The Pipe

As soon as Trip entered the city portal, he was surrounded by security and ushered to the high council chamber. He fumbled in his pocket to be sure the torn piece of cloth was there. It was.

He stood before the council, head held high. “I request a hearing,” he said not giving the council a chance to open the investigation.

“Denied,” said the Keeper. “You violated dome security.”

“It was dome security I protected,” said Trip. “The aliens broke through the portal.”

The Keeper turned to Reema, “Aliens?” he asked.

“I made a full security report,” she guarded her thoughts from Trip as the Keeper had ordered.

“I can prove it,” said Trip. He pulled the piece of cloth from his pocket. “Here, their uniform.”

The Keeper extended his hand, “May I?”

Trip fidgeted uneasily, not wanting to let his proof go, but he couldn’t give up his chance to graduate the academy. “I assure you it is from another world,” he said.

The Keeper turned the piece of cloth over in his fingers. From his belt, he withdrew a larger swatch of fabric. It too was unlike the fabric city clothing was made of. “This,” he said, “was found by one of our archeologists.” He put the pieces side by side. “It appears your aliens have been here before.”

Trip stared at the cloths and said, “You believe me, then?”

“Your find is valuable for our continuing archeological studies,” said the Keeper. “Still, you jeopardized the city, leaving without authorization.”

The junior cadet’s shoulders slumped. He was sure the Keeper knew about the incident. He glared at Reema who stood in silence next to her mother. 

The Keeper wrapped the two cloths together and turned them over to the science counselor who stood next to him. Turning back to Trip he said in a low grave voice, “Your irresponsibility must be punished.”

“But there truly are aliens,” protested Trip. “Reema, tell them!”

Reema, eyes downcast, said nothing.

The Keeper nodded at the science counselor and said, “I’m assigning Trip to your department. His research abilities make him more useful in your library archive rather than as security cadet.”

“No,” said Trip. “I, I, want to be a security officer.” He looked at Reema's mother hopefully.

            The Keeper had already turned away. Reema's mother shook her head and walked toward the exit. Reema followed
            The science counselor motioned Trip to join him. Head hanging, Trip stumbled after him, thinking hard. Maybe, just maybe he would be able to prove the cloth was not from his world. He touched the science counselor’s arm. “May I see the cloths?"
           A smile crept across the science counselors face as he handed the pieces of fabric to Trip.