Drive Time

by Matt Wilkinson

  Since Stan had broken their connection to the past when he first arrived, there would be no shadow streams to find past that point. They had to find another way to contact the origin point, and this machine was the end result.

  “Did you conduct that experiment in this very room?” one of the onlookers asked, feeling the historical significance of that moment.

  “No, it took place at Spencer’s apartment.”

  “Then how are you going to direct the particles to the original machine?”

  “Well, that’s where the complicated calculations come in, complicated isn’t really a strong enough word. The Earth travels through space at over one thousand miles per hour, that’s before you factor in that it’s also spinning. Being in the same room as the original machine wouldn’t make a difference, we’re not even close to being at the same point in space. The calculations had to figure out the precise direction to send the particles down to the nanometer, even then, we’ll need a spread. It also had to take account of the speed they need to be fired at to reach that exact point at the exact right time. Like I said very complicated calculations.”

  “And you’re sure that the extra dimensions you created along the way will be erased,” another member of their audience asked.

  “We’re positive. We’ve put the theory into practice many times. We’re interfering with our very first experiment, so every branch of alternate realities along the way will never have happened. We’re informing our past selves of everything they need to know to create our new world and exactly what mistakes to avoid. They’ll know about the alternate reality effect, and they’ll avoid that too. They will be acquainted with the steps needed to regain contact with shadow realities, in the unlikely event that they make any mistakes along the way. Mistakes are highly unlikely; however, our instructions are extensive and we left no room for error, we ran a good number of simulations to make sure we caught every possibility.”

  The British Prime Minister spoke up again. “We’ve been informed about how this might affect some members of your group, Mr Peterson, and we’re incredibly grateful for their sacrifices.”

  “Thank you, Prime Minister.”

  If everything went according to plan when the new machine engaged the reset, there was a significant possibility that James and Jules would never exist, and if they did, their current relationships would be removed from the course of history. Victor had included his videos for Sarah along with the data they were to send back, so he was confident he would still be with her in the new reality. If the butterfly effect didn’t change the possibility of there ever being a James, Beth would be in her mid-forties before he reached his eighteenth birthday. This didn’t make their relationship impossible, but it did make it improbable. If Beth were to choose immortality at the present time in the new reality, she would still need to remain single for the intervening years until Victor and Sarah knew they were having a baby boy who would become James. Even then, there was no way of knowing if he would become the same James she knew. With all this in mind, they had made their peace with the inevitable end of their romance, choosing to make the most of the time they had before the machine fulfilled its purpose. James and Jules, being fully aware of the probable outcome of this procedure, had made peace with their likely deletion. The bigger picture was always the priority, and they were willing to make the sacrifice, taking solace in the fact that they would know nothing of their own existence.

  Spencer had already come to terms with the loss of her husband and their child in their previous reality, but she knew that — once reality had been reset — there was every possibility that she and her husband Andrew would find each other again. Sometimes it was best to avoid the manipulation of your own destiny and let chance play its part, her experiences since their invention of the time drive had taught her as much.

  “In a sense, you’re also sacrificing the past month," Victor told the Prime Minister.

  “All checked out and ready here," Simon called from behind.

  Simon was relieved to have this opportunity for reversing every adverse effect his alternate self had on their future, and he entered into their current endeavour with enthusiasm.

  “We’re ready to launch, people," Victor informed the small crowd. “Just a push of a button back there and this reality will cease to exist, but the reality that will take its place will provide an improvement to all of our lives. A world of peace and zero suffering for every human on earth, a world that will coexist with nature. Our race will be a force for creation, not destruction.” He paused to allow everyone to drink in the last moments of their current universe. “Is everyone ready?”

  “No time like the present.” The American President said.

  “How very right and poignant that really is, Sir," Victor said. “Here goes.” He nodded to Simon and wrapped his arm around his wife. Beth and James shared a kiss and embraced for what would be the remainder of this reality.

  No countdown, no hesitation, Simon pushed a button and the universe, for the human race, changed for the better.