// I thought so. I’m touching your shoulder now and you haven’t reacted to that. Where do you perceive your body to be? //

I sense that out. I don’t feel anything at first, not anything under me even. // Am I floating? //

// You are in, for convenience, an examination chair. It’s common for some people to project awareness outside their bodies when faced with certain factors. Are you able to move your awareness down two feet? I can see your projection and will watch it as you try. //

I turn back to my desk, pulling out a fresh piece of paper.

“Fuck you, the chair stays.”

*UnRiiip*

“The chair is an integral part of this whole thing! It’s what implants the subtle triggers that Space Zeta uses to keep Epsilon under control, and calm down REDACTED later on! What am I supposed to put in if not the chair?!”

“…SOMETHING ELSE”

I fling my pen down in disgust. “Then how am I supposed to move forward?” I ask, glaring down the SPIRIT in the corner.

“DON’T INCLUDE THE CHAIR”

*Riiip*

A tear appears across the image of the next page.

“YOU CAN’T DRAW THAT”

When I’m awake again, the static in my ears is still there, but the other sounds that kept echoing through the static are gone. Somewhere quiet. Is anyone else here or did they leave me alone somewhere?

// We’re alone. You’re shaking. Can you tell me why? //

// Can’t feel myself shaking. // I try to take in anything else from my senses. // Can’t feel. //

// Don’t move. We are under observation. // Zeta’s telepathy cuts through the statis of my mind. // You’re going to be transferred. I will supervise. Don’t show awareness of it and this will go quickly. Reply only once. //

// Understood. //

I’m put on a stretcher by several people who, by their motions, are being very careful about their actions. They seem as concerned about restraining me as about not being seen being rough with me. There are always hands on my wrists and feet. It’s weird to be handled with such caution. I consider myself a pushover, especially right now when I’m not sure I could move if I tried.

Static-word mix that might be Zeta’s physical voice. I’m rolled somewhere. I lose track of the turns. I might sleep for a few moments along the way. Time is a stranger I can’t keep track of.

Time Corps

Resource Acquisition Sheet

Thank you for your presence at Time Corps. Please fill out relevant info and questionnaire.

Name: CLASSIFIED
ID: ZETA
Date Acquired: 11/18/1987

Resource Questionnaire For Permanent File

What makes you relax?

I count backward from ten and recite the induction.

Are there fears you have that you can’t tell anyone?

There’s nothing I don’t tell anyone at Time Corps.

Would you define a time traveler as a cryptid?

Anyone or anything can and does time travel. Some might be cryptids. I am not a cryptid.

Do you ever use precognition?

If I do, I’ll notify Time Corps ahead of time.

What music style lends itself best to trance?

Acid Jazz

What tends to disrupt your sleep?

Noises out of the middle of the night. I sleep with the TV on snow.

Do you ever just zone out?

Yes.

Just zone out.

Out.

Time Corps now.

Time Corps now.

Keep reading

“You said this dream gave you some concerns about Time Org Academy as a whole?”

“I’m concerned that it was the Academy bus, and that there were versions of me from different… times. Jobs. Career paths. Am I causing some sort of paradox for my identity by working here, do you think? Is this normal behavior for an average instructor at the Academy?”

“Oh, Zeta… You’re not anything close to average. You are sounding overworked, though. So many of you in one dream… You’re taking on too much for yourself.”

“…too much for myself.”

“You need to let Time Corps work out more of the details.”

“…let Time Corps work.”

“That’s right.”

Keep reading

Time Org New Employee Orientation Worksheet

Welcome to the Time Organization Educational Family! We want to know more about you!

Name: ((Undisclosed))
Mentor name on ID: Zeta
Date of Hire: August 9 1967

What’s your favorite time of year (on Earth)?

Autumn is too pretty to pass up! I can’t pick anything else! Summer is nicest for vacations, though.

Which moons of Jupiter have you visited and how was the coffee?

Io, coffee okay. Powdered creamer. Europa, decent, had actual milk. Ganymede, honestly, kind of overrated and they were out of coffee!

When do we bring you your slice of birthday cake? (What is your favorite cake?)

Come on by in the middle of August! Make sure there’s plenty of people around to sing! (And it’s black forest!)

Best Beatle? (Worst?)

Ringo. (Ringo.)

What do you like best about teaching?

I like being able to pass the baton from my teacher to my student. I like being part of a tradition over time.

What makes you get up in the morning?

Needs. The needs of the awake outweigh the needs of the sleepy.

Digital clock or analog?

I really like a wristwatch with hands. And what fun is a digital pocketwatch? Who can you hypnotize with that?

Could anything in your orientation experience be improved?

I really liked the candy bowls in the different lobbies. Your calendar was out of date in the entryway!

Keep reading

“The self with the gun says, "Four. Now keep driving.”

“Do you?”

“I do… but I engage the distress beacon switch. He can’t see it from his angle.”

“Do you know what your other self meant by ‘four?’”

“I don’t. The dream started in situ. After that I kept driving until I woke up.”

Time Syndicate Officer Based Security & Investigation

New Employee Welcome!!!

Name: [REDACTED]
Handle: Zeta
Nickname: Z
Hire Date: Oct 8, 1981
Country of Origin: Mexico, Earth

This questionnaire tells us about you!☺

What is the best book you’ve read recently?

You’re all reading Anne McCaffrey, right? Time travel with dragons? The White Dragon is the latest by her I’ve read recently. Really original, really imaginative! Dragonriders in flight suits!

How do you spend your time off?

I do a lot of reading. Lately I’ve tried paint by numbers. I thought it would be nice to hang art around the apartment.

What size is the largest puzzle you’ve assembled?

Oh, man. On my own? I think a 5,000 piece puzzle. You just don’t know how much table space you don’t have until you try something like that.

How many centuries have you traveled to?

Just eight. Technically just seven if you don’t count rest stops.

What’s a place you want to vacation to?

Hoping to catch Half Dome Peak at Yosemite during a particularly good sunset.

time paradox. Help I’m stuck in a

You can’t fool me. That’s a time loop!

What do you always bring to a potluck?

I like a good taco dip or a pot of beans!

Keep reading

“In my dream, I’m driving the Academy school bus through space. That’s not too unusual, it happens every Friday. But in this dream, I’m not just at the wheel. I’m also in the first seat. And the me in the first seat is pointing a gun directly at me. At the me who is the school bus driver.”

“Is there anyone else on the bus?”

“Yes. Another me, behind them, asleep. And another self sitting in the row behind that… watching it all go down.”

“What happens next?”

Time Agency Detective Service Employee Orientation

Name: [REDACTED]
Codename: Zeta
Hire Date: August 7, 1977
Status: Current, Active

Getting To Know You Worksheet

Here at Time Agency, we want to get to know you as a person, not just as a codename and timestamp. Please tell us about yourself!

What is your dream vacation spot?

Hawai'i, Kilauea Volcano, when it is actually going off. I’m bringing hot dogs to roast.

What do you do in your down time?

You know, I used to read a lot of serial magazine fiction. Lately I’ve been into puzzle kits I get in the mail.

Where do you hide your spare hotel key?

Oh come on, fellas. You’re not gonna pull one over on me. I may be the new guy but I’m not a flake.

What sort of entertainment do you prefer?

I like TV a bit better than movies, serial stuff. Remember Rawhide? Those were the days.

Describe your perfect day.

I sleep in. There’s enough in the fridge to make something fresh for lunch. I walk to the park and meet someone reading a book I know. We strike up a convo. I get her number and walk home in the sun.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I was a huge Star Trek fan and I miss it being on the air!

What do you like most about time traveling?

That’s how I’m still watching Star Trek!

Keep reading