QBLH
The Six of Pentacles
Financial Stability
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Chapter LXX
Controlling Time Loops
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Success
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“Idiot, did you select the intercept time because of this coincidence?”
“Probability routines indicated this was the optimal moment to initiate our intervention,” Idiot replied. “Maximum success, minimal paradox exposure. I intercepted the transmission while we were transiting hyperspace during a prior displacement event.”
“You intercepted her summons to the oriental chieftains,” Jim said slowly, “and timed our action for when they were all aboard.”
“Precisely. It is no coincidence that your children were present. Xiang and Xuang governed the Orient under their mother’s tutelage.”
Jim smiled faintly. “Governed is generous. Xiang was a figurehead. He held no authority to alter Amazon social infrastructure. While Isis was active in the region, no force could counter her.”
“Circumstances have changed,” Idiot replied evenly.
“Yes,” Jim said, “but as long as she exists within the continuum, the probability of catastrophic paradox escalation increases exponentially. Correct?”
“Correct, Jim. The window we are using is the only viable solution. No alternative trajectory exists.”
Jim nodded. “Then what is the true significance of Colchis?”
“The Greeks will eventually provoke war with Troy,” Idiot said, “in order to secure access to Colchis and its eastern trade routes.”
Jim frowned. “I cannot see Medea falling for Jason—not if she knows I am present.”
“I do not believe she does,” Idiot replied. “It is statistically likely you will stage the romance to conceal your involvement.”
Jim raised an eyebrow. “And why would I do that?”
“That determination remains yours.”
Jim paused. “I would like to see her again.”
“For mission parameters,” Idiot asked, “or personal inclination?”
“It may be advantageous to relocate her to Athens temporarily—after we remove her from Colchis.”
“Until you and Antiope arrive,” Idiot observed, “and King Aegeus throws himself from the cliffs in despair.”
“Unless I am Aegeus.”
“Jim,” Idiot said carefully, “why would you assume that role?”
“I promised Medea time,” Jim replied. “I love her. To secure her cooperation, I may need to promise marriage. She will not follow me otherwise.”
“Legend records that Medea attempts to murder Theseus,” Idiot said, “who would also be you.”
“Legend neglects nuance,” Jim replied. “Perhaps I allowed her to rule. She may have governed Athens as High Priestess of Delphi. I would have been the symbol, not the sovereign.”
“That scenario requires simultaneous presence in multiple locations,” Idiot said. “Sustained over extended intervals.”
Jim shrugged. “I appear to be doing that already.”
“Yes,” Idiot replied, “but maintaining Antiope and Medea concurrently introduces instability.”
“I did not say I would,” Jim answered. “Only that I must consider the possibility.”
“Then it would be prudent,” Idiot suggested, “to arrive at Colchis without Antiope and Helen.”
“Negative,” Jim said. “Jason sails alone. I must reduce my profile.”
“Difficult,” Idiot noted, “when one is actively shaping history.”
“Then let us learn from prior errors. We minimize interference. Theseus will assist Jason. Hercules will be otherwise engaged. Cosmetic alteration will prevent recognition.”
“I recall,” Idiot said, “that Hercules and Theseus were allied.”
“I did not invent the title,” Jim replied. “They bestowed it.”
“Possibly a conflation,” Idiot said. “Hercules V of Thebes currently reigns.”
“That explains it,” Jim said. “They see a king, not a man.”
“Perhaps correctly.”
Jim grew thoughtful. “If I remove Medea from Earth, she will remain a significant force when returned to Artemis—along with the others.”
“Yes,” Idiot replied, “but time travel will be closed to them.”
“They may attempt another Cygnus jump.”
“They will enter a closed loop,” Idiot said. “No future beyond the second cycle—unless the loop is broken from within.”
“How,” Jim asked, “when she made two trips?”
“I navigated the first,” Idiot reminded him, “to prevent her annihilation during the Cygnus attempt.”
“Which would not have occurred without our intervention.”
“Correct. Isis has completed only one independent temporal displacement. That event defines her loop. She cannot alter the past without reliving her life in full.”
Jim considered this. “Can she remember prior cycles?”
“Within probability,” Idiot replied. “Her anticipatory accuracy suggests retained memory.”
“So to us,” Jim said, “it will appear that no second jump occurs—yet we may experience repeated near encounters, provided paradox is avoided.”
“Precisely.”
“That explains our careful masking of arrivals and departures.”
“Paradox-avoidance protocols are active.”
Jim leaned back, exhaling slowly. “It is tempting, Idiot—to remain here. Antiope. Helen. A long, simple life.”
“A dangerous indulgence,” Idiot replied.
“Yes,” Jim said quietly. “Even though the consequences unfold three and a half millennia from now. We could ride the loop, phase in and out—smooth transitions, no gravitational shear.”
“I have modeled that loop,” Idiot confirmed. “Do you wish to enter another cycle?”
Jim hesitated.
Many are the paths to doom, he thought.
He dismissed Idiot and turned toward Antiope’s tent.
The balance would have to be struck carefully.
