Wells said, “His motive remains a mystery, but his actions certainly slowed our progress, as did our lack of participation in the wars.”
Burton frowned at him. “Wars, Mr. Wells? Did Abdu El Yezdi fail to avert the disaster he predicted?”
The little man shook his head. “No, no. If, in all the other histories, a worldwide conflict has broken out, then we have, thanks to his efforts, been spared it. In our world, the conflict has for the most part confined itself to Russia and China.”
“In what manner?”
“It started with Russian expansionism. In 1877, that country declared war on, and obliterated, the old Ottoman Empire, advancing westward to occupy a number of Eastern European territories. In 1900, it turned its attention to the south and ventured into the northern provinces of China, sparking a fierce war with the Qing Dynasty. Initially, this didn’t go so well for the Russians, and five years later its people rose in revolution and overthrew the ruling aristocracy. They united under a new leader. A man Abdu El Yezdi encountered.”
“Grigori Rasputin.”
“Yes. Under his mesmeric leadership, Russia renewed its assault on China, which by now was weakening rapidly due to the trade embargoes inflicted upon it by our own empire, they being a legacy of the bad relations caused in your time by the actions of Lord Elgin. The situation reached crisis point three years ago, when the Qing Dynasty collapsed. China is currently re-forming itself as a socialist republic. As for Russia, it received a terrible blow earlier this year when Rasputin suffered a brain haemorrhage and died.”
“Ah. I was curious to know whether that would happen.”
Swinburne said, “And the British Empire, Mr. Wells?”
“Now known as the Anglo-Saxon Empire. It’s steered clear of conflict and continues to consolidate its strength. It has now incorporated all of Western Europe, most of Africa, India, the Caribbean, and Australia. We also have a strong economic alliance with the United States.”
“The united states of where?” William Trounce asked.
“America,” Wells said. “The year after your departure, a civil war erupted between the North and South of that country. It lasted from 1861 until 1865. The North won. The U.S.A., as it is commonly called, is currently expanding its manufacturing infrastructure and rapidly growing in power. I fear we are being left behind. As I mentioned, without the incentive of battle, where the sciences and engineering are concerned, the pace of change has become ever more sedate in the A.S.E.”
A.S.E., Burton thought. Anglo-Saxon Empire. U.S.A. United States of America. Just as Edward Oxford’s grandfather mentioned, the world is being abbreviated.
Henry Bendyshe took a thick binder from the sideboard and handed it to Brabrooke, who then passed it to Burton, saying, “Your brother left this for you. It covers all the principal developments in every field of endeavour.”
Burton gave a snort of amusement. “Typical of the minister. He thinks that, because we’re travelling three hundred and forty-two years into the future, I’ll have plenty of time for reading.”
Brabrooke laughed. “You’ll be getting another such file at your next stop. We intend to chronicle world events for you. When you return to 1860, you’ll have a guide to the future.”
“Which may well become an extravagant work of fiction the moment we act upon the information in it,” Burton mused. “Nevertheless, useful. Thank you.” He put the book down and patted it thoughtfully. “So, to the most pertinent question. What of Spring Heeled Jack? We know 2202 is his ultimate destination, but is the Oxford intelligence influencing history as he moves forward through it?”
“We have no evidence to suggest so,” Brabrooke replied.
Burton considered the back of his hands for a few moments. He looked up at Brabrooke, said softly, “Thank you, old friend,” then met the eyes of each of the others in turn. “My gratitude to each and every one of you. Your predecessors were my friends. I have no doubt they would be proud of you. Much as I’d like to remain here and get to know each of you, the fact is, my companions and I are on a mission, and I feel it necessary to press on. It’s an incongruous sensation to know that all the time in the world is at our disposal yet to also feel that time is pressing.”
James Honesty said, “We quite understand, sir. There are two points of business remaining before we get to work modernising the Orpheus. The first is that, during the months before Mr. Michael Faraday passed away, when it was obvious that we could no longer rely on Mr. Babbage, he created a device for us. It is a beacon that can signal to your ship while it is speeding through time. We know your next scheduled stop is the year 2000. However, if the beacon functions as he promised, then the Cannibal Club can summon you to an earlier date should we deem it necessary. If we detect any sign of Edward Oxford, and if you now give us permission, we shall do so.”
“Permission is enthusiastically granted,” Burton said. “That’s an excellent development.”
Honesty continued, “The second matter is this, Sir Richard: we feel it wise that a member of our group join you. We all have half a century’s worth of knowledge that you and your associates lack. What you encounter and may not understand at your next stop might be somewhat more familiar to a person from the year 1914.”
Burton pondered this. “I can’t disagree, Mr. Honesty. Whom have you elected?”
Herbert Wells stood up. “Me, sir.”
“Then welcome aboard the time machine, Mr. Wells.”
They emerged from whiteness.
Herbert Wells put his hands to his head. “Ouch! What a ghastly sensation.”
The Orpheus said, “We have been waylaid. This is not the year 2000.”
“What happened?” Nathaniel Lawless demanded.
“The Cannibals have used their Faraday beacon. It is ten o’clock on Sunday morning, the seventeenth of March, 1968.”
“Another jump of fifty-four years,” Burton murmured. “Coincidence?”
“My hat! We’re over a century into the future!” Swinburne exclaimed.
“Marvellous!” Wells cried out. “Though it’s just half the time for me, of course. Nevertheless, marvellous!”
“There is an incoming radio transmission,” Orpheus said.
Lawless and Burton crossed to the box-like contraption the 1914 Cannibals had added to the bridge.
“It was this, wasn’t it?” Burton asked, lifting a fist-sized semicircular object from the side of the device.
“Yes,” Lawless said. “Blue to receive, green to send.”
The king’s agent pressed a blue button. Immediately, a female voice filled the bridge. “Orpheus? Hello, Orpheus? Respond, please.”
“Now the green, and answer,” Lawless instructed.
Burton did as directed. The voice was cut off. He spoke into the object in his hand. “This is Burton, aboard the Orpheus. Can you hear me?”
Blue button.
“Sir Richard! Hi. Right on. You made it. Welcome to 1968. Listen, this is important. Fly your ship twenty miles to the east. You’re too exposed there and badly outdated. You’ll be noticed. We have a replacement vessel waiting for you.”
“Understood. We’re on our way. To whom am I speaking?”
“My name is Jane Packard, daughter of Eliza Teed, née Murray. I’m Admiral Henry Murray’s great-granddaughter. I have with me an Honesty, a Penniforth, a Slaughter, a Bhatti and a Brabrooke. The Cannibals are still going strong, sir.”
“Splendid! We look forward to meeting you, Miss Packard. I assume you have news for us?”
“We do. I’d prefer to tell you face to face, if that’s cool with you.”