Time Is Lost: Time Is, #5

By David Booker

Time Is Lost - The Guild of Travelers is off again on their adventures through time. Don sets up a visit to The Lighthouse of Alexandria, Mars and the beginning of Humans are revisited.Lon decides to introduce his friend to the Time Machine. When they get lost and cant be located it's all hands on deck and boots on the ground to try and retrieve them. New trips and revisiting old friends make for plenty of adventures. Danger is just around the corner when everyone disperses on trips in time and space only to have Fred the time machine destroyed by a bolt of lightning! It's up to Donald and Zeke to try and rebuild it and bring everyone home. A difficult task since the Log Books and all of the instructions they have labored over are also destroyed. How will they get everybody back? Open the cover and begin read.

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Booker
• Release date: Jul 24, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223937098

David Booker

David Booker is an author who wiill try his hand at numerous styles. Short stories, mysteries, humor, horror, time travel and rants he enjoys a constant challenge. With a seven book series under the Time Is banner to A Glimpse of My Shorts and Another Glimpse he churns out books regularly. 

Book preview

DAVID BOOKER

This book is a work of Fiction.

Names, characters, places, and incidents are either created by the author or fabricated. Any resemblance to actual events, locations or persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2021 by David Booker

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book either in entirety or any portion thereof, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews without written permission in writing from its publisher.

For information or request address

David Booker

[e-mail]

timeiswaswillbe.wordpress.com

DEDICATED TO

The USAF

My home and family for 24 years

A NEW BEGINNING

I watched the sun rise glowing red and gold. I thought, a new day, a new beginning.

Lawrence Harwell, Red and Gold

Honey sat on the porch swing sipping a cup of tea and reading. A passing owl caught her eye. As she followed its flight towards the village, she watched it circle over the small wheat field until with a swift change, it dived into the field reappearing with a mouse in its talon. She watched it settle in the crook of the apple tree and begin its lunch. She raised her cup to the owl, Feast hearty my friend and enjoy your spoils!

Attempting to return to her book her eyes took in the expanse of village at the far portion of their property. It was a recreation of the original that had been destroyed in 1782. It had grown again. Fifteen new cabins now stood where the original wheat field had been. Now the field was across the street, but a small patch remained in the original location as a link to the past. The new cabins were indistinguishable from the originals having been built by Justin Thyme’s construction group. They always had a party once construction was finished. Justin and his team enjoyed working there and the parties were so much fun he was continually calling to suggest new builds. If the village kept getting bigger, the kitchen would have to be expanded next so he might just get his wish.

From where she sat, she could see at least fifty five people milling around the village workshops and the animal enclosures. Some were working and some being instructed and others just enjoying a little off time. Tomorrow she would demonstrate weaving and sell some blankets and jewelry she made for the general store. Today Don was at the Blacksmiths demonstrating shoeing and letting people try to make nails. He was never happier then when he was teaching or making something there. She could just make out Francis and Wilf wandering around and talking to all the guests who paid to spend a couple of weeks to a month living life as it was in the late 1700’s. With enough specialists they were able to take it easy and enjoy running the show and visiting with the guests. Some guests would come back year after year bringing friends and were their best advertisers.

Donald and Zeke were both on the same horse riding back from the village farm. They were the animal specialists and instructed on the different ways horses were used and the specific types of cattle and sheep they had and why. Donald was taking classes in animal husbandry and fast becoming expert. Zeke was taking classes on construction of animal enclosures with an eye towards improving the stables, sties, and the outbuildings.

She followed them with her eyes into the barn and after a while she could hear Zeke crying to be rescued and the creak of the rope as Donald swung to gather her to him. They swung from end to end, she laughed as she heard the soft thump of them dropping into the pile of hay by the corner roaring with laughter. It was a game they had played as children and every now and then they would do the things they had done long ago to keep their youthful spark alive.

They came strolling out of the barn with their arms around each other. They still were in the honeymoon phase of their marriage. In fact, they had cut their honeymoon short when they had heard Honey had broken her leg. They walked up onto the porch and sat down on either side of Honey picking up a cup of tea and some muffins off the table in front of them.

Zeke scooted down onto the floor and took a handful of markers from the table drawer. Skillfully she continued the drawing of the village she had started on Honeys leg cast. When it finally came off Honey had said she would mount the cast and drawing in the porch above the picture window. Seeing an opportunity Zeke changed tact and started drawing smiley faces on Honey’s toes. When she got to the little toe Honey broke into a fit of laughter.

I love to see you laugh mom Zeke said looking up. Donald put his arm around his mother’s shoulders and gave her a hug. Me too, in a way I’m glad you broke your leg. It’s rare you just sit and relax. She took their hands and squeezed, You two need to stop checking on me so often. This darn thing, she knocked on the cast, comes off tomorrow and I can get back to work again. They sat, talked and colored as day changed to evening. Donald and Zeke went inside to fix dinner and set the table.

Don cleaned up the blacksmith shop and made his way over the green turf towards home walking briskly in the cool evening air. Seeing no one on the porch he burst through the kitchen door. Inhaling deeply, he dramatically staggered into the dining room. Grasping the lintel, he leaned heavily into the room. Help, I’m weak from hunger! He flopped down onto the floor and crawled to the nearest chair. Climbing up he sat and laid his napkin carefully in his lap. His eyes grew wide as he saw the pot roast, carrots and potatoes, greens and biscuits.

Sniffing at the delicious scents he remarked, Honey, I think you’ve got some serious competition here. Zeke, you really have become as good a cook as Francis and Honey. Zeke laughed long and hard at Don’s compliments. Don happened to look over and saw the look of consternation on his son’s face. "Let me guess, you were head chef for tonight. His son nodded with arms crossed and a glower on his face that made Zeke laugh even harder. Damn it, that’s the last time I cook round here!"

Honey limped over and hugged her son tickling him on his side until his good humor was restored. Darn it mom, I was all set for a grouch session. Honey smiled Sorry Donald not allowed, and you know it. Don scooped up the rest of his gravy with a biscuit and leaned back his hands resting on his paunch.

What’s tonight’s adventure? he asked, suddenly leaning on the table his eyes intent. Donald pulled out a notebook from his shirt pocket and flipped through to find his notes from the last meeting. That’s pretty much what we’re going to discuss tonight. The plan is to look over previous time trips and see if there is somewhen we want to revisit or anything we need to complete our research on. I kind of think we may go back to Mars and see how it developed after the skirmishes. The battles were pretty gruesome, so we weren’t too keen on going back.

He flipped the pages to ones that listed his own desires, Personally, I want to visit the Neanderthals again. It’s been a long time since we last kept an eye on their development. Zeke put down her fork and wiped her lips, Remember the one we named Gordon? He was going to smoke the meat and began rubbing different leaves and berries into it. Sort of a primitive Gordon Ramsey, boy he got upset when you snuck in and cut off a chunk. Donald rubbed his shoulder at the memory. Yeah, he threw just about anything he could at me, but I tell you it was worth it. He was really onto something. Don started clearing the table and gently nudged Honey back in her seat as he passed her.

In the kitchen she could hear him washing dishes. He was singing in a shaky baritone one of the songs he had learned in his many trips through time. Honey dashed clumsily into the front room and sat at the piano to accompany him. Donald and Zeke left to the Lab to start the meeting. Changing songs as the mood led them, she was on the second chorus to Shenandoah when Don came in wiping his hands still singing. She played the final chord and listened as Don held the final note for a remarkably long time. Tennessee Ernie Ford did it better but not by much. She remarked.

Don picked her up and carried her out of the house and to the lab while she squirmed to be let down. You’ll kill yourself one of these days doing this! Don hooked a foot under the door bar and swung it open. He plopped Honey into her favorite chair remarking that it was time they replaced it. You try It and I’ll divorce you! He got them a cup of coffee each from the bar and then they both sat and listened as the debate went on.

Dale was holding the floor and expressing his preferences. I agree that a check on some of our previous trips are necessary and we should schedule them in rotation. However, so many of our recent trips have not included boots on the ground. Part of my reason for being in the group is to experience not to watch. I suggest that we do one B.O.G. for every two views. Anyone agree? He looked around and saw all hands raised in agreement.

Donald made a note on his pad and asked for ideas on trips they would like to go on in person. Lon suggested they finish what the original group had started and complete the seven wonders of the ancient world. Don perked up on hearing this and rushed to his desk pulling out a dusty folder. Can I finally give my report? I never got the chance to! He looked so pleadingly that everyone laughed and made his the first report to be accomplished. He practically jumped up and down in his excitement.

Seated again with Honey on his lap, he kept hugging her. Really Don, you look like a child who finally got a sucker they wanted. He smiled up at her, Do you know how many years I’ve waited to give that report! Honey shook her head, After all this time it sure better be good. Alarm spread over Don’s face as he quickly scanned the notes. He realized he had done his research and then just left points to himself so he wouldn’t go off track. Now he would have to rewrite the whole thing.

Through the mist of his mind he heard his son. O.k so we do the Lighthouse report on Tuesday and then teams can pick the other reports to do. All are to be B.O.G’s so think about what you want to do. Meeting adjourned until Tuesday. Honey twisted on Don’s lap and placed her arms around his neck, looking intently into his eyes she softly murmured, Darling, you have got a lot of work to do!"

DON’S REPORT ON THE LIGHTHOUSE AT ALEXANDRIA

(AT LAST)

Lighthouses are endlessly suggestive signifiers of both human isolation and our ultimate connectedness to each other.

Virginia Woolf

Don looked up from his notes at his audience. Dressed in Greek togas they sat patiently waiting for him to collect his thoughts and begin. He was so excited to finally give his report that it was hard for him to start. He hitched up his toga and scratched his thigh revealing a pair of black boxers with teddy bears and hearts on them. He quickly dropped the hem and alternated between pale and burning red as laughter came from all sides. Clearing his throat, he began.

O.k. the Lighthouse at Alexandria was the second largest building in the world at the time it was built, the first being the pyramid of Giza. It was not only large but contained about 140 rooms, what they were used for however is not known. At the top was the light which was backed by a large brass mirror. It had statues of Triton on four sides of the first level and on top was Poseidon. The first floor was rectangle the next floor was octagon, the top level was round. It was constructed of limestone which was brought in. He looked around and saw that he wasn’t holding his audience. Enough talk lets go see it. Don had done something unusual to make his briefing stand out. He took them all into the barn where the portal was larger. Opening the box which contained the auxiliary pad he played a prerecorded set of instructions.  

What was shown was a present view of where the lighthouse had stood. Time was swiftly reversed in hundred-year increments. Everyone waited patiently as the years flashed past to the point where it was destroyed by an earthquake, Here the scene paused before time once again speeded backwards until the previous earthquake and then again for the first. Time slowed down from that point until the lighthouse was shown soon after its completion. In the brilliant sunlight it was a beacon itself. Day turned to night and the fire bloomed into streaming light. They were surprised to see that the light was emanating from three positions. Don had everyone double check their returns.

They walked through into a cool evening with the smell of water enhancing the sound of cresting waves on the light breeze. Once through they could see back into the barn. For some reason Don was leaving the portal open. Walking forward they saw that Don was not being quite as foolish as they had thought. With a touch of a button on his return a curtain closed in front of the portal and the view was now of continuous sea, sand and rocks. Walking through as though seeming to walk on the waves came Francis and Wilf. Can we come too? We never got to see this one and we didn’t get a chance to break free until now.

Joining the group, they all walked to the doorway. The large doors at the entrance were carved with intricate scenes of boats, mermaids, aquatic animals and scenes of naval battles. Don knocked. The door was opened by Sostratus of Cnidus. Don introduced him as the primary architect responsible for the lighthouse’s construction.

Sostratus ushered them inside, took a torch from the wall and led the way. As they walked, he lectured on the construction and the form of the lighthouse. There are 250 small rooms on the ground floor with a small extension from the wall to sleep on. A hole in the