The Second Homecoming

Chapter Nine

NINE

 I was immediately apprehensive after hearing that startling piece of information and based on past experiences knew instinctively (without wishing to sound negative) that it wasn’t good news. Aliens could be on their way any moment, were they coming here for the artefact? And were they going to be very cross and angry that it was here on Earth? And most importantly of all, how did the artefact get here in the first place? I held my breath and awaited an explanation from the Doctor while everyone else in the world still carried on, completely oblivious as the changing crowds swept through the exhibition; except for my parents, Jasmine and Kyle who all displayed stunned emotions varying from incomprehension, wonder and disbelief. The Doctor continued scanning the artefact with a look of concentration.

 “Hold on, just trying to find out where it’s transmitting to. If I can fold the signal back I can work out where it originally came from.”

 I could feel my parents watching me, wanting to know what was happening. Like I could supply any of the answers! 

 “Anna, is the Doctor serious? An artefact from the Staffordshire hoard is from another world?” Dad laughed incredulous, his flustered words escaping before he could stop himself.

 “Is this some kind of publicity stunt?” Jasmine demanded irritably while Kyle looked up at me and then watched the Doctor his eyes wide and glinting with wonder.

 The Doctor was in a world of his own until he stopped scanning, the sonic screwdriver fell silent.

 “Oh that’s definitely not good.” The Doctor stood up straight and looked at us all again, his mouth was set and his eyes deadly serious. “It’s transmitting not only through time and space but across the void, to another Universe. I have no idea what we are dealing with here.” The Doctor pointed to the artefact. “The outer layer gives the appearance of stone alright… But its origins are not of this Universe…”

 “But do you know what it is? I mean is it dangerous?” I asked, it was unusual to see the Doctor stumped by such a seemingly tiny and insignificant thing. But it was an unknown quantity that belonged to another Universe.

 The Doctor began to pace on the spot, running his hand through his mass of hair.

 “Well what I do know is that it was protected by a perception  filter that made it repellent to us, the artefact’s signal could only be picked up by time sensitive’s like myself and a small minority just like Kyle here…” The Doctor patted the young boy on the back and smiled kindly. “…who have a low level telepathic ability. Though most importantly of all it’s full of time energy, soaked in the time vortex itself. Which might explain what kept pulling the TARDIS through to this time and place Anna, like it was magnetized to the alien artefact.” The Doctor frowned. “But as to what it is, it could be part of a missing component but to what? For once I have to admit that I don’t know…” The Doctor looked around the room. “It may have been underground for centuries but I have a hunch that whoever this device belongs to, they want it back and they’re coming here for it…”               

 “So Doctor… Are you trying to tell us that aliens from another Universe are coming here to the city of Birmingham and would like their “ball” back?!” Mum demanded and then laughed on the verge of rising panic. She folded her arms expectantly but in her own upfront and astute style, Mum had managed to grasp and convey the situation. In short we were in for a lot of trouble and bad “other worldly” things were about to kick off pretty soon.

 “Right that’s it, I’m calling security!” Jasmine Kaur had finally snapped.

 I could understand my friend being completely bewildered by the news she had just received but Jasmine had become more remote and alien to me then some of the outer space kind I have met.