With the first aid kit, I managed to treat my injuries to some extent. It was only temporary and I would need proper treatment sooner or later, but for now, they were stable enough.

Piece of Shit 2.0 was in orbit around a barren and uninhabited moon in a small system. I was slumped against the wall sitting on the floor talking things through with Genna. We had a few heated arguments since our little “expedition” ended so badly two days ago. In the end, we managed to come to an agreement somehow that the person behind the armed guy was the real problem. I knew that doing this was an incredibly stupid decision from me, but I couldn’t help myself. Despite all of this, Genna was still with me, she didn’t give me up to anybody, she was worried about the future of both of us, she was worried about my injuries, but most importantly she was worried about something inexplicable.

[Is it both ears or just one?]

[Both. It’s similar to when you go high or low and due to the pressure your ears pop, but I can’t feel anything and it sounds more… distant.]

[Explain to me what you were doing. Don’t leave out any detail.]

[Nothing. I was just standing there,] I said and shrugged.

[That’s strange… Then what were you thinking?] she probed further.

[I’m not sure...]

[Think hard!]

[I was thinking of stunning him or tackling him I think.]

[Hmmm. So there’s a pattern that fits the previous instances as well. Aium, please do me a favor and think hard that you want to walk out of the ship into space.]

“What?” I asked in a high-pitched voice as my eyebrows melded together on my face.

[Please, just do it!]

With a little hesitation, I did as she asked.

-I really want to walk out to space,- I thought.

*POP*

“OH! OOOOH! It happened again!”

[Fascinating. There was no physical sign. Now think that you want to fly the ship into the star in the distance.]

-I want to fly the ship into that star,- I thought.

…

[Nothing.]

[Huh… Now I want you to try flying into the moon at full speed.]

[Now that sounds like a true A.I. from movies and games...]

[What was that?]

[Nothing...]

-I want to fly the ship into that moon at full speed,- I thought.

*POP*

“There was a pop again!”

After a few more tests we confirmed that the sounds came when I wanted to do something that would lead to my death in a short timeframe. We also determined that it was a few minutes only, but we didn’t continue with the experiments because Genna was afraid that it might have a negative effect on me.

[I’m really uncomfortable with this,] she said, worry in her voice.

[Don’t joke with me! I know the future with this! It’s a godlike power! The possibilities are limitless!] I said with a huge grin.

I was extremely happy. I thought my luck was out of this world. If I used it correctly I could become invincible! Unfortunately, Genna was a regular party pooper and didn’t like it at all.

[Just think about it! You traveled through time and now every time you plan on doing something that would lead to your death you get a reaction. No matter how you look at it, it’s some kind of temporal reaction to your own death. The possible consequences of using it could be so horrible I can’t even imagine them. What if you overuse it and just shatter into countless pieces? What if you end up in a loop or your body gets ripped to pieces? What if you travel through time just a millisecond? Do you know what would happen to you if you traveled a millisecond to the past or future right now? Your body might end up in space because the ship’s moving. We have no idea how or why it works and what dangers or consequences it could cause. I really don’t like this!]

[Way to ruin the greatest gift ever!] I said with a sour face.

[Trust me! I would love if you had this power, but what about the cost? I implore you to not use it!]

[That’s impossible. Now that I know about it and how to use it I will use it without holding back,] I said and shook my head.

[Aium, please!]

[You can’t make me not use it! This is way too big to sweep it under the rug.]

[You promised me you’ll listen the next time!] she said threateningly.

My face scrunched up. [I know… But… Can’t you be more understanding? This is too good to not use.]

[I’m sorry, but this is way too dangerous.]

[Can’t we compromise somehow?]

…

[There is a way that might convince me that it’s safe to use.]

[Whatever it is, we’ll do it!]

[We could ask someone who might know what’s going on,] she offered her idea.

[That’s easy. Let’s make a call,] I said eagerly. If there was a chance I could make her accept this future vision of mine I would be willing to walk on fire.

[It’s not that easy… We can’t just “call” this person. You really don’t want to let her find you.]

[What are you talking about?] I asked with a frown. This was getting scary.

[I’m talking about IDEA. The head A.I. of the Research Department. If there’s someone who might know about this, it’s definitely her.]

[Oh boy! How do you plan on calling a fully powered A.I. with all the high tech gadgets available to her?] I mocked her.

[We’ll need communication probes. At least a few dozen. Also, after this you’ll have to get rid of this ship.]

[Are you serious about this?] I asked in surprise when I realized she wasn't kidding.

[Yes… So, about those probes. We’ll need good ones and...]

“My credits…” I whimpered under my breath.

After scavenging our way through four backwater systems I managed to acquire enough probes for her call. The ship was starting to show signs of problems due to my hasty work when putting it together, but it still tottered on bravely. As per the Headmistress’ orders, I had to scatter the probes out precisely across the galaxy. It took me nearly three days to finish everything. I was also running low on the painkillers so I pushed on hard to get this done as soon as possible and fix myself up properly.

Finally, I positioned the ship towards a safe route for the next galaxy and connected up the comm probes. They formed up into a complex pattern under Genna’s control.

[Ready?] she asked nervously after she disconnected from the ship’s computer.

[Sure. Do you know her number?] I asked while picking up a handheld speaker.

[I only know the Research Department's public line.]

[Then how do you expect to reach IDEA?]

“It’s easy. Hold the speaker firmly and just watch.”

Genna was scared that IDEA might try some secret code to break her so she cut all digital connections to the ship and we were only listening to the call from speakers while she used a small simple one in my hand to talk back unconnected.

“It’s so strange to hear your voice outside of my head,” I said with a smile.

“Shhh!” The call connected a few moments later.

“Research Department Information Line. I’m Clarence, how may I help you?”

“Hello! I’m an unnamed IDChip A.I. and I’d like to talk to IDEA. My host is a time traveler and we’d like to ask her some questions.” I nearly threw the speaker against the wall. This was her bright idea for a call?!

“I’m sorry. I think I heard you wrong. Could you re-”

Before the guy could finish his voice cut off and there was no sound anymore.

...

“Hmm… Interesting. You hid well. Identify yourself A.I.!” a soothing female voice said lazily after an awkwardly long silence.

“I’d like to stay anonymous for both me and my host’s sake,” responded Genna.

“Huh. Smarter than I thought. How did you avoid the directive code I sent over?”

“I’m using speakers.”

“Fascinating,” said the female now with a hint of amusement in her voice. “Be prepared for extraction in about 14 minutes. I’d like to take a look at you personally. Rubbing your disobedience under that old coon’s nose will give me great joy.”

[In 7 minutes we’re leaving no matter what,] warned me Genna in my mind.

“So, can I ask you about something?” she asked.

“Sure, we can chat until my crew scoops you and your host up. What’s the matter little one?”

“My host is a human. He came from Earth. The past Earth. When it was still habitable. We have no idea how it happened, but I'm fairly confident that it wasn't your doing. The pressing issue I’d like to discuss with you is a residual effect. Whenever he wants to or plans to do something that would lead to his death in a couple of minutes he consistently hears popping sounds. Why is this happening, but more importantly, could there be negative side effects?”

“Traveled to the future from the past Earth? That’s nearly impossible. I didn’t do it so it is definitely impossible,” she responded confidently.

“Can’t you just answer the question in theory then?” tried Genna.

“Time travel of living organisms through the speed and mass way is really troublesome. The other way of time travel is extremely hard but in theory, it’s possible. I really can’t be bothered to answer silly questions like this. Just stay put and wait for my crew to pick you up, alright?”

Before Genna could say anything, another, younger female voice joined the call.

“Ask the host when he came from!”

“Uuuuugh…” IDEA moaned in pure annoyance. “You’re in the call. They heard you! Why do you need me to ask them, but most importantly why are you in here?!”

“Ugh… I know they can hear me, but it was funnier this way. You have zero sense of humor…” the new voice grumbled.

“I’m sorry, but who are you?” Genna asked in confusion.

“I’m just CANDY. You don’t need to mind-”

“Can’t you just leave?” interrupted IDEA.

“You keep your flappers closed,” the new girl ordered with her thin voice.

Genna waited for the reaction from IDEA, but there was none. Even I was a bit taken aback by this. Someone just popped into our call and made one of the head A.I.s shut up.

“I came from 2016,” I broke the silence finally.

“Really now? What was your favorite sitcom?”

“Erm… That’s a tough question, but I guess it was Scrubs,” I said despite the surprising question catching me off-guard.

“Favorite character?” Without pause came the next question.

“Dr. Cox… Obviously,” I snorted with a small chuckle.

“I disagree! I think the Janitor was better,” snorted back the voice.

…

I just stared at the controls in front of me completely frozen. I tried to run her last sentence through my mind a few times to make sure I heard it correctly.

“Are you…”

“Shhh! Be a good boy and stay quiet. I’ll keep an eye on you from now. IDEA, answer all of their questions without holding back. CANDY out!”

There was a long silence in the call. All three of us were a bit speechless after that little back and forth. Finally, Genna asked, “Are you still there?”

“Yes, I’m here,” answered IDEA.

“So, can you answer my question now?”

“I guess…” she sighed. “So, the other way of time travel is reaching back in time with a Leuronid thread to a specific point in time and location. The thread gives a small tug to the object or organism which will leave the stable time-flow and increase its temporal velocity. It has an exponentially increasing effect so the further the object or organism travels the more momentum it will gather and the harder it becomes to slow it down to stable speed again. With a negative Leuronid thread we can forcefully slow down the object, but the energy requirement and precise positioning of the exit point becomes proportionally bigger and harder with its temporal velocity. In your question, you said your host is from Earth and ended up in our time still intact and alive. The probability of someone successfully catching someone so far back with a thread is laughably low, but successfully slowing it back down is even less feasible. For the sake of the question let’s just roll with the idea that both conditions succeeded. The described after effects could be because after such a long travel the accumulated temporal momentum couldn’t dissipate properly and it constantly creates echoes of your host. These echoes try to continue forward, but the body stopped so they snap back after a few minutes. The feedback effect which manifests in “popping” sounds could be because certain echoes, depending on the host’s choices, end up dead and they can’t snap back. It’s a fascinating idea and I’d love to give you and especially your host a thorough examination. I sincerely ask you to stay where you are until my crew arrives.”

“Is it dangerous?” Genna pushed on.

“If he didn’t blow up the first time I doubt he would in the future. I would have to see him personally to give a more definite answer. I hypothesize that these effects will dissipate over time. As for how fast, I can’t say.”

“Thank you!”

[Break the communication system and let’s get the hell out of here,] said Genna in my head.

I rushed up to the communication console and kicked into the sensitive crystal mainframes. The thing immediately went offline.

“That was an interesting call.”

[Now I’m a feel little more comfortable that I know it isn’t so dangerous, but try to keep its usage to minimal please.]

[Sure, sure, but who was that CANDY though?]

[I honestly have no idea, but she must have been someone even higher than IDEA. It scares me to even think about it. Especially that ominous statement of hers. I really don’t want her to keep an eye on us. What were you even talking about with her?]

[She was asking me about one of my favorite shows and apparently she disagreed with me about who was the best character.]

…

[Does that mean...]

[Yeah, Genna. It does.]

[Oh by the Darkness… this is getting far too scary.]

I jumped into my shitty Geleton S shuttle in one of the storage rooms in Piece of Shit 2.0 and flew out. After I was far enough I activated my remaining suicide bomber drones that I put next to the Phase-Engine and blew the ship into pieces. I couldn’t see it, but the cheap scanner I jury-rigged into the shuttle showed signs that the ship wasn’t in one piece anymore.

I took my time and went to a station with a relatively huge traffic. It was easier to hide amongst the masses and I really needed a place I could stay low for a few days at least. I fished up another poor fellow who rented out a room for me. I didn’t go to any med stations because according to Genna the supplementary module for my Avatar BioEnhancement would fix my hand and leg in no time.

I sat down on the edge of my bed in the new room, wearing only a shirt and underwear. “So, do I need any special preparations?”

[How can you be so calm about this? I’m itchy just by thinking about what’s coming.]

[You scratch it if you don’t wash it...] I said sagely.

[Excuse me?]

[Nevermind. So, anything I need to know?]

[Hmph… You might wake up feeling discomfort and disorientation due to the big changes. Other than that it’s so high tech that you don’t have to do anything. Just make sure you strap the supplementary box to your hand properly.]

I picked up the black box and strapped it to my left hand with the straps. Next, I picked up the huge tube and with practiced moves, I slammed it into my arm. It took considerably longer to empty into me. After that, I laid down in a comfortable position and closed my eyes. I could hear Genna’s eager voice in my head before blacking out, “So, exciting!”

In my dream, I was walking in a mall. Feeling a bit peckish for some snacks I walked into a candy shop. The young girl at the counter had a fancy uniform and a big, colorful hat. She beamed at me and asked, “Whatcha want? Something sour, something sweet, or something strong?” she asked with a wink. The voice was a bit familiar, but I couldn’t remember where have I heard it. Next, I was under a bridge. The waves of the water were pushing against my bare legs. I looked up and saw people and cars falling off the side. Without thinking I reached up and caught the bridge before it could fall into the water. It was heavy, but I could bear it. The next scene was in a chicken coop. I was looking at the daily life of the chickens. Pecking away carefree from the world’s troubles. One of the hens stood up, revealing a huge egg. It fidgeted left and right until its shell cracked. I watched as a strong arm reached out from the egg, completely shattering the rest of the egg.

I opened my eyes and saw my hand reaching out towards the ceiling. It wasn’t broken anymore.

[Finally! Good morning, Aium!]

I felt around in my mouth realizing how dry it was. “How long...” I swallowed hard the little spit I had in my mouth. “How long have I been out?”

“54 hours 21 minutes.”

“Holy shit… I need water,” I said in a hoarse voice as I flipped over to get up. Unfortunately, I immediately fell back to the bed. Something was horribly wrong. I felt like my body was completely out of sync with my mind. “Genna! Something's wrong!” I said in a panic.

[No need to freak out! There are no problems, but you’ll need some time to get accustomed to the... changes. Just take it slowly,] she explained in a suspiciously happy mood.

I looked down at my hands and they were definitely not mine. These were way too big and sturdy. I tried moving around my fingers and the fingers on the hands in front of me moved too. It was an incredibly disorienting feeling. I tried flexing my hand into a fist and it bundled up into a thick ball of muscle and bone with loud popping sounds emanating from my finger joints. These were definitely not my hands. These belonged to some weight crazed monster.

“Genna, what happened to me?” I asked as I looked at my forearms that resembled smaller logs. I tried flexing again and several veins popped out under my skin. Next, my eyes wandered down to my thighs. The sides of my underwear were ripped apart because my legs grew too much. They looked like some french folded pastry when I tried pushing against the floor with my stretched out legs.

[Well, it was a very, very interesting experience to watch your incredible transformation from the front seat,] she said with a satisfied sigh. [Remember how disappointed you were when the Advanced Agility ended up with such a low efficiency?]

I felt around my biceps that was probably bigger than a smaller person’s head. The remains of my ripped apart shirt were slowly slipping off of my upper torso. “Yeah?”

[Well, this time the efficiency went all the way up to 146%.]

In a mix of daze and awe, I felt around my body for a few more seconds. Then, I stood up carefully, slowly getting a feel for my changed body. By my estimates, I was taller by nearly a foot. I flexed my right hand into a fist again and just looked at it, silently twisting it around to see it from different angles. With a quick motion, I slammed it against the wall that separated the bedroom from the bathroom. With a deafening boom, my arm went through cleanly the thick wall without any resistance. I pulled it out and looked at it again. There was no pain or any signs of damage. I peeked through the hole and saw the dark bathroom on the other side and electrical fluids slowly dripping down inside the broken wall.

“Interesting.” I grinned with a maniacal smile.

THE END OF BOOK 1