Back and forth in Time…
The seconds seemed to blend into an irregular flow as Logan guided Schmitt through the labyrinthine corridors of the Legion headquarters. Each of them was absorbed in their thoughts, trying to unravel the complex threads of this mission. Everything led to Swann Wells.
Finally, they arrived at the main hall, where Nikolaï Raït was already waiting, surrounded by a team of technicians and busy Travelers in front of control screens. Everyone stopped their activities and looked up at them, specifically at Logan. When Logan left the Legion, he also left behind many colleagues who were his friends. Raït's gaze turned towards them, and he signaled for them to approach.
As Logan walked towards Raït with Schmitt by his side, he felt the weight of the gazes upon him. Despite the relief of knowing that thanks to the Legion, Swann Wells would be apprehended, a tinge of regret passed through him at the sight of his former comrades. The silence was suffocating.
Raït observed them with an authoritative gaze. He seemed ready to see this mission through to the end, regardless of the cost.
“Logan, begin,” he said. “Tell us about the discoveries you've made.”
“It all comes from one person, a Traveler named Swann Wells,” he said, taking a breath. “We managed to locate her through the timelines and see the moment she received her watch, but unfortunately, she disappeared a few seconds later.”
“An accidental journey.”
“Like most Voyagers, we don't have the means to find her on our own.”
“So, you just need us to come crawling back, huh, Whittaker!” exclaimed one of the Travelers in the room with anger.
Logan knew that his decision to leave the Legion had left a mark and provoked reactions among his former colleagues. But he couldn't afford to explain himself to them now, not when every second counted.
“So, just because you need us, you come back with your tail between your legs, huh, Whittaker!” exclaimed one of the Travelers in the room angrily.
Logan knew that his decision to leave the Legion had caused a stir and elicited reactions among his former colleagues. But he couldn't afford to explain himself to them now, not when every second counted.
“It's not the time for internal quarrels,” Raït interrupted. “Our priority is to locate Swann Wells and put an end to her actions. Logan and… what's your name?”
“Schmitt.”
“Logan and Schmitt have provided crucial information, and we need to work together to succeed in this mission. You can settle your issues later.”
A tense silence filled the room as the gazes met, some still expressing distrust and anger towards Logan, doubting his loyalty to the Legion. Raït's tone brooked no argument. The Travelers acquiesced, albeit reluctantly. Logan glanced at Schmitt, who looked visibly uncomfortable, his brow furrowed.
Raït gestured for them to approach as he worked at a Traveler's computer, already searching for a sign of Swann Wells in space-time.
Logan and Schmitt moved closer to the computer, peering over Raït's shoulder as he navigated through the temporal flux. The colorful lines and curves seemed to dance on the screen, depicting the intricate movements of time.
“She disappeared from this location,” Raït said, pointing to a specific spot on the screen. “London, 2018, but that doesn't tell us where she might be now.”
Logan squinted, focused on the screen. He remembered the last moments before Swann Wells disappeared. She had vanished so quickly, without anyone noticing. It must have been an accident.
“What changes time, must come from an accident. She had just received her Watch, she knew nothing before,” he said.
Raït nodded, seeming to consider this possibility.
“It's a plausible hypothesis,” he admitted. “If that's the case, then she could be anywhere in the temporal continuum. We need to broaden our search, but we need more information about the circumstances of her disappearance.”
Logan recalled the details of that crucial moment. It was just a simple gift, nothing different from the others.
“Nothing unusual,” Schmitt responded in her place. “She received her Watch in the same way I received mine. An old Traveler gave it to her.”
Silence fell in the room, only the clicking of keyboards could be heard. Each person was lost in their thoughts, trying to understand what had happened and how a simple Traveler could have caused so much damage.
“I… might have something,” a Technician ventured.
Raït, Logan, Schmitt, and a few others gathered around her, trying to look over her shoulder.
“Here, in 2078, the fluxes went wild.”
“2078? Post-apocalypse, a bad time in history,” Raït said, reflecting.
“Is this the time when Creed is hiding?” asked another Traveler.
“Yes, but he hasn't caused any waves since he went into hiding. Few Travelers visit this period, it's too dangerous. But if Swann Wells' journey is an accident, she may have ended up there unintentionally.”
Creed was neither a renegade Traveler nor a very active one. He had simply chosen the worst period in history to hide in.
Logan felt a glimmer of hope. If Swann Wells had become trapped in a period as unstable as the post-apocalypse of 2078, it would explain the temporal disturbances they had observed. But it also meant they would have to face the dangers of that time to find her.
“If she is indeed in that period, we must act quickly,” Raït said firmly.
Logan nodded, determined to find Swann Wells and restore the temporal order, no matter the cost. Schmitt, by his side, seemed just as resolute.
“How do we proceed?” Schmitt asked.
“I will assemble a team of experienced Travelers to go to 2078 and locate Swann Wells. Logan, Schmitt, you will be part of this team. You are still a field agent, after all, Logan.”
Logan felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. It had been so long since he had been on a Legion mission, but at the same time, when the Legion went in search of a renegade Traveler, it never ended well. Not for the Travelers nor for them.
“2078 is just a year,” Schmitt interjected, “how can we find her without a specific date and location? You don't expect us to spend a year there, scouring a ravaged world from end to end, do you?”
“Assembling a team does not mean I will send you on a mission without knowing the location and without at least having an idea of the date,” Raït explained calmly.
Schmitt didn't trust Raït, but seeing Logan nodding in agreement with his explanation, Schmitt had to go along. He was willing to face any danger to find Swann Wells, but the idea of spending a year in a post-apocalyptic world was a challenge he wasn't sure he could handle, even with Logan by his side.
“How do you plan to proceed then?” he asked, still wary.
“We will use our technological resources to analyze the temporal anomalies occurring at this time and try to determine a more precise entry point. Once we have located a potential temporal point linked to Swann Wells, we will send you with the reconnaissance team to confirm her presence,” Raït explained.
Schmitt nodded in agreement. It was a functional plan, he couldn't deny that. They couldn't afford to venture blindly, especially in such a hostile environment as the post-apocalypse.
“In the meantime, we need to prepare,” added Raït. “While I select the team to accompany you, Logan, Schmitt, I want you to gear up and rest. We don't know if you'll be required to do more than one jump. We will leave as soon as we have precise information.”
Logan and Schmitt nodded simultaneously, aware of the importance of mentally and physically preparing for the upcoming mission. They exchanged a glance before being interrupted by Raït.
“Your quarters are still in the same place, Logan,” Raït said.
Logan silently acquiesced and then turned to Schmitt, a slight smile stretching across his lips.
“Come,” he said in a low voice.
Schmitt nodded in return, seeming more relaxed now that they had a concrete plan in place. They made their way towards the exit of the main hall, ready to prepare for the upcoming mission.
As they walked through the corridors of the Legion headquarters, Logan couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and apprehension. Finding Swann Wells and restoring temporal order was their priority, but he knew it wouldn't be easy.
“Do you want to discuss what awaits us?” Logan began once they were alone in the corridors.
Schmitt nodded in agreement with the idea. They stopped near a window, looking out through the thick glass. Outside, it was dark, with only the incessant snow visible. Now that they were there, Schmitt began to wonder about the time period and location of the Legion. So many questions, but Schmitt knew that today was not the time to ask them.
“Do you think we'll be able to find Swann Wells?” Schmitt asked, his voice calm but filled with uncertainty.
Logan took a deep breath, considering his response. He wanted to be honest with Schmitt, but he also didn't want to give false hope.
“I think it's going to be difficult,” he finally admitted. “But with the help of the Legion, I believe we have a chance.”
Schmitt nodded slowly, seeming to ponder Logan's words.
“I just hope we can find her before it's too late,” he said.
Logan placed a reassuring hand on Schmitt's shoulder, offering a smile.
“We'll do everything we can,” he said.
Schmitt returned his smile.
“I believe you,” he said simply.
They exchanged a glance before continuing on their way to Logan's quarters, ready to prepare for the mission that awaited them. Time was of the essence.
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