(Page 1 of 5) Like Father... by Benjamin Soto
 (7 ratings)
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SUMMARY: Frank Stephens is about to embark on his first travel through time. The surprise that lies ahead, however, is greater than anything he ever expected.For more stories by Benjamin Soto go to www.benjaminsoto.blogspot.com
"Did you want another one Frank?" The old bartender asked the only patron to have entered his dingy little establishment. The lights were dim, the space average, and the tone of the bar was mediocre at best.
"No. I think that'll do." Frank Stevens looked to the old timer seeing a familiar face sitting across from him. "It's going to be a crazy night for me. I just needed one to get the edge off." Frank finished his beer and set the glass bottle down on the counter top.
Twenty-five years young, brilliant, and about to embark on a government sanctioned experiment, Frank Stevens was riding high. If all went well he would be remember for all time as one of the men that pioneered time travel.
"So what do you got going on that has you so frazzled?" The old timer asked cleaning the bar off with a rag he had handy. "Must be important. Nerves are all over your face."
"Oh, it's important all right. Can't really talk about it though. One of those things." Frank stood from the bar, and placed his payment with tip on the counter top. "Thanks for the drink...."
"Morty Higgens. That's my name, son." The old timer smiled.
"Morty. That's a good name. You take it easy." And with those words Frank exited the bar and embarked for his historic journey into the pages of history.
.....................
"Is everything all right?" Adam asked his lifelong friend as they walked side by side. They moved to the room of rooms where their dreams materialized into a machine once thought impossible.
"Never better." Frank smiled to his companion dressed in the proper attire of twenty six years prior. It was a test run, and one Frank would be undergoing himself. There were still too many questions and too much risk to allow for anyone else to attempt.
"You know the government has plenty of people willing to test this out that they pay. You don't have to be the one to go this time around." Adam stopped walking checking over Frank's wardrobe.
"Yeah, but they won't be the first. That spot is reserved for me. The probes sent out checked out fine and came back intact. Besides Adam you know what they need in order to make this machine work. The two of us came up with this thing remember? And you, my friend, are more the brains than me. I'm just a damn good salesman."
"You're not selling me."
"There is absolutely nothing to worry about Adam."
"Famous last words, huh?"
"Now why do you have to say crap like that?" Frank winked to his partner and went over one final check by the officers at the entrance to the room. "I'll see you when I get back."
Adam nodded and ran to his post in the control room. Deep down he knew that is where he would be needed in order to make last minute calculations and decisions, and they all would be pertinent to his friend surviving the first documented travel through time. Frank was right, and as much as he hated to admit it Adam was born for the control room.
The control room itself was littered with techs running from station to station making sure all systems were operating properly.
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