Turning time backwards. Susanna Arutyunyan

years in the School of Magic.

      – This means trouble. Do you realize what you’ve got yourself into? Do you realize how much money might be involved?

      – I know this is all very strange, – Julia answered..

      – And that’s not the only strange thing.

      Jack drifted into thoughts.

      – If they had known all this earlier, why didn’t they tell us? To reach the Earth from ε-galaxy, we have to stop on our way at orbital stations for fuel, food and oxygen. In this way to reach the earth from the orbital station, we need twenty-four hours. The station is in regular contact with the Earth. Every two-three hours there are commercial flights of the shuttle that transports scientists, space tourists, and cargoes to the Earth and back. The seats in the shuttle need to be booked in advance. I will book yours now but you won’t board the shuttle.

      – How will I get to the Earth then?

      – You’ll use the lander to get into the alternate world through the black crater and then you’ll find your way to the real world. You are a wizard and you can do that. Remember you can’t stay long in another dimension in the alternate world, as this space is well controlled by the School of Magic. In the real world, you will be less controlled on the Earth. They have their own technologies there and those who will be looking for you on the Earth are not wizards. So, this will be your advantage.

      – I can’t control the lander.

      – You don’t have to. I’ll tell you now what you have to do. You will be ejected out of the crater and will be in free flight in another dimension in one of the alternate worlds. You’ll find your way somehow.

      – That’s really comforting. Why would we need all these pre-cautions, Jack? Don’t tell me stories.

      – Take a mobile astroid. It can’t be tracked, as it’s not registered. The only number it has is mine. I’ve got the same astroid with your number. Here are the codes. Astroid code access is: 2198MSch, inter-galaxy WiFi code is17ε-GJV. Astroid can function both in the present and the past in the real and alternate worlds. Don’t save the codes. Turn off the astroid after every session. Disconnect the line adapter to be on the safe side. It doesn’t need to be charged for minimum fifty years. Make sure you don’t mess up with the nuclear battery capsules. This can put you in a greater danger than the plots of your enemies.

      – Jack, you might not be aware of this but I major in the most complex ways of teleportation. At the highest level, one’s teleportation can be achieved through the teleportation of the digital code.

      – I know everything depends on the transmission of the signal. The printer prints the signals it receives. If a text or a formula can be printed out, a person can also be printed.

      – Indeed, a 3D holographic printer can be used for a basic object and inter-galaxy WiFi is the main transmission tool.

      – That’s great. I assume you know how to use an astroid.

      Julia already had something else on her mind.

      – Jack, imagine, we can transfer this code across galaxies and travel through them. There won’t be any need to fly anywhere, as information can be transmitted through inter-galaxy WiFi. We can live up to our imagination. Once code problems are solved, we can make this real.

      Julia always amazed Jack. They were apparently living in different dimensions. Her safety and life were at risk and she indulged in romantic dreams.

      – We will have to resort to flying unless your complex teleportation works. – Jack said

      – What a nuisance you are! – Julia said bitterly. —Why don’t you take me seriously?

      – I do, that’s why I feel worried about you. Don’t you realize this is a trap?

      – What’s the matter? What’s wrong?

      – Everything is wrong.

      – Having seen her bewilderment, he said:

      – I won’t bother you with my suspicions. Just listen to me. Don’t start for your destination immediately on your arrival. Walk around. Try to tell your whereabouts and keep me updated. Give me your word that you’ll follow my instructions.

      – Don’t worry. I’ll be cautious.

      – What I’d like to know is their motivation. Why would they be interested in you?

      – We’ll figure that out. – Julia said.

      – We’ll get through even if we don’t figure it out. You are brave, Julia. I believe in you.

      The program on teleportation in the past had already been launched and there was much money involved. Everything is really wrapped up nicely. “We’ve polluted the Earth. It’s possible to change everything.” The School of Magic did its best. Targeted zombification of mass consciousness is in progress. The earth is overflowing with announcements on a scientific experiment on deporting people to the past. Scientists, economists and politicians host round-table discussions on TV. They talk about the necessity, economic expediency and methods of program implementation. Commercial animations message the goals and scale of the experiment and even target children. Volunteers are offered large amounts of money to have their dreams come true.

      There are queues of volunteers in take-off stations. Among them, there are a lot of refugees and desperate people who want to seize their chance. Teenage volunteers are in a special camp.

      Julia doesn’t know any of these. Nor do they know at school who Julia is, as she is studying under an assumed name. In fact, Julia is the daughter of ω-galaxy lord toppled by his own brother, who has also killed the lord’s wife and sons. Julia had a close call and was brought up by foster parents. Her patrons mean to have Julia regain her legal power when she turns eighteen. Meanwhile, they fund her school education. The school is a talent pool for controlling the galaxies. Its funding is allocated by the lords of these galaxies. Most of the funding is provided by the largest and the most powerful ω-galaxy.