Magestic 2 Read online

  Jimmy landed back in London the next day, a brief meeting with the current Prime Minister, all of the questions about time travel and paradoxes. So far, Jimmy had not suggested that he go anywhere, and even seemed to discredit the idea.

  After a one-hour helicopter ride he landed back at the old house, touching down on the grass by the lake. It all looked the same. He walked across to Paul’s house and had a nose around, the house still used by Helen and Shelly on a regular basis. In the main house he turned right into the office, and stopped dead, finding Sharon sat behind her desk.

  ‘I’m sure I gave you some time off,’ he quipped.

  She eased up and smiled, seeming tired; old and tired. ‘They kept me on, the trust that runs this place. I order the toilet paper.’ She gave him a hug. ‘You’ve been back a few days and already turned the world on its head again.’

  ‘It’s what I do. So,’ he took in the office, sitting. ‘Who’s here that I would know?’

  ‘Cookie and Sandra, and … that’s about it.’

  ‘Big old empty house, all the kids grown up and gone. How’re your trouble makers?’

  ‘Middle aged, with kids, and divorced.’

  ‘Ah well.’ He stood. ‘I’m here tonight, so eat with me later. Then … then I … won’t be back this way for a hundred years or so.’

  Sharon gazed back at him. ‘Jack said you wouldn’t stay, that you’d go to another world.’

  ‘There are lives to save,’ Jimmy flatly stated.

  ‘If you meet my younger self, then make sure I don’t marry Phil, that I take that tour-guide job I always wanted.’

  ‘If I meet your younger self, I’ll make sure you do marry Phil – and end up as my secretary. Again.’

  In the diner, Cookie smiled widely and came around the counter. ‘Here comes trouble.’

  They hugged.

  ‘Pancakes, Cookie?’ Jimmy asked.

  ‘If I had a bleeding pound for every time I heard that…’

  ‘I’m here tonight,’ Jimmy began. ‘Then…’

  Cookie slowly nodded. ‘Jack always said you’d go.’

  ‘This place seems a bit … empty without Paul’s family and the “M” Group.’

  ‘It’s bugged me a few times, but the tourists keep us busy, as well as the world leaders when they come.’

  ‘If you and Sandra are not happy…’

  Cookie stared back. ‘What … go … to another world?’

  ‘I need a good team, people I can trust.’

  ‘But … but what about the other me?’

  ‘1920.’

  ‘1920?’ Cookie repeated. ‘I’d … not be around for a while. And, they’d have outdoor toilets and bedpans.’

  ‘With our money … indoor plumbing and Jacuzzis!’

  ‘We’d … well, we’d be there when the Second World War was on, in the Blitz an all!’

  Jimmy lifted his eyebrows and nodded.

  ‘Shit. You’d … you know, alter it an all.’

  Jimmy again nodded.

  ‘If one more world leader says “Pancakes, Cookie” I’ll deck the fucker, so help me. Count us in, boss.’

  ‘You want to talk to Sandra?’

  ‘She’s thinking of leaving me … well, mostly because of … you know, all that happened and the publicity. I reckon she’ll go with you.’

  ‘Formal meal, 7pm, small select group. A … last supper.’

  Jimmy walked down to a lounge, finding it empty – and lonely. The gym was empty, awaiting a few tourists, the pool’s blue water still, his old room preserved as a museum piece, small labels adhered to things for the tourists to understand their significance. On his bed he found new clothes, shirts in packets; Sharon’s thoughtful handiwork.

  After a shower, and a change of clothes, he walked around the grounds - security following at a discreet distance, and down to the river, each step counted and measured, the emptiness growing in his chest. At the ponds he found guards fishing, taking the time to stop and chat, idly enquiring after the fish stocks.

  Back at the house, he got Sharon onto the phones and invited around a few people, including the old managers of the Cardiff nightclub, the accountants and solicitors, and a few others; he wanted the house to have a buzz.

  The meal went off well, much talk of old times and good times, not of the gas cloud or of time travel. Photos of kids were dug out, many now adults themselves, but most unknown to Jimmy. Jimmy encouraged everyone to stay as late as they could, and finally headed up to his old room, no joy in the steps he took. He closed the door to an empty apartment, the ghosts of the past ever present. Fortunately, he had drunk enough to catch some sleep.

  At 6am he stood outside the house with Cookie and Sandra, who had just this minute resigned and packed their bags. They all took one last look before boarding the waiting helicopter. That helicopter dropped Cookie and Sandra off at Bristol Airport, flying Jimmy on to Mapley, the helicopter setting down in a very busy base, Rescue Force on full alert.

  Jimmy knocked on Bob Davies’ old door and entered. ‘Jimmy!’ Doctor Susan Hicks shouted. She gave him a big hug.

  ‘At least someone appreciates me,’ Jimmy quipped. ‘So, you made it to the top, eh?’

  ‘No one else wanted the job,’ she joked. ‘You look just as you did.’

  ‘It’s only been a few days for me,’ Jimmy reminded her.

  ‘Yeah, well we’re all in a flap around here, just in case this gas cloud goes arse-up on us.’

  ‘They say – if it’s bad – that it could cause thunder storms, nasty ones; floods, fires, and the four horsemen of the apocalypse.’

  ‘We’ll be ready, and dispersed,’ Dr Hicks promised.

  ‘Did I hear that troublemaker, Silo?’ Doc Graham loudly asked from the corridor.

  Jimmy turned and shook Doc Graham’s hand. ‘Still here?’

  ‘They couldn’t find anyone daft enough to want my job! Twenty-five years in the seat.’

  ‘Might need a new seat,’ Jimmy joked. He led Doc Graham to his office. ‘So, how’re you and Hildy these days?’

  ‘She works out of Africa and … we don’t talk.’

  ‘Oh. Your kid?’

  ‘A doctor, here in the UK.’

  Jimmy slowly nodded to himself. ‘Listen, I’ve … put together a team for a … lengthy and dangerous mission … to another world.’

  Doc Graham’s eyes widened as he eased forwards onto his desk. ‘Are you … suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?’

  ‘You’d be gone a long time, and … it’ll be dangerous. You might just get yourself killed.’

  ‘And … what would I be doing, specifically?’

  ‘You’d be starting Rescue Force in … 1945.’

  ‘1945? My god.’

  ‘But we’d be landing in 1920, so you’d have a few years in colonial Kenya first.’

  ‘You said a team…?’

  ‘Most of the original team are coming along, you already know them all.’

  ‘Where do I sign?’

  ‘After this crisis is out of the way, resign and get yourself to Mawlini, pack a bag.’

  From London’s Heathrow airport, still a congested passenger hub, Jimmy flew to Paris, thereafter on to Berlin, and then to Moscow, greeting the leaders whilst reassuring the public. In Russia he inspected their RF unit, spent half a day at the world’s largest industrial farm complex, eventually flying on to Delhi. There he again pressed the flesh, gave a speech, the International Space Consortium just about to fire a series of rockets towards the approaching gas cloud.

  Flying on, Jimmy landed in Beijing to much fanfare and celebration, Han waiting at the airport in a private room. Jimmy had the aides sent out, just the Chinese President left with Han.

  ‘Mister President, I would like you to release Mister Han to my service.’

  Han was surprised.

  ‘To … do what?’ the President asked.

  ‘To talk with Chairman Mao when I step back through time.’

  The Pres
ident almost fell off his seat, Han hiding a smile. ‘Go back? You’ll go back?’

  ‘If I don’t … then the paradox will be broken and this world will be at threat. It’s not a case of if I go back … I have already been and come back. There are … things that I’m not revealing to the world. I need to complete the circle, or you, sir, will pay a heavy price.’

  The President was stunned. ‘And … if you go back, is it also assured that you will return to us?’

  ‘Yes, hence the paradox. Don’t worry. As for Mister Han, are you amenable to him assisting me, as he did before?’

  ‘You already know the answer,’ the President stated.

  ‘Still, I have to ask … and at least make it seem that you have a choice.’

  The President cocked an eyebrow. ‘You may have Mister Han, and … you may complete the paradox.’

  ‘Thank you, oh great leader.’

  ‘Don’t start treating me like a US President!’ the Chinese Premier told Jimmy.

  ‘I hold all political leaders in equally high regard,’ Jimmy quipped.

  Han packed a bag very quickly, accompanying Jimmy down to Hong Kong, where Po awaited. Actually, Po awaited with Yuri, our Russian friend now out of favour with the Kremlin and in exile, Yuri residing either here in Hong Kong or at his house in Gotham City.

  From the airport, a helicopter whisked Jimmy and Han to a rooftop helipad, Po and Yuri waiting in the bar one floor down. Hugs and greetings were exchanged at length, jibes made, Po’s rotund body coming in for much poking and prodding. Settled, they sat around a table, Jimmy dismissing the aides and guards.

  ‘I’ll get straight to the point,’ Jimmy began, ‘since we only have a week.’

  ‘A week?’ Yuri asked. ‘This gas cloud – it will be a big problem?’

  ‘No, I gave them the solution.’

  ‘Then it be true, you jump through time!’ Po stated.

  Jimmy shook his head very slightly. ‘A week from now I’ll be going through the portal in Africa, the one Paul used for re-supply. I’m going back to Kenya in 1920 … on another world, and not to fix any paradox. I’m going to fix that world as I fixed this one, but starting in 1920. I’ll be fighting through the Second World War, and I’ll need a few good men to buy property here in Hong Kong in 1920 … to build up businesses to make us some money.’

  Po was staring, Yuri salivating. ‘I’ll go with you,’ Yuri stated, getting a look from Po.

  ‘I have many big business here,’ Po stated.

  ‘You would be back in a few weeks,’ Han pointed out. ‘Over there, a hundred years would pass.’

  ‘Po,’ Jimmy called. ‘The trip would be dangerous, we may all get ourselves killed, but there are six billion people over there who may end up dying, your family included. I’m asking you to help me fix that world, and for you to write your name into the legend.’

  Po grew an inch. ‘When I come back, I am traveller like you,’ he realised.

  ‘Well, not as tall, obviously,’ Jimmy pointed out.

  ‘OK, I do it,’ Po agreed, nodding.

  ‘For the next few days, you and Yuri should study old maps of Hong Kong from 1920 to 1925, and think about what businesses would do well if you bought them. We’ll be taking back synthetic diamonds to buy things with.’

  ‘Shipping,’ Po stated. ‘Always shipping. We must buy the shipping companies!’

  ‘That sounds like a start,’ Jimmy approved with a smile.

  Taking Han to one side, half an hour later, Jimmy said, ‘I won’t be interfering with Chairman Mao, I desire China to be communist; in fact, it’s necessary and ... essential. But, I do want you to influence him, for him to be less … provincial, and more commercially minded.’

  ‘I … would try and influence Mao?’

  ‘You would, by convincing him that you’ll support his cause, and by bringing in money and weapons from Po. You’d be popular … and have his ear.’

  ‘And would I reveal the future?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘And if he decided to shoot me?’

  ‘We’d drink at your wake.’

  Han lifted an eyebrow. ‘I see.’

  ‘Helping people … comes with risks. Helping a great many people … comes with great risk.’

  ‘But, nonetheless, we must try,’ Han stated.

  ‘Read a book on Mao’s early years -’

  ‘I am expert in this area, and have written my own book on his early years.’

  Jimmy smiled. ‘I knew there was a reason I liked you. Put your affairs in order, and meet us in Mawlini in five or six days.’

  The next evening, the rich of Hong Kong rubbed shoulders with Jimmy at a black-tie charity gala held for Rescue Force, Po and Yuri already well ahead in their planning of how they would conquer the world from their Hong Kong base, plotting and scheming in hushed tones and ignoring their guests.

  Jimmy flew on down to Singapore, a huge turn-out afforded him, before touching down in both New Zealand and Australia for quick visits, RF units inspected. The first rocket had now been fired at the approaching gas cloud, its detonation revealing the true size and extent of the cloud, which was just a big pile of iron fillings. Still, the images frightened a great many people.

  Jimmy landed back in Africa to a mass turnout; everyone was on the streets. His plane had touched down first in Zimbabwe, a bus tour followed by a meeting with President Solomon.

  From Harare, Jimmy journeyed to New Kinshasa, a flight taken over Mining City, the metropolis below now one of the world’s largest cities and an economic powerhouse itself. Landing at Goma Hub, Jimmy noticed little change in the airport and the surrounding area. He stayed the night at the old Mansion, Helen, Shelly and family in residence – and much nagging of not attempting any fool-hardly paradoxes, before touring the city by helicopter the next day. Helen pointed out places of interest, new suburbs or factories, interesting facts and statistics about the place.

  Over lunch, Helen said, ‘Promise me you’ll not try and complete this rumoured paradox.’

  ‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’

  She held her fixed stare on him for a moment, then sighed. ‘We all figured you’d have trouble adjusting to being back here. But if you’re planning on some foolish stunt, you will let me know, won’t you.’

  ‘You’d be the first to know. Don’t worry.’

  ‘Hmmm.’

  A tour of the Pentagon building meant meeting a few old faces, still in their jobs and running sub-Saharan Africa. The cooperation group was now a country in itself, the real power, the economic might of the group rivalling China and America, as well as greatly influencing world politics. The current President was an old administrator from The Corporation; we were keeping it in the family. Trade was steady, crime low, housing and education very good. And the volunteers were still hard at it, always inventing something new, along with the brain trust kids, most of those ‘kids’ now grandparents.

  They built aircraft that flew quietly, economically, and safely. They designed and built cars, buses and trains, hydroelectric turbines, and worked on any new diseases that popped up. Visiting one group, Jimmy found Cosy in attendance.

  The chief scientist presented a large wooden box that appeared to be very old. Opening it, Jimmy found a gramophone player, a look exchanged with Cosy. Cosy smiled as the scientist explained, ‘Push this lever, and say: identify Jimmy Silo.’

  Jimmy did as asked. The lid popped open, a screen and keyboard displayed.

  ‘It will ask you a set of passwords that you and your team will know. All of the world’s inventions are listed, as well as maps and details particular to 1920 onwards.’

  Jimmy smiled, closing the lid.

  Cosy closed in. ‘Diamonds are waiting, some gold, ruby necklaces; enough to buy the planet in 1920.’

  ‘The computer will illustrate the positions of all oil and gold deposits, sir,’ the scientist pointed out. ‘As well as stock market movements from 1920 onwards.’

  ‘Good,’ Jimmy commen
ded. ‘Because I’m getting on a bit.’

  A second box was handed over. ‘Period glasses, sir. But these are night vision and thermal. A period pen, inside of which is a weapon designed to cause a heart attack.’

  ‘I’m familiar with the toys,’ Cosy pointed out. ‘So you won’t kill yourself writing cheques.’

  ‘The weapon is unlikely to kill Mister Silo,’ someone pointed out.

  ‘But would affect people without the blood,’ Jimmy noted. He faced the team. ‘Thank you for your efforts at such short notice.’

  ‘We wish you a safe trip, sir,’ they said. ‘We’ll have these items shipped to Mawlini.’

  Landing at Mogadishu, Jimmy made like visiting royalty and inspected the troops with a fit-looking Abdi. After a lunch with the current Somali President and his cabinet, Jimmy flew up to the Palestinian enclave, an unscheduled trip. Flying in, he could see that it was now twice as big as his last visit, now a high-rise metropolis on the coast.

  These days, some eighty-five percent of the world’s Palestinians lived here, thriving as part of the African cooperation group. Israel was peaceful, the occupied lands peaceful – more or less, a stability achieved. The two states even had diplomatic relations, and embassies in each other’s capitals. Representatives from many Arab states flew down to meet Jimmy, each afforded a ten minute chat at a reception party.

  Lightshow

  The second and third nukes had impacted the gas cloud, their explosions visible from Earth with the naked eye, the third explosion noticeably smaller due to the dissipating cloud. A fourth nuke hit the cloud as Jimmy sat eating a meal in New Palestine, quite a light show on display above. Later that night, with all of the people of the world watching, the remnants of the cloud grazed the Earth’s atmosphere and created a spectacular light show, a few satellites affected. An hour later it moved off and finally dissipated, the world celebrating, celebrating being saved by Jimmy.

  What they didn’t know, was that the cloud would have done no more than affect a few satellites. By hitting it with the first nuke they made it more of a threat, finally dissipating it with the last nuke. Jimmy was smiling inwardly, the world now very focused on where he wanted them to be focused, the detail of the gas cloud coming from Doctor Singh, who had taken a peek at the future when he found a sensor bounce. Doctor Singh was also now smiling inwardly, planetary cooperation back at the forefront of people’s minds; no one was assured of their safety.