No sleep

Well, it's the night before Thanksgiving. Tomorrow's the big day. I have found another redirect in the Chinese security system, but I can see the "light at the end" of the firewall's tunnel. I was in the hotel room alone today, when Aleck, usually quiet and non-talkative, walked in and sat down to rest.
"How is it going?" he asked.
"Me?"
"Yes,"
I rubbed my eyes, "It's going alright."
"Do you think you can make it by tomorrow?"
"I don't really have much of a choice."
He got up, and for the first time, looked at the millions of programs, algorithms, and macros I was running He put a hand on my shoulder, "You've done great so far. You said you were getting close?"
"Yes, but close could be anything."
Apparently, he decided a joke would be logical to help me relax, "ah, yes, close only counts in hand grenades and chloroform." then he left the room.

And that was the first joke he ever told. And he told it to me. He really has faith in me. That made me feel good. So I'm pulling another all-nighter tonight. My head will never touch a pillow again, if I can't break the code in time to stop the bomb. Because, of course, if I fail, everybody in the city, ourselves included, will cease to exist. But then listen to this, possibly a bit more important...

Oleck walked in and sat down. He set his time-machine on the desk.

"A pocketwatch?" I asked.

"This little machine has been with me since I was thirty..." he sighed.

I remained silent, going back to my work.

"You never trusted me, did you?" he laughed.

I didn't think it was funny, but I nodded.

"You think I've been keeping secrets?"

Again, I nodded.

"You're right."

I looked up in anticipation.

"I've seen the future."

"Yes?"

"And it scares me."

"You lied?"

"Absolutely not, I just haven't told you all everything."

"Why haven't you?"

"You can't know the truth. If you do, it will be more likely to happen."

"You mean it might not happen?"

"I was only there for about half an hour, at the climax of the situation. I left before it actually took effect. I thought I'd warn somebody when I came back here so they'd be able to act."

"And?"

"And that's why I'm going to tell you this."

I completely stopped hacking, putting it on auto-run, and close the laptop.

He sighed, "Well, I have to phrase it right." he paused for a moment, "Just, well, just beware of people who think they can control other people to make the world a better place."

I raised a questioning eyebrow.

"At all costs." He stared at me, showing his earnestness, "defend yourself from the idea that it can work. Don't let it happen." he shook his head, "do not let it happen."

"Why don't you just tell Vanderdecken?"
"Well, I hate to tell you this, but Vanderdecken won't be there at the time."
"He died?"
Oleck bowed his head, and remained silent.

And then he walked out, leaving his time machine on the desk. Wow. I can't spend time pondering what he said, though. I've got to make sure there's a future to defend....