by John M Grier
Back to the Beginning
Back in the castle, Jack brought the second disk out of his pocket from the coat he was wearing on the artic dig and set it on the table. Before he could do anything, Janet said “Wow that looks like a first generation Phase Shift Data Storage Device. Where’d you get it?”
Jack said “We found the first one in a briefcase in the back of that old van at the Arctic dig with the barn. We didn’t tell you because we were pretty sure you would not have let us see its recording.”
“You mean there are more of them? Janet said.
Jack said “Actually, this is the second. The first spoke of a treasure and warned us not to tamper with the box it was in, but to find the key first.”
Paul said “Turn it on and let’s see what he has to say.”
Jack pressed the button on top and as before, an 18 inch tall man appeared. “Hi. My name is Jesse. Assuming you are the same person or persons that accessed the first device, you will have by now discovered a secret chamber in the depths of the building. You may also have surmised that there is yet a third device, such as this.
“You are correct. There is indeed a third device and the three of them are needed to unlock the secrets of your past. I am hoping that this secret will be unlocked by myself and that the government will cease its illegal actions. But, my hopes are most certainly in vain.
“The third device will be much less difficult to locate once you allow some light to be shed on the situation. If you heed the mariner’s warning, you will discover a beacon that you will find rather illuminating. There you will find the third device. Once you have all three in hand, watch the message on the third and follow its instructions.” The recording ended abruptly and the four companions didn’t know what to make of it.
Jack spoke first and said “After getting the time machine free, Suzie and I went back to the original dig site and found this disk. It was attached to the underside of a chair in the secret room. We looked everywhere, including the remains of the barn and found nothing. Suzie even managed to search the lighthouse with no luck. The third disk is not there.”
Janet said “Jack, this is a Phase Shift device. As such, it will not show itself until certain events have occurred, such as the viewing of this recording perhaps.”
“Maybe the disk is now visible Jack” said Paul. “Or, it will be once we get back with this disk to trigger it.”
Jack said “You may be right, I suppose. I guess the next step will be to make yet another trip to the ice. To be honest, I’m not ready for that yet. Personally, I’d like to thaw out for a few days more before going back there. I really don’t like cold weather.”
“Then wait a while; when you are all ready then go. You have a time machine after all! Duh!” Suzie rolled her eyes at the obvious point that everyone had overlooked.
Jack said “She’s right. When we’re ready, we can just pop back to the same instant we left. We’ll have to form an expedition anyway. I don’t want to risk jumping into the ice again. I was very fortunate the first time.”
Paul said “Well, now that we have that figured out, lets get on with enjoying this wonderful, tropical island.” He and Janet then wandered off to enjoy the sunset.
