we’ve all trained to the limits of our endurance to act and survive as knights, to live this non-stop lie, and to get the information we need.”
His face turned more serious before he continued.
“And you’re all terrified,” he said, “For the same reasons. There will be no let up and no escape from the lie. Jake and I have an idea of what that may be like, and it’s tough when you never get a break. You’re terrified because we may be caught, branded and burned as spirits for time travelling; or tortured and executed for treason. You may be killed, you may have to kill. Something none of us have done or want to do. We may well just survive but not succeed and not save our country from disaster and death. But, remember, we’re not under suspicion. We’re in it together, we’re tough, we’re technically advanced and we have an escape route. Team, we will survive this. We’ll save the world and we’re gonna have a right, fucking laugh!” he grinned. “Ok?” he shouted.
“Let’s do it,” David said quietly.
“Let’s do it!” Chris roared, making the others laugh again.
“Save the world?” Charlotte asked in mocking. “Bit cheesy, boss.”
The team laughed and John was happy that he’d lightened their mood. They had to discuss the issues and dangers, but they didn’t have to worry about them.
“Right,” he said. “When we go, we stay low and check the area for any witnesses. Then we wait for the horses. As soon as they’re through, we mount up and hit the road. We’ve got fifty odd miles to Central London, I believe. So we’ll get close, camp a little way out, and then get into London by midday the next day. We don’t break role until we find lodgings and regroup, ok?”
The team nodded.
“What about a name?” Jake asked.
“Pardon?” interrupted Charlotte, almost choking on a mouthful of tea.
“A name!” he said. “We’re the first ever, what about Time Team?”
“What, like the archaeologists from TV? No thanks,” said John.
“Hey!” said David playfully.
“Sorry, Dave. Ok, I don’t see why we need one, but anyone got any ideas?”
“What about Time Hunters? Time Chasers? History Chasers? Truth Hunters?” said Jake.
“What are you, five years old?” Charlotte laughed. “Ok, what about Time Bandits?”
“Time Bandits?” John shouted, chuckling. “Come on, Charlotte! Seriously, has anyone got any decent ideas? Anything less cheesy?”
“What about ‘The Infiltrators?” said Chris.
“It’s been done, but I like the less geeky twist.”
“The Raiders of Time?”
“Almost, but it’s a bit Indiana Jones.”
“Blimey, John, don’t get too picky. Ok, what about ‘The Time Raiders’.”
“Perfect, I like it.”
“Me too,” said David.
“The Time Raiders it is then! Come on!”
Inspired and excited, they all stood, shared a moment of understanding as they looked at each other, then left the room together.
“Have a good beer, you lot,” said John as they stepped into the bar. “And have a good day tomorrow. I’ll see you by five to collect our equipment.”
Nine
From the back of the crowd, John watched the others enjoying themselves as they entered the compound bar and
His face turned more serious before he continued.
“And you’re all terrified,” he said, “For the same reasons. There will be no let up and no escape from the lie. Jake and I have an idea of what that may be like, and it’s tough when you never get a break. You’re terrified because we may be caught, branded and burned as spirits for time travelling; or tortured and executed for treason. You may be killed, you may have to kill. Something none of us have done or want to do. We may well just survive but not succeed and not save our country from disaster and death. But, remember, we’re not under suspicion. We’re in it together, we’re tough, we’re technically advanced and we have an escape route. Team, we will survive this. We’ll save the world and we’re gonna have a right, fucking laugh!” he grinned. “Ok?” he shouted.
“Let’s do it,” David said quietly.
“Let’s do it!” Chris roared, making the others laugh again.
“Save the world?” Charlotte asked in mocking. “Bit cheesy, boss.”
The team laughed and John was happy that he’d lightened their mood. They had to discuss the issues and dangers, but they didn’t have to worry about them.
“Right,” he said. “When we go, we stay low and check the area for any witnesses. Then we wait for the horses. As soon as they’re through, we mount up and hit the road. We’ve got fifty odd miles to Central London, I believe. So we’ll get close, camp a little way out, and then get into London by midday the next day. We don’t break role until we find lodgings and regroup, ok?”
The team nodded.
“What about a name?” Jake asked.
“Pardon?” interrupted Charlotte, almost choking on a mouthful of tea.
“A name!” he said. “We’re the first ever, what about Time Team?”
“What, like the archaeologists from TV? No thanks,” said John.
“Hey!” said David playfully.
“Sorry, Dave. Ok, I don’t see why we need one, but anyone got any ideas?”
“What about Time Hunters? Time Chasers? History Chasers? Truth Hunters?” said Jake.
“What are you, five years old?” Charlotte laughed. “Ok, what about Time Bandits?”
“Time Bandits?” John shouted, chuckling. “Come on, Charlotte! Seriously, has anyone got any decent ideas? Anything less cheesy?”
“What about ‘The Infiltrators?” said Chris.
“It’s been done, but I like the less geeky twist.”
“The Raiders of Time?”
“Almost, but it’s a bit Indiana Jones.”
“Blimey, John, don’t get too picky. Ok, what about ‘The Time Raiders’.”
“Perfect, I like it.”
“Me too,” said David.
“The Time Raiders it is then! Come on!”
Inspired and excited, they all stood, shared a moment of understanding as they looked at each other, then left the room together.
“Have a good beer, you lot,” said John as they stepped into the bar. “And have a good day tomorrow. I’ll see you by five to collect our equipment.”
Nine
From the back of the crowd, John watched the others enjoying themselves as they entered the compound bar and
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