Nevermore

By Scott C. Anderson

This is a science fiction story about time.
In 2081, Jon Cranston is the Daily Operations Director for the Nevermore laboratory. The accidental discovery of time travel has been perfected and, at this time, temporal travel is commonplace. Observation platforms are in use, affording no interaction with historical events.
For Tom Rutgers, this situation is simply not good enough. Arrogant and anxious, Tom has decided to become an active member in history.
To correct a change in the timeline, Jon Cranston will have to work between the sinking of the Titanic, a filming of the I Love Lucy Show, and finish at the first moonwalk. Jon will have help along the way, which will change the life of a man in history, to a man of a new future.
Written for all age groups.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Jan 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781329831971

Book preview

Nevermore

Nevermore

By Scott C. Anderson

This is a book of fiction. Characters, places, names, theories, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to persons, alive or dead, along with their events or locations is purely coincidental.

Disclaimer:  These stories are written in a conversational style.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the publisher.

Third Edition

© 2016 by Scott C. Anderson. All rights reserved.

ISBN 978-1-329-83197-1

[e-mail]

Chapter 1

Sometimes you win.

The summer of 2081

Jon Cranston glanced at the slightly older couple in the car next to his.  The stoplight had changed to red.  Both autonomous vehicles sat side-by-side, waiting as pedestrians walked and talked in the crosswalk.  Sitting in the morning sun, this was just another Tuesday in a four-day workweek.

Knowing the couple wouldn’t look in his direction, Jon still admired the wheeled Packard silently idling beside him.  Floating a comfortable nine and a half inches above the roadway, Jon’s newer model Packard effortlessly drifted within the negative-gravity confines set by the positioning systems of the new car. 

They’re never going to look. Jon spoke softly in a disappointed tone.  Looking around, he again noticed that a large segment of the population was having a difficult time adjusting to new technology.  Well, someday. 

As the light changed, the wheeled Packard pulled ahead of the newer version.  Jon then looked down the boulevard towards his office.  Jon’s autonomous car pulled from the stoplight at a predicable speed.  Jon resigned himself to his detailed observations as he searched for a few handwritten notes.  The Packard completed the left-hand turn into the parking garage of his building.  His reserved parking space on the second level suited Jon, as his office was a short walk from the courtyard entrance to the laboratory. 

The Nevermore corporate offices sat next to the main laboratory complex.  As the Director of Daily Operations, Jon was updated with Immediate Need access to all operational events. 

The laboratory and process began as a band-aid company, which addressed the methods created by Dr. Alfred Stein, Ph.D.  The man whose variation on Alfred’s name may have created theories based on time and space, but it was Alfred Stein who created a process to move through the time and space anomalies. 

The Stein Process originally began by accident.  Initial research centered on developing a process for clear or transparent plating.  The intended result was for a stronger and lighter form of glass.  Through trial and error, Alfred’s research created a process that allowed movement through time and space.  The final development created an accurate process to blend the two into a pinpoint transmission and return system. 

This success came during the summer of 2061, a time when the world was still considered in its infancy.  Alfred’s initial experiments created quite a buzz in the scientific world and changed his life forever.  The 2062 Noble Peace Prize was unanimously awarded to Alfred, who graciously named each team member involved in the discovery. 

Mrs. Julia Stein, Alfred’s wife of 22 years, slowly grew accustomed to the media attention encroaching on their every movement.  She found ways to accept the intrusion and used her customary positive outlook to make life manageable.

On March 4, 2081, just before 8:00 a.m., Jon Cranston walked across the second level courtyard and took in the warm California sun with his usual optimism.  Jon’s reflection in the mirrored glass wall showed the young man of 38 to be old beyond his years. 

Time hasn’t been kind to me either.  Jon’s words were for no one in particular and drifted away in the slight breeze. 

As Jon reached for the main door handle, the door popped open.  Good morning Mr. Cranston.  Officer Larry Garner, one of the largest security officers in the small Nevermore security force, always surprised the director. 

Good morning Officer Garner.  Jon’s broad smile was sincere as the big security man had proven himself time and again.  Is everything quiet? 

Quiet so far, but it’s still early.  Big yet graceful at two hundred and seventy-two pounds of muscle, Larry moved out of the way so that the director could fit through the door. 

The second-level lobby, by anyone’s opinion, was small but well appointed.  Modern office furniture and plants surrounded the small security desk and waiting area.  Hushed conversations could be heard over cubicle walls and through open office doors.  This area did not invoke the presence of high security, which was misleading to the casual observer.  Jon’s office was literally the entire southeast corner of the second level, complete with his single desk, two swivel chairs, and two very comfortable couches.  Jon’s personal assistant, Maria Duran, had literally been with him since his start some six years ago.  The woman was all business, with a dry sense of humor that entertained the director.

Good morning Maria.  Good weekend?

Excellent, wonderful.  How was yours?

Can’t complain.  Has the McNeese party checked in?

They are ready and waiting.  Did you want to go down?  Maria always referred to the laboratory and its waiting room as down.  Maria routinely scheduled Jon’s talk with the newest travelers for 8:30 a.m., giving the director time to settle in and see if anything was going on in the office.  This morning held no surprises as Maria handed Jon a schedule for the day.

Guess I can be a few minutes early.  Jon noticed that Maria looked a little concerned.

There’s been another Rutgers sighting.  Maria was talking about a time stalker, someone who wanted to crash the process.

Anything to worry about?  Jon knew the young woman would give an honest opinion.

Just a sighting last Friday at a little after 10 p.m.  Nothing other than that.

Well, let me know if anything else appears.  Jon would have been more alarmed if Larry had said something as he walked in.  But, since one sighting does not make a panic, Jon picked up his bio notes on the McNeese party and headed down to the lab.

Bill and Lily, Mr. and Mrs. McNeese, sat quietly as Timothy Martin paced the floor in front of them.  Timothy was one of Jon’s best production assistants.  The well-dressed young couple in 1950’s period clothing sat quietly and waited for the pacing to stop.  Jon opened a side door to the sparsely furnished room and walked to greet Timothy.  Shaking the young man’s hand, Timothy stopped his pacing and quieted.

Good morning Mr. and Mrs. McNeese.  Jon extended his hand and noticed that the young couple was visibly relieved.

Morning Mr. Cranston.  Looks like today’s the day.  Bill McNeese was understandably nervous and held his excitement.

Good morning Mr. Cranston.  Lily McNeese was more composed and ready for her trip.

Calmly, Jon said, We’re going to talk again about some of our precautions.  You’ve heard this before but I want to make sure you understand.

Bill and Lily both nodded as they understood the severity of their actions.

Jon lifted himself onto a nearby table and sat with his hands clasping the edge.  Timothy sat next to Jon.  He had heard the presentations before, but never tired of listening to Jon’s descriptions.  Jon started, "Today is the taping of number one hundred and fourteen of the I Love Lucy series, the one with William Holden.  You will be sitting in a cloaked observation structure we have built into the far wall of the studio.  No one at Desilu is aware that this observation structure exists.

You will arrive several minutes before the audience is allowed in.  This way you can watch the people you will hear on the audio recordings of the show.  Our Dolores Reyes will greet you on the structure and make sure you’re comfortable.  If you have any questions during the filming, look for Dolores, she’s wonderful. 

A studio crewmember will begin speaking as the crowd quiets down and directs your attention to the crew on the stage.  Desi Arnaz will be very visible as the cameras are set-up for the final run through." 

Jon’s practiced speech had been repeated eleven times so far without a hitch.  Bill and Lily gave the director their full attention as they still couldn’t believe this was possible.

Jon?  Bill used the director’s first name, something Jon had requested earlier.  I still can’t believe this is going to happen.

Jon’s broad smile expressed his all-knowing and confident air.  We’ve been through this eleven times so far and everyone comes back changed.  It is one of the craziest ideas, but still the most popular.

Lilly spoke for the first time.  We could have done so many other things, but this is something we both dreamed of and really wanted.

Well, keep that thought.  Jon’s tone then turned serious.  Remember you have the ability to change history.  And, you have the ability to enjoy history.  Please keep that respect for historical events intact, and you’ll come through this with a once in a lifetime experience.

Jon then changed his focus to the business side of the event.  Now, we are going to the lab and meet with Dr. David Sanborn.  Dr. Sanborn will monitor your time and progress, and ensure that you come home safely.  Terri Banes, his assistant, is wonderful and she will assist you and the doctor.  Your day will last about six and a half hours, but in our time, you will be gone for almost three minutes.  Jon kept his conversation light and then stood, prompting the couple and Timothy Martin to stand.

Let’s see what the past looks like.  Jon walked with the couple as they all exited through the side door.  With the McNeeses in tow, Jon headed for the nearest elevator. 

The lab covered the entire 4th basement level along with half of the 3rd basement level.  As the elevator doors opened, Dr. Sanborn checked and rechecked his three viewscreen displays, confident that all was well.  To the left of the doctor stood a circular ring made of polished copper.  The circle could easily fit three people and gave no hint as to its purpose. 

Dr. David Sanborn, Ph.D. was in his mid-forties but looked much younger.  His simple confidence would relieve the fears of any traveler.  He relied heavily on Terri to bridge the social conventions he found difficult to navigate.  Terri was more than an assistant, she ran the structure of the program.  As per his custom, he stood in the back and let Terri do the talking.

Terri greeted the group with practiced ease.  Jon, Timothy, Bill, Lilly, my name is Terri and I’ll be assisting Dr. Sanborn with the connection and retrieval.  You’ve seen the video of what to expect when you arrive and, believe me, it doesn’t make up for the amount of effort it takes to make all this happen.  The young woman’s confidence eased the young couple as they held hands.  You are both going to be fitted with recording devices.  Terri then snapped an innocent looking brooch to Lily’s dress, and then slipped a ball point pen into Bill’s shirt pocket.  These recorders can work up to one week without a charge; more than enough for this trip.

Over the weekend, during the two-day trip prep, both Bill and Lily listened intently as instructions, explanations, and expectations were presented and discussed.  Time travel was still a new and serious exercise, which should be taken seriously and with all the preparation possible.  This once in a lifetime experience had been opened two and a half years ago as researchers descended upon Nevermore, demanding the sharing of technology that would certainly change the world.

Jon may not have been uniquely qualified to fill the position of Director of Daily Operations.  It was his experience dealing with people in difficult customer service settings that gave him the knowledge that was impossible to learn without direct contact with the public.  Luckily, no matter how many times he watched customer interactions, Jon found the whole processes amazing.  He glanced at the McNeese’s and saw the