No Time Like The Present

By Steve Nubie

In 500 years time travel will be possible. The technology will exist and travel into the future described by Stephen Hawking will occur. It’s a perfect escape from a troubled past or a disappointing present. It’s a place where miraculous cures and advanced technology create a life of ease and leisure - unless of course everybody decides to go.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Nubie
• Release date: Oct 20, 2009
• ISBN: 9781452486659

Steve Nubie

About the author:Steve Nubie has been writing professionally for 38 years.He has 9 books ePublished including a time travel novel titled No Time Like the Present.A business book titled Navigating the Creative Process: 6 Steps to Creative success.An anecdotal cookbook titled Real Men Eat Meat.Dark Paths. A collection of short stories about the macabre, the supernatural and bad science.Justice. A short story about the disturbing truth behind innocent men and women in prison.What’s the Buzz? A story that explores the classic 1950’s monster movie concept with a contemporary twist.The Expert. An expert in demonic possession meets the exorcism dream-team.The Dare. A ghost story that continues to haunt a small town.The Moon Unit. Werewolves as good guys.These books are listed on amazon.com and smashwords.com. Search word: "Steve Nubie"He is also a member of the Yahoo Contributor Network and has posted numerous articles across a range of subjects. On two occasions he has been awarded the Yahoo Hot 500 award. He also teaches writing classes as an Adjunct Professor at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.In addition he has written and produced numerous Twilight Zone episodes for CBS Entertainment including:The Walkabouts which explores the surprising truth behind alien abductions. -2008.Another Place in Time which examines the concept of parallel universes. -2008Rest Stop. A surprising new twist on a massive alien invasion of the planet earth. -2009.The Nanobots. The chilling implications of nanotechnology. -2009.2012. What's really going to happen? -2010.Bigfoot in the Door. The origins and secrets of Sasquatch. -2010.He has also written audio dramas for the Fangoria Dreadtime stories series including:-A Fungus Among Us. The very real possibility that the next global pandemicmay be a primitive and insidious form of mold. -2011.-Here Come the Sludge. Armageddon meets the blob. -2012Screenplay -The Moon Unit. Werewolves as good guys. -2011Television Series: 18 episodes/Proposal. -Alberto y Lucia -2012Television Series: 13 episodes/Proposal. -Real Men Eat Meat -2012Nubie has also published numerous articles in magazines including:-Entrepreneur’s Business Start-Ups, May, 2000. Column. Naming Names.-Entrepreneur’s Business Start-Ups, September, 2000. Column. What’s Your Sign?-Silent Sports, July, 2000. Feature. Exploring the Illinois Prairie Path.-The Self Reliance Journal, March, 2001. Feature. The Survival Decision Kit.-Michigan Out-of-Doors, April, 2001. Feature. Hatching a Match.-Home-Business Magazine, December, 2005. Feature. Building a Brand Identity for Your Home- Based Business.•In addition he has generated more than 200 press releases across a range of subjects.•He has also written, produced and directed hundreds of television commercials, videos, wireless apps, radio commercials and print ads for numerous Fortune 500 companies.•He has a strong background in advertising and marketing across all media and disciplines from direct mail to new media and strategic planning. stevenubieco.com•He has traveled extensively on international assignments including two years in Asia based in Hong Kong and two years in Europe based in London, and has continually studied the unique characteristics of language, culture and belief systems around the world.Key links to subjects written by Steve Nubie:http://www.smashwords.com/books/search?query=steve+nuhttp://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=steve+nubiehttp://www.yahoocontributornetworkSteve Nubie Google Searchhttp://www.stevenubieco.comhttp://www.facebook.com/stevenubie?fref=ts

Book preview

Chapter 1 – The Blue Fog

The dim light in the ceiling cast a weak, yellow glow across the cavernous, round room. A dirty and dog-eared folder identified only by a symbol lie on the chipped, gray desktop. A large, beefy hand slowly traced an imaginary line around the folder. There was no reason to read the contents. Not again. The man at the desk had lived with this file for nearly four cycles of the planet, and he was obviously the man in control in this room.

The man sat stiffly in a chipped metal chair. He didn’t move except for an occasional twitch under his eye. His hair was cropped with a perfect flat top. His thick neck bulged over the tight collar of his shirt. A gold pin that looked like an inverted V with curved bottoms surrounded by a circle gleamed under the lapel of his faded, gray coat. The same symbol without the circle was drawn on the corner of the folder.

The man watched the pulsing glow of the TS-1. His gray temples framed his deep-set blue eyes as he stared into the foggy blue haze of the cylinder.

He was a proud man and his tall frame and athletic build made him an imposing presence. In spite of his size he was intimidated by the man he was about to meet. A man few knew very much about. He stared straight ahead. The lines under his eyes seemed to draw a permanent sadness into his features. He had waited four years while the world had passed 8,128 years to come face to face with this man. The man who had discovered the time stream and built the technology to control it. Its secrets left with its creator. And now he was about to return.

The Time-Stream technology stood before the man in the concrete, cave-like room.

The TS-1 filled the center of the room. Its deep blue glow mocked the shallow shadows cast by the dim light emanating from the ceiling. But the mockery of the pale blue light was nowhere near as great as the insulting technological sophistication of the device itself. The man hated this thing. It diminished him and everything he had ever known. This technology had come to dominate his life. All life. Not because of what it did, but because of what it had brought.

The sound of the low, resonant hum pounded in his temples. The man blinked as he stared at the blue fog thinking he had seen movement. There was none. The man glanced quickly at the other men standing-by in the room. I have to get him alone he thought. And then do what I have to do.

The blue fog allowed no focal point and the man suddenly felt like sleeping. He closed his eyes and felt the deep-set fatigue of his entire life take over at the moment he had spent so long planning.

He looked up with a start as the high-pitched spin of the Time-Stream began its customary entry cycle. The room changed rapidly through the color spectrum from blue to green to yellow to orange to a deep red that ended with a burst of white. A silhouette of a man stood on the edge of the circular stage of the TS-1. He had arrived. The man pushed aside the old manila folder and stood. He had his own words for this moment, but what he saw left him speechless as Andy Azarhia emerged from the chamber.

Chapter 2 – The Evil Severity

Galton Asmodeus sat at his desk. His office was a small, windowless box buried deep in the basement of the Government Security offices. He was not happy. He had transcribed three pages of notes on the lab investigation and his notepad had not been aligned with the sides of the desk. He straightened it and made sure that the sides were perfectly parallel with the edges of the desktop. He once again checked the bookcase to ensure the books were in the right order. Ascending order from left to right and color-coded in a consistent repeating pattern. He knew anyone who walked into his office would be impressed. They would know with one look that he was a man who was on top of things and could be trusted to handle any assignment and any case. He nervously ran his fingers over the stubble of his scalp and rubbed furiously to regain his focus.

He tore the three pages from his notepad and prepared to rewrite them only this time the notepad would be in perfect alignment. He knew that he must hold himself to the highest standards. Before he could begin his rewrite there was a brief knock at his door and a man looked into Galton’s office.

Galton. Are you planning to tell any of us what you’re doing on this laboratory case anytime soon?

I’m working on it sir. It’s almost done.

You’re working on it? The man at the door hesitated, slowly entered and then sat down. He stared at the notes torn from the notebook as Galton nervously aligned them with the edges of the desk.

Alright. Keep working on it, but at noon I want you to bring your information to the rest of the team, and tell us what you’re doing so we know how to proceed. You’ve managed to get everyone in this building and most everyone I work for convinced this is a massive conspiracy. There’s not a day I don’t have someone in my face asking me what’s going on and I don’t even know where to start!

Galton rubbed his neck. He stared at his boss and then nervously glanced at the pictures on his wall. He didn’t want a picture to be crooked. Not now. Now was when he needed everything perfect. He knew that these were the signs that would identify his work.

Sir, I’ll be ready for the briefing and I will inform the team of everything I need to know.

Don’t you mean everything they need to know? The man said impatiently.

Yes sir, Galton said with an edge of panic. Everything they need to know. I’m working on it, sir.

The man got up and walked out of the office. He didn’t look at Galton or say a word, and very slowly and quietly closed the door. As he stood in the hallway the man slowly released the door handle to allow the door to silently latch closed. He shook his head with impatient disgust as he walked down the hallway. His large frame filled the narrow hall and he towered over his colleagues as they passed. He was a big man. His name was Mikhael Zadok and he was the only reason Galton still worked as an investigator. He was impressed at one time by what he perceived to be Galton’s discipline and confidence. It had become obvious to everyone this was not discipline. Only a false facade masking incompetence. Mikhael thought Galton was a liar. He had already decided this was his last case and now he was beginning to doubt that a case even existed.

As Mikhael walked down the hallway he passed the kitchen. The kitchen had a warm and comfortable feel with its natural brick surfaces and smooth, curving tables and chairs. Inside was a tall, redheaded woman pouring herself a glass of juice. It was Sara Bright, one of Mikhael’s best investigators and someone who had her own share of problems with Galton.

Sara looked at Mikhael as he came into the kitchen and let out a small laugh. I’d know that look anywhere. Let me guess. Galton?

Mikhael gave a small nod. The guy is truly amazing. I don’t know what he does with his time but it’s nothing I’m paying him for. Is he making things hard for you again?

Sara let out a sigh. There’s something very wrong with that guy. I mean, after he met Joe and found out we were married he backed off. But then… Sara looked down and picked up here cup. Then… after Joe died. Well, it didn’t take long and he was giving me that look and all of those awkward compliments. And now with my son so sick…I don’t know. I just don’t need Galton skulking and stalking me. He is just so strange.

Mikhael folded his massive arms and leaned against the wall. Yeah, well he’s going to be a real stranger real soon. I’ve had it. We’re going to get to the bottom of this case he keeps ranting about and get him out of here. And look, if there is anything at all to this case I want you to follow up on it. Close it. Make it go away.

Mikhael smiled and turned to leave and then stopped and said, In fact, I’ll make a deal with you. You make the case go away and I’ll make Galton go away.

Sara forced a laugh and said, That’s a deal.

As Mikhael walked away her smile quickly faded. This already was her case. She found Galton in her office one day reading through her notes. There were things about the case that she had done outside of established policy. Galton threatened to disclose her indiscretions. That’s when Galton proposed that they work the case together. He had cautioned Sara to gather more evidence and information before briefing Mikhael. She had foolishly given him the case folder after he promised to do some tedious background checks Sara was dreading. Background checks that she knew she couldn’t do. She needed to buy time, and having someone as incompetent as Galton on the case was the best way to delay the inevitable. All she needed was a little more time.

As Mikhael walked back down the hallway towards his office he didn’t notice the man who had been sitting quietly in the room next to the kitchen. As Galton sat in the room he had not only overheard every word of their conversation, but had managed to carefully arrange a scattered pile of paper into neat rows on the desk. Each color-coded in a consistent pattern, and arranged by size from smallest to largest. When he was quite certain Mikhael was out of sight he pulled his shoulders back, rubbed his neck and stood. He straightened his jacket and practiced a few expressions of surprise, a broad smile, and a knowing nod. He then raised an eyebrow and walked around the corner into the kitchen. When he saw Sara he stopped with a start and said, This kitchen gets prettier every day.

Sara looked at him with dread. She leaned back, took a deep breath and said, I want my case file back. I’m going to walk into Mikhael’s office and tell him what I know. She waved her hand in the air and said, Enough is enough.

Galton slowly walked to a chair and sat down at the table. He looked at Sara as he folded his hands on the tabletop.

This isn’t going to take a real long time I hope. She said.

You know exactly why you have to listen to everything I say. Galton said.

As Mikhael approached his office he was surprised to see two men sitting next to his desk. It was his supervisor Samuel Phillipis and a man he had never seen before. As he walked in both men stood. His supervisor stood and introduced the man.

Mikhael, I’d like you to meet Thomas Aquiline. He is the Chief Investigator from the government security office and he has some interesting information for us about this situation at the lab.

Mikhael shook his hand and sat at his desk. So, what can we do for you?

Aquiline slowly reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small notebook. As he opened the notebook he looked up at Mikhael and said, Do you have an Investigator Asmodeus on your staff?

Mikhael and Samuel exchanged quick, knowing glances and returned their attention to Aquiline.

Yes, said Mikhael. Galton Asmodeus. I just met with him…um…on a case."

Aquiline raised his eyebrows and looked back at his notebook. Excellent. You should know we have come across some new information that parallels many of the findings Mr. Asmodeus has uncovered in his investigation.

Mikhael shot a surprised look at Phillipis.

That crawling piece of slime! Thought Mikhael. He actually does know something and I can’t get a word out of him. Mikhael sat back in his chair.

Did Galton send this information on to you? He asked.

Oh yes, um…do you have a problem with that? Said Aquiline.

No. Mikhael said reassuringly. It’s just that the investigation is ongoing and it’s a little soon to be distributing information.

Aquiline gave Mikhael a severe look. You know, Investigator Zadok, there are those of us who never feel it’s too soon to share information about emerging evidence in a case. Especially a case of this significance.

Phillipis was now sharing the same stare with Aquiline towards Mikhael. Mikhael was angry with himself for not forcing Galton to fill him in on the facts of this case, but he just didn’t believe anything Galton said. Ever.

I fully appreciate that sir. Mikhael said in a measured tone. It’s just that I wanted to double check some of the facts so we didn’t pursue avenues that would take us nowhere.

Always wise. Said Aquiline with a nod. Maybe you can tell me, Investigator Zadok, what exactly are the facts that you are unsure of at this point?

Mikhael began to rock slowly in his chair as he stared at Aquiline. He appeared calm but his heart was pounding in his temples. He could feel his anger sending a warm, rush of blood to his face. He could only think of one thing to say. I’ll know that very soon. I’ve instructed Galton…Investigator Asmodeus…to give our team a briefing. If we feel we have all the pieces in place after the briefing we’ll be ready to move.

Aquiline stared at Mikhael then nodded and smiled. Excellent. Of course you won’t mind if I join you for this briefing?

Mikhael nodded his head yes and said, No. No it would be great to cross-reference your findings.

Phillipis stood with Aquiline.

Thank you Mikhael. Phillipis said. Please come by my office on your way to the briefing and we’ll all go together.

Mikhael watched them leave and knew that now more than ever Galton had to go.

As Aquiline and Phillipis walked through the cavernous hallways they passed the kitchen where Sara was sitting at a table. She had always found the small room to be an oasis of comfort in the wake of sadness that followed her husband’s death and her son’s illness. Right now the kitchen felt cold and dark. All she wanted was to get up and get away from the gaunt, smiling face of Galton Asmodeus.

As he sat at Sara’s table in the kitchen his lips were stretched tight across yellowing teeth. She could smell the fetid odor of his breath and leaned back in her chair to create some distance. His eyes were cold, pools of brown against a background of jaundiced yellow. Sara folded her arms and looked at him with disgust. Galton, as far as I’m concerned you are not only off this case, you were never on it. I want the case folder. I want the case. I want you gone.

Galton sat back. His thin lips were still stretched into a tight smile but his eyes had grown colder. Of course. I’ll get the folder right back to you. I’ll give it to you at the briefing with Mikhael. I’ll add my part and I’ll ask off the case just as soon as you fill everyone in on all the facts.

You never had a part! You never did your part! You don’t do anything. Go right now and get my file!

Galton slid the chair back and kept his hands on the table. He slowly stood and said, No problem. I’ll go and get it for you right now.

As he turned and walked away Sara let out a small breath of relief. As she sat watching Galton disappear down the hallway she took a few deep breaths to regain her composure. She sat upright with a start and went down the hallway to Mikhael’s office.

Mikhael, Galton just told me something about a briefing. Mikhael turned to Sara with a slight smile in his eyes. Sorry, I thought I mentioned it to you. I gave him until noon to brief me on this whole thing and you should be there to take it over.

Mikhael, it is my case. It’s always been my case. Sara crossed her arms and leaned against the doorway. I told Galton about it because he said he would do some background checks and I was so busy with Tommy at the hospital…

Stop. Stop. Mikhael suddenly interrupted her. You’ve known about this?

The smile was gone from his eyes.

I should have told you. Sara Said. I was a bit distracted at the hospital and I thought…I don’t know, I thought he might actually be able to help.

Mikhael stood. Sara. I’m…I’m really sorry about Tommy. I know how hard it’s been for you, but don’t do this again. Besides, it’s almost noon. Let’s swing by Samuel’s office and go to this briefing. I’ll handle Galton. You handle the case.

Samuel? Sara said. What’s he want?

Mikhael shook his head. "I guess our friend Galton sent your information onto the bureaucrats in the government and one of them is here to find out all about it.

Sara looked at Mikhael with her mouth agape. She wanted to run. If only she had the case folder she could delay things. Slow down this investigation until the time was right. Galton was going to ruin everything. When I think of Galton I want to jump off a cliff. Sara said through clenched teeth.

Mikhael snorted. I might be joining you. Let’s go get this over with and then Galton is gone.

As they walked down the hall to the office of Samuel Phillipis a thin, gaunt figure stood behind a pillar not far from Mikhael’s office. Galton Asmodeus held the case folder under his arm. He moved his head from side to side to relieve the stiffness in his neck and practiced raising his eyebrows. As he slowly walked down the hallway to the briefing he made numerous gestures as if talking to a person. Galton was alone. He was rehearsing expressions and movements. He had no idea what to say. Although he was starting to understand what he could do.

As Phillipis, Aquiline, and Sara sat in the conference room Mikhael kept nervously looking down the hallway. He was afraid Aquiline would start asking questions and even Sara had confessed she could do little without the case folder and all of her notes.

Phillipis sensed the tension and tried to make small talk. So Thomas, how long do you think you’ll be here in the inner city?

Until this business with the lab is resolved.

Mikhael and Sara winced and quickly added faint smiles to hide their reaction.

As the time continued to pass Aquiline joined the rest of them looking down the hallway. Is your Mister Galton always late? Asked Aquiline.

Sara looked around nervously, stood and said, I’ll go find him.

Mikhael showed a trace of a smile as Sara left the room and said, Actually his surname is Asmodeus. His given name is Galton.

Aquiline looked impatient with the correction. Galton Asmodeus walked into the room a moment later. He appeared to be in a great hurry and slightly winded. He smiled and moved his head to one side repeatedly as if to make sure everyone could see he was a bit surprised by something. He put the folder in front of him and carefully aligned it with the edge of the table.

I’m sorry I’m late but I just received some new information and I had to follow it up.

Mikhael leaned forward. What new information?

Oh, it turned out to be a dead-end, but in a case of this importance you can’t ignore a single detail.

Aquiline nodded and said, I quite agree. What can you tell us Mister Galton?

Phillipis shot a look at Mikhael. Now just a minute Galton…. Mikhael said. Aquiline put his hand in the air and looked sternly at Mikhael. He looked back to Galton and said, Please. Proceed.

Galton began nervously twitching his head and opened the case folder. He took a moment to readjust its alignment with the table edge and carefully took out 3 pieces of paper that he overlapped at the corners in a stair step pattern. Before him were pictures of two people. Aralim and Enli Azharia. He traced his finger around the outline of each one of them. He then folded his hands over his notes with great severity and looked at each person in the room. He stopped at Aquiline and said, Before I begin, I think it would be best if we had the government’s analysis of the case. After all, your information I’m sure would bring a whole new perspective to our primitive information.

Mikhael slipped low in his chair as he stared at Phillipis. He glanced down the hallway and wondered if Sara would return. Phillipis took a deep breath and slowly turned to Aquiline. Aquiline shrugged and reached into his pocket and carelessly threw a small notepad on the table that disrupted Galton’s neat arrangement of notes. Galton flinched. Aquiline paged through some notes and finally said, We have reason to believe that some highly classified and potentially dangerous equipment and materials have been stolen. For what purpose we don’t know. We we’re hoping you could tell us. It has to do with a government lab known as the Institute for Advanced Research…

As Aquiline droned on Galton sat upright in his chair nodding with one eyebrow slightly raised. Phillipis stared at Aquiline as he spoke. Mikhael stared at Galton waiting for Galton to make eye contact. Mikhael heard little of what Aquiline said. The blood rushing to his head was pounding in his ears. All he knew is that he was heading for the lab that afternoon to get to the bottom of this.

The lab would tell him little. At least for now. The truth was out there in a small wooden framed building on an old farm where two brothers confronted their past, their present and their future.

Chapter 3 – Into the Mist

The hills surrounding the city of Atziluth appeared soft and green.

Below, wide circular avenues separated clear, blue canals.

Along the canals trees thrived amidst fragrant orchids and softly swaying ferns.

As the people of the city patiently walked along the peaceful avenues an occasional vehicle gently hovered past in silence. Laughter and the enthusiastic banter of the citizens flowed along the sunlight concourses.

Ben Azarhia walked slowly along the wide circular avenue of the inner city. As he walked he reached out and ran his hand across the lush, green foliage that grew along the soft contours of the buildings. He was young for his age except for a dusting of gray in his blond hair that seemed out of place with his soft features and smooth complexion. He was tall but slouched with the tired weight of a man who never got quite enough sleep. Someday I’m going to take off a few days and just relax, he thought to himself. As soon as I can find work again. It was that or go back to the farm and live with his brother Andy. His little brother Andy. That would be too much.

Andy was a physicist with a Government lab exploring particle physics and superconductivity. An eccentric genius who forgot to do simple things like change his clothes, bathe or remember to eat. Ben was supposed to go to the farm that afternoon. Andy had figured something out at the lab. He had told Ben he had to see it. That it would change the world.

Ben figured it would be a wasted day. Andy always had a story to tell, or a new idea or some new way to build something that never quite worked. What he didn’t know was that this day would be different.

On the outskirts of the city Andy Azarhia bounced through an irrigation ditch taking a turn too tight. He was used to the wide circular turns of the city and struggled with right angles. He was almost to the farm and he was late. He turned and looked at some items in the back of his vehicle. He was worried he had lost some stuff on the bump over the ditch. It was all still there. He reviewed his plans as he approached the farm. He had made his list weeks ago for his trip.

1. TS Interface

2. Gold coins.

4. Back pack

5. Food

6. Water

7. Letters

8. Clothes and hat

9. Family pictures

10. Kitchen chair

His brother Ben was going to meet him at the farm and Andy was afraid Ben would leave if he wasn’t there on time. Andy pulled into the farm. The road led through gently rolling hills of soft, green grass.

Wildflowers spotted the landscape and hummingbirds and butterflies danced over the flower tops. Andy pulled up to the barn.

His vehicle looked like a haphazard collection of junk on wheels. He had built it himself. People often stared at him as he traveled. It used to bother him. He hated it when people stared at him.

His sandy, blonde hair was long and hung like straw with a part in the middle to keep it out of his eyes. His shirt was untucked into tattered pants and his bare feet were splattered with mud and surrounded by the soft straps of his sandals. Today it didn’t bother him that his appearance seemed strange. It really didn’t matter. Nothing mattered. Nothing would ever matter again.

Andy walked towards the farmhouse. It was in the shape of a large dome with circular windows. There were geometric shapes and symbols built into frames around the doors. His parents were a little eccentric and the buildings on the farm demonstrated their love of mathematics and geometry.

Andy loved the farm and his brother Ben as well. If only he could find him. He was suddenly struck with the fear that Ben had come to the farm and left. Not today, Andy said out loud. Ben I really need you today.

Andy looked out at the waves of grass and wildflowers gently undulating in the wind. Ben was nowhere to be seen.

The shed, Andy said out loud. He must be in the shed. He couldn’t be in the house because it’s locked up. Locked up for good. Maybe he’s by the shed.

As he walked he rubbed his eyes. He hadn’t slept for two days. As he searched for Ben the fatigue only added to his frustration. Why does everything have to be so hard? He muttered.

Andy had spent his life cursed. Cursed with a high intelligence that allowed him to see relationships and patterns quickly and effortlessly. The most complex concepts were as simple as arithmetic and everyday was a bore. Except when he was working. Work kept him going. Work was what he lived for. Only now his work was done. He was anxious to leave it all behind but he wanted Ben to go with him. He knew Ben was out of work and this would solve both of their problems.

Ben pulled up to the farm. He smiled weakly as he looked at the old farmhouse. Their grandfather had bought the place long before they were born. His father inherited it and Ben and Andy had grown up there. Their parents had both died years ago. Ben had long since moved out. Andy still lived there. Alone. No one knew that Ben had never sold the place. They thought Andy lived with Ben in the outer city. Andy didn’t like the city of Atziluth. People would stare at him.

Andy hated the city.

Andy loved the farm.

Ben looked down the narrow sand road leading to the circular avenue of the outer city. The place made Ben feel sad. It was good they held onto it after their parents passed away though. It gave Andy a place to live. And a place to be safe. Eccentrics who couldn’t remember to lock a door needed a little cushion like a remote farmhouse surrounded by long stretches of wildflowers and trees.

Ben could tell Andy was home. He could see his vehicle parked in the grass like a heap of junk hoping to rust. Large bronze beams protruded from the back of the vehicle and it was patterned with sheets of tin. It was a miracle the thing was actually functional. Ben shook his head and looked around for Andy. Something wasn’t right. In fact, there was something about the farm that made him feel very uneasy. He couldn’t put his finger on it until he walked up to the front door. Locked? Andy had actually locked the front door? He pounded on the door.

Andy! Ben shouted. Andy, why is the door locked?

He waited and pounded again. He walked to the side of the house and looked into one of the circular windows. He could see no one inside. He could see nothing inside. The place was empty. No furniture. No signs of life. Nothing.

Ben quickly looked over his shoulder. His neck tingled and his throat was dry. The yard was cleared and clean. Everything had been put away. Stowed, stored and locked up. Ben stepped back from the house expecting a total stranger to come bursting out the front door.

But it was quiet. Quiet except for a low, deep droning hum that seemed to be coming from the barn. Andy must be in the barn Ben thought. God I hope he didn’t leave some piece of farm equipment running in there?

Ben ran to the barn. Its sides were a neat row of thin logs covered with a quilt of leafy, green vines. It was built on a foundation of smooth and neatly arranged river stones. The round windows in the side had been painted in haste with varying colors and boarded over with scraps of wood. The large doors were locked. He knew Andy had to be in there and pounded on the door. There was no reply.

The hum inside was low, deep and insistent. Now that Ben was closer to the source he tried to recognize the noise. It sounded more like the deep drone of a large engine that had seized up and was slowly burning out its elements.

Ben was convinced that something had happened to Andy. Convinced he was in the barn and hurt or unconscious and would eventually be harmed by the contraption run amok inside.

Frantically he ran around the sides of the barn until he found a coarsely hewn board carelessly nailed over one of the windows close to the ground. He pulled it loose with a shriek of rusty nails and began to pry off the other boards. When he felt he had an opening he could squeeze through he broke the painted glass and called inside.

Andy? He asked quietly.

The only response was the deep, resonant hum.

What could that be he thought? It sounded monstrous. Not the sound of a seized motor, but a planned and well-tuned sound that possessed a power that made him pause at the window.

Andy! He shouted.

He got down on his knees and looked in through the window and saw the interior of the barn bathed in a cold, iridescent blue light. He turned his head and in the corner saw the source. A large circular crystal cylinder about twice as tall as a man and 30 paces in diameter sat on a smooth, glassy-metal circular stage.

What in hell is that? He wondered aloud.

Above it was what appeared to be thousands of small black nails pointed down towards a circular ceiling of polished metal. Connecting the nails was a profuse tangle of wires. Thousands of wires merging from the top, and slowly binding into a thick strand leading to enormous cables heading down into the ground.

The blue color effervesced from the glass cylinder from an unrecognizable source. It appeared to be a large crystal cage to hold a mammoth.

What has he done? Ben said under his breath.

Ben crawled through the narrow opening and as he met the floor, slowly approached the glowing blue cylinder. Before the cylinder was a console with multiple flat panels hooked up with an equal number of wires leading back and forth to various components.

The floor of the cylinder was the same shiny metal as the ceiling. They reflected each other like opposing mirrors and had deep, fire red sparkles shining deeply within their thick, curving sides. A small flat panel emanated a deep, green glow from the front of the cylinder.

This looks really interesting, Ben thought.

As he walked towards the center of the barn he gave a wide berth to the glowing blue cylinder. Ben sat down in an old, wooden kitchen chair in front of the flickering screens of the console and stared at the cold, blue light. He glanced around the barn. Andy wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Probably out in the fields catching butterflies.

As he sat at the console he was mesmerized by the deep, blue light. As he looked into the cylinder he could see two narrow, vertical slits about twice as wide as a man on opposing sides of the cylinder. Within the cylinder the blue light became an opaque haze.

He strained his eyes to see into the deep mist and jerked with a start from the sound of a heavy pounding filling the room. He stared at the cylinder wondering what it was going to do next and then heard the pounding again.

Someone was pounding on the door of the barn. Ben jumped up and opened the door as Andy burst into the barn with a crazed look in his eyes. What happened? He shouted at Ben.

Ben stood and stared. His brother was loaded down with a knapsack, a large straw hat upon his head, and two faded white canvas bags in his arms. A loaf of bread stuck out of the top of one of the bags.

Ben! Somebody broke a window! Was there somebody in here?"

I‘m in here Andy. I broke the window. Where were you?

I was looking for you. Out by the shed.

Good. We found each other, Ben said. Next question. What! Is this? Ben gestured towards the glowing blue cylinder.

Isn’t it beautiful? Andy said. I built it. It does something remarkable. It took me a while to figure it out but it actually lets you move forward in time. I’ll be the first to bring the message of the present to the future only it will be a message from the past.

What? Ben asked.

I call it the Time Stream. TS-1 for short. Andy said. Actually, it should be the TS-2. The first one was a smaller one I built a few cycles ago at work. I’ve been building this one with parts I took from the lab. Some of them I actually stole or… well I kind of took them. Isn’t it great?

It would make a great night light. Ben said. Now what’s this about stealing stuff?

It’s OK. Andy said. By the time they figure it out I’ll be gone.

Who? Gone where?

"The future. I’m going 8,128 cycles of the planet into the future. There’ll be flying ships everywhere, and incredible cities and cures for every disease and peace everywhere and everyone will be happy and I’ll show up with stories from the past. Stories of