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If only I could have snuck out my completed programs and code from the Abernathy project, it wouldn’t take me so long to get things running correctly. Instead, I’ve spent over a month rewriting everything.
She needed to establish that the code was correct and would run when the time arrived. It pleased her when she figured out what she thought was the correct algorithms and calculations to allow her to travel into the future and return to the point of origin. The only thing she lacked was the actual time pod to do a test run and see if it really worked. It was still being built, however, and she blamed Greg for dragging his feet on the construction. She assumed he was doing it to piss her off, since he didn’t expect she could accomplish it.
A few minutes later, she pushed her chair back, stood up, stretched and then turned and walked out of the project room, Danni following at her heels. She headed to Greg’s office to get an update on the time pod.
She marched into his office with a stern look on her face, slamming the door shut as she entered. “So, what the heck is taking so long?”
Surprised at the sudden intrusion, Greg glanced up and said, “I told you it takes time, no pun intended, to build what you’re asking me to build. If you weren’t so picky, I could have cobbled something together already. Besides, don’t you think it’s a bit careless to be talking about your project in my office?”
Paulette hesitated before answering, lowering her still angry voice. “So, it’s my fault you can’t get the pod built in a reasonable time?” Danni sat there growling quietly at Greg’s tone of voice.
“In a way, it is,” he remarked. “Think about it. You gave me very specific instructions, and it’s only been a few months. You can’t expect me to throw together a piece of high-tech engineering in a day.”
“Well of course you can’t do it in a day, but if you actually spent more time in the project room, maybe you could get it done just a little bit faster.”
Greg shook his head in amusement. “Honestly, I spend most of my day in that room working on your project. Besides, it’s a delicate process. I have to make sure all the components will work and communicate with each other. Then there’s the matter of the surface material being capable of withstanding the pressures you expect to put on it, regardless of your negative energy field solution. So yes, it takes time. It will get done when it gets done.”
Glaring at him and fuming, she turned and walked out of the room mumbling, “Well, I hope you complete it soon.”
Greg sat there for a moment thinking, I can’t believe she thinks I can just throw something together so quick and expect it to work. Even though I don’t believe it will work, I still need to make sure it can do the job, just in case it actually does.
He shoved back from his desk and stood, collected the engineering blueprints for the time pod, and headed to the project room.
He set the papers down on the desk nearby and walked around doing a visual inspection, taking a mental note of the progress. He went over in his mind what had been done and was still needed.
The shell of the pod is almost complete. I installed the small rocket engines that protrude from a concealed door in the pod, and they’re ready to go. The inside still requires a lot of work. I need to install the seat, but that can’t happen until I get the rest of the electronic controls installed and the steering mechanism placed in the proper location.
It was a complex machine but a basic design. Since Paulette only required a one-person pod, he built it on a rugged base with the pod itself resembling an egg that was bent at a forty-five-degree angle. The angle allowed for the seating of the pilot. It looked ridiculous but would do the job. It was even white like an egg.
Greg smirked as he reflected about it being like an egg. Figured I’d lean on my own beliefs and prejudice when designing it, he thought. Chuckling, he thought about how it was hurdling through the wormhole and shaking its yoke apart. Um, the pilot and the egg cracking mid-way. All right stop thinking like that, Greg. She’s your best friend, and you don’t want her to get hurt. Get this built right so it doesn’t crack open like an egg, he chided himself. If only she’d quit whining about how long it’s taking to build. If she keeps pushing me, then it’ll be just like the egg that cracks. He gave up speculating about the what-ifs and went back to concentrating on the project.
He installed the computer board, which was the brain of the machine that would hold the code Paulette had programmed. It would control the entry, travel through, and the exit of the time pod through the wormhole, as well as all the pertinent information about where and when Paulette would go. He was careful to install all the chips and memory on the board and place the jumpers in the right location. He then installed the remaining electronics that would control the thrust for the engines, the negative energy field that would envelop the pod, keeping her safe, which blew his mind. Paulette had told Gregg that if she didn’t produce a negative energy field, then while she was traveling through the wormhole, it would collapse on her before she reached the other side.
It still amazed him how she could figure out the correct math and other science so she could produce the field. A lot of what she did was merely theory, and she had no means to prove any of it till he finished the time pod. He could see a lot of long hours in his immediate future. In Greg’s mind, Paulette was such a slave driver, and he didn’t get paid nearly enough for all the hard work he was putting into the project.
Greg didn’t care about the money, though. He was doing the work because he more than liked Paulette. He had fallen head over heels in love with her several years ago, although she never seemed to notice. Greg kept it quiet, because he realized a serious relationship might distract her from her life’s ambition. Furthermore, he knew if she didn’t at least try to prove her theory about time travel, she’d ultimately blame him. Hopefully, soon he could let her know how he felt, but for now, he would have to carry on with business as usual.
Paulette entered the room quietly and sat down at the computer console. Danni curled up under the desk at her feet and went to sleep. She typed away and reexamined all her data and simulations to make sure everything was working properly. Satisfied that the math and algorithms were running as predicted, she sighed and glanced up to see what Greg was doing. She had always had a thing for him but felt that drawing too close wasn’t a good idea. She was socially awkward and didn’t know how to express her feelings, so she put all her energy into her passion — time travel. Hopefully, one day I can tell him how I feel about him, but for now, it’ll have to wait. Besides, he may not like me in that way. She shook the thoughts from her head, stood up, and walked to the time pod and Greg. Danni, seeing she had left, got up and followed her, then lay down next to Paulette.
“So, how’s it coming? I’m sorry about being angry earlier. It’s been tough for me to wait all this time to carry out my dreams. And, yes before you remind me again, I know I had that chance back in high school, but it isn’t the same. Besides, as you know, the pod didn’t come back. Also, I didn’t know that I would need the negative energy field until recently.”
Greg looked up from his work with a grin on his face. “I know, Paulette, and I understand.”
A bit surprised at his short polite answer, she smiled and said, “I’m so glad you’re my best friend. You get me,” she replied.
“I do, and that’s why I’m pacing myself and making certain the time pod will stay together. I don’t want you jumping in it and coming out on the other end in pieces,” he said with concern in his voice.
She looked at him quizzically. “You care that much about me?”
“Of course, I do. I have really liked you since high school. I’ve grown very close to you through the years, and... I... um... just want to make sure you’re safe,” he replied.
She stood there silent for several minutes with her cheeks turning several shades of red. “I ... um ... I didn’t realize that you cared so much. Um,” she continued to stammer.
“It’s okay. I know you’re so focused with your dream that it’s hard for you to see what’s right in front of you,” he said.
She stared into the void for a moment. “I guess you’re right,” she said, still not grasping what he really meant. “Um ... so back to my question. How’s it going?”
He gazed into her blues eyes and chose his words carefully. “Most of the electronic components have been installed and tested. Once I finish installing the other components, I’ll put the pilot’s seat in and install the steering mechanism. Then it’s a matter of putting on the finishing touches and testing the crap out of this thing to make sure it will hold up,” he replied.
“That sounds fantastic. What’s the timeline for completion?” she inquired.
His complexion turned a few shades of grey before giving her the answer. “There are still a lot of small details to accomplish after I finish these larger components. I’d say a few more months, maybe.”
“A few more months! You’re kidding, right?”
“No, I’m not kidding.”
“So, at what point will it be complete enough for me to at least send the program over and run simulations?”
“You can do that in a few weeks,” he replied.
She sighed and thought, This is taking too long. “Okay, I guess. I appreciate all the hard work you’re doing. If there is any way to speed up the process, please do.”
“I’ll do my best, but I can’t make any promises.”
“Fine, so long as you’re doing your best. I’ll just need to keep my patience in check. Again, I’m sorry for yelling at you.”
“You’re forgiven. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve got things to do,” he said.
