The Post Office, Wu Fat and the Beast

By Empire Chronicler

This amazing dash through time and space brings the first ever reference to Wu Fat, the 24th century Emperor of the World, and most influential political philosopher in human history.
It is a time travel epic without bad guys, without car chases, and without battles.
It is a time travel epic that takes you on a journey that includes meeting a Neanderthal tribe, watching Christ in his Jewish temple, and visiting the inhabitants of the earth sized planet around our nearest star.
It is a time travel epic that describes how time travel works, how paradoxes don't exist, and how you step from one multiverse to another.
It is a time travel story that takes you through a white hole, and into the universe beyond.
It is a story that includes the first ever reference to the Trump virus.
And it is a time travel epic that introduces you to the Beast.
One of the most imaginative, and provocative, explorations of time and space and it will leave you thinking of the future that is to come.
Enjoy, if you dare.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Empire Chronicler
• Release date: Jun 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005542474

Book preview

THE POST OFFICE, WU FAT AND THE BEAST

Smashwords Edition

* * * * *

Published by The Empire Chronicler

ISBN :

The Post Office, Wu Fat and the Beast

Copyright 2020-1 by The Empire Chronicler

This work MAY NOT be distributed through any file sharing mechanism. Any copy of this work obtained in such a manner is an illegal copy.

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this work.

This is a work of fiction – none of the characters are real. Any resemblance to any person living or a current situation is mere coincidence.

CONTENTS

THE POST OFFICE

24th CENTURY

THE BEAST

EMPEROR WU FAT

ALIEN WORLDS

DINNER

NEANDERTHALS

MORNING

ALPHA

BLISS

ICE MOON

WORK

EARTH

FAREWELL

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

THE POST OFFICE, WU FAT AND THE BEAST

THE POST OFFICE

It was fifteen minutes before opening time at the central Post Office in the little seaside hamlet of Burnie on Tasmanian’s northwest coast. And it was a beautiful spring morning, the sun shining warmly and already 20 degrees Celsius, on the way to a high of 24. That was most unusual for this time of year. It did not get much better than this for the locals. Any hotter and they would have to worry about the roads melting. They didn’t it like it much over the mid 20’s Celsius. They were a sensitive mob.

The staff in the Post Office were busy attending to pre-opening tasks, fussing with shelves of merchandise, checking electronic systems were operating. It would be another normal day in their routine and normal existence. Or so they thought…

At precisely 8.49am there was a sudden flash of light in the middle of the room and where moments ago there had been nothing, there now stood a man, an elderly man, and he was wearing a rather astonishing and beautiful long, flowing golden coat.

The manager of the Post Office looked at his watch, looked at the man and shook his head.

Excuse me, Sir, but the Post Office is not open yet, you will have to wait outside, please. He gestured with his extended arm towards the door. And as the words came out of his mouth, he wondered how the man had actually found his way into the building. And the flash of light?

The old man was bent over and busy reading something in his hand. He paused, looked up and addressed the manager.

Oh, sorry to be a bother, but I am due to meet someone here in a few moments. He is expecting me and, well, we can’t disappoint people, can we? He smiled a very innocent and charming smile.

One of the female staff members stepped towards the old man. She looked at him, there was something quite odd about him. And his clothing was very unusual.

What the manager means is that we are not open yet, so you will have to wait for your friend outside.

The old man laughed.

Oh, yes, I understand you are not open yet, that is why I timed my arrival for just now. Perhaps you know the man I am waiting for?

He mentioned a name.

The woman reacted.

Oh, you mean the Writer? Oh, he rarely comes in here, I don’t have any reason to believe he will be here today.

The old man smiled again. That’s, ok, I know he will be here this morning. We have a sort of appointment. You see, I am a Time Traveller, and he is going to help with some works for me and publish them in this century. He looked down at his gizmo again.

The woman frowned. This was NOT the usual start to her day.

You say you are a Time Traveller?

The old man looked at her.

My apologies. My name is Wu Fat and I am a famous Time Traveller from the 24th century. Indeed, I am the Emperor of the Whole World in the 24th century. It is my pleasure to meet you. Wu Fat bowed towards the woman, who blushed.

It was all too much for the manager.

Now listen here, Mr Fat, you can not be in here before opening time, regardless of whose Empire you are in charge of. I will have to ask you to leave.

The old man frowned; bureaucrats were universal in their ability to be idiotic. He looked at his device again.

It would appear that you do not believe that I am a Time Traveller. Would you like me to prove it?

He looked at the young woman.

Would you like to come with me to the 24th century for a few moments, just until my friend arrives here? I guarantee your safety and we will be back before the shop opens. Then you will know I am not lying, or some kind of raving fool! He smiled again.

The woman could not believe what she was hearing.

Before any of the staff could react further, Wu Fat flung off his garment to reveal a totally naked body.

The young woman gasped. He might be an old man, but she was looking at the most perfectly amazing male body she had ever seen.

He held the coat out to the manager.

Here, keep this while we are away. It is more valuable than anything, presently in this time, on this planet.

The manager couldn’t believe it. Now listen here. This is unacceptable, you cannot stand here naked.

Wu Fat looked at the manager, then looked at the young woman and held out his hand.

Come with me, young lady, come with me to the 24th century. We will return in a moment and I guarantee your safety. You have the word of the Emperor Wu Fat.

The woman trembled. This was all so far out of her routine, and clearly not covered by any procedural document. She shook with fear and uncertainty, whilst her mind raced with a thousand thoughts, and fantasies. Everything in her being told her not to go with the man. It was also against social distancing rules and yet…

She closed her eyes and held out her hand to the man.

There was an explosion of light in her head and then…

24th CENTURY

She suddenly felt warmth on her face and light around her.

She opened her eyes slowly. And then felt very, very sick. She bent over and threw up on the floor. She felt terrible, her head spinning, her stomach cramping. How was this happening? Where was she? What had he done to her?

It took some time, but slowly she recovered, and tried to stand up. The old man helped her.

So, so sorry for that. Oh god, I felt so sick suddenly.

My apologies, madam, I forgot to warn you. Here, I am going to give you something so that the effects of time travel don’t harm you next time.

Before she could say anything, the man had touched her forehead and she felt a warm flush over her body, and then felt great. If not a little embarrassed.

Slowly she got her act together and stood up to look around her.

Oh, my fucking god! she exclaimed, again feeling very unbalanced. Where are we? Are we in the clouds?

Wu Fat smiled.

Yes, welcome to my palace. We are, at the moment, floating amongst the clouds over the Pacific Ocean. Don’t worry about how. There are many things here in the 24th century that you will not understand, the technology is a bit ahead of your time. You see, it’s all a bit complicated.

She nodded slowly. The 24th century? Really? The guy wasn’t some old fool? And yet, there was nobody else here. Maybe it was all a con job even though it all looked so real, especially the ocean below them.

You said it is your palace? But where are the other people?

Ah, excellent perception! Now, before we start your little tour of my empire, we need to make you aware of a few historical facts. Here, sit down. He seemed to produce a seat from thin air. She sat as directed. She needed information and she figured the best way was to sit down and listen.

Are you hungry or thirsty? She nodded slowly.

That’s fine, just ask if you are. Although I must warn you that the food here in this time is very different to your food and there are things we don’t eat because the plants or animals asked us not to.

She shook her head. Plants asking not to be eaten? This was all too much for her.

Um, I think I have to get back to work now, don’t I?

Wu Fat laughed.

No, whilst you are here with me time back in your hometown is not moving. You could spend years here and return back to work just before the Post Office opens on that day.

She frowned; it was all so hard to get her head around. The 21st century was hard enough, but this was so…it was beyond anything she had ever imagined.

Wu Fat took a seat.

Well, let me tell you a story, as quickly as I can, so that you are aware of where we are, how it became so, and what we are going to do. I promise not to bore you but if you have any questions, just ask.