The Time Hunters (Book 1 of the acclaimed series for children of all ages)

by carl ashmore

  ‘He did a very fine thing,’ Will added sincerely.

  ‘What?’ Joe asked.

  ‘It’s a long story that happened a very long time ago,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Besides, it’s late and -’

  ‘- And there is still one member of the household yet to meet,’ Will added mysteriously. Becky and Joe swapped bewildered glances. Someone else lived at Bowen Hall?

  Will whistled loudly. A sturdy, grey creature stomped into the kitchen and knocked over an umbrella stand. About five foot in length, it had a large fan-like plate on the back of its head. A horn protruded from its beak-like mouth and two larger horns from above its eyes.

  At first, Becky thought it was a baby rhinoceros. She was wrong.

  ‘Ah, of course …’ Uncle Percy grinned. ‘Becky. Joe. Meet Gump.’

  After seconds of astounded silence, Becky managed to speak. ‘It’s a d-dinosaur?’

  ‘Indeed, he is. A Triceratops,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Only a toddler, of course, an adult Triceratops would be as big as a lorry.’ He tickled Gump under his chin. ‘You can stroke him if you’d like. He does enjoy a good mollycoddling.’

  Trembling, Becky and Joe crouched beside the baby Triceratops and patted him. Gump made a soft groan that sounded rather like a cow mooing.

  ‘Wait ‘til I tell Zimmo about this,’ Joe exclaimed.

  Uncle Percy’s expression turned grave. ‘Now, both of you, I must ask you to do me a favour. What you see at Bowen Hall must remain our secret. Absolutely no one can know about what happens here… not your friends, your teachers, not even your mother. Do you understand?’

  ‘But -?’ Joe said.

  ‘There can be no buts, Joe,’ Uncle Percy said firmly. ‘I must ask you to give your most sincere assurance you won’t tell a soul. If you did, everything here; every person, every animal, would be in danger.’

  ‘What kind of dang -’ Joe said.

  ‘Just promise, Dweebling!’ Becky snapped. ‘Of course, we do. Don’t we, Joe?’

  ‘Course,’ Joe said sincerely. ‘We won’t tell a soul.’

  ‘Excellent,’ Uncle Percy said, stretching in his chair.

  ‘May we - may we - come with you on a journey?’ Becky said.

  ‘Pleeaaase,’ Joe begged.

  ‘We’ll be good, I swear,’ Becky added.

  ‘What about tomorrow?’ Joe said immediately.

  Uncle Percy couldn’t help but laugh. ‘We’ll see. For now though, I think we should all get some sleep. It’s been a very long night.’ Raising himself from his chair, he scooped up the mugs and approached the kitchen sink.

  Joe gave an almighty yawn, his eyelids wilting. He folded his arms on the table, lay down his head and closed his eyes. Becky waited a minute, listening as Joe’s breathing became heavy and pronounced. Then she stood up quietly and joined her uncle at the sink. ‘Can I ask you a question?’

  ‘You can always ask. I can’t guarantee you’ll receive an answer.’

  ‘Jacob and Maria are from the past too, aren’t they?’

  Uncle Percy stopped washing the dishes; he hesitated before answering. ‘Yes.’

  ‘Where are they from?’

  ‘They’re German.’

  ‘From what period?’

  ‘The Nineteen Thirties.’

  Becky stared into Uncle Percy’s eyes. For once, they seemed sad and colourless. She nodded and moved noiselessly back to the table. She didn’t know why, but something told her she shouldn’t ask about Jacob and Maria’s past.

  A while later, Becky found it impossible to sleep. In a matter of hours her understanding of life, past, present and future, had changed forever. She was living in a stately home with a time traveller, Will Scarlet, two Sabre-tooth tigers and a dinosaur. A house where milk floats appeared on the lawn in the middle of the night.

  A house of miracles.

  *

  ‘WE’RE GOING!’ Joe bellowed. ‘WE’RE GOING!’

  Becky’s eyes shot open. Even half-asleep she knew the reason behind Joe’s excitement. Uncle Percy had agreed to take them on a journey through time. He’d actually agreed. She, Becky Mellor, would be a time traveller.

  Becky and Joe ate their breakfast as quickly as they could; in part, to get the day underway, but also, and more significantly, to get out of Maria’s way.

  Maria had been in a terrible mood all morning, banging pots and pans around the kitchen, chasing Gump with a mop for tramping dirt onto her freshly scrubbed floor tiles, and screaming at Jacob for having a particularly loud cough.

  ‘It’s not right. It’s not right,’ she grumbled, ferociously scrubbing the breakfast dishes. ‘Little ones should not be messing with such things. Stupid man - stupid, crazy, man!’

  By the time she had finished washing up she had broken three glasses, a carafe and a rather old bone china teacup. And when Uncle Percy appeared at the door, Maria barged past him, yelled ‘BAH!’ in his face and stamped on his right foot before stomping off down the corridor, shouting, ‘STUPID, FOOLISH, CRAZY MAN!’

  ‘Maria’s in a peculiar mood today.’ Uncle Percy winced, rubbing his sore foot.

  ‘I don’t think she likes us going back in time,’ Becky said.

  He joined the children at the table. ‘Really? I don’t see why not. It’s a marvelous educational experience.’

  ‘Where are we going?’ Joe asked impatiently. ‘Will we see a T- Rex?’

  ‘I certainly hope not, Joe,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘No, today I’m taking you somewhere very special. In fact, with the exception of Bowen Hall, it’s my favourite place in my favourite period in history.’

  ‘Where is it?’ Becky asked eagerly.

  ‘You’ll have to wait and see,’ Uncle Percy said. ‘Anyway, I suppose we’d better get this show on the road. It’s about time I showed you my laboratory?’

  ‘The laboratory?’ Becky said. ‘I thought we weren’t allowed in there.’

  ‘Well, if truth be told, it’s not a conventional laboratory. It is, however, where I keep my time machines.’

  ‘Time machines?’ Joe said. ‘You’ve got more than one?’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ Uncle Percy replied casually. ‘I have five…’

  A slight breeze blew through Becky’s hair as she trailed Uncle Percy to the laboratory. She grew more nervous with each step, and found herself questioning whether this was a good idea. She didn’t particularly enjoy flying, how on earth would she feel about travelling through time?

  When they reached the laboratory door, Uncle Percy lifted what looked like a mobile phone from his pocket. Keying in a sequence of digits, he pointed at a circular pad on the right hand side of the door. A light beside it shone green and a loud grinding sound as though a thousand metal bolts were turning could be heard. Slowly, it opened.

  ‘I call this The Time Room,’ Uncle Percy said.

  Becky and Joe gasped. Towering stacks of computer processors lined each wall. Banks of monitors, their screens displaying streams of data and hundreds of clocks suspended above each monitor, in various shapes and sizes, each reading different times. The space in the centre of the room, however, was empty.

  ‘This-is-ace,’ Joe said, enthralled.

  ‘Do you think so?’ Uncle Percy said. ‘The lower levels are much more impressive.’

  Becky glanced at Joe. Lower levels?

  Uncle Percy led them up metal steps to a raised platform that overlooked the room. Stopping at a terminal, he spoke into a microphone: ‘Percy Mathias Halifax. TT98.’ An automated voice spoke back: ‘Embarkation procedure initiated. Today’s password ...’

  ‘Sagacious Sprouts,’ Uncle Percy replied.

  The workstation burst into life. The face of a middle-aged woman with long, curly auburn hair and rather too much lipstick appeared on the monitor.

  ‘Well, well, stranger,’ the woman said. ‘I’ve not seen you for a few weeks.’

  ‘Good morning, Annabel.’ Uncle Percy flashed a smile. ‘Love the new look. My compliments to your stylist.’

&
nbsp; ‘Thank you very much,’ she said, coiling a lock of hair between her fingers. ‘You’re positively the first TT to notice.’

  ‘Well, the rest of them are too blind to see anything in the present.’

  ‘How very true,’ she said brightly. ‘Anyway, what can I do for you today?’

  ‘I’d like to log a trip, please.’

  ‘No problem,’ she said, typing on a keyboard. ‘Just you or is Will going too?’

  ‘Not today. However, my niece and nephew will be joining me.’

  ‘Becky and Joe?’ she replied, sounding rather shocked.

  ‘Indeed. Come on, Becky, Joe. Meet Annabel.’

  ‘Hi, Annabel,’ Joe said.

  ‘Err, hello,’ Becky said.

  Annabel noted the look of surprise on Becky’s face. ‘Don’t look so surprised, Becky. I knew you were staying at Bowen Hall for the summer, your uncle talks about you all the time. Of course, I’ve only ever seen photographs of you. You’re both much more lovely in person.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Becky said.

  ‘Anyway, Percy, where’s today’s destination?’

  ‘Timeline 14, sector 2, coordinates 10 - 10 - 79.’

  Annabel chuckled. ‘Not there again, I swear one day you’ll go there and never come back.’ Annabel input the data. A second later, they heard a buzzing sound and what looked like a cube of jet-black marble fell into a slot beneath the monitor.

  ‘Many thanks, Annabel. Cheerio.’ Uncle Percy logged off the terminal and picked up the strange-looking block.

  ‘What’s that?’ Joe asked.

  ‘This, Joe, is Gerathnium. It’s the power source that makes time travel possible. It’s very rare. That’s why we produce it and keep it stored at a central base, distributing it to travellers if and when required.’

  ‘A central base?’ Becky said.

  ‘At GITT headquarters.’

  ‘GITT?’ Becky laughed.

  ‘It is rather amusing, isn’t it?’ Uncle Percy chuckled. ‘Henry Locket came up with the acronym. It stands for the Global Institute for Time Travel. It’s a worldwide organisation for the regulation, sanctioning and coordination of all travelling activity. In actual fact, the Institute fulfils many functions.’

  ‘Like what?’ Joe said.

  ‘Well, primarily, it ensures the safety and welfare of the travelling community. For instance, if a traveller gets stuck in time, for whatever reason, it can send someone to fetch them. It’s a very big operation.’

  ‘How come no one knows about it?’ Becky asked.

  ‘The Institute goes to great lengths to maintain its anonymity. You see, time travel is potentially the most destructive power that the world has ever known. That is why, today more than ever, it must remain secret. For that reason you can’t mention this to anyone.’

  ‘We understand,’ Becky said.

  ‘So, who wants to go back in time, then?’ Uncle Percy asked. Becky and Joe eagerly nodded their agreement.

  ‘Why have you got five time machines?’ Joe asked.

  ‘Each one is a different type of vehicle, for different types of trip. Today, I think we’ll use Bertha. She’s my favourite.’ Uncle Percy moved to a desk with a microphone set in its centre. ‘Activate Bertha.’ The ground rumbled beneath them. Gradually, the Time Room floor disappeared into the wall. Becky and Joe raced to the banister to watch. A moment later the floor had been replaced by a revolving platform from the level below. Standing on it was a green and white campervan.

  Becky’s face dropped.

  ‘My lovely Bertha,’ Uncle Percy said, as if introducing a very dear friend. He registered Becky’s disappointment. ‘She might not look much, but I’ve made plenty of minor modifications.’

  Becky returned a smile. She remembered only too well the last time Uncle Percy had made minor modifications to a vehicle.

  Uncle Percy descended the steps, and ran his hand fondly across its green and white frame. ‘You see most travellers build their time machines out of their favourite vehicles. Mine happens to be the 1963 Volkswagen Campervan.’ He inserted the Gerathnium into a slot on the van. ‘Come on, then.’

  Becky and Joe clambered into the back and sat opposite each other. Uncle Percy opened a front panel to reveal an assortment of buttons and lights and typed a destination code on to a small keypad.

  ‘Nervous?’ Uncle Percy asked.

  ‘Excited,’ Joe replied.

  ‘And you, Becky? How are you feeling?’

  Becky’s heart threatened to burst through her chest. ‘Terrified.’ Her knuckles clung tightly to a handrail below the window.

  Uncle Percy nodded sympathetically. ‘Don’t worry. I’ve done this more times than I care to remember.’

  ‘So, where are we going?’ Joe shouted over the escalating noise.

  Uncle Percy grinned. ‘Kansas.’

  ‘And when?’ Joe pressed.

  Before Uncle Percy could reply, fizzy blue and white light spilled from the front panel. Becky’s chest tightened, she clamped her eyes shut. Suddenly, they were surrounded by twisting torrents of light. Becky covered her ears, bracing herself.

  With a BOOM, Bertha disappeared.

  Chapter 5

  A Mammoth Event

  In a fraction of a second it was over. Becky stared at Joe, disorientated and somewhat disappointed. She’d expected more. Other than a flashy light show and a loud bang there was nothing else to suggest they weren’t still in the Time Room at Bowen Hall. Then her eyes widened as, with a splat, a colossal dragonfly careered into the window. Looking round, she saw a thick bushy glade, enveloped by soaring trees that stabbed the sky.

  Uncle Percy turned to face them. ‘You are now officially time travellers - unregistered, of course.’

  ‘And we’re in Kansas? Joe asked.

  ‘We most certainly are.’

  ‘When?’ Becky asked.

  ‘Let’s just say the Big Mac won’t exist for another twelve thousand years.’

  ‘T-twelve thousand years?’ Becky spluttered.

  ‘Wow,’ Joe gushed.

  ‘Wow, indeed, Joe,’ Uncle Percy said, grabbing his backpack. ‘Welcome to the last Ice Age - the Pleistocene epoch, to be precise.’ He opened the door and stepped onto the soft, damp turf. Sliding Bertha’s door open, he said, ‘Now, whatever you do, no wandering off.’

  ‘Err, why?’ Becky’s eyes flicked suspiciously to the undergrowth. ‘It’s not dangerous, is it?’

  ‘No, but it is we who are out of our time. You just have to be careful.’

  ‘Careful of what?’

  ‘Well, it is a forest. Forests have animals. But don’t worry - ’

  ‘What kind of animals?’

  ‘Mostly the very cuddly kind, but -’

  Becky was getting alarmed now. ‘- But?’

  ‘But you may get the odd snake, wild boar, grizzly bear and …’ - his voice dropped to something of a mumble - ‘… Sabre-tooth tiger.’

  ‘SABRE-TOOTH TIGER?’

  ‘It’s the Ice Age, what do you expect?’ Uncle Percy shrugged. ‘Don’t worry, you’ve met Milly and - ’

  ‘But Milly’s your pet! She’s tame, and -’ Becky’s voice rose to fever pitch. ‘- AND THIS IS THE WILD….’

  ‘Stop being such a wuss,’ Joe said, earning himself a twanged ear.

  ‘Wild and wonderful!’ Uncle Percy said.

  Suddenly, Becky wasn’t so sure what was so wonderful about it.

  *

  The moment Bertha left the Time Room, a bitter and unusually heavy wind swept the shingled path to the right hand side of Bowen Hall. A violent explosion of swirling scarlet light cut the air and a huge coal-black Daimler car appeared. Four heavily built men sat in it, each wearing a finely-tailored suit and floor-length, leather trench coat, their emotionless faces masked behind steel-rimmed sunglasses.

  Otto Kruger stepped out of the time machine with surprising elegance for a man of his size. Standing six foot five inches tall, with cropped flaxen hair and icy green eyes he wa
s perhaps the most fearsome looking man to ever step foot in the grounds of Bowen Hall.

  Kruger surveyed the lawns. The information he’d received had been correct: the groundsman and the cat were in the outermost field. Good. If truth be told, he wasn’t sure why his employer had warned him about the groundsman, no matter whom he claimed to be. There wasn’t a man, woman or child he couldn’t kill if he wanted to. And he’d had plenty of practice.

  Still, he had his orders and killing the groundsman wasn’t one of them. It would therefore not happen. Not today, anyway. And that was precisely why his employer had sought him out and recruited him. Otto Kruger always followed orders.

  Kruger felt pleased with himself. The plan was finally moving forward. Furthermore, for the second time in his life, his orders came from a man he truly respected. And the rewards when the plan was complete - well, they were more than he could have dared imagine.

  And if the artifact was here, at Bowen Hall, he would certainly find it.

  *

  ‘But, Jacob, they are but children,’ Maria said, angrily jabbing a feather duster at a rather fragile looking vase. ‘This is too much danger for them. They are too young.’

  Jacob winced. The vase was over a thousand years old. But he also knew that there was no point enraging his wife further.

  ‘And they are babies, just babies,’ Maria continued. ‘And this silly travelling may get them killed.’

  ‘The master would never let them come to any harm,’ Jacob said. ‘He is the wisest of men. He knows what he is doing.’

  ‘Pah!’ Maria huffed.

  Then she noticed something in the corner of her eye. She stopped dead in her tracks, her insides ablaze as if doused in boiling oil.

  ‘Hello.’ Otto Kruger smiled cruelly. ‘We meet again, so I believe. Now, you will tell me where the children sleep.’

  At once, Maria turned pale, then deathly white. She was staring at the devil himself. Kruger’s smile widened and he pointed a pistol at Jacob’s head.

  *

  ‘Let me show you the real reason we’re here,’ Uncle Percy said.

  Becky looked at Joe and shrugged. They had been walking through dense jungle for ages and seen nothing vaguely interesting.