Part 2: The Roman Incursion

The time transport (Mark 23) was in action travelling back to the home time line of Wilma Jenkins, the eight people inside were relaxing; Michael and Wilma were in 'their' private room, lying together on the bunk.

Wilma was talking, "And what I can't understand is why did I, I mean she volunteer for that? I mean knowing that he'd be sharing 'our' body with his men, how could I? I mean she?"

Michael shook his head, he only knew about Wildflower from Wilma's description, he couldn't imagine what she had suffered and in the end they hadn't even captured the man. He could be anywhere or anywhen, but at least she'd managed to stop his plans by crippling the men, they were of no use to anyone anymore. He'd read of the plagues that had infected the 19th Century and the following three hundred years until their eradication by advance treatments made possible by time travel, which was why the temporal Investigation corps was created to prevent, it was strange, they couldn't stop the transporting of drugs to cure the diseases in the past, because they were now an established fact, it would have caused further disruptions to the timelines.

What Wilma had described was nothing more than genetic warfare, authorised by the Council, this was what sicken him more that anything else! He decided that when he returned he would leave the service.

Wilma wasn't aware of his thoughts, she was still working her way through the idea of allowing herself to be captured and used as Wildflower was.

Their mutual silence was disturbed by the computer voice, "I'm sorry Investigators, but we are receiving a call from Corps Control."

The two of them jumped up and ran into the console room, on the radio they could just make out the voice of CTI Rawlings, "Jenkins, where the <phssss> you?" the interference blocking out the words

Wilma spoke into the microphone, "I'm here boss, what's the problem?"

Rawlings voice held a measure of relief, "Thank God you're alive, we <phssss> incursion in progress here, 90% coverage, we've man <phssss> ilised the Corps control but we need help<phssss> uation? Over."

Wilma could barely understand the message, "Hello boss, transmission is slightly garbled, understand the following - incursion in progress, Corps control stabilised. We're currently on our way back, but we'll need information on incursion, source and type. Over."

Rawlings voice came back, slightly stronger, "Okay Wilma, we've increase signal strength, source of incursion, ancient history roman. Type time warping strength 9, language used is Latin, repeat Latin. Your orders, are to locate where the incursion has originated from and then ensure that our time line is restored, do you understand, you are to restore our time line at all costs."

Wilma was worried, this type of incursion could overwrite history as she knew it, there was a possibility that once she left the safety of the transport she would just disappear.

"Okay boss," Wilma said, "Orders understood, try to stop incursion at root, we'll do our best, but you'd better still be there when we've finished."

Rawlings voice showed relief at her words, "Good Wilma, we'll try to keep control isolated, good luck."

Wilma wanted to say that she didn't need luck, but stopped herself, this might be the one time that she did!

Then a new voice, speaking an almost recognisable language, spoke, the computer quickly ran a translation. "Unauthorised time craft, please give you designation, origination and destination" Wilma felt all eyes turn to her, as it was her voice speaking.

She spoke into the microphone, "This is Time Investigator Wilma Jenkins, we are investigating an incursion into our time line. Please allow us to continue our work."

The voice replied, "Temporal Investigator, please activate visual screen for verification."

Wilma was mystified, it wasn't currently possible to transmit pictures whilst travelling in time, even radio was a problem, "Unable to comply with request, we do not have visual screens in this transport."

Again the voice replied, "Sending comms unit, attach it to your systems. An auto translation unit is attached."

Then through the transports screen appeared a small squat box, Michael picked it up, nothing happened so he placed it on the communications systems, almost immediately a holographic head appeared, it had Wilma's face on it.

The head looked around at the group, when it focused on Michael the mouth opened in shock and started to frame a name, and then it looked at Wilma, the mouth opened, "By Minerva," it said, "who are you?"

Wilma spoke to the face, "I am Time Investigator Wilma Jenkins, we are in hot pursuit of a time criminal, he appears to have created a schism whereby my reality is being erased, and I have to stop him. Please identify yourself."

The picture responded, "I am Temporal Centurion Cooper, I would ask you to stop your pursuit pending our investigation, from your aspect I would think that our time frame would be at risk should you be successful."

Wilma nodded, from Cooper's face - her face - it was possible that whatever they did to correct the change would destroy Cooper's world, overwrite it with their reality, but that was already happening to hers, she couldn't let it succeed.

"I understand your concern Centurion, but I'm afraid that I have to preserve my reality." Wilma said.

Cooper's face nodded, "I do understand Investigator, but this is my reality and I have to defend it against all those who would change or obliterate it, I must insist that you stop your actions now"

Wilma shook her head, "Centurion Cooper, as much as I respect your authority I have to refuse, I know you realise how much it hurts me, but I have to do everything I can to keep my world alive, End of communication."

Without allowing Cooper to respond Wilma switched off the holographic display, she looked at the Computer screen, as much as having something to concentrate on, "Mark - should we have to, can we evade their transports?"

The computer seemed hesitant, "I don't know Investigator. You saw the ease they transported the comms unit into me, they could do the same with a bomb or anything else."

Wilma considered this then asked, "How could we prevent them?"

The solemn reply was "We couldn't! They seem to have a better understanding of time travel and its complexities, I would recommend inserting ourselves into their control area and negotiating for access."

Wilma shook her head, "They'd never let us succeed, what you don't understand Mark is that here WE are the transgressor, we're trying to kill their way of life, becoming mass murderers if you like."

The computer sounded confused by this, "But they've destroyed our way of life, they've declared war on us."

Wilma gave the sober reply, "No they didn't, someone altered time, gave the Roman Empire the knowledge to survive for over Two and a half thousand years, longer than it did in our history. We have to stop them in order to repair the damage done. Mark please attempt to find out where the timeline was altered and target that for insertion.

The computer acknowledge the command and started working, in the meantime Wilma and the men accompanying her started to search the transport for any unexpected presents.

My personal Journal.

I was in agony, That bitch Wildflower had altered the setting on the medical unit, it was keeping me alive, but was only repairing the damage the nanoprobes were causing, and instead of killing them off, it kept them running to cause more damage, I don't know how long I remained in that blasted unit, I should have been unconscious as it worked, but she'd even blocked that, the only thing she did allow was the intravenous feeds, she wanted me to live through the blasted things administrations.

I was able to move my head close to the activation unit and managed to stop it from working long enough to free my arms and hands and really program the system correctly. I read over the instructions she gave it, once the door was closed it was to render me unconscious until I was restrained, then I could be awakened as it was working, or rather torturing me.

I checked and rechecked the program, and then feeling those damned nanoprobes working again started the machine up, this time I closed my eyes in peace.

When I opened them, it seemed like seconds later, I left the medical machine, to make sure I didn't forget about Wildflower I wrote a note to myself, You must stop T.I. Wilma Jenkins - she will try to kill you'. I didn't try to sign it, what was the point, after writing it I looked at it closely, a whisper of memory was trying to attract my attention, but I ignored it, it probably didn't matter. I went to the main control room to make my plans.

The future was out, they'd broken my plans, and my enjoyment, I smiled at the recollection of the Princesses my last conquests of womanly pleasures, I should have had them installed in this machine with me, but I had other considerations on my mind!

Sod them, if I couldn't have the future, then neither could they, but when could I travel that would cause the most effect, then I realised, with this machine I could guide a civilisation, a push here, a pull there. If I played my role right - not as the main person - but a trusted second in command. Yes that would work. But where?

Then a phrase went through my head, "Et tu Brutus", Why not? They had the organisation force, and the worldwide expansion, well the world as they knew it, but where could I push?

The first thing I had to do was to learn the language; luckily the capsule was fully set-up with a learning bench, now the languages to learn, ancient Roman, and Ancient Greek. That was it, introduce a technological advance early, get them to realise it's potential. But what could they use?

Then I remembered an old program, I think it was a children's programme, they went back in time because the Romans had survived into their 20th Century, which was done by introducing Steam Power. It was possible, they had the iron working - they made swords and shields, and they were methodical, I smile thinking about horseless chariots, real horseless chariots. The Vandals and Goths would have no chance when they tried to sack Rome.

I duplicated some simple plans for steam engines, created some Greek robes, such as a weary traveller would have, I found a gun that one of Wilma's troops had dropped, it would only stun which was a pity, but might come in useful. I arranged for the capsule to materialise near Pompeii. It was a large city, near a volcano, but I ensured that there were several years before the next eruption was due, about 70 I think.

Hunting around I found a stabiliser, it allowed me to keep my own time with me, thus avoiding any changes I would make! I didn't want to erase myself from the world. I emerge from the capsule, white haired and wearing the robes of a well-to-do Greek visitor, I asked a passing guard the way to the Patricians dwellings, and was directed to an impressive house.

I impressed upon the slave who answered the door, that I had important things to discuss with his master, I was asked to wait in the hallway, remembering the culture I found a statue of the house guardian, Vesta, noticing the money and fruit around the icon, I added a couple of coins myself, it didn't hurt to appease the Gods.

"I'm sure the Goddess welcomes your offering," The voice came booming from the Patrician, "Now you told my servant that you had an important reason for wanting to see me."

I smiled and spoke in Latin, "Thank you my lord for allowing me to speak to you, I am a scholar from Athens, and I have brought to you the latest ideas from that land, it is a curiosity that will empower the air to move chariots without the use of horses, why with some work it would move ships without the need of slaves to row the oars."

He smiled at my words and then laughed, "Uses the very air to move things, but we have sails that will do that, of what use is that?"

I laughed with him, then said, "But with this you would be able to travel 2 or 3 times faster than horses, without the bother of sails or waiting for the right winds, I could make a small version to show you, that is if you are interested?"

He considered this, and then said, "Well, if you can show that it works as you say, mind you I cannot afford to waste money on flippancy's."

I smiled, "Of course not my lord, I wasn't asking you for money, just for your interest - and when you see the benefits of this whimsy, then you may back the idea, which may be to your benefit."

This astounded him; obviously he was use to people coming to him for a lot of money and little in return, so he said he'd see me later. I did ask him if there was a spare room I could use, and if there was a ironworkers nearby, he allowed me a small room, near the slaves quarters, there was no light of course, so I used my, manufactured, wealth to purchase several oil lamps, and then went to find the iron-workers.

After following my ears I found a heavily muscled man hammering away, I spoke to him to ensure that he could make the pipes that I required, it was a pity that I had to work in such a primitive time, but needs must, the welds would be a weak point, but I would have to ensure that the pressures were below the dangerous levels.

After a week of hard working, for my two slaves that I had purchased, I wanted middle strength men, but ones that could work unsupervised, I had also managed to afford a body slave, a nice Nubian filly who thought she was 17 summers old, she'd been cowed by other owners before me and knew the penalty for running away, her brother had tried that, and had been brought back to his owner who then proceeded to flog him to death in front of all the slaves. It had taken over two hours. Yes she knew what was in store for her.

But I digress, we had two models ready, for one I had a miniature chariot constructed and put the driving shaft onto the pistons and then produced it for my sponsor to view.

"So this is your marvellous thing? A toy chariot, that gives off smoke! Well it might frighten off the barbarians, but not for long!" he said with a laugh.

I tried to sound hurt, "Oh my lord, this is just its waiting stage, I haven't yet started it working, I had the front wheels, I'd made the chariot with front steering wheels and back driving wheels, turned so that it would run in a circle, and opened the throttle slightly.

With a sound of steam escaping the back wheels started to turn, pushing the chariot forward and round, the Patrician was amazed. "By Jupiter," he exclaimed, "It moves, but you said it uses air to move it, where are the sails?"

I smiled, "But my lord, I also said it didn't need sails, the air is inside it made by heating water, it makes the liquid so hot that it tries to escape as steam, and it's this steam that moves the levers which pushes the chariot, in a full size chariot it could be used to move siege engines or men quickly." To prove this I moved the throttle control to mid-range the increase in speed was apparent.

The Patrician shook his head in disbelief, "Such speed in a toy, what would it be like in a real chariot? It would rival Mercury himself" I gestured to him to follow me out into his courtyard, where a modified chariot was waiting. My slaves had been well trained in using the steam engine and were ready to drive the Patrician around in the courtyard.

With trepidation he climbed onto the platform of the chariot, he asked, "You're sure this is safe?" I climbed onto the platform and nodded.

I pointed out the dials, which had taken quite a lot of work to make, and said, "The only danger is if the needles here are in the red area, if they do then by pulling this the valves will release all the hot air." I gestured to the slaves who pulled the levers to start the chariot, then one steered the chariot in the confined space.

The Patrician was amazed and wanted to drive in the city, I tried to stop him by saying, "but your bodyguards will need to accompany you." He smiled at me, and ordered me to take us into the city, so I gave the order the drive out of the gateway.

The reaction of the people was one of profound shock, this smoke breathing chariot was moving along the road at a quick speed, in fact we soon left the city itself and were out in the country heading towards Herculaneum, passing by the mausoleums lining the roadway, the Patrician said "How fast can we go?" So I told my slaves to move the lever to mid-way, this time the wind was whistling through our hair and the plume of smoke almost ran back into our faces.

The Patrician was ecstatic, I made the slaves slow the chariot down, and turn it round so that we could return to Pompeii. The Patrician made us speed to the city gates where we slowed down to a medium paced speed, this time the citizens were watching for us, and cheered as the Patrician waved to them.

When we arrived back at his home, the Patrician spoke to me, "That was amazing, just think if we had more of these chariots, we could cover the distance to Rome in almost a day, instead of the 5 it normally takes."

I nodded, "Indeed, and if Rome is so close now, think how far the Germania's and Gaul towns are, we could even travel to the Norse lands."

He looked at me, "Why! With many of these a man could conquer the world."

I nodded, and then discussed the concept of mass production with him.

After a few months we had a thriving manufacturing plant working, the first part of my plan was working. I bid farewell to the Patrician, who now had a loud voice in the Senate, I said that I had to return to Greece, to see if they had any further curiosities I could pass on. I left him the two male slaves, who were quite high up in the factory now, and were almost rich enough to buy themselves out from slavery, but took my personal slave with me; I had to have some comforts.

I returned to the capsule, which I had hidden, and after enjoying the talents of my slave, directed it to 50 years into the future.

Wilma and her men didn't find any surprises during their search, which was disconcerting so they returned to the console room where the computer was waiting for them.

"I've checked the files against the records sent by Centurion Cooper." This was the bombshell they received, "There is a discrepancy, I'll talk in our terms During AD 33 a Patrician in Pompeii backed the creation of the first steam driven chariot, the designer is credited as a traveller from Greece. - For us the steam engine was discovered by Denis Papin in 1690 and was a water pump, we didn't develop the travel aspect of steam until 1769 by James Watt.

"This is a small change but it greatly influences the future events, the steam chariots were employed in overrunning the barbarian lands, hitting the future tribes of Goths and Vandals, and also impacting on the Visigoths on the Baltic, this shake up prevented their sacking and burning of the Roman Empire.

In AD 83 a traveller arrived at Stabiae, which was rebuilding following the eruption of Vesuvius, which had destroyed the cities of Herculaneum and Pompeii, this traveller and his slave re-introduced the chariots and added oars to a ship, which then sailed to the Britons going pass the Pillars of Hercules at the Mediterranean Sea, It was sighted by the inhabitants of London at the ford at Tangmere Island, the trip took 4 days instead of the 2 weeks the troops had to take by marching into Gaul and then setting sail by Galley to the disembarking point. A place we now call Fishbourne, near the city of Noviomagus on the south coast of Britannia. From there they would march to all part of the Garrisoned country.

"The ship returned to Italy with evidence of the trip, and the Emperor Domitian gave orders for a fleet to be constructed, the traveller also demonstrated how siege weapons could be created using steam as their power source. With these the troops were able to decimate the Picts and Celts who still tried to fight against them." The computer paused in its briefing.

Wilma asked, "Why would Centurion Cooper send us the details of their history? It seems a strange thing to do."

The computer sounded abashed, "I have a message for you alone Investigator Jenkins, it was part of the transmission."

Wilma thought for a moment then said, "Michael, take the others and search again, while I listen to the message, I'll let you know when I've finished." When Michael tried to protest she shook her head, "No Michael, she was honest enough to send the details, it's only fair that I listen to what she has to say."

Michael nodded in agreement - he took the others and left Wilma alone with the computer.

"Okay Mark," she said, "Play the message."

The holographic screen lit up with Centurion Cooper's face, "Investigator Jenkins, I greet you. The information enclosed is our history; I hope you will see that although your time is no more, there is still a place for you within our band. I would urge you to cease your task, however I am aware of your answer. I have taken the precaution of downloading your computer's memory into our systems, although it is of an ancient mode we will be able to adapt the data, and from that will be able to determine your possible destination point. Be assured we will stop you, unless you decide to abandon your quest, either join us or be prepared to stay with Pluto for ever."

Wilma pondered the message, a warning and an invitation in one. But her duty was clear; she had to preserve her time at all costs, either to herself or to the world of Cooper.

She turned to the computer screen, "Well Mark, what would you suggest?"

The computer gave a show of thinking, "It's difficult Investigator. If you give up then you'll be in a time where you don't fit in! If you continue you may die and our home-time is lost. Or you may win and kill off all those new people in this time-line. I'm sorry Investigator you're on your own."

"Thanks a lot!" She said, and then opened the door to the cargo area and called Michael back in.

When he entered he looked at her face, "What's the matter?" He asked, "You look like trouble's heading this way?"

She nodded, "Well I've been offered a job! If I accept it then it goodbye Rawlings and the time corps and hello to Jupiter and Juno." She shook her head, "I just don't know, is it's worthwhile trying to preserve our time-line?"

Michael went to her and held her close to himself, "You know the answer, this new time shouldn't exist, and it's been created by that criminal. He's the one who's killing all we know, if we stop him then all he's done will be wiped out, looped and locked away in 'things that could have been'. End of our problem."

Wilma almost screamed at him, he didn't understand it. "That's not it, what if we can't stop him! He's been able to influence this time line, he's established in it, made a hole for himself and filled it with history - his version of history." She pushed herself out of Michael's arms, "look at what these Roman's have managed, they understand time travel better than we do, they've even gone further into space, and they're getting ready for deep space, something we're just thinking of! They deserve to survive."

Michael grabbed hold of her; he looked at the screen seeing the visual displays that Mike was showing. He turned her round to watch the screen.

The view was of an arena a group of people in rags were being forced to stand against wild animals, and the very gory results of their attempts, the cameras concentrating on the teeth of the animals as they tore at the lifeless limbs of their food, the soundtrack was of announcers talking about the way the slaves didn't put up a fight, and moaning about the standards of slaves in general.

Then the screen switched to an auction, the sellers were showing their wares - Slaves of course, one girl of twelve was advertised as a breedable mare, already tried by the soldiers who captured her, her face was pale with shock and she looked around in fear, the auction was being carried out by radios with a picture of the buyer being shown. The girl was sold to a fat ugly man, billed by the sellers as a well-known and excellent owner of the local brothel. The next being a young boy of eleven, who would have just approached puberty except for the way his scrotum had been removed, he was advertised as a trainee harem slave or 'just perfect for the Greek lovers' in the audience.

Michael turned Wilma to face him, "That is what they are preserving as well. Slaves forced to do their master's bidding, to live or die at the whim of people who don't deserve to live in the first place, sure we've got our problems, but not as bad as that! We can at least claim the moral high ground."

Wilma almost snarled, "The moral high ground? Haven't you learnt that morals depend on where you stand! To them our time machine is an outdated version, without even an adequate communication system. Our computer is an old model, easy to infiltrate and to steal information from, and another thing. What do we have back at home? Perhaps this Centurion is right; maybe I should give up and stay here.

Michael pulled her close to him, and kissed her. "You didn't notice anything else in those pictures?" she shook her head, He then held her at arms length allowing her to look at him, he turned her back to the screen. "You see the slaves in the pictures, all of them either black or Asian. There is no room for me in that world; I'd have to be your slave, never your lover, always below you - if you know what I mean. Although it would be your idea of heaven, it isn't mine."

She went upto Michael, and softly kissed him, "You would at least be with me, but you're right, you would never be happy which means I wouldn't be happy, thank you Michael you've told me what I needed to know." She kissed him again, this time deeper and then she broke the kiss.

"Mark, I want you to send a message to Centurion Cooper," She said, "The message is this - I'm sorry, but my time line is precious to me and I will do anything to preserve it!"

Mark reported, "Message sent, and message received. Message reads - I am aware of your feelings, I hope you'll forgive me if I decide to stop you, good luck sister, we both will need it."

Wilma looked at Michael, "Well that's it - we're at war with a whole civilisation," She smiled and added, "It's you and me against the rest of the world - when do we attack?"

Michael smiled, "Now!" was all he said.

My Personal Journal.

I was feeling happy, the Nubian slave, who currently was lying beneath me, was as pliant and accommodating as always, she really was worth the money I'd spent on her,

I considered my achievements so far. Although the loss of Pompeii was a slight dent in my plans at least the steam chariots had managed to save several of the towns people, Herculaneum was completely destroyed, but Stabiae, although damaged was still a thriving town, but comments about the Gods being displeased with the works of Pompeii could be heard, there were more offering at the temple of Vulcan than the others.

I found the house of my former benefactors children - they had luckily moved before the eruption, and introduced myself as acquaintance of my previous persona, who had asked me to seek out the Patrician that had graced him with his sponsorship, I said that he'd given me plans for another little innovation that would help the empire.

Since their fortune had increased with the steam chariots they listened to my words with interest, and so it was that I introduced the steamboat to the Roman World.

I returned to my capsule after several months, I had kept my slave securely locked into the medical cabinet, kept unconscious waiting for my return. Although a Greek with a Nubian slave wasn't uncommon, I didn't want the family to connect the two.

Another jump of 50 years showed me a changed place, steam engines were running on the roads, with carriages holding a cohort of troops (10 men normally) at a time, they had developed 'springs' by using variable sizes of metal strips which took the shock of the roads.

This time the Greek bought the telephone to the developing Roman age, at first between the Senate and the Senators, then the Patricians wanted this marvel of Mercury, and finally the plebeians were allowed limited use of this wonder, this time I spoke to others who were interested in 'my' inventions and were starting to make their own plans, larger ships, but they were stopped from expanding as they didn't have a true way of navigating, I showed them a trick with a magnetised needle, showing how it always pointed North, and left them with that.

Another 50 year jump, the factories were now producing more chariots and expanding their war effort, the countries of Germania, Hispania, and Dacia, pushing their influence further afield than they did in my world. Even sending emissaries to talk to the Han rulers of far distant China; and bringing back letters and gifts from this land; with interesting comments about the people between - although suffering minor losses, and obtaining new slaves.