The Metamorphosis of Timothy Dunn

By Richard P. Weiss

Asteroid Phobus-2 barrels toward Earth, only moments from impact. It's up to super-genius 19-year-old Timothy Dunn to destroy the asteroid, using weaponry that had successfully destroyed asteroid M-1, just two years ago in 2026. When his weaponry fails, and the asteroid and massive fragments continue on course, time travel becomes an immediate option. His last attempt fails; he disappears to another timeline, yet Earth is completely annihilated. Or is it?

Timothy Dunn loses oxygen at birth, leading to mild mental retardation. When the first of a series of asteroids reach Earth, causing a car accident that kills his mother, an unusual energy field passes through Timothy. He gradually loses his disability, and gains intelligence at an exponential rate. By the time Phobus-2 approaches, he has gained world fame as a leading scientist. He has developed a way to destroy inbound asteroids, and the world looks to him for their salvation. But, as we have seen, he fails in his attempt. Or does he? Time travel includes some unusual and surprising turns and twists that leave readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard P. Weiss
• Release date: Aug 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781466077089

Richard P. Weiss

Rich's work has appeared in media publication since 1978. In 2006, he founded Postal eCareer Writing Services, dedicated to helping his fellow coworkers throughout the United States, in completing essays needed for high-impact internal job applications. He has also written material for newspapers, trade publications (Editor of two), magazines, and online media content. He is a member of the Writer's Coffee House group, run by Bram Stoker award winner Jonathan Maberry. Maberry and other writers have provided Rich with encouragement as he has crossed into areas of fiction with a number of short stories and two novels. He has just released "The Metamorphosis of Timothy Dunn," and is currently working on his second book, "Alpha C."

Book preview

The Metamorphosis of Timothy Dunn

By Richard P. Weiss

Published by Richard P. Weiss at Smashwords

Cover art by Don Davis, with permission

Copyright 2011 Richard P. Weiss

All rights reserved. No part of the contents of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher.

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All persons, places, and events in this book are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons, places, or events is purely coincidental.

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Jonathan Maberry and members of the Philly Liar's Club, members of the Writer's Coffee House of Bucks County, and fellow authors of the Doylestown Peer Critique group for providing ongoing mentorship, advice and encouragement for my efforts. I'd like to dedicate this book to my wonderful family, friends, and readers. Special thanks go to my wife, Carrie, for putting up with my long hours tapping away at the keyboard, and for my daughter, Sara, for taking the time to thoroughly read and edit my manuscript to help ready it for publication.

Contents

Chapter 1 – Impending Doom

Chapter 2 – Final Dusk

Chapter 3 - Special Delivery

Chapter 4 - Frustration

Chapter 5 - The Last Straw

Chapter 6 - Family Vacation

Chapter 7 – Tragic Miracle

Chapter 8 – Newfound Abilities

Chapter 9 - The Quick Study

Chapter 10 – Rising Fame

Chapter 11 – Metamorphosis

Chapter 12 - Airborne

Chapter 13 – The Polaron Effect

Chapter 14 – Seven Minute Time Loop

Chapter 15 – Maiden Voyage

Chapter 16 – New Romance

Chapter 17 – Lunar Menace

Chapter 18 – Profound Discovery

Chapter 19 – Welcome to Albireo

Chapter 20 – First Encounter

Chapter 21 – Alarming Realization

Chapter 22 – Perilous Voyage Home

Chapter 23 – Coming Full Circle

Chapter 1 – Impending Doom

Phobus 2 bolted toward Earth at over 50 kilometers per second. At that velocity, within 23 hours, the enormous 300-kilometer-wide asteroid would impact about 85 miles west-northwest of Richmond, Virginia. If unchallenged, the force behind the speed and mass of the asteroid would, without question, end all life on Earth within minutes of impact.

Timothy Dunn was up for the challenge. Considered, by far, the most intelligent human being who ever lived, despite his young age, the world community put their faith in the 19-year-old's expertise and technology to avert global catastrophe.

The spacecraft, Hermetica, decelerated as it caught up with Phobus 2, still about four-million kilometers from Earth. We're now matching course and speed, Tim, Pete Wells stated as he watched readings on his monitor.

The asteroid filled the main view screen, rotating around its oblong axis about two times per minute. Dunn and lifelong friend, Pete Wells, worked together to navigate Dunn's craft, as Uncle Steve watched in awe. Steve Dunn, Timothy's uncle (and Pete's honorary uncle) never missed a chance for adventure; Timothy and Pete both enjoyed having him along for the ride. What he lacked in scientific knowhow he made up in enthusiasm and curiosity. And sometimes, sheer fear.

Phobus 2 filled the viewing area, turning slowly as it tumbled through space. It was the last asteroid, and by far the largest, within a series that had traversed an unusually narrow path that threatened Earth’s orbit during the latter half of the 2020s.

Pete pressed a lever, canceling system magnification of the rock as they approached within 50 kilometers of the gigantic boulder. It glistened from sunlight refracted off of mineral and metallic deposits. Timothy perused his monitor as he analyzed incoming data to assess structural weaknesses. These would be the areas he would focus his ground-based weaponry systems during the final phase of the mission.

Tim, why don't you just blast the thing from here? Steve asked.

Timothy cracked a smile. It's too massive, unc. Onboard weaponry might crack it into several pieces, but then they'd still hit. The ground system has about 100 times the power.

Steve shook his head with a worried look of doubt.

Top scientists and military officials agreed that Timothy had adequate weaponry systems to destroy the meteor. Who could forget how Dunn had destroyed asteroid M-1 two years ago in 2026, just before it had collided with the moon? However, M-1 was only about 1/18th the size.

Pete’s monitor provided scan results. Tim, it looks like there are several fractures and weak points. Look at the coordinate listing results.

Tim checked Pete's monitor. Steve Dunn peered at the monitor from behind Pete, but had no idea how to interpret the data.

I'm transmitting the coordinates to the mainframe, Timothy said. Let's hope the data is accurate. I wish we had more time for analysis.

Steve became increasingly agitated. Hope? Tim, what are you saying? There's no problem destroying this thing, right?

Timothy cracked a slight smile. Never said there was, Uncle Steve. If all goes well, we'll celebrate tomorrow evening, along with the rest of the world.

And, what if not?

Pete looked toward Timothy. Timothy returned his hesitant glare and turned back toward his uncle. If not, we'll celebrate with Saint Peter.

Funny.

We'll be fine, Timothy replied. Nothing more we can do from here. Let’s return to orbit. We'll leave on the shuttle at 4 a.m. We've got a long day tomorrow.

* * *

Literally tens of thousands of spectators carpeted the outskirts of Dunn Field on that warm summer morning. A 15-foot tall iron gate, topped with coils of barbed wire, encircled the entire perimeter of the football-field sized enclosure, assuring that none of the estimated 80,000 spectators could get in. The wall of people stretched beyond the visible horizon, as viewed by those inside the complex. Military officials helping Timothy had to arrive by helicopter as crowds of people blocked traffic throughout Bensalem, a northern Philadelphia suburb. The adjacent roads were completely blocked off by police barricades. Situated in the center of the field sat huge missile-shaped metallic turrets and ivory-white satellite dishes that extended over 50 feet into the air. A massive array of control panels and computer systems lined one end of the outdoor complex, enclosed only by an overhang to keep the controls dry in the event of rain. Several scientists and military officials, under Timothy Dunn's direction, sat at their stations, collaborating with their colleagues while pushing buttons and turning knobs set before them. Their adjustments appeared to control the movements of several turrets and satellite dishes in the middle of the field. The steady clamor of the crowd almost drowned out the roar of the turbines powering the turrets, and massive machinery.

The terrifying yet beautiful sight of Phobus 2, more than ever, commanded a large area of the afternoon sky, appearing almost as though it were painted on, with strokes of metallic blues and powdery ambers. Observers became uneasy as they noticed that this was the first time that movement of the asteroid was apparent to the naked eye. The din of the crowd grew more and more anxious with each passing minute. Where was their hero? Shouldn't he have been here by now?

Seemingly in answer to the crowd's anxiety, the rumble and whining of the world-renowned Dunn aero car drew wild applause from the crowd, many who had traveled from all over the world to witness this event.

Look! bellowed a woman near the gate, as she pointed just above the Dunn Lab building, located next to the north end of Dunn Field. It's him. It's really him!

The flying metallic-chrome jet-shaped craft hovered above the Dunn Lab complex, effortlessly, as if it were a hot air balloon. The craft eased itself toward a landing area in the middle of Dunn field. The magnificent craft resembled a hybrid of a car and a stealth jet, its mirrored surface reflected its surroundings, and the surface of its titanium-glass alloy windows also appeared like mirrors. The craft, not much bigger than a small bus, began its final descent onto a landing area near the massive weapons array. Wheels unfolded from its base as it prepared for landing. The tires closely matched the size and appearance of car tires, assuring high performance on the ground as well as in the air. The vehicle also served as a boat or submarine, depending upon Dunn’s particular mission.

Cheers of applause nearly drowned out the roar of the aero shuttle and the whir of its landing gear as the wheels lowered into place and the vessel came in for a smooth landing. A sea of fans reveled in the arrival of their hero.

After the engines powered down, folding doors rose to their uppermost position as Timothy’s uncle, Steve Dunn, Timothy’s partner and lifelong friend, Pete Wells, and Timothy Dunn himself, jumped from the craft, to the greeting of thunderous applause. The three gentlemen waved toward the crowd as they walked toward a small group of scientists and military personnel who were already busy with adjusting the controls of Dunn's massive asteroid weapons.

My God, there must be thousands of people out there! Pete exclaimed as he gazed toward the sea of spectators.

It's a shame Matt changed his mind about coming with us, Uncle Steve remarked. He would have loved this.

Probably just as well, Timothy responded. He'll probably have more fun at Pete’s parents' party.

He'll probably get on your sister's nerves, Pete added, not to mention your girlfriend's!

Nancy can handle him, Timothy replied.

It amazes me that everyone is partying when an asteroid is coming at us, Steve commented.

Pete smiled. Everyone thinks Tim will pull this off, once again. What else would you have everyone do? Hide in the cellar?

I suppose not. Where's my brother? Uncle Steve asked as he looked around for a news crew.

News chopper, Pete answered, pointing to the approaching ISN News helicopter.

Can't keep your dad away from the action, hey Timmy? Uncle Steve said as he put his hand on Timothy's shoulder.

That man never sleeps, Timothy remarked as he watched the chopper descend toward the field. We'll catch up to him, and I'm sure he'll have his camera crew in our faces. Let's get to work, Timothy added as he approached the command console. Pete and Uncle Steve followed Timothy close behind.

A gentleman, appearing to be in his late 50's, approached Timothy, Pete and Uncle Steve. Ah, Timothy, good to see you again. You too, Pete, said General Anders. Just wish they were under better circumstances.

Understood, general, Pete responded.

Uncle Steve smiled as he shook the general's hand. Good to see you again too, sir.

The pleasure is mine. You must be very proud of these boys, Anders commented.

Absolutely.

General… Timothy said as he shook the general's hand. The four walked toward a series of control panels and computer systems. Just ahead, the men peered at the towering weapon turrets and three 50-foot deflector dishes that stretched toward the sky over Dunn field.

What in the world do those things do? Uncle Steve inquired as he pointed to the three enormous satellite dishes.

Pete responded, Those are anti-gravitational Polaron deflector dishes. We'll use them to repel any debris that shears away from the asteroid after each hit with the antiphasic torpedoes. If we didn't incorporate the deflector systems, we'd have debris consisting of boulders five to 10 miles in diameter hitting the Earth.

Is that so? Steve nervously commented as he looked anxiously toward the sky.

Timothy, all weapon and deflector systems are operational and ready for systems initiation, General Anders interrupted as Uncle Steve peered curiously at the weapon systems.

Timothy answered with a pleasant, yet firm grin, Very good, general. Thank you and your men for all of your help.

It's a pleasure and an honor, sir, the general remarked with an unpretentious look of pride. Now let’s blow this thing out of the sky!"

It will be a pleasure, sir, Timothy said with a slight smile. This one’s not a drill. Let’s take our positions.

Timothy gestured for Pete and Uncle Steve to follow him to central control as the general asked three of his men to follow him to the command console. Other systems specialists sat before control panels and radar units that Timothy had designed, monitoring the incoming asteroid. As they adjusted knobs and buttons on massive control panels, the towering turrets and satellite dishes slowly advanced toward Phobus 2, which had grown to almost seven times the size of the gibbous moon, which shared the late afternoon sky.

Within every city and town throughout the western hemisphere, where the asteroid could be clearly seen, people sat outside on lawn chairs and blankets, awaiting a display of fireworks more spectacular than the world had ever seen. However, everyone’s feeling of camaraderie and excitement gradually changed to anxiety and edginess as the asteroid approached. People were more than aware that if this asteroid touched down, no one in the world would survive.

Timothy, Pete and Uncle Steve approached a series of control panels. Timothy and Pete began to prepare the weapon and deflector arrays, paying little attention to the tens of thousands of spectators surrounding them. An estimated eight billion viewers also watched them via live broadcast, moderated by Timothy's father, Richard Dunn, and his news crew. Many spectators surrounding the field watched the news on their portable wireless cable TV sets in order to follow the action, especially those too far to see the action live. Many watched with binoculars, monitoring every move of the military staff, as well as any activity initiated by Timothy or Pete.

Ready phasic generators, charge torpedo turret bays and deflectors to full power! the second in command, Pete Wells, bellowed to those manning the massive array of controls.

Pete's pronouncement grasped the attention of billions; the sound of his voice prompted a tense silence within the crowd.

Next, world renowned Timothy Dunn, the project leader, further drew the attention of those around him, even though they had little idea of the terminology he was using. Lock in directional sensors; initiate systems targeting controls!

The three weapon turrets quietly hummed, moving into position; they aimed directly at Phobus 2. The oblong ruddy-gray rock now appeared to be over eight times the size of the moon.

Timothy threw a series of switches on his control console, and then looked skyward toward his target. Uncle Steve kept a safe distance to avoid getting underfoot, his nervous eyes glued to every movement or action carried out by either Timothy or Pete.

Phasic energy bank up to 83% and climbing, Pete shouted, as he closely monitored readings on the intricate array of operational controls. Climbing to 87%, 89, 92… Pete turned toward Timothy. Antiphasic energy charged to maximum, Polaron deflectors also at full power.

Timothy focused upon readings in front of him; his concentration seemed able to burn a hole in steel. Readying cluster #1; weapon systems are online. Timothy paused for a moment, waiting for other power readings to reach maximum. A red light flashed on the power grid before him.

Fire! Timothy demanded, prompting Pete to push the ignition button.

Three blinding fireballs of orange and turquoise erupted from all three weapon turrets, blazing upward into the sky, one after the next. The torpedoes broke the sound barrier, creating thunderous booms that startled many spectators, but also riled them up. The crowd roared; many people screamed with delight as they watched the fireballs soar skyward toward the target. The fireballs dimmed as they reached the upper atmosphere; spectators squinted to keep them within view. A few long seconds passed. Suddenly, an explosion erupted from the lower right corner of the asteroid, leaving a shower of sparks and debris. The blast was so intense that the flames could be seen even through the lit afternoon sky. The crowd roared with satisfaction and excitement, screaming and jumping up and down in response to the display.

Family and friends attending the astro-blaster party at the Wells' house shouted with glee as they watched the explosion on the newscast.

Go, Timmy!! shrieked Timmy's sister, Sara, as she gave Mrs. Wells a big hug. Timothy's brother, Matt, jumped for joy after seeing his brother light up the sky on the cable newscast. He ran to the open window to see the actual point of impact. Nancy sat back with a big smile on her face, cheering along with the others.

The crew members working with Timothy Dunn were ecstatic as well. Uncle Steve grinned from ear to ear. Pete also appeared pleased after the direct hit. Timothy, however, remained indifferent to the crowd's gaiety. Most of the asteroid still remained, surrounded by small rocks that had just been broken off from the explosion.

Deflectors at full power, Pete shouted to Timothy. The asteroid debris, consisting of boulders ranging in size from 1 to 25 miles in diameter, were pushed away from the Earth, thanks to the deflector systems designed to repel rubble that remained after the torpedo explosions.

Readying cluster #2, Timothy informed Pete and others via his transceiver unit. Fire on my command.

Timothy looked skyward at his target as he pushed a series of buttons on a panel in front of him. Fire! Timothy shouted as he angrily concentrated his attention upon the incoming intruder.

Another trio of fireballs erupted from each of the weapon turrets, whizzing skyward. Again, the bright orange-violet spheres of energy roared toward their target as the crowd went wild. Seconds later, the center of Phobus-2 lit up, scattering more debris in all directions.

Another direct hit! Pete yelled, clenching his fist, as the thousands of spectators surrounding Dunn Field cheered at the spectacle.

As before, Timothy didn't share the crowd's enthusiasm; in fact, he sensed that something was wrong. He rose from his chair and eyed the dark markings on the asteroid left behind by the torpedo explosions. General… Timothy uttered into his intercom system.

Yes, Tim, responded Anders.

I need your crew to connect the ioniscan relays, and provide a status report of the asteroid.

Right away, sir, answered the general, showing an increased look of concern.

Pete captured Timothy's attention, directing him to the markings of the asteroid. Tim, look at the coloration of the asteroid at the sites of impact.

I know. Looks like a different type of material just below the crust. I'll prepare a level 3 atomic scan. Let's hit it again.

Timothy returned to his control panel. Cluster 3 initiating. Energy arrays at maximum.

Meanwhile, the Wells' astro-blaster party was in full swing, although those in attendance, including Sara, Matt, Nancy, Mr. and Mrs. Wells, and several of their friends, showed more interest in the TV newscast than in conversing with one another.

ISN News showed a three-shot of Timothy, Pete and Uncle Steve as Timothy's father, Richard Dunn, and his colleague, Frank Morris, moderated. Their other colleague, Pete’s father, Dave Wells, was operating one of several mini-cams.

Sara playfully swatted Matt lightly on the shoulder, See, you could have been on international TV! she exclaimed.

You could have too! Matt retorted, as Sara rolled her eyes.

Dave Wells and another cameraman turned their cameras toward Timothy Dunn's crew about 15 feet away, as Rich and Frank continued to offer commentary to viewers. Timothy and his staff prepared another attack upon the celestial body. The third burst of torpedoes launched and soared toward the skies.

There go the third round of torpedoes! Frank Morris exclaimed as Dave Wells turned the camera on him before pivoting the camera toward the asteroid. Dunn just fired another barrage of fireballs. There they go as they streak toward the asteroid, Morris remarked. The TV camera shakily followed the three fireballs as they raced toward their target. Morris continued to commentate as the balls of light faded from view as they reached beyond the atmosphere. Another direct hit prompted excitement from Morris. He did it again! That's three in a row! Timothy Dunn hit the asteroid again! Morris screamed.

Yeah! Matt yelled as he shared the excitement with others at the party. Everyone appeared mesmerized by the TV report.

Rich Dunn added his input to the event at hand as he conversed with his news partner on air. Frank, I'm just wondering why so much of the asteroid is still intact after several direct hits.

Frank responded, Rich, you have to remember that Phobus 2 is exceedingly huge. We're talking about a solid rock, over 480 miles in diameter.

That's true, Frank, Rich replied, Let’s hope that a few more direct hits will break this thing apart, Dunn added, as he glanced toward the sky with growing apprehension.

Initiating level 3 scan, Timothy stated as he pressed a series of buttons. The image of Phobus 2 filled the monitor in front of him. As he implemented the scan, the image showed as a series of bright lines passing, from left to right, across the image of the asteroid.

Timothy appeared perplexed and extremely concerned. Pete approached him with a similar look of worry.

Uh oh, Timothy moaned. You better look at this, Timothy stated as he pointed at his view screen.

Pete approached to get a better look at the monitor. Iron, cobalt, nickel….. and, what’s that? Pete questioned.

Timothy continued, Scans I just received from Anders’ crew agree with my readings as well. Some sort of metal; exceedingly dense and strong. And look at this: an atomic mass of 258! he exclaimed. The material simply doesn’t exist on Earth.

What does all this mean?! exclaimed Uncle Steve, looking more and more anxious.

Apparently, we've just discovered a new element of some sort, one that’s extremely resilient, Pete explained to Uncle Steve.

General Anders approached. What's going on? This thing is still coming at us!!

Timothy retorted, General, monitor the asteroid’s course and distance. We've got to finish this now. Have your men boost antimatter phasic energy reserves. We need more power! For the first time, the normally calm and collected Dunn was sweating.

Right away, answered the general. "Stanton, Lewis, boost energy levels on the AMP energy reserves to level 4.

Sir? inquired Captain Lewis?

Just do it! boomed the general.

Yes, sir, remarked Lewis, sharing a worried look with his partner, Corporal Stanton.

Stanton and Lewis both threw a series of switches, boosting energy levels; a yellow line rose and turned red above a mark at the top of the scale.

Level 4, sir! Stanton bellowed.

Anders, in turn, yelled to Timothy, We're at level 4. I hope this is safe; can the system handle this?

Timothy stared warily at the incoming threat as he prepared a barrage of firepower the world had never seen. Do we have a choice, general? Pete, edge the turrets three degrees north, two degrees west; we need to hit this thing smack in the middle. Lock on target……… Timothy paused for a few seconds while he stared incessantly at his monitor. Annnnd, fire!

Pete followed Timothy's order and initiated weapons fire and power to deflectors.

Fireballs erupted from the three turrets, rocketing skyward as the weapon fire filled the area with incredibly loud concussions that were strong enough to knock a number of spectators to the ground. The incredible rumble of weapons fire continued as a barrage of fireballs filled the air, all following a path toward the asteroid, now about twelve times the size of the moon, and growing.

You got it! cried Uncle Steve, as the asteroid lit up, apparently hit by a series of the pure antienergy phasic fireballs.

Though a fire erupted from the main control panel, a number of personnel quickly doused the flames with fire extinguishers. What happened? Pete asked as he and Timothy ran to the console that had overheated.

The roar of the crowd overpowered the remaining thunder produced by the weapon systems. Rubble from the asteroid continued to deflect away from the main asteroid and the Earth’s atmosphere, thanks to the incredible power of Timothy's deflector system. However, its effectiveness had dwindled, perhaps due to a loss of power of the main system capacitor array. To everyone's dismay, almost 3/4 of the asteroid still remained intact.

How can that still be there?! exclaimed Pete, befuddled as he viewed the still, almost intact Phobus 2, now surrounded by thousands of smaller pieces of rock blown away from the main body.

Sixty-three thousand kilometers and closing fast, yelled Stanton. Debris from the asteroid also closing, covering a wide area of dispersion.

For the first time, an aura of panic and horror began to replace the crowd's boldness and festivity. Timothy's nerves became more apparent. People began questioning why the meteor still loomed above them.

Deflectors! screamed Timothy.

Offline, retorted Pete. We have no power!

Switch over to auxiliary! commanded Timothy.

Unable to comply. Backups are down as well, Pete asserted as he attempted to conceal his fear.

Timothy jumped up and dashed to another console. He frantically attempted to reroute power, pushing a series of buttons and typing commands into the computer database.

What's going on? asked Uncle Steve, obviously missing parts of Timothy's conversation with Pete. We've got to keep firing!

We have a problem, Timothy affirmed, but keep smiling at the cameras. We don’t want to cause panic, he said with a contrived grin.

What's going on? Uncle Steve boomed, drawing attention to the three men.

Timothy signaled Uncle Steve to come closer, keeping as calm a face as possible in an attempt to hide the situation from the news cameras that were only about 15 or 20 feet away.

Timothy whispered to Uncle Steve and Pete, This is real bad. Weapons and deflector systems are down. We have no power.

Tim, we’ve got to do something, Pete stated, the asteroid will land in just over 22 minutes. The fragments blasted from the asteroid are also going to hit. We need to restore power!

Damn! Timothy pondered the situation for a moment, scanning the main console with a handheld diagnostic device. I need more time….

What time? We have no time! We've got to do something! yelled Uncle Steve, pleading with his nephew.

It’s over, Timothy said, looking at a control monitor. The main phasic energy units are completely fused. Even if I had replacements, it would take me several hours to install. We’re done. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing more we can do, he stated as Pete and Uncle Steve returned expressions of sheer horror.

Chapter 2 – Final Dusk

Uncle Steve was, for once, without words.

Timothy! Anders bellowed as he approached, We’ve got to keep firing!

Time, Timothy said aloud. If only I had more time! he pondered. Time! That’s it! Pete, Uncle Steve, let's go. Follow me!

Wait! Where are you going? Anders exclaimed.

Going to plan B! Timothy shouted as Pete and Steve followed him. Anders shook his head as if he understood, although he appeared confused at best.

Pete and Uncle Steve ran behind Timothy, heading toward the aerocar, wondering what Timothy had in mind. The general appeared flabbergasted, attempting to reassure his men.

Where are we going? Uncle Steve queried as he raced behind Timothy and Pete.

The time chamber, Timothy answered.

The time chamber? questioned Uncle Steve as he struggled to keep up with the younger boys. Isn't that in your lab in New York?

That's where, Timothy replied as he continued to run toward the aerocar.

Oh, you've got to be kidding, Uncle Steve commented as he reluctantly followed the boys to the aerocar.

The crowd appeared bewildered. Rich and his crew ran behind in attempt to continue covering the event. Because Timothy knew he was still on camera, he had to make up a story to calm the masses and satisfy Rich’s curiosity as well. Since Timothy planned on traveling back in time anyway, it didn’t matter what story he made up, as long as it would calm everyone.

As soon as Dave caught up to Rich and Frank with the camera, Timothy provided a quick explanation. Just so everyone knows, Timothy began his explanation, we are entering stage 2. My weaponry has weakened stress points within the asteroid, but we need to detonate the main explosive device we have already planted on the surface of the asteroid. We’ll have to perform the final detonation from the air.

Rich said nothing but smiled slightly, although appeared a bit confused. The explanation seemed to satisfy the viewers as well as spectators surrounding the field, but Timothy had never mentioned any such plan to him.

Timothy pointed a pen-like remote-control object at the car, causing its motorized doors to open. Get in, quickly! Let's go! commanded Timothy, as the doors continued to pivot outward.