Chapter One

Daniel Carlyle, a handsome twenty-five-year-old engineering student, stood outside the door of the glass-enclosed transport chamber. He wiped the perspiration from his palms onto his jeans. "I'm a little scared," he confessed. "Are you sure this is really going to work?"

The bespectacled man in a blue sport coat and khaki trousers looked up from the control panel. "I've tested the program on inanimate objects, lab rats, and a rhesus monkey, and it's worked," Dr. Simpson said with a British accent, sounding quite confident. He adjusted a knob and watched the pointer of a dial move. "Perfect," he reported, as much to himself as to the nervous grad student.

"I'm thinking I might not want to do this," Dan said. He swallowed hard, wiped his hands again. "I heard the Research Ethics Committee didn't approve of this experiment."

"Oh, ah, that was just because of some minor technicality. It was more of a clerical error than a design flaw."

Dan had been given a copy of the research proposal and procedures on a series of discs shortly after coming into the lab as an assistant. Dr. Simpson said the content was secret, and the discs should be well-hidden. Dan had only perused them; discovering most of the files were encrypted. His own work in the lab had been fairly superficial, and he did not comprehend the intricate program protocols. He did not fully trust what he did not fully understand. "But I'll be your first human subject, and I'm quite a bit larger than one of your test monkeys."

Simpson looked directly into the eyes of the young man. "And I'll remind you, Daniel, your research assistantship is paying your full tuition. I guess if you want to get your master's degree, you don't really have much choice."

It had been during his junior year of undergraduate college that Dan decided on a major in engineering. However, to get anywhere in the aeronautical engineering field, he knew he would need a master's degree. The problem was, to pursue this degree he had to come to a prestigious university where the tuition had skyrocketed. Therefore he applied for a research assistantship and was accepted to assist in this secure keycard protected lab. He was awarded full tuition for one year in exchange for his work and his signature on a pledge to not divulge any information about the secret project. He would be eligible to reapply for a second year, but would need a strong recommendation from Dr. Simpson. Dan was over the proverbial barrel, and he knew it.

"Tell me again, how long will I be gone?" Dan stalled for time, hoping to muster up more courage.

"No more than four hours. You'll be back by lunchtime. Are you worried about a hot date?"

"Don't I wish. Ellie, my girlfriend, broke up with me three weeks ago and ran off with a pro football quarterback. She probably figured a jock could buy her more than a poor graduate student could."

"But she'll not get to sleep with the world's very first time traveler."

Dan wanted to change the subject, as the rejection still hurt. "Remind me, how far back are you going to send me?"

"Don't worry, this first time it'll only be two years. Still, don't make any big changes, since I have no idea how that might screw up the timeline."

"So, I'm just going to go time tripping back a few years and stand there for four hours?"

"But, you'll be in a new location, so you should take advantage and explore. Use the time to look around. Be careful not to change anything."

"This is crazy, but I guess I don't have a choice," Dan said, and thought, I'm out of my fuckin' head, but I do need the stipend to pay my tuition.

"Hang your tracking chip around your neck." Simpson handed Dan a small half-inch square medallion on a silver chain. "There's a little button on it. Remember, as long as that button is pressed in, I'll be able to find you and bring you back. Now, as in our dry runs, step into the chamber and stand perfectly still in the middle. This shouldn't hurt, and the teleportation will only take a few seconds."

Shouldn't hurt? I wish he sounded more certain. With much trepidation Dan walked into the chamber, and Dr. Simpson closed the door behind him. A chill ran up the young man's spine. Too late to back out now. He crossed his fingers on both hands.

What they called the transport chamber had been put together piecemeal so none of the technicians or suppliers had any real idea of what the final apparatus would look like or do. Dan helped only with the nuts and bolts tasks, moving around and combining physical parts. Dr. Simpson spent years developing the sophisticated computer programs and did all of the intricate final wiring. Dan tried not to worry about a loose bolt, a disconnected wire, or some other design flaw.

A whirling sound started softly and grew in intensity. Daniel suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented. Then, for only a few seconds, everything went black.

***

The next thing he was aware of was the feeling of the sun warming his body, and the aroma of saltwater filling his nostrils. He opened his eyes and found himself standing on white sand and looking out at the blue ocean. It dawned on him that many of the people around him were speaking Spanish, but an even more surprising awareness was that he apparently had been transported to a clothing optional beach probably somewhere in Mexico. There were at least two dozen nude and partially nude sunbathers and another dozen or more frolicking in the surf. He walked toward a naked woman lying on a beach towel with her slender thighs spread. He expected her to close her legs as he approached, but she seemed not to even notice him. That is a beautiful pussy, he thought. Ten feet away a nude woman was lying on her stomach. Nice ass. In the other direction, a woman on her back was displaying a fantastic rack. Amazing tits. The suntan lotion she applied to her boobs made her perky nipples glisten. Dan had to cover the front of his jeans with his hands, for the sight of these beautiful nude women brought him to a rock hard erection. He looked around and noticed that none of the other men on the beach had boners. They must be used to it. Either that or they got laid last night, and their peters are petered out.

Dan approached a man in a white jacket who was obviously a waiter. "Excuse me, Sir, but could you tell me where I am?" The man did not look up from the table he was clearing. "I'm wondering where I am? What is this place?" The man still did not respond. " Amigo, I don't speak Spanish. Do you understand English?" The man moved on to the next table without showing any sign that he was aware of Dan's presence. That was pretty rude, he thought.

Dan approached the beachside bar and stood in front of the scantily-clad barmaid. She did not take her gaze up from the sink and the glasses she was washing. "Miss, could you tell me where I am?" The woman did not look up. "Lady, at least have the decency to tell me to fuck off if you don't want to talk to me. I'm just trying to ask you a simple question." There was still no response. "You can't see or hear me, can you?" Shit, I can hear them, but no one seems to hear me. What the hell's going on? "Can anyone hear me?" he yelled out. No one even looked in his direction. He walked to the feet of the woman who was sunning herself spread eagle, crouched down, and screamed, "You have a fantastic cunt!" She did not respond. He reached out to tweak her toe, but realized his fingers passed right through, and it felt like he was just pinching air. Damn, I'm here, but I'm not here. How can this be?

Daniel ran around the beach screaming at the top of his lungs, but no one heard him. He stopped to catch his breath near two women sipping their drinks and talking. "Did you get laid last night, Terri?" he heard one ask.

He was curious about what the response might be, so moved a little closer to eavesdrop. "Oh, yes." Terri said. "He was some muscular athlete from a college in Texas, and he went nonstop. I came twice while he was eating me and one more time while we fucked. How about you, Sally, did you get diddled?"

" Diddled is the right word," her petite friend answered. "The guy ignored my nipples, licked my pussy a couple times and then stuck his little dick in and came in about eight thrusts. I had to play with myself to get off, and he didn't even seem interested in watching."

"I'd love to have watched," Dan said, knowing he would not be heard. "I would've eaten your sweet snatch for a lot more than just a couple licks, would've sucked those cute nipples, and would've fucked you royally for at least a half hour. I know of an Internet cybersex site where the guys would love to watch you flicking your clit on cam."

The two women continued sipping their cocktails without any sense that Dan was now sitting at their table making verbal comments and enjoying their naked bodies.

"You deserve much better. So, will you see him again tonight?" Terri asked.

"No," Sally replied. "If I can't pick some hot guy up to sleep with, I've always got my vibrator. At least my boy toy won't quit before I come."

"Yeah, but it can't kiss you goodnight," Dan said, essentially into thin air. "So, do either of you gals like to suck cock? How about taking it up the back door? How about a threesome with the two of you and me?" He found it fun to talk dirty without having to worry about embarrassing or offending these beauties.

The two women began talking about their college majors so Dan got up and looked around. Wonder what those fellows are talking about. He moved close to three guys who were slugging down glasses of cold beer and comparing notes. "My gal last night had the biggest jugs I've ever gotten to play with," one said. "She's the first one I could tittie fuck."

"Put your pecker between those knockers and squeezed them together, did you? I hope you didn't come on her face." Dan reached for a bottle of beer, knowing he'd not be able to feel it, let alone pick it up. As predicted, his hand passed right through it.

Another swallowed and said, "The sweetie I was with last night had shaved her box, but she had a five o'clock shadow and even though she tasted good, eating her was really rough on my tongue."

The third man made his contribution. "I was with a gal who loved getting it hard and deep doggy style."

"Woof, woof," Dan added out loud, but he might just as well have thought it.

The first fellow had more. "My lay not only had big boobs, she was a gusher." He lifted his half-empty beer mug. "My god, when she came she must've squirted at least a cup of fluid."

"I once dated a squirter, but she thought she was peeing. It sure didn't taste like piss to me so I knew she was ejaculating," the man with the sore tongue stated. "I mean, talk about a wet spot on the bed."

"But how about golden showers, fellows? Ever share a gal with another guy? What about fucking in a public park?" Dan was having fun, even if he had no audience. "I'm outta here, guys, before you studs begin comparing cock sizes," he said. Looking around he saw four gray-haired men sitting at a table talking. Dan approached, curious about what these aging men were talking about. When he discovered they were comparing the number of times each had to get up during the night to pee, Dan looked around again.

Nearby sat three women who appeared to be in their middle or late fifties. One was totally naked, one was just topless, and the other had on a one-piece swimsuit. I guess I know who's comfortable with her body and who's not. I wonder what older women talk about on a clothing optional beach. He moved very close to the three, not worrying that they would see him. The first thing he did was check out the pussy of the totally nude woman. "Oh my god, your face says you're pushing sixty, but your snatch says you're still in your twenties. It's nice to learn that snatches don't age, other than the salt and pepper pussy hair that frames them. I know which of you had your face lifted, your titties augmented, and your tummy tucked. Hmmm, and you, pretty lady, you've had a C-section. I guess that reminder on your tummy doesn't go away. Like the aging of a fine wine, you're each unique and beautiful in your own way." He moved even closer to listen, for they talked in whispers.

"Did you see the young man with a gold ring through the head of his peter?" the woman in the swimsuit asked.

"No, but I did notice how everything is shriveled up when they come out of the cold water," the one with the C-section scar commented.

"I dated a man once who used that as his excuse," the suited woman replied, and the three women giggled.

"It's amazing the differences in sizes," the nude woman said. "I saw one that when soft is bigger than my husband is hard."

Dan smiled. "I hope you don't tell him that when you get home."

"Can Ralph still get it up?" the nude woman asked the one in the suit.

"He's sixty-one now and a lot slower responding. I have to help him, but then I need an artificial lube and a lot of fingerplay myself to get going. Still, we keep at it and get the job done about twice a month. The good news is our orgasms are every bit as intense as they ever were. So, quantity is down, but we still have quality."

"How about you, Charlotte? Are you and Bruce still active?"

"With the help of the little blue pill, Bruce still responds, but I think a lot of the slowdown is between his ears. My hubby might be getting old, but my vibrator's still humming, and I keep on coming."

"Go, Girl," Dan said. When they started talking of their hot flashes he looked around and spotted a beautiful fully dressed blonde. He watched as she walked around carefully surveying the smorgasbord of men. Then she stopped, facing a group of four guys, all naked and sitting on a bench with their dicks and balls hanging down over the edge. Looks like they've hung their equipment out on display and that gal appears to be very interested. I guess it does pay to advertise.

Without hesitation the young woman pulled off her shirt and unfastened her bra. There was very little sag to her firm breasts as she set those babies free. She kicked off her shoes, unbuttoned the waist of her skirt and let it fall to the sand. This beauty was wearing a black thong and from the side view he had, Dan could see she had beautifully shaped buns and a nicely rounded pubic bone. Waxed or unwaxed? he wondered. He moved to where he could get a better view and as she pulled down her thong he saw her pube adorned with a trimmed crop of blonde hair. "Wow," he said out loud. "You ain't no bleach job."

To Dan's surprise, the woman sat down on her skirt, spread her legs, and bent up her knees. She's not going to do that in public, is she? he thought. My, god, she is. She's flicking her clit. The woman reached down and began to rub her pleasure bud. Dan's cock stiffened, but now he knew he didn't need to hide it. In fact, he began rubbing himself through his jeans. Gotta get a better view. I can get right in front of her, and no one will see me. Dan walked in front of the guys and stopped about fifteen feet from a pussy that was clearly becoming very wet. He unsnapped the waist of his jeans, unzipped the fly and let them slide down his legs. He pulled his jockey shorts down and stroked his firm erection. He watched the woman's fingers, and when he looked up into her blue eyes, it appeared that she was watching him.

"You're beautiful, and I love watching you play with yourself." Dan said, thinking she would not hear him.

The woman's legs snapped together. "I love watching you too, but can you really see and hear me?" There was a surprised expression on her pretty face.

Dan's hard-on faded rapidly. "I can see and hear you, but can you see and hear me?"

"Of course I can," she replied, "but you're not supposed to know I'm here."

"Well, you're the only one around who seems to know that I exist."

"And no one has seen me, but you," the woman replied, her voice still reflecting her surprise. "Where in the world did you come from?"

"From the United States, but to tell you the truth, I have no idea where I am?"

"You're at a private beach in Cancun, Mexico. If you don't know where you are, how'd you get here?"

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you," Dan said as he hurriedly pulled up his jeans and buttoned the waist without thinking to zip up the fly.

The woman had her bra and thong back on, but did not seem to be in a hurry to dress completely. "Theoretically, I should have been invisible to you," she said.

"Watch this," he said and then yelled out, "Hey, everybody, look at us." No one looked, no one stopped what they were doing and no one responded. "We're both invisible to everyone but each other. How could that happen?"

"Let's back up a little. I'm Crystal, and you are?"

"I'm Daniel. Well, just Dan."

"Okay, just Dan, I'll ask again. How did you get here?"

"Ah, I was... I was transported."

"By boat, by plane, by hot air ballon? How?"

"As I had said, you'll not believe this. I was transported here by a time machine. Look there at the calendar on the wall behind the bar. June 24^th, 2008. For me, just a few hours ago it was June 24^th, 2010."

"Oh, my god," Crystal exclaimed. "A fucking time traveler."

Dan suddenly felt dizzy and disoriented. Things momentarily went black.

***

He heard Dr. Simpson calling his name. "Dan, are you all right?"

Dan shook his head. "Nothing happened," he replied.

"What do you mean? You were gone for... " Simpson glanced at his watch. "You were gone for exactly three hours and forty-nine minutes."

"Gone where? I don't remember going anywhere?" His mind was totally void of any memories from Cancun. "I can't believe I really went anywhere."

Dr. Simpson frowned. "I didn't anticipate this. I saw you vanish, so you went somewhere. You were gone for almost four hours, and I expected you to be able to recall and report everything that happened. Are there any fragments or slivers of memory? Any sights or sounds or smells?"

Dan thought for a moment. "Nothing at all. I was here, then things went black for a moment and when I opened my eyes I was still here. Wait, my fly's open. Hmm, I don't remember unzipping it."

"Apparently then you didn't just vaporize and then rematerialize when I triggered the call back program. I didn't anticipate the memory loss, and guess I'll need to do some fine tuning. It's most likely a problem with the ionization energy fluctuation control values." Dr. Simpson scratched his balding head. "There's no sense in time travel if you don't remember anything. Will you be ready to try again in a day or two?"

Dan felt a wave of excitement. "You just let me know, and I'll be ready." He reflected back on his initial fear. Strange that now I'm actually looking forward to it.

"Give me a couple days to check the computer program to see if I can figure out why you've experienced this lapse of memory. Of course, I couldn't ask the lab rat or monkey what they remembered, so I just assumed you'd return with your memories intact."

"I really can't remember anything of what happened. Like I said, it's as if I was in the chamber and just blinked my eyes." Dan glanced as his own watch. "This is a mystery. Next time I'll take my digital camera and at least have some photos."

"That won't work. I had teleported both a video cam and a digital cam set to take a series of still pictures, but nothing was recorded. The camera discs were as blank as your mind."

Dan left the lab with all kinds of questions swirling around in his head. There was yet another unanswered question when he got back to his apartment and checked his underwear. Pre-cum. How'd that get there? Where the hell was I?