James Bohun

The instant the first atomic bomb detonated over Japan in August 1945, more than one hundred thousand Hiroshima citizens perished. With their deaths, a new chapter opened in the Second World War's total war concept.

Physicists in the United States had predicted a remote possibility of a time warp opening with the use of a uranium-based atomic bomb, unlike the plutonium-fueled version, which was limited to destructive forces.

Subsequent to the uranium atomic bomb's use, this "remote possibility" became a reality. With unlimited defense spending to preserve the American nation's homeland, people, and industries, preparations had been made in case of such an event—it was called Operation Wells.

The implementation of Operation Wells commenced immediately after the film of the bombing was developed and a peculiar oval shape could be seen far above Hiroshima. Because the film was classified as ultra top secret for the next century, it was never released for public viewing.

A B-29 aircraft was sent to a nearby island to transport three scientists, including one paleontologist, who were given special wartime privileges for scientific studies in return for full cooperation with military authorities, as in this instance. Captain Lincoln, the aircraft's pilot, ordered them to pack up their equipment and prepare for a long journey.

Dr. Good, the paleontologist, noticed the name of the airplane, The Time Machine, and said, "What an unusual name for a plane."

The aircraft's captain said to Dr. Good, "I named it after the book with the same name, ma'am. We'll brief you and your two associates about our mission while we're in flight."

Hours later, as The Time Machine closed in on Japan's coast, Captain Lincoln said, "Remember, the physicists said the oval will remain open for a maximum of forty-eight hours, and more than half that time has passed. I want to get in, have you take measurements with your instruments, document our flight on film, and return immediately. That's how I envision our safe and successful mission."

Over Hiroshima, the storm cloud of blackened smoke laid testament to the raging fires below, leaving one to imagine the loss of a large number of souls in this devastated city. Partially camouflaged by the death cloud, the oval appeared, and The Time Machine entered it.

Captain Lincoln aimed for a pinpoint of light. As they emerged into bright sunshine, the plane's left wing was suddenly struck by an enormous bird, destroying one of its four engines. With the bird impaled on the propeller, the aircraft became uncontrollable, forcing a landing.

The copilot pointed in the direction of two o'clock and said, "There, that field looks like a good place to land."

Except for ground bumps, the initial portion of the landing went smoothly, cutting through grass twice the height of the average man. As the landing neared its end, the right wing's outboard engine struck a hidden tree, bending its propeller. Captain Lincoln turned the plane to face the swath cut through the grass in preparation to resume flight after repairs to the aircraft.

Captain Lincoln ordered, "Everyone out! We have to start dismantling the damaged engines and rid the plane of all other excess weight in order to get airborne again, and it has to be done as quickly as possible."

Dr. Good briefly examined the impaled bird and identified it as a pterodactyl; it was one of many flying reptiles known as pterosaurs, which had been extinct for roughly seventy million years. She was surprised at the sight of a pterodactyl, just as she was astonished at a group of Tyrannosaurus rexes she had seen from the air—her belief was that the T. rex was also extinct and a solitary hunter.

Captain Lincoln said to his ten crewmen and the two male scientists, "All men, start stripping those two engines. Dr. Good and I will dump anything and everything not necessary for flying from the plane's interior out the bomb bay doors."

Hours later, with the assigned tasks nearly complete, the captain said, "I'm dumping fuel, so we'll have just enough to get us to Iwo Jima."

Suddenly, deep roars muffled men's screams.

Captain Lincoln looked out the cockpit window, followed by Dr. Good, who shrieked, "No, no, no!"

The captain ran to the plane's midsection and fired fifty-caliber ammunition at a herd of T. rexes feasting on the men. The behemoths dropped, albeit too late.

Captain Lincoln commanded, "Stay here, Dr. Good. I'm going to check if any of our people are still alive."

Returning moments later, glum and in despair, he said, "Let's get out of here."

Takeoff was jarring, but the ascent into the rapidly diminished oval was successful.

This time, there was no pinpoint of light, only darkness. With no reference and only starless nighttime, Captain Lincoln flew onward, seemingly lost in time. Hours later, with both passengers exhausted, they fell asleep. As more time passed, they woke in the dark, with only minor light from the instrument panel.

Dr. Good asked, "Captain, how much fuel do we have?"

"According to my wristwatch and the plane's fuel gauge, we ran dry yesterday."

Stunned, they listened to the constant whirl of the two remaining engines until, once again fatigued, they slept.

Captain Lincoln woke to bright sunshine and the sound of a gentle surf washing up on a beach's white sand. He said, "Hey, where's my plane?"

"Where are my clothes?" asked Dr. Good.

"And my clothes?"

Realizing they had no possessions, they scoured the area.

"I see some fig trees in the distance. We should walk there to get something to eat and also fig leaves to cover our bare essentials," said Captain Lincoln.

Glancing below the captain's waist, Dr. Good said, "Quite frankly, I believe you'll need an entire branch to cover yourself."

As they started their stroll, the captain said, "It looks like we're going to be here for a very long time. I think we should be on a first-name basis. I'm Adam."

"I'm Eve."