POV: Time Variance Authority

Elias could scarcely contain his eagerness at the thought of a "new development" in his dream world. After playing the same recurring dream for over twenty years, even though he hadn't fully explored it, he was beginning to grow weary of its repetitive nature.

Now that he'd confirmed this dream was actually a real future six centuries away, the business with Cipher and that safety deposit box no longer seemed critical. After all, Cipher existed in another era, and her voice—though familiar—might be just a coincidence. As for the deposit box with "Elias Crane" emblazoned on it?

"No wonder I could never guess the code," Elias mused, scratching his head.

"Very likely it wasn't my deposit box at all—just someone of the same name, from who knows which century."

He shrugged it off, closed his internet browser, and reopened the library database in his dream. This time, he was focused on references to a figure named Gerald Wynn, who had replaced Mykson as the father of cryonics in the revised timeline. Four books showed up:

A General Introduction to CryonicsCryonics Chamber Prospects and Technical ObstaclesA Detailed Explanation of Cryonics Fill-LiquidsThe By-Products of Cryonics Technology

The third volume seemed to be exactly what he needed to correct the chemical equations West had found flawed.

Within a few more dream sessions across two days, Elias patched all the transcription errors in the cryonics reaction steps—ensuring no vital formula was missing.

***

Back in his real-world bedroom, Elias pushed back from his desk, letting out a long exhale. He'd just written the final line in the corrected draft.

"Everything's done."

He lifted a few new pages—this time certain they were accurate. Checking his phone, it was already 4 A.M.

"I've got the Monday morning meeting in a few hours… Might be pointless to sleep now."

He wondered if he might oversleep, but then recalled that West had been messaging him daily, politely checking on his progress. The professor seemed desperate—he repeated the same instructions:

"If you have the updated notes, call me anytime. Anytime at all!"

Elias glanced at the clock. 4:00 A.M. would normally be too early to call, but West might not even be sleeping. So he gave it a try:

Elias (Text): "Still awake, Professor?"

Within seconds, his phone trilled—West was calling directly.

"You finished the manuscript?" West exclaimed, voice taut with excitement.

"I'm at the lab. Haven't been sleeping well, always thinking about those formulas. If it's ready, can I pick it up now?"

Elias offered the safer plan.

"I'll bring it to you, Professor. You haven't been resting—driving is risky. Let me hand it over. Then I'll grab breakfast and head straight to the office for the morning meeting."

So, Elias pulled on a jacket, snatched up the fresh pages, and hailed a taxi to the university.

***

Outside, dawn barely lightened the sky. Street-cleaners and a few early commuters were already on the job. Traffic was sparse, so the taxi made quick work of the university route.

Elias walked briskly through campus to find West in his same lab. Handing over the updated notes, he watched the professor skim them, eyes lighting up:

"Yes… yes, this time it's definitely correct!" West murmured, flipping pages.

"I can see from experience that these chemical reactions are right. Thank you, Elias—I believe I'm on the verge of completing the entire cryonics fill-liquid."

Elias beamed, pleased for him.

"I'm delighted for you, Professor. All your years of research might finally pay off. If you publish your fill-liquid soon, you'll spark the entire world's interest in cryonics. Give it a few decades—or centuries—and we'll have functional cryonics chambers. Then Kate can sleep into the future for treatment."

At the mention of his daughter, West's eyes shone. He grasped Elias's hand in thanks.

"You're a real lifesaver, Elias. I owe you. Truly."

But Elias only smiled modestly, shrugging off the gratitude. "I'm glad to help."

West gently set aside the new pages. He removed his glasses, as though about to say more, but Elias took the cue.

"Anyway, I won't disturb you further, Professor. I'll grab some breakfast and get to my meeting. Let me know if you run into any more snags."

He turned to go when West spoke up:

"Wait, Elias."

Stepping to a cluttered side table, the professor rummaged through the piles of documents and grabbed a thick folder, handing it over:

"Take this. A small token of my appreciation."

Elias accepted it, feeling its surprising heft. "What's in here?" he asked, curious.

West only smiled, half-mysterious, half-relieved.

"Take a look—I believe it's something you'll find useful."

Find useful? Elias wondered. He opened the folder, sifting through its contents. The first item was a handwritten "Exclusive License" referencing that renowned "failed" chemical compound:

[Hereby grants Elias Crane… exclusive… gratis…]

It even bore West's signature at the bottom.

"Wait…" Elias's eyes widened.

The exclusive license that every major cosmetics company had been salivating over—for Professor West's accidental but miraculous moisture compound—was now entrusted not to "MH Cosmetics," not to Ms. Harrington, but to him personally.

"Professor West… what—?"