This story is based on prompts: AI - The Morning After – Urban - Sunset - Hate
Span 43 O.E.A. (Of Echelon Age) / Year 2118 B.E.C. (By Earth Calculation)
Echelon Headquarters, People’s Republic of Terra
“E-12, what is the most likely time of Desultor Gail Malek.”
“There is a one in 259 chance Desultor Gail Malek is in September 3, 1998 By Earth Calculation.”
“E-12, what is her most likely location.”
“There is a one in 32 chance Desultor Gail Malek is in Nevada, United States, Earth.”
Greg pressed the button on the side of his comm and spoke into it. “Send Desultor Harris to our operative in 2000. The fugitives may be near then in 1998.”
“Yes, Commander.”
Resting his elbow on the desk, Greg leaned over and rubbed his forehead with his fingers. The setting sun glinted off the large plate glass windows in the high-rise next door and he closed his eyes. Was it just yesterday Gail told him she would never come back?
Greg opened his eyes. He looked at the tank with the woman’s body floating in the yellow-tinged liquid. She didn’t look much like a woman at all, really. She was completely hairless and there were so many tubes and wires extending from her body to keep her “alive,” that she was mostly hidden from view. As he watched, her body twitched. Bile rose in Greg’s throat and he looked away.
The comm on his wrist clicked. “2000 felt a ripple in August 1998 in Earth’s northwest quadrant.”
“Thanks.” That could be it. But when he sends desultors there, it will create a new ripple in the pattern. What choice did he have though? He could wait until tomorrow and hope for E-12 to produce a better probability. But it might be worse. He couldn’t wait. He had to get Gail away from Mark. Perhaps if he did, he could beg his case to the Echelon to grant her a pardon. They would never let her be part of the Echelon again. She would be banned from jumping for the rest of her life. But at least she would be home. At least she wouldn’t be drugged to oblivion.
Greg stood up, straightened his uniform, and sighed. “So it begins.”