Aleskei Volchenkcov is one of the most powerful men in the region, perhaps, soon, in all the world, but the time machine that offers his government such daunting power, is also his vehicle to relive a love affair of long ago.
 

Part One: Tyrant

    Aleskei Volchenkcov, the CEO of Concupi Science, Inc., felt giddy, almost weightless, as he passed by the final Trespassers Will Be Shot sign.  Two armed soldiers stood outside Research and Development.  Neither moved as he entered, humming to himself.

    The night before, his wife had grunted at him and turned from his touch, but her ritual of neglect had bothered him very little.  Instead, he had lain awake, staring at the ceiling, thinking of this moment; or, rather, thinking of long-ago days spent in the arms of Lilya Datsyuka.  The thought of her now made his heart race, and he calmed himself, not wanting to aggravate his condition.

    The waiting crew of scientists and engineers greeted him professionally, though in their eyes he saw a hint of discomfort, as if they did not trust him with their new machine.    Normally, he would have pulled himself upright and met them eye-to-eye until the condescension gave way to fear and trepidation.  They would have seen that age and diabetes-induced obesity had not softened the will of this corporate dictator.  With eyes as cold as his deeply graying hair, he would have made them quiver to their toes, but, today, he could not be bothered.  Lilya Datsyuka, still young and perfect, awaited him.

    The time machine looked a little like the old-fashioned salon-style hairdryers, being comprised mainly of a bell-shaped contraption they would lower over his head.  As he slid into the accompanying chair, several voices talked at once, either highlighting the capabilities of the machine or reminding him of the transmittal procedures.  He listened to none of it.  He had only one thing in mind: his destination.

    Then the cacophony died away, and one clear voice spoke in his ear.  “Though you do not physically travel back, what you cause your younger self to do will alter time. Don’t make significant changes of any kind. Your entire life could be turned on its ear, and you’d never know it. When you returned, you would remember only that new life, nothing of the old. Be careful. This is real.”

    Aleskei smiled broadly.  “This had better be real,” he said.  “I’m counting on it.”