The Transit Chief

John saw a flicker of light then realized the light must have came on again. Jenny was behind him with an anxious look.

“Sat Check?” John asked.

“November 20th, 2075, fourteen thirty-two.” Jenny reported. “About seventeen years, that was lucky.”

“Plus,” John muttered. “It just occurred to me, shouldn’t there have been a rescue locker from Plus in the room in Prime?”

“Before Henrys, we’ve had no contact with Plus. We assumed Plus doesn’t have TR technology. Let’s see the influence tests’ results.” John handed her the pad out of his pack. “Sixteen to twenty-three percent! And that’s back in 2068, our last Prime datum.”

John was trying to think. “What’s that mean?”

“I don’t know yet,” Jenny said with a worried look.

John said with a shiver,” It’s kinda chilly in here.”

“Lets get out of here,” Jenny said and started to prep the TRs for the transit back to Prime.

“With the low degree of similarity between Prime and Plus, maybe we should have a look around a bit. See what’s up?” John suggested, opening the door for a look. “I don’t see many people around. What’s the day?”

“Wednesday,” Jenny replied.

“It was busy when we left Plus. Hey, there are military vehicles parked next to the Federal building and troops on the steps.”

“Let’s have a look,” Jenny had finished re-setting the TR’s for their re-transit to Prime and went to the door for a look outside. Just as she was looking across the street at the troops, six people in black military fatigues and assault weapons at the ready turned the corner by the door. Jenny instinctively chose to put her hands on her head and they quickly handcuffed her. John, back inside the room, was more surprised; they pushed him to the floor and cuffed him. They separated them from their gear a...

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...several transits first by a two-person specialist team to ensure the site was unoccupied. That took almost two hours. The team was to transit to Prime then immediately to Minus, even if they arrived after 2068. Major Timberin had convinced Jenny they needed all the time they could get and deploying after 2068 was a poor option; she agreed.

When they reached Peterson, the president was waiting for them at the transit location. “Good luck, Jenny and you too, Captain Mackinac,” he shook both their hands. “Major,” he called Timberin over.

Timberin stepped forward and stowed in Jenny’s pack the same device that they used on them to determine their downline origins. “Hopefully this will help, too,” the major said.

The Plus transit chief called out, “All Ready, transit in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, go!” The seven disappeared one by one followed by the TRs.

The President sighed.