Meddlers In Time Read online

  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 9th century England.

  A small band of time-traveling adventures recruit a specialist team, mainly of engineers and set about advancing 9th 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 9th 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-

  When time jumping goes wrong:

  “Last clip!” called 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!” exclaimed Wayne.

  “That time period is too crazy”, replied Jenny, “Good work Sonja, Andrea! - we had about another minute before the heavy weapons arrived”

  “Glad to return the favour” 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 growled, “We need a new home or we have to keep tripping backwards, so let’s do that- make a new timeline”

  “Interesting”, replied Jenny, “Time we did a little research as to when to make a split- and we are going to need a few more people…”

  ***

  What to do?

  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?” she asked.

  “We have a good population base and good mineral resources in the Sheffield area of England”, replied 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 get a foothold?” queried Andrea, the other research specialist.

  “I thought about that”, replied 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 heard”, stated Jenny, “Are we all in favour? - 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!” toasted Marty, in reply…

  ***

  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 Daniells 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 4 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 sit
e was choked in thick mud. The bank was ringing about his overdraft and his labourers 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

  8 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

  5 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

  6 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)

  7 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 early days at Transit, when we existed on army rations, 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 re
staurant 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.