Ep 1

At a disused Yorkshire airbase, anxious eyes were watching the flashing screen. Triad stood behind the operative with an anxious look upon her face. Tall and slim, and dressed in a dark, but formal suit, she now ran this branch of military intelligence.

“What have we got Sam?”

“Three tornadoes are intercepting some kind of craft mam.”

“It’s not Russian then?”

“Not at that velocity mam. Mach six and holding.”

“The tornadoes will never catch it. Where is it heading for?”

“Foxley mam.”

Triad grimaced.

“Damn it!”

High above, the small craft reduced speed as it hurtled out of control toward the unsuspecting town. The desperate pilot wrestled with the controls as buildings came into view. The craft veered sharply before smashing into the ground, spreading debris as it slewed along before smashing into the vacant barn.

“It’s down mam,” the operator said calmly.

“Mobilise the army while I get my team down there. Code Alpha 1.”
She dashed out and gathered the twelve armed troopers, as well as Doctor Petty. As the military copter rose skyward, she put through a high priority call to a rather amazed DI Nixon.

“We are coming down Nixon. Don’t let anyone near that crash site.
You say it’s on Baker Farm? I don’t care about the fire! Stop the firemen putting it out. I’m declaring martial law. Get Charly as well. We need his ruddy help!”

Triad took a deep breath as the reply came in.

“How the hell do I know what we are dealing with? No, it’s not a damn aircraft!”

The jet propelled copter hurtled south, as a military force plodded toward the stricken town.

Charly of course had missed all this. As Christine watched from the safety of the loo seat, he lazed within the soapsuds relaxing slowly. The cat meowed and he glanced at her.

“Whatever is the matter love? Fancy joining me?”

The cat shook its dark fluffy head before crying out once more.
Charly recognised the warning and sighed sadly.

“Some bugger at the door.”

He wrapped the bath towel around his skeletal body and tiptoed slowly into the short hall.

“Who is it?”

A strange voice quickly answered.

“Jerrix! Now let me in you fool!”

Charly opened the door and simply gawped at the strange visitor. He was staring at a large slim cat with sea blue eyes, who wore a distinctive yellow cloak around his deep brown fur.

“You had better come in mate.”

Jerrix scowled and marched inside towards the lounge.

“You better get dressed right now,” Jerrix said sternly. “Foxley has a visitor.”

“Not the Queen then?”

“Your sarcasm will get you into trouble one day. A scout craft has smashed into that farm. We have to find the pilot before the military arrive.”

“I take it Jerrix that we are talking about aliens?”

“About as alien as you are to me.”

Charly hurried into the bedroom and dressed quickly. He chose a thick cardigan and brown trousers before rejoining the intrepid feline.

“I have a mini outside by the way.”

Jerrix nodded.

“It’ll come in handy. Right let’s move it.”

Grant’s car was dilapidated but still ran well. Charly booted it in the general direction of the thick black smoke.

“You mentioned a scout craft?”

“The mother ship is hiding behind your moon,” Jerrix replied. “The scout craft was only supposed to snoop around.”

“You seem very well informed.”

“I was monitoring their transmissions from my ship old boy. What kind of superhero do you think I am?”

Charly winked.

“A dead one. I did some checking on you. Does Tarra Jenkins ring any bells?”

“I know her.”

“She emailed me. Seems the council built your memorial.”

Jerrix shook his furry little head.

“That has not happened yet. Why won't she listen? We must not disturb the time line!”

“Seems to me Jerrix, that you are doing it quite well on your own.”

The car hit the country road that led toward Baker Farm. In the thick gloom, Charly spotted the police roadblock.

“Seems we are a little too late.”

He stopped and climbed out.

“Sorry sir, this area has been sealed off.”

From inside the mini the moggy shouted, “It is imperative that we get there!”

The suspicious constable started to walk over. Charly drew out his mobile and started to dial quickly.

“Who are you calling sir?”

“Hello Nixon. I can’t get to the farm. I see. You are there already.
Look mate, I have an expert on these things with me. You have to let us through.”

He handed the mobile to the startled cop.

“As you wish sir.”

The police car moved aside as the mini clanked past slowly. They drew to a halt as they reached the scene of the crash. The DI and Percy were waiting for him as the flames roared skyward.

“Why not put the damn thing out?” Charly asked.

“Triad said to leave well alone. Who the hell is that?”

“Jerrix Tau, Nixon. Any sign of the pilot?”

This was news to them.

“I was hoping it was unmanned. Triad refused to say what it was.”

Jerrix shrugged.

“It’s alien DI. Did Triad say anything else?”

“Something about martial law.”

Jerrix shook his head sadly.

“A damn cleanup operation. That really takes the biscuit.”

“I hate to ask this,” Sergeant Percy said. “What are we looking for exactly? A humanoid or...?”

Jerrix stared at him.

“In this case Percy, it’s definitely not human.”

After a short pause Jerrix muttered, “We have to stop the military getting here.”

“Why?” Charly asked. “They pose no threat.”

Jerrix glared at him.

“A cleanup operation? Martial law? Triad intends to liquidate your town.”

“They won’t do that,” Nixon insisted. “This is not Syria after all.”

The cat ignored it.

“Believe me sir, they will.”

Jerrix looked him up and down before saying, “They have no choice now.”

This unhappy news was a shock to the humanoids.

“So, we need to find this pilot and stop a massacre,” the DI concluded.

“That’s about the length of it,” Charly said.

“We are stuffed!” Percy concluded.

As everyone stared at the moggy, Jerrix smiled back.

“I love it when the odds are stacked against me.”

“You have a plan?” Charly asked.

“I certainly do mate. It’s a little late now but I can change all that.”

“What are you talking about?” the DI asked.

Jerrix smiled and pressed his gold throat clasp. A soft green glow came into view and the cat grabbed Charly by the arm.

“You are coming with me my boy. Could do with the help.”

As they trotted towards it, the moggy glanced back.

“Never mind Nixon, you will forget I was ever here.”

As they watched, the green light faded from view.

Nixon glanced at his sidekick.

“You know what Percy? I sometimes wish that I was a traffic warden.”
 
Ep 2

Charly stared at the interior of the ship with wonder.

“This control room has changed a bit.”

“Never you mind my boy. Have you any idea what I’m up to?”

“Sounds like time travel to me.”

Jerrix smiled.

“Well done old chap.

Charly gazed at the walls and floor that shimmered pale blue. Ahead, Jerrix stood before four metallic cat statues, each around five feet high. Slightly taller than he. The statues stood at the four compass points and within that space, a metal dome rose to waist height.
Jerrix turned as he walked across the spongy floor, before positioning himself at the western apex.

“This could be tricky Charly. I have to integrate the time projector you see.”

“Have you done this before then?”

“Of course my boy. See these levers?”

Charly could only see three.

“What about them?”

“They activate the craft my boy.”

Jerrix turned and wandered to the north-facing statue where he seemed to pull something.

Seconds later, rays of white light shot from the eyes of the statues and formed a silver grid above the dome.

“What do you think?” Jerrix asked.

“Quite amazing. What is it?”

He did not answer but simply waited. A few seconds later a spiral shaped sea of stars appeared. A huge bulge of light shone at the centre, and two dots flashed. Charly noticed that they were pretty close.

“What do you make of that?” Jerrix asked.

“I’m not as dumb as you seem to think,” he replied. “The nearside dot is Earth and the second is obviously the moon.”

Jerrix smiled as he walked to the east side. He pulled the lever sharply down and said, “Hold on tight yeah.”

There was no feeling of movement, nothing at all. Not even a slight vibration. Moments later Jerrix pushed the lever to the middle position.

“We have arrived Charly”

The moggy fiddled once more, and the galactic image faded to be replaced with the eternal darkness of space.

“Looks like nowhere to me Jerrix.”

The cat smiled.

“We have gone back approximately an hour of your time. Exactly where that mother ship was parked.”

“So when it arrives?”

“We hop aboard my boy. Then it gets really dangerous.”

Charly shook his head.

“Out of the frying pan and into the fire I see.”

“It’s the only way to live my boy. Now wait one second.”

He fiddled a little bit more and the image of a huge circular craft appeared above the dome.

“It’s bearing down upon us,” Charly commented.

“Not if I can help it.”

He dashed to the east statue and hauled the lever down sharply. The image faded completely and the cat smiled. Returning it to the central position, he padded toward the open door.

“Are you coming then?”

“Have I any choice?”

“Not really.”

As they stepped outside, the cat pointed to a large sleek craft.

“That’s the scout ship. Now follow me.”

As they ran across the floor of the launch bay, the green glow faded from view. The two desperados reached the rear wings, which in this case were vertical.

“We have to get inside,” the cat hissed.

“After you then.”

Jerrix edged along until he reached a blank section of fuselage. Pulling his fork like device from his immense pocket, he set to work.
Charly decided to keep a look out as Jerrix activated his device. As a door suddenly appeared an alarm klaxon activated.

“That’s torn it!” the cat muttered.

Charly looked around frantically as figures suddenly ran into the bay.

“We have ruddy company!”

Jerrix saw the approaching guards and knew that there was no point in running now. He raised his paws as the guards surrounded them.
Charly gazed at the peculiar V shaped skull and the deep black eyes.
A long thin neck connected to a muscular body that was supported by stubby, three toed feet. Tentacle arms swayed in their direction but Charly could see no weaponry.

“Explain yourselves,” a guard croaked.

Jerrix tried to smile.

“We got lost and I wanted to check our position.”

“Likely story. The captain will want to speak to you both. Move along.”

Charly had no intention of being captured and made a break for it.
He had only gone a few paces when a sudden blow felled him. Jerrix shook his head.

“When will they learn not to run?”

Ep 3

“Are you alright?”

Charly opened his eyes and sat up.

“What struck me?”

Jerrix held up a small metal box.

“The guard threw it at you.”

Charly took the thing and said wryly, “Mind the brick indeed.”

“What does that mean?”

“It does not matter now. Where are we?”

“The cells my boy. Your bid for freedom has cocked up everything.”

“Did you expect fair treatment then?”

“These are Nomads my boy. A highly developed race you know.”

“What’s their interest in my planet?”

Jerrix helped him up.

“Fear of what will happen if you lot go space travelling.”

“We don’t pose a threat Jerrix. This lot could swat us quite easily.”

“I tend to agree my boy. Unfortunately they don’t. I strongly suspect that once the scout had reported back, some kind of punitive action would be taken.

“Like invasion you mean?”

“Not so direct. They would probably flood Earth with electromagnetic pulses. That would burn out every circuit you see. Your civilisation would collapse without power.”

“You call that punitive?” Charly asked.

“Far better than liquidation don’t you think?”

Charly saw the four walls and the lack of an exit.

“No escaping from here then.”

Jerrix shook his head.

“I just hope the captain takes an interest.”

Time passed slowly until a door appeared, and a uniformed figure entered with two guards. Jerrix made the introductions.

“You are causing me some disquiet,” the captain complained. “We were not aware of your advanced technology.”

“That tech is my own sir,” the cat explained. “His lot still think the moon is made of cheese.”

Charly glared but kept quiet.

“Why are you here?”

“To prevent a massacre sir. That scout craft of yours has an inherent design flaw.”

“We have used such craft for over a hundred years without any problems.

“Jerrix raised his voice by an octave.

“Microwave radiation interferes with its drive system. This planet is drenched in the stuff. You use it and you will certainly lose it.”

The captain regarded them with a little more respect and walked over to a blank piece of wall. As a tentacle tapped it once, a small panel appeared.

“Scan for microwaves. Level four.”

“We will soon see if your claim is true.”

“It’s true alright,” Charly said. “Most of it is produced by the military.”

A moment later, the report came in. The captain nodded.

“It appears that you are correct. We will have to try something else.”

“Like a probe?” Charly asked.

“Exactly.”

“I have a better idea,” the moggy said casually.

The captain stared at him.

“Which is...?”

“Let us return and gather the data for you. My craft is immune from their puny waves.”

“What guarantees do I have?”

“Only this. I won’t warn Earth authorities of your interest.”

“Not good enough. Perhaps your friend would care to stay.”

“As a hostage?”

“As a guest,” the captain countered.

Before Charly could protest, the cat had agreed. As he was escorted back to the landing bay, he winked back.

Along one of the many gleaming corridors, the cat suddenly stopped. Banging his own forehead he snapped, “Would you believe that I have forgotten something?”

“Is it important?” a guard croaked.

“Of course it is. Hold on a second.”

Jerrix took one step and his balled paws lashed out. The surprised escort reeled back as the cat smashed them both against the wall.

“Sorry chaps but I am rather busy you know.”
He ran along to the end and spotted the spiral staircase

“Looks like the right direction.”

Jerrix ran down until he spotted the sign he was looking for.

“Nearly there.”

He entered the fusion drive chamber and ran behind a huge metallic frame. Peeking around, his keen eyes spotted the control desk.

Unfortunately, an engineer was operating it. Hissing to himself, he crept silently forward and clubbed him over the neck. As he slumped to the floor, the cat scanned the controls.

“Now for a bit of poker. Just reroute the coolant and deactivate the back up...There we are.”

As a klaxon sounded, he tapped the intercom.

“This is Jerrix Tau. Release Charly right now or this craft blows. You have six minutes.”

Trapped within his cell, Charly heard the desperate plea. A moment later, the door appeared and the guards dragged him out. The captain soon joined them and led the way down to the drive chamber.

“Ah, thirty seconds to spare.”

“Here is your friend Jerrix,” the captain croaked. “Now restore the coolant!”

Jerrix tapped at the appropriate control and smiled.

“I have set up an insurance policy. If you try and stop us leaving, the coolant will stop permanently.”

“You can go. We will still send out the scout.”

“Despite my warning?”

“The data must still be gathered,” the captain croaked.

Jerrix led Charly out of the chamber and back toward the landing bay. As they reached it, Charly stopped him.

“What about the ruddy massacre Jerrix. You failed miserably!”

Jerrix looked genuinely hurt by the accusation.

“I never fail.”

He tapped the gold throat clasp and stomped into the soft green glow.
“What do you mean by that?” Charly demanded.

“That insurance policy I spoke about of course. I set it on a timer. When it activates, the coolant will be pumped directly into the fusion chamber instead of around it.”

“When will this happen?”

Jerrix smiled.

“Any time around now.”

He reset the controls and the craft reappeared outside Charly’s flat. As they stepped out, a blazing light appeared within the blue sky.

“As I said Charly, I never fail.”

Charly shook his head.

“What about the other me?”

“That theory is wrong my friend. As soon as you stepped onto the pavement, your previous self vanished. Laws of time you know.”

“One thing still worries me.”

“Which is?”

“Why not speak to Tarra?”

The cat rolled his eyes.

“I occasionally bend the laws of time but I never break them. Didn’t

Tarra mention that?”

“As a matter of fact no. Where are you off to now?”

“The galaxy my boy. A bit safer than your planet.”

Charly walked into the block and climbed the stairs to his door. As he entered, Christine bounded toward him and leapt into his waiting arms.

“Have you missed me darling? I know what we both need. A ruddy bath.”
He ran the water, and when the bubbles rose, he stepped inside. Christine jumped onto the edge as he whispered, “If anyone knocks my dear, I’ll simply ignore it.”

The cat stood upon its haunches and meowed its agreement.