Free Time of the Draig by Lisa Dawn Wadler

clarified, “Atoms and matter as we understand them comprise less than five percent of the known universe. The other ninety-five percent is, in theory, made up of dark matter and dark energy. While there is no known way to measure dark matter, it affects visible matter, radiation, and the large-scale structure of the universe . . . in theory.” Samantha held the round sphere up to the fading rays of the day and said, “This orb and its big brother contain dark matter along with a neural-based computer database.”
    Jeff rose from his rock and began pacing. The small rocks of the streambed crackled under his boots. After a while, he said, “So you are telling me that an object of unknown origins contains something that we can’t prove exists and that it has the ability to destroy the world and open doors in time.”
    “You’re simplifying it a bit, but yes.” It could do so much more than that, she was certain. The mysteries of the universe were contained within the sphere, and she had only begun to scratch the proverbial surface.
    “You said neural based. Do you connect yourself to unknown tech?” Jeff asked.
    “I do, and to date there have been no harmful side effects,” Samantha said.
    “Bullshit, Sam,” Boomer interjected. “When you are connected with that thing, you lose touch with reality.” Looking at Jeff, he added, “It’s why she needs a guard. She’s a sitting duck when she’s connected.”
    Ignoring the outburst, she continued, “My goal was to be the one to dig UNK005 out of the desert sand first and bury it somewhere so remote and deep that no one would ever find it. The only question that remains is, can I still do that?”
    Jeff stopped pacing long enough to ask, “Is there still a risk to our world because the big one is in the lab?”
    “Yes.” The answer was simple even if the size of that risk still needed to be researched.
    “Then we need to proceed with your initial mission and find a way back. You have my full support, Major. Let’s stop this war before it even begins,” Jeff stated.
    Samantha was going to argue and tell him about the consequences of their actions. Their time may no longer exist, and moving forward seemed impossible. Plus, she would have to go back to the lab and regain possession of UNK005, the larger. Something tickled the back of her mind; there was something she had missed, and she knew it. She only said, “I agree.”
    Boomer looked over at her. “What did you leave out?”
    The man knew her too well. She said, “It’s always been my belief as I’ve researched the quantum doors that you can’t go forward as the future is unwritten. But I may be wrong. There is an idea, but it’s not complete. I need time to think about it and somewhere quiet to work.”
    Jeff crouched before her. “Then we proceed with the plan. We go home with Faolan, and you work behind his nice strong walls. I will tell the men you are working on a way to prevent the war via your research. That should make everyone happy.”
    Samantha added, “We’re messing up this timeline in the process.”
    The captain smiled and waved aside the concern. “Maybe, but we’re remote, and our impact should only affect his lands. Odds are any improvements we make on sanitation and security will have short-term impact. People are creatures of habit, and they will revert back to old patterns after we leave.”
    With hesitation, Samantha added, “You are assuming I can get us out.”
    “Yes, but if you can’t get us out, we can make this little corner of the world better and live simple lives.” He paused before he asked, “Have you considered the possibility that we were supposed to be here? Maybe all of this isn’t a mistake. Maybe this past is supposed to be our future.”
    Her eyes rolled in her head as she said, “I think you’ve watched way too much sci-fi.”
    Again Faolan found himself watching from the cover of the brush, while he listened to Major Samantha and Jeff. The pair