Space-Time of Death: an Al Squires of the Protectorate Novel

Ch. 4.2: What's Time to a Time Traveler?

We were still laughing all the way up to the Bullpen. However, the laughter immediately ceased just as we came to the threshold. The mood of the entire place was so serious, it was practically palpable. As soon as we came in, we instantly realized that everyone was intently watching a seemingly unhysterical Sylvie arguing with combined forces of the Lt. Col. and the Chief. I subvocalized the mantra a few times as they spoke. This kind of emotional environment has been known to excite and charge the Lodestone energy.

"Out of the question, Agent Parrish" the Lt. Col. stringently said to her. "We cannot allow you to go with the others. It's far too dangerous for you for you to even leave the confines of this building, let alone to another time."

"But according to the evidence, I won't get killed in this particular time," Sylvie said as she appeared to be stating her case to come with us to the 1970's. "Which means it'll be safe for me to go. I'll take extra precautions, be aware of my surroundings--"

The Lt. Col. raised his hand to stop her from talking. "You know as well as I that we can't be certain about that. For all we know, this monster could've abducted you in Studio 54, and then killed you in 1890's Chicago. Besides, you don't have enough field experience to handle a Prevention mission.

Why don't you work on something in your lab? Surely, there's some other work that can keep you preoccupied, what?"

"I TRIED THAT!!" she replied in an irked shout. Instantly realizing that she just raised her voice at not one but two superiors, she awkwardly cleared her throat. "I tried that," she repeated in a calmer voice, "but my techs kept taking over for me every time I started working on something. Already, they're treating me like I've just learned that I have a terminal illness. I know they mean well, but it's annoying the hell out of me!"

"Well, that just shows you how much you mean to them, Sylvie," the Chief chimed in with more compassion in his voice than his counterpart. (Which is kind of ironic, if you think about it.) "They wouldn't do that if they didn't think you were worth it."

"I know!" she said, still annoyed. "It's just that..." She paused in order to let out a large exhale in order to collect herself. "Look, the bottom line I need to help with this case," she told them in as calm a voice as she could produce this time. "Not just because it's my life that's on the line. But because I need to do something productive. No matter what, I just need to work on something! It's part of who I am; ask anyone. I just can't stand feeling this way; feeling so... helpless." She paused, then paced for a bit before continuing. "No, 'helpless' doesn't feel like the right word for it," she said as she paced. "It feels bigger than 'helpless.' It feels more like it should be..."

"'Powerless?'" the Chief asked, knowing.

She stopped pacing before she pointed at the Chief. "Yes, thank you, sir," she said to him, almost absentmindedly. "That's exactly how I truly feel: powerless." She flopped down into a nearby chair. "Now more than ever," she added in a small voice.

The Chief whispered to the Uni behind him. The Uni nodded and moved the Chief closer to Sylvie When he was close enough, he carefully placed a porcelain hand on her shoulder. "Sylvie, bubelleh," he said to her in an almost fatherly voice. "You're not the only one who hates feeling powerless. I felt the same feelings you're feeling right now when I learned that my soul cannot leave this cursed body without it being torn to metaphysical ribbons. The only difference between us is that there's better chance of you beating this than I have at finding my body. I get that you want to be a part of this, but Bainbridge-Smythe is right: you don't have enough experience in the field for this. The best way for you to deal with this is by using your strengths: your lab, your keen scientific mind, your high-tech Forensics lab, and that overgrown calculator you love so much. Maybe put it to good use; give us some insight on this monster."