[ WP ] In an overcrowded future , convicted criminals are sent back in time hundreds of years with their memories erased . An agent tasked with recovering an innocent man who was pardoned now has to make a difficult choice .

`` Agent Doyle, do you understand your duty?'' The voice boomed inside his head; made possible by the CommChip implanted in his brain, standard issue equipment for Agents of the Peace, he was receiving new orders. 
 
 `` Yes, Ma'am. I am to retrieve Prisoner 3/17-42 from the year 2014. Now living under the assumed alias of John Smith, he has been acquitted of all charges as decided by Supreme Peacekeeper Jowett in relation to case 583954-2424. But Ma'am, if I may-'' 
 
 `` You may not. You have your assignment. Pertinent details are being uploaded to your system for retrieval. Make ready, you depart at 2300 hours Current Standard Time.'' 
 
 There was the typical *buzz-click* of the communications link being terminated. He knew he should n't have tried to question her, but it seemed so counter-intuitive. *We send them back and erase their memories for a reason; we're over-populated as it is. Even bringing him back, memory restoration is not fully functional and could kill him. Hell, even the memory wipe process is n't perfect. At best, he remembers the horrible events that led to his imprisonment. At worst... he is transplanted to a new time, memory erased* again *and forced to start anew*. His argument rang through his mind, as futile as that seemed knowing there was no one there to hear them. 
 
 This was the first case that they had in which someone had post-review been pardoned of charges; the legal system did not like making mistakes, much less having to fix them. But Presiding Peacekeeper Hobner, who had officiated the trial, had been found to be corrupt, and was sentenced to 1000 years himself. At which point, all of his recent cases were reopened and reviewed individually by Supreme Peacekeeper Jowett, head of the Office of the Peace. 
 
 All of his cases had been cleared as proper judgements, but Jowett determined that this case lacked evidence suitable to convict the defendant of any charges 15 years ago, so they were forced to issue public apology and issue the first *Order of Retrieval - Pardon* since the New Justice System has been developed. 
 
 *2230 hours, time to depart shortly. * Agent Doyle had prepared himself, however begrudgingly, because he was loyal to the Continents, and firmly believed in the New Justice System. He was a top field Agent, with a great number of commendations, and on a short list to make next Chief Division Agent when Lido retired next year; he did not want to do anything that would compromise his advancement. 
 
 He stood on the platform, and the containment glass lowered around him, ensuring he would be the only one caught in the Rift and sent back in time; he arrived on August 9^th 2014. After ensuring his Beacon was receiving his Return Sig and he was not trapped in a foreign Time, he reviewed the information. The details floated in front of his eyes thanks to surgical implants known as PeaceView, also standard issue. Thanks to RiftTek, the company behind most major technological developments regarding the Peace and time travel, he maintained a connection to the servers through time and space. 
 
 * Subject: John Smith 
 * Relative Age: 38 
 * Gender: Male 
 * Criminal Status: Imprisoned - Pardoned, pending Retrieval 
 * Assigned Agent: Doyle, # 5376 
 * Crimes: 
 
 1. Breaking and Entering - Case 583954-2424 * [ Pardoned ] * 
 2. Theft of Personal Property - Case 583954-2424 * [ Pardoned ] * 
 3. Willful Lifetaking in the First Degree ( 3 counts ) - Case 583954-2424 * [ Pardoned ] * 
 4. Evading the Peace, Long-term - Case 583954-2424 * [ Pardoned ] * 
 
 He tried to call up the details of the Peace Case, and a message flashed across his View: **Judicial Proceedings Sealed - Insufficient Clearance** 
 
 *Strange. Even without knowing exactly what he was alleged of doing, I still do n't feel comfortable bringing this guy back knowing that he had at least been convicted of 3 counts of Willful Lifetaking... * 
 
 Agent Doyle rented a vehicle, still surprised at how different everything was in this year compared to the 25^th century. Cars did n't fly or hover. People walked and rode `` bicycles''. Travel was lengthy and cumbersome, as they had not yet discovered Warping, much less have access to any kind of time travel. 
 
 He eventually came upon a house. A nice house. A man was outside tending to his lawn and his garden. The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze in the air... a nice day. 
 
 Doyle parked his rental vehicle on the side of the road, lightly rubbing the tires against the curb. *Wheels; I'll never get used to them. * 
 
 He got out, closed the door, and reviewed the information again. The file picture was locked, which Doyle could not understand. He began to walk up to the man, badge at the ready. 
 
 `` Sir. I'm going to have to ask you to come with me. My name is Agent-'' at this point, the man turned to face him. 
 
 `` Doyle!,'' he cried out, with a malicious grin. 
 
 As he approached, he began to recognize the man. The man he knew was 23 years old, and John Smith was nearing 40, but the resemblance was uncanny. 
 
 `` You?! I have to bring you back?! Wait- How... How do you remember my name?'' Doyle's face clearly showed pain and anger rising behind his usually calm demeanour. 
 
 `` Oh come now. I'm hurt. You do n't think I could forget your name after I slaughtered your family, do you?'' 
 
 *** 
 
 *edit: forgot how to grammar in some spots*
