HMS Vanguardia, English Channel, March 2060
Victor’s patience was wearing thin as the mission continued to hit a snag. Despite multiple time jumps to various points in the future, neither Lyra nor himself could track down Sebastian Montague beyond the year 2073. The only silver lining came in the form of Cole’s return to active duty, fully recovered and eager to dive back into action.
Since Henry’s betrayal, Victor had made an addition to the team. Ryan Palmer – a corporal in charge of one of the sections of marines – transitioned to the role of a field agent. Ryan was an excellent marine, with an outstanding record of service. His career to this point was marked by near-inclusion in the Special Boat Service, thwarted only by an unfortunate injury that halted his progress just shy of earning the coveted cap badge. Now, under Cole’s vigilant mentorship, Ryan would be closely monitored until he reached the desired level of excellence.
Victor opted against appointing a replacement administrator for Emma, harbouring trust issues in the wake of Henry’s deception. Safeguarding the mission became his priority, and eliminating any possibility of a repeat occurrence of Henry’s actions seemed prudent. There was no necessity to replace Henry; the demand for a history professor simply didn’t exist. From this moment onward, all time travel missions would target the future.
While the team remained focused on tracking down Sebastian and locating Ava, they also pursued leads on other suspects, yet, none came close to matching Sebastian Montague. Victor was certain Sebastian was their target; they just needed concrete proof. Sebastian’s elusive nature, coupled with his wealth, made him a formidable opponent – one who was determined not to be found.
The team still believed in Ava’s theory about the requirement for the rogue faction to build a stronghold, from which they would execute their nefarious plans, and remain safe. Victor knew that building such a structure would take considerable time, and the size of the project would leave a footprint; you simply couldn’t hide the construction of something that big without leaving clues. His plan was to go looking for it. He immersed himself in Ava’s initial list of potential locations for the structure and expanded it, determined to investigate every possibility. Locating the structure would pose a significant challenge, but he was resolved to make the attempt.
Victor gestured towards Ryan, acknowledging his presence with a warm smile.
“Welcome to the team, Ryan, and a heartfelt welcome back to you, Cole. It’s good to witness fewer vacant seats in this room.”
His eyes flickered with a mix of resolve and concern as he continued.
“As you’re all well aware, we find ourselves at an impasse in our pursuit of Sebastian Montague. Despite our efforts, concrete evidence linking Sebastian to the planned destruction of the world in 2086 eludes us.
“Our belief stands firm that Sebastian abducted Ava in London in June 2073, holding her captive at his estate in Windsor before vanishing without a trace.”
Ryan, eager to make his mark, interjected, “Why don’t we mount a rescue mission to his estate in 2073 and retrieve Ava then and there?”
Victor’s expression softened, appreciating Ryan’s enthusiasm, yet burdened by the harsh realities they faced.
“We’ve considered that option many times,” he admitted, “but it’s fraught with risks. Our manpower is limited, and we possess only seven Quantum Keys. If the PMCs encountered by Lyra and Cole at the farmhouse are indeed Sebastian’s men, it’s likely that there are more of them. He would require a sizeable force for security of his estate.”
Gesturing to the small team assembled, he continued, “Even with reinforcements, sending a handful of agents against a well-trained mercenary force within a fortified estate would be tantamount to suicide. I won’t gamble with the lives of our team.”
He paused, gauging the reactions around the table before continuing, “Theoretically, we could wait until June 2073 to bypass the need for time travel, but, that’s a thirteen-year gap, rendering the plan impractical for a number of reasons.”
Victor leaned forward, his voice commanding attention as he outlined the tasks for the week ahead. “Our objectives are clear,” he began. “Cole and Ryan, you’ll form a collaborative team to assist me in the search for Sebastian’s purported fortress. If such a stronghold exists, we must find it.
“Our investigation will kick off in 2081, five years before Sebastian’s predicted cataclysmic event. By then, the stronghold should either be finished or nearing completion, making it easier to pinpoint. I’ve gathered a list of potential sites, and we’ll systematically examine each one.”
If you would like to buy the book, it is currently available on Lulu.com – BUY NOW