THE MOMENT
"Temporal Agent's log...," David relaxed as he recorded the details again. He'd already decided a 64th mission would be necessary and this preparation step helped him keep a clear picture of his goals in mind. He'd already saved the world. That was the easiest part of his mission; there were various side objectives that he decided he could complete them entirely. He was nervous the first dozen or so times while trying to make sure he used precise wording and descriptors; all those worries about technical details kept the process rigid. But, over the dozens of successful missions he slowly began to appreciate the process in a different light. By now, it'd become almost meditative. Even though he was still going at least one more time, and open to more depending on how things went, he learned to enjoy the minutes spent considering his thoughts. When the whole thing was over and he returned to a normal life, he'd decided he would integrate the planning into his everyday routine. "...I'm launching my 64th attempt. This Temporal Agent Colonel Class David signing out."
He stood from his desk, in his bedroom, and he walked out of the house and into the garage. That was where he looped from, and as he walked in he was surprised to find someone there waiting for him.
"Quinn?" The teenage girl with short dark hair and orange highlights sat on the 'time-chair' he'd built. Quinn was his point of contact and the one that started him on his temporal adventure. But, despite the numerous loops, he thought everything had been going okay, all things considered. Seeing her meant something; though, he didn't know what yet. "Is.... everything okay?" he asked. She nodded instantly and he felt more at ease.
"How's it on your end? All good? I see you've made quite a number of loops."
"Everything's fine!" It came out a bit more defensive than he meant it; but, he was worried she was there to pull the plug on him as soon as she mentioned his return trips. "Why are you here?" he asked. "It's not a problem is it?"
"No problem, that was mostly what I wanted to check," she shook her head. "I just wanted to make sure you weren't accidentally locked in; it happens sometimes. But, no, there's no problem," she smiled to put him at ease. "You have the freedom to go back as many times as you want. Although, there is one other detail I came to inform you about. You're aligned with SST, right?" she asked.
"Yeah," David nodded. "Sharp Standard Time is the only way I can keep track of the loops," he said.
"Good," Quinn nodded. "Then, that'll make this easy. The 18th of this month, SST is going to experience a reset; for your safety, Chroma Corp. is urging all our clients to avoid time travel on that day. We might not be able to find you to rescue you if you get trapped as a result of the reset," she said.
"Oh. That's like in two weeks, I can still time loop until then?" he asked. "Freely up until the 17th," Quinn nodded.
"So... I'm not in trouble for so many trips?" David wanted to make sure.
"Of course not," Quinn grinned and shook her head. "You paid for the 'Unlimited' plan, so enjoy it as many times as you want. Just take the 18th off, good?" she asked as she stood from the wooden chair decorated with rubber hosing and crystals.
"Good," David nodded in agreement. Quinn made a gesture at the air and she opened a tall black portal to leave; but, David realized he had one more question.
"Oh wait!" he spoke up and Quinn paused with one foot into the portal. "I did pay for unlimited; so, if I'm taking the 18th off, I'm clear to start again on the 19th?" he asked. "What's being reset?" He actually didn't know what a 'reset' consisted of; but, he assumed it was just something as simple as changing the clocks for Daylight Savings.
"The multiverse," Quinn answered flatly; but, she nodded an answer to his question as she left. He wished she'd stayed to answer more. "Yeah, you'll be clear to start again on the 19th. Chroma Corp. is taking a turn this time; and, we honor our contracts."
