Uneasy Lies the Head - A Time Travel Story

By Doug Fowler

Joe learns time travel, while feasible, is also quite rude when he sends his mind back in time to Louis XIV, as he becomes absolute monarch in 1661. Louis can't believe what this brash fellow from nearly 500 years in the future is doing. Joe makes a number of flubs, infuriating nobles and nearly igniting a number of revolts as he tries to make the world better. When the pope calls him on the carpet he must flee for his life after what he says. The advances he introduces change the world, but he ends up creating a much different history than he knows, and must determine how France should respond to a number of events in Europe. Finally, he must decide whether to go back to his own history and a body dying without its brain and soul, or to stay in that past which he has created. Indeed, he wonders if he can be pulled back. Will Joe make it? What kind of alternate world will he create - and can he make it a lasting change?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jun 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781387053032

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Uneasy Lies the Head - A Time Travel Story

Uneasy Lies the Head That Wears a Crown

by

Doug Fowler

Acknowledgements

Thanks to my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who has given me the ability to create, and to my wonderful family.

Thanks to Sander Olson, my great college friend who encouraged me to write this time travel book - as well as other alternate histories I’ve done - after we’ve spent many hours discussing what-ifs over the years. I’ve done others: If Baseball Integrated Early universe with that book 90% baseball, 10% American history, Brotherhood and Baseball reversing those two, and Not By might, But By Right, a World War Two one where Willkie wins in 1940 when FDR doesn’t run, leading to a  similar yet different World War Two and postwar situation.

Thanks also to others who helped on alternatehistory.com with what my time traveler should introduce..

This book portrays historical figures in an alternate universe. It does not represent actual history, and should not be taken as such. It is a record of what could have happened in the world created by the time traveler, with emphasis on the differences.

Copyright © 2017 by Doug Fowler

ISBN: 978-1-387-05303-2

Chapter One: Absolutely the Monarch

Time travel, while feasible, could be extremely rude, Richard Sluman muttered behind the podium. His listeners chuckled. I’m sorry. I do tend to talk to myself. Oh, well, as long as I don’t start arguing with myself, right?

As the laughter intensified, a graduate student raised her hand. From what you say, Professor, it would appear that the traveler was doing just that.

It wouldn’t look that way to an outsider, Sluman explained politely. Anyway, back to my point. While sending a body backward would be quite difficult, given the wormhole size and the problem of weight, a mind could travel this way – it would just need to share someone else’s body, the lead scientist stated as a bearded gentleman stood up from a seat behind and to the right of the speaker. We have now mapped the brain to such an extent it can be done. Dr. Chen?

As Dr. Chen explained, Joe Forsythe sat spellbound in the crowd of graduate students on hand to hear this startling lecture. This was something he could volunteer for – a chance to have all the power that he could ever want to change the world. He just had to travel to the right place and person.

…So, of course, given such limitations, it is easier to send someone back – if we wanted – to ‘share’ a body, the doctor related. While the ‘ten percent myth’ has been debunked, and we know that the entire brain is used over a full day, at rest or while thinking, only ten percent might be used at one time, hence allowing the mind to enter into the other’s brain. In addition, people with brain injuries have lost part of their brains and compensated. Therefore, it would be possible to ‘share’ this space, for lack of a better term….

Joe stopped taking notes and looked at the biographies of the lecturers. He snickered as he gazed upon the year 1991. He recalled joking with friends about how one would see 1661 looking at it upside-down. Going from the class of 1991 to the class of 1661 would be a huge adventure.

He especially saw this as fun because he recalled from a history course – an optional one he’d taken as part of his history requirement – that Louis XIV had begun to reign as an absolute monarch in that year. It wasn’t the class of 1661, but it was when Louis had begun to be his most powerful.

Yes, Joe told himself, I know – power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. I won’t let that happen. I’ll probably have the guy butting into my thoughts to keep me humble. Truth be told, he really wanted to change the world, but to do so, he knew he had to have some power. Why not all the power in one nation?

…Not only would the traveler only need to control that first person’s limbs, and not his or her own, the doctor answered another student, but language acquisition wouldn’t be needed since the former person’s knowledge of a language would be there – although, of course, it would help if the traveler had knowledge of the language, too. Over time, the traveler would risk losing memory of how to use his or her own language if not careful to retain it. Same with memories of technology and other things from his or her own life. It might only be one way for now, we are still experimenting…

Joe harrumphed. What did he care if it was only one way? Who cared if there was a new universe created, if time just zig-zagged back and forth after the travel, or what? He wanted to get at that machine.

He realized that first he’d better make sure of some history. After all, he would have the king’s knowledge of his own life to that point, but not of what lay ahead in the future for the king. If he became Louis XIV in 1661, he could alter so much history, it boggled his mind.

Of course, it also kept him from considering a number of other variables, but that didn’t matter to Joe right then.

The talk had captivated him. The visits to the library had frustrated him.

A librarian spotted him near the copier and whispered, Is something the matter? in a kind voice.

If I could take a book back 400 years, technically it wouldn’t be overdue for 400 years, right?

She expelled a gust of air that showed her mirth over the idea. Sir, I’m sure it won’t take you that long to understand it, she told him.

He admired her nonchalant attitude; that had been a very odd question. However, truth be told, he wished he could take the book. As he read, he realized that the vast majority of inventions he wanted to point scientists toward would be infeasible for many decades. For example, they needed electricity before they could have phonographs or movies. And, a specific chemical process was needed for photography.

You’re right; I’ve just never been a technical person, Joe said as he kept making copies of some of the simple diagrams that he’d have to memorize, acting like a student of that subject.

There were three things he could do easily. One was medicine, including germ theory and pasteurization. Another was the agricultural revolution when it came to crop rotation, better equipment, and so on; that would be necessary to feed the larger population. The third was, much to his surprise, the Bessemer process for making steel.

Can I help you with anything in particular?

Some items on the British Agricultural Revolution, and also crops such as peas and peanuts that can enrich soil, he said, already in memorization mode. He wanted to have everything in his mind so when he arrived, he could write it all down. He could save some of the minor details for later, but some of this would be vital for the growth of France; not to mention the abundance of labor that would allow him to end slavery.

Joe grinned. He had so many ideas. Maybe it was best if many of these other ideas were developed by private people and industry, rather than the state. He had ideas there, too, as far as developing the economy, promoting modern banking, and allowing peasants to rise up even more than the guilds of the 1600s by having their own farms, businesses, etc.. He could create a booming economy.

Still, he wanted to put his stamp on things, rather than rely on others. In a way, he was already thinking like Louis XIV.

Joe rubbed his hands together a couple weeks later.

You gonna be okay there, Joe? another graduate asked.

Yeah, we’ll lock up, Joe promised as he glanced up from what appeared to a casual observer to be notes for an experiment. In reality, they were pieces of last minute information he was poring over about 17th century France.

Okay have a good evening, the other student said.

Joe’s friend Ronald Byars smiled. It worked last time.

Yep – I went back to a week before Mazarin’s death. I only stayed a short time, but we know it works.

I was able to bring you back pretty fast – just a minute passed here at the Institute.

Joe recalled that he’d been in 1661 for several hours, but the pullback was mostly instantaneous, the machine had just had to warm up again. It was mostly observational – although it could have been more if I’d had to do it.

Yeah, but it’s a good thing you came back to get more info. This is going to take a lot of preparation, Ronald reminded him. He knew Joe could be impulsive.

I’m just concerned that you might not be able to put my body in cold storage. We don’t know quite what the proportions are going to be if I stay several years, Joe said evenly.

All taken care of – it’ll be put in cryogenic storage if needed, and then I’ll know when I’m returning your brain to get it out after having observed what the alternate reality you created looks like, Ronald said with a laugh. Man, that sounds kind of crazy, but it is accurate.

Ronald grinned. Always an introvert – the kind some speculated was on the autism spectrum but who seemed way too high functioning to even have Asperger’s Syndrome – he could probably convince his friends and family he’d be gone for a while, or just really focused on the experiments being run with the infant time machine technology. Still, it took someone like Joe to attempt this.

An only child, Joe’s parents were always busy with other pursuits; they had gone to India recently while he’d been home on break. His grandparents were deceased, and his friends were all married now - with some even having children. Joe, on the other hand, didn’t even have a girlfriend.

As he adjusted some dials, Ronald asked, Do you have everything memorized?

I hope so; some stuff’ll still come to me as I’m getting used to not being in the 21st century. I know the basics that we discussed, but frankly, I think hearing about slavery will remind me of what we want to do about that. He passed Ronald a very understanding look.

I appreciate it, man, Ronald said with a smile. He found it hard to express what all went through his mind when it came to trying to prevent that.

"It’s not as prevalent yet in the English colonies. It was interesting to read that one Internet alternate history board. We’ll see if what they predict is accurate,’ Joe said with a laugh.

Bacon’s Rebellion?

Yeah, that thread. Hopefully the British Agricultural Revolution – which will be French in this history – will mean more people for our lands, too. We can claim the Lower South, get the Five Civilized Tribes on our side… he inhaled deeply. Okay, I need to stop this. He could tell he was trying to think of too many things at once.

Ronald thanked Joe as the soon-to-be time traveler gazed at his nots once more. I really am glad you’re going to try to stop the English colonies from doing it too much. As for the Spanish and their colonies…

Spain has a world of issues, Joe said absently as he gazed over his notes once more, making sure he had everything ready in his brain he needed.

All set? Ronald asked once Joe put down his papers.

I sure am. Joe snickered. I guess, in a way, families weren’t close-knit back in 1661in the way we think of them, were they? he found himself musing aloud.

No, but you’ve got a chance to make a lot of things right. You said the queen loves the king.

Oh, yeah, she was wild about Louis at first sight; only problem was his lack of inhibitions. I’m glad I had the chance to observe first; it’ll help me have even more of an idea of what to watch out for, Joe informed his friend.

"Okay, good luck,’ Ronald said as he adjusted the cap on Joe’s head – it looked like an upside-down wok to a casual observer, one with lots of dials – and closed the door to the time machine, which looked akin to a phone booth, They even jokingly called it the Tardis. Ronald then ensured that the proper point in time and place was set.

Well, this is it. I could live for a few years or even decades as Louis XIV till they bring me back.  It’s not scary – it’s just like traveling any of the three dimensions most people are familiar with, he reminded himself.

As he felt the vibrations going through his brain, his mind drifted to a time when he was nine. His friend Harry had been so nice. Harry’s family was the kind he’d wanted – so close and caring. He’d finally given in and gone to church with them and heard about salvation. And, he’d made a heart and mind decision to trust Jesus Christ as his personal Saviouir. He supposed it was the Holy Spirit he’d heard about telling him something – that his soul was going back, too, that God would keep him from falling. He was thankful for that but glad that stopping wasn’t part of it. I want to make the word better, he rationalized. I was born now, but maybe it was so I could go back, make a clean slate. It’s not like I’m killing myself – I’ll be alive back then.

He waited calmly as the seconds ticked down. All at once, bright lights exploded in what looked like an enormous fireworks display. He could feel himself moving along the designated route, yet he couldn’t quite make out what was along this temporal road. It was he ascertained, just like a road in the normal three dimentions; it’s just that traveling the fourth was a lot trickier and would involve a lot more danger..

All at once, everything went black. Then, before he knew it, he was waking up…

…in the body of King Louis XIV of France. He had succeeded. But, in his mind’s early morning fog, he found himself wondering, Now what?

Joe rose quickly, so his mind, and not the king’s, would start to gain control of all his extremities – that doctor had said something about neural connections needing to be made quickly, one reason why it was good to arrive at night, when much of the brain was not being used. Louis’ control over his own limbs would gradually disappear, it was hoped; the earlier experiment had witnessed the start of such a process.

As he stood and gazed at his surroundings, he was stunned. However, why wasn’t the Queen there, too? What he sure Ronald had dialed the right time?

That’s right, they don’t sleep together except to try to have a kid. Good thing – I’d feel funny doing it unless I was married – that is, me personally, not Louis. Boy, this is going to be strange grammatically.

A servant had heard him rise and stepped into the room. Joe would need to search the king’s memory for the man’s name, but that didn’t matter right now. A pen, I need a quill pen and paper, he cried out. I mean parchment! Something to write on!

Who? What?

He’d clearly gotten the jump on Louis XIV. The part of the brain controlled by Louis yet was just now getting oriented and realizing he wasn’t dreaming. Bring them at once! Joe shouted again as Louis felt as if he was in a fog.

Your Majesty, they are being gathered immediately, a guard spoke. Our apologies, Your Majesty, it is earlier than you normally rise. Joe’s understanding of French and his speech were both flawless, as theorized, because of the king’s brain but also his own knowledge of French.

I have had a vision; I will want a quill pen and ink by my bedside from now on, and a secret safe placed in my bedchamber that only I will be allowed to access. I must write everything I know… that I saw, he stammered slightly. He would write everything he recalled from his former life while he had it, including all the scientific things he could. With quite a few things to put down, he would jot things down to jog his memory over the next few days.

Understood, Sire. Is this vision from the Lord? the guard inquired with genuine concern and curiosity.

It is; a vision of the future and how it might be changed to be the best for the glory of France… thank you, Joe said happily as the items were brought to him. I want all parchment that is available placed in the safe, or on a table, that I might take from. My inkwell is to always be full. I have seen the future, and some things must change immediately, Joe finished.

The bringer of the items bowed. As you wish, Sire. I shall ensure that it is done. He took a candle from someone else and walked into the bedchamber, placing it on a table. Sire, it is approximately an hour until you would normally rise, shall I presume that you do not wish to be disturbed till then?

You are correct, now leave me be, Joe insisted. He quickly began to write.

This is most peculiar, a thought arrived slowly as Louis decided once and for all he was awake. I do not understand much of this. And yet, it appears I am not dreaming.

That’s because I now control it.

Are you of the Lord? Or of the devil?

Well, if I said I’m from over 350 years in the future you’ll think I’ve flipped – or maybe that you’ve flipped, though I’m really you now. So, I’ll just say the Lord.

Joe could tell there was part of him – the king’s part – trying to make sense of everything after the thoughts he’d had days earlier – when Joe had visited for a time. They had been thoughts of trying to understand his surroundings and determine how to act, which had been odd because the king had known he was all there. Or, had thought he was.

Joe kept pushing such thoughts back so he could write. Colbert must be finance minister, but I shall still be absolute monarch, he will simply advise.

At least that makes sense, I didn’t realize Fouquet was that corrupt but I had my suspicions, and Colbert is a fine man, Louis considered as Joe read over what he’d written. And, to take over Fouquet’s Vaux-le-Vicomte is feasible.

The king was still trying to process the items related to equality and so on. In a way, they were so foreign – as were the scientific drawings – that it still felt to Louis XIV as if he were having a lucid dream, the type where things are off because of a violation of all know physical laws, such as a deceased loved one being alive. Normally, he only realized afterward that it was a dream. Either this was a very lucid dream, or something very strange was happening.

The king tried to make sense of it as Joe wrote. I know of Colbert, but who is this Newton?

Isaac Newton is a great scientist, I shall be collecting a number of great scientists for an academy which will rival any collection the world has seen. Well, that is, you will, Joe said, now choosing to have actual conversations with the monarch. You wanted to have something to match the Royal Academy in London, correct?

Well, yes, that is true.

So, I am increasing your prestige from what it would have been, because I know of these people. Just as the Spanish Netherlands shall be France’s, because I know when the right time is to attack so other countries in Europe don’t deny us a part of it; we shall reach an agreement with the Dutch to split it and take the Catholic regions.

Again, that makes sense… this just feels so strange, the king related. He relaxed, however, knowing that this… well, spirit seemed to have his honor in mind.

Still something seems quite off about this. And yet, I lack the power to do anything. So, perhaps it is a dream after all, just a long lasting one, Louis XIV pondered.

It is the appointed time for you to rise, Sire, an attendant informed him.

Joe smiled, satisfied. Splendid. He placed the parchment into the safe and locked it. I want to meet with Colbert today. I know that I have announced I will reign without a chief minister, but he will still be excellent handling the treasury, Joe insisted.

He was happy that the attendants didn’t