Sally smiled and said, “You better get to the prep station. The boys are getting antsy.”
“Will you be coming to watch?” David asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
As David turned to leave, Sally suddenly said, “David, wait.”
He froze in his tracks. What was this? David turned toward Sally as she walked over to him. Her face looked softer and her eyes were locked on the floor.
“I wanted to apologize,” she said.
David nearly passed out but managed to stay standing.
“I know I’ve been a real ass over the years,” Sally said slowly and deliberately, “but try to understand that it’s not who I really am. My job is…complicated, and I have to sometimes say and do things I don’t like, to make sure things get done. I just wanted you to know…in case something happens.”
Through his smile David said, “I understand. Thank you for apologizing.”
He thought he should leave before anything more was said-or done-that might cause him to change his mind about risking his life to retrieve Tom. “See you down there,” David finished and started for the door.
“David, let’s keep this between you and me. I can’t have anyone else knowing I’m not a complete bitch.”
David stopped at the door, “Your secret is safe with me.” He closed the door behind him on the way out.
Sally stood alone, looking at the door and a wave of sadness swept over her. She closed her eyes, but quickly composed herself as the door behind her opened. Three men entered and she turned to greet them with the cold gaze she had perfected over the years.
The man in the blue suit was George Dwight, CEO of LightTech and one of only three people with more clout then her. He was like a politician stuck forever on the campaign trail. His hair was slicked back and his nails were impeccably manicured. George had more power than Sally, but she knew she still intimidated him.
Jake Parrish, a tall and astute man with squinty eyes, was George’s assistant. He was George’s voice, his errand boy and a constant thorn in Sally’s side. Every executive order from George came from Jake’s lips. He took such joy in delivering those orders too. Sally knew that Jake lusted for power. She could see it when he gave orders, smiling fiendishly. She watched him like a hawk whenever he showed his face in her department. Today was no different. He had a look of “I know more than you,” on his face. She could swear his eyes were smiling at her.
The other man was a stranger-tall, shaved head and clean. Sally imagined that there wasn’t a loose flake of skin on the man’s body. There wasn’t a trace of stubble on his slick, cleft chin and even less intelligence behind his eyes. Sally didn’t like him.
Smiling his pearly white, phony grin, George said, “You handled that well. I think that’s a new low, even for you Sally, leading him on like that.”
Sally swallowed hard, “Whatever it takes.”
“Glad to hear that’s still your policy,” said George.
“Why?” Sally raised an eyebrow. “You have something planned?”
George gave a sideways glance to Jake, who promptly stepped forward. “Director McField, as you know, one of our lead scientists, Tom Greenbaum, has traveled back in time using LightTech owned equipment. Not only is this a crime against LightTech, but taking into account Dr. Greenbaum’s intentions, it is a crime against all humanity. Given what is at stake, we believe it necessary to implement a few safety precautions, a few…failsafes.”
“Meaning?” Sally asked, seemingly unfazed by this information.
“Meaning, Director McField,” the stranger said, in a voice that screamed military, “if the situation cannot be contained, it must be eliminated.”
“And you are?” asked Sally.
“Captain John Roberts.”
George intervened, “Captain Roberts is the head of our Time Enforcement Division.”
“Time what? Why wasn’t I told of this?” Sally crossed her arms tightly across her chest.
“You’re in charge of technology development. You didn’t need to know. Captain Roberts has been training for years in case your division succeeded,” George explained as he chuckled, “And as soon as you succeeded, you lost control.”
“What are you planning to do?” Sally asked, already knowing the answer.
“You heard Captain Roberts. If the situation cannot be contained it will be eliminated. Roberts has been trained for every situation imaginable. He speaks fifteen languages, is a master of cultural blending and is trained in several kinds of hand-to-hand and special weapons combat.”
“That’s just what we need, a gung ho G.I. Joe killing people in the past,” Sally said with a chuckle.
“Miss McField,” Roberts said, “I assure you, I am the best equipped man alive to handle this situation. When Dr. Goodman fails, I will not.”
“What event are you planning on going back to?” Sally asked.
“We’ve calculated the date on which Jesus was most likely crucified. If Dr. Greenbaum wants to disprove the story of Jesus, that is where he’d start,” Jake explained.
“I’m leaving three minutes after Dr. Goodman,” added Roberts, “If he hasn’t retrieved Dr. Greenbaum when I find them, I’ll take care of the situation in the most expedient way possible.”
“Sacrifice their futures to save our past,” Sally said, understanding the plan.
“Exactly,” George said with a smile.
“I expect you’ll keep me informed?” Sally asked, as she headed for the door.
“Naturally,” George replied, “Oh, and Sally, keep this to yourself.”
“Naturally.” Sally left the room wondering how she could have let this happen. Tom and David had been sentenced to death, and she was the only who could save their lives.
FIVE
Descent
28 A.D.
Bethany, Israel
Tom woke up feeling sore. His head was pounding and his dry eyes stung as though he had spent too much time in an over chlorinated pool. His throat burned as though he’d swallowed a vial of acid; he was parched for even the smallest drip of water. Tom climbed slowly to his knees and rubbed his eyes.
His direct surroundings were strange and confusing. He was inside a bush. That wasn’t a good sign. As Tom braced himself against some branches, he remembered their success the day before. He remembered eating with David at Peggy’s. And he remembered drinking…a lot. Tom thought he must have made a fool of himself, but after his fourth beer, the night was a blank slate. From the headache, dryness and odd surroundings Tom deduced that he must have gotten thoroughly drunk. How long had he been unconscious? Why hadn’t David found him and dragged him home?
Stumbling from the bush, Tom leaned up against a tree. After taking a moment to relax his body and clear his mind, he realized what he was doing-leaning against a tree… in the middle of the Arizona desert? Tom absorbed his surroundings. He was encircled by trees, bushes and a dazzling array of colorful flowers-orange, yellow and red. He breathed deep as the smell hit him. The fragrant odor of the flowers was like none that had tickled his nose before. Tom had no idea such oases existed in Arizona. Wherever he was, it was beautiful, and Tom decided he would try to remember how to get back, just as soon as he found a way out.
Tom trudged through the thick forest for what felt like an hour, but was closer to ten minutes. He stopped to rest for a moment and fell asleep. He wasn’t sure how long he was out, but knew he hadn’t awoken on his own. A tingling sensation rippled across Tom’s head, causing his hair to stand a little taller. He was not alone, and judging
