With this story I'm going with the Star Wars theory that the future is always changing; always in motion.
Title: Future Possibilities
author: Cindy Ryan
notes and summary: see part one
"Rufus is meeting us."Lucy reported as they dismounted and tied the horse to the post outside the telegraph office.
"Good."Wyatt said as he escorted Lucy to the door. "With everything going on I'd rather not have us spread out all over the city."
Even though it was getting late in the evening a telegraph operator was still on duty. A balding man in his sixties smiled as they entered.
"Evein' folks; what can I do for you?"The operator asked.
"Need to send a message."Wyatt stated as he took a piece of paper from the counter and a pencil and started to write.
As Wyatt sent the message Lucy glanced out the windows. She could hear the shouts from the crowd a few blocks over. As she and Wyatt had backtracked they'd noticed smaller groups causing trouble; robbery, small fires, vandalism. Lucy hoped their plan worked or they'd come back to a very different country than they left.
With the telegram sent Wyatt and Lucy went back outside to wait for Rufus. Wyatt kept one hand on his gun as they stood near their horse. The atmosphere was tense and Wyatt could see new fires popping up and hear broken glass and gunfire. After a few minutes Wyatt turned and handed the gun to Lucy. She backed away from it.
"I'm just going to show you a few pointers."Wyatt stated quietly. "When we get back you and Rufus are going to get lessons; weapons, hand to hand…."
"That's why we have you."Lucy protested shaking her head.
"And if something happens to me?"Wyatt prompted. "I need to know you can defend yourself and get safely back to the lifeboat."
The sound of gunfire and breaking glass grew closer and Lucy paled. She met Wyatt's gaze and nodded solemnly.
"Okay."Lucy agreed reluctantly.
A few minutes later the lesson was over and Wyatt reclaimed the gun. He didn't put it back in his waistband but kept it at his side. He didn't like the tension in the city; not one bit. If Flynn and Hines succeeded in the prison breakout things would get ugly really fast.
"I don't think horses like me."Rufus muttered as they neared the telegraph office.
"They probably sense you're not an outdoor person."Anthony quipped.
"I've gone hiking and camping."Rufus protested.
"When?"Anthony countered.
"Fourth grade but it still counts."Rufus stated defensively.
They reached the meeting point a few minutes later. Rufus had to move quickly to place himself between Anthony and Wyatt's gun.
"Rufus!"Wyatt exclaimed through clenched teeth.
"He's on our side now; trust me."The pilot explained.
"It's too dicey right now for any wildcards."Wyatt continued as he looked at Anthony. "Why now?"
"Flynn threatened the only family I have left."Anthony stated grimly. "Rufus made me see that I can protect them more by helping you than by staying with Flynn."
"Having him on our side is what we wanted."Lucy reminded as she placed a hand on Wyatt's right arm.
"Let's go."Wyatt ordered as lowered the gun and holstered it.
Lucy and Wyatt climbed on the horse and the group left.
Part of Flynn was relieved they didn't have to go all the way to Camp Douglas which was located south of the city. They rode for nearly an hour before Hines's contact appeared out of the darkness at the arranged meeting point. Flynn pegged their contact to be maybe five years younger than himself. Dirty blond hair, unshaven, sharp green eyes and wearing the clothes of a farm laborer. Hines never introudced them just started right in with plans. Their young contact smiled eagerly.
"Everythin's almost ready."The man stated. "Just waitin' on your word and we'll get things rollin'."
"You have it."Hines said with the same enthusiasm. "Tell the others we must move swiftly. Things in the city are already at a breaking point."
"Yes, Sir."The conspirator acknowledged.
The man nodded at Flynn and Hines and then mounted his horse and was gone into the darkness. Hines glanced at his pocket watch in the small amount of moonlight their was.
"We need to return; there is a telegram I must send."Hines stated as he got back on his horse.
Flynn mounted his as well and picked up the reigns.
"There is business I need to attend to as well."Flynn replied with a grim smile.
As they rode back Flynn wondered just how much Mason's trio had figured out and how far behind them they were.
Wyatt stopped his horse so suddenly that the others had to divert quickly to avoid a collision. They were only a few miles from the telegraph office when Wyatt had a cold sobering thought.
"Wyatt?"Lucy prompted worriedly.
"We have to guard the lifeboat."Wyatt stated turning so he could see everyone. "With Anthony here; Flynn's stranded which makes him..."
"Desperate."Lucy finished quietly.
"He made me teach him a few things about flying the mothership."Anthony interjected. "He could do it himself but being smaller the lifeboat would be easier for one person."
As they'd made their way from the telegraph office Wyatt had stopped briefly to purchase four rifles. Unfortunately the store only had two left so he'd bought them. Now Wyatt handed one to Rufus.
"I need Anthony to stay with us."Wyatt instructed. "Rufus, head back to the lifeboat. Do what you can to make it secure."
"Okay."Rufus said as he placed the gun in a saddle bag.
"If you have to; get back home."Wyatt ordered grimly.
"I'm not leaving you guys behind."Rufus protested with a shake of his head.
"Only a short jump."Wyatt explained glancing at Lucy who nodded. "Just to get it out of Flynn's hands if it comes to that. Then come right back for us."
Rufus nodded reluctantly.
"We need to get Anthony a horse."Lucy pointed out.
"We're going to need more anyway."Wyatt agreed. "We won't have much speed doubling up."
"Anthony can have this one."Rufus said as he dismounted and took the saddle bag containing the rifle. "I'll find another."
"Be safe."Lucy called as the pilot began to walk away.
"Goes both ways."Rufus replied with a brief smile. "We're going to have drinks after and celebrate."
"Damn right."Wyatt agreed.
They watched as Rufus vanished into the dark streets and then continued on their way.
June 24, 2041
San Diego, California
9 am
Where Mason industries lifeboat had been a safe haven the medium sized room of TT Industries had the same concept. The techs had found a way to create a force field of sorts a time bubble that would preserve objects from one timeline to another. One half of the room was storage for that the other was a large work station. A thin African American man in his late twenties stood at the work station watching various screens.
When Connor Mason retired TT Industries had been formed by the orginal time team of Wyatt Logan, Lucy Preston and Rufus Carlin. The name taken from the time team's initals. Together they had expanded the science and technology of time travel. Becoming it's guardians; putting in safe guards to make sure that TT Industries and it's employees didn't fall into the wrong hands.
One of the large flat screen monitors to the right of the room's sole occupant flashed with an alert and a dark blue border appeared around the informaiton. The scientist's face broke into a wide smile and he raised his right fist in triumph.
"You were right, Elizabeth."The tech said quietly. "Timelines can be healed."
August 1864
Chicago, Illinois
After securing more horses Wyatt, Lucy and Anthony left Chicago. They tied the spare mounts to a group of trees a few miles away then continued on. As they went the wind picked up and became drastically colder. Lucy shivered and pulled her cloak farther around herself. The brown horse she was riding didn't like the change in weather either and ducked it's head nervously. The two men on either side of Lucy were silent had been for several miles. The only sound was the wind and the horse's hooves against the hard dirt. Half an hour later a heavy cold rain started and continued relentless. Lucy was expecting to see snow mixed in despite it being early fall.
"I think mother nature wants old man winter to take over early."Anthony shouted over the wind.
"Don't jinx it."Wyatt replied. "Riding horses in snow is not fun."
Another hour of hard riding and Lucy thought they would all succumb to hypothermia. The trio was soaked to the bone and so were the horses. At one point Lucy's mount stumbled causing her to lose pace with the others. Just as Wyatt slowed and turned back for her Lucy's horse recovered enough to continue. That had been twenty minutes before.
"I know I'm going to regret asking this."Anthony asked breaking the silence. "But do we have a plan or are we just staking the place out until or if something happens?"
"I don't suppose Flynn gave you any details?"Lucy inquired as she brushed wet hair from her eyes.
"No, of late he hasn't talked to me much."The pilot replied with a shake of his head.
Suddenly Wyatt slowed his horse and held up a quieting hand. Lucy and Anthony matched his pace.
"Horses."Wyatt explained in a tese whisper. "Coming this way; fast."
"If it's Flynn could be our chance to end this."Lucy responded.
"With this weather we won't know who it is until they're nearly on us."Wyatt surmised grimly. "Let's get off the road and ready an ambush."