Linear Shift, Part 1

Chapter 5

Visibly stunned, Peter sat in silence. Not sure if what General Applegate was saying was a joke, he said, "Come again?"

Applegate smiled. "You heard me correctly, Peter. We want to send you back in time. Back to 1942. Without disclosing too many overly complicated details, we have found—hypothetically, that is—a way to time travel, and there is something that we would like the team to accomplish back in 1942. Something so simplistic, yet so monumental, that life as we know it could possibly be changed forever."

Peter slumped back into his chair, his mind reeling from the words escaping the general's mouth. He looked down at the empty scotch glass and wondered if the alcohol had anything to do with how outrageous this whole scenario was. He mentally shrugged off the thought and focused on General Applegate. Was he telling him the truth, or was this all some kind of ruse? Then the words started to hit him, as if on a time delay. "Wait—hypothetically?" scoffed Peter.

"Well, yes. The technology allowing us to travel in time is limited. Meaning, we are confident that we can send our team to 1942 and retrieve them back to the present; but only once. Obviously, once put into motion, we are committing to a certain number of events that will begin to unfold. You, Peter, are the last team member necessary to complete this operation. If you agree to participate, you will be one of four in total that will be going on the mission. You, an associate with similar ties to the military, and two scientists. The two scientists were chosen to ensure you have passage back to the present. You and your associate will focus on the mission. It's simple, really."

"Simple? You call going back in time and changing some event simple? How safe is this 'hypothetical' device? If you can't test it, how are you sure that it will work? And more importantly, how are we guaranteed that it'll be able to bring us back?"

General Applegate merely nodded at each of the questions. When he was sure Peter was finished, he replied. "Again, without divulging classified information, we are very confident that the mission will be successful. Once you commit, everything that is pertinent will be disclosed to you."

Peter shook his head. "I just don't know. Why are you asking me? I am sure there are a hundred other candidates currently in the military that can handle this mission much better then I can. As you said, I've got many personal issues to deal with already, and I'm not sure that adding one more to the list will make my life any better."

"First off, the reason we selected you for this mission relates to your ASVAB scores. Your scores from twenty-two years ago have been flagged for many potential missions over the years. With many of those missions, I have proposed adding you to the team, and each time, my superiors have rejected it. This is your chance, Peter."

"Rejected? Why?"

General Applegate's eyes darted to the side and then back to Peter. "Because of your legal issues prior to enlisting. Nothing more."

"What?! Those were supposed to have been removed from my record if I enlisted. You mean they're still there?"

"I'm afraid so, Peter. They're not on your civilian records, but they will always be in your government file. No getting around that."

Again, Peter sat in silence, attempting to comprehend everything the general was telling him. Peter had long ago believed that his juvenile escapades of stealing cars and dabbling with drugs were no more than a bad memory. He was assured at the time by his father's attorney that the whole mess would be "cleansed" from his record if he joined the army. To hear that it still existed worried him. It was all quite overwhelming.

"Peter, you don't need to decide today. Take some time to think it over. This is a big decision. Just remember, you cannot discuss this with anyone, but you do need to think it through completely."

"How long is this mission expected to take? As you so astutely pointed out, I have personal issues that need immediate attention. More importantly, why should I trust you?"

"The mission should be completed in less than three months, from start to finish. You will need training and be completely read-in on the entire mission, and that is expected to take six weeks. The overall time you will be away will be four months. In that time, I am prepared to take care of all of your financial obligations, including stopping all foreclosure actions against you. I will also arrange for proper care for your children while you are away. As to why you should trust me, I'm offering a solution to a majority of your problems, beginning with the financial. I believe you have found no other avenues to provide solutions to these issues. Not to mention, this will be the greatest adventure on which any human being has ever embarked."

"God, my children. What'll they think is happening? Where will they go?"

"We are aware of your situation. We know, as I've said, that your wife died in an automobile accident twenty-one months ago. In that time, you have not contacted Mary's parents once. I would imagine that they would love to see their grandchildren. And perhaps that would help the children to let go of some of their anger toward you. I understand that they are both quite rebellious right now?"

"That's an understatement," replied Peter. "How is it you know so much about me?"

"As I said earlier, I've been keeping tabs on you. Since the first time I met you, I believed there was a spark of brilliance inside you. Your test scores supported my hypothesis. Unfortunately, my direct superior back then is still my direct superior now. He still feels I am wasting my time with you, but I have lobbied hard for you, and he finally conceded.

"In fact, you and I both have a lot riding on this operation. I am taking leave from the army because of this mission. This is an unsanctioned mission, and there cannot be any paper trail whatsoever that could lead back to the government."

"If not backed by the government, who'll be taking care of my financial commitments?"

"That would be me."

"You? Why would you do that?"

"Because, Peter. I feel that strongly about this mission. The lives that it could positively affect are worldwide. The entire global economy could be profoundly affected in a positive way. By how much, nobody knows."

"Two weeks? You need to know within two weeks?" asked Peter.

"We would like to know much sooner than that. The training begins in about a month. Should you choose to decline, I will still need to fill your spot on the mission."

"Understandable," agreed Peter. "What about pay? Will you also be paying for my time on the mission?"

"There will be no pay, Peter. I will be personally paying all your bills, along with getting the mortgage payments caught up. That alone should be plenty of compensation for your time and effort. Besides, you will be doing this for your country. That should be reward enough."

"To hell with your 'for my country' crap. If my country gave a shit about me, they would have told me about my skill set when I enlisted and given me a better job than a cook's assistant, and not held it in some general's pocket until they needed my help," shot back Peter, surprising both himself and General Applegate.

"I can understand your anger, Peter. I'm sorry that it had to be done this way. But if not for your country, consider this: the changes you make on this mission may very well affect your life in ways that neither of us can comprehend. We don't know for sure what will happen after the changes on the mission transpire. It could be nothing, or it could be amazing. I would ask that you consider it."

Peter took in these last words, and agreed that if what the general was saying came to fruition, his life could be better all around. If this mission could improve the global economy, maybe he wouldn't be in the financial crisis that had developed over the last few years. "All right, General. I'll think about it. I'll let you know by the end of the week, one way or the other."

They both stood up, and Peter led the general to the door. But before Peter had the door open, the general opened his attaché case once more, this time producing an envelope and handing it to Peter.

"Here's a little something for your time and consideration. I understand your unemployment has run out. This should help you out until you come to a decision." He left before Peter had a chance to open the envelope.