Timeslingers:

The Online Time Travel Adventure Series

The communicator chirped.

“You’re behind schedule. It has to look like a mistake, or chance. We need to find holes, otherwise they’ll–” said Lee.

“Track it back to us. I understand. You’ll have them tonight.”

“Do you have access to the–”

“Not yet. I will. What about the Fra Mauro operation?”

“It’s on track.”

“Good.”

Kline terminated the call. The single light at the remote gas station flickered. Inside the booth, the attendant’s snores could be heard alongside the hum of country music on the radio.

A pair of headlights breached the horizon. Minutes later Henry eased his sedan into station. Kline leaned into the car window.

Henry’s face was pallid. “I’ve got everything—everything I could find.”

“Good.”

Henry’s eyes darted up to the rearview mirror. A police car rolled into the gas station. The officer stuck his head out the window.

“That you, Henry? What brings you all the way out here this time of night?”

“I, ah–”

“Me, actually,” said Kline. “Car broke down. I needed a ride and didn’t know who else to call.”

The officer eyed Henry. “You all right? You look a little–”

“Sick,” said Henry. “Just, uh…sick.”

“Riiiiight. Hey, you mind if I take a look at your vehicle?”

Kline smiled. “That’s not necessary, but thanks.”

“I’d like to take a look. Ya never know.”

The officer got out of the squad car and moved toward Kline’s vehicle. Kline pulled an injector and fell into step behind him. Shoved the needle into the officer’s neck. Pulled the trigger. The officer slumped down onto the asphalt.

“You killed him!?!”

“He’s fine, just unconscious. He won’t remember what happened or how he got here. Now, those reports.”

Henry swallowed hard and handed Kline a briefcase.

“Good work, Henry. Go home. Forget all this. You’ve been a huge help.”

Kline moved to his car and shook his head at the cataleptic officer as Henry pulled back onto the highway.