A Stitch In Time – Chapter 1 – The Problem
Introduction:
A plague has hit the earth. By the 23rd century mankind’s population is dwindling. A group of scientists have a solution. Time travel. There is a man among them who is immune, as is his daughter. He may or may not be the only one. Mark Severns will do his bit for humanity.
Mark Severn could only be described as a brilliant polymath who also easily learned various European languages. He was more annoyingly friends said, rather handsome and well built. He was also one of the few people out and about.
For almost two hundred years the human race had been fighting against seemingly endless variants of a virus that first appeared in the early 21st century. Now the fight appeared to be over. Doctors at the government’s underground research laboratory had determined that Mark was the only known human immune to the virus. There might be a handful more spread out around the world, but statistical analysis gave very little hope for mankind’s future. Except for Mark’s infant daughter Emily. She too appeared to be immune.
Mark checked in at the center. Went through multiple levels of contamination prevention cleanings. It seemed to be working for now, but everyone at the center knew, someday there would be an error, a leak. Then they would also be doomed. When Mark had cleared he went first to visit with Emily. She was kept in a secure room, much to Mark’s dismay, but necessary for her safety. Mark’s wife Susan had contracted the virus shortly after Emily was born. But according to doctors it seemed likely that Mark had been able to pass the immunity on to Emily.
His next stop was Dr. Weston’s office.
“Mark, come in. We have a lot to discuss.”
“More tests on my daughter? Or on me?”
“Well yes, that’s an ongoing process. But we need to discuss other, alternative plans.”
“Such as?”
“This may be difficult. I know it’s only been six months but we’d like to start tests. With volunteers.”
“Volunteers?”
“Yes, women who will volunteer to carry your children.”
“That’s crazy. What, you want to populate the earth with little Severns?”
“It’s been thought, that before something happens to the volunteers we should create a nursery, to see if the immunity always passes.”
“And then what? You’ll have a nursery full of siblings. You know how that will go. And who’s going to care for them? Me?”
“We believe we have some time. If we can get this going, then we can begin preparations for phase two.”
“And what is phase two?”
“Technology has been developed. And tested in small cases. Time travel.”
“What? Really? How does it work?” Now Mark was interested.
“Dr. Fargo has determined within reasonable limits, that we can send things back and forth along a timeline. Not the future, but anywhere in our past and back to the present.”
“That’s amazing. And interesting. I’d love to discuss this with the Doctor. But how does this help you, us, everyone?”
“Think Mark. If we sent the immunity back in time and let nature take its course…” Mark had been staring at Dr. Weston as the meaning dawned on him,
“You want to send me back in time. To impregnate women, to pass along the immunity?”
“Yes. Basically that’s it.”
“You realize how many complications this raises?”
“All to be discussed while our immunity tests take place.”
“And I’m just supposed to hop around history and have sex, then leave? I’ll be the world’s most notorious one night stand.”
“We’ve give some thought to where and how to be most successful. Also to where you would fit in and have the best chance with the languages and such.”
“What about other diseases? You send me back and I drop dead in a month from cholera or something.”
“We’ll need your input and that of other experts, but the thought would be to have a box sent in moments before you that would contain everything you would immediately need. Then we’d repeat the drop before sending you onward. We’d like to start in the Roman Republic to let your immunity spread as the Empire takes over the west. You’ll need to become proficient with the Latin and Greek of the day.” Mark was nodding now. This had gone from a peposterous notion to a problem to be solved. He’d need clothes, currency, medicines, maybe weapons, an identity. Where would they drop him, he couldn’t just pop in at the Forum one afternoon. He looked at Weston.
“There’s a lot to think about, but I’m in. No sense being immune if in a few years it’s only Emily and me.”
They needed a good number of samples. The clinical worker who came to collect them was a particularly attractive woman of about Mark’s age, 28. She’d chat with him, then leave Mark alone to do his business. Afterwards she’d have a little joke to keep it from being too clinical.
“Lonely work, Dr. Severn?”
“No worries, I’ve got it all in hand.”
“If it gets tired I could give you a hand.” Then a sly smile and she’d go. The director of this area knew what he was doing. Seeing Trudy certainly helped move along his efforts. Then about a month in Trudy had a different look. Somehow a little sexier than would be appropriate in their environment. Mark looked at Trudy as she entered the room.
“Aren’t you forgetting something? The containers?”
“I don’t think we’ll be needing those.” Trudy began unbuttoning her blouse. Mark took a step back.
“Um, Trudy, you’re very attractive, but, is this appropriate?” She let her blouse slip from her shoulders. Mark couldn’t help but admire the effort of her bra to hold her in place. She reached back. And presented Mark with a view of her large, heavy breasts. Hanging proudly on her chest, larege areola and nipples topping the complete package.
“Mark, we’re all volunteers. Every woman here within a certain age group has volunteered to try to carry your child. It’s for humanity’s sake. But there is also the second phase. You need to succeed. And, well, it was thought that in your situation, with Susan passing so recently, you may have some reservations, or other issues. I volunteered, to be your mate, while you prepare for your journey. If you’ll have me, I will help you become comfortable, with another woman.”
Mark stared as Trudy continued to disrobe. He watched her skirt fall from her full, rounded hips. He took note of the sparse brown hair of her mound, the long shapely legs. He stepped towards her, putting a hand on her hip,
“For humanity.” Trudy took his hand and led Mark to the door leading to his sleeping quarters. As they stood by the bed she assured him,
“Of course the idea is that you’ll impregnate me, but I also want you to enjoy me, to be able to be confident. The women you meet on your journey won’t be volunteers to save humanity. You’ll need to make connections. Perhaps even fall in love, before you will perhaps, sadly need to move on. And then be able to recover and repeat the process.”
“I understand all that. It may not always be easy.” Trudy, moved close, kissed Mark full on the lips. He hesitated a moment, then reciprocated. She moved to take his hand, but it was already on the way, lifting and holding her breast, well more than a handful. He lay her back on the bed, Mark now kissing her neck, then down to her breasts. It had been months for him and now this sexy woman was offering herself. He took one large nipple in his mouth sucking and licking. Trudy reached down and found what she hoped for; he was firm and ready. She rubbed his cock along her slit, pressing between her lips, lubricating his cock, then as he straddled her, she placed him at her opening. As she lifted her hips, her pressed forward and felt himself sliding up into Trudy. She gasped lightly as he entered her, then sighed as they came together. Mark settled into a regular pace, entering and withdrawing, pushing and pulling, his head lying alongside hers, her breasts now trapped between them. Then more urgently, as he felt himself closer, moving faster, faster, until he came deep within. Staying inside, then rolling off and laying next to Trudy. He was staring at the white ceiling. “Thank you Trudy.”
“Mark, this can be more than just a science project over the next few months. Although I do hope that I am carrying your child sooner than later. To think that I could continue on in some way and save the world from going cold.”
“You’re only the second woman I’ve…”
“Really? Oh my. I better tell Director Wilson.”
“Why?”
“I have a feeling you may be visited by a few more colleagues.”
“Really?”
“Yes! The sperm donations are one thing, but you better get ready to bed numerous women on your journey. Any willing woman really.” Mark sat up, leaning on an elbow, He turned to look over Trudy, admiring the peaks of her chest. While idly circling one with a finger he pondered what she’d said.
“I hadn’t really given that part of it much thought. Just travelling through time fucking anyone and everyone.”
“That’s maybe a little more crude than the director might put it, but yes basically. High born, low born, princesses, tavern wenches, if they’ll have you go for it. Leave your seed wherever you can.” Mark’s fingers had now moved down along Trudy’s stomach, down to her mound, cupping her.
“MMM, mind if I try again with the sexy nurse who had entered my chambers?” Trudy glanced down, saw Mark’s cock once again at full staff and climbed atop his body.
“Now that’s the spirit.” She mounted him and rode his cock, letting him feel her depths, letting her insides, pull and grip him, feeling him as his cock twitched and thickened then sent another load of life giving sperm into her. Trudy laid her head on his chest and willed his sperm to find her waiting egg, praying that they would be successful and that his immunity would pass to her child. Then they slept together for the first of many times. Two weeks later Director Wilson called a meeting. Trudy was invited, along with Doctors Weston and Fargo and of course Mark. Director Wilson called the meeting to order setting the ground rules,
“Mark, Trudy, let me first note that we will at times be discussing personal, private matters. I apologize in advance, but these are extraordinay times. Mark, I ask that you allow everyone to make their reports. Then we all would welcome your input.” Mark glanced around at the other attendees,
“Agreed.”
“Thank you. Now let’s get the more sensitive parts done first. Trudy?” Trudy seemed to blush just the slightest. She looked at Mark as she started,
“Sorry Mark, for making this sound clinical.” He merely nodded. “I believe that Dr. Severn is fully capable physically of performing the necessary functions of his mission. There is no concerns at that level. He has proven capable of performing the act, even multiple times,each time attempted.” Mark couldn’t help but put his head down as he smiled slightly. “However, if he is to be able to handle the emotional and psychological aspects I think it would be beneficial to the Doctor to experience several different women over the next period of time. Preferably women different in appearance as we don’t know who he may encounter on his mission.”
“Thank you for your input Trudy. Dr. Weston?” Wilson sat forward and checked his notes.
“To back up Nurse Carlisle’s report, I will add that we have two confirmed pregnancies from the first round of volunteers. Dr. Severn is producing viable sperm, as expected.” Again Mark smirked as his sexual prowess was bandied about the table. Wilson noted his expression,
“Dr. Severn, do you have anything to add at this point?”
“No. It’s just a little uncomfortable.”
“Understood. Dr. Fargo, any update on the time travel aspect?” Dr. Fargo shuffled his folders and notebooks, cleared his throat.
“Director, Doctors, Nurse, tests have proven successful. We have moved a dog through time. A box of materials. Even a video camera that was able to capture images proving that it was elsewhere. We believe it is functional and effective. We would like to do a test with a human volunteer. Send them somewhere and have them returned.”
“Agreed. And what about specifics of Dr. Severn’s mission?”
“The team has continued to look at all imaginable contingencies, developed plausible identities, worked through likely and unlikely issues. There is more work to be done.”
“Can you give us an outline?”
“As noted previously, we would like to start with the late Roman Republic, work continues on exact time and place. This would allow for a greater spread of the immunity through what becomes the Empire. Also Dr. Severn is already quite expert on the time period and language.”
“Dr. Severn?”
“I am fluent in the latin and greek of the period. I am on my way to becoming fluent in romance and germanic language of later centuries.”
“Thank you. Dr. Fargo?”
“The outline. Dr. Severn and a container with his necessary items will be sent to specific time and place.”
“What is the risk of being dropped in the middle of a wall of something?”
“Extremely limited. For one we are using all available research to choose remote locations, at times when no one would be about. As to the ‘wall dilemma’, that can’t happen. What we send is Dr. Severn and all the surrounding air in the sealed container. If he were to appear in a field where there is a cow, it would be very bad for the cow.” Everyone around the table nodded. Mark raised his hand. Dr. Fargo held his hand out to yield the floor.
“Dr. Fargo, what about in the most dire circumstance. Imminent death due to a knife wielding attacker. Or incarceration and execution for some perceived offense?”
“That has also been considered.” Now he looked into his briefcase and pulled out a metal stick the size of a pencil. “This would be your emergency escape. ONLY to be used in the most extreme case.”
“Why is that?” Since it would be setting off the travel from your location and not from here there would be risks involving where you appeared, and when.”
“I see. Can you make that thing any smaller? I’d have to be able to conceal it.”
“Yes, ok. We’ll work on that. Maybe something to fit in the seam of your clothes.” The director asked if there was anything else at the moment and adjourned the meeting. As they left he caught Mark’s arm.
“Are you ok with all this?”
“Yes certainly. I know there are risks. A lot of those will depend on my ability to blend in and think on the fly. I accept the challenge.” When Mark returned to his room Trudy was waiting for him.
“That was so weird talking about sex like that in the boardroom.” Mark laughed.
“Fully capable, am I?”
“Well I thought it would be unprofessional to say you make me wet and horny and you fuck like a stud.”
“Now there’s a report I want to see.”
“Then come over here and prove it.” Mark lifted Trudy onto the bed, slipping off her business suit.
“Now this is for calling me proficient.” He kissed down Trudy’s body, as always distracted by her amazing tits, then down her stomach, until finding her pussy that was already wet in anticipation. He licked along her slit tickling her inner lips where they protruded, then using his tongue to separate her and expose her to his flicking tongue. Mark tasted Trudy and plunged his tongue into her while using his fingers to tease and work at her clit. Trudy was moaning now her chest heaving her tits rocking as her hips lifted to encourge Mark to touch her everywhere. As her hips bucked he switched to sucking at her bud as his fingers thrust into her pussy, touching and searching, reacting to her reactions. When Trudy began to moan louder and suck in gasps of air, he knew he had the right place. Flicking harder and faster at her clit his fingers danced around inside, sending her off into a screeching orgasm. As she came down she slapped his head,
“Oh please stop. When I volunteered I didn’t know this was the reward. Mmm, come up here.” She kissed Mark and held him, then whispered, “I’ve got a secret. Too soon for the official report.”
“Hmm?”
“I’m almost certainly pregnant. We’ve made a baby. I pray it has the immunity.”
“Oh wow. I, um. I guess I’ll be having a lot of babies, maybe, but this still feels special. Thank you.”
“Oh thank you, thank you so much. Please go save the world. But maybe think of me sometimes?” Mark kissed Trudy, his hand wandering over her still flat belly,
“I will, promise.”
“Even when you have other visitors here?”
“If it’s ok with you. Maybe this is asking too much, but…” She looked him in the eye, hoping, “When they leave. Would you come stay with me, for companionship?”
“Yes, yes!”
“No jealousy?”
“Promise.”
“And one more request. If something should happen to me, in my travels, would you make sure Emily had some kind of normal life?”
“Oh my, of course. I’m honored. I don’t know what to say.”
“That was enough, thanks.”
Over the next months, the clinic would send in volunteers randomly to somehow emulate the randomness of his travels. Mark soon grew comfortable meeting different women of different backgrounds and having sex with them on the spur of the moment. From these couplings and the sperm donorship there were soon many pregnant women under the clinic’s care. Phase 1 was a success so far. Live births with full immunity was the hopeful final result. Trudy was true to her word. After Mark had spent a day or more with a volunteer, she would rejoin Mark and share the kind of smalltalk and gossip that he avoided with the others.
“Mark, word in the mess hall is that a couple of the ladies are jealous that I get to come back to you. You are getting to be such the ladies man. Want to show me some of those moves you’re learning?” Mark smiled, but shook his head.
“I think they’re just getting the benefit of what I learned from you. I’m just getting better at the ol’ wham bam thank you ma’am aspect.”
“Naughty boy.”
“It’s for humanity!” Trudy was now sliding her hand up and down his hardening cock.
“I bet it’s also for something else..” Now she slid down his body, until she could wrap her lips around his cock. Looking up at him with her dark brown eyes, she held his cock up, “and since I am definitely preggers, I think we can spare a bit, since there are no containers around.” Trudy again sucked Mark’s cock into her mouth. The feeling made him suck in a breath then tense and relax as she slowly licked his length, teased his balls, then back up until her tongue was circling the head, pressing the opening now covered with pre-cum. She spread it around, flicking her tongue underneath the glans, causing him to “ohh”, then taking him into her mouth, letting her tongue ease the way as she cupped and rolled his balls, coaxing, then stroking, sucking, licking. When she felt Mark tense, his balls contract, his cock twitching in her mouth, she sucked him deep and began to swallow as his semen shot into her throat, swallowing, stroking, again, and once more, then sucking at the now sensitive tip, gathering every last drop before popping it out of her mouth with a smile. “Come back to me Mark Severn.”
Mark nodded, then let his head lay back on the pillow. 2,000 years and he might never get one like that. “I will, promise.”
Mark met with Director Wilson, Doctor Weston and Doctor Fargo. This was the final stage before Mark would jump back in time. Dr. Fargo was reviewing the procedures.
“First we will send the container with your necessary items, then we will send you. We prefer this as sending the box will likely scare off anyone or anything in the area. We expect that a local person would experience a flash and crack like a bolt of lightning. Then you will be there. Again, just in case, we advise you to wear the outfit for your next location before you jump. When you arrive go to the box, remove everything and leave anything you no longer need. You have fifteen minutes to do this. At fifteen minutes we will return the box here. It would be a bad thing to be touching or next to the box when this happens. Since we will be retrieving the box at each jump you can also send us messages. Please do to keep us informed. We will answer you and reply with the next box. This is of course a very slow method of communication. But it’s all we have. As you know, this is all dependent on you. At the predetermined time you will return to the same
location to be jumped to your next time and place. Is this all clear?”
“Yes. I see on the schedule that the first stop, Rome 53 BC is for only 15 months. Then the second stop in late Roman Britain is a full two years.”
“I requested only a year for Rome. As much to see if this would all work. Anyway, Rome is a populus city. You should have no problem finding women. For the next couple of stops you may find the pickings slimmer.” Mark look askance at Fargo. “Pardon my rude remark. At any rate, with each box we will let you know the length of your stay. We will be determining the need based on conditions here.”
“And what if I change something what if you’re all not here?”
“There is the most remotest of possibilities. However we believe that our timeline is secure. An individual will not alter the complete fabric of time. Just don’t go killing Washington or Hitler. If you were to impregnante Gheghis Kahn’s grandmother, that could help.” Mark shook his head at Dr. Fargo’s musings.
“I plan to keep my head down and stay out of trouble. And when I return here?”
“Here should still be here. We have made extensive notes. We are sending notes back to ourselves to ensure this facility is here.”
“What if I can’t make a jump time or location?”
“Try again in one month. Then one more month. If you miss the third time hit the eject button.”
“Got it. And everything is calibrated for the different calendars?” Dr. Fargo looked to Dr. Weston,
“He is good. Yes, all variants for each age and location have been entered.”
“I have a million more questions, but most will have to rely on what happens at the time. I think I’m ready.” Diretor Wilson clapped his hands once.
“Then tomorrow gentlemen?” Drs. Weston and Fargo nodded. Dr. Weston looked at Mark,
“One more night with the family, then safe and productive travels Marcus Severius.” Mark smiled at the use of his new name. This first one would have to hold up under scrutiny. Then for centuries he could simply be Mark the Tinker or some such. He left the conference room and returned to his quarters where he was greeted by Trudy, their new baby boy, Mark Jr. and his daughter Emily. He held the infant and hoped he could accomplish his goals and create a better future for his family.
“I’m going tomorrow Trudy.”
“OH, so soon? I guess, well I knew it was coming soon.” He watched a tear course down her cheek.
“I’ll be gone for years, but time will hardly pass here.”
“I know, you explained it. But…”
“Don’t think of the negatives. Things will get better here. Maybe to the point where you can go out.”
“Still, we’ll miss you.”
“Same here. And I’ll have the tough part.” Trudy scoffed. He smirked back. “I mean, I’ll feel the passage of time. It could be 10 years or so for me depending on the success rate.” Trudy got herself in close to Mark. Kissed his hard and demanded,
“Well then you just fuck them all fast and furious and get back here to me.”
“It IS for humanity.”
The next morning Mark went through a final checklist with Dr. Fargo.
“OK. It will be 2 am on the morning of the day before the June ides, 53 BC. It will be on a plain, 20 miles northeast of Rome.”
“I’ve got that memorized. I have my family history, simple though it is, also memorized. I’m wearing my citizen’s toga. Let’s go.”
Mark entered the small chamber. The container with his needs had been sent. The door closed and sealed. There was a hum. A buzz, then nothing. No flash of light, no feeling of motion. Only a cool breeze blowing from his left. He opened his eyes and took in a dark field.
As far as he knew he was in Rome, over 2300 years ago……
