Chapter 3

July 3, 2264

2115

As the shuttle came out of the vortex and banked towards Earth, Alison already has the computers scanning for the key locations that were listed on the Reader. Three different places, none of which were even located any where near each other. Local news feeds were already talking about major build ups in the New York, Chicago, and San Francisco areas of the United States, Earth.

“Things aren’t looking too good right now in the key locations.” Alison stated as she was flipping through information at a high speed. “So far time doesn’t seem to be effected, but I wouldn’t trust things right now. There are people down there that seriously want to make a change, and the events down there aren’t going to stop them in the least. I’d wager that the people down there would just add fuel to the fire.”

Alex looked at the potential landing spots and realized that it wouldn’t work that way. “We’re going to have to transport down there all at once, other wise to do anything else would take way too long, and we seriously don’t have the time for that.” Alex told them.

Peter was already working the computer to trigger up the transport for energy send off. “The system is up and running. Who ever will go last, will get the shuttle, but at the same time, will have to do a slight delay to get off the shuttle.” Peter stated.

“I’m taking the shuttle and sending you two off. Alison, you’re going to be taking Chicago. Peter I’m sending you to San Francisco. I’m going to be heading to New York. I want each of you to take Note-Reader with you so that way you have the locations of where your targets are going to be. Remember that they will have your versions of the weapons here in this time period as well; however they won’t be having different level settings like yours do. I want both of yours to be set for heavy stun. We’re not going to be killing anyone. The only ones that we’re going to be taking out of here if possible, will be the ones trying to change time.” Alex told them as he banked the shuttle towards San Francisco. “Peter you’re up first, reroute transport control over to my console.” Alex ordered.

“Done.” Peter said. Getting up, Peter headed over to the back where Alex had appeared during the TAR example. “Ready.”

Alex tapped a few controls, and hit the command button. “Transporting.”

Peter vanished in a silver column of energy leaving nothing behind.

“Alison, you’re up.” Alex said, as he jumped the shuttle into Earth Warp speed getting over to Chicago in two seconds.

Alison got up and walked over to the same place that Peter had just been standing. “Ready.”

Once again, Alex entered the same commands and hit the command button. “Transporting.”

Just as before with Peter, Alison vanished as well in a silver column of energy leaving nothing behind her.

Soon as that was done, Alex again punched the shuttle into Earth Warp and headed for New York. Once arriving at the right location. He landed the shuttle on the top of a building roof. Quickly he entered in the commands to keep the shuttle safe while they were there, then jumped up and headed out of the shuttle door and towards the door to the roof. “Alison, Peter, check in, I want to make sure that we have a com check.” Alex stated as he went through the door.

Alison has been transported to the roof of a building that the shuttle had been passing over. The moment that she had fully appeared, she saw the shuttle disappear in a wink as Alex had kicked in the Earth Warp and headed for New York. A couple of seconds later after that she heard Alex’s voice over her com unit that was in her ear. “You know that really would’ve been more helpful to have done when we first got the things in the first place.” She stated as she went through the roof access door and started heading down the stairs.

Peter had been transported to street level and hadn’t gotten to see the shuttle head off towards Chicago, but about five seconds later he also heard Alex’s voice as well, then heard Alison’s as well. “You know that she right. What’s the point in having these things and then doing a com check right after we’re already off? That’s like making sure that we have the gear only to find out that it doesn’t work and getting stuck.” Peter stated as he headed out into the main street.

Alex smiled at what he heard. “I’ll explain later as to why it’s done this way, but you’re right Peter, we should’ve done it the other way instead. However I didn’t write the book.” Alex told them as he continued running down the stairs. “Damn, why in the world did this building have to have the first door from the roof several levels down instead of one?” Alex griped as he finally came to a door leading out of the stair well.

Opening the door he saw a corridor that was grey and only had doors to either side. “Great, looks like I stepped right into a fucking bad dream.” He stated as he drew his Plasma gun and started heading down the corridor.

Alison had already arrived at the first level from the roof and was amazed at what she was seeing. “Well I’m in a building that at least has glass in it, though it looks like something out of a bad twentieth century movie. However the one thing that I find really strange is that there is nothing here. No equipment or anything, it’s just a plain floor with glass for walls and that’s it.” Alison noted.

Once she got to the other side where the other door was located, she opened it and walked through. She found her self in a foyer area, and noticed that there was a desk set up in front of a set door where the elevators were located. “Ok, this is different.” Alison stated as she walked over to the desk.

There was someone seated at the desk, but at the same time, the person hadn’t even noticed Alison yet. “Ah hello.” She said as she waved at the person. Still nothing. “Ah guys, this is really strange right here. I’m looking at someone seated at a desk, but the person isn’t even looking at me, even when I said hello.” Alison told them.

Walking around the side of the desk where an opening to the back was at, Alison reached for the person, only to discover that the person wasn’t really there. “Holy crap!” Alison exclaimed. “Damned thing’s a hologram.”

Peter smiled at what he was picturing in his mind. He had a feeling that it would be but didn’t want to say anything for wanting to get Alison’s reaction. Looking around, he saw that he was now in a totally different area of the city. Looking down at the Note-Reader, he saw that he was really close. Using the GPS locator, he saw where the location was going to be at, and didn’t like it too much. “Oh man…why me?” He asked himself. “At least it seems like you both are right in the middle of buildings, but what do I get, I get the San Francisco version of Time Square.” The entire place was a plaza area right in the heart of the Art District of the city.

Looking down at his Note-Reader, Peter checked out what was going to be happening, and the more and more that he read, he liked the situation less and less. “Is there any chance at all that I can switch with one of you?” Peter asked.

Alex had just opened the door to the location that he was going to be hitting and the area lead right outside to another plaza area. It was much the same as Peter’s. “Peter if what I’m thinking is right here, I pretty much doubt that any of us is going to be switching.” Alex stated as he watched the military units rolling in. “I believe that once Alison gets to her location, it’s also going to be a plaza area as well.” Alex said.

Peter was wondering if Alex had been reading his Note-Reader. “Just wondering, are you reading your Note-Reader?” He asked.

“Nope. The tech that’s going to be introduced to the people that would be staying with the government till the riots happened was shown in plazas.” Alex told them.

Alison was now looking at her target area. “You know, I really don’t think that I’m going to be able to handle this. I mean this is way the hell out of my league.” Alison said in almost a near panic.

The last thing that Alex needed was someone in a panic. “Alison, listen to me, you will be able to handle everything just fine. The ones that we’re going to be going up against will be trying to take down the government in the worst way that they can.” Alex told her as he was heading deep into the crowd of people. “All you need to do is look for someone that looks to be out of place. Someone that is trying to look like they belong yet they also know that they don’t and will be looking for the type of people that they want to avoid, and that would be us. Nine times out of ten, the ones that I’m usually going after always take off running when they see a Time Tracker homing in on them. They stick out that badly.” Alex told her.

“Well that’s good to know since I have a feeling that if they’re in contact like us, they might just trigger the whole thing even sooner.” Peter stated as he ran after the guy that had just what Alex had described.

Alex realized what was going on. “Peter, report, what’s going on over there?” He asked.

“Two seconds walking into the crowd I spotted the guy and he started running. I picked him out because of some of the tech gear that he was wearing wasn’t standard for being made during this time period.” Peter said as he rounded a bend and almost ran head long into a dumpster that had been pushed into his way. “Son of a bitch.” He stated as he went around and noticed that the guy had picked up a few friends. “Ok, if this is how you’re going to want to play it.” He said as he took out a piece of head gear and put it on. “Alex, I hate to say this, but I need to run the Avatar program with your help.” Peter said as he got ready to activate the unit.

*     *     *

Alex couldn’t believe what Peter was asking for, and right in the middle of a mission. “Peter, this isn’t exactly the time for that.” Alex told him. “What in the hell would you need that for anyway?” Alex asked him.

Peter looked at the guys that were moving around him. “I’m currently surrounded by several men, about ten of them to be exact, and I need your help if I’m to defeat them and continue on with the mission.” Peter explained.

That froze Alex right in place. Something wasn’t sounding right by that, why would Peter become surrounded by that many at one time. “Hold on, I’ll plug in and check out what you’re seeing here.” Alex stated as he jogged over to an alley that was not only dark but also out of the way. Plugging him self into his own avatar program, an energy band field came over his eyes and his world became that of what Peter was seeing, and the picture wasn’t good. “Holy shit, what the hell have you gotten your self into Peter?” Alex asked.

Peter now had no control over his own body motor functions at all. What he saw, Alex now saw. “As you can see, the odds are not at all in our favor.” Peter stated.

Alex grinned. “Please, this is a cake walk for me. You should see the advanced training vids I’ve made for the martial arts fighters. I’ve taken on five times this many before, which means that you’ll also be able to do it with my help of course.” Alex told Peter.

The first one came in fast from the front and Alex gave him a quick mid level kick doubling the guy over, and right then everyone jumped in all at once. Alex could tell that they didn’t care if they hurt Peter or themselves. Alex knew that it was time to make sure that these guys felt their own pain, so about a second before they all made contact with Peter, Alex jumped straight up and flipped over backwards out of their immediate reach. However Alex wasn’t content to just let them come back at them, instead he turned things back on them and jumped right into a free for all fight, with feet and fists flying at such speeds that one couldn’t see to keep up.

Peter was amazed at the things that Alex was making him do. “I take it that you’re trying to end this fast?” Peter asked.

“They want a fight, I’m giving them one and making sure that they feel the pain that they were about to give to you instead. I’m turning everything back on them.” Alex explained.

The fight didn’t last long, since shortly after it had started, a few drew weapons that Alex took from them and used back on them. The entire fight from start to full finish lasted a grand total of two minutes exact with both the speed and the weapons that had been used. Leaving Peter standing there alone.

Alex disconnected the avatar programs and looked back towards the plaza that he was going to head right back into. “Now quit looking at them like an idiot and get back to the mission at hand, we need to stop these guys and fast, and I have a strong feeling that they were a delaying tactic that was trying to prevent us from getting these guys. Too bad they don’t know what they’re really up against.” Alex stated as he headed back into the plaza to head right to the main source of the tech riots for his area.

Peter instead of heading further into the alley that he had walked into with the trap, he headed back into the plaza and up to the stand that held the tech that would be part of the spark needed for the riots. Walking up to the stand, Peter had never seen anything like it before, but then when the riots had started up, everything about this piece of tech had been deemed classified by the military for national security reasons, even in his own time period the information was still under lock and key.

“Holy crap, you’ve got to be kidding me.” Peter stated as he looked at the full unit that had been set up. “Do you guys know what this means, that’s the first version, the prototype.”

Alison had been looking at it for a while now and still didn’t understand as to what in the world she was looking at. “Peter do you mind clueing the rest of us in as to what this thing happens to be?” Alison asked.

“Peter do not say a thing, and that’s an order.” Alex ordered as he looked at the unit that had been set up. “Sorry Alison, but Peter and I both know what that is and we also know that it’s what’s going to be setting off the riots, but our mission continues to remain the same, we need to find the…” Alex had spotted one of the guys from the report and knew what they were intending. “I’ve got one of them insight.” He stated as he began walking over to the guy.

Once Alex got over to him, he took out his plasma gun and poked the muzzle right into the guys back. Alex heard a chuckle from the guy. “I was wondering when you would show up officer.” The guy stated as he turned around to face Alex. “By the way, if you think that I’m here to change history the way that you think, you couldn’t be more wrong on that.”

Alex looked the guy right in the eyes. “Guy Lispmen, just what exactly are you planning on doing, if you’re not trying to start a war here?” Alex asked Guy.

Guy smiled. “I’m here to take it. Right now in our own time, there are forces at work that are planning something that will be bigger then the attacks of September 11 2001, only this time instead of a location on a planet being effected, it’s going to be a huge effect on time, and there’s not going to be a damned thing you and the rest of the Time Trackers will be able to do about it.” Guy stated.

Alex looked over Guy’s shoulder towards the device and noticed that there were a couple of men that were walking towards what was in history known as the first prototype energy transport unit. Alex knew that he couldn’t let them do anything to it, or to take it. “I don’t know what you’re planning with it, but you’re not going to do a damned thing with it.” Alex stated, not really knowing right then how he was going to handle things.

Guy looked Alex right in the eyes and smiled a smile so wicked, it was like he was reading Alex’s mind right then. “No, I doubt that you’re going to be doing anything at all. After all your main mission is to preserve time, not change it at all in any way or form. So I honestly believe that you’re going to let us walk right out of here.” Guy stated.

Alex’s mind was racing trying to figure out what in the world to do, and that’s when it came to him. Looking down at his crono, he noticed that it was time for the riots to start, and yet they weren’t, that was his key, the riots. “Alison, how did the riots start?” Alex asked as he watched Guy smile once more at him.

Alison couldn’t believe that he had just asked that question. “It was a shot that had been fired at the officers guarding the units…” Alison said as it slowly dawned on her. “Wait a minute; you’re not saying what I think you’re saying.”

*     *     *

Alex looked from Guy to the guards standing near the unit. “We’re the ones that set off the riots; it was to prevent the ones that are currently trying to take it from taking it in the first place.” Alex stated, as he watched the smile slowly melt away from Guy’s face.

“You wouldn’t dare.”

Alex raised his Plasma gun and pointed it towards a guard at the unit. “Please, you said it yourself, I make sure that time stays the way that it should. Peter, Alison, shoot one of the guards.” Alex said as he pulled the trigger and fired off a shot nailing the guard and catching the attention of the other guards that pulled their gun and stopped Guy’s friend from taking the unit.

The cascade effect was triggered and the riots were starting as everyone around them got caught up in the mayhem and started going completely nuts around the place. Alex pushed around the people to make his way over to the unit, but he also noticed that the other guards had also gotten caught in the free for all and were now down. Guy’s men were making their way slowly over to the unit and were now trying to get to it before Alex could. Alex knew that he had to get their first; he had to guard against them getting it to make sure that they didn’t make off with it for their own plans.

“Give it up Tracker, even if you stop us here, we will succeed in the end, and our plans will come together, and there is nothing that you can do to stop it.” Guy shouted.

Alex was just about there and knew that if he could get to the unit first, he could be able to save it. Just as he made it to the unit, Alex saw Guy and his men there as well with weapons out and pointed right at him. “You know that in the end you’ll end up right where everyone else ends up.” Alex told them.

Guy smiled at Alex once again. “You really are the naive one aren’t you? This isn’t about you or proving that we’re better then the Time Trackers, no this is a lot larger picture. Those earlier hits were a test that was proven all to well. We know how you work and we’re now prepared against it and anything else that you might come up with.” Guy said as his men picked up the unit and stepped back. “After all, in time, history will prove to us in the end what the mighty Time Trackers are really like in the end; they are the same as all the rest of the time police through out history. Question now remains, will you follow us into time and try to stop us. After all you don’t know where we will strike next, it’s out of your hands, since you can’t see us any more. Find us if you can Tracker.” Guy yelled as him and his men vanished in a column of energy that Alex saw was an energy transport effect from his own time period.

“Shit.” Alex stated as he noticed that there was nothing else that he could do here. “I suspect that the rest of you had the same luck as I did, and that the riots are in fully swing around the both of you. Find a hidden spot and return back to the shuttle, we need to get the hell out of here. We lost this battle, but we did pick up information as well, and we need to piece it all together.” Alex said as he headed for a nearby alley.

Once in the mouth of the alley, Alex looked around and noticed that everyone else that was around was dealing with the riot that had started up. Well at least it’s not a war. Alex thought as looked further into the alley and didn’t see anyone. Uncovering the TAR, Alex hit the red button and saw the confirmation in the bars. Alex started jogging towards the back of the alley, he started feeling the pull that the energy field created and noticed the distortions as the air bent around him. Once he had gone into the energy field enough, he was through and into the shuttle that he had parked on the top of the roof. Alison and Peter were already there.

“News coverage shows the riot all over the country, no one here was expecting anything of this level for a riot, but it’s not being considered a war.” Alison told Alex.

Alex sat down in the pilot’s seat and started working the controls. “Any change in the history of the riots at all, anything from our database at all?” He asked.

Alison accessed the history database and looked up the Tech Riots. “There’s nothing listed about a Tech War, only a Tech Riot. History remains the same.” Alison told him.

Alex breathed a sigh of relief. Nothing had been changed, but in fact something had been changed, the prototype energy transport had been stolen. “Strap in, we’re heading home.” Alex told them as he gunned the shuttle and headed into space.

Chapter 2

July 11, 2261

1326

The scene is one of chaos, yet it’s a controlled chaos of sorts, one that looks like it’s about to go bad at any moment. The street in front of the building is cleared of all people and vehicles except for those of local law enforcement. It was inside the building that things for the people were taking a turn for the strange.

“Have they made any demands at all?” A lieutenant asked.”

The sergeant in charge looked at him. “Sorry sir, but no attempt had been made to contact those inside, We’ve been told to hold off, seems the situation’s been taken out of our hands, it’s a government problem now.” The sergeant stated.

The lieutenant wasn’t pleased with this, but before he could say anything, a rumble came from over head. Looking up, they all saw lights descending towards them, or more towards the only opening there was, right in front. The craft, which they now realized was a shuttle, had no marking on it at all, save for the one that was now being uncovered on its side. The lieutenant saw the marking, and realized what it was, and then started to wonder if they were apart of the government too. “I swear we can never get a break from these government bastards.” He stated as he watched the shuttle open up.

A cat like being and two humans came out and walked right up to him. “Are you the one in charge?” The cat man asked.

The lieutenant never got the chance to answer. “Actually that would be me now.” A voice said to the side. They all turned to the voice and saw a young man in a black suit standing there. “Special agent Jack Colburn and you three would be?”

The cat looked at him. “The one now fully in charge here. Alex Connerly, Time Tracker.” Alex stated as he walked over to the side of the shuttle and opened it up.

Colburn looked like he had just been slapped. “Walking over to Alex, he made a note of the devices now uncovered. “Under whose authority do you have to do that, because it sure as hell isn’t Homeland Security?”

Alex kept working as he spoke, “My authority comes from temporal, as in the year 2643. Call your supervisor and ask about temporal priority six, then you’ll understand what’s going on. In the mean time, I’m going to do my job, and then I’m out of here.” Alex told Colburn, as he pulled a long and huge device from a rack of sorts.

As Alex left Colburn standing there, he hefted the plasma rifle up and took a couple of Light Disks, putting them on his belt. Taking out an ear device, he plugged in to connect with Alison and Peter. “I’m plugged in, are we ready?” Alex asked.

“I’m all set here; these guys don’t even know what’s going on.” Peter stated.

“Personally, I’d like to know what the hell I’m doing, it’s not exactly like I can stop them by reciting history to them.” Alison stated.

Alex grinned slightly. “Alison, there’s a blue button on the co-pilot’s consol. The side of the shuttle that’s facing the building will set off a plasma energy pulse; it will knock out anyone that tries to leave by force.” Alex explained.

Alison walked back into the shuttle and over to the co-pilots consol, once she saw the button, Alison knew that anyone coming out would get hit and hit hard. “All right, I see it, I’ll be ready.” Alison stated.

With that Alex headed for the front door, he knew they were watching him, and Alex knew that this was going to be a fire fight right from the start. Too bad he had to ask the question that he knew wouldn’t work. Walking into the building, Alex noted the entire area, the place was a bank. Everyone was gathered into one area of the lobby, with a few of the gun totting criminals in a couple of various places. Except for one teller behind the counter filling up a cloth sack with cash from each window, the rest of the tellers were sitting with the rest of the people. Alex had taken all this in with a mere glance.

Looking around at the men with the guns, Alex sighed. “I know that you’re not really interested in hearing this, but we both know that it’s the usual s.o.p. bullshit crap I have to say, so I’ll just say it and get it over with. Lay down your weapons and surrender peacefully or else. Now that that’s been said, you may now resist so I can kick your asses.” Alex told them.

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. I didn’t sign on to be threatened by a fucking cat with a pea shooter.” One with a slight Scottish accent stated. “Why don’t you just turn around and walk back out the fucking door fur ball.”

Alex was just given all the excuse he needed. Not even looking at the guy, Alex pointed the plasma stun rifle and fired. A clear blast of energy came out and rammed into the guy sending him flying back through a nearby desk and into a wall. “I really don’t like to be called that.” Alex said as he walked forward and fired yet again at another guy running right at him.

This guy was hit by the energy blast and sent flying over the counter, flipping over so fast it almost seemed like his body was now broke in two. Walking by the counter, Alex tossed two Light Disks over, one towards the desks in back, the other right on the other side of the counter. Both had a two second delay on them, when they went off, a bright flash lit the areas and a wine and a thud could be heard. Alex knew that anyone that saw the Light Disk in action, they were out for a long while, all of Alex’s weapons were non-lethal so the person (or people) hit would wake up later with a nasty little headache.

Looking down at the rifle, Alex noticed the energy level; the rifle was low on energy. “Damn, used up too much energy.” Alex stated.

“You want a weapon swap out through transport?” Peter asked through the link.

“No, just transport it back when I drop it to the floor. The disks and my gun can handle the rest.” Alex said as he dropped the rifle. The moment the gun hit, it blurred out to clear as if it was a hologram that had just been deactivated.

“Rifle is back, and it’s reracked up and recharging.” Peter told Alex.

Alex took out his personal hand gun and switched to heavy stun. Personally Alex liked his hand gun more than he did the rifle; after all he could maneuver better with the hand gun than he could with the rifle.

Taking a Light Disk, he pressed the red knob and rotated it slightly, then tossed it near the crowd where there were still two armed men standing. The Light Disk, a small grey disk with a red knob on top, hit the floor and slid slightly over to the armed men. Alex had set the timer with the slight rotate while pressing the red knob; he had two seconds before the Light Disk went off. He turned his back and closed his eyes. Once again the sound of the whine and thud, and saw a bright light on the other side of his eye lids, Alex opened them and turned around, what he saw was the typical results from a Light Disk after one went off, everyone was out cold. Alex knew that in a couple of hours, everyone there would be waking up with a nasty headache.

The important thing was that the situation in the front lobby was now secure. “Alison, Peter, front lobby of the bank is secure. I’m going to head through the rest of the place to see if anyone’s been missed. Send a message to H.Q. letting them know the key point is secure and to send a clean up crew.” Alex finished as he started to look around the place.

Despite the building having more than one level, the bank only took up the first level, and you couldn’t get access to the higher floors from the bank. Once Alex checked out the floor with all the offices that were there, he headed back outside; he also made sure to let Alison and Peter know so that way they could wrap their parts up.

Exiting the building, Alex saw that a second Time Trackers shuttle was now there and he knew that was the clean up crew, and of course the local government officers were still there too.

“Mr. Connerly, a word if you please.” Agent Colburn called.

For the moment, Alex had decided to ignore the man, and instead walked over to the side of the shuttle, the same side that held the weapons locker where he got the rifle from.

“All those inside the building that had committed the incident have been taken into custody, and their tech ahs been removed from them.” One of the clean up officers told Alex.

“Good, have you modified the memories of those caught in all of this?” Alex asked the officer.

“Yes sir. All of the locals have been nuralized.”

“Do not ignore me Mr. Connerly, you have no authority to do any of this, and that gives me full authority to place you under arrest.” Colburn stated.

That set Alex off. Alex knew full well that the law enforcement and government had a directive when it came to the Time Trackers, and now he was going to deal with this idiot, and let him know what was going on. “Look.” Alex started, turning to face Colburn. “I can tell that you hadn’t called your boss, which means you don’t know what’s going on. So that means that I’m going to have to get in touch with your boss.” Alex said. “Peter, get in touch with agent Colburn’s boss, he should still be listed in the data base for period contacts.” Alex told Peter over the link.

Peter had the information up and was calling before Alex had even finished what he was saying. “I’ve got him on the line now, patching it through and placing it to outer audio for the both of you out there.” Peter informed Alex.

A slight crackling and then a voice. “Yes this is Special Agent John Rayturn, how can I help you?”

Alex sighed. “Agent Rayturn, my name is Alex Connerly, lieutenant with the Time Trackers of the future. We’re from the year 2643, and the reason why we’re here is because of the incident dealing with people from out time.” Alex told Rayturn.

“Excuse me Mr. Connerly; is there a point to all of this?” Rayturn asked.

“Agent Rayturn, I’m standing next to one of your agents, an agent Colburn who stated that the Time Trackers have no authority here, and I know for a fact that had he called you in the first place, we wouldn’t be here talking since you would’ve told him about the Time Tracker protocol, and would’ve told him to stand down.” Alex finished explaining.

For a bit there was silence on the other end. “Your right Mr. Connerly, but it also states that you’re to inform us as well.” Rayturn stated.

Alex couldn’t believe this. “Right and I informed you through an agent in the field which I’ve done through Colburn.” Alex finished.

“Has he done so Agent Colburn?” Rayturn asked.

“Sir, Mr. Connerly rudely told me that he and his people were taking over.” Colburn stated.

“So in other words, yes he did.” Rayturn stated over the line. “Agent Colburn, in light of the Time Trackers being there, all matters dealing with this incident are referred to them. The Time Trackers are the ones that are in charge. Any failure to obey them will be met with severe action, do I make my self clear Agent Colburn.” Rayturn finished.

Colburn didn’t know what to say at that point, all he knew was that he had just been told off by his own boss. Later Colburn would realize that he should’ve made the call in the first place. Luckily for him though, Alex, Alison, and Peter took care of everything so Colburn didn’t have to do a thing.

Settling back into the pilots’ seat of the shuttle, Alex took note of a message on the consol board, reading it over he knew the others would want to know. “Other teams are reporting in that the other rapid points are being taken out by hitting the key points, and they’re proving much the same as this one, quick take downs.” Alex told them.

Alison didn’t like it. So what does this mean, after all none of them are doing anything to really hurt the time line at all?” Alison said.

Alex nodded. “True you’re right, plus a lot of other planets have the same situation that this one has right now. It’s all still being figured to something major in the works right now, something that has yet to happen.” Alex told them.

Going through pre-flight, thoughts started to go through Alex’s mind about what could possibly be up, even he didn’t know. What ever it was, Alex knew it was going to be big. Suddenly a beeping signal went off on the co-pilot’s consol; Alison turned it off and read what was now being displayed. “We’re being recalled back, something is going on.” Alison told them.

That Alex didn’t like hearing at all. “Great, what now. We head out into the field, do one take down, and then get a recall order back.” Alex stated. “All right, get ready because we’re heading back.”

Outside, all three could see the clean up ship lifting off, and Alex had their shuttle do the same. Once clear of the buildings, Alex punched the engines up, and the shuttle banked and flew for open space. Once again Alex engaged the Matrix, and opened up the vortex for the return trip. Once the shuttle went past the event horizon, Alex kicked the shuttle’s engine up to the max level, and knew they would get back faster then they left.

When Alex and his team arrived back, the chief had a direct line opened right to the shuttle. “Shuttle Eternity, do you copy?” Came the chief’s voice.

Alex opened the comm. line and put the chief on a screen in the center of the control consol. “Yeah chief, we read you, loud and clear. We also see you too.” Alex stated with a bit of sarcasm.

“Ah good, there you are.” The chief noted, not even noticing Alex’s sarcasm. “By taking out the key points, whoever is behind this has stepped everything up to the next level. The data is currently being up loaded to the shuttles main computer banks now. Your next destination is the tech riots of 2264. Who’s ever behind this, we believe their going to turn those riots into a full scale war.” The chief told them.

“Wait is that even possible, to turn a riot into a war?” Alison asked.

“All depends on how it’s done. So far it’s been done on other worlds, but never on Earth, I’m guessing that someone might just try to copy another world to get a war going.” Alex told them.

“It can’t be a single person trying to do this; it’s got to be a group of people doing this. After all, no one in their right mind would ever try to pull this and think that they could actually pull it all off.” Alison said as she looked at Alex, Peter, and the chief on the screen, trying to get them all to see reason on this.

“Well till we knew more,” the chief said, “it’s up to us to make sure that history doesn’t change. So for us to get the right info we need people to go back and get it, and that mean you three for that.” The chief finished.

Alex looked down at his consol and saw that the upload had finished. “Upload’s finished chief, so we’re off. Want us to bring you back anything?” Alex asked sarcastically.

The chief looked at him. “Only the bastards causing all this in the first place.” The Chief said, and then the screen blanked out.

Alex sighed and looked at the information, then set it aside for future reading. “All right let’s get going here. Also Peter, check for bugs on this shuttle, I’d like to make sure that our history reviews don’t turn into missions.” Alex stated as he turned the shuttle around in place.

Once the time coordinates were set, he opened the vortex tunnel, and flew it in. Setting it for the lowest speed, Alex picked up the Reader and started going through everything. Noticing that there was also other stuff in there, Alex check to see what the details were and realized that it was information for each of their fields. Taking two other Readers, Alex transferred the information for their fields, and then handed both Readers to Alison and Peter.

“Those Readers contain the information for each of your fields.” Alex told them.

Alison and Peter both took their Readers. “Great, a full history of the Tech Riots, and what the cause of it was.” Alison said as she read through.

Peter thumbed through his and at first didn’t say anything. “My word, I’m glad the tech has been vastly changed over the centuries. The stuff these people were working with, now I can understand why they had the riots in the first place. If things hadn’t gone the way they had, it wouldn’t have been a riot, it would’ve been a full on out war, but not a normal war either.” Peter told them.

Alison looked up at him. “What do you mean, not a normal war?”

Peter turned to look at her. “Do you know about the second civil war of 2020?” Peter asked.

Alison thought about it for a second then nodded. “Yeah, but the reason for it was never really clear, it was said in the end that there were several reasons, all brought on at once.” Alison said.

Peter looked off as if looking back in to the past. “Actually, it was mostly one source at that time, that being the countries government then, it wasn’t a good time for anyone. I don’t know much of the details, but I do know that they had a major change in everything dealing with tech, and as far as I can tell you, the world’s been far better off thanks to those riots.”Peter told her.

Alison sat there in silence, for the first time, at a total loss for words. For Alison, dealing with history was something of a specialty for her, but for someone out side of Alison’s department to know something about a historical event was something that took her off guard at time. “How do you know about the Tech Riots?” Alison asked.

Peter returned her look. “It’s actually required reading for all computer tech’s like myself. Only thing was, I mostly skimmed through it, I was too busy working on the system to really want to know it. So I grabbed the highlights and that was enough to get by on the tests.” Peter explained.

During this entire conversation between Alison and Peter, Alex head been reading up on the possible likely people to want to get this riot turned into a war. Surprisingly there were only a few people that were humans on the list, all the rest were different races that hated Earth and the humans. All in all, there were a total of eight that might be behind everything that was going on, and Alex had a huge feeling that if any were actually teamed up, then what the plans were, were indeed huge. The only thing that Alex couldn’t figure was the three humans, unless they teamed up, but Alex doubted that all three would ream up, maybe two, but not all three. Alex knew that the evidence would present its self when the time came, and that he just had to keep an eye out.

It had been about twenty minutes since the shuttle had reentered the vortex tunnel, before the warning signal went off. “All right you two, we’re going to be coming out a while before the riots get set off, which means that we’ve got a few days before each city in the country starts going right to hell. What that means for us is that we have to find the direct cause and make sure that it doesn’t become modified to create a full on out war.” Alex told them.

Both Alison and Peter looked at Alex like he was some kind of strange new creature that neither had ever seen before. “You’re kidding right, please say that you are, because there is no direct cause to the riots.” Alison stated.

“She’s right. The riots were a combination of the things that had set off right when the moment was right. To say that there was one direct cause would be to say that not only was history recorded wrong, but that if there was one direct cause, not only could no one figure it out till now, but that who ever did figure it out knows not only where to go, but is possibly going to take out a whole country and possibly an entire planet.” Peter explained.

Alex knew there was a point to touch on, but he also had to make sure the shuttle got out of the tunnel in one piece and set down on Earth in a hidden spot as well. “Look Peter, Alison, let’s can this topic till after we touch down, because Peter you hit upon a point I want to go back to here.” Alex stated.

As the shuttle came out of the vortex, Alex changed the engines over, banked the shuttle, and set course for the planet side on Earth. Alex had set the time that they would arrive being at night, that way they’d also have the cover of darkness to hide them as well. Alex settled the shuttle down in a forest park near the heart of Yosemite National Park, plus it also meant (after a quick scan) that except for the local animals, no one would stumble upon them. That they neither wanted nor desired.

Once the propulsion system had been shut down, Alex turned to Alison and Peter with his Reader in hand. “Now, we’ve got some time to figure this whole thing out, and to prevent the riot from becoming a war.” Alex stated, as he flipped through the information on the Reader.

“Well we have to figure out what the key to the riots are in the first place, that way we can know where we can possibly go to.” Alison stated as she also went through her Reader.

Peter didn’t say anything, just flipped through his Reader. Peter was too intent on reading the contents to hear either Alex or Alison at all. All that Alex did was look at Peter; he understood what it was like to be very intent on something. Alison was looking out the forward view port, gazing deep in thought. Turning, Alex checked the board for both the local date and time (mostly the time), as well as their own time from their future period. It used to be that anyone that went through would adjust there times to the local times, but after a while, anyone in the field would just check both times, which in the end turned out to be very different. Plus more often than not, the bodies were only used to their original periods. It would only be after staying in a certain period for a long while, would the body adjust to the local time.

Alex looked at the time and noticed the difference only slightly, he knew it wouldn’t really matter since being with the shuttle; they had all the time in the world to take care of anything. “We’ve got really only two options. Option one is, we let them make the change, then just back up slightly and stop them. Or we do option two, which is that we try to figure out where they’re going to hit.” Alex told them.

Peter at that point looked up at them. “We can’t do the first one because it will all still be hidden from us. Plus the escalation will not only wipe out the planet, the whole of space time will be wiped out. From the tech that their using as well as creating, they’re one level below white Earth planet destroyer, and time destroyer. We need to find the main point of where everything starts off and deal with it from there.” Peter told them.

Alex was the one now looking out the forward view port, his thoughts flying like a bat out of hell, and he wasn’t liking where they were going either. “If what you’re saying is true Peter, then we are going to have to figure out where that point is located at, and go there.”

No one said anything, what could they say, it was like looking for a needle in a temporal haystack with no starting point. It was about five minutes later that Alison noticed something. “Hey guys, just wondering, but have you guys noticed that at certain points in our information, there’s gaps.” Alison said, as she turned to a console.

Both Peter and Alex started going back over their Readers more carefully. Alex was the second to see something. “You’re right Alison, question is, where’s the rest?”

Peter hadn’t bother to say anything, instead he had the computer put it all together, and highlighting the different sections for which area they belonged to. A minute later it was finished, and Peter down loaded the complete version to another Reader. “I’ve got it here.” Peter told them as he sped read through the content. “And the info is very interesting.” Peter finished.

Alex took the Reader and transferred a copy to his Reader before handing the plate back. Going over the information, he noticed several things, including where the start of the riots happened. “Alison, read section five, paragraphs two through six.” Alex said as he handed the Reader to her.

Alison took the Reader and started looking over the information. “If what this is saying is right, then this would be the exact point to up the riots to a full scale war.” Alison said as she kept reading the screen.

No one said anything as Alison read, they knew that this was her area, that if anyone could figure out the exact point and location, it was her.

As Alison read, Alex got up and went over to a near by weapons and gear locker, namely to check everything, but also to make sure that everything was running right. After all, they were going to be heading right into the middle of a riot.

However the one thing that hurt him deep down inside, was that he hadn’t caught the joining of the information. Alex didn’t bother to read the Reader in whole when he got it, he had split up each part to the one that it was meant for in the first place and then handed them off.

Suddenly Alison sat bolt up right, then jumped right out of her seat. “I’ve got everything figured out and it’s all a dozy too.” She stated as she started pacing inside the cabin. “We’ve had it all wrong, it was separate events that triggered the riots, but at the same time, it’s also those events that could also trigger the war at the same time too.”

Alex looked at her. “Ok, so how in the world do we deal with that, after all I can’t be in three places at once, even with time travel, that’s not going to be possible.”

Alison looked at him. “Well why not us, Peter and myself, we can go.”

At once Alex didn’t like the idea. “No, absolutely not. First off, you two aren’t field trained in police tactics like I am, and second, you both don’t have gun qualifications either. So you two going out is completely out of the question.” Alex told them.

Peter smiled and Alex knew he wasn’t liking the look. “You have weapons qualifications for every known weapon from our present time, all the way back to the beginning of time. So yes your more then qualified on that note. However every Time Tracker agent, doesn’t matter their field, must be qualified with a plasma gun. That weapon both Alison and I are more than qualified for. So on that end, the only thing that we don’t have is the field experience which we are actually getting while we’re teamed up together.” Peter explained.

Alex looked at both of them and thought about it. Considering everything that Peter had just said, he thought back to his days in the training academy, at the weapons training range. The instructor had told them that it didn’t matter what field that they were going into, since not everyone there was training to become a police officer, but that everyone had to qualify with the plasma weapon before going on. Not everyone made it through though, hell some didn’t even want to pull the trigger on the gun. Those that did make it through, they got to continue on and go into their fields of choice. So Alex knew that they were going to have to split up, but he wanted to make sure that they all stayed in touch. “Fine.” Alex said as he walked to yet another compartment and opened it up.

This compartment held communication gear that was needed to keep a team in touch despite the distance. “So I take it this means that we’re going to be separating?” Alison asked.

Alex gave her a looked that told her that he didn’t like the decision. “Yes, as much as I happen to hate it, we’re going to be separating” He told her. “That’s why I’m breaking this gear out. These com units are designed to keep us in touch no matter the distance away on any world. Their range is up to one light year away from the planet, so make sure that you don’t jump on a transport alright.” Alex explained.

Peter turned towards his console and started entering in commands that would set everything that he would be needing. “I’m setting the computer system here in the shuttle to keep track of us so that it will know where each of us is located at all times.”

“Here.” Alex said as he tossed Peter a small device.

“What’s this?” Peter asked.

Tossing Alison one as well Alex explained. “It’s called a Track and Return module, it’s already how the shuttle keeps track of us. This is one of the earlier models from the days of the Time Enforcement Commission. They had eventually changed over to a watch model, but those kept getting hit when they were on an officer, and part of the time when that happened one of two things would end up happening. Either they would A) transport immediately back to their time of origin, or B) they would be stuck in the past. More often than not, they’d be stuck in the past and wouldn’t be able to return home till someone came back to get them. Believe me that created more hassles than anyone ever cared to admit.” Alex explained to them.

Alison looked at it and noticed that there was only one red button, but what looked like buttons next to it was in fact the recharge area for it since it recharged a totally different way then was thought to be the norm. “So I take it that in case we happen to be in trouble we hit the red button and we get instantly transported back here?” Alison asked.

Alex walked to the very rear of the shuttle. “This is another reason why I picked this shuttle for use as well, and that is because of what’s at the back here. This area is the return port for the modules. After you hit the red button, make sure that all of the lines in the display are lit up before you move. Once they’re fully lit up, either slowly walk away from what ever you happen to be near, in which the energy will be enveloped around you and you’ll be brought back here the moment that you’re enveloped. You want to make sure that you happen to be hidden before you trigger that one though, because anyone that sees you might be wondering if the government is still holding out on the people. Energy transports wont be invented for another century, and then at that point it’ll be another five years after that before it’s approved for humanoid use as well.” Alex explained. “The second one, which I also recommend be used after you’ve hidden your self is a running method. You activate the module, then once the bars are lit up, you start running in one direction and will run right into the energy field and be brought right back here. Now if you’re being chased for what ever reason, the person running after you will not follow you into the field as well. Only if you’re holding them will they also come into the field as well. Now there is only one draw back to the track and return module, and that the feeling you get when you use it. It will feel like your skin is getting stretched tight against you, and it will hurt the first time that you happen to use it.” Alex told them as he walked over to the exit portal to the shuttle. “Now I’m going to show you both what the transports look like in both versions.” Alex finished as the shuttle door irised open.

Alex already knew that with the power level the TARs required, that he would get only the two uses for the showing and then would have to replace the module back in the shuttle charger and get a new one. Stepping in front of the shuttle, but back far enough so that both Peter and Alison could see him, Alex hit the red button and watched as the red bars lit up and rotated first in sets of three before filling completely up. Once they were completely filled, Alex walked backwards slowly and felt the stretching starting at his back as he walked into the energy field that had been created from the shuttle. Once the energy fully wrapped around him, and snapped back, the shuttles back was what was right in front of him. The transport from out side and into the shuttle had been instant, but the way that it looked, it looked as if the very air around him had been bending as if he was trying to force his way into something. Turning around, Alex saw the slack jawed faces on both Peter and Alison.

“That was…whoa.” Alison said as she watched Alex head back outside the shuttle to the front again to show them the next one.

Alex this time faced away from the shuttle and once again hit the button. Once the bars were fully lit up, he started running away from the shuttle. The feeling this time came from the front, and just like the very first time that he had ever used the module, he hated the feeling. It hurt the fur on his body, and knew that it was something that cats weren’t meant to go through, but he had to endure it in order to make it through and out the other side in one piece and that’s what mattered the most. This time, when Alex burst through, he was already facing the front of the shuttle and once more the ever present slack jawed faces of Peter and Alison. “And that’s what they look like and that’s what we have to make sure that we prevent from anyone seeing at all.” Alex told them.

“The after ripple effect looked the same even the second time, what is that from?” Peter asked.

“That is from the energy field snapping and making sure that everything around you is left in tact and that nothing is out of place. In case you happen to be next to a wall of a building.” Alex explained as he got a new module. “One thing that I hadn’t told you guys before, these modules can only be used twice before they have to be put back for a recharge.” Alex said as he held up the new one and placed it in a pouch on the front of his jacket. The pouch had a flap to it so that it would cover up the module, but also leave for fast and easy access so that if need be, he could hit the button and get out fast.

“So I take it that we’re now off?” Alison asked.

Alex looked at her as he sat down in the pilots’ seat. “You got it.” He said as he started everything up. “Strap in, we’re out of here.”

Chapter 1

March 23, 2643

0836

Pungent odors, and the look of a trashed apartment, were the first to hit Alison as she opened the door. “This guy lives like Garfield.” Alison noted, as she stepped gingerly through the apartment.

Alison had been ordered to bring the Katilian officer in she wasn’t told why, only that she had to. Now Alison was wishing she had brought something to kill the smell. As Alison moved through the apartment, Alison took note that there were a lot of modern devices except one that she wondered if he had at all, a clean unit to keep the place clean. Alison was starting to think that he didn’t.

Walking to the door of the bedroom, Alison took note of the sleeping form on the bed, he looked peaceful, but that could be a ruse. At this point now, Alison hated to wake him, but she knew she had to… too bad it was already out of her hands.

“What do you want?” A voice called out that sounded tired, but had a slight purr to it.

“How did you know I was here?” Alison asked.

“I smelled you sent the moment that you entered my apartment. I say again, what do you what?”

Alison still couldn’t believe that she was doing this. “Alex Connerly, I have been ordered to bring you in. Sir.” She added in after thought.

Alex moved his hands slightly to look at her; he knew that she couldn’t see his face at all. However with that one look, he not only knew who she was, he knew what rank she had and for whom she worked for. Alex knew that Alison worked for the same people he did, and that her rank was that of second historian, Alex figured that it might be some kind of joke, but deep down, he knew it wasn’t. “Explain.” Alex ordered. Alex knew he could gather to tell him what she knew, that is if she knew anything at all.

“I’m sorry, all I was told was to bring you in, I wasn’t told anything else, except…” Alison racked her mind trying to remember, when it came to her. “Ah, right…priority code Alpha One.” Alison finished.

Alex grumbled slightly, causing Alison to step back. That code was one he had learned to truly hate, even though it was next to never used, organization - planet side, or space side – had their version of the Alpha One priority code. It was a bane for Time Trackers, because it wasn’t that all higher level personnel were to report in to their primary H.Q., no matter where they were in the known galaxy. So even if one was clear on the other side of the galaxy, they came back period. It was the one time minute time travel was allowed to be used at a large, other wise unless one had orders, no one could use minute time travel at all.

Luckily for Alex, he lived on his primary H.Q.’s world, and rarely ever – if at all – left. The only time that he did leave, outside of Time Trackers business, was to go to his mother’s home world of Katilia, their feline home world. Alex stayed on his father’s home world because both of his parents lived on Earth. Since, at the age of 30 (in Earth years), he didn’t go any where because he didn’t need to. Alex didn’t have a social life, and there was no one special in his life, so why bother Alex figured.

Getting up, Alex walked out of the bedroom, and when into the bathroom. Alex didn’t give one bit damn about orders right then, personal needs had to be tended to first and foremost.

“Do you have a clean unit?” Alison called to Alex as she walked back into the living room. “I mean, if you don’t, you should get one.” Alison told him.

“No, I can’t and I won’t get one either. The scents are normal for me, plus they also help in case someone comes in that shouldn’t.” Alex told her as he got into the shower unit that was made for his race.

“Yeah about that, sorry had to use my badge and iDent card to get in since you weren’t answering your com unit.” Alison explained.

Alex came out and went back into the bedroom with out saying a word. After donning a clean uniform, Alex came out to her and went past her to the kitchen counter where several items were laying, badge and iDent card, which went into an inside coat pocket. A plasma stun gun in its holster, which he strapped to his right leg, and his uniform jacket that had another badge on it that displayed both rank and the department he worked in – which was that of lieutenant in the main policing force of the Time Trackers – which he didn’t have to like, but it had been like that since before he had been born. He put up with it, since he knew it wouldn’t change and time soon.

Once that was done, Alex headed for the door, with Alison following hastily. Alison led Alex to the transport unit that she had arrived in, the pilot still waiting for them. The transport was the standard Earth flight pod for short hops. The moment that both Alex and Alison were in, the pod’s door erased closed and the pod’s anti-grav unit kicked in, lifting the pod towards Time Tracker H/Q/ located just off the L.A. Island on New San Francisco Island.

The building for Time Tracker H.Q. Earth looked nothing so much as a bullet from the days of Earth old from before the advent of energy weapons changed everything. The pod landed on the roof in a section for it. Alex got off as fast as he could, he only tolerated the flights to get things done, other wise he hated heights in the worst way. For him it was a good thing no one knew about it within the Time Trackers, he’d be desk bound quick if they found out.

Once inside, Alex headed right for the chief’s office, and didn’t bother to wait on ceremony either as he walked right in. “What the hell is up with sending a historian to give me an Alpha One priority code. You know that it’s either got to be a fellow officer of the same rank, or a team member, and last I knew for my division there is no other at my rank, and I’m not a part of any team.” Alex flared off as he paced the office. Several times Alison had tried to walk in, but Alex had stopped her with just a look.

“Well good morning to you too, and why don’t you come in.” The chief started off with. “And for your information, you are apart of a team now, and don’t blame me, this comes from above my head. Your team consists of a field historian…” The chief said as he pointed at Alison, who walked in. “A computer tech that is familiar with all computers from every time period, whom you’ll meet up with, and yourself, a police field officer. Luckily for you, police rank trumps the other two, so you’ll be in charge on the missions.” The chief finished. “As for the Alpha One, this is why.” Chief stated as he picked up a Reader Plate and hand it to Alex.

Alex took the Reader, which was a one centimeter thick clear plastic sheet that was the size of normal paper (the one thing that no longer existed any more). Information was displayed only on one side and couldn’t be seen from the other side (it was considered ideal for reading private items). Looking over the display, Alex noticed that everything was normal, none Alpha One, that is till he came across some information that made him go back over what he had just read.

“You can’t be serious. Alex stated as he continued reading through. If anything had been said by either the chief or Alison, Alex never heard a word, he would shut down his hearing to focus on what he was looking at. It was an ability that all full Katilians had, and only showed up in three of four hybrids. Only problems for hybrids was that unlike full Katilian children, the ability wasn’t there from birth, it wouldn’t come in till around the age of five or six in humans years (which is how they started to figure age and years, after first contact had been made with Earth).

What Alex had been reading and rereading on the Reader, he didn’t like at all now. Over the past twenty to forty minutes was that several locations in time were being his, and the first several appeared to be the same group of people. As Alex continued to look over the information, he noticed that it was in fact more than one group; several groups were acting in tandem all over the time line, both before and after first contact, and both before and after first contact, and both before and after time travel had become possible. Alex knew that there had be a key point, the one point in time that if they went to it, they could easily take out the first group, and wipe their part right off the time line. Only problem was that it left the rest of the groups alone, which meant that all of the key points had to be figured out. The last one on the Reader report seemed to be about twenty minutes ago.

Looking up at the chief, Alex asked the question that hadn’t been answered on the Reader. Have they figured out the key points yet?” Alex asked.

The chief shook his head. “No, all the points seemed to have appeared all at once, even when running the playback slow, it yielded nothing.” Chief told Alex. “Currently all of the events are not dramatically altering to the time line. I’m told it’s believed that this might in fact be a trial run for something bigger.”

Alex didn’t like that thought. He knew he needed to see the playback for himself; he needed to get down to the Time Core. At once he left and headed for the lifts with the Reader in hand and Alison and the chief right behind him.

“What exactly is going on?” Alison asked, as all three of them piled onto the lift.

“If I’m right, and I usually am, the guys down in the Core haven’t slowed the play back down enough. Usually if something is urgent has gone down, they do slow things down, but not enough and they often miss things. I keep telling them time is on our side, literally, and that we don’t need to rush things. However higher up usually like to get things moving faster and don’t like to wait, that mostly comes from having a military background, and they never seem to realize that they can slow things down here.” Alex explained.

“Wait so that means that you could slow the play back down enough to see the key point, what ever that is.” Alison stated. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“The key point is the point in time that is the first hit on the time line for the start of the change. However in this case, there are multiple points because none of them are really that changing to the time line.” The chief explained to her. “And when it comes to the playback, yes he can. Alex here has a computer rating of C-2. It’s the highest that anyone’s ever gotten outside of the computer techs. The highest is Peter whose been assigned to your team and has the C-1 rating.” He finished.

Alex still didn’t like the thought of being apart of a team, however, he decided it wasn’t worth continuing to argue since he knew he had no choice in the matter. He preferred to go out into the field alone, for some reason that option had just been taken from him, and he didn’t know why nor could he find out why either. Alex knew that at some point, he would find out what happened and deal with it, in the mean time, he had a mission to carry out. That is once he dealt with the key point.

Arriving on the level, the lift door opened up and the Time Core was right there. The Time Core took up the entire floor, with a central holographic view of all of time, with present time at the top. Each trouble spot appeared on the lines that surrounded it, and in the center showed not only a map location of where in the world the event took place, it also showed real time footage of the event(s) taking place. One of the other reasons for the large area was for the multiple events that took place often these days. Not only was time travel possible on Earth, through out the galaxy it was happening too, that was one of the main reasons why the Time Trackers had been created in the first place.

The last time policing setup, the Time Enforcement Commission (or T.E.C.), fell apart to corruption and dishonesty. They had been disbanded well before the Time Trackers had been created, plus there was one major advantage the Time Trackers had that the T.E.C. didn’t, the Time Trackers could travel to different planets, and had a greater organization structure too.

As all three moved towards the holo-display, the chief got an updated Reader. “All right, what have we got?” He called out.

“We’ve got three more sets of rapid points that have appeared back to back at least a minute apart of each other.” A tech called out.

“Give me the play back from the first set.” Alex ordered.

Instantly the entire outer ring of the holo-display cleared, suddenly the trouble points appeared, and it did look like they showed up all at once. Alex knew that this was not the case at all.

“Slow it down and I mean way down.” Alex ordered.

The viewers slowed, and yet again the points did the same thing. “We can’t slow it down any further.” Another tech called out.

“As you humans used to say, bull. Slow it down to the point a snail can beat it.” Alex ordered.

The techs started shaking their heads. “The reason we can’t is because the speed below this is locked out, only the higher ups have access control to it.” The first tech explained.

The chief didn’t like that at all. “I’m giving authorization for the over ride, I’ll be the one to take the heat on this, do as Alex says and slow to below snails pace.” The chief ordered.

The techs all looked reluctant, but finally gave in; one went over to the chief with a Reader and got his signature. Once that was entered, the screen was then slowed down again, this time things were different. For at least fifteen minutes nothing appeared, then one light very slowly started to brighten on the line, and Alex knew they had the key point right in front of them, and that they could stop them.

“I want all the information on this key point yesterday, as in right now.”Alex called out startling every one.

Where a moment before there had been dead silence, suddenly there was a flurry of activity, people – humans and alien alike – going all over the place. Information flashing on screens and being projected through different holographic displays. Reader plates going all over the place, as information was downloaded for different inspection.

Alex was handed a Reader with information dealing with the key point on it. “Give me a visual in the center.” He ordered.

A second later, the center of the holo-display for the time stream was showing what was going on in that key point in time. It turned out to be a bank job, the one major difference with it, they were using tech that came from another time, namely their own present time. The thing that Alex started to wonder, was when it took place, the last thing he wanted to do was to be changed to looking human.

“Is that period green?” The chief asked as if reading Alex’s mind. “Because if it is, it’ll solve a lot of problems.” He stated.

Alex knew that if it was green, then not only could he go normal, they knew about time travel and it was after first contact. Any time period that was green, Alex could travel to with out having to change his appearance, any time period before a green one, he had to change for. The exception to that is for some off world planets.

“The time period is green sir.” Another tech called out.

Alex loved hearing that, and from what the feed showed, he was going to need to bring out the big guns. Walking over to a consol, Alex brought up a list of the shuttle that was available for use. Slowly, one by one, Alex looked over the inventory of each shuttle. The sixth one had everything he needed, because if he was going to be a part of a team – even for a short time – he had to consider them as well.

The chief was looking for Alex’s shoulder at what Alex was looking at. “I take it that’s the shuttle you’re going to be needing?” The chief asked Alex.

Alex nodded. “Yes, have the last member of the party meet me at its launching gate.” Alex said as he was handed a Reader with information on the other key points. Now he knew that he was going to be out for a while. “I’m going to need constant up dates sent to me in the field. Also check other worlds for similar events as well; I doubt that this is going to be strictly on Earth.” Alex finished as he headed for the lift with Alison right behind him.

As Alex had the lift head right for the roof, Alison looked at him. “Why aren’t you going for the energy transports?” She asked.

Alex didn’t look at her, just kept looking at the lift door as he replied to her question. “The energy transport is meant only for Earth bound traffic. When the Time Matrix was placed into the shuttles, the first person that tried to go up after the tunnel field had died went through the field still. Even though the body still arrived on the station in tact, the insides had been mutated faster that was normal. Turned out that the person had traveled through a still intact energy field left over from the tunnel, and even though the outside looked the same, the inside showed the next stage of human evolution. It wasn’t pretty at all.” Alex finished explaining to Alison as they arrived on the roof, and headed for the waiting shuttle.

“What happened to the person that had changed?” Alison asked, as Alex and her walked onto the shuttle and sat down.

The shuttle lifted off as Alex told her. “D.O.A. The moment the transport was completely finished, the body dropped to the floor dead. They didn’t know why till an autopsy had been done and that’s when everything had been discovered. Once everything was finished being examined, that was when they had their answers. It had not been as expected at all.”Alex explained looking out the shuttles forward windows. “There’s the place.” Alex stated as he got more eager to get off the shuttle.

The space station looked small at a distance, but the sixe was deceptive, since the station could take in a ship inside of it, several ships at once in fact. The outside of the station had a look to it that came from the old mushroom cloud effect from the old wars. The station may have had the look, but there was nothing deadly about the place, only ships and different races came here before going on to either Earth planet side or to a different world altogether. The Time Trackers shuttles were also stationed here too, the shuttles were used to for time travel and going to the surface only.

The moment that the shuttle docked, and the bay had been pressurized, Alex was off and heading for the door to the bay, Alison was right on his heel as they left.

Alex headed down the hall heading for a lift that he knew would take him to the right level. If it hadn’t been for the uniform, Alison might’ve lost him among the many alien races that were on that level, she didn’t and she got onto the lift as well. Once she was on the lift, Alex ordered a lift override for Time Tracker priority, which meant that if anyone else tried to call for the lift, it would send a different car instead.

When they arrived on the right level, Peter was already there waiting for them. “The shuttle is prepped and ready to go.” Peter told them as Alex and Alison stepped off the lift. “I’ve been briefed in by the chief as to where we’re going, but the only thing I don’t understand is why you need us on this mission too?” Peter asked in wondering.

“That’s the same thing I’ve been asking as well, but it seems that the answer will come from the higher ups only.” Alex told Peter. “So till I find out the answer to that question, we’ve been placed together and for any mission I’m the ranking officer here while in the field, which is where we’re going right now. I’ve read over the information on the Reader, Peter I’m going to need you to access the computer system of that period, and make sure that you leave no trace at all.” Alex said as they entered the bay the shuttle was in. “Alison, as we go there, check the Reader for the period and look up information on it. I want to know what we’re heading into, and I don’t want to go in blind.” Alex told her.

Both Alison and Peter nodded in understanding in their tasks. Once inside the shuttle, Alex sat in the pilots’ seat and powered up the shuttle to start the pre-launch sequence. Once the shuttle was sealed closed, and the bay was depressurized, Alex now through with the pre-flight, lifted the shuttle off the deck and pointed it towards the launch tunnel that was at the current time closed.

Alex opened a channel back to the station. “Shuttle Eternity to control, we are ready and waiting to launch, sending temporal flight plans to you now.” Alex stated as he waiting for the authorization needed to leave.

It didn’t take long. “Temporal flight plans received, happy hunting.” The voice finished as the launch tunnel started to open.

Alex hit the thrusters and pushed the shuttle into the tunnel. “I hate it when they say that.” Alex stated.

Once into the tunnel, the magnetic coils in the tunnel stated to push the shuttle out, which because of the magnetic coils, started to gain speed. The tunnel suddenly ended and the shuttle was now in open space and in free float. Alex engaged the engine and brought it up to the proper place. “Bringing the Matrix on-line.” Alex said as a display screen lit up that had a small picture of the Temporal Matrix Core in the upper right hand side of it. Punching in the time and location, a blue line going straight across, slid down the white time line displayed turning red. Once the line stopped, the time line to that point stayed red. Once the line stopped, the time line to that point stayed red till yet another blue line – similar to the first one – turning the red line now green. “We have a lock; all is green, opening the vortex tunnel.” Alex stated as a blue vortex of energy spiraled out to form a tunnel for the shuttle to enter.

Activating the thruster again, Alex pushed the shuttle into the vortex. Once past the clear event horizon, the shuttles engines came on full and launched it further into the tunnel. Alex pushed the engines up to full power and looked at the screen for an E.T.A. to their mission time. “Well we’ve got five minutes till we arrive, during which time we’ll be completely out of contact with H.Q. So whatever information you were able to get before we entered the time stream, review it now. Once we exit, we’ll have a two minute delay in getting information.” Alex told Alison and Peter.

Peter only continued to look at his screen as he spoke. “Well I’ve already reviewed the very limited data that is available on the computer systems of that time period, and I’ve got to say that I’m honestly surprised of how primitive their systems are.” Peter stated.

Alex got up and walked over to where Peter had set up and looked at the screen. Alex couldn’t make heads or tails out of what was there at all. “So I take it that you’re going to be able to hack in and leave with out anyone ever knowing?” Alex asked Peter.

Peter looked up at Alex. “Are you kidding me, I could stay in their system for years and they’d never know it at all. So leaving no trace is beyond easy.” Peter stated.

Alex nodded. “Good, as long as you can do it.” Turning to Alison. “What can you tell me about the period?” Alex asked.

Alison sighed. Lifting up the Reader, Alison looked at it, consulting some side notes she had written. “Well, before the data stream was cut off, what I had been able to find out, actually is all very interesting. It’s a post world war three period, and post first contact as well, but surprisingly the technology and culture for the period seems to still be some what pre on both.” Alison explained. “This means two things. One, there are still some anti-alien groups out there, and two; the government is still mostly holding the people back technology wise. Which as well all know is what led to the Tech Riots of 2264, and that’s about three years away from us. The Time Trackers are known, but for the most part only by local law enforcement, since they’ve got a directive to pull back upon out arrival. Question is will the officers in the field actually do as the directive says, a lot of them not only are territorial, but also at the same time, some are also anti-alien too.” Alison explained.

Alex thought it over, he already knew that he well out ranked anyone in the field, including local law, The question then became, would he need to push incase he ran into the anti-alien creeps, Alex hoped that he really wouldn’t have to.

Before Alex could say what was on his mind about the subject, a signal started going off at the pilot consol, returning to the pilot’s seat, Alex looked at the board. “Prepare to exit and return to normal time.” Alex told Alison and Peter.

The scene outside the shuttle was one of the time tunnel as the shuttle flew down, and the orange walls slightly aglow. A bluish white light was at the dead center of each end of the tunnel, the shuttle was heading towards one now. When the signal in the shuttle had gone off, the light started to grow bigger.

Outside in space, and orange energy vortex spiraled open for the shuttle to exit. Once the shuttle cleared the vortex, Alex powered up the secondary engine and set course for Earth planet side.