Out of Time

Out of Time

Copyright © 2023 Serg Koren

All rights reserved.

Print ISBN: 979-8-35093-099-3

eBook ISBN: 979-8-35093-100-6

Other Books by Serg Koren

Puffin and Griswold in the Tunnel of Darkness

The Roland Targus Series

The Treasure

The Curse

The Kingdom

The Couple

Last Call

Scavenger Hunt

The Singular Case of the Three Witches

More information can be found on the author’s site:

https://auteureist.com

and wherever books are sold.

To the time you have.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Epilogue

About the Author

Prologue

Kat Jensen—Geneva, Switzerland—2010

Kat staggers to stand as Don rushes to help her. The buzzing in her ears vanishes, as does the haze in her vision. She blinks, letting her eyes adjust to the sudden change in brightness. A wave of relief washes over her as she realizes they have made it. Looking around, she notes the surprised expressions on her team members. Even Don looks stunned, but he quickly resumes his military bearing once he sees she’s OK.

It worked. Kat is the first to speak. Her voice is as unsteady as she is. We made it, she croaks. Her mouth is as arid as a desert. A thought crosses her mind. What if they can’t pull us back? I don’t belong here, she thinks in a panic. They know what they’re doing. I don’t. Kat stands transfixed and feeling suddenly alone. Don’s response distracts her.

We made it. Don takes a longer look around the new environment. We’re in a train station. He points at a sign. French, German, and English. We made it to Geneva. He glances at Jake, the team medic. You OK? You look pale.

Jake Sullivan waves him off. I’ll be fine. I’m just feeling queasy. I’m glad we did those preliminary tests with mice. They showed a bit of disorientation, so mentally I was prepared for the transit, but not physically. He looks around at the commuters and tourists queueing at a platform. Just think, we’re among the first to travel in time.

Some time earlier . . .

Chapter 1

General Mariann Mason—Time Ring—2150

I t’s time. General Mariann Mason scans the large group of people assembled in the underground chamber. Some of those assembled look anxious, others bored, and one or two have nodded off. She knows it is 3 a.m., but everyone knows the importance of the meeting. Bill, do we still look good for insertion?

The dark-haired man in a white lab coat nods. We’ve checked all the systems—and rechecked them. Everything is green, and we’re as set as we’ll ever be unless you know otherwise. We’re good to go.

The general winces at the informality but lets it go. She reminds herself that this isn’t a military operation. It’s a scientific one that requires her logistics and security support. But she has the final say in everything that goes on in the vast secret underground complex. She acknowledges Bill with an almost imperceptible tilt of her head.

Doctor Bester, how does the team look? she asks.

Doctor Marco Bester gives a shrug. They’re as healthy as ever, and I see no reason to delay any longer.

Good to hear. How are you three? She addresses the group of three sitting alone in front of her.

I think I speak for everyone, begins the muscular sergeant, who sits in the center. We are on edge and nervous, but eager to get on with it.

Understandable. This is an important mission, not only for science but for understanding our past. The general turns and addresses the room. This will be the first time this research complex tries to insert a living human. We’ve run tests on inanimate objects, animals, and a few human cadavers. Everything we’ve sent has come back intact, and we’ve encountered no problems. It’s time to level up. As you all know, the first insertion will be as much a live experiment as an actual mission. Our top priority will be to keep the team safe—she indicates the group of three with her hand—and to bring them back alive. I can now disclose the mission for this first insertion. This base and technology are built with the remnants of the records of the original project that existed in the 1960s. We had to reconstruct a lot of information from the bits and pieces that survived the war. We’ve done our best, but there are no guarantees.

She looks at the surrounding faces. One thing we know about that first attempt is that they weren’t able to retrieve their travelers. What happened to them is lost to history, as was what happened to their complex. We will attempt to discover what happened to that first team. A murmur goes around the room. This should be easy, as long as we all do our job and bring our team back healthy. General Mason glances over at the doctor, who sits staring in rapt attention. We will insert at the first team’s last known time and place. Once we figure out what happened to them, we’ll pull our team. She steps out from behind the lectern. Three hours. You’re briefed and trained. You know what’s at stake. Let’s get to our stations and get to work. She looks down at three people who sit in the first row. Team, stay seated. I have some additional intel to pass on to you once the room is cleared. The assemblage files out, murmuring; Doctor Bester is among them, whistling.

A minute later the white chamber is silent and empty apart from the general, the team, and armed guards who stand immobile at the entrances. Satisfied the auditorium is empty, the general begins. I just want to pass on a bit of information we’ve garnered. She hands a folder to each of them. We’ve narrowed down the last known time period to 2010 and Geneva. There are a couple events of interest, but we can’t narrow it down any further. That’s where the problem arose. She pauses for questions, but there are none. Remember. No contact with anyone until the scientists say it’s OK. We don’t know enough about what interacting could do.

The female of the group asks, Not even with the other team?

Kat, especially with the other team. We don’t want to tip them off about their future—or lack thereof. Stay inconspicuous. Stay quiet. Don’t interfere. You know the drill. It was in your training. Understood? The three nod. Good. First, we’ll do a quick test insert and pull you out to make sure all the systems are working and you’re healthy.

And what if you can’t pull us or we aren’t? one of the men asks.

The general observes the man a moment before responding. Then we’re in a serious pickle, Jake. You three volunteered and trained and we have tested the tech as much as possible to ensure it’s safe. But we can’t know everything. Murphy still shows up on occasion. Questions? Now’s the time to raise them. She looks at each of the three. No? Good. You’ll have a couple of hours to prep on the first team and the time period. We launch at 6 a.m. Be at the Ring at 5:30. Dismissed.

Without chatting, the three rise stand and head to the exit. Oh, one last thing. The team pauses at the exit. Look after each other and come back in one piece. Good luck. She watches the team leave, then sits in the silence with her thoughts.

Doctor Marco Bester—Time Ring—2150

Two and a half hours later, the team stood in a small white room. Doctor Bester, a middle-aged, balding man in a lab coat, moved from one to another, injecting each. You’re all set. You have base immunizations for the time period and the micro-chip inertial-GPS trackers. We’ll be able to monitor your vitals and track you. Just don’t lose the arm. He grinned.

We’ll try not to, Doc. Jake Sullivan, the team scientist and tech, snorts as he rubbed the arm.

I’ll make sure they don’t, Doctor Bester. Sergeant Donald Don Strange, a tall man with a build like a brick wall, grimaced at the doctor’s attempt at humor. Don Strange was the team leader and security.

I’m sure you will. You’re all set. Get fitted out. I’ll see you at the Ring. The short man dropped the now-empty syringes into a trash chute and walked out of the room with a grin on his face.

He gives me the creeps. Kat Jensen stared at the now-empty doorway. Every time he looks at me, it’s like he’s sizing me up for a body bag.

He’s a weird duck, but I wouldn’t worry about him. He’s passed all the checks, like everyone else down here. Sergeant Strange pulled down his sleeve. You won’t have to worry about him on the trip. Let’s get decked out. It’s too bad we didn’t have more time to brush up on 2010, but beggars can’t be choosers. We have a mission, and we’re go.

Kat Jensen, the historian of the group, pulled her attention away from the door, saying, Yeah, I would love that too. It’s not a year I’ve studied much. There wasn’t much going on as far as I know. We’ll have to learn on the job, I guess.

Let’s get our gear. Don Strange glanced at his watch. It’s almost go-time.

General Mariann Mason—Time Ring—2150

The chamber is huge. The natural cavern deep under the Arizona desert had been used for government projects and installations, but it was reclaimed and converted for the current project. Reaching down ten stories, the complex holds labs, housing, and the Ring. The nature and location of the vast structure is hidden from the public, and although rumors of its existence have surfaced, none have come near its true purpose.

The team, now dressed in clothing appropriate to the target year, stand in a ring of polished metal. The result of decades of research, technological advancement, and endless hours of labor by an army of workers who were never told their true goal looms over them.

General Mason stands outside the Ring in front of a bank of displays and control consoles manned by scientists, technicians, and engineers. Her voice echoes in the structure. All set? You know your mission. A quick test insert first. Then find out what happened to the original team. Don’t draw attention to yourselves, and don’t do anything out of time. Any last-minute questions? The team, who stands poised on the brink of history, shakes their heads. Good. Remember, at the first sign of trouble, we’ll pull you out. This first excursion is just a basic test. You’ll go in, stay for five minutes, then be retrieved. If all goes well, you’ll be go for the actual mission. We’ll be able to observe you. If you need anything, use the communicators.

General Mason motions to the two white-coated workers who stand to the right of the Ring. Last check. No items or devices, as you know. The two workers pat down each of the team. They exit the Ring and nod at the general. Good luck. We’ll see you in five. She signals Bill, who sits behind the primary display. Doctor Marco Bester sits next to him, his eyes glued to the screen in front of him. Bill begins a countdown as a loud whine emanates and rises in pitch from the containment ring, which emits a blue-white glow.

Jake Sullivan stands, eyes wide, at the ever-brightening glow. He licks his lips.

Kat Jensen stands with her eyes closed. She opens them and glances around furtively as Bill continues the countdown. Her heart beats forcefully, and she feels as if she is going to have a heart attack. Her head swims as she repeats to herself, It’s going to be alright. She glances at Don, who stands as certain as he had in training. Jake, on the other hand, looks like she feels. Training hadn’t involved an actual insertion, of course. This is the real thing, her mind manages to think. The countdown hits five. She swallows and realizes her mouth and throat are bone dry. Part of her second-guesses her decision to join the team. Then the countdown hits zero.

Sergeant Don Strange, feet apart and alert, nods at the general as a film of haze rises from the Ring, obscuring the view until it forms a wall of light which then vanishes along with the whine.

The chamber is silent, as are those behind the controls. An acrid scent hangs in the air. The Ring is empty.

Don Strange, Kat Jensen, Jake Sullivan—Geneva, Switzerland—2010

Three bodies fall—or maybe just one. Three minds coalesce, then drift apart. The shattered space-time stabilizes as they land. Don Strange is the first to recover. Jumping to his feet, he scans the busy building he finds himself in and, seeing no threat, checks his teammates. The two appear unhurt, but the transit has disoriented them.

Kat staggers to stand as Don rushes to help her. The buzzing in her ears vanishes, as does the haze in her vision. She blinks, letting her eyes adjust to the sudden change in brightness. A wave of relief washes over her as she realizes they have made it. Looking around, she notes the surprised expressions on her team members. Even Don looks stunned, but he quickly resumes his military bearing once he sees she’s OK.

It worked. Kat is the first to speak. Her voice is as unsteady as she is. We made it, she croaks. Her mouth is as arid as a desert. A thought crosses her mind. What if they can’t pull us back? I don’t belong here, she thinks in a panic. They know what they’re doing. I don’t. Kat stands transfixed and feeling suddenly alone. Don’s response distracts her.

We made it. Don takes a longer look around the new environment. We’re in a train station. He points at a sign. French, German, and English. We made it to Geneva. He glances at Jake, the team medic. You OK? You look pale.

Jake Sullivan waves him off. I’ll be fine. I’m just feeling queasy. I’m glad we did those preliminary tests with mice. They showed a bit of disorientation, so mentally I was prepared for the transit, but not physically. He looks around at the commuters and tourists queueing at a platform. Just think, we’re among the first to travel in time. A voice announces a train’s arrival in several languages.

Jake sniffs the air. God, that’s cigarette smoke. It’s been ages since I smelled it last. But the memory sticks with you.

Kat turns up her nose. This is before the EU banned it in their member countries. This is a historian’s dream come true. I’m itching to go around and just look at everything and study it. I can’t wait to talk to some of these people to see what life is like. Kat stands transfixed, gazing at the crowd.

Stay put. No interaction. Don commands.

A girl can dream.

Don grumbles. We have another minute or two until recall. The first thing I’m going to do once we get back is to suggest that next time, they don’t put us down in a crowded area. It’s dumb luck no one noticed our arrival.

Jake says, The first thing I’m going to do is drink a gallon of water. Jake looks at the clock in the station lobby. I wonder how accurate that thing is. Wish we could have brought our own watches—but before you say anything, he says, looking at Don, I know we can’t bring things back that may either expose us or disrupt time.

Time to check comms, Don announces. He keys his tooth implant, then subvocalizes. Time Ring. Copy?

The general’s voice responds and only the three hear. Copy. Comms seems to work OK, Sergeant.

Copy.

Jake and Kat then verify their communication implants function properly.

Stand by to be pulled, the general says.

The three stand waiting. Several people walk by, glancing at the group, but don’t interact as they go about their business. I wonder what they’re looking at, Kat comments, checking the other two for anomalies. I see nothing about us that stands out.

Jake pulls at a piece of errant paper that had attached itself to her jeans during the fall. I think this is it. He shows her the bit of paper, which he tosses aside. I think they were just wondering why you had this on your hip, he chuckles. The team vanishes. The scrap flutters in the wake of the vacuum left behind. No one notices their disappearance.

General Mariann Mason—Time Ring—2150

The white light vanishes, as does the whine. The team again stands inside the metal ring. From their perspective, nothing much has changed since they left.

Welcome home to 2150, the general greets them. How was your trip?

You tell us. Jake catches himself as he stumbles out of the Ring. The fall is worse than a rollercoaster—and I hate rollercoasters.

Doctor Bester calls from behind a console. Your heart rate, breathing, and adrenalin levels are up, but nothing dangerous and to be expected. It will take a few moments to go through all the telemetry data to make sure.

The general nods. Everything good on your end? she asks the sergeant.

Next time we should try not to land in a crowded rail station.

We heard. The general turns to the man behind the main console. Bill, can you see to it? Some place central, but not visible to the public? The man nods, keys some information into his console and checks the display.

I have a maintenance closet off the main lobby. It’s big enough to land the team and out of view.

General Mason nods. Do it! She turns back to the team. Anything else?

Nothing from me, Kat responds. But I’m dying of thirst.

I am too. Jake nods.

Ditto, the sergeant says. Other than that, I have nothing else. I just want to make sure we don’t land in a crowd—or a wall.

General, Doctor Bester interrupts. All the data looks clean, apart from the expected readings I mentioned before. I think we’re good to go. He sits back, watching Jake’s readings.

The general waves the team off the platform. Take a fifteen-minute break, and then we’ll set you down in a nice cozy closet. She steps back behind the console to talk to the techs.

I could use a drink of water. Jake addresses the other two members. My throat is dry.

Same here. That’s one side effect I didn’t expect, Kat agrees.

May as well hit the toilet as well, while we’re at it. I feel we’re going to be busy.

General Mariann Mason—Time Ring—2150

A few minutes later, the team is back inside the Ring and being checked for unauthorized items. General Mason steps up to the team. All set? Remember the mission. Find out what happened to our original crew, and don’t get involved in the local timeline. We’ll be monitoring you all the way. Once you’re done, or if you run into any trouble, send a signal and we’ll pull you out. Good luck. It’s time.

The countdown starts as the team braces for the fall. A minute later, the Ring is again empty. The general turns to the techs. OK, let’s keep an eye on them. Switch to the display. An instant later, a low hum fills the Ring, and a haze of air and darkness fills it. Concerned, she turns to the lead tech. Bill, what’s wrong? Why can’t we see them?

Chapter 2

The Team—Geneva, Switzerland—2010

The three end their fall in darkness, stumbling to their knees in surprise despite bracing themselves for the landing. Oof! Kat exclaims. I just banged into something.

I’m going to have a long talk with Bill, Jake complains.

Where are we? Did we miss? Kat asks. Why is it so dark?

Got it, the sergeant says. A moment later, dim illumination from the single bare bulb hanging above them fills the space. The group examines the maintenance closet. Looks like we found the maintenance room.

I’m still going to have a talk with Bill, Jake says.

Satisfied everyone is unhurt, Don pulls the door open a crack and peers out. Come on! It’s clear. The three enter the short corridor and are again in the railroad terminal.

Now that we’re here, where do we start? Jake asks.

This should be the location and day. The problem is, most of the records from ’69 were destroyed or lost. We don’t have an exact time the original team was here. The folder we got told us they were at the train station this morning, which is why they sent us here. Kat says as she looks wide-eyed around the station.

Maybe they took a train somewhere. Let’s check the schedules of all the trains leaving this morning, Don suggests. Remember, stay together, and don’t attract attention. Keep interactions to a minimum. The team moves toward the information stand.

Jake’s audible sniff is loud enough to be heard by the other two members. Have you noticed the air smells funky? I mean, besides the cigarette smoke.

Yeah. It somehow feels irritating too. I think it’s all the fossil fuels of this era. That’s my guess, Kat explains. You’ll grow accustomed to it in a moment or two.

Jake pulls a printed train schedule out of a metal stand, opens it, then scans it. "A lot of trains both leaving and coming from all over Switzerland, not to mention the rest of