Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Sal and Sam had moved away from the children who were being given a detailed run down of topics of interest that could be covered through the following five days. They were grateful of the distraction while also confused by Delyth’s apparent ability to chat extensively with minimal intake of breath. 

“I said this was a terrible idea Sal!”. 

“What choice did we have? Anyway, you’re the chef, I’ve got rank here and I’m making the decisions!” said Sal, speaking through clenched teeth and trying to maintain the air of being calm and in control. It wasn’t working.

“How are we going to tell them what this is really about without completely freaking them out? There’s no way that they’re going to quietly go along with this? What if they try to leave the pod mid jump, what if one of them runs away and we lose them, what if they work out who we are and report us to authorities….” 

“Calm. Down.” urged Sal, with clenched teeth now joined by wide eyes and an increasingly red face. 

“ Calm down? CALM DOWN?!!” Sam was now gesticulating wildly which resulted in their hat being dislodged, along with the wig worn underneath. 

Sal and Sam then became aware of the silence from the assembled children who were all now staring, wide eyed, at the sight before them. Even Delyth appeared to have taken in a breath. 

Under Sam’s hat, and hair, was a surprisingly large forehead. Surprising, not just because of it’s size, but also with respect to the extra eye stalk protruding from it’s central point. . 

Sal looked in horror at Sam, and then they both looked back at the children. 

“So, we can explain”... said Sal. 

Mo, who was closest to the door, started looking between Sal and Sam and the doorway, clearly planning his escape. Everyone else remained too stunned to do anything except stare, open mouthed. 

“Are you, i mean, no, you can’t be, but , well…. Are you ALIENS??” stuttered Mali, looking unsure of herself for the first time. 

Sam muttered, slightly tersely. “Well, technically YOU are the Alien’s to us, but if we’re talking in simplistic terms…” 

Sal interjected loftily. “we would prefer non-humanoid, non earth bound beings if that’s ok? A little less stigmatising. We originate from planet Karoopa, and our species is known as the Karofuts.”

Tom had managed to close his mouth. He had started to nod his head in slow motion up and down while repeating “right…right….right” like he was trying to convince his brain that what his eye and ears were processing made some kind of sense. 

Mo still looked ready to pounce towards the door, but seemed stuck realising that Sam stood in the way. 

“I’ve never heard of the planet Karoopa” said Bert thoughtfully. “Where exactly is it?”

“We’re the largest habitable planet within the krajex galaxy. I think you humans call it the “peekaboo” galaxy, which frankly is a ridiculous name”. 

“ That’s around 22 million light here’s from here isn’t it? How did you travel here? Have you come to conquer the human race? Are there more of you?”

Everyone’s attention had now turned to the exchange between Bert and the newly discovered non humanoid Karofuts. The fact that Bert was able to ask thoughtful and sensible questions in the face of completely mind-bending revelations seemed miraculous. 

Sam looked at Sal and the collected young faces, and said “how about I get snacks and drinks for everyone and we’ll explain it all.”