Chapter Six

Day Six, Tokyo and More

Ray and Dona had just appeared in a main street outside Beams department store, on the other side of the world in Tokyo, Japan. Their task was to make there way to the the main train station and get tickets for the bullet train to Osaka, Ray had said they could just jump there but Oscar had his reasons. This was just a test and it all helped the others get used to it all.

The new camera in the shoulder strap of the new Artifact bag, was working very well and back in London, the others were all watching with interest.

"Right Ray and Dona, you want to turn right at the end of the building" said Terry "and continue on to the old looking building at the end, that's the station."

This was all new to Ray and Dona, it was the first time they had been to a place they new absolutely nothing about and a lot of help was required from the others. It was nine when they left London but it was already six in the afternoon here and it was busy, Ray thought that if it was Monday it may be worse but he knew nothing about Japan. Then he thought that this was a lie, when he was much younger he had a Japanese motorcycle or two and he remembered when Britain had changed to buying everything from Japan. Now that all seemed to be long gone and everything came from China theses days.

They arrived at the train station and Terry was reddy to help them with any language problems they may have. Ray was looking at the departures board when Terry butted in and said "its the one from platform 16 in about 20 mins, go to the ticket office quickly and use your card", he then directed them to the right place.

"Thank you" said Ray as they walked fast to get the tickets.

Getting tickets for the train, James gave instruction to them both and Ray even tried to speak some Japanese, with help from James. With their tickets they made their way to the platform and they were both very impressed with the train they got on. They had two seats together, they had not realised that the seats where in sets of twos and threes, anyway they got settled in and were soon on the way. The crew back in London were all talking away now, to Ray it sounded like they were quite pleased with the way things had gone.

"How are we doing" said Ray

"Not too bad, I think its time for a drink though" said Dona

Ray laughed "I was not speaking to you" he replied

"I know" laughed Dona "but I could do with a drink"

"The test is going very well" butted in Oscar "all of your equipment seems to be working fine for now, so just stay nice and quiet for a while and we will get back to you."

Ray took this to mean, ok get a beer then, and ordered a couple of Kirin Ichiban Beers, from the trolley as it want by it was ok but nothing special. By the time they had finished their beers, Oscar got back to them and said to work out a way to come home. They had done all of there tests for now, Ray asked what time they wanted them back and Oscar said to get back in time for lunch. Ray looked at the time on his phone and it was only just after 10:45 in London, so they decided to stay on the train for a while.

The train was pulling into Nagoya Station when Ray and Dona walked into the toilet on the train and jumped back to the house, where they were just in time for diner. Oscar asked them if there was any problem with the trip and Ray admitted that the language was a bit hard but James was a perfect help, just what they needed. Oscar told them that all the equipment was working very well and that this afternoon they would try something new, but for now dinner was ready

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Ray and Dona were off to the westernmost city in the Old World (well that's what is said in Wikipedia), Dakar, in Africa. It was about two thirty in the afternoon and even though it was getting on for winter here it would be very hot in Dakar. Oscar had made all of the arrangements for them to jump into the British Embassy grounds and get further instructions from an agent there. Ray and Dona were slightly worried about the whole thing and were wondering if all of this was a good idea. Oscar had calmed them down and he said that they could jump back to the house any time they wished.

They appeared on the lawn at the front of the Embassy building, where a man on the phone was waiting for them. Oscar said in their ears, that he was part of the secret service and to walk over to meet him and give him the present, that they had brought with them.

"Ok speak to you soon Oscar" said Paul and pocked his phone, then said "Hi you must be Ray and Dona, my name is Paul, nice to meet you"

"Hi, thanks very much" said Ray and handed him the present (in their ears, Oscar said that Paul was an old friend of his and again not to worry), "do you know what we are here for" Ray went on to Paul.

"Yes, I have a task for you but please, lets get inside out of this heat, follow me and please tell Oscar thanks for the champaign" replied Paul.

Inside the Embassy, Paul led them into a nice cool conference room and invited them to sit at the large table in the centre. He closed the door and locked it, saying that it was best if only he knew what was going on.

"I have been set a task by Oscar, who incidentally is an old friend from collage, he has asked me to set the task for you two, then after you have completed the task, you can jump straight back home to Oscar" explained Paul. "This jumping thing is all just a bit too much for me and as soon as you have gone, I am going to try and forget what I have seen. So, here is the task I have set for you" he gave them a piece of paper with a phone number and the task written on it.

Ray said thank you to Paul, they read the note, put the phone number in his phone griped the Artifact and said thanks again, then with a noise like the catch on a briefcase engaging a bright soundless flash. they were gone. Paul looked on in amazement and shook his head, he then turned and walked out of the conference room, holding on tight to his his bottle of champaign.

Ray and Dona were now on the far side of Dakar from the Embassy, to the north of Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport. Back in London the others were all watching but keeping very quiet as Ray and Dona wandered down a small street towards the sea front. Once on the beach of Yoff, they were all amazed by just how many small boats were on the sands and by how many people there were massing around with them.

Ray looked at the note again and shook his head, today had all been new to them and the two places they had been sent to today, were totally and completely different to each other. But against what Ray had thought, even though it was all different, he was not phased at all and neither was Dona, in fact they were enjoying it just as much as they always had.

Ray looked again but this time he turned and looked at the huts surrounding the beach and saw what he was looking for. He showed Dona and then wandered over to buy some fish for supper, yes that is what the note said, get some fish for supper or we go hungry. Ray wasn't quite done though, at the fish stall he asked about beers and was told that this area was dry but he could get beer in Dakar, he just had to move on out of this area.

He did move on, the fish stall had a newspaper with adds for the Casino Supermarche Dakar, and a phone number, through Dona's camera the others saw Ray smile. Back in London Oscar just sighed but said nothing. Just off the sea front Ray and dona jumped again, right into the supermarket car park, they were very lucky no one was looking. Inside they managed to buy a six back of Flag Spéciale beer to take back to the house with them and as a last thing they also got a couple of large bottles of La Gazelle beer. The jump back home was easy they just walked away from the supermarket, until they were far enough away and jumped back.

Over supper with two lagers from Dakar and a surprise of Kirin Ichiban beers from the train in Japan. Oscar explained that today's jumps and the places they had jumped too, were just tests but tests to check out Ray and Dona and the good news was that (as Oscar already knew before the trips), they had passed.

Oscar then lifted his glass and wished them all, all the best with their new section and that tomorrow, the real work would start, but for now lets drink these far flung beers.