Meddlers in Time
Wayne Watson
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2009
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or otherwise able to take legal action against me, is purely coincidental.
All the names were pulled out of my memory and applied more or less at random. You ain't that character just because you share a first name and a trade.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Foreword
You can’t change history- can you?
No, but you can make a new reality when you alter events. ‘Meddlers in Time’ explores the shaping of a parallel earth, by altering events in ninth century England.
A small band of time-traveling adventures recruit a specialist team, mainly of engineers and set about advancing Ninth century technology. While doing this, they have to fight off invasions, win over the local population and have a bit of fun along the way.
Leaving Earth for a temporary base many light-years away, they train and prepare for the time jump back to the ninth century. Following the jump, they establish a stronghold and start making contact with the local inhabitants. Meanwhile, a more deadly mission is changing the political structure of this world.
As the tale unravels, the story of the time/space travel capabilities is revealed, along with some of the unexpected effects of using this technology.
Some were lured by money; other by the adventure- a few just wanted a new chance at life. One thing remains constant- time travel changes all that follow this path…
Meddlers in Time- Wayne Watson
PART ONE
Prelude-
“Last magazine,” said Jenny as she reloaded, snapping off another two quick shots. “Hope the Transit crew is on the ball.” Another burst of 10mm fire splattered against the rear of the stairwell, as the gate finally snapped open.
Sonja burst through carrying a green canvas satchel charge and yelled “Break left.” Tearing at the initiator cord, she heaved the satchel down the stairs.
The three flung themselves through the gate field, hitting the ground hard and rolling to their left. The instant they were all clear of the field, Andrea shut the gateway off, preventing the blast of the demolition charge from flashing through to their side of the gate. They picked themselves up and dusted off the dry, yellow dirt. Jenny was bleeding slightly from the cheek, nicked by a bullet fragment.
***
“Last time I stay at that hotel,” said Wayne.
“That time period is too crazy,” said Jenny. “Good work Sonja, Andrea. We had about another minute before the heavy weapons arrived.”
“Glad to return the favor,” said Sonja. “I guess we had better rule out future travel into the next decade.”
“The whole fucking planet turns into a goddamn police state,” Wayne said. “We need a new home or we have to keep tripping backwards, so let’s do that- make a new timeline”
“Interesting,” said Jenny. “It’s time we did a little research as to when to make a split- and we are going to need a few more people…”
***
It was a typical Transit day-about 28C and sunny, with a gentle midday breeze blowing. The group had gathered in their picnic area, a collection of outdoor furniture by a small stream. A pool deep enough to swim a few strokes in had been excavated and a neatly groomed earth-stock grass lawn had been established. The aroma of baking pheasant came from the kettle barbecue.
Jenny leaned back in her recliner chair under the shade of The Tree (a large Linden- the only one on the planet at this time) and poured herself a glass of Champagne. “So when and where do we do it?”
“We have a good population base and good mineral resources in the Sheffield area of England,” said Sonja, head of the research team. “Mid-ninth century looks optimal- there are plenty of bad guys for us to defeat, helping us win over the natives.”
“Wouldn’t we be better to go back before the church gets a foothold?” said Andrea, the other research specialist.
“I had thought about that,” said Wayne, flipping the butt of his cigar into the nearby stream, “but I think it would be better to let the natives see us take the church to the cleaner’s. First we take out the Viking invaders, and then we wait for the church to have a go at us”
Sonja waded out of the shallow stream and took a bottle of lager from the ice chest. “The weather patterns for that period are good, too. They are experiencing a warm period, which has caused a population boom- thus the problem with invaders. Our probes have found an eight day patch of clear weather at the start of spring, 846AD- this gives you the best conditions for establishing the stronghold, for that time of year.”
“Sounds as good a target as I have seen,” said Jenny, “are we all in favor? OK, we are off to Jolly Old England.”
“I suppose I had better look up that team I mentioned,” said Wayne. “But first- let’s raise the Jolly Roger again and drink to our success.”
“Here’s to burning the rule book and making up our own,” said Marty.
***
August 2004
‘Another shift done’ thought Mike, as he packed up and headed for the factory gate. Minding a gas boiler was as exciting as watching paint dry, but the mortgage needed paying. 48 years old and I have another 12 left to go on the bloody thing. But forget that- on Saturday I can finally fire up the traction engine after three years work on the restoration. Then listen to the wife bitch and moan about the time he spent on it all Sunday…
***
John Daniels was particularly pissed off today. He had just fired three of his staff for smoking ice on the job. Smoking fucking P in a butchery. “Fucking morons,” he exclaimed for about the fifteenth time in the last hour. Four big orders due out this week- he was just starting to make some headway with his gourmet small goods line. Shit, he thought, back working in someone else’s friggin’ kitchen, catering to pretentious arsewipes bitching about their so-called food sensitivities…
***
John French carried the last box into his one bedroom flat. This is it after 20 years, he mused- second-hand furniture and a damp shitbox to live in. And now that bitch wife is sitting pretty in the house I busted a gut for. Fuck her. - Where did I put the whiskey?
***
Steve Anders put the calculator down. $1200 in, $1230 out and that was with 3 extra shifts. Townie wankers living in Auckland go nuts buying country property, so the interest rates get driven up. My pay never matches that, though. I can’t loose the farm now with only four years to go…
***
Eric had had enough. 10 hours into the Friday night shift and this was the second fatality incident. The drunk from the other car staggered up, belligerently demanding something be done about his bleeding nose. Eric spun about and felled him with an uppercut. Throwing his jacket on the ground he walked off muttering “Stick this fucking job. Who needs this shit?” No point in going back in- his career was now over…
***
James Lister looked out the window. For the twelfth day in a row it was pouring with rain. There had been five clear days in the last two months and the building site was choked in thick mud. The bank was ringing about his overdraft and his laborers had left, having found factory work in the dry. He picked up the ‘Situations Vacant’ section…
***
Team Alpha Recruits- A Summary
To: Transit Team Commander
CC: Section Leaders
I have compiled this team primarily as the construction and establishment team for the Ninth Century project.
The majority have a military background and experience on the types of equipment to be used in supporting this operation. I recommend an intensive six week training session in weaponry and equipment familiarization, before commencing the operation proper. Whilst the member’s skills are such that we could commence operations immediately, I feel this training period will offer an excellent opportunity for team-building.
In carefully profiling the prospects, I specifically looked for persons who are skilled tradesmen, typically stuck in their careers, dissatisfied with their work and are from a financial position of week-to-week existence. Most have had relationship breakups and/or are free of dependents.
All the candidates are personally known, by at least one of the members of our regular crew.
As you will have noticed, this is an all-male team. I have deliberately selected all male candidates, as this should make the team easier to manage, given their ages and backgrounds. They will have a very intensive training program to get through, plus a very busy first month. They don’t need any distractions. Plenty of time for that later.
In addition to the primary skills below, we have a large range of secondary skills available over a wide area, such as forestry, stock management, martial arts, geology and various useful hand crafts.
You will note I have added a chef’s position to our previous skills list. This is in the interests of morale and to ensure proper food hygiene is adhered to. He is currently working as a specialist butcher, providing a farm home-kill service, adding another highly useful skill.
I have high confidence of all accepting our proposal, with an estimated +60% opting for at least one additional 12 month tour.
Full individual files are attached to this brief summary.
Alpha Team
Steve Anders- Proposed Section Leader
17 years Regular Army- Staff Sergeant
Diesel mechanic
Current- Vehicle Inspector
Situation- Is currently in financial difficulties, due to mortgage over-commitments, (ruinous divorce settlement) Steve is a very capable tradesman and soldier.
Main Responsibilities- Section leader (?), vehicle maintenance, site security.
Additional skills- Horseman, basic stock management, fencing, martial arts, marksman.
Comments: Is one of those people who naturally get on with others- a natural leader. Typical of most of our current recruits, he has ‘painted himself into a corner’ He owns a block of land and 4 horses, but does not have the income to meet mortgage commitments, plus the expense of the horses and will not give them up. Having lost the second income from his ex-wife, he is headed towards bankruptcy. He is not the type to cut his losses, so the conclusion is inevitable.
He has no children from the previous marriage.
He is from a rural background and is conversant with most aspects of modern farm life. His interests in competitive horse-riding and the history of equine subjects should serve us well. Having a strong background in adventurous and physical pursuits, I would expect that the proposal to take part in our 9th century project will appeal to Steve and that he will almost certainly offer to join our permanent staff, at a future date.
Sean Brown
Eight years Regular Army-Corporal
Electrician
Generator servicing/operations
Current- Refrigeration Specialist
Situation- single, has a good income. Requires capital to expand his business.
Main Responsibilities- Servicing and installation of generator systems. Monitoring power requirements. Electrical reticulation.
Additional skills- good mechanical aptitude
Comments: Sean is the classic example of a tradesman whose business sense does not match his trade aptitude. His motivation would be more financial and as such, he will probably return after a tour or two. He is a good self- starter when given good direction and is best managed by clear goal-setting, while leaving him free as to method. (Indeed, this is true of most of this team.)
He is of a steady personality, not easily shaken or unsettled and works well with others. He has no real leadership aptitude, but will be a valuable team member.
Mark Campbell
Five years Territorial Army-Corporal
Plumber
Gas fitter/liquid fuels
Plant operator
Current- Fuel Systems engineer
Situation- Is having health problems (contact dermatitis) from fuel oil exposure. Wants to get out of the trade, but needs the income.
Main Responsibilities- Fuel storage, facility plumbing installation and maintenance.
Additional skills- Served in an infantry mortar section.
Comments: Mark is motivated by a need for financial security, given the uncertainty regarding practicing his trade. While he has some physical problems regarding his planned duties, these are easily remedied with advanced medical techniques and he should have no problems carrying out his tasks, especially given that fuel handling systems are only an issue in the short term set-up phase.
He has experience in all aspects of working in a mortar platoon, a critical skill, given that I plan to use mortars as our heavy support weapons, downtime. He has been personally recommended by Jenny, who worked with him some 15 years ago (his time-line)
Mark did a lot of contract work for me some years ago and was always reliable and pleasant to deal with. His wife (a nurse) would also make a useful addition to our team, once the area is stabilized.
Phill Chambers
Six years Regular Army- Lance-Corporal
Vehicle mechanic
Welder
Current- Vehicle Mechanic
Situation- Has to choose between staying in his trade and moving to a service manager’s position. He is under pressure from wife & family to do so, although he would prefer not to change.
Main Responsibilities- vehicle servicing and repair.
Additional skills- Involved in cross- country motorcycle racing, fishing, leather working.
Comments: Phill is my choice for IC vehicle section. While he has resisted a service manager’s position, he is perfectly capable of performing it. We need someone with those skills, who also likes to get hands-on. While Steve Anders is also suitable for this position, he is better working in the security section.
He is more financially motivated, not through circumstances so much, as to wanting to do better for his family- his main motivation. Phil is well suited to a section 2IC position.
John Daniells (JD)
Seven years Air Force- Corporal
Chef
Current- Butcher
Situation- has a new business with cash flow and staffing problems.
Main Responsibilities- Chef, food hygiene, unit morale (edible food.), food technology transfer (teach the locals how to make decent beer. - see morale) martial arts instructor
Additional skills- Is a good trade instructor.
Comments: John is an exceptional instructor, even if a bit eccentric in temperament. While his main role is to provide quality food to our team, as a morale-booster, he also has the aptitude to develop food technology and principles of hygiene to the locals. If you remember the first days at Transit, when we existed on army rations and canned food, you will not underestimate the importance of having a good cook in the team. We can always use a good martial arts instructor for training our own people, as well as a local militia. I intend to have John train a team of locals to carry out the numerous catering and domestic duties, under his supervision.
Note; I had the interesting experience in dining in his restaurant some years ago. I will never forget him frog-marching a particularly obnoxious customer out. - We HAVE to hire this guy. - BTW- the food was spectacular.
Dave Eastman
14 years Regular Army- Staff Sergeant
Fitter/turner
Electrician
Current- Alternative power systems
Situation- Wants to move from being an installer, to being a supplier of alternative energy systems, but lacks capital.
Main Responsibilities- Hydro and solar generation, water powered systems and solid fuel systems, electrical maintenance.
Additional skills- wind power installations, electrical reticulation, cabling.
Comments: Dave is another very competent tradesman and a good soldier. He is totally reliable and works a quiet, no-fuss manner always delivering on-time. He is a great team player and always willing to do that bit extra. His motivation is part financial and part from wanting to be involved in a project that really means something. This is shown by his involvement and enthusiasm for various community groups. I am certain that he will stay on for several tours, if not he whole project.
John French- Proposed Section Leader
22 years Regular Army. Retired Squadron Sergeant-Major (Engineers)
Current- Plant operator
Builder
Water treatment systems
Situation- Newly divorced and broke. Also another prospect for section leader.
Main Responsibilities- Potable water, plant and equipment operations. Section Leader (?), weapons instructor.
Additional skills- Musician, brewer, heavy plant instructor.
Comments: Another prospect for a full- timer. John is another of those quietly competent people who does well at everything he does. He works in a quiet, calm, methodical manner and always gets the job done without fuss. I think John would like to go back rich and rub it in her face, but would come back to us, having done that. John has served on two peacekeeping/reconstruction missions and has considerable experience in working in a primitive and lawless culture- experience that will serve us well.
Sam Iams
Builder
Current- Concrete placer
Plant operator
Situation- Wishes to change careers, but needs the income from concrete work.
Main Responsibilities- Concrete placement prefabricated building construction.
Additional skills- building instructor, bricklaying
Comments: Sam is a very practical- minded person who would see our project as a step towards where he wants to be. I am hoping that he will stay on for several tours, as he has often spoken about early retirement. Several tours with us would let him indulge his passion for large boats and big-game fishing. Sam has no military background but has some firearms experience from a hunting background. I am sure that the prospect of being able to fish and hunt in the 9th century will appeal to him, and indeed, quite a few of the others. There is also the lure of some excellent caving in this area.
Simon Jones
12 years Air Force- Sergeant
Communications Technician
Current- Alarm systems
Communications
Situation- Despite being a competent technician, he has had the misfortune to take employment with companies that go bust after a couple of years, in a very competitive market.
Main Responsibilities- He will be responsible for the setup of our perimeter security system, internal communications plus setup and maintain the radio network.
Additional skills- martial arts, archery.
Comments: Simon is the sort of person who is always looking for the big break. I’m sure this will look like the big opportunity to him. I believe that if we keep the work interesting, he will want to stay on. Based on past experiences, I am sure that we will be upgrading our equipment as we go. A bit of new gear from a year or two ahead of our current timeline should keep him interested.
Pete Jordan
Nine years Regular Army-Sergeant
Vehicle mechanic
Current-Small engine repair
Plant operator
Paramedic
Situation- Wants to buy a dealer’s franchise (horticulture equipment) and requires capital.
Main Responsibilities- Small engine servicing, paramedic
Additional skills- Horticulture, timber milling.
Comments: Pete’s intended role is primarily in servicing our small engines and plant. He will also assist with timber milling and be #2 paramedic. He is one of those tradesmen who can be put into any position and will be able to perform most tasks, within a short time. He is experienced in the repair and servicing of agricultural machinery and is an instructor in chainsaw use. He is a very experienced off- road driver and has considerable experience in vehicle recovery. Pete is an extremely talented mechanic with experience on engines big and small and is easily capable of servicing the microlight aircraft.
James Lister
Current- Builder
Plant operator
Sawmill operator
Situation- Unseasonably bad weather has pushed his undercapitalized building business into imminent bankruptcy.
Main Responsibilities- Builder, milling timber
Additional skills- Wood turning, forestry management
Comments: James is desperate for money and this offer will override his natural caution and skepticism. James has had no military service, but like the others, should be able to learn enough in the six weeks training to get by. I hope to have him operate the portable sawmill and train others to use this equipment. If he elects to do an additional tour, I want to move him into directing the setup of sawmills and establish forestry in the area. Teaching the locals wood turning is another task for him. James also has experience with assembling the prefabricated steel buildings that we will be using.
Eric Ledern
Current- Paramedic (advanced)
Radiology Technician
Microlight pilot
Situation- Has just quit his job, with no real prospects of another in the immediate future. Currently facing assault charges.
Main Responsibilities- Paramedic, radiology technician, pilot.
Additional skills- martial arts, ceramics.
Comments: Another one who does not suffer fools gladly. He can get a bit fiery, but despite that, works well in a tight-knit team. Is a bit of a practical joker that occasionally needs to be reined in, but generally works well at raising team morale. Eric would be a candidate for advanced medical training, should he elect to join our group. While he also has no military experience, it should be a straightforward matter to train him to an acceptable standard in six weeks. I can easily see Eric becoming one of our full-time crew.
He takes a bit of getting used to, but we definitely need him on-board.
Sean Marden
Three years Territorial Army- Corporal
Plant operator
Current-Plumber
Welder
Situation- Financially ruined from the cost of defending himself in court, after shooting and killing an intruder on his property.
Main Responsibilities- Water reticulation, sewerage treatment & disposal
Additional skills-wrought ironworker
Comments: financial motivation- will probably return after one tour, but will probably also be available for contract work. His main role will be to set up our water reticulation and sewerage system, plus establish some ‘showcase technology’ in the nearby settlements- communal bath houses, sanitary systems, reticulated water, etc. I hope to have this under way by the end of our first tour.
Dave Palmer
12 years Territorial Army- Sergeant
Current-Logging contractor
Plant operator
Situation- has a secure business, but heavy expenses, with 4 children at university.
Main Responsibilities- Forestry and milling
Additional skills- Horseman, farrier, chainsaw instructor.
Comments: Another that is primarily attracted by finances, but the adventurous element will also appeal to a person stuck in a tedious, but well-paying job. It would be useful to have him on-board for the second year, when we plan to start introducing forestry to the local population. His marriage appears strong- we could look to bringing his wife into the project for the second tour (she is a Veterinarian) His main motivation is to provide well for his children and family- I believe that he would like the financial security that we can offer, in order to ease up on his long working hours.
Brent Stevenson
16 years Regular Army-Staff Sergeant
Armourer
Current- Fitter
Situation- Single- works to finance his flying and other hobbies.
Main Responsibilities- Armourer & gunsmith, pilot, weapons instructor.
Additional skills- pistol instructor, cutler, microlight pilot
Comments: This person is a natural adventurer type, spending much of his time in ‘adventure’ sports- parachuting, kayaking, caving, flying, climbing, etc. He would probably join up, even without the inducement of the money. I believe that he would welcome the chance to get back into working with military weapons again, especially seeing as we have access to equipment that he has only ever heard of. He has a flight instructor’s qualification and may be able to train up some of the others, should they show interest in flying microlights. We can use further flight training as an incentive to stay on. Few pilots have ever been able to fly with no restrictions, overhead wires and empty skies.
Mike West
Blacksmith
Jack of all trades
Current- Steam Engineer
Situation- Has no dependents and is sick of work and his marriage. Spends all his available free time at the local steam museum.
Main Responsibilities- Steam engineer, early technology, foundry.
Additional skills- black powder firearms, early firearms technology.
Comments: Would almost certainly come along, just to gain access to brand-new 19th and early 20th century equipment. Mike also has no military experience and his role of managing our steam equipment and technology training will have him in an essentially non-combatant position. He will still go through the weapons training program with the rest of the Alpha team. Mike also has a large network of like-minded engineering enthusiasts (fanatics might be a more appropriate term.) that may prove suitable for recruitment later in the project. His knowledge of early agricultural equipment would make him a valuable addition to our team.
***
Sixteen letters arrived in the mail. Each contained a lotto ticket and a handwritten note.
'Remember me? I haven't been in touch for years and a few interesting events have happened. This IS a winning second division ticket. Laugh now- but after Saturday, ask yourself how I knew.
I will be in contact shortly afterwards.'
***
"Well, I guess we have their attention now. Wonder how many watched the draw?” said Jenny.
"If I picked them right- anyone who could get to a TV. The next batch of winning tickets, the flight and hotel bookings are on the way” said Wayne.
"An all-expenses paid weekend at the luxury Huka Lodge. That should get them along- all we have to do now is sell the craziest scheme any of them will have ever heard.”
"Three million dollar for a one year tour should help do that..."
***
Advance party- Derbyshire
England March 7th, 846 AD
"Last sensor up- running diagnostics- yep, all PIR sensors on-line, all cameras working in low-light mode. Sweep the DZ."
"Area clear."
"30 Minutes to sunrise folks, firing in seconds ten- cover your eyes and NV- 10, 9, 8…."
CRACK. 300 meters of primer cord instantly cleared a collection of scrub and small trees. For the first time the nearby village was aware that something was going on in the valley.
The real noise was just about to start.
"Gate in minutes five. - High-Vis on, watch the markers and get ready to run like hell."
"GATE OPEN. - Wait for the gap- GO. GO. GO.
***
Saturday 2045hrs, August 7th 2004
Various locations about New Zealand
The word had gotten around concerning these mysterious letters that had arrived. After receiving the tickets Sean Marden, Sam, Simon and Pete, who all lived nearby, decided- what else to do but have a few drinks and see what happened.
“Sean, you would be the last one to have seen Jamieson, what is the old pirate up to these days?” said Simon.
Haven’t seen him for a couple of years,” said Sean, “I did a bit of work for him, he needed a really big soak pit dug- paid cash up front, too. He had a bit of a farm, about 100 hectares, mainly scrub, with a bit of it in glass houses, growing out-of-season berry fruits.
While I was there, I helped him unload about 50 sacks of sugar, so take a guess as to what he what really making. He had a big shed full of old stainless steel dairy tanks, so it looked like he was in business as the local bootlegger… again.”
“Sounds much like what I had heard,” said Simon, “The locals love him and he has the police on his side too- I went out that way pig-hunting a couple of years ago and he can do no wrong in that part of the world. He won’t sell to the under-20 market and he makes a top-notch product.
“Yep,” said Pete, “the wife’s family thinks he is the best thing since sliced bread. Since he brought that farm, there has been no crime in the district. Every local thief or crap-head has packed up and left, since he moved in- now nothing goes missing and there is never any trouble.”
“That would be Wayne.” said Sean, “He was never one for competition.”
“I heard he came into some money a couple of years ago,” said Simon, “Brought out his neighbors and was working with Jenny D.”
“Bloody hell- there’s a combination.”
***
The initial elation was over, now shock and amazement set in and the hard questions were being asked….
"Look at these tickets- they are all second division Powerball winners, but THE WINNING LINES ARE ALL DIFFERENT. He has picked EVERY winning number."
"Hell, I was always going down to this get-together- who turns down an all-paid to Huka Lodge anyway, but I wouldn’t miss it or anything now."
"How the fuck did he manage that?..."
"I don’t care, but I want in on this."
"Let’s have a look at that second letter again"
‘Like my last letter? I’m sure that winning all that money caught your attention and I hope you consider this note all the more carefully for that.
I’m certain that after checking the enclosed Powerball ticket, you will wish to know how more of these may be earned. No obligations, but you may consider these payment for your time next weekend.
Enclosed are travel documents and reservation details for Huka Lodge, Taupo. All expenses are fully covered, so enjoy.
See you in the conference room at 0900 next Saturday, where I assure you, you will get an interesting explanation.
RSVP not required.’
***
US Army Pre-deployment storage facility, Kuwait
Visibility in the vehicle park was poor, with the sandstorm at its height. The security detail was content to shelter in their hut and trust to the perimeter fence sensors.
Nobody noticed the grey nothingness of the gate appearing, nor the two gray-clad men dragging a heavy wire hawser. In any case, it would have been almost impossible to see them, hidden amongst the huge fleet of armour. The cable was soon secured to the towing points of a newly rebuilt M113A3 armored personnel carrier, which was promptly dragged through the gate, to be followed in short order by two others.
At the other side of this vast compound, three M548 tracked equipment carriers met a similar fate. It would be some weeks before they were missed.
***
Transit Facility -‘Procurements’ Section
"That worked better than I had hoped. The sand on the concrete really helped those rubber track pads slide and without waking the whole friggin’ desert up. I thought we would only score one, maybe two vehicles" said the ‘snatch team’ leader, Steve.
"About time we got an easy after that last armory raid." said Simon, the other raider. “That security team was fast. - You damn near got stuck in 1999 then."
"I reckon, but I just couldn’t resist going back for those M19 grenade launchers-I always wanted a play with one of those. Anyway, let’s get this lot dragged into the hanger- we have most definitely earned a beer or ten."
The big D8 towed the last carrier away effortlessly, as the second moon started to rise.
***
Saturday, August 14th 2004.
Huka Falls Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand
The group had arrived and they were catching up with each other, some for the first time in many years. Everybody there knew at least one other person. Whatever was up, a weekend in a luxury hotel at somebody else’s expense was not to be missed. The room was abuzz with speculation when Wayne and Jenny walked into the conference room. Wayne moved to the front of the conference room, while Jenny placed an aluminium case on a table and connected a cable between the case and the notebook. Opening the notebook, she started tapping on the keyboard, while glancing about the room.
"Good to see you all- damn glad everyone could get here. It’s been a while since I’ve seen some of you. I know you are busting yourselves to know what the hell is going on here, so let’s cut to the chase. You want to know:
1- How I can pick winning lotto tickets?
2- How you get in on the action?
3- What’s it going to cost?
4- What’s the catch?
Looking about the room, catching people’s eyes, I could see that I had their undivided attention.
First- Time travel- that’s how.
Second- Go back in time with me, which gets you in on the game.
Third- 12 months of service-which gets you three million NZ dollars, paid by way of nice, explainable Lotto winnings.
Fourth- There is, of course, a risk that something will screw up, but we will do everything we can to minimize the hazards. If you don’t like the look of it after training, you can still pull out and get paid pro rata.
"Anyone want to leave now?” Looking around the room, I saw that they were all glancing at each other- they looked a bit wary, as you would expect. Whatever they were thinking, I could see they wanted to at least hear what promised to be an interesting story. Probably relieved I wasn’t trying to sell Amway.
“Good, I hoped you would hear me out,” I said, “Questions?"
"Yeah, if it wasn’t for the tickets, I would say "bullshit."- but you delivered, so show us how you do it" said Steve.
"Fair enough- Jenny would you oblige?"
Jenny tapped at the laptop and an almost mirror-like rectangle appeared at the far end of the room. Looking at it was like peering into a nothingness that defied ready description.
"That, my friends, is a time/space gateway" said Wayne. He walked through the field and promptly disappeared. The gate winked out.
Jenny looked up from the screen and made some adjustments with the keyboard "He will be back in 30 seconds, having been away for a week. Reopening the gate- now"
"How about that then- try growing this in under a minute." said Wayne, as he stepped out of the field- he was sporting a week’s growth of beard.
"I can pretty well guess what you want to know. At the end of the job we will be returning to here, about two hours from now. I want to stress this point- nobody will miss us or even know that we have been gone.
You will receive payment by way of $50k in cash and the balance in the form of a letter giving details for various lotto draws, racing results, sports results and pick six’s that you can cash in on. If you open the packages in front of you, you will find the money- by the way, if you do get killed, your next-of-kin will be sent a winning lotto ticket worth five million.” We then paused while the packages were opened. Its always interesting watching people handle more cash than they have ever held at any one time in their lives.
“We are headed for England in the ninth century. The mission is to stabilize the area and to boost their technology- to this end we will set up a secure base for operations that will be carried out over a five year period. We will be armed with modern weaponry. M16’s, pistols, 40 mm launchers and armored vehicles. You will have to seriously fuck up to get killed by the locals.”
That got a few nodding heads. Firearms against arrows and swords sound a much better prospect than crazy natives with AK-47’s.
“We will be living in adapted shipping containers, stacked into a secure compound and will have most modern facilities. We are taking an assortment of dozers, diggers and plant and will have electricity, hot water and cold beer. Should be quite comfortable and plenty of time for a bit of fun. Great hunting in the area too.
If you decide to go, we leave for training in an hour. If you want to think about it, you have a week. Either way, you all get to the training area at the same time. Time travel is useful like that.
If you don’t want to go, stay here and enjoy this place for the weekend. I won’t even tell you to keep this quiet- nobody would believe you for a second.
That’s the guts of it. The details will get covered in training."
The group looked around at each other. They were all in similar circumstances and there was an air of ‘why the hell not.’
"I’m in."
"Yep."
"Let’s do it."
“Why the hell not.”
***
They milled about for a time, talking excitedly amongst themselves, asking Jenny and myself endless questions and peering at the gate generator. For an hour or so, this continued. After I felt we had answered the more pressing questions, I stood up front and addressed the room.
"OK all in. I knew I could count on you. Jenny will be setting up the gate for Transit One This is an uninhabited spot that we have been talking about. We use it to store supplies and gear and do the training for these operations.
I will go through the gate first- for you, I advise hitting the gate at a run, first time through- it is a quite disorientating. I will keep the field wide. DON’T TOUCH THE EDGE OF THE FIELD. - It will slice you like a hot knife cuts butter.”
“See you tomorrow your time," said Jenny, “I will be following you down, once I tidy up a few loose ends elsewhere”
"All set? - follow me." I said and leapt into the gate.
***
Saturday, August 14th, 2004
Huka Falls Lodge, Taupo, New Zealand
A few taps of the keyboard and the gate flicked out. Jenny sighed, took the PPK from her shoulder holster, unscrewed the silencer and returned the pistol to her holster. No bodies to dispose of today.
"I DO like it when don’t get chicken-shit quitters," she muttered to herself as she set the new coordinates. Picking up the notebook and the generator box, she stepped through the gate.
***
Transit One Station
"It’s called gateshock and will be a bit worse with a big time jump," I said to the group. "You get used to it real quick- the first jump is the worse and it gets easy with practice, so we will be doing quite a few practice jumps. Everybody done puking?"
Once the worst of the groans and the retching had stopped, I pointed out the hall- "Head into that building- get a drink and a bite to eat and I will start to fill in the picture on how things are going to happen here."
Once everyone was settled, I grabbed a chair and sat facing the room. "This is how we operate here. This isn’t the Army, even if it looks like it at times. I don’t tell you when to get up and when to go to bed. I expect you to be on time for everything without being chased up. If I wanted sheep, you wouldn’t be here.
Today is an easy one, as you have had more than enough thrown at you for now. We will get personal equipment issues sorted today- uniforms, M16’s and sidearm. After that, we get settled into our cabins, these are portable and will be coming with us. That done, we knock off for a beer. Over the next few days you can sort out a ‘shopping list’ for personal gear that you might want to take back. Your cabin is half of a customized 12 meter shipping container. What you can fit in that, you can take. By the way- from tomorrow onwards, you will always go armed. Get used to always wearing a pistol."
***
We headed into the hall where drinks and sandwiches had been put out. Appetites returned as quickly as they had left; gateshock doesn’t last long and you get used to it soon enough.
As I poured my first coffee of the day, a couple of the group approached me.
"By the way, Wayne- where the hell exactly are we?," said Brent, the armourer.
"Far enough away from home that possession of automatic weapons is not an issue," I said. “I guess that is where you are coming from, right?"
"You guessed mostly right, but there is something about this place that just doesn’t look right," said Brent, as the others nodded in agreement, looking about. They could see something vaguely different about this place.
"You got that right," I said. "We about 270 light years from home and in the same time line. All that lives here, apart from us, is grass- anything else- we brought here. You are on another planet.
As to how we got all this equipment, you will get the opportunity to go ‘shopping’ via gate later,” I added.
“Everyone feeling better? Good- let’s go for a wander,” I said, heading off towards a line of containers nearby. The group followed along, staring at lines of vehicles, stores, plant and shipping containers.
"These are home for the next 12 months, or as long as you want to stay on. Customized containers, 230 volt power and plumbed for a radiator. As we are on generator, don’t bother taking anything that draws more than about three amps current. Fold down bed, storage chest containing soap, toothpaste, razors and so on- the rest is up to you. All I stipulate is you must be able to get out fast, so don’t put too much crap in them. They are all identical, so grab a key and call it your own. One more thing- in the top drawer you will find a ‘tourist’s guide’ to the local language- start learning the useful phrases in it- the MP3 player with it is part of that package- try wearing the headset at night- you will be surprised as to how much you will take on-board in your sleep."
Once all the units were taken, we walked over to the issues hanger. Here it was just a case of finding a uniform that fits. Mine having already been laid out, I changed, then wandered off to the office to get more coffee. No dramas, they had mostly been through this before, for the four that hadn’t, the others were showing them the ropes. The issue was up on the whiteboard and all they had to do was fill out what was taken on a form. The support crew would enter that into the stores inventory system when they returned, tomorrow.
Heading back 30 minutes later, they were almost sorted out. “Once you are done, grab a rifle and pistol from over there,” I said, pointing at the rack. “Stow your gear, back to the rec. hall and have a beer while we sort out what goodies you want to take back.”
***
As the group was sorting out their gear, Steve asked John French, “Did you have any idea that Jenny was involved in this?”
“No.” said John. “It was a hell of a surprise to see her there. “I knew that she and Wayne were friends, but that was about it.”
“I haven’t seen her for twenty-odd years- and that’s the thing, she looks about the same age” said Steve.
“I guess she can afford cosmetic surgery” said John.
***
Evening, Transit One Mess Hall
It takes a while for the fact that you have done something considered impossible to sink in.
As the crew sat around outside, on the clear and mild night, the sun set and the night sky revealed itself. Steve was the first to remark that it was not the night sky he had known. As the first moon rose, they started to truly believe the reality of this being another world. The second moon removed all doubts. It would take a couple more sunrises for the surreal events of the Saturday to be fully accepted…
***
Next Morning, Transit One
Jenny leaned back in her leather recliner and yawned, “Well, that’s the Earth end wrapped up for the moment. Now I get a break ‘till gate training next week. Have you mentioned anything about the side effects of repeat gating yet?”
“No,” I replied, “I was going to leave that until the end of tour.”
“That’s what I would do,” she agreed, “A bit of a bonus for them- and an incentive to sign back on…”
“There is that,” I said with a grin. “There is that.”
Training program
0700 Breakfast
0745 Orders
0800 Weapons training
Week 1 M16A3
Week 2 M9 Beretta
Week 3 H&K MP5
Week 4 M249 & M60
Week 5 M19, M79, M67
Week 6 M229 60mm Mortar & M2 .50 cal.
1200 Lunch
1230 Plant & equipment familiarization
1600 Specialist Weapon/ individual coaching
1730 Personal housekeeping
1830 Dinner
1900 Self-directed training
2030 Bar open (until- Week 6 M16A3 & sniping rifles with night vision sights)
2300 Bar closed
***
Transit One
Review-Week One.
It was an unusually quiet morning at Transit. The team was off at the range, learning the intricacies of the Beretta M9 pistol and had not got to the firing stage yet, this being a new weapon to most of them.
Jenny had gated back to earth again, with the purchasing team. Contrary to popular belief, we actually paid for a great deal of our supplies and equipment. They were off for a week up-time and would not be not be back until tonight. The rest of the gateway team were sorting out personal requests from the stores and after that would probably disappear off for a drinking session in a hidden corner of the bulk store that I didn’t know about...
The plant and equipment training is going so well that I will have to bring in some free time and/or up the weapons training. Almost all of them have had time on heavy plant, which has sped things up enormously. The basic stuff such as the loaders, tractors and excavators has been easy and we have plenty of competent operators including a couple of experts. Time to get out the more unusual kit, like the firewood processor and the portable sawmill.
Every morning I see people up at dawn running and training and the ranges are always in use in free time. Used up 100,000 rounds of 5.56 last week, so they are getting plenty of rounds down the range. A couple of them can’t shoot for shit, but as long as they can use at least one weapon safely, they will do. No shortage of real shooters there that can do the trickier stuff.
You can hear people starting to use expressions and terms from out of the ninth century phase book quite often now. Steve, JD and Eric have soaked up the basics and are getting lessons from the Transit contact team, who wrote the ‘Olde English Tourist Guide’. I struggle a bit with languages, so I cheated and used 35th century hypnotic drugs and got force-fed my essential words.
Time to start organizing more jumps. My plan is to set up a bunch of bunny-hops around here, to get them hardened up to gate travel. I want to use some of them for snatch and grab ops in a few weeks and they need to come out of that gate sharp. Most of them spent some years sneaking about military camps lifting other unit’s gear, so this should be nothing new. I will take a couple of them down-time and mark out the site next week. Nothing like strange geometric designs sprayed in weed killer to scare superstitious locals off.
When purchasing get back, I will organize a meeting with JD, the chef, to sort out what foodstuffs he wants to haul down-time. Local food other than game is crap and I will have a mutiny if they have to spend 12 month on MRE. I think we will buy our local stock live and dose it well before we slaughter it. Better put some more fencing gear on the inventory.
Ran up the boiler for the first time yesterday. Drives the three steam generators at 36 kW output, with plenty of steam left for heating. That should be more than enough for all but peak use thus helping us save diesel. It won’t take long to mine a few years supply of coal with the gear we are taking. We can probably use coal to trade with.
Anyway, time for me to go and fire a few down the range.
***
Transit One
Orders Group 0745
Everyone was assembled, waiting to find out about today’s jump, so I stood up in front of the group and addressed them
“Good morning, all. The afternoon’s plant and equipment session will start with a jump to our target zone. We will be arriving in England, March 1st, 846AD, at a point 19 miles south of Sheffield, Derbyshire. You will see on your maps a structure called Haddon Hall- this will be built here in about 300 years, their time. That is were we set up shop in six weeks our time.”
“We will be on site for 15 minutes for quick look around and then we return here. On exiting the gate, you are to move into a small wood to your immediate left and go to ground. There should be nobody in the area, so I expect no trouble- having said that, everyone will carry seven magazines of 9mm, one in the pistol, chamber empty. Anyone fires a shot without my say-so will be staying there.”
“Bulldozer and excavator operators- take note that you will need to find a line to cut a track from the lower river meadow up to the terrace that we will build on. Draw a video camera from stores and get some footage of the area.”
“Last thing- it will pay to have a light lunch.”
***
Gate site Alpha 1300
The jumpers stood in front of Gate Site Alpha, which consisted of two stout steel posts topped with red beacon lamps and a loudspeaker. Two low and extremely solid barrier fences ran parallel up to the posts. This was all built like a crash barrier for trucks and was made of railway track. Between the posts was a concrete strip, with a narrow channel running down the middle. To the side and behind the barrier was a solid concrete block at a convenient height for a work surface. A brass frame was just the right size to fit the gate generator case.
“This is the primary gate site for our target zone. The gate will open between the marker posts and the ground has been graded to match the other side. This is a big, wide gate as we will be moving a lot of plant and material fast, on the day. Form up one meter in front of the line. Run through and fan out about 10 paces, then go to ground. Check radios are on and set to channel one.”
“Wait for my command which will be ‘Go’… gate up. - Go. Go. Go.”
***
England 846
As the last rank disappeared from sight, I stepped through. Things had gone mostly to plan- the shock is never so bad the second time. I looked around- everyone was well clear of the gate, so I threw down two paint makers at the gate edges and fired a green flare back through the gate, which immediately winked out. “Keep low and head to the wood in front as soon as you can move. When you get there- scan the area with thermal and binos,” I ordered. I had to keep them moving and get them over the disorienting effect of the jump itself and the sudden changes in temperature, vegetation and even the subtly different colour of the sky.
I pulled out the sprayer from my bag, marked the gate site with a mix of weed killer and dye and trotted off into the brush. No movement here, today. A wisp of wood smoke from the east. Fine, I knew there was a village there at the confluence of the two rivers.
“Well done for a second jump- the clock is ticking- get some video of a likely approach to the top of that rise over there,” I said, pointing at the site I had picked. This was an old river terrace, some 10 metres higher than the current river meadow.
“One section- Secure the gate site, two section, with me; cover the cameramen. Back here in minutes ten,” I called out, as we trotted off towards the rise.
“This looks good,” said John, the bulldozer expert, who started filming. We stopped and spread out, watching for any locals. I had just unslung my silenced MP5, the only loaded weapon, when a stag broke cover about 30 metres away- I sighted and fired a short burst, dropping him immediately.
“OK, let’s move. Grab dinner over there and let’s hit the gate.”
***
Transit One Operations Control
I reached, out flicking the ‘strobe’ switch and pushed the ‘talk’ button on the handset. “Clear gate site Alpha- gate in one minute, gate in one minute.”
Right on time the gate snapped open and a truck started to appear from the field. You never quite get used to the sight of a large vehicle gating. A man pops through almost immediately, but a vehicle seems to come out like toothpaste.
Two more trucks rolled through, followed by Jenny on foot, lugging the gate generator. She stopped, made an adjustment and the gate winked out.
I turned the strobes off and announced “Stand down gate site Alpha.” The stores Landcruiser had stopped to pick Jenny and her equipment up. They knew better than to keep her waiting- they probably wanted goodies that she had brought back.
Two of the trucks headed into the bulk store, the third pulling up in the compound.
***
Jenny walked in and secured the generator in the safe. “Better call a free night and late start tomorrow, all their goodies are here,” she said. “The manager at Regional Wines & Spirits near pissed himself when I gave him that order and paid in cash.”
“Well, I guess we had better help drink some then- barbecue smoke-roasted venison tonight too.”
“Yes, I heard JD playing ‘Who killed Bambi’ over by the bar,” she laughed.
“Heard them referring to me as “Bambi’s Bane” earlier,” I replied- “But I did prove that there is some great hunting there, just like I promised.”
“Let’s go and get a beer” said Jenny- “It’s been a long, dry couple of weeks.”
We wandered over towards the bar. This consisted of a steel barn, opening onto a concrete courtyard. Facilities consisted of a couple of barbecues and an extremely well set up bar. A battered upright piano stood against one wall and looking out of place in a rough and ready shed, were a collection of luxurious leather recliner chairs. An outdoor fireplace showed signs of regular use, even though it was hardly needed in this balmy climate.
Work was winding up for the day, the last job being unloading the supply truck in the compound. Pallets of personal supplies were moved by forklift into containers and boxes were being stored in quarters. It must have been like Christmas day over there with Bose stereos, Rolex watches, 20 year old single malts, fly rods, custom rifles and a host of other items being unwrapped.
The bar was empty apart from JD the chef, who was hovering between two smoking kettle barbecues.
“Mighty hunter, slayer of savage beasts,” he said with a grin.
“How’s it going, Tucker Fucker?”
“About medium rare, boss- ready in about 45 minutes.”
“Stand down tonight and a 1000 start tomorrow- anyone wants breakfast they can kill a Weetbix themselves. You won’t be getting dragged off to the range for extra drill tonight.” I said “We will have a meeting with stores in a week or so to sort out what supplies you need to take back.”
Jenny came over with three pilsners “Here you go- cheers,” she said, raising her bottle. “How did the kitchen module check out?” she asked.
“Looks great,” replied JD “I‘ve never used an Aga, so that should be interesting, but the equipment is all top class and there is everything and more there.”
“I expect to recruit a couple of pot scrubbers and bottle-washers down-time along with woodcutters, sweepers and gofers,” I said. “We can always pay them with MRE”
“Please don’t use that language in my presence,” exclaimed JD. “Whose round is it?”
The Transit crew started to roll in, drawn by the smell of roasting meat…
***
Weeks review
Two weeks down, Four to go. There is a real routine going now, without one really being set down. The team has cajoled each other into going for some kind of a run, followed by weights before breakfast. Those I knew from the army would never have done that then, voluntarily. I see the plant training has been put to good use, a nearby stream bed having been excavated to make a swimming hole.
Apart from opening and closing time at the bar- more specifically- the sound system, I have placed no real restrictions on drinking- I think four hours on the firing range, first thing in the morning discourages brain abuse. In any case, most of them got that sort of thing out of their system some years ago.
Pistol training finishes today, with most able to now actually hit what they are aiming at before the magazine runs out. Sub-machine gun module next week- that should be a bit of fun for them. I have approved requests to draw sporting rifles out- a few of our hunting types wanted to get the rifles they had ordered zeroed up in their free time and that’s fine by me. Same with requests for specific pistols- provided they qualify on the standard service pistol they can carry whatever suits them.
As they are doing driver/commander training on the M113’s next week, I will incorporate the .50 heavy machine gun training in with that- might as well tie the two together.
Support crew are off fetching a couple of truckloads of logs from Earth, so we can fire up the sawmill and firewood processor next week.
Time to start doing a few more local training jumps and then we will go back down-time for a bit more scouting around. I want to get the site marked out, clear another site for a radio repeater station and check out a couple of drift mines for coal. Might be an idea to go a bit further down time and ring-bark a few trees for seasoned firewood, too.
Jenny’s crew need to take a look at the site, as they will be helping out on the day, too.
Should keep up busy for the upcoming week.
***
Transit One
Command Staff Meeting Notes:
Matters for discussion:
Training changes
Down-time jumps
‘Snatch & grab’ jumps
Material requirements
General
Training:
I am very pleased with progress. 0.5 days allocated free each week.
Jump date unchanged; allocate additional training in areas as determined by specialists.
Down time jumps:
4x 4 man teams
1x survey team
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