Global Cooling (The Time Bubble Book 2)

by Jason Ayres

  “I’ll try,” she said, but every movement was agony. She sat down again in the snow. “It’s no good, I can’t move. You’ll have to go on without me.”

  “There’s no way I’m leaving you here alone like this,” he said. “You’ll never survive out here alone.”

  There was a flock of seagulls circling overhead, squawking loudly. Josh wouldn’t have put it past them to attack and eat the stricken girl if she was left alone. The situation was desperate and they both knew it.

  “I’m so sorry, Alice. This is all my fault. I should never have dragged you out here.”

  “Hey, I wanted to come. There was no way I was going to stay in Oxford while you got to have all the fun.”

  “It’s not looking too fun now, though, is it?”

  He took off his backpack and pulled out a thermos flask of hot coffee. He couldn’t remember if you were supposed to drink hot drinks or not when it was very cold. He vaguely remembered being told once that it was actually bad for him.

  It didn’t really matter now. They both needed a hot drink, and he needed time to think of way out of their predicament.

  As it happened, salvation was about to arrive from a completely unexpected source.

  Alice heard it first, a faint hum above the constant din of the seagulls. “Listen!” she said.

  He could hear it, too. The faint hum became a drone and developed into the unmistakeable sound of a helicopter. He scanned the skies and saw it heading almost right towards them.

  He leapt up and began waving his arms in the air. “HEY! OVER HERE!” he called as loudly as he possibly could. But there was no need. It was clear the helicopter was already heading for the cove.

  It landed on the beach on the snow-free area that had been washed away by the tide. As the rotor blades slowed, the door opened and a middle-aged man emerged who looked strangely familiar. As he approached, Josh suddenly realised who he was.

  He was looking at an older version of himself.

  Chapter Twenty – 25th October 2029 (3.30pm)

  Despite the pain she was in, Alice had recognised the helicopter pilot at the same time Josh had. “Aren’t you…?” she began.

  “Yes, I certainly am,” replied Future Josh.

  “But…but…” Josh had so many questions to ask he could barely get any words out. Eventually he managed to come up with “How did you know we were here?”

  “Oh, come on, Josh,” replied Future Josh. “You’ve studied time travel long enough to know the answer to that one. I’m you. I can remember everything you’re experiencing now.”

  Josh looked at his future self. His hair was grey and he had a noticeable case of middle-aged spread developing. “You’ve let yourself go, mate,” he joked. “How much older than me are you, exactly?”

  “Old enough to be your dad,” replied Future Josh. He looked down at his injured girlfriend and added, “Looks like I got here just in time.”

  “How did you know where to find us?” asked Josh, still trying to get his head around the situation.

  “I’m you, remember? I’ve had this date and time indelibly etched on my memory for nearly twenty years,” replied Future Josh.

  “So how did you get here?” asked Josh.

  “In the helicopter,” replied Future Josh. “You must have noticed it.” It seemed old age hadn’t cured his sarcastic streak.

  “I didn’t mean that. But while we’re on the subject, when did you, or do I mean I, learn to fly a helicopter? I can’t even drive!”

  “Well, perhaps it’s time you learned,” replied Future Josh. “To fly, that is. You know, it could literally save your life one day, not to mention Alice’s. That’s why I’m here, actually. Today’s the day.”

  “How did you find us?” asked Josh.

  Future Josh sighed. “Bloody hell, did I really used to be this stupid? As I explained before, I’ve already been here. Now, look, it’s freezing out here. I think we should get down to business. Have you got the tachyometer handy? I don’t know why I’m asking, because I know that you have.”

  Josh reached into his coat pocket, produced the tachyometer, and handed it to Future Josh. There were three green lights glowing and it was beeping away faster than ever. Future Josh examined it and remarked, “I haven’t seen this for years – the original Tachyometer Mark 1 – it looks so quaint!”

  “So what’s the plan?” asked Josh, feeling incredibly irritated by his future self and resolving not to end up that way.

  “Well, you are going to go on into the cave, find The Time Bubble and go through it. I’m going to take Alice away in the helicopter to safety, and then all your worries will be over. For the time being, anyway.”

  “Then what happens?” asked Josh. “I still don’t understand how you got back here. As far as I know, Time Bubbles only go forward in time. How did you do it?”

  “I’m afraid you’re just going to have to figure that out for yourself,” said Future Josh. “Just keep doing the research and you’ll get there eventually.”

  “So what about the weather?” asked Josh, changing the subject. “What about the future? Are our friends safe?”

  “You must know I can’t tell you any of that,” replied Future Josh. “You know all about altering the timeline: we’ve watched enough movies on the subject. You wouldn’t tell me when I was you, so I’m not going to tell you now.”

  “Excuse me,” interrupted Alice. “Much as I hate to break up this family reunion, I am actually in absolute agony here. Can we please dispense with the time travel talk and get me out of here?”

  “Of course, babe,” said Future Josh. “Come on, Josh. Let’s get her into the helicopter.”

  “Less of the babe if you don’t mind,” replied Josh. “She’s my girlfriend, remember!”

  Future Josh laughed. “I can call her babe: she’s my girlfriend, too. Anyway, hasn’t Alice told you yet that she’s into older men?” He seemed to be enjoying this immensely.

  “I can quite categorically assure you that if you don’t get me into that chopper – no corny puns, please, neither of you will be getting anywhere near me ever again!” said Alice.

  Between them they carried the prone girl to the helicopter and got her inside. Future Josh produced a medical kit, rolled up her trouser leg and gave her a painkilling injection which swiftly brought relief.

  “Now you must go,” said Future Josh, “and quickly. I can’t say much, but let’s just say you may not be the only one searching for this Time Bubble.”

  “There’s so much I want to ask you, though,” said Josh.

  “All will become clear in the fullness of time,” said Future Josh. “Trust me.”

  “I guess this is goodbye for now, then,” said Josh to Alice. He kissed her on the lips and squeezed her hand. “One thing’s for sure – we know we’ll definitely see each other again.”

  “I’ll take care of everything,” said Future Josh. “She’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”

  They said their final farewells, and Josh stepped back as the helicopter lifted off, taking his girlfriend away to safety. He watched until they had disappeared over the horizon, then turned and began the final trudge across the cove to the caves.

  By the time he got inside, the tachyometer was beeping furiously, with all five green lights glowing brightly. As he pointed it in the direction of the far corner of the cave and moved towards it, the beeping became one continuous note. He walked forward and vanished, almost eleven years to the day since he’d last stepped into a Time Bubble.

  =============================

  At the base, recruitment was going well. With no sign of any assistance coming from outside, Dan was able to grow his band of followers quickly.

  He’d found a stock of old Army uniforms in a store room which had been ideal for his purpose. He, Ryan, Neil and Colin had donned the uniforms, and then gone out to look for new people to join their community.

  They headed into the housing estates of the town and went around k
nocking on doors. By this time, those people who remained were hungry, cold and afraid. When men dressed in Army uniforms came knocking on their doors offering them food and warmth, they were only too happy to accept.

  Dan was doing an excellent job of portraying himself as their saviour. Getting people to join him was easy. He hadn’t even had to show the gun. No one questioned his credentials: the authenticity of his uniform was enough. As far as everyone who joined them was concerned, he was the bona fide face of the British Army, come to save them.

  The uniform that Dan had chosen was that of a captain, so before they went recruiting, he had announced to the others that he was to be henceforth known as Captain Fisher.

  He wasn’t quite sure what the penalty was for impersonating an Army captain, but he was confident he could justify it later. He was a hero, saving lives, looking after the people. If the world got through this and things returned to normal, they might even pin a medal on him.

  By Thursday, the community had grown to 43 people of all ages, including children. Once they were settled in the base, Dan made it quite clear that they weren’t getting their bed and board for nothing. He expected them to work for him, and swear allegiance to him. As long as they did as they were told, they’d live a comfortable existence under his benevolent rule.

  Work was apportioned as Dan saw fit. He wasn’t into equality or political correctness. He had the women washing and cleaning, and the men out searching for food or bringing back fuel from the tanker.

  There were few protests, particularly after what happened on Thursday night when a situation arose that gave him an opportunity to demonstrate his authority.

  Everyone who joined them had been forced to sign a charter laying down the laws he had devised for the “good of the community”. One of these laws was that food and drink were to be strictly rationed, and nothing could be taken from the stores without signed approval by either him or one of his three lieutenants.

  So, on Thursday evening, when Ryan brought two teenagers to his office who had been caught stealing a bottle of tequila from the stores, the chance to wield his power had come.

  The two couldn’t have been older than about nineteen, a boy and a girl. The boy had a gothic look, black, spiky hair and lots of piercings. She had short, blonde hair, mostly covered by a woolly hat, a matching scarf trailing down around a long green coat. They looked like students to Dan, and he hated students. He had to admit the girl was pretty, though. He’d seen her somewhere before, but he didn’t recognise the boy.

  “Names?” he barked.

  “Jack Taylor, sir,” said the boy.

  “Aimee Willis,” said the girl.

  “So, you thought you could steal from the community, did you?” began Dan.

  “I’m sorry,” said Jack. “We won’t do it again. Look, I’ll pay you for the tequila.” He began to reach into his pocket.

  “Keep your money,” said Dan. “It’s no use to us here, is it?” He decided now would be a good time to show them he was not to be messed with, and casually moved a newspaper that had been sitting on the desk. Beneath it was one of the guns. Aimee gasped when she saw it.

  “You see, the point is, we are under martial law here,” continued Dan. “Under such conditions, looters can be shot. Do you understand me?”

  Aimee began to cry.

  “Shut up!” snarled Dan. “I’m not going to shoot you. But you have to be punished. It’s for the good of the community. If I don’t show people that they have to abide by the rules, where would we be, eh? Back to where we were before, that’s where, out in the cold, fighting to survive. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to make an example of one of you.”

  “Please don’t punish her, captain,” said the boy. “It was my idea, I’ll take the blame.”

  “As you so wish,” replied Dan. “You see, I’m not all bad.” As an afterthought he added, “Are you two an item?”

  “No – we’re just friends,” Jack replied.

  “What are you, gay or something?” asked Dan. “She’s hot.”

  The boy looked incredibly nervous and didn’t answer. “Well, are you?” asked Dan.

  “Yes, sir,” came the reply.

  By 2029, Britain had become a rich, diverse culture. Men and women were on an equal footing, and old prejudices over race, sexuality and class had more or less been eradicated. Sadly, some small pockets of bigotry remained, and there was nothing now to stop Dan from letting his true homophobic colours show.

  “Well, I don’t like gays, and I don’t want them in this camp,” he said.

  Ryan was standing behind Dan, so Dan was unable to see the uncomfortable look on his face. Ryan had never had a girlfriend, and Dan had never questioned why. He just assumed that it was because he was too ugly and stupid for any woman to fancy him.

  In fact, Ryan’s adoration for Dan went beyond mere hero worship, but he’d never let on. After what Dan had just said, he probably never would.

  “Please don’t hurt him,” pleaded the girl. “I’ll do anything.”

  “That’s an interesting suggestion. Wait here,” said Dan. “Ryan, come with me. Bring him with you.”

  They left the office, locking the girl inside, and went out into the mess hall. Most of the other residents were there, eating their evening meal. When Dan entered the room, they stood up. This was another rule he had instigated to make himself feel powerful.

  “Can I have your attention, please?” he announced. “I regret to announce that this person has been caught stealing from the stores. Now, you all know the rules of this community: you signed up to them when you arrived and I will not tolerate them being broken.

  As you well know, a state of martial law has been declared, which gives me the power to carry out any sentence I see fit.” He paused briefly and surveyed the room. Things had gone very quiet.

  Only one person in the room had the courage to say anything, an old man sitting at the front table, born shortly after the Second World War. His father had survived a Japanese POW camp and told him all about his experiences. “You’re not going to kill him, are you?” he said.

  “No, I am not going to kill him,” replied Dan. “But there is no place for him in this community. Jack Taylor – you have been found guilty of stealing from the community. Under the emergency powers granted to me by the British Government, I sentence you to banishment from this community. The sentence is to be carried out immediately.”

  “Aren’t you even going to have a trial?” asked the old man.

  “He was caught red-handed, wasn’t he, Ryan?” Ryan nodded.

  “That was his trial. Take him outside.”

  “You can’t put him outside at this time of night,” said the old man. “It’s dark and it’s snowing.”

  “Do you want to go with him?” asked Dan. He walked right up to him and barked in his face: “Do you?” The old man didn’t reply. “Right, well, shut up, then.”

  The man shut up.

  Ryan escorted Jack to the main gate. He didn’t agree with what Dan was doing, but he had no choice but to obey. Before he opened the gate, Jack turned to Ryan.

  “What he’s doing here is wrong, you know that, don’t you?” he said.

  “He is the law,” replied Ryan. “And we have to abide by what he says.”

  “I don’t think he even is the law,” said Jack. “I’ve seen him around town in the past, and he was never in Army uniform then.”

  “Look, whether or not I agree with what he’s doing, I’ve no wish to see you freeze to death. Here, take this. There are a couple of bars of chocolate in the pockets.”

  Ryan removed his heavy overcoat and handed it to Jack. “Good luck,” he said.

  “You, too, mate,” said Jack. “You’re going to need it.”

  Ryan opened the gate, and Jack headed out to try and find some shelter for the night.

  Dan had returned to his office where the girl was still waiting for him.

  “What have you done to him?” she asked. “Y
ou haven’t hurt him, have you?”

  “No – I’ve spared him, just like you asked. You see I’m not all bad. And now, as I’ve done something for you, it’s time for you to do something for me.”

  He began to unbutton his trousers.

  Chapter Twenty-One – 31st October 2029 (2.00pm)

  Over a week had passed since the gas had been cut off, and Lauren was getting desperate.

  She had tried cooking over the open fire in the bar, with varying degrees of success. But now she was having trouble getting more wood in. Although there was plenty of it left in the car park, it was covered in several inches of snow which had impacted into solid ice. It was very hard to dig it out.

  She looked out through the front windows of the pub. The streets were deserted. She hadn’t seen anyone for days. It had got to the point where she was going to have to go out to look for some food. She couldn’t survive on what she had any longer.

  Wrapping herself up in as many layers of Debbie’s clothes as she could put on, she opened the front door, ready to go out. She had to almost climb out of the door as the snow was piled so high, well above knee height.

  Slowly she trudged her way up the road, heading for the supermarket in the hope that she’d find something there.

  With not a soul in sight, abandoned cars everywhere, smashed in shop windows and snow blanketing everything, it looked like a scene from some sort of apocalyptic movie. As far as Lauren was concerned, at that moment she could have been the last person left alive in the world.

  She rounded the corner that led to the front of the supermarket to see that the windows had been smashed in all along the front of the store. As she grew closer, she saw a large notice had been crudely hand-painted on the wall, next to the doors. “LOOTERS WILL BE SHOT”, it read.

  She couldn’t let that put her off. She needed food. She walked through one of the empty window frames into the abandoned store to see what she could find.

  Her heart sank as she walked around. All of the food shelves had been stripped bare. There was plenty of toothpaste and kitchen roll and other household items, but what good were those to her?