Testing the Limits of Time

Chapter 19: ticking time bomb

The cold wind blew through the broken windows of the abandoned building as the team sat in silence. Dust swirled in the hazy light, sieving through the crevices, and outside, the eerie emptiness of the Exclusion Zone stretched for miles.
Skylar rubbed her eyes, and the exhaustion settled deep in her bones. They'd been running for what felt like days, and the weight of their mission overwhelmed them with every passing minute.
"We don't have much time left," Skylar said, breaking the silence. "If the Revisionists get their hands on that material, the future is in serious danger."
Tyler was pacing back and forth, his fingers tapping anxiously at his side. "That radioactive stuff? Are we even sure it's worth all this? We're risking everything."
Jamie, sitting cross-legged on the floor, looked up. "It's not just worth it. It's necessary. The Revisionists want that material for something big. We can't let them take it."
Skylar stood and faced the group. "We're splitting up. Kody and I will get the sample from the reactor. Tyler, Jamie, you work on securing us a way out. We'll meet at the abandoned kindergarten near the edge of the Exclusion Zone."
Kody shifted uncomfortably. He looked pale, and the effects of the radiation exposure were clear. But the determination in his eyes didn't waver. "I'm going with you," he said. "I'm not sitting this one out."
"You're still recovering," Skylar warned. "We can't risk—"
"I'm fine," Kody interrupted, standing. His hands were shaking slightly, but he ignored it. "We don't have time for this. Let's move."
Skylar knew there was no arguing with Kody now. They didn't have the luxury of waiting.
A sudden noise from outside broke the moment: a distant thudding sound, like the beat of drums. But it wasn't drums. It was the sound of helicopter rotors.
"They're here," Tyler muttered, glancing out the window. "The Soviets are closing in. We need to go now."
Skylar nodded. "Alright, let's do this. Stay in contact, and whatever happens, don't stop moving."
Without another word, the team grabbed their gear and split up. Skylar and Kody headed toward the reactor while Tyler and Jamie began exploring the crumbling streets, searching for a safe way out.
The path to the reactor was deserted—too deserted. Skylar and Kody moved quickly, sticking to the shadowy areas as they approached the towering structure standing in the distance.
The reactor was a hulking giant, still glowing after the explosion. Skylar felt a chill run down her spine as they drew closer. They were walking straight into the heart of danger.
"You alright back there?" Skylar asked, glancing at Kody. His face was pale and sweaty.
"I'll be fine," he replied. "Just keep moving."
They reached the outer fence of the reactor, and Skylar crouched down, pulling a pair of wire cutters from her bag. As she snipped through the fence, the sound of footsteps could be heard from nearby. Both of them froze, listening intently.
A pair of Soviet soldiers walked by, their voices low as they muttered to each other. Skylar held her breath, gripping the wire cutters tightly. The soldiers passed by without noticing them, and she quickly finished cutting the fence.
"Come on," she whispered, and they slipped through the gap.
The inside of the reactor grounds was disordered—rubble and debris scattered everywhere, the air thick with a metallic taste.
They crossed the ruined buildings, heading towards the core where the unique radioactive material was rumored to have formed.
"This place is a death trap," Kody muttered, glancing at the decaying structures around them.
Skylar nodded. "Let's get this done and get out of here."
They reached the entrance to the core chamber, which was a heavy metal door half-blown off its hinges by the explosion. The radiation meters they carried began beeping furiously, and Skylar pulled out the lead-lined container for the sample.
"Here goes nothing," she muttered. They carefully entered the core.
"That's it," Kody said, pointing. "We grab it, and we're gone."
Moving quickly, Skylar scooped the material into the container and sealed it tight. The radiation meter went silent, and she sighed in relief.
"Let's get out of—"
***
Meanwhile, Tyler and Jamie were facing their own challenges. The Soviet patrol had appeared out of nowhere, forcing them into a game of cat-and-mouse in the maze-like streets of the Exclusion Zone.
"We need to stay one step ahead," Jamie whispered, peeking around a corner. The patrol was moving over the debris-strewn ground. The Soviets didn't know it, but their movements were somewhat predictable—at least to someone with knowledge of future events.
"If we can cut through that alley, we can double back behind them," Tyler suggested, pointing to a slim path between two crumbling buildings.
Jamie glanced at the patrol, then back at the alley. "Worth a shot."
They quickly but quietly got into the alley. The patrol passed by, none the wiser. One wrong move, and they'd be caught.
As they moved deeper into the zone, Tyler and Jamie stumbled upon something unexpected: a hidden cache of equipment that seemed quite advanced for that age.
The small, improvised bunker was tucked away behind an old building, and inside, it was filled with hi-tech clearly not of Soviet origin.
Jamie's eyes widened. "The Revisionists..."
"They've been here longer than we thought," Tyler murmured, picking up a sleek device that looked out of place in 1986. "They're using this stuff to manipulate the Soviets, spreading unrest everywhere to get away with their schemes."
Jamie frowned. "This isn't just about the radioactive material."
***
Back at the reactor, Skylar and Kody made their way into the core chamber, only to realize they weren't alone. A group of men dressed as Soviet scientists were already there. However, there was something about them that seemed very, very familiar.
"The Revisionists," Kody whispered under his breath.
"Looks like they're after the same thing."
Both groups knew the stakes, and neither could afford to make noise or alert the real Soviet forces nearby.
Skylar and Kody positioned themselves on the opposite side of the chamber, watching as the Revisionists carefully moved towards the radioactive material.
The seconds dragged on like hours. One of the Revisionists glared in their direction. Skylar knew that if they weren't careful, this silent confrontation could turn explosive, and not just in the metaphorical sense.
Kody muttered, "We need to move before they do."
Skylar quickly formulated a plan. They couldn't risk a full-blown confrontation, not with the radiation levels already off the charts. Instead, they would have to outsmart the Revisionists.
"Follow my lead," she whispered.
They began creeping towards the material, mirroring the movements of the Revisionists but staying just out of sight. Skylar spotted the small device attached to one of the machines— something that clearly didn't belong in 1986. The Revisionists were likely using it to stabilize the radiation long enough to extract the material safely.
"We need that device," Skylar said. "It's the key to everything."
A sudden crash burst through the chamber. Skylar spun around to see a figure standing in the doorway. It was one of the Revisionists.
"You're too late," the Revisionists sneered. "That material belongs to us."
Skylar's heart pounded in her chest. "Run!" she yelled, grabbing Kody's arm and pulling him toward the exit.
Just as Skylar and Kody prepared to make their move, alarms suddenly blared throughout the reactor. The Revisionists chased after them. Behind them, more footsteps could be heard as reinforcements arrived.
The Revisionists froze, and Skylar's heart rate dropped. The safety test was accelerating, and the plant was becoming more unstable by the second. The disaster was unfolding faster than even they had predicted.
The Revisionists moved quickly, trying to secure the radioactive material before the Soviets arrived to investigate. Skylar saw her opening.
"Now!" she hissed to Kody.
They surged forward, catching the Revisionists off guard. In the ensemble, Skylar grabbed the device while Kody made a break for the radioactive sample. But before they could escape, one of the Revisionists attacked Kody, knocking him to the ground.
A struggle ensued, with both sides wrestling for control of the sample. Skylar held onto the device, trying to keep it from the Revisionist, who was rapidly closing in on her.
"Kody!" Skylar shouted.
Kody managed to wriggle himself free, using his weight to push the Revisionist off balance. He grabbed the sample and rolled away, scrambling to his feet.
"We have to go!" Skylar yelled, racing towards the exit with the device in hand.
"We're not gonna make it," Kody gasped, stumbling as they ran.
"Yes, we are," Skylar said through gritted teeth. "Just keep moving."
They squeezed through the crumbling hallways, dodging falling debris and leaping over obstacles. The Revisionists were right behind, and they could feel them coming.
"Tyler, Jamie, we need extraction now!" Skylar shouted into her comm device. "We've got the sample, but we're being chased!"
Meanwhile, Tyler and Jamie had made it to the edge of the Exclusion Zone. They found an old Soviet truck parked near an abandoned checkpoint and had managed to hotwire it.
"We're on our way!" Tyler exclaimed, his voice crackling over Skylar's comm. "Get to the kindergarten, and we'll pick you up."
Skylar and Kody burst out of the reactor's outer gate, sprinting towards the rendezvous point.
"There!" Skylar pointed as the kindergarten came into view, its weathered paint and broken windows making it look like something out of a nightmare. They rushed inside, slamming the door behind them.
"Where's the truck?" Kody panted, collapsing against the wall.
"They're close," Skylar replied, checking her comm. "Just hold on a little longer."
The sound of gunfire could be heard outside. Suddenly, the roar of an engine echoed across the chamber. Tyler and Jamie came barreling down the street in the stolen truck, skidding to a stop in front of the kindergarten.
They had little time left. Skylar and Kody burst through the doors, dodging bullets as the Revisionists chased them.
"Get in!" Jamie shouted, throwing open the door.
Skylar and Kody didn't need to be told twice. They dashed to the truck, diving into the back as bullets pinged off the metal frame.
"Go, go, go!" Tyler yelled, slamming his foot on the gas.
The truck was ignited to life, speeding away from the chasing Revisionists. Tearing through the desolate streets, the team left their pursuers in the dust.
As the truck raced away from the reactor, the team sat in silence, and their adrenaline slowly wore off. Kody leaned back against the wall of the truck, breathing heavily. His face was defined by pallor, and Skylar could see the pain and fatigue in his eyes.
Kody raised the container holding the radioactive sample. "Got it. But that was way too close."
"You did good," Skylar smiled, resting a hand on his shoulder, holding the device she'd stolen. "And we've got this. Whatever the Revisionists were planning, it won't work now."
Kody nodded but didn't say anything. He was too exhausted to speak.
Jamie leaned back in her seat, "But at what cost?" She struggled to catch her breath, looking back towards the distant reactor that was still glowing in the distance. "I just hope we didn't change too much."
They crossed the border of the Exclusion Zone and into relative safety. Tyler pulled the truck to a stop, and the team piled out, collapsing onto the ground.
Skylar didn't have an answer. They had the material, but the Revisionists were still out there, and Kody was still in danger from the radiation. The clock was still ticking. And time, it seemed, was not on their side.
"We made it," Skylar said, breathless. "But Kody's hurt."
Tyler quickly looked at Kody's arm. "We need to get out of here, fast."
But before they could come up with a plan, the low rumble of approaching vehicles and the sound of boots on the ground reached their ears. The Soviets had found them.
Within moments, the team was surrounded. Soldiers, all wearing radiation gear, pointed their guns at the group. The leader growled orders in Russian, demanding that they surrender. There was no way out, no escape from the circle enveloping them.
"What do we do?" Jamie gasped.
Skylar didn't hesitate. She pulled the container holding the radioactive sample from her pack and held it up. "Step back, or we'll open this. You know what's in here. It'll expose everyone here to dangerous levels of radiation," she threatened.
The soldiers looked at each other nervously. They didn't understand English well, but they understood the implications of the ominous container. Radiation was the last thing they wanted to deal with.
Skylar stared down the leader of the group. For a moment, no one moved; everyone, waiting to see what would happen next.
Finally, the Soviet officer raised his hand, signaling his men to lower their weapons. Slowly, the soldiers began to back away, unsure if they were walking into a trap but reluctant to take the risk.
As soon as the Soviets stepped back, Skylar turned to the others. "We need to get out of here, now."
Tyler quickly activated the stolen equipment they had taken from the Revisionists, using it to scramble any signals that might track them. The team quickly slipped through the kindergarten and out towards the outer perimeter of the Exclusion Zone.
But as they made their way through the last few blocks of Pripyat, the Soviet forces stayed on high alert, and the Revisionists were still on their heels. This was a gamble.
"We can't keep running forever," Kody muttered, still clutching his arm.
"We're almost there," Skylar reassured him, though the uncertainty of their escape was making her have an anxiety attack. She knew they were walking a fine line between escaping and being caught.
At last, they reached the outskirts of the Exclusion Zone.
"We did it," Jamie whispered, relief flooding her face.
They had narrowly escaped with their lives, but at what cost? Their bluff had worked, but they had left behind traces—traces that could affect the timeline in ways they couldn't yet predict.
As the team disappeared into the forest, they knew the Revisionists weren't done. And neither were they. How much longer could they keep running from the past?
They could hear the rumble of military vehicles in the distance. With Kody still injured and the stolen radioactive sample in their possession, the team knew their escape needed to be fast and decisive. There was no room for error.
Skylar spotted an abandoned military truck on the edge of the forest. "There!" she pointed, her voice urgent. "We can use that to get out of here."
"Are you crazy?" Tyler blurted out. "You think we can outrun the Soviets in their own truck?"
"We don't have a choice," Skylar shot back, already running toward it. The rest of the team followed, not wasting another second.
They piled into the truck, with Skylar taking the wheel. The keys were already in the ignition. It seemed the Soviets had abandoned the vehicle during the chaos.
As soon as she turned the key, the engine came to life. Without hesitation, she floored the gas, sending the truck speeding down the cracked, deserted streets of Pripyat. But they weren't alone for long.
Within minutes, headlights appeared behind them. Soviet patrols. They were chasing them again.
"Faster, Skylar!" Jamie shouted from the back, glancing nervously at the soldiers on their tail.
"I'm going as fast as this thing will go!" Skylar gritted her teeth, swerving around a pile of rubble. The truck lurched and nearly tipped as they turned sharply onto another road.
The Soviets weren't ready to give up. Gunfire erupted from behind them, and bullets dodged off the side of the truck. Kody, still pale from radiation exposure and his injury, leaned out the window and fired back. "I'm not much for sharpshooting, but let's hope they're worse!" He joked though the situation was anything but funny.
Just when they thought things couldn't get worse, a silhouette of something appeared ahead of them. Another vehicle. But this one wasn't Soviet. The sleek, ahead-of-its-time look was unmistakably of the Revisionists.
"They're blocking us!" Tyler yelled. "There's no way we're getting through!"
"Hang on!" Skylar shouted, maneuvering the steering wheel to the right, heading for a narrow alley between two buildings. The truck hardly squeezed through, scraping the walls and sending sparks flying. The Revisionists' vehicle tried to follow but got stuck, giving the team a momentary advantage.
But that wasn't the end of it. The Soviets were still on their tail, and the Revisionists weren't far behind. Though badly battered, the truck still kept going.
As they raced toward the location of the time portal, their path was suddenly blocked. A row of military trucks formed a solid barricade, with Soviet soldiers standing in formation with their weapons aimed right at them.
"We're cut off!" Jamie cried out as she tried to keep herself from having a panic attack.
Skylar slammed the brakes, skidding to a stop just before hitting the blockade. "We're not giving up," she said. They were so close to the portal, but the soldiers in front of them were dangerously armed.
"Now what?" Kody muttered, leaning tiredly against the side of the truck.
Tyler quickly rummaged through the stolen Revisionist equipment in the back of the truck. "There's gotta be something in here we can use..." His hands grabbed a small device. "This should work!" He activated it, and immediately, a thick cloud of smoke wafted out from the truck, immersing the entire street in seconds.
The soldiers began coughing and shouting, completely disoriented by the sudden smoke screen. It was enough, though it wasn't going to last long.
"Now's our chance!" Skylar yelled.
The team scrambled out of the truck and sprinted toward the hidden time portal. Bullets dodged past, and she could hear the Revisionists shouting orders from behind them. They were closing in fast.
"We're almost there!" Jamie shouted though she sounded just as out of breath as the rest of them.
But as they approached the portal, a loud explosion took them aback, occurring behind them. Skylar glanced back to see one of the Soviet trucks had caught fire—whether from the Revisionists or the Soviets themselves, it didn't matter. But the chaos was working in their favor.
"This is it!" Skylar called out. One by one, the team leaped through the swirling gateway just as the effects of their actions began to ripple through time.
***
The next thing they knew, they were back on Time Street. Skylar collapsed onto the ground, the radioactive sample still clutched in her hand.
They were safe...for now.
"We've left our mark on Chernobyl... but so have they," she said.
Kody, still recovering from the radiation exposure, slowly sat up. "So... what now? We just wait for history to catch up with us?"
Jamie glanced at the radioactive sample still glowing faintly in Skylar's hand. "We've changed things more than we can even imagine. The timeline is fractured, but we can still try to hold it together."
Skylar stood, pocketing the sample with a resolute look. "This is just one piece of their plan. We need to figure out the rest before it's too late."