JOURNEY'S END

Jim's shift was only half way through when he entered the building. From the outside it appeared run down despite the technology it housed. He was tired and hoped it would be uneventful. He preferred the night shift, it meant he didn't have to face too many people. He walked up to the counter. There was no atmosphere. Two patrons were sat at the bar, sipping a couple of beers. The bartender smiled at him. Della was always ready with a welcome.
"Hello stranger." Her voice was comforting, a constant in his unpredictable world.
"You saw me two nights ago." Jim said.
"In this place, it can feel like eternity." Della said. Jim agreed. It wasn't a bar to spend an evening drinking in. People came to escape, if only for a short while.
"Quiet tonight?" Jim gestured towards his companions at the counter. They moved further away and weren't subtle about it either, scraping chairs and banging their drinks down. Jim was used to it. Some always had an aversion to the law.
"The novelty wears off sooner or later but it's early yet. Do you want a drink?" Della said. Jim shook his head.
"Not when I'm on duty." A man came in, early twenties. He walked up to Della.
"Nineteen sixty nine, please." Della pressed a button on the counter and a panel slid open. A large triangular device rose up and a beam scanned him. The machine projected a virtual image of the man along with his personal details.
"Identity confirmed." A synthetic voice said.
"When and how long?" Della asked.
"July twenty first, two fifty am. Half an hour please."
"Okay. That's two thousand credits." The man looked in to one of the panels and there was a short flash.
"Transfer complete, " the computer said.
"Booth number four. You'll have to pass a security check first," she said.
"Thanks." The man stepped through a door to the side of the bar.
"Sixty nine?" Jim asked, raising an eyebrow.
"He wants to be in the control centre when Armstrong sets foot on the moon."
"Ah, a sentimentalist." Jim said.
"So, where would you go? I've got a free pass to any when, if you want it?" Della asked.
"Back to the point of my conception, to ask my parents what were they thinking?" Della moved closer and put her hand on his arm.
"You really feel that jaded?"
"It was a joke. Don't worry, Della, I'm not ready to give up yet."
"You're a poor liar James Rafferty."
"You can see right through me, Della. It's probably why I keep coming here." He paused as a woman entered.
"Hi," she said. "Fifteen fifty nine, please." Della directed her to the pyramid device which confirmed her identity.
"When and how long?" She asked.
"January fifteenth, nine am. Six hours please."
"That's twelve thousand credits." Della said, frowning.
"I've just inherited some money." She stared defiantly at everyone. Jim's eyes narrowed. He took a small device from his pocket and surreptitiously scanned her. It shone green. He slipped it away and nodded at Della, who indicated for the woman to make her payment.
"Transfer complete." The computer said.
"Booth number eight." Della said. The woman hurried through the door.
"What's so special about that year?" Jim asked.
"She's gone to watch Elizabeth the First's coronation. The last time a relative died, she spent thousands of credits watching the first performance of A Midsummer Night's Dream, her favourite Shakespeare play."
"How do you know these things?" Jim said.
"Working here, I've picked up quite a few historical details." Della shrugged.
"She has a lot of relatives die then?" His tone made her scrutinise him.
"I know what you're thinking but I don't believe she's killing her family for her addiction." She laughed. "What were you doing with your little box of tricks?"
"Just making sure she was legitimate. It is my job." Jim said. He had to be vigilant for transgressions.
"When's the last time you had to report someone?" Della said.
"Not for a long time. The Caro'Na have seen to that. In the beginning, more people were trying to alter history for their own end but the Caro'Na's deterrent works."
"Eternal stasis is quite extreme."
"It's their law, the condition they set down when they gave us the technology." Jim said. "If a person changes just one detail then the whole world could change irrecoverably."
"What happened to our simple lives?" Della cleared away the glasses as the other drinkers left.
"It all changed when the Caro'Na made contact. Some would say that they saved us."
"I suppose. They did help us save the planet using their technology, although I seem to remember the phrase ‘intergalactic hippies' being used by the press at the time. Still, at least I have a job."
"Yes." Jim studied the scratches on the bar top. Another side door opened and a customer came out.
"How was it?" Della said. The man couldn't stop grinning.
"That was awesome," he said. "Such a moment." He left the bar.
"Another happy customer," she said. "It makes it all worthwhile."
"Makes my job easier." Jim said.
"Happiness isn't a myth after all."
"My grandfather told me a story once, about a man who lived in a cave by the sea outside the town. Nobody knew who he was, or where he came from, one day he was just there. He never spoke to anyone but seemed so content with his life. He was always down by the water, fishing. I used to think how strange, yet wonderful that would be."
"You really don't like people, do you?" Della laughed. Her attention was taken by customers for the next few minutes as they came in for drinks before taking a turn in one of the booths. Jim spent the time observing. Sometimes he felt guilty for getting paid to watch others. After all, it was rare that he actually had to detain anyone.
"At least it's getting busier," he said, as Della came back to him.
"About time." She winked.
"Your jokes don't get any better." She was about to reply when another man came in. He shuffled up to the counter, unable to take his eyes off Jim.
"Hello Martin." Della said. Jim watched the newcomer and his jaw tightened. There was something about the man's manner that bothered him.
"I'll have my usual please Della. Two thirty pm." Martin Challoner said. He was a short man, receding hair and his clothes looked like they were too big for him.
"Two visits in one week?" Della activated the scanner.
"I took out a loan," he said. Jim became very interested.
"A dangerous thing to do." Della said as his identity was confirmed. "It's not worth getting in debt for."
"This trip will be worth every penny." Martin said. Jim took out his own screening device and performed a quick scan. It told him that the man was clean but there was still something that didn't feel right. The money transfer went through.
"Booth eighteen." Della said.
"Della, what year is he going to?" Jim asked, after Martin had gone through the door.
"Twenty fifty four." Della said. Jim frowned, it sounded too familiar.
"When exactly?" She checked the computer. It gave her a constant readout of each booth.
"August fifth," she said. "He goes there every week." Jim got up and went over to the pyramid. He pressed a couple of buttons and the beam scanned him.
"Security override. Enforcer James Rafferty. Patch me through to Command." There was a pause and the image of another man appeared in mid air.
"What's the matter Jimmy?" His superior William Munday spoke with a clipped tone.
"Sir, I've got a suspected security breach. I need clearance to monitor a journey."
"Trouble?" Munday asked.
"I'm not sure." Jim replied. "A customer's been visiting August the fifth, twenty fifty four regularly."
"The day we signed the treaty? Transmit the details and I'll clear it with the Chief. Take any measure necessary to maintain the timeline if there's a breach."
"Yes Sir." Munday vanished.
"I need you to try and stall Martin," he said. "I want to be there when he goes back."
"You don't think Martin is a security risk?" Della asked, checking her screen. "It's too late, he's gone." Jim met her troubled gaze.
"I don't know for sure but something's not right so it's my duty to investigate. It's why I prop up your bar." He gave her a brief smile before heading through the door. Jim hurried along the corridor, passing all the travel booths. There was one at the end, reserved for Enforcers. He tapped in his security code and the door slid open. Inside was a computer console, a large screen and another set of doors. Jim put his hand on the console and waited while he was scanned.
"Welcome Enforcer Rafferty." The computer sprang into life and the screen began relaying pictures of every booth occupied and the time they were currently linked to.
"Show me Booth Eighteen." Jim said. The view changed to a single screen. Jim was now seeing where Martin had gone. He was observing the metropolis of London. It was a far cry from the city of old but still not as advanced as it was now. Hundreds of people were waiting in Trafalgar Square. Ice filled his veins. The time, the place, it all fitted. He knew he had to go.

Jim had travelled back several times in his career but he never liked it. After checking the coordinates and calculating when he had to step through, he stood in front of the second set of doors. This time a full body scan was performed before they opened to admit him. Brightness flooded the room, the vortex shimmered and whirled. Jim checked his weapon before stepping through. There was a brief moment of nothing then he found himself right in the middle of the throng. The noise took him aback, so many voices, all talking at once. There was mostly cheering. Only a few placards could be seen, denouncing the Caro'Na as conquerors, people to be wary of. He started looking for Martin who was already in the crowd. His scanner was programmed to pick up the residual aura created by the time jump. He hurried through, pushing people out of the way until his scanner bleeped continually. Martin was ahead of him, towards the front of the group. A band began playing and he could see a platform where one of the lions used to be. Martin took something from his pocket. Jim struggled to see what it was, then realisation dawned. A piece of wood had not been considered a threat as he went through security, not even if it had been carved to a savage point. The man was shrewd. There was a fanfare and a trio of aliens walked on to the platform accompanied by various world leaders. Security was tight around them but nobody gave Martin a second glance. He had no time to watch such an occasion, Martin was about to strike. He rushed forward then paused. Martin wasn't looking at the people in front of him, his attention was fixed on a well dressed man who was standing away from them. Jim didn't know who he was but that he was the target, not the aliens. Martin was using the cover of the gathering to kill him. Jim's instincts kicked in and he charged as Martin advanced on his quarry. He made contact just as Martin was about to drive the stake into the man's chest. The weapon flew out of Martin's hand as Jim tackled him to the ground. On the platform, speeches were being made, just before the treaty was signed, securing Earth's future and making the whole situation possible. A few more seconds, and Martin would have succeeded in killing the stranger and altering history, however small. The man looked shocked as Jim dragged Martin to his feet and hauled him back to the spot where he had entered.
"Let go of me." Martin wailed as he struggled to break free. "You don't understand."
"Enforcer James Rafferty." Jim flashed his ID.
"You've ruined everything." Martin slumped against him, the fight gone.
"You have just committed a category one offence. Don't you know the penalty?" Jim said.
"I know." Martin's eyes were wet with tears. "It's taken me weeks to have the courage to do this. Get it over with."
"Why did you try and kill that man?" Jim had to know. Martin sighed.
"That's Dylan Calder of Calder Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals." Martin said. Jim shook his head.
"So?"
"Tomorrow his company will unveil a new pain medication. That drug killed my daughter and others. He knew it was never tested it properly before releasing it for sale but did it anyway. If it wasn't for him, she'd still be alive. I've watched my wife suffer every day since." Memories of a scandal came flooding back. Dylan Calder had ignored safety concerns and there had been rumours of payoffs but he had never personally faced justice over it. The company had received lucrative contracts after the treaty had been signed.
"Murder isn't the way. You don't know that it would have changed the outcome for your daughter."
"He had too much influence for any mud to stick and didn't care about the lives he took. He was in charge so I knew I had to try and deal out my own justice, kill him before he could release it. I just wanted to bring her back." Jim swallowed, moved by Martin's obvious anguish but he knew that he had a job to do.
"I have to call it in," he said.
"Do it. I failed my daughter and my wife left me because she blamed me for not saving her. There's no point to anything now." Jim got out his communicator.
"This is Enforcer Rafferty. I have a category one transgression at my location."
"This is Control. Transgression acknowledged. Stand by." Light engulfed the two men and the scene before them seemed to be moving further away until they were alone, empty space around them. Jim knew what was coming, isolation from the time vortex, then punishment.
"I'm sorry." He had never apologised for doing his job until now.
"I'm only sorry you stopped me." Martin remained composed. A Caro'Na appeared. Jim nodded at it. They were strange humanoid beings, many finding their translucent bodies and featureless faces disconcerting. Jim hadn't had much contact with them.
"This is the transgressor?" A machine spoke for it.
"Yes." Jim said. "Attempted murder."
"The timeline remains intact?"
"I stopped him before he could change it." It turned towards Martin.
"You accept the charge?" Martin nodded.
"In accordance with the Earth treaty, the Caro'Na, guardians of time sentence you to removal from your current timeline."
"Wait." Jim surprised himself by addressing the alien. "Is there no other way? What if you are altering the future by doing this?"
"There can be no exceptions. Whatever this man would have been or done has not yet been written in his time. He must end here." The Caro'Na replied.
"I'm ready." Martin said. "There's nothing left for me." Jim's hand clenched at his side. The Caro'Na produced a weapon from its robe. Martin started shaking as it came nearer. Jim didn't look away. He'd only seen it done once before. An arc of red energy hit Martin, coursed through his body and he dropped to the ground, eyes glassy, skin pale. He was still alive but unable to move or speak.
"We will take him now. You have done well."
"How can you call this humane?" Jim said.
"We do not kill." The Caro'Na nodded and disappeared with Martin. Jim saw the corridor to the booth. He took a last look in the distance, the treaty had been signed. Dylan Calder was grinning, congratulating one of the men on the platform. Instinct told him that Martin had probably been right. It left a bitter taste as he stepped through, back to his own time.

Della was waiting for him. All the booths had been emptied. News of a transgression travelled fast.
"What's happening? Where's Martin?" She said. Jim stared at her.
"Give me a whisky." His curt tone made her step back.
"I thought you were on duty?" She poured it anyway. Jim took the glass and downed it in one gulp. He gave the glass back, indicating that she should refill it.
"What's wrong?" Della said, as he drank the second. "You don't drink when you're working."
"Duty is precisely the problem." Jim banged the empty glass on top of the bar. His communicator bleeped.
"Rafferty here."
"Jimmy?" It was Munday.
"Yes sir?"
"Just been informed about the transgression. Good work. You've been put forward for a commendation. The loss of Dylan Calder would have had serious repercussions."
"Thank you." Jim didn't care.
"Doesn't hurt the department either. Take the rest of the night off. Munday out." Jim met Della's gaze.
"Martin?" She sighed.
"He's gone." Jim replied. "I helped."
"He tried to break the law, didn't he?" She poured herself a drink.
"I stopped him, but was duty bound to call it in, so I did. I've never hated myself more." He held his head in his hands.
"If you hadn't, then who knows what changes he may have caused? You did the right thing."
"Did he deserve such a punishment?" Jim shuddered at the thought of being aware but unable to live.
"It's the terms of the treaty. The condition was agreed so we could have this technology. You said it." Della replied.
"He was only trying to put things right, save his child and his marriage."
"It's done now. You need to move on."
"I don't think I can." Jim got out his ID and stared at it. A holographic picture of himself glinted back. He'd been younger then.
"What are you saying?"
"That I think it's time for a new line of work."
"The Caro'Na know how dangerous it is, meddling with time. They used it to fix the problems we had but they also know how important it is to prevent changing history." Della stopped as someone came into the bar. "We're closed." She went round and pushed them out before locking the door.
"It's not the first time I've had to report someone. That person was trying to change things for her own gain. Martin wasn't doing it on a whim or for his own profit. He wanted to save lives." Jim said.
"We all know the penalty." Della came and sat beside him.
"I've never thought about it before. I just did my job, never worrying about the consequences. I knew the Caro'Na's law had to be upheld."
"What are you going to do?"
"Remember earlier, when you told me you had a free pass?" Jim looked at her.
"You're not really going to stop your parents, are you?" Della gave a wry smile. "That would change the timeline."
"No. I need to go somewhere very specific. Will you help me?"
"The pass is yours," she nodded.
"Thank you." They left the bar. Della went with him to a booth. She punched in her code and the destination console lit up, waiting for the time coordinates.
"Nobody must know where I've gone." Jim said. He took over, and began inputting computer code.
"What are you doing?"
"I've learnt a few tricks over the years. I'm making sure they can't trace me. It will be safer for you as well. After I've gone, the system will go into lockdown and all the data will be wiped."
"You're not coming back, are you?" She put her hand on his. He shook his head.
"I can't, not now." His expression softened as he saw her turn away. He put his arm round her.
"I'll miss you," she said.
"I'll miss our friendship but it's something I have to do. I think I've outlived this time."
"Where will you go, how will you live?"
"Somewhere that isn't corrupted by this technology. Where I can breathe again. You remember the tale about the man in the cave?"
"Yes." She nodded.
"I know who he was now." Della's eyes widened. The doors of the booth opened, the vortex shimmered in front of them.
"What about causality?"
"I never spoke to anyone. I know I must be alone. My grandfather also told me that the man disappeared one day and everyone assumed he'd drowned but his body was never found." Jim said. "I'll know when that time comes." He was about to go through. Della hugged him.
"Be careful," she said. "Have a good life."
"I will." Jim stroked her face. They broke apart as he stepped forward.
"If your superiors come looking for you, what do I tell them?" Della asked.
"Tell them..." he paused, then smiled as the vortex started to close behind him. "Tell them I've gone fishing."