Temporal Exploring 101 - Deep Future

IV.8 Natty keeps a low profile

The next morning we got up early as my Temporal Instructor intended to make the most of the time we had left to prepare for the hearing.

Sara, Mira, Natty and I sat down at the kitchen table for a brief breakfast. Afterwards Natty was given access to one of the workstations in Sara's apartment to write up the entropy paper while the rest of us discussed possible strategical options for our upcoming hearing before the committee.

We began by going through that part of my report that already existed in writing. Next, I was asked to provide a detailed summary of relevant incidents and developments up to the point when Natty and I had arrived here on the day before, while Sara and Mira took notes and asked questions. Of course, all this was only a prelude to the real discussion.

The key question was what and how much of what I had learned and witnessed so far on my first temporal assignment I would need to divulge to the members of the committee. The three of us agreed that it would not be necessary for me to deliver anything resembling a full report to the committee. In particular, there was no obvious need for the committee to learn about Natty's temporal transits to the 23rd century, much less about the fact that Natty Fogg was currently staying at Sara's apartment.

Basically they would want to learn all that I knew about the enemy and their troops. Specifically, they needed to know everything Jake Ferguson had told me about the autarchy and about Operation Terminus.

As Sara pointed out, It went without saying that I must not under any circumstances speak anything but the truth in front of the committee. Thus, if they directly asked me, I would have to answer truthfully, even if the answer might get me, and Sara and Mira as well, into serious trouble. However, I would not be compelled to reveal any information about my mission that did not relate to a question asked by one of the members of the committee.

As you can imagine I was relieved to hear that.

Around eleven or so we all got together for another cup of coffee. As it turned out, Natty had made considerable progress in composing a first draft of the article on entropy.

"I would love to get out of this apartment for a bit and meet people at the institute," she observed, somewhat wistfully. "I am allowed to talk to other people here, aren't I?"

"To be sure, this apartment is starting to feel a bit crowded," Sara agreed. "So let's all walk over to the offices and continue there. And yes, you may talk to other people here, Natalie, as long as you take care to keep a low profile."

Natty frowned. "How do you mean, keep a low profile?"

"You know," Mira said. "For starters, don't tell them who you really are. Tell them you are one of Sara's new students."

Natty smiled. "Right. I shall do that, no problem."

"Just try not to draw any special attention to yourself, Natalie," Sara added. "Otherwise you can ask people questions about their research as much as you like."

Natty promised to keep that in mind.

After breakfast, we walked to the office where we met Sara's Teaching Assistant, Owen Rider. We briefly introduced Natty to Owen as a new student who would be working on a project with our group next year before Natty set off to explore the physics and math departments of the Institute of Temporal Physics.

I sat down at one of the workstations to continue with the outline of a preliminary report on my First Temporal Assignment, while Sara and her grad student discussed Mira's progress on a project meant to become a major part of her Ph.D. thesis.

Several hours passed that way. At lunchtime, Mira and I went to fetch sandwiches and coffee for all of us from the nearby cafeteria.

"Has anybody seen Natalie again since she left?" Sara casually inquired upon our return.