CHAPTER TWO

About halfway through their meal a tall, well-built, well dressed, gentleman entered the restaurant. He was accompanied by several women and two automatons. The party was seated at a special table and all of them were given special attention, not only by the waitstaff, but also by the other restaurant patrons.

"Agent Turnbuckle, I would guess our main villain has arrived. Why don't you slowly make your way around the tables and see if you can pick up on who that might be, and I will see if I can get anything out of the staff," the Professor suggested.

Larry did as he was instructed. As he moved about the restaurant, he heard a lot of talk at all the tables. A lot of it was to the effect:

'I can't believe he is here tonight,' and 'doesn't he look dashing in that suit'. There was a lot of other flattering talk as well, but no names were mentioned. The same was true in the restroom, and on the way back to his table.

"I am sorry Professor, but no one ever mentioned any names. Whoever it is, he is well loved," Larry told him.

"Those kinds always are, but this one is trouble."

"You know who he is Professor?

"Unfortunately, I do. He goes by many different names, and the one he is using this time is lame, Emit

Tidnab," the Professor said in a disgusted tone.

"Emit Tidnab?" Larry asked.

"Yes Agent, good ole Time Bandit," The Professor clarified.

"Reversing the letters, that is pretty lame, "Larry mumbled

"He is on our most wanted list and has been forever."

"Professor, if he is the Time Bandit then we should…"

"It's not that easy agent, he has so messed up this timeline that simply removing him could make everything much worse. No, we are going to have to see if we can figure out exactly what he has done, how he did it, and try to fix it. Then if he does not have an escape plan, which he always does, grab him." the Professor explained.

"So how does he always seem to get away?" Larry asked.

The Professor's answer was delayed while he paid the bill.

"Tell me sir, where is a good hotel in town for a good night's rest?" the Professor asked the waiter.

"I would highly recommend the Don Vicente Inn, sir."

"Don Vicente, got it, thank you sir," the Professor said.

"Come Larry, once we get our room, I will explain the history of the Time Bandit."

The walk from the restaurant to the hotel took them near the boat docks. Remembering the

policeman's warning they tried to keep their distance, but they could not help but notice a lot of activity going on.

"Agent Turnbuckle, I have this feeling that, sooner or later, they were going to have to get a closer look at those docks."

"Why?"

"Investigation 101,agent. Whenever you are given a friendly warning about a place, it usually hides many clues."

They arrived at the Don Vicente Inn and checked into their room. After settling in the Professor set up a small computer screen and plugged in all the information he had gathered in his scanner that day. He and Larry watched closely as everything was analyzed. The only data that was inconclusive was that of the automatons, yet that bugged the Professor more than what he thought it should have. When the program completed it confirmed a blended timeline.

The Professor pounded his fist on the table.

"This loon has really done it this time," the Professor grumbled.

"What do you mean?" Larry asked.

"In the past, when the Time Bandit has gone and monkeyed about with time, I, or whoever else was on the assignment was able to go back to agency headquarters and pick up whatever we needed to fix it. Then, whenever it was all straight, get back home again. This time, with this blend of times, depending on exactly what he has done, we may not be able to get back at all," the Professor stated.

"How is he able to jump through time periods without using our equipment?" Larry asked, in a concerned voice.

The Professor went over and sat in one of the wicker chairs, took a deep breath,

"He got his start just as the time wars were coming to an end. The Balance Agents were sealing the last of the time gaps. The Time Bandit, or George Watson as he was known then, was the head of the last batch of Balance Agents. These Balance Agents were specially trained Aligners. The story goes that George was the last one in the time tube. They were just finishing up when he ordered his three companions out because the tube was beginning to become unstable. From that point on the stories vary. The official report said that the time tube collapsed with him in it and he ceased to exist. That held until thirty years later a small-time rift occurred. The rift caused the United Earth Foundation to create the TimeLine Agency.

The equipment was crude back then, but as more minor infractions occurred, more emphasis was placed on better equipment and better trained agents, all to put a stop to whatever was going on. To make a long story short, it was discovered that all those infractions were done by one person, George. He earned the title 'Time Bandit' because by the time the agent figured out what he had done and fixed it he was gone again. It is not known to this day what happened to him in that tube, but he can jump into any time-period he wishes at any time he wishes."

The Professor paused and walked over to the window.

"As I told you before, I am not so sure we can fix it this time without understanding how he has done what he has done.

"Why is he here and what is his fascination with steam?" The Professor mumbled.

"All those sound-like hard to answer questions, Professor," Larry said.

"Yes, but not impossible ones. We will attempt to find them starting tomorrow morning," the Professor

concluded.

Early the next morning after breakfast, the two of them went to meet Mr. Newman for their tour of the cigar factory. Armed with research from the night before on how things should have been between the 1800's and 1900's, the two of them paid close attention to details as they went on their tour.

The Professor also asked a bunch questions dealing with the history of their company. Mr. Newman patiently answered all his questions. This helped the Professor get a better idea of when things began to change. As impressive as the first half of the tour was, when they got to the production floor, they were blown away. There, in front of them, was one of the most advanced assembly lines the Professor had ever seen in any time-period. The most amazing part was that everything was steam powered. The timing and efficiency of the machines were mind boggling.

"Mr. Newman, you must have a boiler room the size of a city block to power this stuff." Larry stated.

Mr. Newman laughed heartedly, and the two of them joined him not knowing why.

"Professor Kingsley, your aide has a good sense of humor, you folks can't be still using boilers,

with so many T135's around," Mr. Newman said.

"You are sharp, Mr. Newman. Yes, we have progressed past boilers, but I am sure we do not have one single unit that can do all the things that you have operating here, at least not all at one time."

The Professor paused a moment.

"Do you think we could have a look at it?" The Professor asked.

"Well, it is not on the regular tour, but I don't guess there is any harm in it," he said.

He led them down a long hallway that was off an area of the factory floor. When they reached the end of the hall, they entered a door on the right. In the middle of the room was a square box-like object that took up about half of the ten by twenty room it was in.

The Professor would have loved to get some scans of the unit, or at least get a look at what was inside, but the three automatons that were posted at the box, were armed, and restricted from approaching any closer.

"You need a security force to protect your T135?" The Professor asked.

"Gentlemen, I am sure you can appreciate that our company has a lot of competition, the T135 is the lifeblood of our operation." Mr. Newman replied.

"Yes, I can see your point, but I assure you we are not your competition, and I am sure we would have no clue how anything inside worked. It is merely the inner scientist in me," the Professor stated.

For a moment Mr. Newman hesitated.

"Sir, Mr. Tidnab…"

"Hush!" Mr. Newman snapped at the automaton who had spoken.

"Forgive me Professor Kingsley, it seems that I need to retrain more than one of our helpers to learn

manners. No offense, but the inner workings of our T135 is off limits due to its modifications." Mr. Newman explained.

"I understand, there are a number of things in my business that we keep secret," the Professor replied.

They finished the rest of the tour, and the three of them, plus an automaton went into Mr. Newman's office.

"So, Professor Kingsley, what do you think?

"I am impressed. It is not hard to see why the quality of your product is raved about all over. I am also amazed at the speed and efficiency which your product is produced without any compromise of quality. Once we get back to Canada, I will have Mr. Turnbuckle get with my lawyers to draw up a contract that I am certain your father will want to consider."

All of them shook hands.

"Before I go, may I ask where I could reach a representative that sells those T135's?" the Professor asked.

"That is easy, they are manufactured right here in town. The Tidnab building, three blocks north of here on the old banana docks," Mr. Newman told him.

"Tidnab building, three blocks north on the old banana docks, got it. Thanks again Mr. Newman, we will be in touch."

"Professor Kingsley, I must warn you that Mr. Tidnab is very busy, and appointments must be made far in advance."

"Thank you, Mr. Newman, we will keep that in mind."

The Professor and Larry left the factory and stood outside.

"What now?" Larry asked.

"Agent Turnbuckle, I think it is about time that we pay a visit to Tidnab Industries."

The Professor and Larry headed towards the docks. The closer they got to the docks the more the Professor's scanner alerted him of all the live security systems that were in the area. They only got about two steps onto the docks, when an automaton approached them.

"Where are you two headed? The automaton asked.

"We, sir, are on our way to the Tidnab building, if it is any concern of yours," the Professor stated, and tried to sidestep the automaton.

The automaton blocked his attempt.

"It is my concern Sir, seeing as it is my job to see that no one simply approaches the Tidnab building without proper clearance. Now, I do not wish to harm you, so I suggest you two show you have permission to enter or go back the way you came."

The Professor smile broadly,

"And I would hate to embarrass you in front of all your fellow automatons and totally dis-assemble you. So, get on that little communication device and tell your boss that you just turned away a Soother."

The Professor then turned and slowly started to leave.

"A Soother?" Larry whispered.

"The old code name for a Balance Agent," the Professor replied in the same soft tone.

They only got a few paces away when the automaton told them to stop. The two of them slowly turned around.

"You have been given permission to pass," the automaton stated.

As the Professor passed the automaton he said,

"I would stand in the shade more often; this Florida heat is starting to cause your processing unit to

overheat."

They had not gotten far before two other automatons followed behind them. As they walked along it was obvious, by the looks on the dockworkers faces, that the Tidnab building did not get many visitors. When they reached the doors, three large men carrying some interesting looking weapons came out to greet them. They were told to remove their equipment before they could enter, then they were then told to follow and were led to a small room that only contained a few chairs. They were instructed to sit. One man stayed with them and the other two exited through a door on the far side of the room taking the agent's equipment with them. A few minutes later a tall automaton came in through the same door.

"Mr. Tidnab will see you now," the automaton said in a stately voice.

The two agents followed it down a hallway passing several doors with the sound of steam machines working behind them. At the end of the hall was a large steel door. The automaton inserted a card and the door slid up to open. Inside was a large trophy display room. There had to be over two hundred cases of various shapes and sizes, all holding items from mankind's history. As the Professor wandered around, he realized that the Timeline Authority did not know half of the time periods that the Time Bandit had been in. He was still looking around when another door that was out of view slid open.

"Quite an impressive collection, wouldn't you say Professor? I personally guarantee that these are all originals."

"Yes George, I have no doubt that these are some of the little treasures that you picked up on your travels," the Professor stated as he moved away from the cases so he could get a better look at the one who was talking to him.

"George, now that is a name that I have not used in a long time. I must admit though that it took me a few seconds to remember that code name soother, smart play on your part. I am disappointed, however, that you would pursue a man with my talents and abilities using such pitiful pieces of equipment," George said in a taunting tone.

"Perhaps it is you that underestimates my talents and abilities?" the Professor stated firmly.

George laughed,

"I don't think so Professor, I may have been living in the past, but I have kept up with the future. Anyway, I have much to show you and your young friend there, plus I have all the time in the world to show it to you," George said with a smile.