Page 45 - Tales Apocalyptic and Dystopian

Into the Tempifuge
(Fantastic Transactions 2, 1997)

Barry Underwood was ushered by an armed guard into a small
conference room deep within the agency’s office block. The man
who had summoned him, John Smith, rose from the table and
performed introductions.
“Colonel Cruz, this is Barry Underwood, professor of the history
of science at Colcrest University. Dr. Delirian I believe you already
know.”
“Only by reputation. My field of study is physicists of the twentieth
century, not the twenty-second. Pleased to meet you.”
They sat down, Underwood across from the others.
“I will get to the point, professor,” said Smith. “You have been
thoroughly vetted; your life contains no trace of political disloyalty.
Therefore we are admitting you into the inner circle of decision-
making. Our country’s relations with the Tropic Bloc are
deteriorating, and a state of war is no longer beyond contemplation.
Should such an armed conflict break out in the next six months, our
side would be at a certain strategic disadvantage. Nuclear weapons, as
you know, are no longer available—nor, of course, could we
contemplate using them even if we did suddenly happen to discover a
cache of them hidden below the salt flats: our alliance with the
Global Market would not survive any violation of the taboo.”
Underwood tensed. The issue of concealed hydrogen bombs was
not unknown to him, nor had it just been resolved.
“If you think I have any knowledge of that technology—”
“No, no, not at all.” Smith raised his palms. “But we may very
soon need an anti-personnel weapon just as powerful as a nuclear
device, or at least as credible as deterrent. Our arsenal has none, and
our laboratories are not close to developing one. We must, therefore,
look elsewhere for a solution.”
“And where might that be?” Underwood frowned.
“In a time capsule left by Mahesh Shivalingam.” Dr. Delirian spoke
for the first time. He looked older to Underwood than his image in
the graphics.

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