Dodo, extinction was caused by animals such as introduced dogs and rats. While it has been, in many cases, our ancestors who made millions of species extinct, is it our right to reverse the process? I’m reminded of a little phrase from the movie Jurassic Park, where the Jeff Goldblum character said something along the lines of, ‘You spent so much time seeing if you could, you never considered if you should’. Should we bring back extinct species? Smarter people than I are debating that very question, along with a lot of other ethical questions that have been raised in regard to the nature of the Transporter and our historical research. All I can say is, who can tell?”

Diamond looked across and nodded. “Obviously, one of the precautions is to make sure we don’t return ancient diseases. Can you reassure the public that adequate bio-security measures have been implemented, procedures that were largely lacking in the original Saxon Traveller project?” she asked.

“Well yes, of course,” replied Phil. “While we took every effort in regard to safety in the original British-based research, current procedures are, of course, much more stringent. Hence the emphasis on low-impact projects as implemented by New Zealand.”

Diamond simply nodded again. “When is the US to implement their own Historical research project?” she asked.

Phil raised his eyebrows, the epitome of the new generation’s young, attractive, yet genteel scientist. Vogue once described him as the ‘intelligent woman’s pin-up’ and an inspiration for a whole generation targeting the sciences and history as sexy areas of academic study. Though highlighted in magazine articles, his previous surfing lifestyle was now largely a memory. “Because of the initial English project and, of course, New Zealand, most nations have expressed a desire to research their historical past. Unfortunately, I’m not at liberty to say which nations have progressed in the final decision-making process.”

“Yet India and Russia have both officially expressed intense disapproval at the process by which the Transporter is allocated. Five billion dollars seems a lot of money for the use of the device, surely?” Pamela smiled.

“Why shouldn’t a nation using the Transporter pay for that privilege?” responded Phil. “The dollars paid by nations to date is paltry compared to expenditures on defence, space exploration or even hosting the Olympics. The vast majority of Traveller fees are allocated to specific United Nations humanitarian projects, giving the organisation badly needed funds to take action in countries that are in desperate need.” Phil continued, counting points on his fingers. “The money, so far, has built water treatment plants in Mozambique and the sub-Sahara, medical facilities throughout Africa, a myriad of schools, and is providing malaria vaccine, AIDS and Ebola treatment projects initiated with Bono from U2, developed valuable National Parks throughout Asia and the Americas, enhanced education and enforcement programmes to reduce poaching and modern slavery, initiated the construction of four universities... the list goes on!”

“There’s no doubt the money has so far benefitted many worthwhile projects,” agreed Diamond. “But the question remains; do you have the right to control who can and cannot research their history? This has become a very contentious issue!” As she watched him closely with her big, blue eyes, Phil was reminded never to trust her, not for one moment. She was up to something.

“Hence the inclusion of the impartiality of the United Nations in the decision-making process,” he replied carefully.

“Has Israel included their submission to use the Transporter?” she asked.

Phil frowned. “While we are aware of most nations developing their own plans to use the Transporter, and a few having already paid their ‘Fees for Use’, I’m unfortunately not at liberty to discuss which nations have or have not approached us.”

“So, some have already paid?” presses Diamond.

“And some are already in the process of planning their missions. Final dates for these nations have, as I have said, yet to be confirmed.”

“Surely you’d agree that Israel’s plan to use the Transporter would be met by opposition from neighbouring Arab nations and Palestine. It could be a controversial decision,” pressed Diamond.

Phil was not to be led. “Perhaps so,” he replied. “If you were to examine history, most locations have experienced many changes over the past thousand years. Israel is a controversial nation, full stop, for the modern nation of Israel is located at a crossroads of civilisations as long as there have been humans. If, and I only say ‘If’, the Israelis initiate a Traveller project, theirs would likely be at one ancient locality where research would no doubt be most rewarding, despite the inevitable attraction of controversy.”

“So you agree with their interest in participation in Traveller?” Pamela pressed.

“Of course I agree that they have potential interest. Every nation has a potential interest and many are making their inquiries, because they would gain a richer understanding of who they are through a greater understanding of their past. The English example is an obvious success story.” Phil leaned back into his chair and smiled.

“Now, we are talking about the same device as is currently in New Zealand,” Diamond asked, eyebrows raised and her pen on perfect lips.

“That is correct.”

“Is there another Transporter? Is there only one device or can another be made?” she asked with a small smile.

Phil leaned forward, nonplussed, though externally placid. “The Transporter is a unique device. Efforts have been made by our team to duplicate it but the challenge is that we don’t want to destroy what we have already created. However, significant progress is being made.”

“So, as one of the original inventors of the Transporter, you concede it may be an accident, a freakish occurrence,” added Pamela as she tapped her bottom lip lightly.

“Yes, the discovery of the Transporter was an accident. We readily concede that. Our research, which successfully developed the scanners now used by customs agencies globally, was not an accident. As a team, we targeted one outcome and, as often happens with excellent research, we developed two; one expected and one totally unexpected. “We don’t want to ruin our chances with the amazing invention that we have. Like all good scientists, we’re being meticulous.” Phil’s face had flushed at the ongoing insinuation that the device was an accident, a mere fluke. While the discovery was acknowledged to be accidental, the science was still in the process of being understood and Phil’s new, current team was determined to understand the Transporter better. “Remember that some of our most amazing discoveries, such as microwave ovens, Teflon, Viagra, rubber, plastic, Penicillin, LSD, potato chips, and brandy were accidental discoveries.” He paused to smile for the cameras, “Besides, we need to reserve the Transporter for continued interaction with and support for Michael Hunter in Saxon England. Twenty day projects such as in New Zealand ensure the selected countries have been thorough in their preliminary research, while permitting us the flexibility to continue support for existing projects”.

Diamond continued her interview with barely a pause. ‘Hunter in Saxon England’ had been a profitable, television-ratings winner and was a thoroughly discussed interview topic. “I’ve heard a rumour that Historical Research International is preparing their own project,” she smiled. “Can you confirm that rumour for us?”

Eyes wary, Phil asked, “What rumour is that?” and he caught the merest satisfied gleam in her eyes. That look made him realise that the entire interview was set up to catch him at this one point.

“It has been said that the Historical Research International has used some of the funds Transporter Corp has received to instigate their own project, one outside of the bounds of governmental control.” Her mouth opened with a predatory smile.

Phil paused and regained his composure, “It has been said by whom?”

Diamond just shrugged and smiled.

“Oh Pamela!” sighed Phil wearily as he frowned, seething but he decided to continue. “Historical Research International is a global organisation of professional historical researchers, educators, and academics. If any organisation was qualified to make a decision in regard to the study of a particular location in the early 11th Century, it would be they.”

“So you deny that there’s been a decision to send a team back to the Byzantine Empire, to the city once known as Constantinople, currently Istanbul in Turkey,” Diamond asked.

But Phil wasn’t to be swayed. “Like many locations, that would most certainly be an interesting Traveller project and I’m sure it will be researched in time. When that will take place, who knows?”

Phil knew the camera would catch the flush of anger on his cheeks and it was a good chance that the audience would assume he was trying to avoid the answer. He had to finish this interview. Who let that decision leak? Bloody Taylor no doubt, the pompous old prick! He just couldn’t stay out of the media limelight.

Face calm but internally furious, Phil glanced at Monique who gave the merest shake of the head.

That leak had to be plugged!