Society of Temporal Scholars The Probationary Traveler

By Arthur Snellbaker, Sr

With the discovery of portals allowing travel back in time, Hampton University and its Temporal Scholars Society can finally observe past events by actually being there. Newly minted as a PhD Tom Williamson receives permission to travel to fifth century Britain in the guise of a shipwrecked merchant to watch and explore the dark ages and perhaps find the elusive Arthur.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Arthur Snellbaker, Sr
• Release date: Dec 4, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311307620

Arthur Snellbaker, Sr

After 38 years serving in the Atlantic City Police Department I finally retired in 2006. I have found writing, particularly science fiction, a great joy. With my biggest fan and harshest critic (my wife ) I hope this adventure continues for a very long time.

Book preview

Society of Temporal Scholars

The Probationary Traveler

Arthur Snellbaker Sr

This is a work of fiction. All characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional, and any resemblance to real people, living or dead is purely coincidental.

Society of Temporal Scholars

The Probationary Traveler

Published by Arthur. Snellbaker Sr. at Smashwords,"

Copyright © 2015 by Arthur C Snellbaker Sr

All rights reserved including the rights to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form.

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 recipient. If you’re reading this book and did

not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your

favorite ebook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

About the Author

Prologue

A little understood portal allowing time travel has been uncovered and is being jealously guarded by the academic community. Few are being permitted to explore the past and a newly minted PhD has a bold vision to visit 5th century Britain. His plan is to remain low key and just observe and gather first person insights into another time. But it's been said that if you want to hear the Gods laugh; tell them your plans.

Chapter One

It was a quiet day at Hampton University as the faculty and students were off on their first day of spring break. Tom Williamson, a 27 year old who had only recently completed his PhD in Medieval History was enjoying the opportunity to compose his thoughts without the incessant noise of a regular academic day. Tomorrow, the Board of the Society of Temporal Scholars would review his application and he was sitting at his desk going over his notes one last time. If the Board approved his application he would be on his way within 48 hours. He still didn’t feel completely comfortable with his command of Common Brittonic as a second language. But he needed to be able to communicate with the locals if his first field trip was to be a success. A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts.

Can I talk to you a minute Tom? said Harry Wilson, the University’s Police Chief as he poked his head in the doorway.

Harry was an athletic 45 year old widower and former Marine. He and Tom had known each other since Tom’s undergraduate days and he had become his regular golf partner, hunting and fishing companion and general confidant. They were in many ways as close as brothers.

Come on in Harry, I was just finishing up Tom replied. What’s on your mind?

This trip of yours to fifth century Britain, it has me concerned.

Why Harry? I’ve been preparing for this for several years and my entire PhD program was wrapped around it. You know I’ve been over the risks dozens of times, both with experienced travelers and technicians.

Tom, Harry continued, Unlike most travelers, you will be out of touch and without support for 6 months. If something goes wrong there is no life line. Your return window is so narrow that it gives me the willies just thinking about it. Are you sure this is what your really want?

Chuckling, This is a hell of a time to be thinking about calling it off isn’t it? Tom responded.

Perhaps Harry continued but there is so little known about that time period. There is a lot of conjecture and myth but no hard data. It was a very violent time in Britain and what civil order existed in your area of interest was breaking down ever since the Romans left.

That’s exactly why I’m going! There are so little hard facts from that time period. He emphasized. I’m convinced that blending into the community, while listening to the flow of everyday life may give me an understanding of what is real and what is not. I can’t do that from an observation window. This is the one way to get the true story.

I just hope your cover story holds up Harry replied. We’ve been making handmade bows together for several years and I’m pleased with our results but do you really think you can blend in as a skilled bowyer?

There is only one way to find out. Besides, even if my skills aren’t up to their standards I will just appear as a backwards artisan with limited skills Tom said with a small laugh.

OK, I understand your excitement and enthusiasm, Harry said but it’s the time issue that has me really concerned. You’re going out for 6 months, well beyond the view of the portal so no one will be able to monitor what’s going on. Then after those 6 months you are scheduled to arrive at a particular location, sometime within a 24 hour period, for your return here. I just don’t see any room for unexpected events. I’ve been worried about this from the beginning but now that it’s about to happen I just had to say something.

Harry, you’re a good friend and I really appreciate your concerns but this is a dream of a lifetime for me. Life is full of risks; I could get hit by a bus tomorrow. This is the culmination of years of study and preparation on my part. What I discover won’t change the world, it won’t set a new standard of living for the planet but it will answer questions that have been out there for hundreds of years and it is something that I need to do.

Do you have any fallback plans in case the wheels come off? Harry asked.

I will be dictating updates of my research every week at the portal point where I entered. The portals can be used as viewing windows to record visual and audio events within about one mile of the portal horizon and the view is only one way. We can see out but no one can see the portal. Grad students will be monitoring that point and recording everything they see to keep everyone updated on my progress. Any disasters can be reported and help sought. Should I not be heard from for a couple of weeks it will be a clear indication of some kind of trouble. He replied.

OK kid Harry said resignedly, Is there anything I could do for you before you leave?

Yea, let’s go to Callahan’s Grill and you can buy me a Guinness while we swap some hunting lies.

The Guinness had turned into several and Tom was a little heavy headed the next morning as he headed for the College. Mentally shaking himself he began to prepare for the ordeal to follow. The Society of Temporal Scholars was holding a rare, mid break, meeting just to review his final submission for travel. Today of all days he had to be on top of his game. The three judge panel was sure to pick his plans apart and he had not been this anxious since his defense of his Doctorial Thesis.

As he entered the headquarters building he was surprised to see the Society’s Secretary, Mary Hadley, at her desk.

Good morning Dr. Williamson, how are you this morning? She greeted him.

Mary was short and slightly heavy and wore her hair long and straight which made her appear older then her 30 something years. She would never be described as attractive but she was warm and friendly to everyone and was held in high regard by the college community.

I’m fine Mary thank you; I expected you’d have gone on spring break with everyone else

Many of us are eager to see how your project progresses she said. I wouldn’t have missed this for the world. We are all wishing you the best of luck.

That’s very kind Mary. Has the panel arrived yet?

Yes Dr. Williamson, they have. Won’t you take a seat and I’ll let them know you are here she said as she disappeared through a side door.

The time seemed to drag on forever as Tom sat in the hard chair outside the Conference room going over his proposal in his mind again and again. He didn’t see any holes in his arguments and he was following the procedures to the letter. Yet, he had waited for this opportunity for so long, worked so hard gathering the necessary research (what there was available at any rate) that he just couldn’t calm his rattled nerves. The conference room door opened and Professor Milton Howard beckoned to him to enter. Dr. Williamson, won’t you please come in?

Gathering his courage Tom stood, retrieved his briefcase from the floor alongside the chair and, at Howard’s invitation, preceded him into the conference room. The room was dominated by a long rectangular conference table. It was big enough to comfortably seat 30 people but today there were only four people in the room. Professor Howard closed the door and walked around the table to take a seat facing the door. Flanking him were two of the Society’s most senior Scholars. Sitting to Milton’s right, was John Daniels the senior investigator of European History and to his left sat William Schultz the Chief of Protocol and top lawyer of the society.

Tom knew Daniels as a tough, demanding teacher who refused to accept anything but the best from his students.

From his earliest days as an undergraduate Professor Daniels pushed Tom for excellence. Despite his demanding nature Tom knew him to be firm but fair. Professor Howard was viewed by the entire faculty as cold and aloof but professionally competent. Dr. Schultz, who also taught at the University, was an unknown factor however. All three men had unreadable expressions on their faces. The final occupant of the room was Mary Hadley who now sat at the far end of the table with her stenographic tools out and ready for use.

Dr. Williamson, won’t you take a seat? said Prof. Howard who indicated a chair directly across the table from him.

As you are no doubt aware we view any trans-temporal investigations with great trepidation. He began. Much critical information can be gleaned by careful study of time lines by active participants who have the proper training and exhibit professional restraint. But, much damage can be done as well. Our laws of Time are every bit as rigid and thought out as Asimov’s Laws of Robotics. I will begin this review by stating those laws for the record.

No Investigator is to become an active participant in the issues of the day.

No investigator shall intentionally alter the time line.

Investigators who violate either of these two provisions shall not be permitted to return and the time line will be abandoned.

While we have discovered that we live in a multi-verse with infinite possibilities for infinite outcomes to any action, we as the Society have undertaken the stewardship of our forays into time travel. Milton paused and gazed into Tom’s eyes. We shall not allow time travel to become a tourist attraction for dilatants. It is for this reason that any traveler must be a member of this Society and be fully vetted prior to departure. Your presentation today will not only be for permission to begin your journey but will also be the basis for your acceptance into our Society as a probationary member.

Now, he continued, let us begin your presentation.

Tom opened his briefcase and began to remove documents with shaking fingers. His performance on Common Brittonic quizzes, based upon portal observations was first. Teams of grad students had monitored the portal watching, listening and recording anyone who passed by. These recordings were the basis for the University’s understanding of this arcane language. Specialized computer programs had analyzed these recordings and first developed a lexicon and then established grammatical rules consistent with local usage. It would be essential for him to be not just fluent but capable of understanding and using local idioms.

I’ve had two years to become conversant with the local language and idioms he began, as he distributed copies of his test results to the board. My persona has been developed to reflect that of an itinerant craftsman from Brittany with no allegiance to any one leader. This should allow for any mistakes in usage I may make. The local dialect was difficult at first but I believe that I’ve shown that I can communicate with the local population without raising any undue suspicion. I may make the occasional grammatical error but that can be explained away due to my foreign origin. I have made every effort to use my current persona in the project. My name readily adapts to the time line as I will be using the alias of Tomos. My hobby here as an amateur bow maker can easily be transferred for this project as well. While Wales won’t see the historical longbow for several hundred years, the use of the bow as a hunting tool and instrument of war extends at least as far back as the Neolithic period. Local wood will supply the necessary raw materials and the skills I’ve learned here will allow me to make workmanlike bows for the local trade.

How are you going to explain your sudden appearance in this area? asked Dr. Schultz.

Tom took more papers out of his briefcase. These photos are of garments made by techniques very similar to those used in my target area. I will be found semi-conscious lying on the beach clothed in them He said handing them across the table. I will report that I had signed on with a small contingent of merchants and that we set to sea to trade along the coast of Britain. I will describe our departure area as vaguely as possible, generally suggesting Armorica and the Brittany peninsula and that I was from a small village. A storm will have wrecked the craft and I, apparently, am the only survivor. This will also explain my lack of tools or personal possessions. It is my intent to make my entry near Hurlstone Point at Porlock Bay on the North Somerset Coast. This will place me approximately equidistance between Tintagel to the south and Cadbury Castle to the north. While the Arthurian legend is only my secondary issue of investigation, being between his supposed birthplace and the site thought to be Camelot will certainly allow me to gather whatever contemporary information is available.

Question followed question. Where did you learn your trade? How long were you at sea? What was the name of your leader? What is the name of your tribe? On and on sometimes repeating the question and sometimes rephrasing the question to insure consistent answers. John Daniels was particularly insistent on the matter of bow making while William Shultz showed considerable interest in the conflict that was possible with the sudden arrival of a stranger, literally, washed up on their shores. The examination went on for several hours until finally, Professor Howard spoke up.

Gentlemen, I think it is time for a break. Perhaps we should take this opportunity to have some lunch and we can continue this afternoon. The panel began putting away their notepads and Tom stood until they exited the room.

With a great sigh of relief he gathered his exhibits and placed them in his briefcase. Unheard behind him Mary Hadley had approached and coughed lightly to get his attention.

Oh, hello Ms. Hadley, I’m sorry I didn’t hear you, my mind was wandering. Tom said.

No problem Doctor. I was going to ask if I could bring you back some lunch, I’m headed for the cafeteria.

I didn’t realize the cafeteria was still open. Tom replied.

It’s recently been reopened on a reduced schedule. During spring break there are still many employees on the grounds and it’s as a courtesy to them that the cafeteria is kept, at least, partially operating.

Would you mind if I walked with you? I could use the opportunity to clear my mind.

Not at all Doctor, just let me get my sweater.

Tom’s mind was buzzing after the grilling he had received at the hands of the board but a light meal and some pleasant company might be just what he needed.

Shall we go? Mary said, as she came from the back room. The board will reconvene in 45 minutes so we should be going.

Tom held the door for her as she exited and they headed for the cafeteria. As they walked across the common Tom kept trying to find some fault in his presentation. Did he fail to make some critical observation? Had he made some procedural blunder that would ruin all his hard work?

Doctor Mary said, All you alright? You’re very quiet.

I’m sorry Mary he replied, This presentation is the culmination of years of work and I can’t seem to find just the right thing to say or do to convince the board that the project should go forward.

Why are they so concerned about interference with the time line? I thought it was established that the multi verse theory showed infinite numbers of universes with infinite numbers of possible time lines? Wouldn’t skewing one time line leave all the others untouched?

Tom thought for a moment, and then replied, Let’s get our lunch and once we get settled I’ll try to explain.

As they entered the cafeteria, Tom was surprised at the quiet. With most of the students and faculty gone there were but a score of diners scattered around the large dining hall. Most of the serving tables were shut down and only the salad bar and cold sandwich trays were open.

Well, that makes deciding what to eat a lot easier doesn’t it? Mary quipped.

I’m not sure I’d want anything heavy anyway Tom replied, My stomach is still in knots.

They each chose a small salad and after pouring coffee, or in Mary’s case, hot tea, they found a small table tucked into a corner.

As they sweetened their drinks, Tom began. Mary, you are correct, there are infinite universes with infinite possible events occurring in each one. Clearly, a Temporal Scholar could enter a universe from our time line and do whatever he chose to do. He paused as he sipped his coffee and composed his thoughts.

No one could argue that avoiding the First World War for instance, would not be a worthy endeavor. Over 16 million people died between 1914 and 1918. Again, the issue becomes one of the infinity of universes. Perhaps those 16 million people could be saved in that timeline but what of all the others? Just as clearly, that would contaminate that time line. From that point on whatever happened there, while perhaps similar to our own world, would be a new time line with unknown results and unknowable consequences. The resultant time line may well follow our own with no major upheavals but we would have no way of knowing that. The science of these portals is very poorly understood. The discovery of every one to date has always been a serendipitous accident. We have scientists and technicians working constantly to try to find new portals but the results have been very poor. We just don’t understand the science yet. The important issue is that we currently don’t have the ability to enter a time line at the time and location of our choosing. Once discovered we can open a portal and observe the events taking place directly in front of it but only limited information can be gathered that way. Only by placing an active observer through the portal can we hope to gather any useful information. That however, is where the danger lies. We can manipulate the place of entry within about 2 miles, but each portal we’ve discovered so far has a particular date it was opened and the time line of that portal runs from there. We can’t go back and undo mistakes. We can use these portals to view our past with clarity undreamed of before. Direct observation of historic events can shed light on why events occurred, who was actually involved and many other important issues. Should a traveler interfere with a time line however, further research along that line becomes meaningless. That line would have to be abandoned. Any further research that might have been done, any insights gained about our history, will no longer have any relevance to our own time. No one could be sure that the interference hasn’t affected the events leading up to the any point under studied. What portals we have are the only ones available to us so far

Mary frowned a moment and then smiled, I guess I’ve become so accustomed to Temporal Scholars popping into and out of time I began to think of the portal system as a kind of time machine she said.

Tom smiled, it is a time machine, for all practical purposes, but a very fragile one

Now it was Tom’s turn to frown. Without the ability to open and enter a portal when and where we want, the ones we have are priceless beyond measure. No one wants to be the cause of abandoning one.

I see said Mary. I guess it really is critical to preserve the integrity of the time line so that future researchers can view a valid and unaltered history.

Exactly, Tom responded, That’s why Professor Howard referred to the Society as the Stewards for the portals. They must never be contaminated and the scrutiny which travelers undergo is the only way to insure that.

Well, said Mary, I’m sure you will get the approval to go. Your preparation certainly can’t be faulted and neither can your commitment to the portals.

Thanks Mary, I just hope the panel agrees with you. Tom responded with a grin. Thanks for listening; I really needed to talk my way through this without feeling like a brick wall was waiting to fall on me.

My pleasure, I really enjoyed listening to you explain it. You’re clearly a very committed researcher and I’m sure the panel will see that.

They finished their lunch quietly and then returned their trays to the kitchen. As they walked back from lunch, Tom again began mentally going over his proposal. Try as he may, he couldn’t see any gaps or oversights. What he had done was either going to be good enough or he wouldn’t be traveling to ancient Britain any time soon. As they entered the conference room Mary returned to her end of the table and Tom sat to await the board. Within minutes of his arrival, and preciously on time, the board returned to the room and took their seats. Tom took a deep breath and waited for whatever was to come.

Dr. Williamson, Professor Howard began, Over lunch, the panel has been discussing your proposal and I must admit we are very impressed with your research and preparation. We are convinced that your command of the local dialect is sufficient for you to pass yourself off as a native speaker. I, for one, have no immediate reservations to your proceeding on this project nor have I heard any from my colleagues. Therefore we will take a vote on your proposal without further delay

Ms. Hadley, please poll the panel.

Dr. Howard?

Yes

Dr. Daniels?"

Yes

Dr. Schultz?

Yes

Tom’s heart soared. YES! It’s a GO!Tom could feel the tension flow out of his body. Thank you gentlemen, thank you very much. He said as they rose to leave.

Dr. Howard turned to Mary’s end of the table. Ms. Hadley will you will prepare the documents admitting Dr. Williamson as a Probationary member of the Society for my signature?

Gladly sir! She said with a grin on her face.

Dr. Williamson, Howard said, Once the documents are prepared I will sign them and forward them to you office. You may depart on your project any time after 9:00 AM local time tomorrow.

Tom didn’t sleep very well that night. Dreams intermixed with half-awake thoughts kept him rolling and tossing through the night. The alarm at 7:00AM was not needed as he was lying on his back going over all that had happened lately. A quick breakfast of coffee and Cheerios and he was on his way to the portal facility One of the advantages of this type of journey was that he needed no luggage. He would be entering his new world with nothing but the clothes on his back. The portal facility was a small building attached to the back of the Society’s headquarters. Entry was from a small courtyard behind the building and, except for the heavy power cables entering the building, there was no evidence of anything unusual about the facility. As he opened the door and entered he was greeted by a shock. Gathered, in the small waiting room, was a collection of his friends and supporters.

Harry Wilson was the first to speak. Tom, I’m proud of you. We all knew you could do it but you’ve been so wound up lately we thought you would bust!

Thanks Harry, sorry if I’ve been a bit tense lately.

Tom, If you had been any more tense you wouldn’t have been able to walk across a room Harry chuckled.

Mary Hadley stepped forward and handed him a small folder. Here are your Traveler’s Credentials Dr. Williamson, I wanted to give them to you personally. I know how much they mean to you.

A round of applause ran through the room. Tom dropped his head and took the documents from Mary’s hand, blushing like a new bride.

Folks, he began, This is the beginning of the dream of a life time and you have made it even more special. Thank you so very much for seeing me off.

A short, balding man in a white lab coat approached and reached out his hand.

Dr. Williamson, I’m Harold Davis, the Portal Administrator, although most people just call me the Gate Keeper. It is nice that your friends want to see you off but access to the inner portal facility is strictly regulated and we really should be starting

I understand Tom responded returning the handshake.

Harry Wilson reached out you his hand to Tom. Well Tom, you take care of yourself and be careful! I’ve got us booked into the North Carolina deer camp again for the second week of December and I hear there should be some big ones this year.

Grasping his friend’s hand Tom smiled back.

I wouldn’t miss our trip for anything. I’ll be back in plenty of time.

Mr. Davis walked to a green door at the back of the room and gestured for Tom to follow.

As he did so Tom looked back over his shoulder at the group.

See you all in six months. He said smiling broadly.

While Tom had been given the basic pre-trip briefing, only society members were allowed beyond the Green Door. What he saw rather surprised him. There were no great mechanical devices, no shimmering doorways, just a small cloak room with a row of small lockers on one wall and one other door, also green.

"Dr. Williamson, this is the first stage of the portal entry system. We refer to the system as the Five Eyes.

This is number one, the introduction. I will be here to give you a brief explanation as we progress through each stage. At this time please disrobe, place all of your belongings in one of the lockers against the wall and enter the shower facility through that door there. In the shower you will find scentless soap and shampoo. We can’t have a traveler enter the portal smelling of cologne or after shave. Once you have showered please don one of the hospital gowns and slippers you will find alongside the towels. Access to the next stage is though the green door."

Tom looked hind him and noted the door he had entered through was red on this side.

Interesting he thought, green outbound and red to return just like a boat.

Tom began disrobing and preparing for his second shower of the morning. It made perfect sense to insure no trace of modern toiletries remained on a traveler but it had never occurred to him to do so. He really had to ramp up his awareness if this was to be a success.

Once the shower was completed Tom dressed in the drafty gown and opened the green door into the adjoining room. Davis was waiting for him, accompanied by another man in a white lab coat.

"Dr. Williamson, this is Dr. James Franklin our Society Physician. Dr, Franklin will supervise stage two of the Eyes, the inspection. It is here that we will insure that there are no physical telltales that might point to an origin other then the time period you are going to.

He will be looking for body piercings, tattoos, surgical scars with obvious suture marks, dental fittings, to include fillings, in fact everything from contact lenses to cochlear implants."

Good morning Dr. Williamson, Franklin said. This shouldn’t take long. Would you please hang the gown on the coat tree and we can begin.

Franklin was as good as his word. It didn’t take long but not because the Doctor wasn’t thorough. With the speed and skill of long practice Tom was inspected from the longest hair on his head to the calluses on his feet. Fortunately, there was nothing to find. Tom had lived a remarkably healthy life to date and his body reflected that fact. In short order Dr. Franklin announced his satisfaction.

"Dr. Williamson, stage three of the Eyes, the inoculations, will be conducted here in this room. We take the health of our travelers, and indeed the occupants of the worlds we visit, very seriously. Dr. Franklin will be giving you a series of inoculations covering a broad spectrum of possible diseases. This will range from measles to Bubonic Plague.

The Plague isn’t expected in Europe for another 800 years but there is no sense taking chances. More common ailments like measles or chicken pox can devastate a previously unexposed population as we saw to our horror in the eighteenth and nineteenth century Native American populations. These will also be addressed. Do you have any questions?"

No sir Tom replied.

Once the inoculations were completed Dr. Franklin exited through the red door.

Please follow me said Davis as he went through the next green door.

This was not your typical room. Rather the floor was of dirt and the walls seemed to be those of a small timber building. There was a small sleeping mat to one side and placed on it were the clothes Tom was to wear on his journey.

This is stage four of the Eyes, Immersion. Here you will spend the next several hours with the Grad student who has been monitoring the portal. Please keep all conversions limited to the conditions on the other side of the portal. The intent is to make a smooth transition from this world to the other. Once the Immersion stage has been completed, stage Five, Insertion will take place. Please dress in those garments, Davis gestured towards the sleeping mat, and give me the gown and slippers.

As Tom dressed, the reality of what was happening began to set in. This was real. He was finally here! He took the hospital gown and slippers and handed them to Mr. Davis.

Dr. Williamson, from this point on, all conversations with you will use your Nome de Gare Tomos. Please have a seat and the student will be with your shortly. Davis left through the Red door and Tom No Tomos he thought, waited.

Shortly thereafter the green door swung open. Looking up Thomos saw a short but muscular young man entering. Clothed in garments similar to his own he introduced himself.

Good day Tomos, my name is Dillwyn he said in perfect Common Brittonic.

Good day to you, Dillwyn Tomos replied.

I am here to speak with you about what has been transpiring beyond our gates. Do you have any specific questions for me?

So began a conversion that spanned several hours. During this time Tomos discovered that the portal access point had been established approximately two hundred yards East of Hurlstone Point. Hurlstone Point was rough and rocky and made the perfect cover for him to enter the water and swim around its north facing point to the beach beyond. Bossington a, small fishing village, was but a half mile south of his intended landing. Small boats were routinely left above the high water mark overnight by the local fishermen. This would invariably lead to early morning visits to the beach, insuring his discovery. With the six hour difference in time between the landing zone and their current location a water entry at 10:00PM local had been decided upon. The high tide was scheduled for 4:00AM so that he would have the advantage of an ebb tide to assist his swim and the ensuing high tide to explain how he had washed ashore.

Tomos Dillwyn said at last it will soon be time to begin. Beware however, for there has been much violence and banditry in the region, war bands roam the countryside and great caution must be exercised in dealing with the local people. They are extremely suspicious and rightfully so. I wish you luck. Once you pass through the portal horizon you are on your own. We will continue to monitor the portal, moving its location around within the limits imposed. We shall try to follow your progress over the next several months and eagerly anticipate your return and the reports you will bring.

Dillwyn rose and opened the green door. Farewell Sir and good luck to you He said as Tomos walked through the door.

Hearing the door close behind him Tomos was greeted by a darkened room with computer consoles and work stations, all turned off, on either side. There with just a shadow of an archway in front of him. Through the arch he could see a nighttime seascape with a clear sky of unbelievably bright stars. A crescent moon hung low above the water.

Just to the left of the archway he could faintly see two digital clocks. One identified as local time and the second as portal time. Thirty minutes before insertion time! Tomos noted the constellations and tried to recall his high school astronomy lessons. The Big Dipper was easy to find as was the Pole Start shining faintly, showing true north. Low waves rolled across the sea indicating a fresh breeze blowing from the west. With the ebb tide scheduled for when he would be entering the water, the swim, against the breeze would be challenging but certainly not exhausting. As the appointed time arrived, Thomos stood and paused to reflect one more time. Years of preparation, dedication and study came down to this moment. He was as prepared as he would ever be and with determination he strode through the portal.It was colder then Tomos had expected. Of course, early spring in the British Isles was going to be cold but he had not anticipated the biting wind. There was not a light to be seen from horizon to horizon. The star light along with the faint