TILE 29 - flight trap

Tim finally completed the Sled as he had called his model after Stiv's suggestion as to its purpose. He had even, just for the convenience of having it mounted on a display stand, bolted it to a flat slab of steel with one edge curled up to resemble the wooden snow sleds that children used in winter.

Finally came the moment he couldn't put off any longer if he wanted to learn more of its function, he gingerly replaced the outer cover of polished brass expecting an unpleasant shock. To his surprise nothing happened nor did that odd humming noise occur as it had before.

SYNCHRONISATION IS COMPLETE announced a voice of a peculiar metallic timbre. Then with no more ado, the model vanished without a sound.

ENTRY IS NOW PERMITTED announced the Gateway
and Tim felt himself enveloped by the sparkling field that had previously barred his way.

The next thing he saw was a black cat sitting on a desktop regarding him with what seemed to be an amused expression.

PLEASE SIT DOWN MR TIMOTHY said the cat
THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE EASY TO EXPLAIN.

PERHAPS YOU MIGHT BE PUT MORE AT EASY BY MY INTRODUCING YOU TO THE CAUSE OF YOUR PROBLEM. ALLOW ME TO INTRODUCE MR CHARLES

another person appeared to be seated across the desk from Tim.

HE IS NOT HERE AS HIMSELF, SIMPLY AS AN IMAGE, YOU ARE SIMILARLY SHOWN TO HIM ENOUGH TO HELP UNDERSTAND YOUR JOINT AND MY OWN PREDICAMENT. AS WE MEDIATORS LIKE TO SAY
'NO GOOD DEED GOES UNPUNISHED'.

Charles, it seemed had tried to invent something considered impossible in the shape of a machine that could travel faster than light.

Not only had he succeeded in doing so but his device had warped space/time even though it doesn't really exist as such.

Then just as if imparting a final loving and quite unnecessary detail it had broadcast a multi dimensional call for help which required the immediate removal of the supposed traveller in distress regardless of circumstances.

CHARLES' FATHER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE RUINED REMAINS OF THE MACHINE AND IN TESTING IT SENT THE BOYS JOURNAL TO SOME OTHER DIMENSION WE NOW KNOW TO BE YOURS.

YOU HUMANS DO NOT YET COMPREHEND THAT WHAT YOU PERCEIVE AS DIFFERENT TIMES ARE IN FACT ALL PART OF ONE AND THE SAME REALITY.

YOUR BARRIER TIM IS SOMETHING DELIBERATELY MADE TO SEPERATE SPACE/TIME WITHIN THE PLANE OF YOUR WORLD WHICH I HOPE YOU CAN SEE NOW IS ILLUSORY IN NATURE.