Learning to Love Time Loops Without Going Insane

At the first meeting of Cal’s war council they went over what had happened with the Agency last loop. Most of the information was lost, but Ralth had managed to hear some of what Stan said. Plus Bug had some details to add in. The good news was none of them had been captured until after leaving the building. Each of them had been surrounded by several unmarked cars as soon as they tried to leave the grounds. Nothing else survived of Stan’s encounter. Bug and Ethel had been forced inside a van. Bug herself had been hurt trying to save Ethel and they tranquilized her once she was inside. She didn’t remember anything else clearly until Cal showed up, and even that she found to be blurry.

Given the information, it seemed pointless to worry about this loop. If they waited until the exit to grab them it didn’t matter. No one intended to exit the building, just wait out what was coming. Cal ruled the Agency a non issue this time around, but in the future he would be investigating just what they were doing to people with magic.

*

It was early twenty twenty-three and Cal had everyone gathered around the table for their last planning phase discussion before they made their first attempt at getting the generators together.

“So Stan takes NYC, Ethel and Bug take Seattle, Jen takes Boston, Andy and I handle Dallas. The only goal is to get the generators through the cracks. Will the cracking stones be ready in time Albert?” Cal looked at the capybara as he asked. He had made sure to include him in this meeting.

Albert stood up to better address the group. “Yes, we already have the majority produced. We are just trying to double them up right now in case any are lost during the assault.” He sat back down.

“Perfect, now I know something is likely to go wrong and if it does, do your best to get a communication out as to what happened so we can better prepare in future loops, does anyone have any questions?”

“How will we know if this all goes right?” Stan asked.

“I honestly don’t know. I assume there will be some change brought about from this, but I don’t know what.” Cal didn’t have a great answer and he knew it. At the very least he hoped this would allow him to start accessing his void magic, and start being able to travel through the spirit’s realms without exploding. That alone would open up a world of possibilities for communication with future Andy as well as safe areas.

“I don’t think we will understand the change until my future self can examine where he resides most of the time. Once that happens though we will likely become aware of something.” Andy added.

“Alright let the final war council be concluded. It’s time for pizza.” Cal looked over at his family and friends as he spoke. He hoped they all made it through saving the world.