Department of Temporal Investigations
Office of Historical Operations
Timeplex Tower, New London
Date: October 17, 2095
Dear Mr. Thornwood,
Your expertise in historical archaeology, particularly in Late Antiquity and early medieval transitions, has earned you a critical assignment under the Department’s Temporal Recovery Initiative. This mission, designated Project Bellbound, is of the utmost priority, requiring precision, discretion, and a willingness to navigate unexpected complexities.
Our records indicate that you have been briefed on the operational guidelines for Temporal Engagement. Nonetheless, allow me to reiterate: while we allow limited observation and data collection, any deviation or overt interaction with local populations beyond necessity will be considered a violation of the Temporal Integrity Act. The mission’s success depends on your adherence to these principles.
Now to the task at hand.
Historical evidence suggests that the bells of St. Martin’s, once located just outside 15th-century London, hold an anomaly of profound significance. The site—constructed near an older Roman burial ground—was known for its inexplicably resonant chimes, described in period accounts as “the song of eternity.” These bells seemingly vanished from history, along with detailed knowledge of their origins and purpose. Our preliminary investigations have identified disruptions in the temporal fabric surrounding this period, which strongly suggest an external influence.
You will travel to the year 1437, where you are to conduct in situ observations and document both the bells’ craftsmanship and their mysterious properties. Special attention should be paid to any connections between the bells and the Roman burial ground beneath the church. Artefacts, inscriptions, or oral histories will be invaluable for our understanding of the site’s historical and temporal significance.
There is, however, an additional matter requiring your attention—one not disclosed in the standard mission briefing. Your predecessor, Joel Ashford, was tasked with the same mission three months ago. His departure was successful, but we have since lost all contact with him. Ashford’s absence has raised troubling questions about his intentions and the stability of the timeline.
While your primary focus will remain on the bells, locating Ashford is equally vital. His prolonged presence risks contamination of the timeline, and preliminary forensic analysis indicates that his motivations may not align with his official directives. Should you locate him, you are authorised to use whatever measures necessary to ensure his return to the present.
This mission demands more than scholarly expertise. It will require courage, adaptability, and resolve. As you prepare, bear in mind the stakes: a single fracture in temporal stability could reverberate across centuries, reshaping history as we know it.
Your departure is scheduled for October 21, 2095, at 0300 hours. Please report to Temporal Gate 6A for equipment calibration and orientation.
Trust that you have been chosen for this mission not only for your skill but for your unwavering integrity. The past calls to you, Mr. Thornwood, and through you, we may ensure the future remains intact.
Godspeed.
Sincerely,
Dr. Meredith Ardent
Director of Historical Operations
Department of Temporal Investigations