by J. M. Preiss
The military was an institute that was seen as unnecessary by many of the citizens of Earth; however, there were still many dissidents in the parts of the world not shadowed by a city. There was also the ever present threat that one of these dissidents would strike a fusion reactor facility to disrupt the economy. Jacob didn't really underst-
"Jacob, chill dude," said Mason.
"Hmm?" asked Jacob. "Oh, sorry." He rubbed the back of his neck as he sat down.
"I always know when you are thinking." Mason smiled. "Been thinking a lot I bet."
Jacob chuckled and started taking off his shoes. "Yeah. I've just got so much on my mind in preparation for the mission."
"Just take it easy, Lieutenant."
"Yes, sir, Captain." Jacob smiled. "You realize that I was chosen for this mission first, right?"
Mason waved his hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. And then they saw that someone needed to hold your hand, so they brought me out of retirement." He leaned back in his seat. "You realize I was enjoying my retirement after New York, don't you?"
Jacob nodded. New York had been a major sticking point in the side of the government. Someone had managed to gain access to the mainframe of the fusion reactor and was threatening to overload it. The resulting explosion would have decimated most of New England as well as caused climate problems for the rest of the Northern Hemisphere if not the entire world. Mason's company was the one that was detached to deal with the problem. The fighting in the facility had been fierce, but it was contained to the facility after the initial engagement. Out of his three platoons, only one survived, and it was mangled pretty badly. Apparently, the dissidents had managed to get their hands on up to date military templates and used the local nano-fac to outfit themselves. Despite the massive casualties that Mason's company took, they were victorious. In the final firefight, Mason was severely wounded. He lost his left leg and arm in an explosion.
Mason saw Jacob looking at his left arm. "No worries, kid." He moved it around to show it was working. "Still works just like the old one, better probably."
Jacob nodded. "Good thing medical technology is up to snuff."
"Yeah, tell me about it. Buying a piece of the farm, two pieces to be exact, was not my idea of getting an early retirement, but hey, they paid for the new hardware with it." Mason slapped his left leg with his left hand. "Couldn't really say no, could I?"
"Guess you have a point, Mason. What do you do while retired anyways?"
"Play golf, baseball, basketball...any sport with a ball really."
Jacob smirked. "Cheater. You know you have a, pardon the pun, leg up over the competition."
Mason laughed. "Guess you're right, kid."
Jacob finished getting his jumpsuit on and slipped into his boots. He started checking over his pack.
"Don't need to do that, kid," said Mason. "We still have two hours before mission prep."
Jacob looked at his watch. Mason was right. It was only zero-nine-hundred. "Better safe than sorry."
"Good answer. I've already checked mine," Mason said while grinning.
Jacob harrumphed and went back to checking his pack. The mission critical information was secure in a double sealed and locked box. He had no idea what was in there other than it was very important. A small, white watch-looking device was on top of the package. Jacob slipped it on and ran it through its internal diagnostic. The temporal locator beacon showed all green and powered off. It was only a rudimentary transmitter, but it did allow mission control to know that there was successful transport. Next in the pack was his auto-rifle. Jacob was not very happy to be carrying it with him on what was supposed to be a peaceful mission, but better safe than sorry was really how he felt.
He pulled out the auto-rifle - a small rectangular object thirty centimeters long, five centimeters wide, and eighteen centimeters tall - and hit the "deploy" button. The lower back of the rifle clicked down into his waiting right hand while the upper back slid back and then dropped down vertical into the rifle butt. The top went up and forward a bit, sights appearing from hidden compartments. The front bottom went down and backwards, a ribbed pattern appearing to allow for a better grip. The barrel that was now exposed slid forward and a heat exchanger flared out from just behind the front of the barrel and clasped together further ahead of the aperture. With a quick movement, Jacob primed the weapon and lights came to life over the left hand side, denoting battery-life, capacitor stability, and barrel heat levels. He sighted down the sights at a light on the ceiling. Once he was sure that everything was satisfactory, he hit the "deploy" button again, and it collapsed back into its inert form. He dropped the unassuming box into the pack where it had been.
Continuing his inspection of his kit, he looked over his emergency ration packs. Not too palatable - nothing has changed if the mythos of rations is to be believed - but they did provide the nutrients you needed to survive. Hopefully, they would not have to be utilized. The next item Jacob came across was the mapping unit.
The mapping unit was able to access any positioning satellite system that was available as well as store an inertial reference map, and it had the rudimentary magnetic compass function. This particular unit also doubled as a sensor package that could detect any signal transmission as well as emissions from common electrical technology. Placing the mapping unit back into the pouch after running it through diagnostic, he picked up the bioscanner.
The bioscanner was an amazing device to Jacob. He didn't know how it worked, but it did. Thankfully at that. It had saved his life back during his stint as a grunt in Asia Minor. He shook his head to force himself to not remember that time and dropped the bioscanner back in its pouch.
"Done yet, kid? They're waiting for us." Mason was gesturing to the briefing room.
Jacob zipped up his pack, set it where he had been sitting, and nodded. "Ready as I'll ever be, I guess." He held his hand out towards the door. "Elderly first."
Mason laughed. "Shut it, sonny. I'll tell you, back in my day," Mason began in a voice to mimic that of an elderly person, "we were respected by those younger than us."
"Yeah, and back in your day you would already be in a nursing home." Jacob grinned with Mason.
Both men entered the briefing room. Jacob's watch read zero-nine-fifteen.
Chapter III
"Gentlemen," said Doctor Jenkins as Jacob and Mason entered the briefing room. He was sitting at the front of a large conference table flanked by two other scientists. They were the only three waiting in the room.
It was quite the sight, really. This large briefing room, and there was only the five of them. Briefing room. That's another thing. It was really just a modified conference room.
"So, gentlemen. Are you ready for this mission?" Doctor Jenkins was getting out of his chair and walking towards the vid-screen.
"Ready as ever, Doctor," replied Mason.
"Sure enough, sir," said Jacob. "I am anxious to know what our true mission is going to be."
"Understandable," Doctor Jenkins admitted. "That time has certainly arrived." He activated the vid-screen and turned to face Mason and Jacob. The two other scientists activated their holo-displays and set about their task, whatever that may be.
"Halcyon is ready to activate on schedule. The capacitors will initiate their charge cycle in about forty-five minutes. Once the primary capacitors are charged, the secondary capacitors will begin their charge cycle. As calculated, the initiation will take place five minutes prior to activation of Halcyon for checking the stability of the wormhole. You have all heard this of course." Doctor Jenkins typed into his holo-screen that was attached to his left arm.
Jacob was momentarily distracted by looking at what exactly was being input into the device.
"Mr. Brown, are you ready to continue?"
Jacob rose out of his thoughts. "Sorry, Doc."
"Of course. Anyways," Doctor Jenkins began again, "Halcyon will be activated after stability of the wormhole has been confirmed. We will be transportin
g you to a location in rural New England." A map of the continental United States of the early twenty first century showed up on the vid-screen and zoomed in to the New England area. A dot began flashing in Massachusetts. "Upon arrival, you are to seek out the university known as MIT. After an extensive study, we have come to the conclusion that they have ample facilities to help aid in the testing and verification of the technology that you are carrying with you." Another image appeared on the screen, this one a schematic of a fusion reactor complex.
"Your primary concern is to provide detailed information on the completion of what we consider a modern fusion reactor." Doctor Jenkins tapped in a few more commands, and detailed data appeared on the screen. "Relevant construction material information for them to be able to construct such a facility has been included with the schematics. After completion of the fusion reactor facility, you are to lobby for construction of a sister facility to our own. It is our belief that after completion of such a facility, we will be able to initiate a permanent connection with the past." The vid-screen turned off. "Finally, under no circumstances are you to reveal yourself to the general public. Such an action would be ill advisable as we are not aware of the ramifications such an act would have to your personal safety. In addition, before I forget, the sealed mission package will become unlocked after passing through the wormhole. Be sure to read it upon arrival."
All of the people in the room rose. "Now would be the time for any last minute farewells," said Doctor Jenkins as he walked out of the room.
Mason stretched. "Not a bad idea. Too bad I have nobody to call." He smiled morosely.
Jacob scratched his head. "I should probably contact Lisa, but she always told me to not say anything to her before a mission."
"Yeah, but you were only dating back then. You two are married now. Go. Call her," Mason prodded.
Jacob nodded and shrugged. He made his way out of the briefing room and into the main facility. As he walked around the giant ring suspended above the platform, Jacob thought about Lisa. They had gotten married just a week prior to the activation of this mission.
Not that he would be gone for very long, but there was no telling exactly when they would be able to make a reconnection with the current time period and to how accurate that connection would be.
The pre-mission information that Jacob had memorized as part of his training had said to set the coordinates for at least four months in the future from the activation of Halcyon. That was supposed to give ample time to the scientists to do all of the analysis with how Halcyon had gone. Jacob and Mason would then establish a link and send through a package denoting that their mission had been completed. The permanent connection would then be established.
Why the permanent connection? Why go back into the past? None of this made any sense to Jacob, but he was given orders. It was his job to follow orders. Lost in his thoughts, he entered the communication room without really noticing where he was. He came out of his thoughts as he sat at a terminal and activated it.
The communication unit sprang into life as he input the information to call his apartment. After a few short moments, the vid-screen changed to an image of Lisa sitting in a robe.
"I was wondering when you were going to call. When did you leave?" she asked.
"Early," replied Jacob. "I didn't want to wake you up. We also agreed to have no goodbye there when I left."
"True, but I regret that decision a little. It would have been nice to give you one last hug."
Jacob nodded. "No telling how long it would have lasted though. Anyways," he waved his hand dismissively. "It's not like I am leaving forever. I'll be back in what seems like four or five months’ time to you."
"I know, but I'm worried, Jacob. Are you sure this isn't a suicide mission?" She had true concern on her face.
"Of course I'm sure. Look, it has all been planned out, checked, re-checked, and then checked again by the scientists here. Nothing is going to go wrong."
"That's not what worries me," Lisa said.
"No, I guess the plan for things never did worry you." Jacob leaned back in the chair and Lisa shifted how she had her legs crossed. "Look, thing is, there is always a risk involved. It's just impossible to plan for all of the eventualities after the initial plan has been started."
"That doesn't stop me from worrying," Lisa said and then twisted her mouth.
Jacob sighed. "I know. Look, Lisa, I need to go finish some more preparations."
Lisa smiled. "I love you, Jacob. Be safe."
"Always," he said as he deactivated the terminal.
As he stood up, there was a sharp crack. The lights dimmed, and a low hum permeated the space. Jason looked at his watch. Ten-hundred hours.
Chapter IV
As the facility revved up to full operational status, Jacob and Mason sat in a corner going over last minute details for the mission. Namely, they were studying period maps for Massachusetts. Things had changed a lot in one hundred and fifty years.
Time went by. The primary capacitors reached fully charged status, and the secondary capacitors began their cycle. It was an interesting design for the device. The primary capacitors were used to initiate the wormhole and connect to a specific point in space and time. Now, this of course raised the question of why could we not just go to another planet using this method. The answer is simple: the math gets exceedingly difficult the further out you go. The math also gets more difficult the further forward or backward in time you travel. Jacob didn't understand it all, but he had a decent grasp. To truly go far back in time, they would have to build a chain of facilities back into the past. The difficulty of course being that the further back in time you go, the worse the technology became. Their destination year was as far back as they were able to travel safely as well as the most likely candidate to construct a facility.
Jacob was pondering the complexities that would have to be overcome to actually create a string of facilities - if that was actually the intention - when a voice came over the loudspeaker.
"Attention all personnel. Activation of Halcyon will commence in five minutes. All non-essential personnel are instructed to head to their designated safe zone for the duration of the project. Repeat. Activation of Halcyon will commence in five minutes."
Mason looked at Jacob. "Nervous?"
Jacob shook his head. "Just another mission honestly."
"Hardcore to the end. That's what I both like and despise about you Special Forces types."
"Hey, it's the job," Jacob said while shrugging. "All that training and hypno-conditioning, I don't really have a choice."
Mason harrumphed. "That doesn't bother you, their messing with your head?"
"No, not really. It doesn't bother you that your child was taken from you because of the marriage agreements?"
Mason screwed up his mouth. "I... well... that is to say.... You have a point." He shrugged and leaned back in his chair while letting out a deep breath. "Madeline was... well, she was the light of my life, that little girl. After the operation went south in New York, and I got injured," he trailed off. "I was the one that was infertile in the relationship. By law, that gives up my rights, and my family's rights, to the first offspring because of the contract they signed with Holly's parents."
"And here we think that the laws and such of the past are weird," said Jacob.
"It does bother me though. I would love to see how Madeline is doing, but after the divorce, I just could not bring myself to see her sad little face. She never understood why daddy had to leave." Mason shook his head. "Enough reminiscing of the past. It's the past. Done. Over with. Let's move forward."
Jacob laughed. "Interesting choice of words, Captain, seeing as we are going forward into the past."
Mason chuckled. "You got me there, kid."
The loudspeaker came on again. "Attention all personnel, activation of Halcyon is underway."
The humming of the charging procedure stopped. There was a loud crack. Lightning arced around the wormhole
device and went into discharge rods when it arced towards the outer wall. A light started to build up inside the ring, slowly rotating around the circumference. As time passed by, the rotation increased. The light travelled faster and faster until it was a blur of white light. There was another loud crack and a low rumble reverberated through the chamber. At the center of the platform, a spherical distortion grew from a small point to a sphere of about four meters in diameter.
"Connection has been established," said the voice over the loud speaker. "Initial stability checks have proven green. Embarkation team to the entry platform."
"Well, kid, looks like it's our time to shine," said Mason over the rumble as he got up.
Jacob rose after Mason and donned his pack. He shifted the weight and attached the lower strap, sucking it to his body. Rolling his shoulders, Jacob followed Mason to the entry platform where Doctor Jenkins was waiting.
"Gentlemen," Doctor Jenkins said loudly over the rumbling. "Everything shows green. Your mission is a go. God speed," he said and saluted.
Mason and Jacob both reflexively saluted and then stepped onto the platform. The platform rose into place and locked.
Mason looked at Jacob. "Any last words?"
"Yeah, remind me why we signed up for this," Jacob said as he stepped forward into the ring marked on the floor. The ring denoted the extent of the wormhole when it was excited by the secondary pulse.
"Fame, fortune, and a nice retirement spot in the Caribbean."
"Damn. You got a better package than me. I just got a stupid medal."
They both laughed as the clock struck twelve hundred hours. The secondary activation pulse was activated, and the wormhole grew to engulf Jacob and Mason. In a sharp crack and flash of light, they disappeared.
Chapter V
The last thing Jacob heard and saw was a loud crack and a bright flash of light. His sense of sound slowly returned to him. He heard the rustling of grass in the wind.