Meddlers In Time total- text version

“I thought about that”, said Wayne, flipping the butt of his cigar into the nearby stream, “But I think it would be better to let the natives see us take the church to the cleaner’s. First we take out the Viking invaders, and then we wait for the church to have a go at us”

Sonja waded out of the shallow stream and took a bottle of lager from the ice chest. “The weather patterns for that period are good, too. They are experiencing a warm period, which has caused a population boom- thus the problem with invaders. Our probes have found an eight day patch of clear weather at the start of spring, 846AD- this gives you the best conditions for establishing the stronghold, for that time of year.”

“Sounds as good a target as I have heard”, said Jenny, “Are we all in favour? - OK, we are off to Jolly Old England.”

“I suppose I had better look up that team I mentioned”, said Wayne, “But first- let’s raise the Jolly Roger again and drink to our success.”

“Here’s to burning the rule book and making up our own.” said Marty.

***

August 2004

‘Another shift done’ thought Mike, as he packed up and headed for the factory gate. Minding a gas boiler was as exciting as watching paint dry, but the mortgage needed paying. 48 years old and I have another 12 left to go on the bloody thing. But forget that- on Saturday I can finally fire up the traction engine after three years work on the restoration. Then listen to the wife bitch and moan about the time he spent on it all Sunday…

***

John Daniells was particularly pissed off today. He had just fired three of his staff for smoking ice on the job. Smoking fucking P in a butchery. “Fucking morons” he exclaimed for about the fifteenth time in the last hour. Four big orders due out this week- he was just starting to make some headway with his gourmet small goods line. Shit, he thought, back working in someone else’s friggin’ kitchen, catering to pretentious arsewipes bitching about their so-called food sensitivities…

*** 

John French carried the last box into his one bedroom flat. This is it after 20 years, he mused- second-hand furniture and a damp shitbox to live in. And now that bitch wife is sitting pretty in the house I busted a gut for. Fuck her. - Where did I put the whiskey?

***

Steve Anders put the calculator down. $1200 in, $1230 out and that was with 3 extra shifts. Townie wankers living in Auckland go nuts buying country property, so the interest rates get driven up. My pay never matches that, though. I can’t loose the farm now with only 4 years to go…

***

Eric had had enough. 10 hours into the Friday night shift and this was the second fatality incident. The drunk from the other car staggered up, belligerently demanding something be done about his bleeding nose. Eric spun about and felled him with an uppercut. Throwing his jacket on the ground he walked off muttering ´Stick this fucking job.- who needs this shit.” No point in going back in- his career was now over…

***

James Lister looked out the window. For the twelfth day in a row it was pouring with rain. There had been five clear days in the last two months and the building site was choked in thick mud. The bank was ringing about his overdraft and his labourers had left, having found factory work in the dry. He picked up the ‘Situations Vacant’ section…

***

Team Alpha Recruits- A Summary

To: Transit Team Commander 

CC: Section Leaders

I have compiled this team primarily as the construction and establishment team for the Ninth Century project. 

The majority have a military background and experience on the types of equipment to be used in supporting this operation. I recommend an intensive six week training session in weaponry and equipment familiarization, before commencing the operation proper. Whilst the member’s skills are such that we could commence operations immediately, I feel this training period will offer an excellent opportunity for team-building. 

In carefully profiling the prospects, I specifically looked for persons who are skilled tradesmen, typically stuck in their careers, dissatisfied with their work and are from a financial position of week-to-week existence. Most have had relationship breakups and/or are free of dependents.  

All the candidates are personally known, by at least one of the members of our regular crew.