Time Guards - The Italian Quest

Chapter VIII

They had a plan to get the gems, it was a vague one as Constance kept reminding everyone but it was a plan nonetheless, as Bernadette pointed out. They would go to the Western Alliance first because it seemed that Constance wanted to get that one out of the way, then Ancient Rome and finally to meet Leonardo da Vinci. Viola was incredibly excited about the prospect of going to all these different places and meeting such an important historical figure. She wasn't even upset about not sightseeing in Paris but Bernadette insisted that they at least see the Eifel Tower. Viola looked forward to climbing to the top but as it turned out, that wasn't going to be possible.

The tower was still being built with workmen all around the still very large construction.

"It is being built as a centrepiece for the 1889 Exposition Universelle, a world fair which will commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the French Revolution," Bernadette explained to Viola, "The Eifel Tower is expected to only be temporary but it will become so recognisable that France will keep it."

"If only the digital camera had been invented by now," said Viola wondering what it would be like to take a picture of the tower. She took one last look at the tower before turning back to the group, "Time to go again?"

The five of them managed to hide themselves amongst a group of trees from any interested on-lookers before setting their watches again. Constance consulted with a little blue book she was carrying around to work out their destination. This was now Viola's third time at using the watch and although she still needed help to set it the journey was getting easier. Again she felt weightless and as if she was falling towards the ground at a tremendous speed but when she landed she was still standing upright as was everyone around her. She still needed a minute to stop her head from spinning but around her she could already hear Bernadette and Constance taking.

Soon Viola's eyes came into focused and she recognised laminate flooring covering the ground. Viola looked up to see that they were in a large room. Bunk beds against one wall, a book case against another, and a small oven and fridge opposite the beds. There were two doors leading off from the room, one presumably lead to a bathroom and the other to exit the room. The set up was fairly familiar but the materials were not. The sheets on the bed where a metallic blue and looked more like plastic than cotton. The fridge and hob where both made out of a yellow tinged metal which had curved edges and the book case was clear plastic.

"It's not much. A safe house for time guards, a base of operations when they need to come to this time and area," said Constance. So far they had all been speaking French but now she had switched seamlessly to English. She looked at Bernadette and Julius, "Since this isn't technically a Time Guard mission we shouldn't really be here but needs must. We are in New Oxford by the way, Viola you would know it as Parma. Only an hour from Milan, where the museum and the key is." Viola nodded though she had no idea where Parma was. She walked over to the widow and drew open the surprisingly cold curtain which was made out of a fabric she didn't know.

Outside of the window was countless towers, nothing like the grand Castellum but grey, faceless buildings, all holding flats. There were a few trees but the ground was mostly concrete, bits of graffiti were scrawled on walls and rubbish lay forgotten on the floor. There was a heavy smog, so Viola couldn't see that far, but she did recognise what must be a road, covered in markings she didn't understand which had only it a large convoy of what must be cars. But these cars were, like the towers around her, barely distinguishable from one another expect for a complex blue symbol on each of them which seemed to serve as a number plate. The cars also didn't have wheels but were hovering of the ground, travelling at a tremendous speed. Viola looked at her watch and then said aloud,

"AD 2487, 6th March. I don't think that I like the future," said Viola, then she added quickly, "Not to be rude though, Constance."

"Don't worry, I don't like this place as much as you do," she said, looking in the fridge to find it empty, "The richer part is nicer," she then spoke to the rest of the group, "We are going to need to get some food and some kit for breaking into the museum. There is some things here in that crate over there but we are going to need some more things. Technically, Time Guards aren't meant to break local laws."

Viola jumped, "Wait we are going to break the law?"

Bernadette nodded, "We will have to break into the Milan Museum, but technically the key is the property of Reyia so we are justified. Well I'm not but you are."

"It's okay," said Kristen, "I've done stuff like this before. If you really want to you can go home." Viola nodded but stayed put. It would be so embarrassing if she left now and she trusted Kristen, he was basically her brother she thought.

"I've got money," said Julius, Constance nodding at his preparedness, "I'll go and get what we need."

"I'll join you," said Constance. They both took turns to change from their stiff Victorian clothes to the new modern clothing which Constance had found in the safe house. Viola couldn't wait to change out of her large dress, the corset of which was starting to hurt her waist. Julius now looked completely different from how he had in a three piece suit. He was now wearing a sleeveless top and baggy trousers, the kind Viola had seen in documentaries about ancient Persia. Constance wore similar clothing, a tight top which covered her shoulders and a long but tight skirt which was held by a complicated set of belts. She put on a knee length cloak and, after consulting a few maps about where to get their items from, Constance and Julius left. Bernadette watch them leave thoughtfully,

"They are getting on well."

"Julius seems to share Constance's love of order, knowledge and Reyia," said Kristen.

"Says the viscount," said Viola with a grin as Kristen flung himself on one of the beds, snatching up a book about the area they were in.

"Boys," said Bernadette, rolling her eyes as she looked down at how he had caused a pillow to fall on the floor and obviously hadn't realised, "I'm going to change out of these uncomfortable clothes. I'll find some clothes for you too, Viola." She added as she started searching through the crate, "Then we can start planning your first theft."