Outta Time - Part IV - Trouble

Bat suddenly moved very quickly and Jim dropped to the ground. The butt of the pistol in Bat's hand struck Jim square on the forehead, knocking Jim out instantly.

When Jim awoke, he found himself on a cot, in a western jail cell. His head was splitting with pain and he laid his head down on the too soft pillow. He faded out again.

Clank, clank, clank! The keyring on the bars rang loudly in Jim's sensitive ears. He sat up straight and looked over towards the cell door.

"Wake up stranger!" Bat demanded as he looked for the key to the cell.

As Bat struggled to find the key, Jim looked around. He saw at least ten men in the office, all with guns. Some men had large shotguns while others brandished pistols and rifles.

The key found the hole and the door unlatched. The door squeaked as it slowly opened. All the men, their guns all pointed at Jim now, slowly moved closer to the cell door, covering all exits.

"Stranger, please walked forward slowly and take a seat." He scooted a chair over to be to the side of a desk.

Jim got up and was a bit queasy from the knot on his head. He wavered a moment and started focusing on the chair as he started to move towards it.

Click! Several gun hammers cocked back as he approached the cell door.

"Slowly mister." Bat cautioned.

Jim nodded in compliance and moved, slowly, to the chair and sat down. He noticed that there was no possible way of escape, but where could he go? He is in the wrong time. He looked around and saw The Device sitting in another cell, on the cot. All ventilation has ceased and it was, appeared, functional. He signed a bit of relief.

"Ok, Jim, if that is your real name. What the hell is going on here? And no bullshit!" Bat also sat down in a chair at the desk. He leaned back and pulled out a cigar and a flask. He set up two shot glasses and poured two shots. He grabbed one and held it up to Jim, as to offer it to him.

Jim realized that this may the last drink he may ever have and accepted. "Thanks." He took the whole shot and set the glass down on the desk.

"Well Bat,.. Jim started. ..I just don't think that you would believe me if I told you."

"Try me...Jim."

Jim thought about his responses carefully. On one hand, he could tell them the truth and hope that it does not cause a paradox. That by knowing that Time Travel exists may set in motion a series of events that would, most assuredly, result in Jim's past changing. The past that is in the history books that we know today would have never existed, instead a very different history would exist. The next words out of Jim's mouth could cause his very existence to vanish. 'Nope, better to lie' Jim thought to himself.

"I am a Secret Service Agent, working with Government scientists to work on a device that can change the weather." Jim was surprised at himself for sounding so matter-of-factly.

Bat looked confused but firm, "A Secret Service Agent? And I am supposed to buy that?"

"Well I hope so because that is the truth. By the way Bat, I will be needing you and your men to swear on the Flag that what I have told you NEVER leaves this room. Do you understand?" Jim stood up and looked around. The men raised their guns to Jim's chest and head. They all looked back and fourth from Jim to Bat.

Bat raised his free hand and said, "Down boys. Jim, what can we do for you?"

Jim didn't like where this was going, this was too easy and Jim knew that Bat Masterson was not an idiot. "I just need to finish my Journey Bat"

"I am sure that you have some sort of identification, before we let you go?" Bat stood up, still holding his pistol in his right hand.

"Actually Bat, I don't. I am undercover. There are people out there that want this technology to sell weather to farmers and sufferers. I am just running some tests for the President, but it requires me to carry this device, across a specified stretch of this country, and test it periodically. This device is fragile and it must be cared for at all times. Can I see it? I need to make sure that it's ok". Jim turned to look at the device in the cell, locked up like a prisoner, then back to Bat.

Bat motioned for one of his men to open the cell and retrieve The Device.

"Thank you Bat." Jim relaxed a bit.

The deputy carefully set the device on the desk, between Bat and Jim. Jim peered down to The Device and saw the battery power was still full and the coolant was still dong its job very well. The remote looked intact and functional as well. Jim looked up at Bat, "May I?" Jim then motioned to The Device.

Bat nodded in approval and took a small step back.

Jim picked up the remote and set it for the next "Hop". The Read Out on the display flashed STAND BY (1607, Jamestown, VA USA, 5AM, Field to the Northwest of Town). Jim checked the coolant and battery levels, there were two read outs each. Both Dormant levels read: 3 Days. Both Active levels read: 18 Hours. At the bottom of the Active display was Trips: 9. Jim picked The Device and carefully placed it on his back. He looked at Bat for approval. Bat nodded again.

"Jim, you know that we are going to want to see this device work before you can leave. You claim to be an Agent for the Government, but have no way to prove it. You tell us this wild yarn about a weather machine. C'mon Jim". Bat lowered his pistol and pointed Jim to the door.

Jim went through the door and felt the warm breeze on his face. He could taste the dust as he breathed the hot desert air. He kept walking, thinking that he needs to find a good spot. He walked away from the tracks, down the street and toward a lone oak tree near the edge. "That spot should do nicely".

The group followed Jim and Bat to the Oak tree, dust blowing across the road as they walked. Jim held up his hand, still holding the remote in his other hand.

"Wait! This is good. Bat I will need you and your men to get a considerable ways back, this is going to be loud and windy". Jim motioned for Bat to back up.

"Everyone back! Follow Me! John! Keep you gun trained on him." John acknowledged.

"OK folks! This will be very loud and very windy, this is how this works and it is perfectly normal. In a few minutes, this device should create moisture in the air and create clouds, keep watching the sky." Jim put his thumb over the Activate button.

Jim pressed the button and tried his best to stand firm. He felt himself getting nauseous and feeling like he was going to pass out. The sound was deafening and dust kicked up everywhere, swirling around Jim. He looked over at Bat and they all looked petrified.

Silence...