[ WP ] Write the third episode of non-existant series . Make us curious about what happened before episode 3 , and what happens after .

The time machine powered down, Alex checked the readout. This was his last chance, only enough charge remained to return home, and if home was to be the home he remembered he would need to succeed this time. 
 
 Commander Fleming's death on his last two trips had to be assignation he realised, there could be no other explanation. The first he put down to happenstance, the second surely merely a coincidence, a third time would undoubtedly indicate enemy action, but who is the enemy and why would they need the Commander dead? As a naval intelligence officer he would have plenty of enemies in this time but his cover seemed intact at this point; it had to be someone external to this time period and this worried Alex, his was the only time machine, he was sure of it, no other indication of new tachyons from any other sources had ever been detected and if it was n't him somehow causing the premature death of one of Britain's elite spys and future authors, then it had to be someone else. Alex felt beads of sweat breakout on his forehead, if it's not someone else, could it be him? A him from a later point, returning ever earlier and through observing or unknown actions, cause the death of one individual that turned his own time into such an unrecognisable place? Could he be destined to keep travelling, trying to right this wrong, while gradually making things worse? Alex felt nauseous, he knew the risks, he'd read enough scientific papers and science fiction to understand the consequences of interference, still he could n't resist the allure, it's what made him a scientist after all, however he was now paying for his arrogance, paying for it with the lives of the people he once knew. 
 The readout display dimmable as it attempted to reserve its remaining power. Well, like it or not, he had to put it right this time. There would n't be the technology to reenergise for further trips for at least another 150 years and even recharging the console would be problematic for a long time. 
 He could n't stay here, the world was in a dangerous place and to make this his home filled his throat with acid. Being marooned in this time, even when he thought he knew about the major events and ultimately the outcome of the war, his survival was not guaranteed, but now with home being unrecognisable he knew he had little choice in the matter; he had to change things, no, not change things, rectify, return things to how they should have been before his first two trips. 
 
 He unbuckled and slid out of his chair. He opened the hatch and stepped out. A click of metal that he realised did n't come from the hatch caused him to turn his head, the barrel of a rifle met his eyes. German words, aggressive but with a tremble of uncertainty. The smell of the woods and something burning. This was n't right, this should n't be here. He raised his hands as further figures came out from the trees, their guns leveled at him. 
 `` Relax gents'', an English voice called out. `` This man is no threat'' he stated. 
 The guns lowered, slowly with uncertainty then with obedience. 
 `` Jim!'' the man greeted Alex. `` A little earlier than expected! I would n't have thought timing would have been your issue! ``, he grinned. 
 
 Alex tried to process what was happening. What could he have done that led to this? The man that had called him by an unknown name was looking at him expectantly as he lit a cigarette. 
 The man closest to Alex held out his hand to pull him forward. Despite his first words being German he was wearing British military uniform. His eyes still showed uncertainty but he tried a faint smile. `` This way, sir'' he gestured. He turned to the man in charge, `` Commander Fleming, sir? Shall we set the explosives?'' he pointed to behind Alex as soldiers closed around the machine. 
 `` Yes, but no more than necessary, make it clean and thorough. I'll inspect it later. No one is to remove anything from the debris, is that clear?'' he ordered. 
 The soldier nodded, saluted and moved behind Alex. 
 `` Come, James'', he beckoned towards a waiting car. `` We'll get cracking then'', it's been quite a week!''
