Chapter 8: Preparing for the Next Jump

8a) Evening Discussions

The pub provided a perfect backdrop for their discussion, with its rustic charm and low murmur of conversation.

Brian pulled out his notebook filled with copious notes and sketches and showed it to Alex. "I've been working on pinpointing the origin point Ry-Lan came from before you first met him. Based on my calculations, it's somewhere near to this destination."

Alex’s eyes widened. "Really? That’s interesting. And do you know when he originated from?"

Brian turned the pages, showing Alex the detailed coordinates. "Again, if I’ve understood it correctly, the difference is minimal. I think Ry-Lan came from about two weeks in the future."

The implications of the words echoed in Alex’s mind, charged with potential. He wanted to ensure that he understood, “So you think Ry-Lan travelled first to somewhere nearby, a fortnight in the future, and then travelled back to Tommy’s field where I saw him?”

"Exactly. The proximity in time and location suggests that Ry-Lan's journey was intentional. But I think the bigger question is why he ended up at Tommy's farm."

Alex lowered his voice, ensuring no one was listening. "What do you think his purpose was? Why choose a remote farm in Yorkshire?"

Brian considered this possibility, "It could be that he was looking for a place where he wouldn't be immediately discovered. A farm like Tommy's is isolated enough to avoid drawing attention."

"True," Alex agreed, "but there surely has to be more to it. Maybe Tommy's farm was a meeting point, or perhaps Ry-Lan was searching for something specific in this area."

Brian tapped his pen on the table, deep in thought. "If Ry-Lan came from the future, he might well have known where and when it would be safe to land. Tommy's farm could have been identified as a low-risk location."

"Or," Alex added, "he might have been trying to avoid someone or something. Maybe he was in trouble and thought the farm would be a good hiding place."

Brian considered this for a second. "That's a possibility too. We also need to consider why Ry-Lan first travelled to the spot ten days from now. There must be a reason for that stop, too. What exactly did Ry-Lan say when he spoke to you? Did he give any clues about why he was here?"

Alex paused, recalling the conversation. "He wanted me to record him giving a message, but it was in a language I couldn’t understand. It sounded Chinese-like, and a doctor at the hospital who speaks Chinese was able to translate some of it. He told me that Ry-Lan mentioned 'family,' 'water,' and possibly 'disease.'"

Brian's brow furrowed. "Family, water, disease ... That's cryptic but intriguing. Maybe he was trying to warn us about something or seeking help."

The weight of their discussion settled over them as they thought for a while. Alex glanced around the pub again, checking no one could hear him. "Brian, I think I should make another jump. I want to travel to Ry-Lan’s previous destination."

Brian's face softened, showing the conflict in his eyes. "I don’t know, Alex. It’s risky. We still don't fully understand how this machine works."

"I know," Alex replied firmly. "But we need to know more. If I can understand what Ry-Lan was doing, or perhaps travel to where Ry-Lan is from, then maybe we can understand this machine better—and help him, too. And we need to get on with it."

Brian sighed, then agreed, too tired to argue. "Alright. Let’s get a good night’s sleep, and then first thing tomorrow, we’ll do it."

8b) Preparing for the Jump

Brian drove home, their conversation pressing heavily on his mind. He knew it was risky, but Alex was determined, and they did want to make progress. As he pulled into his driveway, seeing his home brought him back to normality.

Meanwhile, Alex returned to his house, the events of the evening replaying in his mind, too. Sleep was elusive that night as thoughts of the upcoming jump and its potential dangers governed his mind. He tossed and turned, unable to quiet his racing thoughts.

The hours dragged on, and exhaustion finally began to take its toll. When Alex eventually drifted off, his sleep was far from restful. He began to dream, transported to the hot and arid environment of the Middle East. The air was thick and stifling, the oppressive heat bearing down on him.

In the dream, everything felt muted and distant, as if viewed through a haze. He saw his brother in the distance, his heart leaping with hope and desperation. "Mark!" he called out, his voice muffled and weak. He started to run towards his brother, but with every step he took, Mark seemed to move further away, the distance between them growing insurmountable.

"Mark, wait!" Alex shouted, his voice barely carrying over the dull roar of indistinct noises in the background. He pushed himself to run faster, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't close the gap. His brother turned to look at him, smiling, but didn't say a word. The scene around Alex began to blur even more, the sense of helplessness washing over him.

He awoke with a start, his heart pounding and sweat drenching his sheets. The nightmare left him shaken, the unresolved anguish over his brother's fate resurfacing with brutal clarity. As dawn's first light began to seep through his curtains, Alex forced himself out of bed, his body weary but his resolve stronger than ever.

Determined, he prepared for the day ahead. Despite the poor sleep, he knew what needed to be done. The drive to Tommy’s farm was cloaked in the usual morning mist, with the air crisp and cool. He arrived at the farm to find Brian already there, setting up the equipment needed for the jump.

8c) Final Preparations

Sat 6^th April 2024

As it was a Saturday and he was not at work, Alex had chosen to wear his regular clothes instead of his police uniform. The casual attire made him feel a bit more relaxed, without the heavy weight of his police jacket and all the paraphernalia he had to wear for work.

Tommy spotted Alex pulling up, and he walked over with concern. He noticed Alex's different look and asked, "Alex, what brings you here today? I didn’t think you work on weekends."

Alex offered a reassuring smile. "You’re right, Tommy. But this can't wait. It’s too important to leave, even on my day off."

Tommy chewed his lip. "Urgent, huh? OK. But what if this machine starts attracting the wrong kind of attention? Government types or those conspiracy crowds? Could disturb more than just the sheep, you know."

Alex looked Tommy in the eyes, appreciating his fears. "Tommy, I hear you. But it’s just us here, and everything’s under control. We're not planning on making this a spectacle."

Tommy reluctantly accepted Alex’s response. "Alright, I’m counting on you to keep it quiet. Just don’t let this thing turn my farm into a circus."

With his point made, Tommy walked back towards the barn, leaving Alex to continue his preparations. Alex watched him go back inside, then turned to find Brian adjusting a complex array of monitoring equipment laid out systematically near the machine.

"Good morning, Brian. How are you doing?" Alex asked, approaching the setup.

Brian looked up and smiled. "Good, thanks. I thought I’d get an early start."

"Thanks for coming out so soon. I really appreciate it."

"Almost there," Brian replied, still focused on his task. "I’ve prepped the machine for Ry-Lan’s previous destination, but before I lock it in, let's run through the return sequence together. I want to make sure you’re familiar with the steps."

Alex agreed. "Sounds good. I’m ready." Resolutely, he stepped into the machine once more, re-familiarizing himself with its controls as Brian guided him through the return sequence. They practiced each step together, ensuring Alex could handle the process on his own.

"I’ve made you a printed copy of the return sequence," Brian instructed, handing Alex a small piece of paper that he had laminated with the detailed instructions. "Follow these steps exactly to ensure you can come back. We can’t risk any mistakes."

"Got it," Alex confirmed, studying the sheet intently. "Let’s go through it now one more time."

After a thorough rehearsal, Brian was satisfied with Alex’s understanding. "Alright, now that you’re clear, I’ll set the destination. When you’re ready, just hit this here. It means 'accept'."

Satisfied and feeling more confident after their practice, Alex settled into his chair while the machine hummed invitingly around him. With Alex ready, Brian returned to the monitoring setup a few metres away, from where he could best observe. Alex hovered his hand over the activation buttons, his heart racing with anticipation and slight anxiety.

"I'm ready," Alex said, glancing back at Brian, who smiled reassuringly. “Should we count down or something?”

Brian chuckled softly. "I think you should close the door first, then we can go for the dramatic countdown."

Laughing, Alex operated the door closure mechanism, sealing himself inside. The machine's interior became quieter, with the sounds from outside muffled by the closed door.

"Okay, here goes nothing. Three … two … one," Alex murmured, pressing the 'accept' button. The machine’s noise grew louder, its lights flickering as it powered up, ready to transport him to the unknown. The sequence was becoming more familiar to him, each jump feeling more intuitive than the last.

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