42. July 14, 2202 Boston, Massachusetts
“I don’t have the clearance to program your excursion as requested,” Lucy says matter-of-factly. The words Request Denied glow in dazzling white on the display in front of her, reflected in reverse on the lenses of her reading glasses.
The trans-temporal chamber hums behind her. Empty. Waiting.
Oliver slumps back in his chair. He had asked her to send him back to Barnbow. To Beatrix, a minute after he left her. Lucy laughed until she realized he was serious.
“Excursions to consecutive times—typically used to create the illusion of staying somewhere for durations longer than twelve hours—take meticulous planning. It will take two weeks to prepare.”
“Two weeks?” He doesn’t have that kind of time.
“It’s all in the fine print, Mr. Rhodes. Right after the section on butterflies.”
Oliver scrubs his hands over his face. “What do you have the clearance for?”
Lucy swivels to the desk and types rapidly on her tablet. She slides it over to Oliver. “The Excursion Research Department has proposed an alternative. If you approve, you can complete your excursion today.”
The screen glows bright and his vision blurs. He squeezes his eyes shut.
“Mr. Rhodes? Are you all right?” Lucy asks.
His eyes shoot open. “I’m fine.” He straightens and takes the tablet from her. He skims the plan, trying to focus on the words.
Lucy can get him to the same location on the same day. But he left Beatrix just after sunrise. This won’t return him until—his vision spots and he blinks, trying to clear it. He looks at the time and his heart sinks. Twelve hours later.
“It’s the best I can do,” Lucy says firmly. If he wants to see Beatrix today, this is his only option.
Oliver approves the excursion plan. He has to make things right with Beatrix. Even if it is a goodbye.
Even if he breaks her heart.