The Twins Paradox by Alan Gasparutti (best contemporary novels txt) 📖

not too sure about replicating accommodation, though.”
“Well if we can't find suitable accommodation, we may need to use the craft as a home,” suggested Major Retono.
“I think we can get around that,” said Professor Wagstaff. “It may just take a bit longer for some things, that's all.”
Just then, Commander Ondichi's mobile rang. He put it on hold for a few moments.
“Do any of you have any further items to raise for this discussion?” he asked the others, to which all went quiet. “If it's agreed by all of you, this meeting has now been concluded.”

The next council meeting was held the next day. Professor Schmidt came along to voice his concerns, as did Professor Wagstaff to inform the people of the Interstellar Pilgrim of his theories. Though many people were put-off the idea of visiting Earth, there still remained a fair number of people still interested in this.
Over the next few days, as the minutes from the council meeting were distributed, a few people contacted Major Retono, and by the end of the week he had prepared a list of possibile ‘team members’ to visit Earth.
He and Professor Wagstaff interviewed those concerned, and decided on a final group of eight members to join them on their mission. This included some younger members, Ramondo, a technician, Lucas, whose father worked in the engine room and so would be a suitable mechanical assistant, and their girlfriends Madaly and Zebrina. They, together with four older men, Robinson, Gonchaves, Gaspar and Frickas, were now prepared to see what Earth had in store.

As they prepared for the mission, Lucas became a little more worried each day. His father, Verticas, re-assured him that all would be well, and that the journey would only take a few seconds. It would be as though the craft had been beamed down to Earth.
It was decided that the mission would take place late at night, when most people on Earth would be asleep. Though it took several hours for everyone on the mission to prepare for the journey, the journey itself was over in a flash. Major Retono arranged checks around the craft, before he contacted the Interstellar Pilgrim to confirm their arrival.
“The craft appears to have arrived safely,” he confirmed. “There is no damage and everyone on board is okay. The only problem is that we can't see anything. It's as black as the universe. I'll be going outside in a few moments to see if I can find anything.”
“It's probably dark because you've landed in a great big pot-hole,” replied Professor Schmidt at the other end. “Let me know what you can see when you leave the craft.”
Major Retono left the craft with Gaspar. They each carried a torch, as they looked around the craft.
“Hey, look up there,” Gaspar called to Major Retono, pointing towards what appeared to be a gap in the pot-hole wall.
“That's probably one of the caves leading out from this place,” the Major explained. “Do you think we can get up there from here?”
“I doubt it,” Gaspar replied. “It's not too far from the craft's upper door, so we may be able to get a ramp towards it.”
“We'll have to manoeuvre the craft,” Major Retono suggested. “I don't think we have a ramp which bends 90%. The problem is, can we manoeuvre the craft in such a narrow space?”
“You've got to admit, Major, it was a real achievement getting this craft into such a narrow space in the first place,” Gaspar laughed. “Someone must be able to manoeuvre it a little.”
“We have a bit of a problem though,” Major Retono told him, pointing towards a gap to his right. “If we're not careful, we may end up down that ledge. I'll go back to the craft while you stay here.”
After Major Retono returned to the craft, he contacted Professor Schmidt to inform him of the situation. The Professor said it wouldn't be a problem manoeuvring the craft, but advised for Gaspar to return to the craft, in case of any accidents.
After the craft had been manoeuvred into position, Major Retono went to open the upper door. There was a 10 foot drop below, while about three feet higher was the entrance to the cave. Major Retono then went to inform the rest of the crew of this, and between them, they found a ramp long enough to reach to the cave entrance.
Just as the ramp was finally connected to the cave, Gaspar noticed some odd drips falling. It was rain falling from above.
”What are we going to do now?” he asked Major Retono.
“I'll see if we have any sheets large enough to cover the craft,” said the Major. “It may be necessary anyway, just in case anyone came this way and saw the craft.”
“Do you really think anyone would want to come down here?” asked Ramondo.
“I don't know,” said Major Retono. “What I do know, from the pictures I've seen of Earth, there are some mighty strange people down here.”
“I thought there was supposed to be intelligent life on Earth,” Gaspar commented.
“Oh there is intelligent life on Earth, make no mistake,” said Major Retono. “But from what I've seen, some people have some strange rituals and beliefs. Mind you, from what I could make out, this is probably one of the more intelligent societies. That's one of the reasons we decided to use this spot for a mission base.”
Major Retono contacted Professor Wagstaff in the ship to ask if they had any cloak large enough to cover the craft. Robinson soon came out, bringing a large camouflaged cloak with him.
“How are we going to get that thing on the craft, Major?” Gaspar asked.
“Watch me,” the Major said, as he pressed a button on his jacket. It was a remote control button for his shoes, which immediately 'launched' him sufficiently high enough to drape the cloak around the craft. Major Retono then pressed the button again to let him down gently.
“Wow!” said Gaspar and Robinson, who hadn't seen anything like that before, as Ramondo cut a slit by the ramp, through which they could return to the craft.
It was a good job this didn't take long as the rain coming in from outside increased. The Major and his team went back into the craft. He then contacted Professor Schmidt back on the 'Pilgrim, and asked for a weather report.
“Apparently, the rain shouldn't last too long,” Professor Schmidt informed the Major. “It should die down before the sun will rise.”
“Do you know how long we have?” asked Major Retono.
“Two Earth hours,” Professor Schmidt told him.
“What's the time now?” asked Major Retono.
“Haven't you set your watch yet?” Professor Schmidt queried. “I left several watches with Professor Wagstaff. He should know where they've been put.”
“Professor Wagstaff gave me something odd to put around my wrist,” Major Retono explained. “Could that be what you're referring to?”
“That will be your watch,” said Professor Schmidt. “Set it to 1.30. You do know how to set your watch, don't you?”
Major Retono wasn't too sure, so followed Professor Schmidt's instructions. He then ordered the rest of his team to do the same with their watches. As they waited for the rain to stop, they sorted out a number of items to take, for when they would eventually go outside. Though the rain relented at around 3.45, by this time there were more than just a few drops of water pouring down the pot-hole, so they didn’t go out until just before 4.30.
Major Retono then led Lucas and Ramondo to the cave entrance. With their torches shining through the cave, they noticed some small creatures with tails on the bed of the cave. There also appeared to be small winged creatures hanging from the tops of the cave. These were creatures that were unexpected.
They found the cave a little confusing, as there was more than one passage along the way. Eventually, they managed to find their way out of the cave and onto the open moor.
“Lucas, have you got the hidden cameras?” Major Retono asked, to which Lucas nodded. “Stay here and see if you can find some suitable places to put them, but don't switch them on. Ramondo and me are going for a little walk towards those buildings down the hillside.”
Major Retono contacted Professor Wagstaff back on the craft, to report they had exited the cave.
“According to the map I'm looking at, there's a small hamlet called Selside at the bottom of the hill,” said Professor Wagstaff. “Can you see a group of houses anywhere in the distance?”
“I can see what from here appear to be buildings at the bottom of the hill,” replied Major Retono. “I can't make them out precisely – it's too dark to tell.”
“Can you see a road or some tracks just beyond?” Professor Wagstaff asked Major Retono.
“I can see some things in the distance, but I'm not completely sure about them,” replied the Major. “I'm going to proceed down the hill, until I can get a better view. I'll contact you soon.”
Major Retono continued down the hill, while Ramondo stayed put, watching the Major walking away into the distance. As he got closer, Major Retono noticed a small road leading to some houses. This became clearer as he went, partly due to the fact that some house window had become lit.
Major Retono looked at his watch, but proceeded until he got to the road. He then looked back towards where he came, and flashed his torch. He then saw another light beam towards him, a signal from Ramondo that he remained at the same place.
Major Retono then decided to proceed a little further, until he came to another, larger, road. As he looked up, he noticed that the navy-blue sky he saw earlier was now slowly becoming lighter and brighter. It was probably time to turn back. As he walked back along the minor road, he could see a small light getting larger as it came closer. He then heard two quick rings, as a man greeted him “Good Morning!” in an odd accent.
Major Retono greeted the man, and proceeded back along the road, until he found the path he'd followed earlier. He shone his torch, to which Ramondo shone his, confirming his position to the Major so he knew where to proceed. When he got to Ramondo, they could see the sky becoming brighter. Ramondo shone his torch towards the cave entrance. As Lucas shone his torch back in acknowledgement, Major Retono and Ramondo headed back.
By the time they all met up, they could see the sun beginning to rise over the fells. They each had one last look at the sky, before the three of them headed back into the cave and to the craft. They had seen a little bit of Earth for a few hours at least.
“Is there anything peculiar to report, Major?” Professor Wagstaff asked when they arrived back in the craft.
“There wasn't a lot to report on, to tell you the truth,” replied Major Retono. “I came across an old man sitting upon a bar above a pair of wheels, whatever that might be.”
“Probably a bicycle, I should have thought,” suggested Professor Wagstaff. “I've seen a few people ride those. I can't say I'd fancy a trip on one of those things. Did the man say anything?”
“He greeted me, and went on his way,” Major Retono told him.
“Are all the cameras carefully placed around the cave?” asked Professor Wagstaff.
“Yes thanks,” said Lucas. “I've placed each of them strategically, so as we can get a good view of all angles. I made sure they were all covered, in the event of rain, and hidden away