Life-Plotter

           Amonthofphysiotimehadpassedsincethatnightinthe482nd,whenhegrewacquaintedwithmanythings.Now,ifonecalculatedbyordinarytime,hewasnearly2000CenturiesinNoysLambent’sfuture,attemptingbyamixtureofbriberyandcajolerytolearnwhatlayinstoreforherinanewReality.

           Itwasworsethanunethical,buthewaspastcaring.Inthephysiomonthjustgonehehad,inhisowneyes,becomeacriminal.Therewasnowayofglossingoverthatfact.Hewouldbenomoreacriminalbycompoundinghiscrimeandhehadagreatdealtogainbydoingso.

           Now,aspartofhisfeloniousmaneuvering(hemadenoefforttochooseamilderphrase)hestoodatthebarrierbeforethe2456th.EntryintoTimewasmuchmorecomplicatedthanmerepassagebetweenEternityandthekettleshafts.InordertoenterTimethecoordinatesfixingthedesiredregiononEarth’ssurfacehadpainstakinglytobeadjustedandthedesiredmomentofTimepin-pointedwithintheCentury.YetdespiteinnertensionHarlanhandledthecontrolswiththeeaseandquickconfidenceofamanwithmuchexperienceandagreattalent.

           HarlanfoundhimselfintheengineroomhehadseenfirstontheviewingscreenwithinEternity.AtthisphysiomomentSociologistVoywouldbesittingsafelybeforethatscreenwatchingfortheTechnician’sTouchthatwastocome.

           Harlanfeltnohurry.Theroomwouldremainemptyforthenext156minutes.Tobesure,thespatio-temporalchartallowedhimonly110minutes,leavingtheremaining46asthecustomary40percent"margin."