by John Huegel
Once we arrived, Lana led through the office us to a conference room behind the warehouse. There were three other people waiting there – one woman with short, dark hair, and two men. One of the men was older, and had no hair at all, and the other man had long blonde hair and looked to be in his thirties. They all had the same kind of tattoos on their faces, neck and arms as Lana, which was kind of strange, and they were wearing clothing that didn’t really fit with a warehouse facility – kind of shimmery suits.
Lana looked at the three others and they didn’t say a word. After a couple of moments, they nodded at each other and Lana turned to us.
“They approve of you. We need your complete promise of confidentiality and permission to memory wipe you if you refuse,” Lana told us.
We were scared at this point. We looked at each other and got up to leave.
“…Please,” said the older man. “You are very important to us. To all of humanity. Please listen to us before your leave.”
We were very uncomfortable and confused, but we sat back down. Lana began to explain:
“We are not exactly who we have led you to believe. We belong to an exclusive research group that observes historical events and records them for future people to preserve.”
“In order for us to tell you more, we need your promise of confidentiality. We will not harm you, we promise. But if you refuse, we will need to remove the memory of this discussion. It will not hurt you.”
I’ll be honest, we were scared, to death, but we were also quite curious at this point, so we agreed to continue.
We asked them to level with us about their outfits and their tattoos – to come clean.
Lana replied, “We’re not from around here. To be honest, we don’t belong here. This may sound unbelievable to you, but we’re from a time about 100 years into your future. We don’t adapt well to your time, and we are not completely comfortable in your clothing.”
We didn’t believe them. We were really shaken by that comment. It could have been a joke, or some kind of test.
The talking man replied, “You notice our markings. Everyone in our time has them. It allows us to communicate with each other and the communal intellect.”
Tom said, “Prove it.”
Lana said, “Write a number on that tablet. Hand it to one of us.”
So I did. I made up a combination of our street address, social security numbers, birth dates and shoe sizes. It was about 25 digits long. I handed it to the quiet lady. Immediately, the other three in unison recited the numbers. Then Lana added, “You are not very creative. House address, personal identification, we get. What are the last two digits?”
As amazed as I was, I answered them, “Shoe size.” They raised their eyes in amusement.
I said, “OK, so perhaps we believe you. That was at least an impressive trick. If you are here from the future, how did you get here, why are you here, and what do you need us for?”
Lana replied, “In about 100 years, humans will undergo a fundamental change. These markings indicate that we have been joined, minds tied together and merged to the communal intellect. We can’t survive without that tie, without serious mental distress. Plus, we have observed that we are somewhat easily detected by people in the past, from our markings and behaviors.”
I told them, “You are right, you stuck out like a sore thumb.” The four observers cocked their eyes in puzzlement for moment, and then a look of recognition crossed their faces, as they processed the metaphor. “So you are telling me you can travel into the past, but you can’t do it well because you’ll be discovered?”
“Precisely,” said Lana. “We are limited to future travel because we can’t blend into the past. There are others more advanced than us from many eras in the future. They are the people who created spatiotemporal travel, and the Guild which oversees travel and research throughout time.”
“Because you have not yet been tied to the communal intellect, people of your time can most easily travel to your past without distress, and without being easily detected. Therefore, we are recruiting you to be potential travelers and observers to the past.”
We asked them, “What do you need to know about the past for? Aren’t history books and videos enough?”
They collectively smiled in response. Lana replied, “People in our era, and especially in later eras, can experience events directly as they happened, provided there are human observers there, properly equipped with observing devices. This is the predominant way that events are observed and recorded in the future. Plus, we need to have baseline recordings recorded for temporal enforcement.”
“Enforcement? Like the police?” Liz asked.
“Kind of like that. The problem with temporal travel is that sometimes people do the wrong thing in the wrong time, and the timeline can be shifted.”
“So you want to make us into time cops?” I asked them.
“Oh no. You will become observers. In the Guild, there are observers, auditors and agents. We want to you become observers and go back in time to witness and record the truth. The auditors will monitor the timeline from a safe placetime, and the agents will step in when needed to keep the timeline accurate,” replied Lana.
“So we’ll carry cameras and stuff? Into the past? Isn’t that kind of dangerous?” asked Tom.
“It will be much simpler than that. You’ll be outfitted with biological enhancements that will allow you to record your experiences in full fidelity for us to retrieve later,” replied the talking man.
Liz commented, “We are NOT going to have things stuck into our bodies! That’s crazy!”
Lana jumped in, “You will not need them at first, and if you accept, you will be in full control of them. They will not affect you the way they affect us, since you grew up without them. Please believe us when we say that you will not have any discomfort from them.”
“Won’t we look and act like you?” asked Liz.
Lana answered, “No, the temporal observer enhancements are different. They are specifically designed for people from your Era. They are organic, and allow you some limited communication with others, and control of your sensation recording. They are only active when you are on a mission, and turned off when you are back in your own timeline. But you still remain individuals, and can act independently.”
Tom said, “Umm….can we try this on before we would submit to, to enhancements?”
“Certainly. That is precisely the idea that we have in mind for you. A short trip to the past with a trained observer so that you can gain our trust and understand how we work.”
Liz asked, “How long will this take? We have to get back to Erie tomorrow or we’ll be missed.”
The four strangers all smiled. The older man said, “You may take as much time as you need. You will be returned to this time once you are through, and you will be able to return to your family on schedule.”
We were clearly confused, but we were catching on. “How will that work?” we asked.
Lana replied, “Once we go through that door, we’ll pass into the InterTime Zone. We can spend as much time there as we need. We’ll note when you need to come back, and will return you to then when your introduction is complete.”
Tom looked at Liz, and she shrugged and smiled. Tom said, “This is really strange. Very strange. But given the evidence, we have to believe some part of your story. It’s crazy, but I think we’re willing to give it a try.”
So, we got up with them and went through the door.
Back in the Watson’s living room, the kids were visibly uncomfortable. Jenna jumped up and said, “I KNEW something happened Thursday night. I even told Grandma Jean about it. I had a strong feeling that you both disappeared. That must have been when you walked through the door!”
Liz and Tom looked at each other. Liz replied, “Jade told us that you had a very strange sense about Time, that only one in ten million people can even sense time shifts. I think that’s one of the reasons that Lana approached us.” And
y and Laura just stared at Jenna and her parents.
Andy said, “You mean Jenna has some super ability to detect time changes?”
“Apparently,” said their mother. “Are you ready for the rest of the story?” They all nodded, and she continued.
Chapter 9: Intertime Zone
Liz continued the description of their adventure.
“As we passed through the door, we had a strange tingling feeling, but it faded once we went through the doorway into what looked like an elevator. We all waited in the elevator until an indicator blinked blue, and the opposite door opened into a room. The room was huge, impossibly huge given the size of the building we had entered. The ceiling was hundreds of feet tall, and there were halls and rooms off to all sides of the hall. But there was almost no one in the big hall. Your Dad and I just stood and stared.
“What is this place?” I asked Lana.
“It’s a temporally isolated and protected facility that we use as a home base for recruiting.”
The other three strangers followed us in and left down a nearby corridor. Lana led us down one of the many halls to a room. In it was a tall blonde man who stood when we entered. He had a crew cut and was dressed about like us. He introduced himself as Brad.”
“Welcome to the InterTime Zone, Liz and Tom,” said Brad, extending his hand. We were shocked that he knew us. He filled us in. “We have been scouting you for some time. Lana and the other three Era 50 citizens just embarked a minute ago to pick you up. I’m glad she succeeded, though I didn’t doubt it for a second. The Timeline rarely lies, you know.”
We didn’t know how to respond. We asked him how he knew us. “We’re pretty new to this timeline, and are trying to establish a corps of observers. Singles are fine, but couples and especially families are excellent for historical event observations.”
“What do you mean by families? I don’t want to wrap my kids up in some time travel mess!” cried Liz, obviously upset at the comment. Brad looked at Lana. “You didn’t talk to them about family trips?”
Lana looked frazzled. “Not yet. Let’s get them through Observation and Prime Mission and see what they think,” she replied.
Brad took over. “OK. No talk of families yet. Let’s talk about an Observation mission. That’s the first step with new recruits. You’ll be going with an escort, me, and you won’t have any enhancements. So you’ll have to stay right with me so nothing happens. We’ve also chosen an event that took place during your recent lifetime, so we’ll have to be extremely careful about interactions.”
Tom interjected, “Hold on. This is going a little too fast. An hour ago we were riding in a limo in Buffalo and now we’re in some kind of limbo-land and you’re already talking about sending us on a time mission?”
Brad took a deep breath and said, “OK, so we’re going a bit fast for you. I apologize. How about you catch a good night’s sleep and we start first thing in the morning?”
Liz said, “That would be good. We’re honestly trying to keep up with you, but you must admit that this is a little strange.”
Brad concurred, “You’re right. I was recruited two years ago and it took me a couple of days to soak it up. But I’m from a couple decades before you, so you may pick up a bit faster.”
“Wait,” said Tom. “You are from where, I mean when?”
Brad replied, “I was born in 1954 in Cincinnati and recruited in 1985, back when the personal computer was just an idea.”
Liz asked, “And you’re allowed to travel into the future? Well, past 1985?”
“Yes, as a recruiter and liaison to Era 50, I’m Level 4 certified, meaning I can freely travel anywhere in or before my era as long as I file a flight plan.”
“Flight plan, you mean you fly and travel in time?” asked Tom.
Brad laughed. “No, that’s just what we call it in our era. The people from Era 50 are really hard to communicate with, so we use our own lingo in Era 47.”
Tom moaned, “Era 47? Era 50? This is really confusing!”
Brad said, “Just go to sleep. I’ll catch you up later.”
Back in the living room, the kids were glued to the couch. They didn’t move, they didn’t ask questions. They looked at their parents with pleading eyes. Tom asked, “Ready for more?” They nodded emphatically.
Chapter 10: A good night’s sleep
Lana stood to escort them to their sleeping quarters. On the way there, they asked Lana, “So you are an Era 50 person?”
Lana replied, “Yes, I was born in 2110 and recruited in 2133.”
Liz asked, “Forgive the intrusion, but if you are bonded to the communal intellect and each other in your time, then how come you can operate so well with people from our era?”
“It’s kind of complicated, but some of the commune can be fed to me here, through a kind of bridge. It lets me work here, without suffering from withdrawal from my people. But I do have to return soon.”
They followed, amazed at Lana’s explanation, but quickly catching on that things happened faster and differently in the InterTime Zone.
Soon they were introduced to a lovely suite whose only marking on the door was “Era 47 Liz and Tom Watson”. Lana said, “Please be comfortable and rest. Once you are ready, you may leave your suite and Brad will take over your orientation.”
“Will we see you again, Lana?”, asked Liz.
“Perhaps. I mostly recruit new observers and occasionally agents, but we may cross paths again.”
“Well thank you for your help. We believe you now, and we’re sorry for acting so strange back in the office,” said Tom.
“No problem at all. Given the circumstances, you reacted very well. You are both intelligent, observant and self-confident. They are the talents of good observers, and your reactions told us that you would work well in strange circumstances. I wish you the best of luck in your orientation and I sincerely hope that you choose to join us in our mission. It is very important to humanity.”
“We are humbled with your compliments. Goodbye, Lana.”
“Oh, one more item. If you choose to include your family, which we sincerely hope you consider, the way in which you introduce it will affect your kids’ reactions. Laura in particular will be skeptical, but they can all be won over if you are honest and you tell the truth.”
“I guess you know more about us than we thought, but we trust your advice. Thanks!”, said Liz. Lana turned and walked off, and the Watson parents entered their InterTime hotel room.
The suite was clean, well furnished, and decorated in a clean, white décor. The closets had had robes to fit the two weary travelers, and a bin marked “to launder”. They got the idea, and changed into the robes and put their clothes in the bin and closed it. It beeped and seconds later, their clothes emerged clean and folded. It was clear that in this place, you didn’t have to wait for anything.
They discovered the same applied to room service. A simple card with a pencil was used to indicate their selections, and seconds after they put it in the slot, the doorbell rang and an attendant with a cart delivered their dinner to a table, piping hot and delicious.
After the meal and a shower, they talked over the day’s strange events and eventually fell into a deep sleep.
Many hours later, they awoke to gentle lighting. They repeated the room service trick and enjoyed a great breakfast. Upon exiting the suite, they were met outside by Brad, in the same clothes as the day before.
Chapter 11: The Inauguration
“Why didn’t you change?” asked Tom. Brad chuckled, “It’s only been 5 minutes for me. I sent your suite back far enough into yesterday that you’d come out right now.”
“This will take some getting used to,” joked Tom. He and Liz were both in much better spirits, and considerably more relaxed than the evening before. “So where, I mean when are we going on this Observational trip with you?”
Brad said, “Actually, both where and when. We will be attending Barack Obama’s inauguration speech on January
20, 2009. It’s enough to prove to you that we can travel in time, but not so far that you’ll have temporal shock.”
“What the heck is temporal shock?” asked Tom.
“Well, it’s like jet lag or cultural shock if you travel to a foreign country, but it’s a lot worse. It’s dangerous because it makes you tired and sloppy, and more likely to be discovered as a non-native. And if you get caught out of time, especially by the authorities, it can make it very difficult for everyone involved,” Brad said.
“OK, we put our life your hands. How do you know we weren’t there already? I voted Democrat you know”, asked Liz, with a grin.
Brad chuckled, “We checked you out pretty thoroughly. We sent back a few field agents to follow you over the week before and during the inauguration. You were in Erie, Corry and Niagara Falls, but nowhere near DC. The question we have for you is, were any of your friends in DC that week? It would be a bit strange if you were to run into them.”
