Time After Time

Chapter 2- Unsinkable

"SOS Titanic calling. We have struck ice and require immediate assistance." - John George "Jack" Phillips, First Wireless Operator of the RMS Titanic.

* * *

"You want me to lead a team to save history as we know it," Jane said hesitantly,"Why me?"

Agent Thorne and Jane stood in the conference room, looking over the laboratory as all of Division 12 prepared to send the recruits back in time to catch Sykes.

"Precisely," Thorne expression softened,"this group needs a leader. Jane, they need you."

Jane shook her head,"I catch terrorists, not time machine thieves."

Thorne elucidated,"Sykes is no different than any other terrorist. He is just using a new kind of weapon- time travel."

Jane took a deep breath, regaining her composure,"Why would H.G. even build something so dangerous?"

"Truthfully," a familiar voice answered solemnly from the doorway,"I wished to do the impossible. I suppose that makes me rather selfish, doesn't it?"

Jane frowned as H.G. stepped into the conference room,"Time is of the essence, Colonel. Time to suit up."

* * *

"How do you even build a time machine?" Alice wondered aloud.

Alice and Carter stood on the platform, dressed in 1912 fashion. Alice wore an posh dress with a wide brimmed hat, taking the appearance as a first class passenger. Carter wore an old-fashioned tuxedo, resembling her butler.

Ezra gave an explanation as he did a final inspection of the ship,"Well, it's not easy. The time machine is made of pure, unadulterated Unobtainium; which just so happens to be the rarest metal on the planet. The Unobtainium combined with flux-capacity gimbals allows for time travel."

Agent Thorne approached with a transformed Jane, who also wore an elegant dress and matching headdress.

Jane glowered,"This isn't what I had in mind by suiting up."

Carter made a face,"Hey, at least you're not the butler. What's with the costumes, anyway?"

"Camouflage, Detective Carter," Thorne informed,"you are there to apprehend Sykes. Don't change anything."

The special agent looked to Ezra, who was finishing checking off his list for inspection,"The time machine seats four people, and it appears we still need a pilot. Mr. Watts, that someone is you."

Ezra dropped his list, the plastic clipboard clanging against the metal platform. He smiled anxiously,"Ha! Nice witticism, Agent Thorne."

"That wasn't a joke," Thorne affirmed,"given our time restraint and the unconventional nature of the time machine, you are only one available with the technical skill set."

Jane grew a look of concern,"Agent Thorne, with all do respect, this is quite possibly the most crucial special ops mission in history. You're willing to hand over operational control to an seventeen-year-old programmer?"