A Collision In Time

If time travel is possible, where are the tourists from the future?

– Steven Hawking

3203 BC (November 15th, Gregorian), Sumeria

Inside the vessel, Dov pressed next to Cara, her body swaying to the rhythm of the boat. Around them, despite the hundreds of people, there was only quiet. The silence matched the mood. Then a nearby baby began to cry and an elderly man coughed a few meters away.

The ark, now home to over three hundred fortunate citizens of Eridu, floated upon the newly formed lake that stretched for as far as any of the occupants could see through its windows. Hills and ridges punctured the surface, creating islands heavily populated by fleeing animals, birds, and the odd human refugee.

The rain continued to fall as the sun fell and darkness set in. Candles were lit inside the ark.

Emerson, who had been sitting next to his friend, rose and approached Dov and Cara. He knelt in front of them and cocked his head the way a puppy does when it looks for attention. “That was nuts,” he whispered.

Dov wiped the tears from her face. “I don’t even know how to respond to that,” Dov scolded him. She softened. “But you saved my life—for the second time, at least. Thank you.”

“You were there for me in Sandon when I needed it, Dov, so also, thank you.”

“You truly lost your mind this week, Em,” said Cara. “Our goal was to protect you from danger. Your inclination, however, was to seek it.”

“Listen,” responded Emerson, “I didn’t come to argue. My translator isn’t working. I have no one to talk to. I just wanted a…” His voice trailed off.

“A friend,” finished Cara.

“Yeah, a friend.”

“Come, sit,” said Dov. “Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“If I only knew,” said Emerson. “But knowing that you will listen when I figure out what’s on my mind is what I want right now. So please.”

The three sat together quietly. Eventually Uriel and Ariel joined them. Even the robotic algorithms sensed the group’s somber mood. Uriel urged them to try to sleep. “You may as well,” he said. “I have no idea how long we will be here. And we will need your best thinking once we leave, for I also have no idea how to return to our time.”

Cara closed her eyes, and drifted into sleep. Emerson remained awake, but relaxed. He leaned into Dov. “I’m sorry. When we get out of here, I’ll hang back.”

“Thanks, Em,” Dov replied. “Now, hush. It’s time to move on.”

A short time later, Arion approached and whispered, “In a few moments lightning will strike the stern of the boat. I have constructed a platform there. You will find the energy of the strike sufficient. But you will need to make a choice.” Arion caught the robots’ eyes. “If you understand what I mean.”

Uriel focused, peering ahead in concentration, then whispered in Ariel’s ear. Ariel nodded.

Uriel spoke. “Listen, Dov, between the two of us we possess the ability and computing power necessary to generate the time-wave and use the energy in the lightning to jump in time.”

Dov said, “How? That’s ridiculous.”

By now Cara had awakened. She and Emerson watched silently.

“One of us absorbs the energy and transforms the voltages into a usable form, while the other computes the values necessary for the time-wave to manifest based on the electrical flows. We then leverage the energy to configure the time-wave dimension.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. The electricity would destroy you.”

“It would destroy one of us, yes. But we can be rebuilt. One memory can be backed up in the other.”

“You have ten minutes,” Arion interrupted. “I suggest you make your way outside and debate there.”

“Hang on,” Dov cried out. “Ariel, can you do this even while Uriel reprograms the spatial time coordinates?”

Ariel nodded. “If you direct me to, of course.” Uriel looked ahead, without expression.

“It would destroy you.”

“You make the call, Dov. You understand the consequences.”

Dov nodded. “I am so sorry, Ariel, but we must do this. We will rebuild you, I promise. An even better version of you. Uriel will be so jealous.”

Ariel smiled. “Let’s begin.”

“Lead the way, Arion,” said Dov. She took Cara’s hand. Emerson followed.

The five travelers steadied themselves on the wet platform. A dark cloud approached and lightning forked out from its dense interior. Rain pelted them. Arion waited, off to the side.

“When are you going to?” shouted Uriel over the booming thunder. “You can only choose a time from where we were. I don’t have the data to send you anywhere else.”

Dov looked at Cara, and for the first time in hours smiled. “Back to Boston? Emerson?”

Emerson smiled. “Why not.”

“One week after the bombing,” Cara said. “To my home, if you can.”

“I can,” Uriel shouted. A nearby fork of lightning hit the water next to the boat.

“Get ready,” said Arion.

A bolt of lightning danced from the cloud and like a missile, penetrated Ariel.

Arion stood alone on the platform and smiled.