The Ocean of Sky by John A Connor

Author:John A Connor [Connor, John A]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Chalkway
Published: 2019-11-29T22:00:00+00:00

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The Dean squared his shoulders and marched, resolutely, into the laboratory. He was not fond of confrontations of this sort. There would be wailing and a gnashing of teeth that was for sure but in difficult times like these, savings he supposed, must be achieved, cuts must be made. Ill-defined research projects like those undertaken in this facility, whilst admirable in their intent, were seen as unlikely to deliver a return anytime soon on the not inconsiderable sums invested. And fiscal integrity was, the Vice Chancellor had assured him, in a trying meeting only that afternoon, ‘absolutely and entirely, the name of the game.’

The Dean had not met the Head of Temporal Studies personally, the department having been set up by his predecessor, and circumstances since had conspired to keep the incumbent and himself apart. It was for that reason that he had felt it more diplomatic to come to the laboratory rather than summon the man to his office to tell him the bad news.

Never the less, despite their lack of contact, he was aware that Professor Halstead was something of an eccentric and so, he was not unduly surprised by the outré appearance of the figure whom he discovered disengaging himself from a harness, attached to a strange, angular construction adorned with lights and buttons.

‘Ah, Professor Halstead,’ began the Dean, ‘I am sorry to interrupt your important work,’ and then, acknowledging that he was about to announce matters which would do rather more than “interrupt” proceedings, he added quickly, ‘I wonder if I might have a word with you on a particularly delicate issue?’

The man the Dean supposed to be the professor, lowered the equipment to the ground and turned a wide-eyed and suspicious gaze on his visitor.

‘Tell me, sir, whom you might be and what this place.’

The Dean was taken aback by both the style and the nature of the question but chose to deal with the part which made immediate sense. ‘We have not met, Professor, and I must offer you my apologies for that. I am the recently appointed Dean.’ He held out a hand which the other man chose to ignore. ‘Do you think we might go to your office? I’m afraid that I have some unfortunate news to impart.’

The man regarded him shrewdly. ‘You were mentioned to me sir. I am told you have an intimidating nature.’

The Dean raised his eyebrows. ‘I think maybe that too is a reference to the one who went before.’ He frowned, aware that he was already mimicking the other man’s oddly formal speech patterns.

‘Please,’ he placed a hand on the man’s shoulder and guided him towards a glass-fronted cubicle which stood towards one side of the room. Inside, he waved to a chair and sat himself opposite.

‘I won’t beat about the bush Professor, there has been a review of college funding and this department is one of the unfortunate…victims.’ Damn, that wasn’t a word he’d have chosen with more time for consideration.

The “professor” meanwhile, had taken possession of the desk and now sat, hands steepled, a look of mild amusement on his face.

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