Cheating Time

by

Chapter 12 – Epilogue (sad ending)

"What a nightmare! The paperwork alone is going to take months. The company doesn't care. There's probably no one left to file a lawsuit. They wouldn't bother at all except for regulations. Thank whoever for regulations. They keep my kitty fed.

"I wonder whose clever idea it was to store the data in the individual stations instead of a nice central database. You bring one computer back on line and wham bam you've got all the information you need. But no, we…I mean, I have to bring a hundred computers online, configure a compatible interface my equipment with this fossil that used to pass for a processing unit, and download it. Some of these computers are so old I don't think I'll ever get them running again. This is going to take forever. Money in the bank!

"Now look at this one. It probably isn't worth the trouble of trying. I could just not do it and say I did, but if they send someone to follow up, my ass will be in a sling. So, OK. Connect the power pack. Push the switch. Holy crap, its booting! Well, let's just see who you were.

"Linda Cahalo. That's a pretty name. I'll bet you were a pretty thing, too, once upon a time. Cheese and crackers! I never heard of anyone going in and out of stasis this many times. Well, it's all over now, baby. They'll check to see if anyone claims you but after all these years you'd have a better chance at resurrection.

"Rest in peace, Linda Cahalo – a victim of time and circumstance."